Bcar3 is expressed in sertoli cells and germ cells of the developing testis in mice

Abstract

We identified Bcar3 in the course of a screen for developmentally regulated genes at early developmental stages in mouse embryos. In this study, we explored the spatio-temporal expression pattern of Bcar3 during the critical time period of sex determination using in situ hybridization, real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. We found that Bcar3 is expressed in XY gonads during early stages of gonad development and that BCAR3 localizes to Sertoli cells and germs cells. In addition, we identified a new alternative Bcar3 transcript in which exons 4-7 are deleted. This deletion could result in the generation of a truncated BCAR3 protein lacking functional domains including the SH2 domain. The data presented here suggest that Bcar3 could play a role in gonad development.