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Published on: May 10, 2019
Multiple PolK (POLK) transcripts in mammalian testis
Caixia Guo1, Tianshu Gao, Nils Confer
1Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9072, USA.
Abstract:
The Y-family of DNA polymerases are capable of translesion synthesis both in vitro and in vivo. The mouse/human gene (Polkappa/POLK) that encodes the Y-family member Polk is highly expressed in mouse/human testis. Using RT-PCR to amplify the coding sequence of the PolK gene, 11 forms of mouse PolK and 5 forms of human POLK transcripts were identified from testis. This phenomenon is apparently specific to PolK since several other specialized DNA polymerases capable of TLS do not express functional alternative transcripts in the testis. The multiple mouse/human (PolK/POLK) transcripts may encode multiple Polkappa isoforms in testis.
Insights
The Polk gene, encoding a Y-family DNA polymerase, shows high expression in testes, producing multiple transcript variants. These variants may lead to different Polk isoforms, a unique finding among translesion synthesis polymerases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Y-family DNA polymerases are crucial for translesion synthesis (TLS), a DNA repair mechanism.
- The mouse/human gene Polkappa (POLK) encodes a Y-family DNA polymerase.
- Polk is known to be highly expressed in the testis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PolK transcripts in the testis.
- To determine if alternative transcripts of PolK exist in the testis.
- To explore the potential for multiple Polk isoforms in the testis.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify the coding sequence of the PolK gene.
- Analysis of RT-PCR products from mouse and human testis samples.
Main Results:
- Eleven distinct mouse PolK transcripts and five human POLK transcripts were identified in testis samples.
- This finding of multiple transcripts appears specific to PolK, as other TLS polymerases do not exhibit this.
- The identified transcripts suggest the potential existence of multiple Polk isoforms.
Conclusions:
- The PolK gene exhibits complex alternative splicing in the testis.
- Multiple Polk isoforms may be generated in the testis, potentially playing specialized roles.
- This transcript diversity is a unique characteristic of PolK compared to other TLS polymerases.
