Gdnf, a germ cell-derived factor, regulates zebrafish germ cell stemness through the creation of new spermatogonial niches (germ and Sertoli cells) and inhibition of spermatogonial differentiation in an autocrine and paracrine manners

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptor (GDNF Family Receptor α1 - GFRα1) are well known to mediate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation and survival in the mammalian testes. In nonmammalian species, Gdnf and Gfrα1 orthologs have been found but their functions remain poorly investigated in the testis. Considering this background, this study aimed to understand the roles of Gdnf-Gfrα1 signaling pathway in the zebrafish testis by combining in vivo, in silico and ex vivo approaches. Our analysis showed that zebrafish exhibited two paralogs of Gndf (gdnfa and gdnfb) and its receptor, Gfrα1 (gfrα1a and gfrα1b), in agreement with the teleost-specific third round (3R) of whole genome duplication. Expression analysis further revealed that gdnfa and gfrα1a were the most expressed copies in the zebrafish adult testes. Subsequently, we demonstrated that gdnfa is expressed in the germ cells, while Gfrα1a was detected in early spermatogonia (mainly in types Aund and Adiff) and Sertoli cells. Functional ex vivo analysis showed that Gdnf promoted the creation of new available niches by stimulating proliferation of both type Aund spermatogonia and their surrounding Sertoli cells, but without changing pou5f3 mRNA levels. Strikingly, Gdnf also inhibited late spermatogonial differentiation as shown by the decrease of type B spermatogonia and down-regulation of dazl in the co-treatment with Fsh. Altogether, our data revealed for the first time that a germ cell-derived factor is associated with maintaining germ cell stemness through the creation of new available niches, supporting development of differentiating spermatogonial cysts and inhibiting late spermatogonial differentiation in autocrine and paracrine manners.

Download Full-text

Dysregulation of FGFR signalling by a selective inhibitor reduces germ cell survival in human fetal gonads of both sexes and alters the somatic niche in fetal testes

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/dez191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (11) ◽

pp. 2228-2243 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K Harpelunde Poulsen ◽

J E Nielsen ◽

H Frederiksen ◽

C Melau ◽

K Juul Hare ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Culture Media ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Gonadal Development ◽

Fetal Testis ◽

Ex Vivo Culture

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does experimental manipulation of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9)-signalling in human fetal gonads alter sex-specific gonadal differentiation? SUMMARY ANSWER Inhibition of FGFR signalling following SU5402 treatment impaired germ cell survival in both sexes and severely altered the developing somatic niche in testes, while stimulation of FGF9 signalling promoted Sertoli cell proliferation in testes and inhibited meiotic entry of germ cells in ovaries. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Sex-specific differentiation of bipotential gonads involves a complex signalling cascade that includes a combination of factors promoting either testicular or ovarian differentiation and inhibition of the opposing pathway. In mice, FGF9/FGFR2 signalling has been shown to promote testicular differentiation and antagonize the female developmental pathway through inhibition of WNT4. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION FGF signalling was manipulated in human fetal gonads in an established ex vivo culture model by treatments with recombinant FGF9 (25 ng/ml) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5402 (10 μM) that was used to inhibit FGFR signalling. Human fetal testis and ovary tissues were cultured for 14 days and effects on gonadal development and expression of cell lineage markers were determined. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Gonadal tissues from 44 male and 33 female embryos/fetuses from first trimester were used for ex vivo culture experiments. Tissues were analyzed by evaluation of histology and immunohistochemical analysis of markers for germ cells, somatic cells, proliferation and apoptosis. Culture media were collected throughout the experimental period and production of steroid hormone metabolites was analyzed in media from fetal testis cultures by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Treatment with SU5402 resulted in near complete loss of gonocytes (224 vs. 14 OCT4+ cells per mm2, P < 0.05) and oogonia (1456 vs. 28 OCT4+ cells per mm2, P < 0.001) in human fetal testes and ovaries, respectively. This was a result of both increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation in the germ cells. Addition of exogenous FGF9 to the culture media resulted in a reduced number of germ cells entering meiosis in fetal ovaries (102 vs. 60 γH2AX+ germ cells per mm2, P < 0.05), while in fetal testes FGF9 stimulation resulted in an increased number of Sertoli cells (2503 vs. 3872 SOX9+ cells per mm2, P < 0.05). In fetal testes, inhibition of FGFR signalling by SU5402 treatment altered seminiferous cord morphology and reduced the AMH expression as well as the number of SOX9-positive Sertoli cells (2503 vs. 1561 SOX9+ cells per mm2, P < 0.05). In interstitial cells, reduced expression of COUP-TFII and increased expression of CYP11A1 and CYP17A1 in fetal Leydig cells was observed, although there were no subsequent changes in steroidogenesis. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Ex vivo culture may not replicate all aspects of fetal gonadal development and function in vivo. Although the effects of FGF9 were studied in ex vivo culture experiments, there is no direct evidence that FGF9 acts in vivo during human fetal gonadogenesis. The FGFR inhibitor (SU5402) used in this study is not specific to FGFR2 but inhibits all FGF receptors and off-target effects on unrelated tyrosine kinases should be considered. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings of this study suggest that dysregulation of FGFR-mediated signalling may affect both testicular and ovarian development, in particular impacting the fetal germ cell populations in both sexes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported in part by an ESPE Research Fellowship, sponsored by Novo Nordisk A/S to A.JØ. Additional funding was obtained from the Erichsen Family Fund (A.JØ.), the Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Fund (A.JØ.), the Danish Government’s support for the EDMaRC programme (A.JU.) and a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellowship (R.T.M., Grant no. 098522). The Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Reproductive Health (R.T.M.) is supported by an MRC Centre Grant (MR/N022556/1). The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Download Full-text

Extra-gastric expression of the proton pump H+/K+-ATPase in the gills and kidney of the teleost Oreochromis niloticus

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.214890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 223 (16) ◽

pp. jeb214890

Author(s):

Ebtesam Ali Barnawi ◽

Justine E. Doherty ◽

Patrícia Gomes Ferreira ◽

Jonathan M. Wilson

Keyword(s):

Oreochromis Niloticus ◽

Cellular Localization ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Uptake Inhibition ◽

Custom Made ◽

Potassium Regulation ◽

Immunohistochemical Techniques ◽

Collecting Tubules ◽

First Time

ABSTRACTPotassium regulation is essential for the proper functioning of excitable tissues in vertebrates. The H+/K+-ATPase (HKA), which is composed of the HKα1 (gene: atp4a) and HKβ (gene: atp4b) subunits, has an established role in potassium and acid–base regulation in mammals and is well known for its role in gastric acidification. However, the role of HKA in extra-gastric organs such as the gill and kidney is less clear, especially in fishes. In the present study in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, uptake of the K+ surrogate flux marker rubidium (Rb+) was demonstrated in vivo; however, this uptake was not inhibited with omeprazole, a potent inhibitor of the gastric HKA. This contrasts with gill and kidney ex vivo preparations, where tissue Rb+ uptake was significantly inhibited by omeprazole and SCH28080, another gastric HKA inhibitor. The cellular localization of this pump in both the gill and kidney was demonstrated using immunohistochemical techniques with custom-made antibodies specific for Atp4a and Atp4b. Antibodies against the two subunits showed the same apical ionocyte distribution pattern in the gill and collecting tubules/ducts in the kidney. Atp4a antibody specificity was confirmed by western blotting. RT-PCT was used to confirm the expression of both subunits in the gill and kidney. Taken together, these results indicate for the first time K+ (Rb+) uptake in O. niloticus and that HKA is implicated, as shown through the ex vivo uptake inhibition by omeprazole and SCH28080, verifying a role for HKA in K+ absorption in the gill's ionocytes and collecting tubule/duct segments of the kidney.

Download Full-text

Abstract P283: Parkin Mediates Mitophagy in Cardioprotection

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.109.suppl_1.ap283 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 109 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Allen M Andres ◽

Chengqun Huang ◽

Eric P Ratliff ◽

Genaro Hernandez ◽

Pamela Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ex Vivo ◽

Wild Type ◽

Simulated Ischemia ◽

Selective Targeting ◽

Cardioprotective Effects ◽

Mitochondrial Turnover ◽

First Time

Autophagy-dependent mitochondrial turnover in response to cellular stress is necessary for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, the mechanisms that govern the selective targeting of damaged mitochondria are poorly understood. Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been shown to be essential for the selective clearance of damaged mitochondria. Parkin is expressed in the heart, yet its function has not been investigated in the context of cardioprotection. We previously reported that autophagy is required for cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning (IPC). In the present study, we used simulated ischemia in vitro and IPC in hearts (in vivo and ex vivo) to investigate the role of Parkin in mediating cardioprotection. In HL-1 cells, simulated ischemia induced Parkin translocation to mitochondria and mitochondrial elimination. Mitochondrial loss was blunted in Atg5-deficient cells, revealing the requirement for autophagy in mitochondrial elimination. Consistent with previous reports implicating p62/SQSTM1 in mitophagy, we found that downregulation of p62 attenuated mitophagy and exacerbated cell death in HL-1 cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated ischemia. While wild type mice showed p62 translocation to mitochondria after IPC, Parkin knockout mice exhibited attenuated translocation of p62 to mitochondria. Importantly, ablation of Parkin in mice abolished the cardioprotective effects of IPC. These results reveal for the first time the crucial role of Parkin and mitophagy in cardioprotection.

Download Full-text

Effect of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α on intestinal riboflavin uptake: inhibition mediated via transcriptional mechanism(s)

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00295.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 315 (5) ◽

pp. C653-C663 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kasin Yadunandam Anandam ◽

Omar A. Alwan ◽

Veedamali S. Subramanian ◽

Padmanabhan Srinivasan ◽

Rubina Kapadia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ex Vivo ◽

Significant Inhibition ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Uptake Inhibition ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Vitro Model ◽

Factor Α

Riboflavin (RF), is essential for normal cellular metabolism/function. Intestinal RF absorption occurs via a specific carrier-mediated process that involves the apical transporter RFVT-3 ( SLC52A3) and the basolateral RFVT-1 (SLC52A1). Previously, we characterized different cellular/molecular aspects of the intestinal RF uptake process, but nothing is known about the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on the uptake event. We addressed this issue using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. First, we determined the level of mRNA expression of the human (h)RFVT-3 and hRFVT-1 in intestinal tissue of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and observed a markedly lower level compared with controls. In the in vitro model, exposing Caco-2 cells to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) led to a significant inhibition in RF uptake, an effect that was abrogated upon knocking down TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). The inhibition in RF uptake was associated with a significant reduction in the expression of hRFVT-3 and -1 protein and mRNA levels, as well as in the activity of the SLC52A3 and SLC52A1 promoters. The latter effects appear to involve Sp1 and NF-κB sites in these promoters. Similarly, exposure of mouse small intestinal enteroids and wild-type mice to TNF-α led to a significant inhibition in physiological and molecular parameters of intestinal RF uptake. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that exposure of intestinal epithelial cells to TNF-α leads to inhibition in RF uptake and that this effect is mediated, at least in part, via transcriptional mechanism(s). These findings may explain the significantly low RF levels observed in patients with IBD.

Download Full-text

Changes in the exocrine pancreas secondary to altered small intestinal function in the CF mouse

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.2001.281.4.g899 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 281 (4) ◽

pp. G899-G906 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Robert C. De Lisle ◽

Kathryn S. Isom ◽

Donna Ziemer ◽

Calvin U. Cotton

Keyword(s):

Exocrine Pancreas ◽

Exocrine Function ◽

Amylase Secretion ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Intestinal Function ◽

Small Intestinal ◽

First Time ◽

Camp Levels

The exocrine pancreas of the cystic fibrosis (CF) mouse ( cftrm1UNC ) is only mildly affected compared with the human disease, providing a useful model to study alterations in exocrine function. The CF mouse pancreas has ∼50% of normal amylase levels and ∼200% normal Muclin levels, the major sulfated glycoprotein of the pancreas. Protein biosynthetic rates and mRNA levels for amylase were not altered in CF compared with normal mice, and increases in Muclin biosynthesis and mRNA paralleled the increased protein content. Stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in vitro and in vivo tended to be increased in CF mice but was not statistically significant compared with normal mice. We show for the first time that the CF mouse duodenum is abnormally acidic (normal intestinal pH = 6.47 ± 0.05; CF intestinal pH = 6.15 ± 0.07) and hypothesize that this may result in increased signaling to the exocrine pancreas. There were significant increases in CF intestinal mRNA levels for secretin (310% of normal, P < 0.001) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (148% of normal, P < 0.05). Furthermore, CF pancreatic cAMP levels were 147% of normal ( P < 0.01). These data suggest that the CF pancreas may be chronically stimulated by cAMP-mediated signals, which in turn may exacerbate protein plugging in the acinar/ductal lumen, believed to be the primary cause of destruction of the pancreas in CF.

