Systematic identification and integrative analysis of novel genes expressed specifically or predominantly in mouse epididymis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maturation of spermatozoa, including development of motility and the ability to fertilize the oocyte, occurs during transit through the microenvironment of the epididymis. Comprehensive understanding of sperm maturation requires identification and characterization of unique genes expressed in the epididymis.

Results

We systematically identified 32 novel genes with epididymis-specific or -predominant expression in the mouse epididymis UniGene library, containing 1505 gene-oriented transcript clusters, by in silico and in vitro analyses. The Northern blot analysis revealed various characteristics of the genes at the transcript level, such as expression level, size and the presence of isoform. We found that expression of the half of the genes is regulated by androgen

SUBMITTER: Oh J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1764739 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature