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Published-Ahead-of-Print May 25, 2006, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.106.000471

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Structural Characterization and Expression Studies of Dby and Its Homologs in the Mouse

Queenie P. Vong , Yunmin Li , Yun-Fai Chris Lau , Martin Dym , Owen M. Rennert , and Wai-Yee Chan *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: chanwy{at}mail.nih.gov.

In spite of recent evidence showing the importance of DBY in spermatogenesis in human, the biological role of its homolog Dby (also known as Ddx3y) in the mouse is less clear. The present study aims at characterizing the molecular structure of Dby and comparing its expression with its X- and autosome-linked homologs in embryonic gonads and developing germ cells in mice. Molecular cloning by 3' RACE showed that the Dby gene in the mouse gives rise to two transcripts that differ only in the length of the 3' untranslated region as a consequence of the use of alternative polyadenylation signals. Measurement by quantitative real-time PCR showed that both transcripts were ubiquitously expressed and were present in male germ cells and Sertoli cells. They were more abundant in type A spermatogonia compared to pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Expression of Dby in the embryonic gonad increased from E10.5 and reached a peak at E17.5. The expression level of Dby decreased after birth and remained low in adult male gonads. In spite of the fact that the level of expression of Dby was much lower than its X chromosome homolog, Ddx3 (also known as Ddx3x) in all samples examined, the pattern of expression of the two genes was comparable. In contrast, their autosomal homolog, D1Pas1(also known as PL10), was predominantly expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. This result is in accord with meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in that Dby and Ddx are replaced in pachytene spermatocytes by their autosomal retroposon. These observations indicate that unlike DBY in human, the role of Dby in spermatogenesis is less obvious in the mouse and its biological activity may be replaced by that of Ddx3 and D1Pas1.






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