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A Novel PEPP Homeobox Gene, TOX, Is Highly Glutamic Acid Rich and Specifically Expressed in Murine Testis and Ovary¹

Institute of Biochemistry,³ National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112 Taiwan Institute of Molecular Biology,⁴ Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115 Taiwan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,⁵ Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, 114 Taiwan Department of Life Science,⁶ National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116 Taiwan Graduate Institute of Medical Science,⁷ Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110 Taiwan

The homeobox gene superfamily has been highly conserved throughout evolution. These genes act as transcription factors during several important developmental processes. To explore the functional roles of homeobox genes in spermatogenesis, we performed a degenerate oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of a testis cDNA library and isolated a novel mouse homeobox gene. This gene, which we named Tox, encodes a homeodomain protein distantly related to members of the Paired/Pax (Prd/Pax) family. A phylogenetic analysis revealed Tox to be a member of the recently defined PEPP subfamily of Paired-like homeobox genes. Tox was mapped to chromosome X, with its homeodomain organized into three exons. A special feature of Tox is that the encoded protein sequence contains two poly-glutamic acid (poly E) stretches, which make Tox highly acidic. Tox transcripts were detected predominately in the testis and ovary of mice. Tox expression in testes was initiated soon after birth, mainly in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia; however, in adult mice, Tox expression shifts to the spermatids and spermatozoa. Tox expression in ovaries was detected in somatic cells of follicles, early on in theca cells, and in both granulosa and theca cells at the later stages of follicular development. Based on these results, Tox may play an important role during gametogenesis.

¹ Supported in part by research grants NSC-91-2320-B-038-023 and NSC-91-2311-B-001-084 from the National Science Council, Taiwan.

² Correspondence: Hsiu Mei Hsieh-Li, Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116 Taiwan. FAX: 886 2 2931 2904; hmhsieh{at}cc.ntnu.edu.tw

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