Comparative study of expression and change of the DNA binding capacity of the Xenopus Ku proteins in the gonad and other organ

The role of the Ku protein which is a kind of autoantigen observed to the autoimmune patient was investigated in the process of cell differentiation. The genes of the Xenopus Ku proteins were separated, and the base composition was clarified. Then, analysis on differences of expression level and phosphorylation of the Ku protein of various Xenopus organs was carried out. The result showed that there was the increase of the remarkable expression level in gonad (ovary, testis), and we have obtained evidence that phosphorylation and DNA binding capacity of Ku 70 kDa protein are different from other organs.