G. Zuercher et al., A novel member of the testis specific serine kinase family, tssk-3, expressed in the Leydig cells of sexually mature mice, MECH DEVEL, 93(1-2), 2000, pp. 175-177
We have recently characterized two members of a novel family of murine test
is specific serine kinases, tssk-1 and tssk-2, expressed exclusively in spe
rmatids undergoing spermiogenesis. Using a differential screening approach
we have isolated a third family member, tssk-3. The open reading frame of t
ssk-3 encodes a protein of 275 amino acids, consisting essentially of a ser
ine/threonine protein kinase domain only. In contrast, tssk-1 and -2 have d
istinct, approximately 100 amino acid domains located C-terminally to the k
inase domain. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that while tssk-1 an
d tssk-2 form detergent resistant complexes, tssk-3 is not associated with
either protein. Expression of tssk-3 was induced at puberty, persisted duri
ng adulthood and was restricted to the interstitial Leydig cells of post-pu
bertal males. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.