An evolutionarily conserved germ cell-specific hnRNP is encoded by a retrotransposed gene
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
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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
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