Download Full-text

Osmanthus fragrans Flower Aqueous Extract and its Enriched Acteoside inhibit Melanogenesis and Ultraviolet-induced Pigmentation

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1801300515 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1934578X1801300

Author(s):

Shuo Liu ◽

Zhen Zhao ◽

Zhijun Huo ◽

Zhiru Xu ◽

Yan Zhong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Extract ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Melanoma Cells ◽

B16 Melanoma ◽

Tyrosinase Activity ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Osmanthus Fragrans ◽

B16 Melanoma Cells

The Osmanthus fragrans flower (OFF) is commonly used as an additive for tea in China and as a traditional medicine to treat dysentery, asthma and hepatitis. In the current study, we have acquired the aqueous extract of the dried OFF (OFFE) and determined its enriched acteoside contents. However, whether OFFE and acteoside can modulate melanogenesis and pigmentation has yet to be determined. We here provide novel data revealing that OFFE and acteoside inhibit melanogenesis induced by α-MSH in B16 melanoma cells via the MITF-tyrosinase signaling pathway. Treatment with α-MSH (1μM) enhanced melanin levels and tyrosinase activity, up-regulated the mRNA levels of MITF and tyrosinase and increased the dendritic number in B16 melanoma cells, effects all being intervened by OFFE and acteoside. Of interest, OFFE and acteoside showed no direct inhibition of tyrosinase activity as revealed by our ex vivo tyrosinase activity assay. In addition, OFFE produced a depigmenting action on UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in guinea pigs, as shown by the improved skin brightness and the decreased melanin staining. Our data have demonstrated that OFFE can alter melanogenesis via modulating the MITF-tyrosinase signaling thereby leading to its depigmenting action in the in vivo model. OFFE could be a substitute for acteoside as a promising skin-whitening agent.

Download Full-text

Candida albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.039354-0 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 156 (12) ◽

pp. 3635-3644 ◽

Cited By ~ 168

Author(s):

M. M. Harriott ◽

E. A. Lilly ◽

T. E. Rodriguez ◽

P. L. Fidel ◽

M. C. Noverr

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Microscopic Analysis ◽

Vaginal Mucosa ◽

First Time ◽

Established Role ◽

Type Strains

Current understanding of resistance and susceptibility to vulvovaginal candidiasis challenges existing paradigms of host defence against fungal infection. While abiotic biofilm formation has a clearly established role during systemic Candida infections, it is not known whether C. albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa and the possible role of biofilms in disease. In vivo and ex vivo murine vaginitis models were employed to examine biofilm formation by scanning electron and confocal microscopy. C. albicans strains included 3153A (lab strain), DAY185 (parental control strain), and mutants defective in morphogenesis and/or biofilm formation in vitro (efg1/efg1 and bcr1/bcr1). Both 3153A and DAY815 formed biofilms on the vaginal mucosa in vivo and ex vivo as indicated by high fungal burden and microscopic analysis demonstrating typical biofilm architecture and presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) co-localized with the presence of fungi. In contrast, efg1/efg1 and bcr1/bcr1 mutant strains exhibited weak or no biofilm formation/ECM production in both models compared to wild-type strains and complemented mutants despite comparable colonization levels. These data show for the first time that C. albicans forms biofilms in vivo on vaginal epithelium, and that in vivo biotic biofilm formation requires regulators of biofilm formation (BCR1) and morphogenesis (EFG1).

Download Full-text

Secretion of glutathione S-transferase isoforms in the seminiferous tubular fluid, tissue distribution and sex steroid binding by rat GSTM1

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj3400309 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 340 (1) ◽

pp. 309-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sikha Bettina MUKHERJEE ◽

S. ARAVINDA ◽

B. GOPALAKRISHNAN ◽

Sushma NAGPAL ◽

Dinakar M. SALUNKE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Germ Cell ◽

Sertoli Cell ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Culture Media ◽

Glutathione S Transferase ◽

Steroid Binding ◽

Spent Media

The seminiferous tubular fluid (STF) provides the microenvironment necessary for spermatogenesis in the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule (ST), primarily through secretions of the Sertoli cell. Earlier studies from this laboratory demonstrated the presence of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in STF collected from adult rat testis and in the spent media of ST cultures. This study describes the cellular source, isoform composition and possible function of GSTs in the STF. The major GST isoforms present in STF in vivo share extensive N-terminal similarity with rat GSTM1 (rGSTM1), rGSTM2, rGSTM3 and rGST-Alpha. Molecular masses of rGSTM2, rGSTM3 and rGST-Alpha from liver and testis sources were similar, unlike STF-GSTM1, which was larger by 325 Da than its liver counterpart. Peptide digest analysis profiles on reverse-phase HPLC between liver and STF isoforms were identical, and N-terminal sequences of selected peptides obtained by digestion of the various isoforms were closely similar. The above results confirmed close structural similarity between liver and STF-GST isoforms. Active synthesis and secretion of GSTs by the STs were evident from recovery of radiolabelled GST from the spent media of ST cultures. Analysis of secreted GST isoforms showed that GST-Alpha was not secreted by the STs in vitro, whereas there was an induction of GST-Pi secretion. Detection of immunostainable GST-Mu in Sertoli cells in vitro and during different stages of the seminiferous epithelium in vivo, coupled with the recovery of radiolabelled GST from Sertoli cell-culture media, provided evidence for Sertoli cells as secretors of GST. In addition, STF of ‘Sertoli cell only’ animals showed no change in the profile of GST isoform secretion, thereby confirming Sertoli cells as prime GST secretors. Non-recovery of [35S]methionine-labelled GSTs from germ cell culture supernatants, but their presence in germ cell lysates, confirm the ability of the germ cells to synthesize, but not to release, GSTs. Functionally, STF-GSTM1 appeared to serve as a steroid-binding protein by its ability to bind to testosterone and oestradiol, two important hormones in the ST that are essential for spermatogenesis, with binding constants of < 9.8×10-7 M for testosterone and 9×10-6 M for oestradiol respectively.

Download Full-text

Cloning, pharmacological characterization, and expression analysis of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) nuclear progesterone receptor

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-10-0224 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 141 (4) ◽

pp. 491-500 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Shi X Chen ◽

Jan Bogerd ◽

Eva Andersson ◽

Fernanda F L Almeida ◽

Geir Lasse Taranger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Atlantic Salmon ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Type A ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Early Type ◽

Type B ◽

Late Type ◽

Nuclear Progesterone Receptor

To better understand the role(s) of progestogens during early stages of spermatogenesis, we carried out studies on the nuclear progesterone receptor (Pgr) of the Atlantic salmon. Its open-reading frame shows the highest similarity with other piscine Pgr proteins. When expressed in mammalian cells, salmon Pgr exhibited progestogen-specific, dose-dependent induction of reporter gene expression, with 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) showing the highest potency. We then analyzed testicular pgr mRNA and DHP plasma levels in animals during the onset of spermatogenesis, which were exposed to natural light or to constant light, to induce significant differences in testis growth. Grouping of the animals according to their progress through spermatogenesis showed that testicular pgr mRNA levels as well as DHP plasma levels first increased when germ cells had reached the stage of late type B spermatogonia and further increased when entered meiosis, i.e. when spermatocytes were present. However, in situ hybridization studies revealed that pgr mRNA expression was restricted to Sertoli cells, with a strong signal in Sertoli cells contacting type A/early type B spermatogonia, while Sertoli cells contacting larger germ cell clones with further differentiated stages (e.g. late type B spermatogonia) were less intensely/not stained. We conclude that the increase in pgr mRNA levels per pair of testis reflects, at least in part, the increased number of Sertoli cells enveloping type A and early type B spermatogonia. We propose that Sertoli cell-expressed Pgr may mediate DHP-stimulated early steps in spermatogenesis in Atlantic salmon, such as an increase in the number of new spermatogonial cysts.

Download Full-text

Dynein 1 supports spermatid transport and spermiation during spermatogenesis in the rat testis

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00114.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 315 (5) ◽

pp. E924-E948 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Qing Wen ◽

Elizabeth I. Tang ◽

Wing-yee Lui ◽

Will M. Lee ◽

Chris K. C. Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Heavy Chain ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽

Seminiferous Epithelium ◽

Organelle Transport ◽

Cellular Events

In the mammalian testis, spermatogenesis is dependent on the microtubule (MT)-specific motor proteins, such as dynein 1, that serve as the engine to support germ cell and organelle transport across the seminiferous epithelium at different stages of the epithelial cycle. Yet the underlying molecular mechanism(s) that support this series of cellular events remain unknown. Herein, we used RNAi to knockdown cytoplasmic dynein 1 heavy chain (Dync1h1) and an inhibitor ciliobrevin D to inactivate dynein in Sertoli cells in vitro and the testis in vivo, thereby probing the role of dynein 1 in spermatogenesis. Both treatments were shown to extensively induce disruption of MT organization across Sertoli cells in vitro and the testis in vivo. These changes also perturbed the transport of spermatids and other organelles (such as phagosomes) across the epithelium. These changes thus led to disruption of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, the knockdown of dynein 1 or its inactivation by ciliobrevin D also perturbed gross disruption of F-actin across the Sertoli cells in vitro and the seminiferous epithelium in vivo, illustrating there are cross talks between the two cytoskeletons in the testis. In summary, these findings confirm the role of cytoplasmic dynein 1 to support the transport of spermatids and organelles across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis.

Download Full-text