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J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 278, Issue 45, 44417-44423, November 7, 2003

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Haprin, a Novel Haploid Germ Cell-specific RING Finger Protein Involved in the Acrosome Reaction^*

Kouichi Kitamura, Hiromitsu Tanaka, and Yoshitake Nishimune

From the Department of Science for Laboratory Animal Experimentation, Research Institute for Microbial Disease, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

The acrosome reaction (i.e. the exocytosis of the sperm vesicle) is a prerequisite for fertilization, but its molecular mechanism is largely unknown. We have identified a cDNA clone for a gene named haprin, which encodes a haploid germ cell-specific RING finger protein. This protein is a novel member of the RBCC (RING finger, B-box type zinc finger, and coiled-coil domain) motif family that has roles in several cellular processes, such as exocytosis. It is transcribed exclusively in testicular germ cells after meiotic division. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses showed the molecular weight of Haprin protein to be M_r 82,000. It was localized in the acrosomal region of elongated spermatids and mature sperm and was not present in acrosome-reacted sperm. The specific antibody against the RING finger domain of Haprin inhibited the acrosome reaction in permeabilized sperm. These results indicated that the novel RBCC protein Haprin plays a key role in the acrosome reaction and fertilization.

Received for publication, April 24, 2003 , and in revised form, August 13, 2003.

^* The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

To whom all correspondence should be addressed: Research Institute for Microbial Disease, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Tel.: 81-6-6879-8338; Fax: 81-6-6879-8339; E-mail: nishimun{at}biken.osaka-u.ac.jp.

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