Cytoskeletal involvement in spermiation and sperm transport

Russell, Lonnie D.; Saxena, Neerja; Turner, Terry T.

doi:10.1016/0040-8166(89)90051-7

Cited by 87 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Spermiation involves a variety of cell adhesion molecules and requires the integrity of the SC cytoskeleton (Russell et al 1989, Fleming et al 2003, Lee & Cheng 2004. In this context, it is noteworthy that inactivating RXRB specifically in SC i) decreases the expression of genes encoding proteins associated with actin microfilaments (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB) expression in Sertoli cells controls cholesterol homeostasis and spermiation

Vernet¹,

Dennefeld²,

Klopfenstein³

et al. 2008

Reproduction

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Somatic, targeted inactivation of the retinoid X receptor beta gene (Rxrb) in Sertoli cells (SC; yielding Rxrb SerK/K mutants) leads to failure of spermatid release, accumulation of cholesterol esters and, subsequently, testis degeneration. These abnormalities are identical, in their nature and kinetics, to those observed upon inactivating Rxrb in the whole organism, thereby demonstrating that all reproductive functions of RXRB are carried out in SC. The Rxrb SerK/K testis degeneration is a consequence of a cholesterol ester cell overload occurring in SC in response to reduced ABCA1-and SCARB1-mediated cholesterol efflux. The failure of spermiation was also reported in mice lacking the retinoic acid (RA) receptor-a (RARA) in SC (Rara SerK/K mutants) and represents, in addition, a feature of vitamin A deficiency that can be readily induced in mice lacking the lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (Lrat K/K mutants). Altogether, these findings support the conclusion that RXRB heterodimerized with a RA-liganded RARA transduces signals required in SC for spermatid release.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB) expression in Sertoli cells controls cholesterol homeostasis and spermiation

Vernet¹,

Dennefeld²,

Klopfenstein³

et al. 2008

Reproduction

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“…It is well known that microtubules have a structural role as well as a transport role within the Sertoli cell (Russell et al 1989, Vogl et al 1993. Microtubules attach to the Sertoli cell ES and assist in the translocation of elongated spermatids prior to spermiation (Amlani & Vogl 1988, Russell et al 1989, Vogl et al 1993 and are involved in the extension of the Sertoli cell stalk into the tubule lumen during spermiation (Russell 1993). Given their translocation and structural functions within the seminiferous epithelium, we hypothesised that microtubules may be involved in spermatid release and/or retention after hormone suppression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microtubules, apart from providing structural support, play an important role in the translocation of elongated spermatids from deep within Sertoli cell crypts up to the tubule lumen at the onset of spermiation (Amlani & Vogl 1988, Russell et al 1989, see Vogl et al 1993. Microtubules are attached via motor proteins (kinesin and dynein) to the endoplasmic reticulum side of the ES in Sertoli cells (Hall et al 1992, Miller et al 1999.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A complex containing α6β1-integrin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase between Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids during spermatid release from the seminiferous epithelium

Beardsley¹,

Robertson²,

O’Donnell³

2006

Journal of Endocrinology

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Spermiation is the final step of spermatogenesis and culminates in the disengagement (release) of elongated spermatids from Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen. Spermiation failure, wherein spermatids are retained by Sertoli cells instead of releasing, occurs after hormone suppression. The mechanisms involved in spermatid disengagement and retention are not well understood. We previously showed that b 1 -integrin is associated with spermatids until the point of disengagement, but the ectoplasmic specialisation junction (ES) is not. The aims of this paper are to further characterise the complex that is present immediately prior to spermatid disengagement by identifying the a-integrin form dimerised with b 1 -integrin, localising focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and determining if microtubules are involved. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats received testosterone and oestradiol implants and an FSH antibody for 7 days to suppress testicular testosterone and FSH and induce spermiation failure.Control rats were treated with saline. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that a 6 -integrin and a phosphorylated form of FAK ) are present between late spermatids and Sertoli cells after ES removal, until the point of disengagement, and both proteins remain associated with retained spermatids after spermiation failure induced by hormone suppression. Using dual-label immunofluorescence, tubulins (and thus microtubules) were observed to co-localise with ES, but were neither associated with elongated spermatids just prior to release nor with retained spermatids following hormone suppression. These results suggest that microtubules are not involved in the final release of spermatids from Sertoli cells. We conclude that spermatid release during spermiation is mediated by a 'disengagement complex' containing a 6 b 1 -integrin and phospho-FAK, the function of which can be affected by gonadotrophin suppression.

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“…In the apical part of the Sertoli cell, MTs are closely associated with neighboring apical ES junction plaques . Early studies demonstrated that the intratesticular injection of taxol (an MT stabilizer) led to the retention of step 19 spermatids deep within Sertoli cells crypts, instead of being transported towards the tubule lumen (Russell et al 1989). Indeed, when mechanically isolated spermatids which retained their associated ES from the Sertoli cell were immobilized in a flow chamber, movement of fluorescently labelled MTs across the spermatid surface was observed in the presence of exogenous ATP (Beach & Vogl 1999).…”

Section: Crosstalk Between Different Cytoskeletal Elements During Spementioning

confidence: 99%

Cytoskeletal dynamics and spermatogenesis

Lie

Mruk

Lee

et al. 2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

121

120

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Different cellular events occur during spermatogenesis, and these include (i) mitosis for self-renewal of spermatogonia, (ii) differentiation of type A spermatogonia into type B and commitment of type B spermatogonia to develop into preleptotene primary spermatocytes, (iii) transit of preleptotene/ leptotene spermatocytes across the blood -testis barrier in coordination with germ cell cycle progression and meiosis, (iv) spermiogenesis and spermiation. These events also associate with extensive changes in cell shape and size, and germ cell movement. The cytoskeleton, which comprises actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments, is believed to function in these cellular events. However, few studies have been conducted by investigators in the past decades to unfold the role of the cytoskeleton during spermatogenesis. This review summarizes recent advances in the field relating to cytoskeletal dynamics in the testis, and highlights areas of research that require additional emphasis so that new approaches for male contraception, as well as therapeutic approaches to alleviate environmental toxicant-induced reproductive dysfunction in men, can possibly be developed.

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Cytoskeletal involvement in spermiation and sperm transport

Cited by 87 publications

References 35 publications

Retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB) expression in Sertoli cells controls cholesterol homeostasis and spermiation

Retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB) expression in Sertoli cells controls cholesterol homeostasis and spermiation

A complex containing α6β1-integrin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase between Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids during spermatid release from the seminiferous epithelium

Cytoskeletal dynamics and spermatogenesis

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