The spermatogenesis associated 4 (SPATA4) gene from testis of Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) were cloned using RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technology and characterized. The full length cDNA of SPATA4 was 1 076 bp including a 678 bp open reading frame,which encode a putative protein of 225 amino acids residues with a theoretical molecular weight of 25.72 ku and an isoelectric point of 9.32. Further analysis of SPATA4 sequence indicated that it had high identity with other vertebrates. Quantitative real time PCR was performed to detect the SPATA4 mRNA in different tissues of adult fish and various developmental stages. The results showed that during 1-206 h post-fertilization,the SPATA4 gene had the highest expression levels at 4 h and 28 h,decreased at 50 h to the lowest level,and had similar expression levels at other time points . In the ten tissues tested,the SPATA4 gene showed highest expression level in testis.