Spermatogenesis as a model system for developmental analysis of regulatory mechanisms associated with tissue–specific gene expression

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is a complex system leading to the formation of male gametes. Development of the spermatogenic cell lineage occurs throughout most of the pre– and post–natal lifetime of male mammals, and involves progression through a well–characterized series of stages and cell types. This progression is based on programmed gene expression. The mechanisms by which this tissue–, cell–type, and developmental–stage specific gene expression is regulated form the focus of an active area of investigation. In this review, I will summarize our efforts to elucidate these mechanisms through molecular analyses of the uniquely accessible mouse spermatogenic cell lineage.