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Detection of msj‐1 gene expression in the frog, Rana esculenta testis, brain, and spinal cord
Author(s) -
Meccariello Rosaria,
Cobellis Gilda,
Scarpa Donatella,
Fienga Giulia,
Pierantoni Riccardo,
Fasano Silvia
Publication year - 2004
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/mrd.20066
Subject(s) - biology , spinal cord , neuroscience
MSJ‐1 is member of the DnaJ/heat shock protein (Hsp) 40 chaperone protein family. It is present in mouse testis and spinal cord. In particular, MSJ‐1 is localized in post‐meiotic cells and in motoneurones of the ventral horns. To assess whether the role of this protein is evolutionarily conserved, we have investigated if msj‐1 gene is expressed in the frog, Rana esculenta . Using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), a msj‐1 ‐like transcript was detected in testis, brain, and spinal cord. Homology ranging from 42.3 to 46.0% was found as compared with the mammalian counterparts. Muscle did not show any signal. By Western blot analysis, a signal of the predicted size of 30 kDa was evidenced in testis, brain, and spinal cord but not in ovary, heart, liver, kidney, and muscle. MSJ‐1 fluctuations in the testis reveal that it appeared in concomitance with post‐meiotic events during the annual sexual cycle, as shown in a previous study. The protein is localized in spermatids and is still retained in mature spermatozoa, where it has perinuclear and centriolar localization. MSJ‐1 levels did not change in brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, in the brain MSJ‐1 was mainly present in diencephalon and mesencephalon, while in spinal cord MSJ‐1 was localized into several motoneurones of the cervical and thoracic tract. A putative role in vesicle trafficking is briefly discussed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 68: 149–158, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.