In the present work, we employed bioinformatics search tools to select ovulation-associated cDNA clones with a preference for those representing putative novel genes. Detailed characterization of one of these transcripts, 6C3, by real-time PCR and RACE analyses led to identification of a novel ovulation-associated gene, designatedNcoa7B. This gene was found to exhibit a significant homology to theNcoa7gene that encodes a conserved tissue-specific nuclear receptor coactivator. UnlikeNcoa7,Ncoa7Bpossesses a unique and highly conserved exon at the 5′ end and encodes a protein with a unique N-terminal sequence. Extensive bioinformatics analysis has revealed thatNcoa7Bhas one identifiable domain, TLDc, which has recently been suggested to be involved in protection from oxidative DNA damage. An alignment of TLDc domain containing proteins was performed, and the closest relative identified wasOXR1, which also has a corresponding, highly related short isoform, with just a TLDc domain. Moreover,Ncoa7Bexpression, as seen to date, seems to be restricted to mammals, while other TLDc family members have no such restriction. Multiple tissue analysis revealed that unlikeNcoa7, which was abundant in a variety of tissues with the highest expression in the brain,Ncoa7BmRNA expression is restricted to the reproductive system organs, particularly the uterus and the ovary. The ovarian expression ofNcoa7Bwas stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin. Additionally, using real-time PCR, we demonstrated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways forNcoa7Bexpression on preovulatory follicles.
Molecular Characterization of Giardia duodenalis in Children and Adults Sampled in Algeria
