Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1981703 | FEBS Open Bio | 2014 | 6 Pages |
•A truncated kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (T-KSR2) mRNA was identified.•T-KSR2 is expressed exclusively in mouse testes and sperm.•Analysis of T-KSR2 may enhance understanding of spermatogenesis and fertility.
The kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2) is a scaffold protein for the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. KSR2 mediates germline mpk-1 (Caenorhabditis elegans ERK) phosphorylation in C. elegans and has been implicated the regulation of meiosis. KSR2−/− mice exhibit metabolic abnormalities and are reproductively impaired. The role of KSR2 in meiosis and fertility in mice has yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe a novel truncated KSR2 mRNA identified in mouse testes (T-KSR2). Further analysis demonstrates T-KSR2 is specific to mouse testes and mature sperm cells. The detection of T-KSR2 may enhance our understanding of mechanisms controlling spermatogenesis and fertility.