A novel mammalian bubblegum-related acyl-CoA synthetase restricted to testes and possibly involved in spermatogenesis

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2006 Jul 1;451(1):23-33. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2006.04.013. Epub 2006 May 8.

Abstract

We have characterized a new, membrane-associated acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), termed bubblegum-related protein (BGR), which upon functional analysis demonstrated ACS activity capable of activating long- and very long-chain fatty acids. By multiple tissue RNA array and Northern blot analyses, human BGR mRNA was exclusively detected in testes. Murine Bgr mRNA was specifically expressed in pubertal and adult testes and was further demonstrated to be enriched in germ cells and Sertoli cells while present at a lower level in Leydig cells both by in situ hybridization and cell type fractionation. The complex 5'-end of the BGR mRNA appears to underlie translational control leading to differential utilization of alternative translation start sites. Thus, the BGR gene expands the bubblegum ACS family with a testes-specific, developmentally regulated member that may play a role in spermatogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Northern
  • COS Cells / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / genetics
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / metabolism*
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / physiology
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leydig Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Testis / enzymology*
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Coenzyme A Ligases
  • lipidosin
  • long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AJ577571