Identification and characterization of the antigen recognized by the germ cell mAb TRA98 using a human comprehensive wet protein array

TRA98 is a rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) which recognizes specific antigen in the nuclei of germ cells. mAb has been used to understand mechanism cell development and differentiation many studies. In mice, recognized by or GCNA1 reported be GCNA gene product, but despite demonstration immunoreactivity this human testis sperm 1997, humans remains unknown, as date. To identify TRA98, comprehensive wet protein array was developed containing 19,446 proteins derived from cDNAs. Using array, it found that not nuclear factor-κB activating (NKAP). both product NKAP. Furthermore, conditional knockout Nkap mice revealed phenotype Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Although NKAP ubiquitously expressed protein, mouse SUMOylated. These results suggest undergoes modifications, such SUMOylation testis, plays an important role spermatogenesis.