Spermatogenesis Associated Protein 4 (SPATA4)

Using the sequence of the mouse Srg2 gene, previously identified as a spermatogenic cell apoptosis-related gene in mouse cryptorchidism models, Liu et al. (2004) identified and cloned a full-length spermatogenesis associated-4 (SPATA4) cDNA from a human testis cDNA library. SPATA4 encodes a deduced 305-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 34.8 kD. Northern blot analysis detected testis-specific expression of a 1.7-kb SPATA4 transcript. In situ hybridization analysis of human testis showed SPATA4 signal in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of the seminiferous tubules. Immunofluorescence analysis of SPATA4 transfected into COS-7 cells showed that SPATA4 localizes to the nucleus.of SPATA4 into MCF-7 cells accelerates cell growth, with more cells traversing S-phase and entering G2-phase.