Expression of the rat protamine 2 gene is suppressed at the level of transcription and translation
- Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
The authors have compared the rat protamine 2 gene sequence (rP2) to that of the mouse protamine 2 (mP2) gene. The sequence encompasses 435 nucleotides of the coding region which includes an intron of 120 nucleotides, 461 nucleotides 5{prime} to the coding sequence and 181 bases 3{prime} to it. In the mouse the protamine 2 gene is abundantly transcribed and translated. The mP2 protein is initially synthesized as a precursor and then proteolytically processed to yield the mature protein. In contrast, in the rat, protamine 2 transcripts are present at 2-5% that found in the mouse and the mature protein has never been detected in spermatozoa. Analyses of total sperm basic nuclear proteins extracted from epididymal sperm using a monoclonal antibody specific for protamine 2 suggest that the rat P2 mRNA is translated in vivo but is not properly processed. These results suggest that the lowered transcription rate and altered processing sites of the rat protamine 2 gene are likely to contribute to the lack of protamine 2 in rat spermatozoa.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5312710
- Journal Information:
- Experimental Cell Research; (United States), Vol. 188:1; ISSN 0014-4827
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENES
DNA SEQUENCING
PROTAMINES
GENE REGULATION
MESSENGER-RNA
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
RATS
SPERMATOZOA
TRANSCRIPTION
ANIMALS
ANTIBODIES
COAGULANTS
DRUGS
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HEPARIN ANTAGONISTS
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RNA
RODENTS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
VERTEBRATES
550200* - Biochemistry