Abstract
Testis-specific protein kinase 1 (Tesk1) is a serine/threonine kinase with unique structural features. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the tesk1 gene of tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis. The full-length tesk1 cDNA consists of 1,672 nucleotides, encoding a 331 amino acid polypeptide with a characteristic structure composed of an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal proline-rich domain. The tesk1 genomic sequence contains eight exons and seven introns. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that tesk1 mRNA is expressed predominantly in the testis, though the level of expression varied throughout development. We used in situ hybridization to show that tesk1 mRNA is expressed in the spermatids of males and pseudo-males, but not in triploid males. Our results suggest that tongue sole Tesk1 may play a role in spermatogenesis.
Highlights
Protein kinases play a pivotal role in intracellular signal transduction systems, those involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, proliferation and differentiation
Cse_R016807 was obtained and identified as tongue sole tesk1 by gene prediction and annotation based on tongue sole genome sequencing [10]
These three fragments were assembled into a 1,672 bp tongue sole tesk1 full length cDNA
Summary
Protein kinases play a pivotal role in intracellular signal transduction systems, those involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, proliferation and differentiation. They are divided into two broad categories based on their substrate specificity. Testis-specific protein kinase 1 (Tesk1) is a member of the latter group and was first identified in the testis of rats and humans [4]. It has an Nterminal protein kinase domain and a C-terminal extension rich in proline residues. Expression of tesk mRNA and protein at specific stages in testicular germ cell development suggests that this kinase plays a role in spermatogenesis, during meiosis and/or early spermiogenesis [5]
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