Hg. Davies et al., A sequence-specific RNA binding complex expressed in murine germ cells contains MSY2 and MSY4, DEVELOP BIO, 221(1), 2000, pp. 87-100
The protamine mRNAs are stored for up to 8 days as translationally represse
d ribonucleoprotein particles during murine spermatogenesis. Translational
repression of the protamine 1, Prm1, mRNA is controlled by sequences in its
3'-untranslated region (UTR). In this study we used the yeast three-hybrid
system to clone Msy4, which encodes a novel member of the Y box family of
nucleic acid binding proteins. MSY4 specifically binds to a site within the
5' most 37 nucleotides in the Prm1 3' UTR. Msy4 is highly expressed in the
testis, and the protein is detected in the cytoplasm of germ cells in both
the testis and the ovary, where repressed messages are stored. Analysis of
a previously described 48/50-kDa binding activity in testis extracts by el
ectrophoretic mobility shift assays and immunoprecipitation indicates the a
ctivity is composed of MSY4 and MSY2, another mouse Y box protein. Polysome
analysis demonstrates MSY4 is associated with mRNPs, consistent with MSY4
having a role in storing repressed messages. (C) 2000 Academic Press.