Cloning and characterization of genes expressed during gametogenesis of female and male mice

Abstract

Isolation and initial characterization of clones from a mouse fetal ovary cDNA library are reported. In mammals, the development of female gametogenesis, including the prophase of the first meiotic division, begins in the fetus. A parallel conserved process occurs in males, from puberty onwards. We cloned cDNAs preferentially expressed in both sexes during gametogenesis considering both the meiotic programme and the non-germ cells participating in the developmental regulation of gametogenesis. From 183 clones that showed positive hybridization with adult testis and negligible hybridization with somatic probes, 32 clones were selected. After partial sequencing, 16 were found to correspond to known genes that are expressed during other programmes of differentiation and development. Sixteen clones represent novel sequences. The accumulation of corresponding transcripts was analysed by developmental northern blots during spermatogenesis, and genes expressed during gametogenesis were characterized together with others showing pleiotropic expression in different tissues. Additional specific, gametic transcripts were also detected.