High impact information on Tesk1

• This novel gene is almost identical to Stk22c, encoding a recently described testis-specific protein kinase, except for base-pair deletions that result in a shift in the coding region and an alteration of 22 amino acids (residues 109-131) [1].
• Tesk1 mRNA is predominantly expressed in testicular germ cells, and developmental changes of expression in mouse testis suggest a role for this kinase in spermatogenesis [2].
• The Tesk1 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 4A5-C1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization [2].
• In the present study, we isolated and determined the overall sequence of the mouse Tesk1 gene, which spans 6.1 kilobases (kb) and contains 10 exons and 9 introns [2].
• TESK1 (testis-specific protein kinase 1) is a protein serine-threonine kinase, containing characteristic structural features composed of an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal proline-rich domain [2].

Biological context of Tesk1

• Cell-type-specific expression of a TESK1 promoter-linked lacZ gene in transgenic mice [3].
• We examined the expression of a lacZ reporter gene linked to a 9.0-kb 5'-flanking region of TESK1 gene in transgenic mice [3].

Anatomical context of Tesk1

• A high level of lacZ expression was observed in testicular germ cells only at stages after pachytene spermatocytes, the expression patterns being similar to those of TESK1 mRNA in rat testis, determined by in situ hybridization [3].

Associations of Tesk1 with chemical compounds

• Testicular protein kinase 1 (TESK1) is a serine/threonine kinase highly expressed in testicular germ cells and has the potential to phosphorylate cofilin and induce actin cytoskeletal reorganization [3].

References