The ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 homologous genes on the mouse Y Chromosome (Ube1y) represent one functional gene and six partial pseudogenes

摘要

The Sxr~b deletion interval (#DELTA#Sxr~b) of the mouse Y Chromosome (Chr) encodes the spermatogenesis factor, Spy, which is required for the normal proliferation of mitotic germ cells (Sutcliffe and Burgoyne 1989). The molecular characterization of #DELTA#Sxr~b has revealed that it is rich in genes that have a closely related, ubiquitously transcribed homolog on the X Chr (Mazeyrat et al. 1998). Some of these genes are transcribed like their X-homolog, while others are transcribed only in the testis. One of these latter genes, Ube1y, is homologous to the X-linked ubiquitin-activating enzyme El gene, Ube1x. Ube1y transcription has been detected at all stages of testis development analyzed, from 12.5 dpc (days post coitum) to adult, although Ube1y and Ube1x transcription appears to be shut down during meiotic prophase (Odorisio et al. 1996). A partial Ube1y cDNA has been characterized that has 83% nucleotide identity to the 3' half of the Ube1x coding region (Mitchell et al. 1991). The putative peptide encoded by this cDNA has 85% identity and 92% similarity to Ube1x. It, therefore, appears that a testis-specific Ube1x variant has been conserved on the mouse Y Chr.