The archetype STYX/dead-phosphatase complexes with a spermatid mRNA-binding protein and is essential for normal sperm production

MJ Wishart, JE Dixon - … of the National Academy of Sciences, 2002 - National Acad Sciences
MJ Wishart, JE Dixon
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2002National Acad Sciences
Differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is regulated via phosphorylated RNA-binding
proteins that modulate the expression of stage-specific mRNAs. We demonstrate that the
phosphoserine,-threonine or-tyrosine, interaction protein, Styx, complexes with a testicular
RNA-binding protein and is essential for normal spermiogenesis. Ablation of Styx
expression in mouse disrupts round and elongating spermatid development, resulting in a>
1,000-fold decrease in spermatozoa production. Moreover, Styx−/− males are infertile …
Differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is regulated via phosphorylated RNA-binding proteins that modulate the expression of stage-specific mRNAs. We demonstrate that the phosphoserine, -threonine or -tyrosine, interaction protein, Styx, complexes with a testicular RNA-binding protein and is essential for normal spermiogenesis. Ablation of Styx expression in mouse disrupts round and elongating spermatid development, resulting in a >1,000-fold decrease in spermatozoa production. Moreover, Styx−/− males are infertile because of structural head abnormalities in residual epididymal sperm. Immunoprecipitation of Styx with Crhsp-24, a phosphorylated RNA-binding protein implicated in translational repression of histone mRNAs, provides a strategy for regulating posttranscriptional gene expression.
National Acad Sciences