| he t-complex of the mouse occupies the proximal half of chromosome 17 and contains genes which have profound effects on spermatogenesis and embryogenesis. Mutations of several loci in the t-complex cause male sterility, transmission ratio distortion (TRD) and embryonic lethality. Genes expressed in the testis or embryo were identified in the t-complex by molecular approaches and further studied for their expression.;By cDNA screening or chromosomal walking genes were identified which are expressed in the germ cells of testis and map to various regions of the t-complex. These genes were named t-complex testis-expressed (Tctex) genes. An analysis of their expression patterns in testes from +/+, +/t, and t/t mice was done by in situ hybridization and by northern blotting. Six genes begin to be expressed at the pachytene stage: Three of them are more abundant at pachytene stage, while three others are more abundant at postmeiotic stages. One gene is expressed at all the stages of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, four Tctex genes show differences in the amount of transcript between wild-type and t-mutant testes. The chromosomal location and expression pattern imply that Tctex genes might be candidate genes for sterility or TRD.;The... |
