HE2/EP2, an androgen-dependent protein from the epididymis of the chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes.

A cDNA clone of chimpanzee EP2 was obtained from epididymal RNA by RT-PCR and was sequenced. Chimpanzee EP2 and human HE2 cDNA were > 99% identical and the proteins were 100% identical. The derived amino acid sequence of chimpanzee EP2 showed a consensus sequence for a leader peptide typical of secreted proteins. Northern blot analysis indicated that expression of the gene encoding chimpanzee EP2 is specific to the epididymis and not to other chimpanzee tissues examined. RT-PCR and northern blot analysis of epididymides recovered from an androgen deprived adult male chimpanzee showed that the expression of EP2 is androgen dependent.