X-Kell Blood Group Precursor Related Protein, Y-Linked (XKRY)

Ninety-five percent of the length of the human Y chromosome is composed of the nonrecombining portion, or NRY. To identify genes located in the NRY, Lahn and Page (1997) isolated testis cDNAs that hybridized specifically to Y-chromosomal DNA. Lahn and Page (1997) isolated testis cDNAs corresponding to XKRY (XK-related protein on Y chromosome) and other genes located in the nonrecombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY). The predicted XKRY protein is similar to XK, a putative membrane transport protein. The authors noted that XKRY is one of several genes that appear to exist in multiple copies on the Y chromosome and are expressed specifically in testis.By analysis of a panel of partial Y chromosomes, Lahn and Page (1997) mapped the XKRY gene to region 5L on the long arm of the human Y chromosome.