Detection of msj-1 gene expression in the frog, Rana esculenta testis, brain, and spinal cord. 
MSJ-1 is member of the DnaJ/heat shock protein (Hsp) 40 chaperone protein family.  It is present in mouse testis and spinal cord.  In particular, MSJ-1 is localized in post-meiotic cells and in motoneurones of the ventral horns.  To assess whether the role of this protein is evolutionarily conserved, we have investigated if msj-1 gene is expressed in the frog, Rana esculenta.  Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a msj-1-like transcript was detected in testis, brain, and spinal cord.  Homology ranging from 42.3 to 46.0% was found as compared with the mammalian counterparts.  Muscle did not show any signal.  By Western blot analysis, a signal of the predicted size of 30 kDa was evidenced in testis, brain, and spinal cord but not in ovary, heart, liver, kidney, and muscle.  MSJ-1 fluctuations in the testis reveal that it appeared in concomitance with post-meiotic events during the annual sexual cycle, as shown in a previous study.  The protein is localized in spermatids and is still retained in mature spermatozoa, where it has perinuclear and centriolar localization.  MSJ-1 levels did not change in brain and spinal cord.  Furthermore, in the brain MSJ-1 was mainly present in diencephalon and mesencephalon, while in spinal cord MSJ-1 was localized into several motoneurones of the cervical and thoracic tract.  A putative role in vesicle trafficking is briefly discussed.