Identification of a truncated kinase suppressor of Ras 2 mRNA in sperm

• Main Authors: Lili Guo, Deanna J. Volle, Robert E. Lewis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
• Series: FEBS Open Bio
• Subjects: KSR2; Scaffold; Sperm
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211546314000400

The kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2) is a scaffold protein for the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. KSR2 mediates germline mpk-1 (Caenorhabditis elegans ERK) phosphorylation in C. elegans and has been implicated the regulation of meiosis. KSR2−/− mice exhibit metabolic abnormalities and are reproductively impaired. The role of KSR2 in meiosis and fertility in mice has yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe a novel truncated KSR2 mRNA identified in mouse testes (T-KSR2). Further analysis demonstrates T-KSR2 is specific to mouse testes and mature sperm cells. The detection of T-KSR2 may enhance our understanding of mechanisms controlling spermatogenesis and fertility.