Stage-specific expression of ankyrin and SOCS box protein-4 (Asb-4) during spermatogenesis

Mol Cells. 2008 Apr 30;25(2):317-21. Epub 2008 Mar 31.

Abstract

Members of the large family of Asb proteins are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues; however, the roles of individual Asb and their function in the developmental testes have not been reported. In this report, we isolated a murine Asb4 from mouse testis. Northern blot analysis revealed that mAsb-4 was expressed only in testes and produced in a stage-specific manner during spermatogenesis. It was expressed in murine testes beginning in the fourth week after birth and extending into adulthood. Pachytene spermatocytes had the highest level of expression. Interestingly, the human homologue of mAsb-4, ASB-4 (hASB-4) was also expressed in human testis. These results suggest that ASB-4 plays pivotal roles in mammalian testis development and spermatogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics*
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / chemistry
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics*
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Asb4 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins