Ret Finger Protein Like Protein 4A (RFPL4A)

The deduced human and mouse proteins contain 271 and 287 amino acids, respectively, and contain a cysteine-rich RING finger-like region (C3YC4), a coiled-coil motif, and B30.2 domains characteristic of the RING-B30 family of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases such as MID1. RFPL4A shares closest homology with members of the human Ret finger protein-like family . Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues detected a 1.7-kb transcript in ovary, and RT-PCR analysis showed expression in both ovary and testis. In situ hybridization detected oocyte expression of mouse Rfpl4a in primary and multilayered follicles and oocytes. Rfpl4a expression was detected in the ovaries of mice lacking GDF9. In situ hybridization of mouse testes demonstrated Rfpl4a expression at later stages of spermatogenesis and in elongating spermatids.