Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Three Novel Lysozyme-Like Genes, Predominantly Expressed in the Male Reproductive System of Humans, Belonging to the C-Type Lysozyme/Alpha-Lactalbumin Family

摘要: Lysozymes, especially c-type lysozymes, are well-recognized bacteriolytic factors widely distributed in the animal kingdom and play a mainly protective role host defense. The relatives of alpha-lactalbumins, however, only found mammalian milk possess distinct biological function. These two proteins, having similar amino acid sequences, gene structure, dimensional conformation, belong to ctype lysozyme/alpha-lactalbumin family. Using human lysozyme as an information probe, we cloned four cDNAs encoding homologues lysozyme; these were named LYZL2, LYZL4, LYZL6, SPACA3 by HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. Of four, has been reported code intra-acrosomal sperm protein SLLP1. To our knowledge, other three here for first time. Northern blot hybridization, including 16 different tissues, that lysozyme-like genes all highly expressed testis/epididymis. Further analysis one, situ hybridization revealed its mRNA was detected epithelium epididymis, most abundantly caput, suggesting LYZL4 plays physiological male reproduction. By sequence analysis, essential catalytic residues conserved LYZL2 whereas one site sites replaced. mapped chromosome 10p11.23, 3p21.33, 17q11.2, 17q12, respectively, displayed genomic structure. Our data suggest genes, which have arisen from common progenitor gene, major regulation, reproductive tract, sexual function, testis