HORMA Domain Containing Protein 1 (HORMAD1)

Nohma, encoding a deduced 392-amino acid protein, and a human ortholog, NOHMA, encoding a deduced 387-amino acid protein. The mouse and human proteins share 77% sequence identity and both contain HORMA domains. Northern blot analysis of adult mouse tissues detected high expression of Nohma in testis and low levels in 14-day ovary. Expression in mouse testis was detectable at 10 days postpartum and continued during postnatal gonadal development as well as in adulthood. Its expression in testis coincided with the onset of meiosis I. RT-PCR revealed expression of mouse Nohma in embryonic, newborn, 2-day, and 9-day ovaries, but at barely detectable levels in adult ovary. In situ hybridization experiments showed that Nohma expression is restricted to germ cells.