Molecular Characterization of a Novel Murine Testis Expressed Homeobox Gene Tpros

• Main Authors: Tsung-Fan Tuan, 段宗帆
• Other Authors: Hsiu-Mei Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57228438976176283162

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 91 === Homeobox genes encode homeodomain proteins which play a role as transcription factors in the developmental process. Homeodomain is a functional domain with 60 highly conserved amino acids, which can interact with the promoters of their target genes to regulate the expression of these genes. By using a degenerated-oligonucleotide-PCR strategy, we isolated a novel murine homeobox gene, and named it Tpros (testis pros-like homeobox) gene, because of its high homology to prospero subfamily genes. From the blast search, we found that Tpros has complicated alternative transcripts with at least 2 different open reading frames and 5 different transcripts. From the results of Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses, we identified that Tpros is specific expressed in mouse testis since postnatal days 25 with a message size of 1.6 Kb. In situ hybridization show that Tpros is expressed at spermatids in the seminiferous tubules. Tpros fusion proteins were also produced in order to generate antibody so that we can further adopt immunohistochemistry to observe the Tpros protein expression in the testis. Based on the results from our preliminary molecular characterization, it’s suggested that Tpros may play an important role during spermatogenesis. In order to understand the in vivo function of Tpros in the organism, we are in the processing of establishment of Tpros gene knockout mice. We will be able to know more about what Tpros plays in the mouse testis through analyzing the phenotype of Tpros deficiency mice.