The Archetype STYX/Dead-Phosphatase Complexes with a SpermatidOld mRNA-Binding Protein and Is Essential for Normal Sperm Production

Differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is regulated via phosphorylated RNA-binding proteins that modulate the expression of stage-specific mRNAs. We demonstrate that the phosphoserine, -threonine or-tyrosine, interaction protein, Styx, complexes with a testicular RNA-binding protein and is e...

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Published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 99; no. 4; pp. 2112 - 2117
Main Authors Wishart, Matthew J., Dixon, Jack E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published National Academy of Sciences 19.02.2002
Subjects
Alleles
Antibodies
Biological Sciences
Exons
Germ cells
Giant cells
Messenger RNA
RNA binding proteins
Spermatids
Spermatozoa
Testes
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Summary:Differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is regulated via phosphorylated RNA-binding proteins that modulate the expression of stage-specific mRNAs. We demonstrate that the phosphoserine, -threonine or-tyrosine, interaction protein, Styx, complexes with a testicular RNA-binding protein and is essential for normal spermiogenesis. Ablation of Styx expression in mouse disrupts round and elongating spermatid development, resulting in a >1,000-fold decrease in spermatozoa production. Moreover, Styx-/-males are infertile because of structural head abnormalities in residual epididymal sperm. Immunoprecipitation of Styx with Crhsp-24, a phosphorylated RNA-binding protein implicated in translational repression of histone mRNAs, provides a strategy for regulating posttranscriptional gene expression.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490