Int. J. Dev. Biol. 47: 71 - 76 (2003)

Vol 47, Issue 1

2P1, a novel male mouse cDNA specifically expressed during meiosis

Published: 1 February 2003

Sonia Hammami-Hamza, Mireille Doussau, Isabelle Allemand, Dominique Segretain, Jean-Marie Gasc and Catherine Finaz

INSERM U566/CEA/Université Paris 7, Gamétogenèse et Génotoxicité, Fontenay-aux-roses, Paris, France.

Abstract

We screened a mouse germinal cell expression library with a probe derived from Sob1, a human testis-specific cDNA, and identified 2P1, a new mouse cDNA. A database search revealed that 2P1 was 91% identical to ORF1 of E3-3, a rat gene probably involved in the regulation of alternative splicing. Sequencing showed that 2P1 has a destabilization motif in its 3'-untranslated region. Northern blotting showed strong gene expression in the testis and weak expression in the epididymis, with no signal detected in other tissues. RT-PCR analysis confirmed testis and epididymis expression. In situ hybridization revealed that 2P1 mRNA was absent in spermatogonia but expressed in spermatocytes. This last result was confirmed by RT-PCR of FACS isolated primary spermatocytes (pachytene stage). Using RT-PCR, purified spermatids were also shown to express 2P1.