小鼠睾丸特异基因在生精细胞中阶段性表达的定量分析

在Balb/c小鼠精子发生过程中,许多基因都具有严格的时空表达特性.实验利用半定量RT-PCR验证了12个小鼠精子发生相关基因的组织学分布,采用SYBR Green I荧光定量PCR分析了它们在不同发育阶段生精细胞中的差异表达.结果显示,所有基因仅在睾丸组织中高表达;Prm1、Prm2、Tnp1、Tnp2在长形精子细胞中的表达水平最高,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的1.9、2.8、3.2和2倍;Dnajb3呈上调表达,在长形精子细胞中的含量是粗线期精母细胞阶段的2.5倍;Akap4在长形精子细胞阶段的表达水平尤为突出,是粗线期精母细胞的5.5倍;Spata3和Spata4在圆形及长形精子细胞中的表达量相近,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的3倍和1.5倍;hils1和Tex24在圆形精子细胞阶段的表达水平最高,分别是粗线期精母细胞阶段的1.9和1.4倍;Spag41和Papo1b从粗线期精母细胞到长形精于细胞阶段呈明显的下调表达,分别下降了45%和34%.结果提示,被检测的基因具有明显的阶段特异性表达特征,为深入研究这些基因在小鼠精子发生过程中的作用提供了新资料,同时也为荧光定量PCR技术在精子发生相关基因定量表达研究中的可行性提供了充分例证.     

内蒙古白绒山羊TSC2基因克隆与表达模式分析

旨在克隆内蒙古白绒山羊TSC2基因cDNA并分析其特性及基本表达模式.利用RT-PCR分段克隆TSC2基因cDNA片段并测序,将得到的cDNA各片段核苷酸序列拼接后获得绒山羊TSC2基因编码区全长序列(HQ684023)并进行生物信息学分析.半定量RT-PCR方法检测TSC2基因在不同组织中的表达特异性.结果表明内蒙古白绒山羊TSC2基因cDNA编码区核苷酸序列为5184 bp,包含了编码1727个氨基酸残基的全长ORF.核苷酸序列与牛、猪、马、大熊猫、犬、恒河猴、人、小鼠及大鼠的同源性分别为97％、90％、89％、88％、87％、87％、87％、86％和86％.NCBI CDD程序预测该基因编码的蛋白质有一个Tuberin结构域和一个Rap-GAP结构域;Psite程序分析有5个N糖基化位点、2个cAMP和cGMP依赖蛋白激酶磷酸化位点、16个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点、25个酪蛋白激酶磷酸化位点.PSORT程序预测其定位于胞内体膜.TSC2基因在内蒙古白绒山羊的睾丸、脑、肝脏、肺、乳腺、脾和肾脏等组织中都有表达,mRNA丰度在睾丸中较高,乳腺中较低.     

利用巢式PCR技术和人类基因组草图搜索法快速获得人类睾丸生精细胞凋亡相关基因TSARG2

从已获得的在隐睾和正常睾丸对照中表达量有明显差异的EST片段 (BE6 44 5 42 )入手 ,设计了基因特异性引物和载体特异性引物进行巢式PCR扩增 ,结合人类基因组草图搜索法 ,从睾丸cDNA文库中快速分离出人类睾丸凋亡相关基因TSARG2的 5′末端而获得全长cDNA ,GenBank登录号为AY0 40 2 0 4(保密期为 1年 ) ,同时应用生物信息学的方法克隆了该基因在小鼠中的同源基因 ,GenBank登录号为AF395 0 83。TSARG2基因的cDNA全长为 12 33bp ,包含 6个外显子 ,基因组跨越 115kb ,编码由 30 5个氨基酸组成的、分子量为 34 75 1的蛋白质 ,与已知蛋白质无明显同源性。查询最新的人类基因组工作草图 ,该基因定位在染色体 4q33～ 34 .1。     

