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Nucleic Acids Research, 1981, Vol. 9, No. 6 1463-1482
© 1981

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Molecular analysis of the protamine multi-gene family in rainbow trout testis

Lashitew Gedamu*, Michael A. Wosnick, Wayne Connor, David C. Watson, Gordon H. Dixon and Kostas Iatrou

Division of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Biological Laboratories, Harvard University Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Received January 12, 1981.

We have synthesized a family of double-stranded cDNAs (ds cDNAs) using as a template the family of highly purified protamine mRNAs from rainbow trout testis. Individual pure protamine cDNA components were isolated by cloning this family of protamine ds cDNAs in a plasmid vector (pMB9). Clones containing protamine sequences were characterized by restriction mapping and by a positive hybrid-selected translation assay, which allowed us to correlate particular cDNAs with particular protein components.

To allow more detailed comparisons, complete nucleotide sequences were determined for selected protamine clones. We have detected at least 5 distinctly different coding sequences, which nevertheless show at least 82% homology, and which have probably arisen by repeated gene duplication. These very highly conserved coding sequences do however contain a distinctly variable region near the 5'-end of the mRNA (N-terminus of the protein), corresponding to the major sites of serine phosphorylation.

Since the amino acid sequences predicted by our DNA sequences were slightly different from those previously published (1), we have independently determined the amino acid sequences of protamine components CI, CII and CIII from our own source of trout testis. These new peptide sequences are completely consistent with those predicted by our nucleotide sequences.

The 3'-untranslated regions of the protamine mRNAs are, surprisingly almost as highly conserved as the coding regions. Both coding and 3'-non-coding portions appear to be under a similar degree of selective pressure and evolutionary constraint to remain constant.

*present address: University Biochemistry Group, Division of Biochemistry, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada


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