Testis-specific expression of a novel mouse defensin-like gene, Tdl

In order to isolate genes regulating sex differentiation of embryonic gonads, we have attempted to obtain genes specifically expressed in male embryonic gonads by means of subtractive hybridization screening, and we have cloned a novel mouse gene, Tdl. It potentially encodes a protein showing sequence homology to anti-microbial protein, β-defensins. Tdl reveals structural features such as the six cysteine residues with invariant spacing, which are found in β-defensins, but the overall amino acid similarity of Tdl to other members of the β-defensin family is low. In addition, the Tdl gene shows genomic organization similar to that of other β-defensin genes. We have found that Tdl is specifically expressed in Sertoli cell-lineage in seminiferous cords in embryonic testes, but not in embryonic ovaries after 12.5dpc when the sexual differentiation of gonads is initiated. Tdl is specifically expressed in gonads among adult tissues, and its expression persisted in Sertoli cells.