DAZ Family Proteins, Key Players for Germ Cell Development
نویسندگان
چکیده
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 of DAZ gene is the most common causes of infertility in humans. These genes, encoding for RNA binding proteins, contain a highly conserved RNA recognition motif and at least one DAZ repeat encoding for a 24 amino acids sequence able to bind other mRNA binding proteins. Basically, Daz family proteins function as adaptors for target mRNA transport and activators of their translation. In some invertebrate species, BOULE protein play a pivotal role in germline specification and a conserved regulatory role in meiosis. Depending on the species, DAZL is expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and/or pre-meiotic and meiotic germ cells of both sexes. Daz is found in fetal gonocytes, spermatogonia and spermatocytes of adult testes. Here we discuss DAZ family genes in a phylogenic perspective, focusing on the common and distinct features of these genes, and their pivotal roles during gametogenesis evolved during evolution.
منابع مشابه
A gene family required for human germ cell development evolved from an ancient meiotic gene conserved in metazoans.
The Deleted in AZoospermia (DAZ) genes encode potential RNA-binding proteins that are expressed exclusively in prenatal and postnatal germ cells and are strong candidates for human fertility factors. Here we report the identification of an additional member of the DAZ gene family, which we have called BOULE. With the identification of this gene, it is clear that the human DAZ gene family contai...
متن کاملDAZ family proteins exist throughout male germ cell development and transit from nucleus to cytoplasm at meiosis in humans and mice.
The human DAZ gene family is expressed in germ cells and consists of a cluster of nearly identical DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) genes on the Y chromosome and an autosomal homolog, DAZL (DAZ-like). Only the autosomal gene is found in mice. Y-chromosome deletions that encompass the DAZ genes are a common cause of spermatogenic failure in men, and autosomal homologs of DAZ are essential for testic...
متن کاملHuman Pumilio-2 is expressed in embryonic stem cells and germ cells and interacts with DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) and DAZ-like proteins.
Early in development, a part of the embryo is set aside to become the germ cell lineage that will ultimately differentiate to form sperm and eggs and transmit genetic information to the next generation. Men with deletions encompassing the Y-chromosome DAZ genes have few or no germ cells but are otherwise healthy, indicating they harbor specific defects in formation or maintenance of germ cells....
متن کاملA Xenopus DAZ-like gene encodes an RNA component of germ plasm and is a functional homologue of Drosophila boule.
We have identified a localized RNA component of Xenopus germ plasm. This RNA, Xdazl (Xenopus DAZ-like), encodes a protein homologous to human DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia), vertebrate DAZL and Drosophila Boule proteins. Human males deficient in DAZ have few or no sperm and boule mutant flies exhibit complete azoospermia and male sterility. Xdazl RNA was detected in the mitochondrial cloud and ve...
متن کاملINTRODUCTION 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
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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