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Human sperm associated antigen 4 (SPAG4) is a potential cancer marker

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Abstract

Using a combination of database screening and polymerase chain reaction analyses we have determined the sequence and structure of the human sperm tail associated gene SPAG4. SPAG4 is a 12-exon gene spanning approximately 5.2 kb on chromosome 20q11.23. It is expressed in a limited number of normal tissues, notably the pancreas and testis, but is switched on and greatly upregulated in a wide range of neoplastic tissues. The data therefore strongly suggests that SPAG4 expression is a potential clinically relevant cancer marker.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development and The ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Monash University, 3168, Melbourne, Australia

    Claire Kennedy, Kim Sebire, David M. de Kretser & Moira K. O’Bryan

  2. Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, 27–31 Wright St., 3168, Clayton, Australia

    Moira K. O’Bryan

Authors
  1. Claire Kennedy
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  2. Kim Sebire
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  3. David M. de Kretser
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  4. Moira K. O’Bryan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Moira K. O’Bryan.

Additional information

This work was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC, #973218) of Australia. M.K.O’B. is the recipient of an R.D. Wright Fellowship from the NH & MRC (#143781). C.K. is the recipient of an A.P.A. scholarship from the Commonwealth of Australia

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Kennedy, C., Sebire, K., de Kretser, D.M. et al. Human sperm associated antigen 4 (SPAG4) is a potential cancer marker. Cell Tissue Res 315, 279–283 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-003-0821-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-003-0821-2

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