PMID: 7521678Jun 1, 1994Paper

Testis-specific RT7 protein localizes to the sperm tail and associates with itself

Biology of Reproduction
N A HiggyF A van der Hoorn

Abstract

The RT7 gene recently cloned by us is expressed as an abundant RNA in round spermatids. In vitro transcription-translation showed that the RT7 gene encodes a protein of 26-27 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Here we report the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against a peptide from the predicted N-terminal amphipathic alpha-helix of the rat RT7 protein. All mAbs recognize RT7 protein or N-terminal parts of it. To investigate RT7 in vivo, mAbs were used in immunofluorescence microscopy and confocal laser immunofluorescence microscopy. Several mAbs recognize RT7 protein in elongating spermatids: the observed staining pattern suggests a nonrandom localization in these cells. Two mAbs recognize the protein only in sperm tails. Using co-immunoprecipitation assays, we found that RT7 can form stable complexes with itself that are associated through a region located in the N-terminal half of RT7. Our results identify the RT7 protein as a major sperm tail component and suggest that it may be a structural component of sperm tail outer dense fibers (ODF).

Citations

Jul 27, 2001·Molecular Reproduction and Development·X ShaoF A van der Hoorn
Mar 1, 2005·Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·Ryan P Taylor, Ivor J Benjamin
May 31, 2001·International Journal of Andrology·R Behr, G F Weinbauer
Feb 21, 2003·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Bhupinder BhullarFrans A van der Hoorn
Jan 21, 2003·Biology of Reproduction·Heather A ZarskyFrans A van der Hoorn
Jul 26, 2008·Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E·Namhoe BaekChunghee Cho
Mar 16, 2011·Gene Expression Patterns : GEP·Eunyoung Choi, Chunghee Cho
Mar 1, 2002·Biology of Reproduction·Carlos Egydio de CarvalhoYoshitake Nishimune
Feb 3, 2006·Molecular & Cellular Proteomics : MCP·Wenlei CaoStuart B Moss
May 6, 2008·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Keizo TokuhiroHiromitsu Tanaka

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