[Study on the function of HSD-3.8 gene encoding a testis-specific protein with yeast two-hybrid system].

Objective: To explore the protein factors that could interact with the testis-specific protein encoded by HSD-3.8 gene (GenBank Accession Number AF311312) related with female fertilization.

Methods: Yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen the human ovary MATCHMAKER cDNA library with constructed "bait plasmid" containing the 0.7 kb fragment (HSD-0.7) of HSD-3.8. The interaction with the positive fragments using a series of truncated bait plasmids was investigated.

Results: One positive gene fragment was obtained, which coded for 144 amino acids of the C-terminus of human G protein beta subunit 1. Truncated bait plasmids couldn't interact with the fish protein fragment in yeast.

Conclusions: The protein encoded by HSD-3.8 gene may function through G protein signal transduction pathway and the interaction depends on the integration of the bait protein.