AN RBM HOMOLOG MAPS TO THE MOUSE Y-CHROMOSOME AND IS EXPRESSED IN GERM-CELLS

We have isolated a murine homologue of the human Y-linked RBM genes (p reviously termed YRRM), a gene family implicated in spermatogenesis an d which encodes proteins containing an RNA recognition motif, A number of very similar copies of this gene (called Rbm) are present in the m ouse, These mouse homologues are also Y-encoded, mapping on the short arm of the chromosome, proximal to Sry, Expression is confined to the testis, specifically the germ line on the basis of lack of expression in the germ-line negative testes of adult sex-reversed mice, The timin g of Rbm transcription is regulated, with fetal message levels reachin g a peak at 15 d,p,c, Transcripts are clearly detectable by 4 days aft er birth and reach their highest level at 14 d,p,p, which is the time at which the Y chromosome condenses during meiotic prophase, These res ults suggest that Rbm is functionally involved in germline RNA metabol ism.