Characterization of the Tex13 genes encoding germ cell-specific transcriptional repressors

Abstract

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly organized process with successive mitotic, meiotic, and postmeiotic orders. The unique mechanisms regulating developmental process suggest the presence of a strict intrinsic genetic program composed of spermatogenic cell-specific genes. To elucidate the mechanism of sperm development and function, a study of testis-specific genes is essential. In this study, germ cell-specific testis expressed gene 13 (Tex13) family genes, consisting of Tex13a, Tex13b, Tex13c and Tex13d, were characterized. Through RT-PCR analysis, these genes were found to be germ cellspecific.Further analysis showed that Tex13a and Tex13c were found to be expressed in spermatids, but Tex13b and Tex13d were expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, respectively. Finally, through a reporter assay, I found that all the TEX13 proteins possess transcriptional repressor activities in HEK293T cells. These results suggest that TEX13 proteins may play a potential role in transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis.