Drivers of germ cell maturation

K L Loveland; C Hogarth; S Mendis; A Efthymiadis; J Ly; Catherine Itman; S Meachem; C W Brown; D A Jans

doi:10.1196/annals.1336.018

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Journal article

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Drivers of germ cell maturation

K L Loveland, C Hogarth, S Mendis, A Efthymiadis, J Ly, Catherine Itman, S Meachem, C W Brown and D A Jans

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.1061, pp.173-182

2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1336.018

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Abstract

activin

importins

spermatogenesis

nuclear transport

Sertoli cells

Smads

stereology

nuclear import

TGF-β superfamily

Spermatogenesis requires progression of germ line stem cells through a precisely ordered differentiation pathway to form spermatozoa. Diverse and dynamic signals from the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily influence many stages of germ cell development. For example, interactions between several TGF-β superfamily ligands (bone morphogenetic proteins, activin, and glial-derived neurotrophic growth factor [GDNF]) appear to govern the onset of spermatogenesis, and we are exploring how germ cells interpret these competing signals. We examined the in vivo impact of activin on testis development using two mouse models, the inhba-/- mouse (which lacks the gene encoding the activin A subunit and dies at birth) and BK mice, with inhbb (encoding the activin βB subunit) replacing inhba (which survive to adulthood and show delayed fertility onset in males). Distinct effects on Sertoli cell and germ cell populations during fetal and early postnatal development were measured. We recognize that specific proteins, including downstream targets of TGF-β signals, such as Smads, must move into the nucleus to implement the gene transcription changes required for development. We hypothesized that changes at the level of cellular nuclear transport machinery may be required to mediate this. Examination of proteins involved in classical nuclear import, the importins, revealed that each importin has a developmentally regulated expression pattern in male germ cells. Because each importin binds a selected range of cargo proteins and mediates their nucleocytoplasmic passage, our findings suggest that each importin ferries cargo required for discrete stages of spermatogenesis. © 2005 New York Academy of Sciences.

Details

Title: Drivers of germ cell maturation
Authors: K L Loveland (Author) - Monash University
C Hogarth (Author) - Monash University
S Mendis (Author) - Monash University
A Efthymiadis (Author) - Monash University
J Ly (Author) - Monash University
Catherine Itman (Author) - Monash University
S Meachem (Author) - Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research
C W Brown (Author) - Baylor College of Medicine, United States
D A Jans (Author) - Monash University
Publication details: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.1061, pp.173-182
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Date published: 2005
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1336.018
ISSN: 0077-8923
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449201602621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Andrology; Cell Biology; Endocrinology & Metabolism

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