Authors: Elliott, David J.¹; Venables, JulianP.¹; Newton, ChristopherS.²; Lawson, Diane¹; Boyle, Shelagh¹; Eperon, Ian C.²; Cooke, Howard J.¹

Source: Human Molecular Genetics, Volume 9, Number 14, 1 September 2000 , pp. 2117-2124(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

The gene encoding heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) G recently has been mapped to the X chromosome. All mammals have a Y chromosome-encoded homologue of HNRNP Gcalled RBMY, which is implicated with a role in male fertility and is a candidate for the azoospermia factor gene. We have identified a new member of this gene family, HNRNP G-T, and have mapped it as a single-copy gene on chromosome 11. This gene contains an uninterrupted open reading frame and no introns, consistent with derivation from a retroposon. However, unlike many retroposon-derived genes, HNRNP G-T is not a pseudogene. An antiserum raised to the conceptual reading frame of HNRNP G-T showed that it encodes a protein that is highly expressed in germ cells and in particular in the nuclei of meiotic spermatocytes. Surprisingly, although this antiserum was raised against human hnRNP G-T protein, it can also detect a similar protein in the testis of several mammals. This suggests that the protein is highly conserved and that the retrotransposition event generating the HNRNP G-T gene pre-dated at least the common ancestor of mouse and man. The existence of an additional testis-specific hnRNP G family member provides evidence for the importance of these proteins in normal germ cell development.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK and 2: Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK

Publication date: 2000-09-01

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• Human Molecular Genetics concentrates on full-length research papers covering a wide range of topics in all aspects of human molecular genetics.

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• By this author: Elliott, David J. ;  Venables, JulianP. ;  Newton, ChristopherS. ;  Lawson, Diane ;  Boyle, Shelagh ;  Eperon, Ian C. ;  Cooke, Howard J.

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