Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.1.27.1 (RNase)
 16,360 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have cloned a novel member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that has been identified from complementary DNA libraries derived from mouse tissues using a low stringency cross hybridization strategy. The deduced protein sequence contains 495 amino acids and consists of the characteristic DNA-binding and ligand-binding domains of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The primary sequence of this new orphan is distinct from those of previously cloned members and subgroups. Analysis of the DNA-binding properties of the in vitro synthesized protein revealed that this new orphan receptor binds to the sequence TCAAGGTCA that includes the steroidogenic factor-1 half-site and direct repeat with 0 bp spacing elements. Northern blot and ribonuclease protection assays showed that the receptor was predominantly expressed in the testis. Results from in situ hybridization experiments confirmed this observation and showed it to be located in the spermatogenic cells. High level expression was also detected in developing oocytes in the ovary. Thus, high level expression of this gene is restricted to developing germ cells, the oocytes and spermatogenic cells. We speculate that this orphan receptor may be a molecule involved in regulating some aspect of meiosis, and that the major function of this factor is likely to be involved in the regulation of gene expression in germ cell development during gametogenesis. It has been designated germ cell nuclear factor.
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PMID:Cloning of a novel orphan receptor (GCNF) expressed during germ cell development. 785 58

Nuclear orphan receptors are DNA binding proteins that share the domain structure of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, although ligands are unknown. We have identified an orphan receptor in Xenopus laevis and named it xGCNF based on its high degree of sequence homology to the previously described murine germ cell nuclear factor (mGCNF). In gel-electrophoresis mobility shift analysis experiments in vitro translated xGCNF and mGCNF proteins both bind specifically as homodimers to the same response element, a direct repeat of the half-site consensus AGGTCA with zero spacing (DRO). Transcripts of xGCNF are found in oocytes and in much smaller amounts in the testes. In developmental Northern blots and RNase protection using RNA from different embryonic stages, zygotic expression of xGCNF peaks at midneurula. From late gastrula to midneurula stages, an anterior to posterior concentration gradient of the RNA was observed in whole mount in situ analysis. This antero-posterior gradient of expression was also observed in exogastrulae, both in the ectoderm and mesoderm. In the midneurula embryo, the mRNA was predominantly found in the neural plate and neural crest. Transcription of xGCNF in animal cap explants occurred independent of mesoderm induction.
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PMID:xGCNF, a nuclear orphan receptor is expressed during neurulation in Xenopus laevis. 902 60

Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF/RTR), a novel orphan receptor in the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, is expressed predominantly in developing germ cells. In several mammalian species two GCNF/RTR mRNAs are present in the testis, with the smaller 2.3-kb transcript generally expressed at higher levels than the larger 7.4- or 8.0-kb transcript. In both the mouse and rat, the 2.3- and 7.4-kb GCNF/RTR transcripts were detected in isolated spermatogenic cells, but not in Sertoli cells. Expression of these transcripts is differentially regulated, with the larger 7.4-kb mRNA appearing earlier during testicular development. The major 2.3-kb transcript is expressed predominantly in round spermatids in the mouse and rat. In situ hybridization studies in the rat demonstrated that GCNF/RTR transcripts reach maximal steady-state levels in round spermatids at stages VII and VIII of the spermatogenic cycle, and then decline abruptly as spermatids begin to elongate. RNase protection assays were used to predict the 3' termination site of the 2.3-kb transcript. An alternative polyadenylation signal (AGUAAA) was identified just upstream of this termination site. These studies suggest that GCNF/RTR may regulate transcription during spermatogenesis, particularly in round spermatids just prior to the initiation of nuclear elongation and condensation.
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PMID:Expression of germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF/RTR) during spermatogenesis. 954 15

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1/Nr5a1) is an orphan nuclear receptor encoded by the Ftz-F1 gene and is required for gonad and adrenal development and regulation of hormone production within the reproductive and adrenal axes. To extend our understanding of Ftz-F1 and its role in SF-1 expression, we identified and characterized a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing Ftz-F1. Within this YAC, Ftz-F1 is centrally located and flanked by genes encoding a second orphan nuclear receptor, germ cell nuclear factor, and proteasome (prosome, macropain) subunit beta type 7. Three lines of transgenic mice carrying the YAC were generated and in two lines (lines 7 and 14), RT-PCR and ribonuclease protection analysis showed that expression of transgenic SF-1 mimicked that of endogenous SF-1, both spatially and quantitatively. In the third line (line 15), pituitary and hypothalamic expression were absent. Comparison of the integrated transgenes revealed that line 15 was truncated at the end of intron 4 and revealed a region within the locus that is responsible for SF-1 expression in the pituitary and hypothalamus. The line 14 transgene was introduced into a mouse strain lacking functional SF-1. Examination of SF-1-deficient, transgene-positive mice revealed that the YAC was able to rescue adrenal and gonad development, which normally arrests in the SF-1-null embryos and showed that the 153-kb transgene integrated in line 14 is sufficient to properly direct SF-1 expression and support its biological activity. Thus, the study defines a region of Ftz-F1 that contains the requisite set of regulatory elements to direct SF-1 cell-specific expression and all temporal and quantitative changes need for its biological activity.
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PMID:A FTZ-F1-containing yeast artificial chromosome recapitulates expression of steroidogenic factor 1 in vivo. 1596 10