Journal
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
Volume 65, Issue 2, Pages 488-495Publisher
SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod65.2.488
Keywords
fertilization; spermatid; spermatogenesis; stress
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The MSJ-1 gene encodes a murine DnaJ homologue that is expressed specifically in adult testis. DnaJ proteins act as co-chaperones of Hsp70 proteins in promoting diverse cellular functions. in this study we used recombinant MSJ-1 proteins to produce MSJ-1 antiserum and to carry out in vitro binding assays. in a wide immunoscreening of mouse tissues, affinity-purified MSJ-1 antibodies recognize a unique protein of 30 kDa in male germ cells only. MSJ-1 is able to interact with the testis-specific Hsp70-2 protein and can be coimmunoprecipitated with Hsp70-2 from spermatogenic cells; binding of these two chaperones is consistent with the presence of a third component, which is so far unknown. MSJ-1 is weakly detected in early round spermatids, and its protein content increases in cytodifferentiating spermatids where it colocalizes with the developing acrosome and their postnuclear region. Hsp70-2, which is known to be highly expressed in meiotic cells, shows a subcellular localization in late differentiating spermatids that overlaps that of MSJ-1. MSJ-1 is also maintained in testicular and epididymal spermatozoa, where it sharply demarcates into two distinct cell areas; the outer surface of the acrosomal vesicle, and the centrosomal area. On the whole, our findings are consistent with a role for MSJ-1 in acrosome formation and centrosome adjustment during spermatid development, whereas its presence in mature spermatozoa suggests a special function during fertilization, shortly afterward, or both.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available