Cloning and characterization of zebra fish SPATA4 gene and analysis of its gonad specific expression.

The spermatogenesis associated 4 gene previously named TSARG2) was first cloned in human tissues and was reported to be a candidate spermatocyte apoptosis-related gene that is expressed specifically in testis. Analysis of expression and regulation in zebra fish may provide insight into the understanding of the complicated process of gonadogenesis. In this study, we cloned and characterized the duanyu1842TA4 gene from zebra fish (Danio rerio), which is homologous to human and mouse Zebra fish duanyu1842TA4 consists of six exons separated by five introns, as all duanyu1842TA4 genes in vertebrates. A promoter region was predicted using homologous blast and cloned for further study, and possible transcription factors were analyzed in this region. The putative protein encoded by this gene was analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Multi-tissue RT-PCR results demonstrated that the zebra fish duanyu1842TA4 gene is expressed specifically in testis and slightly in ovary. Analysis of the duanyu1842TA4 sequence and its spatial expression pattern indicate that this gene is highly conserved and may play an important role in the process of zebra fish gonadogenesis.

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