UVA studies potential target for skin cancer...( o regions of the nuclear envelope that ...)

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System first identified and named the SPANX gene family in 2000. "UVa continues to make strides in understanding select areas of the human genome," Herr said. "Although the X chromosome on which these genes lie is often associated with determination of female gender, in this case the X chromosome contains genes involved in formation of the sperm. This gene family is now attracting considerable interest from other groups."

For example, scientists at the National Cancer Institute recently discovered that the SPANX family represents one of the most rapidly evolving regions of the human genome. The five SPANX genes appear to have evolved by gene duplication from a single common ancestor since the rise of hominoids. African great apes like chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans have SPANX, but monkeys do not.

"SPANX represents a rapidly evolving gene family located on the X chromosome involved in the development of the spermatid nucleus," Herr said.

"While our recent findings represent an important step in our knowledge, the overall role of SPANX proteins in reproduction and the precise molecular pathways in which they function in the testis remain to be explored."

One of the intriguing features about the SPANX proteins is that two gene locations, for familial forms of prostate and testicular cancer, map to the SPANX region on the X chromosome. "These findings underscore the need to better understand the function of this rapidly evolving gene family" Herr said.

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Contact: Megan Rowe
mbr4p@virginia.edu
434-924-5679
University of Virginia Health System
3-Oct-2006