Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone encoding mouse protamine 1

Abstract

The nucleotide sequence of a 404-base c[complementary]DNA encoding the Cys-rich, Tyr-containing mouse protamine was determined. This insert, isolated from a mouse testis cDNA ilbrary, encodes a polypeptide of 50 amino acids of which 28 are Arg, 9 are Cys, and 3 are Tyr. The insert contains the complete 3'' noncoding region of 151 bases and most of the 5'' noncoding region. The predicted amino acid sequence of mouse protamne 1 is about 80% homologous to boar protamine and 67% homologous to bull protamine and contains the central, highly basic domain of 4 Arg clusters found in the trout protamines. The identification of a cDNA clone for a mouse protamine will facilitate studies of the evolution, regulation, and protein-DNA interaction of this nuclear protein unique to haploid spermatogenic cells.