BOLL

Protein boule-like is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the BOLL is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene belongs to the DAZ gene family required for is_associated_with::germ cell development. It encodes an RNA-binding protein which is more similar to Drosophila Boule than to human proteins encoded by genes DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) or is_associated_with::DAZL (deleted in azoospermia-like). Loss of this gene function results in the absence of sperm in semen (is_associated_with::azoospermia). Histological studies demonstrated that the primary defect is at the meiotic G2 / M transition. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been found for this gene.

The boule-like protein appears to be ubiquitously expressed in males of all animal species, except in the most primitive is_associated_with::trichoplax.