应用酵母双杂交技术寻找与GGNBP相互作用的蛋白质

生殖细胞缺陷症(gcd)小鼠突变体是20个世纪90年代初发现的一种不育突变小鼠,其不育原因是由于其胚胎期原始生殖细胞的数目低于正常。FancL(也叫Pog)的缺失是引起gcd突变小鼠的原因,FancL基因缺失后可能影响了小鼠胚胎期原始生殖细胞的增殖／存活和成年期小鼠精母细胞的减数分裂。FANCL是一种含有PHD结构域的泛素E3连接酶,是Fanconi贫血复合物的组分之一。在生殖细胞中,FANCL与GGN1和GGN3相互作用,GGN1和GGN2又与一种新的蛋白质GGNBP特异作用。但GGNBP蛋白的功能还不清楚。为了研究GGNBP的功能以及揭示更多的参与该过程的蛋白质,运用Clontech公司新开发的第3套酵母双杂交系统,以GGNBP为诱饵从成年小鼠睾丸cDNA库中筛选与其相互作用的蛋白质基因,发现了一个主要在睾丸中表达的新的基因,其编码的蛋白质产物在酵母系统中与GGNBP特异作用。     

小鼠睾丸特异表达基因TSEG-1的克隆及序列分析

从表达序列标签(expressed sequence tags, ESTs)数据库ZooDDD中获得小鼠正常睾丸表达的EST, 通过dbEST数据库检索出与其高度同源的EST序列, 构建EST叠加群(contigs), Biolign软件拼接, GeneScan软件预测contigs对应的基因组序列中的外显子、内含子; 针对开放阅读框设计引物序列, 采用RT-PCR从小鼠睾丸组织中克隆新基因的cDNA, 分析该基因在小鼠各脏器中的mRNA表达, 并对测序结果进行生物信息学分析。结果表明: 在小鼠X染色体的1 668~2 011 kb间克隆出一新基因TSEG-1, 全长为510 bp, 开放阅读框为336 bp, 编码111氨基酸, 分子量12.84258 kDa, 等电点11.4000。RT-PCR证实该基因开放阅读框正确, 在小鼠睾丸组织中特异性表达, 且与小鼠其他cDNA 无同源性, 获得GenBank 登录号EU079024。功能区分析发现TSEG-1蛋白可能为一种跨膜蛋白, 跨膜区位于第41~61氨基酸残基。TSEG-1基因与人类睾丸特异性组蛋白2a变异体基因有较高同源性, 在TSEG-1基因5′-端非编码侧翼预测发现存在1个启动子区域, 范围为680 bp。 TSEG-1蛋白可能有4个抗原性位点, 2个特异性蛋白激酶的磷酸化位点, 其亚细胞定位可能位于线粒体。小鼠睾丸特异性基因TSEG-1的克隆为进一步研究其生物学功能和表达调控奠定了基础。     

运用数字差异展示方法克隆一个人类新的锌指蛋白基因ZNF474

运用数字差异展示方法,克隆一个与生精相关的睾丸高表达基因。借助公共ESTs数据库,利用DDD软件比较分析各种睾丸文库与其他组织或细胞系文库有差异表达的ESTs,成功克隆到一个在人类睾丸中高表达的新基因。结合实验获得新基因cDNA全长,该基因被国际人类基因命名委员会命名为ZNF474(GeneBank登陆号AY461732)。ZNF474的cDNA全长为1 972 bp,定位在5 q23.2。通过RT-PCR及测序验证,其开放阅读框的位置在377 bp~1 471 bp处,编码364个氨基酸,在氨基酸水平与小鼠同源基因有66%的一致性,而与其他已知蛋白质无明显同源性。Northern杂交分析显示ZNF474在成体睾丸组织特异高表达,卵巢组织弱表达,在多种其他组织中不表达,为单一转录本。原位杂交显示ZNF474基因在正常成人睾丸组织各级生精细胞、隐睾组织以及精原细胞癌组织中均有较高表达。综上考虑,推测ZNF474作为生殖细胞中特异的转录因子,对人类的精子发生和卵母细胞的发育可能起重要作用。     

小鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡相关基因SRG2的分子克隆

从已获得的在隐睾和正常睾丸对照中表达量有明显差异的EST片段 (BE6 4 4 5 4 2 )入手 ,利用网上生物信息学克隆了该基因全长 ,GenBank登录号为AF395 0 83。从小鼠睾丸cDNA文库中分离出该基因完整阅读框cDNA ,SRG2基因的cDNA全长为 10 5 8bp ,编码由 2 95个氨基酸组成、分子量为 335 79、等电点为 9.6 4的蛋白质 ,与人类同源基因TSARG2相似性为 78% ,与已知蛋白质无明显同源性。RT PCR结果表明该基因只在睾丸中有高表达。     

粗毛栓菌诱变菌株SAH-12漆酶基因的克隆与序列分析

粗毛栓菌Trametes gallica诱变菌株SAH-12是通过紫外诱变选育得到的漆酶高产菌株。为了对其漆酶基因进行研究和利用,采用cDNA末端快速扩增(Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends,RACE)技术,从T.gallica诱变菌株SAH-12分离得到漆酶基因全长cDNA Lacc1(GenBank accession No.DQ431716)及其对应的结构基因Lac1(DQ431715)。该基因属于真菌漆酶基因家族,与来自出发菌T.gallica漆酶基因lacA(AY875867)在成熟肽编码区的同源性最高(一致性为98%)。Lacc1全长1891bp,由40bp的5'-UTR、1554bp的完整ORF和297bp的3'-UTR构成,具有polyA加尾信号AATACA和59bp的polyA结构;其完整ORF可编码21个氨基酸残基组成的信号肽和496个氨基酸残基组成的成熟蛋白。在Lacc1基因的推导氨基酸序列中有4个潜在的N-糖基化位点和4个参与二硫键形成的Cys残基,且含有真菌漆酶Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型铜离子结合区的4个高度保守序列。结构基因Lac1全长2338bp,含10个内含子和11个外显子,各内含子长度在51bp～76bp之间,且其序列均符合5'-gt……ag-3'规则。     

硝基还原酶结构域蛋白1在大鼠睾丸组织中特异性高表达在人类睾丸癌中表达下调

通过克隆分离鉴定得到大鼠硝基还原酶结构域蛋白1(rNOR1),发现rNOR1 cDNA含有1 418 个碱基,编码含379个氨基酸残基的rNOR1蛋白．rNOR1与人类NOR1 (hNOR1)和小鼠NOR1 (mNOR1)的同源性分别为89% 和93%,这三种同源蛋白都含有OSCP1家族的保守结构域．rNOR1基因在大鼠睾丸中选择性高表达,而且与之同源的人类hNOR1也选择性高表达于睾丸中．通过免疫组化检测人类不同睾丸癌中的hNOR1蛋白表达,发现hNOR1蛋白在非癌变睾丸组织和胚胎性癌组织中高表达,而在精原细胞癌和分化型非精原细胞癌(畸胎瘤,卵黄囊瘤)中低表达．这些数据表明,hNOR1可能是一种睾丸选择性表达基因,睾丸癌hNOR1表达的改变或许可以帮助我们阐明hNOR1蛋白在生殖细胞系肿瘤发生中的功能．     

内蒙古白绒山羊翻译控制肿瘤蛋白(TCTP)基因克隆及组织表达特性分析

旨在克隆内蒙古白绒山羊翻译控制肿瘤蛋白(Translationally controlled tumor protein,TCTP)基因并分析其表达模式。采用RT-PCR技术扩增TCTP基因编码区cDNA序列,将得到的基因cDNA序列及其编码的氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析,利用定量RT-PCR方法检测TCTP基因在绒山羊不同组织中的表达特异性。获得的内蒙古白绒山羊TCTP基因编码区cDNA序列全长519 bp,包含了完整的ORF,编码172个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白质。核苷酸序列与绵羊、牛、猪、人、猴及大鼠的同源性在99%-95%之间。生物信息学分析表明,编码的蛋白质理论分子质量19.6 kD,等电点(pI)4.673,含有一个N端糖基化位点,一个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,3个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点,定位于细胞质中。定量RT-PCR方法检测表明,TCTP基因在绒山羊肾脏、肌肉、胰腺、肝脏、睾丸和脑组织中均有表达,其中在肝脏中的表达量较高,在脑中表达量较低。     

Identification and characteristics of a novel E1 like gene nUBE1L in human testis

A gene, presumably involved in spermatogenesis, was identified and characterized by using cDNA microarray. Hybridization intensity was 2.13 fold higher in adult testis than that in fetal testis.The full length of this gene was 4288bp and it encoded a 578 amino acid protein. Conserved structure and amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the protein contained 1 Thif-domain, 2 UBACT-domains,and a functional active site cysteine lay upstream of UBACT domain, all of them also existed in ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 and E1 like proteins. So we named this gene as a novel ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 like gene (nUBE1L). Expression profile showed that nUBE1L was predominantly expressed in testis.Comparison of the expression of nUBE1L in different developmental stages of testis indicated that it was highly expressed in adult testis. In conclusion, nUBE1L is a novel human E1 like gene highly expressed inadult testis, which plays key role in ubiquitin system, and accordingly influences spermatogenesis and male fertility.     

人类生精相关基因TSARG4的cDNA克隆

为了探索精子生成的分子机制 ,从人精子外部致密纤维蛋白相关基因SPAG4(spermantigen 4)和小鼠精母细胞中表达的AK0 0 62 2 5基因出发 ,找到两个人类EST ,BG72 0 5 64和AI70 0 45 4,其中BG72 0 5 64在人睾丸中表达。运用“间隙填充法”填平这两个EST之间的间隙 ,从人睾丸文库中快速克隆了同源于SPAG4和AK0 0 62 2 5基因的人类TSARG4基因 (testisandspermatogenesisrelatedgene 4) (GenBank登录号为AF40 13 5 0 ) ,并用RT PCR对该基因阅读框进行验证。TSARG4基因全长 12 5 2bp ,开放阅读框为 94～ 12 3 3bp ,定位于 2 0q11.2 ,推定编码 3 79个氨基酸 ,预计分子量为 43 0 81.45 ,等电点为 8.61,该基因与小鼠精母细胞基因AK0 0 62 2 5编码的氨基酸序列同源性 74% ,与人类SPAG4基因编码的氨基酸序列同源性 45 %。RT PCR表明人类TSARG4基因在多个组织中均有表达 ,而同源的小鼠AK0 0 62 2 5基因仅在睾丸中表达     

Involvement of the D-type cyclins in germ cell proliferation and differentiation in the mouse

Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of the D-type cyclin proteins was studied in the developing and adult mouse testis. Both during testicular development and in adult testis, cyclin D(1) is expressed only in proliferating gonocytes and spermatogonia, indicating a role for cyclin D(1) in spermatogonial proliferation, in particular during the G(1)/S phase transition. Cyclin D(2) is first expressed at the start of spermatogenesis when gonocytes produce A(1) spermatogonia. In the adult testis, cyclin D(2) is expressed in spermatogonia around stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelium when A(al) spermatogonia differentiate into A(1) spermatogonia and also in spermatocytes and spermatids. To further elucidate the role of cyclin D(2) during spermatogenesis, cyclin D(2) expression was studied in vitamin A-deficient testis. Cyclin D(2) was not expressed in the undifferentiated A spermatogonia in vitamin A-deficient testis but was strongly induced in these cells after the induction of differentiation of most of these cells into A(1) spermatogonia by administration of retinoic acid. Overall, cyclin D(2) seems to play a role at the crucial differentiation step of undifferentiated spermatogonia into A(1) spermatogonia. Cyclin D(3) is expressed in both proliferating and quiescent gonocytes during testis development. Cyclin D(3) expression was found in terminally differentiated Sertoli cells, in Leydig cells, and in spermatogonia in adult testis. Hence, although cyclin D(3) may control G(1)/S transition in spermatogonia, it probably has a different role in Sertoli and Leydig cells. In conclusion, the three D-type cyclins are differentially expressed during spermatogenesis. In spermatogonia, cyclins D(1) and D(3) seem to be involved in cell cycle regulation, whereas cyclin D(2) likely has a role in spermatogonial differentiation.     

