RADHA - a new male germ line-specific chromosomal protein of Drosophila

A new chromosomal protein - RADHA - of Drosophila is described that is spec ific for the male germ line. It is encoded by a single-copy gene, located i n the region 96C-D of D. melanogaster polytene chromosomes. Transcription o f the radha gene is restricted to the primary spermatocyte stage. The prote in initially accumulates in some of the Y-chromosomal lampbrush loops. Afte r meiosis it is found in the nuclei of spermatids and might be involved in chromatin rearrangement processes in the male germ line. RADHA is a basic p rotein with a C-terminal leucine zipper region and several segments capable of forming coiled-coil structures.