scholarly journals A mitochondrial mechanism is involved in apoptosis of Robertsonian mouse male germ cells

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
pp. 797-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Merico ◽  
Gabriela Diaz de Barboza ◽  
Chiara Vasco ◽  
Ruben Ponce ◽  
Valeria Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Intrinsic Mechanism ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes ◽  
Calbindin D ◽  
Tunel Labelling ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

The aim of this study was to determine whether the intrinsic mechanism of apoptosis is involved in the death of germ cells in Robertsonian (Rb) heterozygous adult male mice. Testes from 5-month-old Rb heterozygous CD1×Milano II mice were obtained and compared with those from homozygous CD1 (2n=40) and Milano II (2n=24) mice. For histological evaluation of apoptosis, TUNEL labelling and immunohistochemistry were used to localise Bax and cytochrome c. Expression of calbindin D28k (CB), an anti-apoptotic molecule, was also analysed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Testicular ultrastructure was visualised by electron microscopy. Morphology and cell associations were abnormal in the Rb heterozygous seminiferous epithelium. An intense apoptotic process was observed in tubules at stage XII, mainly in metaphase spermatocytes. Metaphase spermatocytes also showed Bax and cytochrome c redistributions. Mitochondria relocated close to the paranuclear region of spermatocytes. CB was mainly expressed in metaphase spermatocytes, but also in pachytene spermatocytes, spermatids and Sertoli cells at stage XII. The co-localisation of CB and TUNEL labelling was very limited. Sixty per cent of metaphase spermatocytes were apoptotic and calbindin negative, while 40% were calbindin positive without signs of apoptosis. Ten per cent of the Bax- and cytochrome c-positive cells were also calbindin positive. These data suggest that apoptosis of the germ cells in heterozygous mice occurs, at least in part, through a mitochondrial-dependent mechanism. Calbindin overexpression might prevent or reduce the apoptosis of germ cells caused by Rb heterozygosity, which could partially explain the subfertility of these mice.

scholarly journals Overexpression of peroxisomal testis-specific 1 protein induces germ cell apoptosis and leads to infertility in male mice

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1766-1779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Kaczmarek ◽  
Maja Studencka ◽  
Andreas Meinhardt ◽  
Krzysztof Wieczerzak ◽  
Sven Thoms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Terminal Part ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Germ Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

 Peroxisomal testis-specific 1 gene (Pxt1) is the only male germ cell–specific gene that encodes a peroxisomal protein known to date. To elucidate the role of Pxt1 in spermatogenesis, we generated transgenic mice expressing a c-MYC-PXT1 fusion protein under the control of the PGK2 promoter. Overexpression of Pxt1 resulted in induction of male germ cells’ apoptosis mainly in primary spermatocytes, finally leading to male infertility. This prompted us to analyze the proapoptotic character of mouse PXT1, which harbors a BH3-like domain in the N-terminal part. In different cell lines, the overexpression of PXT1 also resulted in a dramatic increase of apoptosis, whereas the deletion of the BH3-like domain significantly reduced cell death events, thereby confirming that the domain is functional and essential for the proapoptotic activity of PXT1. Moreover, we demonstrated that PXT1 interacts with apoptosis regulator BAT3, which, if overexpressed, can protect cells from the PXT1-induced apoptosis. The PXT1-BAT3 association leads to PXT1 relocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In summary, we demonstrated that PXT1 induces apoptosis via the BH3-like domain and that this process is inhibited by BAT3.

scholarly journals Establishment and applications of male germ cell and Sertoli cell lines

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. R31-R40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Wang ◽  
Liping Wen ◽  
Qingqing Yuan ◽  
Min Sun ◽  
Minghui Niu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Male Germ Cells

