Presence of a unique male-specific extension of C-terminus to the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein coded by the male-transmitted mitochondrial genome of Venustaconcha ellipsiformis (Bivalvia: Unionoidea)

• Published in: FEBS letters 2006-02, Vol.580 (3), p.862-866
• Main Authors: Chakrabarti, R., Walker, J.M., Stewart, D.T., Trdan, R.J., Vijayaraghavan, S., Curole, J.P., Hoeh, W.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Bivalvia; C-terminus extension; Cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (cox2); DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; DUI; Electron Transport Complex IV - biosynthesis; Electron Transport Complex IV - genetics; Freshwater; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - physiology; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Sex Determination Processes; Testis - enzymology; Unionidae - enzymology; Unionidae - genetics; Unionoidea; Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.12.104

Analyses of unionoidean bivalve male-transmitted (M) mtDNA genomes revealed an approximately 555bp 3′ coding extension to cox2. An antibody was generated against this predicted C-terminus extension to determine if the unique cox2 protein is expressed. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses demonstrated that the protein was predominantly expressed in testes. Weak expression was detected in other male tissues but the protein was not detected in female tissues. This is the first report documenting the expression of a cox2 protein with a long C-terminus in animals. Its universal presence in unionoidean bivalve testes suggests a functional significance for the protein.