Abstract
BackgroundThe primary regulator of spermatogenesis, a highly ordered and tightly regulated developmental process, is an intrinsic genetic program involving male germ cell-specific genes.ResultsWe analyzed the mouse spermatocyte UniGene library containing 2155 gene-oriented transcript clusters. We predict that 11% of these genes are testis-specific and systematically identified 24 authentic genes specifically and abundantly expressed in the testis via in silico and in vitro approaches. Northern blot analysis disclosed various transcript characteristics, such as expression level, size and the presence of isoform. Expression analysis revealed developmentally regulated and stage-specific expression patterns in all of the genes. We further analyzed the genes at the protein and cellular levels. Transfection assays performed using GC-2 cells provided information on the cellular characteristics of the gene products. In addition, antibodies were generated against proteins encoded by some of the genes to facilitate their identification and characterization in spermatogenic cells and sperm. Our data suggest that a number of the gene products are implicated in transcriptional regulation, nuclear integrity, sperm structure and motility, and fertilization. In particular, we found for the first time that Mm.333010, predicted to contain a trypsin-like serine protease domain, is a sperm acrosomal protein.ConclusionWe identify 24 authentic genes with spermatogenic cell-specific expression, and provide comprehensive information about the genes. Our findings establish a new basis for future investigation into molecular mechanisms underlying male reproduction.
Highlights
The primary regulator of spermatogenesis, a highly ordered and tightly regulated developmental process, is an intrinsic genetic program involving male germ cell-specific genes
The spermatocyte UniGene library and in silico selection of gene candidates The McCarrey Eddy spermatocyte library of mus musculus (Lib.6787), one of the largest spermatogenic cell libraries deposited in the UniGene database at NCBI [12], was analyzed to classify gene entries into known and unknown genes, or testis-specific and non-testis-specific genes
As of April 2006 (Mus musculus UniGene Build #156), the spermatocyte library consisted of 2155 UniGene entries
Summary
The primary regulator of spermatogenesis, a highly ordered and tightly regulated developmental process, is an intrinsic genetic program involving male germ cell-specific genes. Germ cells are processed from the primordial stage through spermatogenesis occurring in the seminiferous tubules of testis. BMC Genomics 2007, 8:256 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/8/256 rounding seminiferous tubules undergo mitosis, and some differentiate into later-stage spermatogonia that gradually become primary spermatocytes. At this stage, the most important event, meiosis, is required. The regulation of gene expression during spermatogenesis occurs at three levels, namely the intrinsic, interactive, and extrinsic levels [3]. The intrinsic genetic program involves germ cell- and stage-specific gene expression
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