Within the seminiferous tubules there are two major cell types, namely male germ cells and Sertoli cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that male germ cells and Sertoli cells can have significant applications in treating male infertility and other diseases. However, primary male germ cells are hard to proliferatein vitroand the number of spermatogonial stem cells is scarce. Therefore, methods that promote the expansion of these cell populations are essential for their use from the bench to the bed side. Notably, a number of cell lines for rodent spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells have been developed, and significantly we have successfully established a human spermatogonial stem cell line with an unlimited proliferation potential and no tumor formation. This newly developed cell line could provide an abundant source of cells for uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and for their utilization in the field of reproductive and regenerative medicine. In this review, we discuss the methods for establishing spermatogonial, spermatocyte and Sertoli cell lines using various kinds of approaches, including spontaneity, transgenic animals with oncogenes, simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen, the gene coding for a temperature-sensitive mutant ofp53, telomerase reverse gene (Tert), and the specific promoter-based selection strategy. We further highlight the essential applications of these cell lines in basic research and translation medicine.

scholarly journals The mouse homolog of Drosophila Vasa is required for the development of male germ cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 841-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satomi S. Tanaka ◽  
Yayoi Toyooka ◽  
Ryuko Akasu ◽  
Yuko Katoh-Fukui ◽  
Yoko Nakahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Mouse Homolog ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Death ◽  
Targeted Mutation ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation

Restricted expression of a mouse Vasa homolog gene (Mvh) expression is first detected in primordial germ cells (PGCs) after colonization of the genital ridges. Subsequently,Mvh is maintained until postmeiotic germ cells are formed. Here, we demonstrate that male mice homozygous for a targeted mutation of Mvh exhibit a reproductive deficiency. Male homozygotes produce no sperm in the testes, where premeiotic germ cells cease differentiation by the zygotene stage and undergo apoptotic death. In addition, the proliferation of PGCs that colonize homozygous male gonads is significantly hampered, and OCT-3/4 expression appears to be reduced. These results indicate that the loss ofMvh function causes a deficiency in the proliferation and differentiation of mouse male germ cells.

scholarly journals Basigin null mutant male mice are sterile and exhibit impaired interactions between germ cells and Sertoli cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 380 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajia Bi ◽  
Yanfen Li ◽  
Fengyun Sun ◽  
Anja Saalbach ◽  
Claudia Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Null Mutant ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Mutant Male

scholarly journals Cyp26b1 Expression in Murine Sertoli Cells Is Required to Maintain Male Germ Cells in an Undifferentiated State during Embryogenesis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. e7501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Li ◽  
Glenn MacLean ◽  
Don Cameron ◽  
Margaret Clagett-Dame ◽  
Martin Petkovich
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Undifferentiated State

scholarly journals The Golgi Glycoprotein MGAT4D is an Intrinsic Protector of Testicular Germ Cells From Mild Heat Stress

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayodele Akintayo ◽  
Meng Liang ◽  
Boris Bartholdy ◽  
Frank Batista ◽  
Jennifer Aguilan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tgfβ Signaling ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Mild Heat ◽  
Intrinsic Mechanism ◽  
Shock Response

AbstractMale germ cells are sensitive to heat stress and testes must be maintained outside the body for optimal fertility. However, no germ cell intrinsic mechanism that protects from heat has been reported. Here, we identify the germ cell specific Golgi glycoprotein MGAT4D as a protector of male germ cells from heat stress. Mgat4d is highly expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids. Unexpectedly, when the Mgat4d gene was inactivated globally or conditionally in spermatogonia, or mis-expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes or spermatids, neither spermatogenesis nor fertility were affected. On the other hand, when males were subjected to mild heat stress of the testis (43°C for 25 min), germ cells with inactivated Mgat4d were markedly more sensitive to the effects of heat stress, and transgenic mice expressing Mgat4d were partially protected from heat stress. Germ cells lacking Mgat4d generally mounted a similar heat shock response to control germ cells, but could not maintain that response. Several pathways activated by heat stress in wild type were induced to a lesser extent in Mgat4d[−/−] heat-stressed germ cells (NFκB response, TNF and TGFβ signaling, Hif1α and Myc genes). Thus, the Golgi glycoprotein MGAT4D is a novel, intrinsic protector of male germ cells from heat stress.

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