CPEB2, a novel putative translational regulator in mouse haploid germ cells

Biol Reprod. 2003 Jul;69(1):261-8. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.015677. Epub 2003 Apr 2.

Abstract

Translational control of specific mRNAs by cytoplasmic polyadenylation has fundamental roles in gametogenesis. The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein regulates cytoplasmic polyadenylation of mRNAs as a trans factor in oogenesis and spermatogenesis. The CPEB protein contains two RNA recognition motifs and a Zn-finger structure. Proteins (KIAA0940 and KIAA1673) with similar structures are predicted from the genome database, but nothing is known about their expression and function. Here, we report another novel member of the CPEB protein family, CPEB2. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of CPEB family members suggests that the family can be divided structurally and, perhaps, functionally into two groups: the CPEB group, and the CPEB2-KIAA0940-KIAA1673 group. The CPEB2 maps to mouse chromosome distal 5B and is abundantly expressed in testis. However, it was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in all tissues that we examined. It preferentially binds to poly(U) and localizes to the cytoplasm in transfected HeLa cells. The CPEB2 is expressed postmeiotically in mouse spermatogenesis, suggesting a possible role in translational regulation of stored mRNAs in transcriptionally inactive haploid spermatids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Female
  • Haploidy
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Poly U / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spermatids / metabolism*
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transfection

Substances

  • CPEB protein, mouse
  • CPEB2 protein, mouse
  • DNA, Complementary
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Poly U