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The so-called "testis-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase" corresponds to type 2 retinaldehyde dehydrogenase in the mouse

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Abstract

The distribution pattern of "testis-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase" in mouse tissues was investigated. Because of the broad substrate specificity and the high degree of sequence identity of the large aldehyde dehydrogenase family a specific detection of single isoforms is not possible by histochemical means. Therefore, the technique of native isoelectric focusing was used. Thus, the expression of four to five banded "testis-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase" in the mouse testis was confirmed. However, the activity of this enzyme with the same pattern of multiplicity was found not only in the testis but also in the uterus and in embryonic tissues. At 9.5 and 10.5 days of embryonic development the enzyme activity was restricted to tissues of the embryonic trunk and absent in extracts from cranial tissues. The tissue distribution as well as substrate specificity and isoelectric points indicate that the "testis-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase" corresponds to mouse type 2 retinaldehyde dehydrogenase.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the secretarial work of Mrs. Sandra Hosch and Markus Gruber for help with the illustrations. Special thanks go to Prof. D. Sasse for helpful discussions and critical advice and to Prof. K. Beier for critically reading the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, University of Basel, Pestalozzistrasse 20, 4056, Basel, Switzerland

    I. Piotr Maly, Valérie Crotet & Mireille Toranelli

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  1. I. Piotr Maly
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  2. Valérie Crotet
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  3. Mireille Toranelli
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Correspondence to I. Piotr Maly.

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Maly, I.P., Crotet, V. & Toranelli, M. The so-called "testis-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase" corresponds to type 2 retinaldehyde dehydrogenase in the mouse. Histochem Cell Biol 119, 169–174 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-002-0488-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-002-0488-x

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