The putative peroxisomal gene Pxt1 is exclusively expressed in the testis

Genes reported to be crucial for spermatogenesis are often exclusively expressed in the testis. We have identified a novel male germ cell-specific expressed gene named peroxisomal testis specific 1 (Pxt1) with expression starting at the spermatocyte stage during mouse spermatogenesis. The putative amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA of the Pxt1 gene contains a conserved Asn-His-Leu (NHL)-motif at its C-terminal end, which is characteristic for peroxisomal proteins. Pxt1-EGFP fusion protein is co-localized with known peroxisomal marker proteins in transfected NIH3T3 cells. In addition, we could demonstrate that the peroxisomal targeting signal NHL is functional and responsible for the correct subcellular localization of the Pxt1-EGFP fusion protein. In male germ cells peroxisomes were reported only in spermatogonia. The Pxt1 gene is so far the first gene coding for a putative peroxisomal protein which is expressed in later steps of spermatogenesis, namely in pachytene spermatocytes.     

A novel spermatogenesis-specific uPAR gene expressed in human and mouse testis

The urokinase receptor, uPAR, which binds to the urinary-type plasminogen activator, controls matrix degradation in the processes of tissue remodeling, cell migration, and invasion. In the present study, we found a new urokinase receptor gene that encodes a 249-amino acid putative protein. Northern blot analysis showed specific expression in the testis of this gene, which we named the spermatogenesis-related gene (SGRG). In situ hybridization revealed a strong expression signal for SGRG in spermatogonia, but not in spermatocytes. Therefore, we conjecture that SGRG may regulate spermatocyte migration through breakdown of extracellular matrix protein barriers in spermatogenesis. Since SGRG is specifically expressed in spermatogonia, it provides an attractive candidate for development of a contraceptive vaccine.     

LY6A/E (SCA-1) expression in the mouse testis

Recently, it was found by two research groups that LY6A, known widely in the stem cell community as stem cell antigen-1 or SCA-1, is expressed on testicular side population (SP) cells. Whether these SP cells are spermatogonial stem cells is a point of disagreement and, therefore, the identity of the LY6A-positive cells as well. We studied the expression pattern of LY6A in testis by immunohistochemistry and found it to be expressed in the interstitial tissue on peritubular myoid, endothelial, and spherical-shaped peritubular mesenchymal cells. To address the question whether LY6A has a function in spermatogenesis or testis development, we studied the testis of Ly6a(-/-) mice (allele Ly6a(tm1Pmf)). We found no morphological abnormalities or differences in numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Leydig cells, or macrophages in relation to the number of Sertoli cells. Therefore, we conclude that LY6A expression does not influence testis development or spermatogenesis and that spermatogonial stem cells are LY6A negative.     

Cloning of cDNA for newt WT1 and the differential expression during spermatogenesis of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster

To investigate the function of Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) during spermatogenesis, cDNA for newt WT1 homolog was cloned and the expression of WT1 in newt testes was examined. The cDNA is 2089 bp in length and encodes 426 amino acid (aa) residues. The deduced aa sequence shares 76 and 79% homology with human and Xenopus WT1, respectively. Northern blot analysis shows that WT1 mRNA, 3.2 and 4.5kb in length, are expressed in the testis and kidney. Both WT1 mRNA species are detected in various stages of spermatogenesis, but the 3.2kb mRNA is highly expressed in spermatogonia and mature sperm stages, while the amount of 4.5kb mRNA is almost constant throughout spermatogenesis. In situ hybridization reveals that WT1 mRNA is localized in Sertoli cells. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis shows that WT1 protein is highly expressed in the nuclei of Sertoli cells in early spermatogonia and mature sperm stages, but not in pericystic cells or germ cells. These results suggest that WT1 is involved in the regulation of gene expression in Sertoli cells, depending on the spermatogenic stage.