Identification of the mouse beta '-COP golgi component as a spermatocyte autoantigen in scleroderma and mapping of its gene Copb2 to mouse Chromosome9

In an immunological screening of a mouse testicular cDNA library with a hum an CREST serum we isolated five overlapping cDNA clones encoding the mouse homolog of a Golgi coatomer complex protein (accession number AF043120), de signated beta'-COP in bovine and p102 in humans. We generated antibodies ag ainst this protein which specifically recognize the Golgi apparatus of mous e spermatocytes. FISH analyses assigned the beta'-COP gene Copb2 to mouse C hromosome 9, region E3-F1. Our results demonstrate that CREST sera can cont ain antibody components against Golgi proteins as well as against nuclear p roteins. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.