A distinct expression pattern in mammalian testes indicates a conserved role for NANOG in spermatogenesis.
A distinct expression pattern in mammalian testes indicates a conserved role for NANOG in spermatogenesis.
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DOI：
10.1371/journal.pone.0010987
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发表时间：
2010-06-07
期刊：
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Roelen BA
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kuijk EW;de Gier J;Lopes SM;Chambers I;van Pelt AM;Colenbrander B;Roelen BA
NANOG是多能性的关键参与者，其表达限于内细胞团的多能细胞、外胚层和原始生殖细胞。精子发生与多能性密切相关，因为通过这一过程产生高度特化的精子细胞，有助于全能合子的形成。然而，目前尚不清楚NANOG是否在这一过程中发挥了作用。在当前的研究中，在各种哺乳动物（包括小鼠和人）的睾丸中检查了NANOG表达。采用RT-PCR、免疫组化和Western blotting检测Nanog mRNA和NANOG蛋白的表达。此外，在转基因Nanog eGFP报告基因小鼠的睾丸中检测到eGFP表达。令人惊讶的是，虽然NANOG表达先前已与具有干细胞潜能的未分化细胞相关，但在粗线期精母细胞和单倍体生殖细胞成熟（精子发生）的第一步中观察到睾丸中的表达。在A型精原细胞中也观察到弱表达。目前的研究结果强烈表明NANOG在雄性生殖细胞发育的减数分裂和减数分裂后阶段的保守作用。
NANOG is a key player in pluripotency and its expression is restricted to pluripotent cells of the inner cell mass, the epiblast and to primordial germ cells. Spermatogenesis is closely associated with pluripotency, because through this process highly specialized sperm cells are produced that contribute to the formation of totipotent zygotes. Nevertheless, it is unknown if NANOG plays a role in this process. In the current study, NANOG expression was examined in testes of various mammals, including mouse and human. Nanog mRNA and NANOG protein were detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Furthermore, eGFP expression was detected in the testis of a transgenic Nanog eGFP-reporter mouse. Surprisingly, although NANOG expression has previously been associated with undifferentiated cells with stem cell potential, expression in the testis was observed in pachytene spermatocytes and in the first steps of haploid germ cell maturation (spermiogenesis). Weak expression in type A spermatogonia was also observed. The findings of the current study strongly suggest a conserved role for NANOG in meiotic and post-meiotic stages of male germ cell development.