Dioxin induces a novel nuclear factor, DIF-3, that is implicated in spermatogenesis

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin), a member of a class of environmental pollutants represented by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins a nd dibenzofurans, is one of the most toxic artificial compounds ever develo ped. In this study, we identified a novel TCDD target gene, DIF-3 (dioxin i nducible factor-3), by cDNA representational difference analysis. DIF-3 pro tein is a nuclear factor and possesses a zinc-finger motif at its N-terminu s. High DIF-3 mRNA expression in the testes was demonstrated by Northern bl ot analysis and abundant DIF-3 protein was detected during spermatogenesis. Thus, these results suggest that DIF-3 may be a target gene mediating the reproductive toxicity induced by TCDD. (C) 2001 Federation of European Bioc hemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.