BSPRY, a novel protein of the Ro-Ret family

Utilizing the yeast two-hybrid system we have identified a novel protein of the Ro-Ret family that was termed BSPRY. This protein is composed of a B-b ox, an alpha-helical coiled coil and a SPRY domain. BSPRY from human beings shares 80% sequence identity with the homologous protein from mice. The ge ne for BSPRY resides on human chromosome 9 and is specifically expressed in testis. It comprises six exons and five introns and possesses a GC rich pr omoter forming a typical CpG island. The function of BSPRY is not known, bu t several related proteins of the RBCC family have been implicated in cell transformation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.