Insight into mechanisms controlling gene expression in the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) will improve our understanding of the processes regulating spermatogenesis and aid in treating problems associated with male infertility.
Spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal requires ETV5-mediated downstream activation of Brachyury in mice.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesExpression of GDNF-regulated genes was studied in cultures of self-renewing rat spermatogonial stem cells established from 8-10 day old rat pups maintained in a defined serum free medium. GDNF is the primary regulator of spermatogonial stem cell self renewal in the rat.
Identification of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-regulated genes important for spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal in the rat.
Specimen part
View SamplesSelf-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provides the foundation for testis homeostasis, yet mechanisms that control their functions in mammals are poorly defined. We used microarray transcript profiling to identify specific genes whose expression are augmented in the SSC-enriched Thy1+ germ cell fraction of mouse pup testes. Comparisons of gene expression in the Thy1+ germ cell fraction to the Thy1-depeleted testis cell population identified 202 genes that are expressed 10-fold or higher in Thy1+ cells. This database provided a mining tool to investigate specific characteristics of SSCs and identify novel mechanisms that potentially influence their functions.
Colony stimulating factor 1 is an extrinsic stimulator of mouse spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal.
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View SamplesMicroRNAs (miRs) play a key role in the control of gene expression in a wide array of tissue systems where their functions include the regulation of self-renewal, cellular differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. However, the functional importance of individual miRs in controlling spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) homeostasis has not been investigated. Using high-throughout sequencing, we profiled the expression of miRs in the Thy1+ testis cell population, which is highly enriched for SSCs, and the Thy1- cell population, composed primarily of testis somatic cells. In addition, we profiled the global expression of miRs in cultured germ cells, also enriched for SSCs. Our results demonstrate that miR-21, along with miR-34c, -182, -183, -146a, -465a-3p, -465b-3p, -465c-3p, and -465c-5p are preferentially expressed in the Thy1+ SSC-enriched population, as compared to Thy1- somatic cells, and we further observed that Thy1+ SSC-enriched testis cells and SSC-enriched cultured germ cells share remarkably similar miR expression profiles. Overall design: Spermatogonial Stem Cell enriched cell populations (freshly isolated and short-term cultured) and somatic cell populations were isolated from C57B/L6 mouse donors and subjected to small RNA isolation and sequencing.
MicroRNA-21 regulates the self-renewal of mouse spermatogonial stem cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesFull title: Prepubertal Human Spermatogonia and Mouse Gonocytes Share Conserved Gene Expression of Germline Stem Cell Regulatory Molecules
Prepubertal human spermatogonia and mouse gonocytes share conserved gene expression of germline stem cell regulatory molecules.
Age
View SamplesIn vitro and in vivo aging of mouse spermatogonial stem cells alters stem cell function based on quantitative spermatogonial stem cell transplantation analyses.
In vivo and in vitro aging is detrimental to mouse spermatogonial stem cell function.
Specimen part
View SamplesMED23, a subunit of the Mediator coactivator complex, is important for the expression of a subset of MAPK/ERK pathway-dependent target genes; however, the genes in this subset varies between cell types. MAPK/ERK pathway-dependent processes are essential for T-cell development and function, but whether MED23 has a role in this context is unknown. We generated Med23 conditional knockout mice and induced Med23 deletion in early T cell development using the lineage specific Lck-Cre transgene. While the total cell number and distribution of cell populations in the thymuses of Med23flox/flox;Lck-Cre mice were essentially normal, MED23 null T-cells failed to efficiently populate the peripheral lymphoid organs. MED23 null thymocytes displayed decreased expression of the MAPK/ERK-responsive genes Egr1, Egr2, as well as of the membrane glycoprotein Cd52 (CAMPATH-1). MED23 null CD4 single-positive thymocytes also showed decreased expression of KLF2 (LKLF), a T cell master regulatory transcription factor. Indeed, similarities between the phenotypes of mice lacking MED23 or KLF2 in T-cells suggest that KLF2 deficiency in MED23 null T-cells is one of their key defects. Mechanistic experiments using MED23 null MEFs further suggest that MED23 is required for full activity of the MAPK-responsive transcription factor MEF2, which has previously been shown to mediate Klf2 expression. In summary, our data indicate that MED23 has critical roles in enabling T-cells to populate the peripheral lymphoid organs, possibly by potentiating MEF2-dependent expression of the T-cell transcription factor KLF2.
