Tudor Domain Containing Protein 6 (TDRD6)

Database analysis revealed several TDRD6 variants with different putative transcriptional start sites and alternative splicing. The longest protein contains 2,096 amino acids and has 7 tudor domains. Database analysis suggested that TDRD6 is primarily expressed in testis, with low levels in other endocrine tissues, such as pituitary, adrenal gland, and pancreas.

Sera from 42 (49%) of 86 APS1 patients reacted with in vitro-translated TDRD6 fragments. Sera from patients with other autoimmune diseases and from healthy controls showed no immunoreactivity. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that sera from 3 of 6 APS1 patients with growth hormone deficiency stained specific cell populations and nerves in guinea pig pituitary gland.