VASA Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

DEAD box proteins, characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. They are implicated in a number of cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Based on their distribution patterns, some members of this family are believed to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division. This gene encodes a DEAD box protein, which is a homolog of VASA proteins in Drosophila and several other species. The gene is specifically expressed in the germ cell lineage in both sexes and functions in germ cell development. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]

Function: May play a role in germ cell development. May play a role in sperm motility. Ref.1 Ref.9

Catalytic activity: ATP + H2O = ADP + phosphate.

Subunit structure: Found in a mRNP complex, at least composed of TDRD1, TDRD6, TDRD7 and DDX4. N-terminus interacts with RANBP9. Interacts with PIWIL2 and MAEL

By similarity.

Subcellular location: Cytoplasm. Cytoplasm › perinuclear region

By similarity Ref.1 Ref.10.

Tissue specificity: Expressed only in ovary and testis. Expressed in migratory primordial germ cells in the region of the gonadal ridge in both sexes. Ref.1

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX4/VASA subfamily.Contains 1 helicase ATP-binding domain.Contains 1 helicase C-terminal domain.