The roles of the DAZ family in spermatogenesis
نویسندگان
چکیده
The DAZ family of genes are important fertility factors in animals, including humans. The family consists of Y-linked DAZ, and autosomal homologs Boule and Dazl. All three genes encode RNA-binding proteins that are nearly exclusively expressed in germ cells. The DAZ family is highly conserved, with ancestral Boule present in sea anemones through humans, Dazl conserved among vertebrates, and DAZ present only in higher primates. Here we review studies on DAZ family genes from multiple organisms, and summarize the common features of each DAZ gene and their roles during spermatogenesis in animals. DAZ family proteins are thought to activate the translation of RNA targets, but recent work has uncovered additional functions. Boule, Dazl, and DAZ likely function through similar mechanisms, and we present known functions of the DAZ family in spermatogenesis, and discuss possible mechanisms in addition to translation activation.
منابع مشابه
DAZ Family Proteins, Key Players for Germ Cell Development
DAZ family proteins are found almost exclusively in germ cells in distant animal species. Deletion or mutations of their encoding genes usually severely impair either oogenesis or spermatogenesis or both. The family includes Boule (or Boll), Dazl (or Dazla) and DAZ genes. Boule and Dazl are situated on autosomes while DAZ, exclusive of higher primates, is located on the Y chromosome. Deletion o...
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Mechanisms underlying gametogenesis are complex and apparently divergent among metazoans. The DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia) gene family provides one of the few lines of evidence that argue for evolutionary conservation of gametogenesis at the molecular level. DAZ family proteins carry two conserved domains, namely the ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-type RNA recognition motif (RRM) and the DAZ motif, an...
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