Testis And Spermatogenesis Related Gene 4 (TSARG4)

Sperm-associated antigen 4-like protein is a protein encoded by the SPAG4L gene. SPAG4L, a novel human testis gene in E. coli and purify it"""s fusion protein. The recombinant plasmid PQE-30-SPAG4L can be expressed in vitro and used for studying the biological function of SPAG4L in spermatogenesis. Spag4 mRNA is spermatid specific, and the 49-kDa Spag4 protein complexes specifically with Odf1, but not Odf2, mediated by a leucine zipper. It also self-associates. In contrast to Odf1 and Odf2, Spag4 protein localizes to two microtubule-containing spermatid structures. Spag4 is detectable in the transient manchette and it is associated with the axoneme in elongating spermatids and epididymal sperm. A role for Spag4 in protein localization to two major sperm tail structures.