Expression of the Putative Sterol Binding Protein Stard6 Gene Is Male Germ Cell Specific

Mammalian spermatogenesis is orchestrated by many specific molecular and cellular events. To understand the detailed mechanism by which spermatogenesis is controlled, the specific genes involved in this process must be identified and studied. From the subtracted cDNA library of rat testis prepared u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2005-03, Vol.72 (3), p.651-658
Main Authors: GOMES, Cynthia, OH, Sung-Dug, KIM, Jung-Woo, CHUN, Sang-Young, LEE, Keesook, KWON, Hyuk-Bang, SOH, Jaemog
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Differentiation - physiology
DNA, Complementary - analysis
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Germ Cells - metabolism
Male
Mammalian male genital system
Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics
Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism
Molecular Sequence Data
Morphology. Physiology
Rats
RNA, Messenger - analysis
Sequence Homology
Sex Characteristics
Spermatogenesis - physiology
Testis - cytology
Testis - metabolism
Vertebrates: reproduction
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Summary:Mammalian spermatogenesis is orchestrated by many specific molecular and cellular events. To understand the detailed mechanism by which spermatogenesis is controlled, the specific genes involved in this process must be identified and studied. From the subtracted cDNA library of rat testis prepared using the representational difference analysis (RDA) method, we isolated the cDNA clone of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein-related lipid transfer (START) protein 6 ( Stard6 ). Stard6 cDNA consists of 1146 base pairs of nucleotides and has the longest open reading frame, of 227 amino acids. Northern blot analysis revealed Stard6 mRNA to be testis-specific. The mRNA transcript appeared from the third week of postnatal development, and the expression level increased up to adulthood. Moreover, in situ hybridization showed Stard6 mRNA expression to be germ cell-specific and expressed only during the maturation stages of round and elongated spermatids of adult rat testis. Western blot analysis with Stard6 antibody revealed a 28-kDa Stard6 protein only in testis. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed localization of Stard6 protein expressed in mature germ cells, in concert with the in situ hybridization result. Taken together, these results suggest that Stard6, a member of the START protein family, may play a role during germ cell maturation in adult rat testis. Abstract Stard6, a member of START protein family, is expressed in male germ cells
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.104.032672