T-cells null for the MED23 subunit of mediator express decreased levels of KLF2 and inefficiently populate the peripheral lymphoid organs.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesMutations in PROP1 are the most common cause of hypopituitarism in humans; therefore, unraveling its mechanism of action is highly relevant from a therapeutic perspective. Our current understanding of the role of PROP1 in the pituitary gland is limited to the regulation of pituitary transcription factors Hesx1 and Pit1. To elucidate the comprehensive PROP1-dependent gene regulatory network, we conducted genome wide analysis of PROP1 DNA binding and effects on gene expression in mutant tissues, isolated stem cells and engineered cell lines. We determined that PROP1 is essential for maintaining proliferation of stem cells and stimulating them to undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition-like process necessary for cell migration and differentiation. Genomic profiling reveals that PROP1 binds to and represses claudin 23, characteristic of epithelial cells, and it activates EMT inducer genes: Zeb2, Notch2 and Gli2. Our findings identify PROP1 as a central transcriptional component of pituitary stem cell differentiation. Overall design: Pituitary Colony forming cells mRNA of 13-day old wild type (Prop1 +/+), Prop1 mutants (Prop1df/df), wild type (Pit1+/+) and Pit1 mutants (Pit1 dw/dw) mice were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicates.
PROP1 triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process in pituitary stem cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesNeuronal function critically depends on coordinated subcellular distribution of mRNAs. Disturbed mRNA processing and axonal transport has been found in spinal muscular atrophy and could be causative for dysfunction and degeneration of motoneurons. Despite the advances made in characterizing the transport mechanisms of several axonal mRNAs, an unbiased approach to identify the axonal repertoire of mRNAs in healthy and degenerating motoneurons has been lacking. Here we used compartmentalized microfluidic chambers to investigate the somatodendritic and axonal mRNA content of cultured motoneurons by microarray analysis. In axons, transcripts related to protein synthesis and energy production were enriched relative to the somatodendritic compartment. Knockdown of Smn, the protein deficient in spinal muscular atrophy, produced a large number of transcript alterations in both compartments. Transcripts related to immune functions, including MHC class I genes, and with roles in RNA splicing were upregulated in the somatodendritic compartment. On the axonal side, transcripts associated with axon growth and synaptic activity were downregulated. These alterations provide evidence that subcellular localization of transcripts with axonal functions as well as regulation of specific transcripts with nonautonomous functions is disturbed in Smn-deficient motoneurons, most likely contributing to the pathophysiology of spinal muscular atrophy.
Subcellular transcriptome alterations in a cell culture model of spinal muscular atrophy point to widespread defects in axonal growth and presynaptic differentiation.
Specimen part
View SamplesTumor necrosis factor-associated factors 2 and 3 (TRAF2 and TRAF3) were shown to function in a co-operative and non-redundant manner to suppress nuclear factor-B2 (NF-B2) activation, gene expression and survival in mature B cells. In the absence of this suppressive activity, B cells developed independently of the obligatory B cell survival factor, BAFF (B cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family). This constitutive, lineage-specific suppression of B cell survival by TRAF2 and TRAF3 determines the requirement for BAFF to sustain B cell development in vivo. We wished to investigate the effect on gene expression in B cells which lacked the negative regulators TRAF2 and TRAF3, and hence had hyperactive NF-kB2 signalling. As Baff-tg mice display a similar phenotype, and have a genetic modification which acts in the same pathway, yet further up, than TRAF2 and TRAF3, we wished to compare and contrast Baff-tg B cells with TRAF2 and TRAF3 deficient B cells. This analysis should identify genes that are important in B cell survival.
TRAF2 and TRAF3 signal adapters act cooperatively to control the maturation and survival signals delivered to B cells by the BAFF receptor.
Sex, Age
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