Aint/Tacc3 Is Highly Expressed in Proliferating Mouse Tissues During Development, Spermatogenesis, and Oogenesis

Abstract

Aint was originally identified on the basis of its interaction in vitro with the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear receptor translocator (Arnt). Arnt is a common heterodimerization partner in the basic helix-loop–helix (bHLH)-PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) protein family and is involved in diverse biological functions. These include xenobiotic metabolism, hypoxic response, and circadian rhythm. In addition, Arnt has a crucial role during development. Aint is a member of a growing family of transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) proteins and is the murine homologue of human TACC3. Here we report the spatiotemporal expression of Tacc3 mRNA and protein in embryonic, postnatally developing, and adult mouse tissues using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. Tacc3 mRNA was highly expressed in proliferating cells of several organs during murine development. However, the only adult tissues expressing high levels were testis and ovary. Immunocytochemistry revealed that Tacc3 is a nuclear protein. Our results suggest that Tacc3 has an important role in murine development, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis.