We have isolated the human homolog of the rat Odf2 gene. In rat, Odf2, the
84-kDa major outer dense fiber protein, interacts strongly and specifically
with Odf1, the 27kDa major outer dense fiber protein. The interaction is m
ediated by leucine zippers during ODF assembly along the sperm axoneme. We
compared homology and genomic structure to rat and mouse Odf2 genes. Using
fluorescence in situ hybridization, we mapped the human Odf2 gene (ODF2) to
chromosome 9q34.