[Characteristics of a novel human testis-specific gene, HSD-9, and its encoding protein].

Objective: To study the characteristics of a novel human testis-specific gene, HSD-9, and its encoding protein.

Methods: HSD-9 was a novel gene from a human germ cells-specific ESTs library established in our laboratory. We used an electronic cloning method to obtain HSD-9 gene, and analyzed the characteristics of this novel gene and encoding product by bioinformatics methods, detected its expressing profile using a Northern blot assay, prepared specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies against HSD-9 protein, observed the localization of this protein in the germ cells and some somatic cells with confocal microscopy.

Results: HSD-9 was expressed in human testes, and its rat homolog was found in the varying germ cells. HSD-9 protein could partly be colocalized with clathrin.

Conclusions: HSD-9 is specific in human testes, and the expression pattern of its encoding product is similar to those of some endocytosis proteins. It is speculated that HSD-9 protein may function in the endocytosis.