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Expression of a novel histone 2B during mouse spermiogenesis
S B Moss1, P B Challoner, M Groudine
1Department of Genetics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104.
Developmental Biology
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Mouse round spermatids actively transcribe histone 2b (H2b) during spermiogenesis, challenging previous assumptions of gene inactivity. A novel H2b variant is identified and shown to be specific to spermatids and translated during sperm development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mammalian spermiogenesis involves replacing histones with transitional proteins and protamines for DNA condensation.
- Previous research indicated histone gene inactivity in postmeiotic cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate histone gene transcription during mammalian spermiogenesis.
- To identify and characterize novel histone variants involved in sperm development.
Main Methods:
- Steady-state RNA analysis and nuclear run-off transcription assays were used to detect H2b transcription.
- A novel H2b cDNA clone was isolated from a mouse testes cDNA library.
- Northern blot analysis and polyribosome isolation were employed to determine transcript specificity and translation.
Main Results:
- Histone 2b (H2b) transcription was confirmed in mouse round spermatids.
- A novel H2b cDNA clone was isolated, predicting a unique carboxyl-terminus and a polyadenylated transcript.
- The novel H2b transcript was found to be specific to spermatids and present in polyribosomes, indicating translation.
Conclusions:
- Histone gene transcription is active postmeiotically in mouse spermatids.
- A novel, translated H2b variant is specifically expressed during spermiogenesis.
- This finding challenges the notion of complete histone gene silencing after meiosis.