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A novel serine/threonine kinase gene, Gek1 , is expressed in meiotic testicular germ cells and primordial germ cells
Author(s) -
Yanagisawa Masahiro,
Mukouyama Yousuke,
Watanabe Toshio,
Obinata Masuo,
Matsui Yasuhisa
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199612)45:4<411::aid-mrd2>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - biology , germ line development , germ cell , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics
We have isolated a novel serine/threonine kinase gene designated Gek1 from mouse primordial germ cell‐derived embryonic germ cell. Gek1 is preferentially expressed in meiotic testicular germ cells and primordial germ cells. Gek1 mRNA is also detected in several other tissues, including hematopoietic organs in adult mice and central nervous system in embryos. The Gek1 cDNA encodes a protein with the consensus sequence of the catalytic domain of protein kinases in its N‐terminal region. The deduced amino acid sequence of Gek1 in the kinase domain is related to those encoded by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae STE20, CDC15 , and Drosophila melanogaster ninaC . The patterns of expression and the structural features of Gek1 suggest that the gene product is involved in signal transduction or nuclear division of germ cells and other proliferating cells. We also show that Gek1 locates on chromosome 11, near the wr locus, showing neuronal and reproductive defects. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.