Androcam: a potential testis-specific calcium sensor. P. Cornwell , K. Beckingham. Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251, (713) 348-4016.

   We have previously identified Androcam as a testis-specific protein 67% identical to the universal calcium signaling protein, calmodulin. Current work is focused upon identifying mutations to the gene and finding the binding partners of the protein. Unexpectedly, Androcam was found to localize to one of the giant loops of the Y chromosome (kl-3) in primary spermatocytes. The only other protein known to localize specifically to this loop has proved to be a leucine aminopeptidase. We are using two-hybrid analysis to determine whether this peptidase interacts directly with Androcam. Mutations affecting Androcamare being sought by screening the Wakimoto/Lindsley collection of male sterile mutants. These mutants represent a subset of the Zuker viable mutant collection. Using data from the Drosophilagenome project, we have determined that Androcamis part of a tightly linked cluster of genes encoding three calmodulin-related proteins. The gene arrangements suggest that Androcamand at least one other of these genes may be transcribed as a polycistronic message. We will present the results of RT-PCR studies for testis and other tissues, aimed at determining whether the intergenic regions are transcribed.