Expression of Immediate Early Genes in Tubular Cells of Rat Testis

Abstract

In this study we investigated the expression of the immediate early genes (IEGs) c-fos, c-jun, and junD on mRNA and protein levels during the spermatogenic cycle of the rat using Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry. The expression of these IEG mRNAs and proteins exhibited stage-specific variations. The results suggest that IEGs take part in transcriptional events that are involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells during specific stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium.

Impact of the Chemotherapy Cocktail Used to Treat Testicular Cancer on the Gene Expression Profile of Germ Cells from Male Brown-Norway Rats1

“…Here, we describe their protein expression patterns: JUN was present in the nuclei of all male germ cells, from pachytene spermatocytes to elongated spermatids, whereas JUNB was present in pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids up to steps 8-9 of elongation, and mature spermatozoa. Schultz et al [43] described a stagespecific expression pattern of JUN, with expression restricted to the primary pachytene spermatocytes. The discrepancy with our results could be due to a number of reasons, including a difference in the techniques used (testicular sections vs. isolated germ cells on slides) and the very low level of expression.…”

Retinoic Acid Metabolism and Signaling Pathways in the Adult and Developing Mouse Testis

“…On the other hand, because no RXR other than RXR␤ is apparently expressed in Sertoli cells, the early testicular degeneration observed in Rara-null (50) but not in Rxrb-null mutants (39,62) may highlight functions of RAR␣ independent of RXR, for example through a RAR␣-mediated AP-1 transrepression. Likewise, because no RXR is detectable in spermatogonia, a RAR␥-mediated AP-1 transrepression may play a role in the mitotic phase of spermatogenesis (71).…”

Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells. Part 4: Intercellular bridges, mitochondria, nuclear envelope, apoptosis, ubiquitination, membrane/voltage‐gated channels, methylation/acetylation, and transcription factors

“…Cjun [ID: T4-863] and C-fos regulate cell growth and differentiation and are expressed in spermatogonia and early spermatocytes, decreasing in the meiotic stages and peaking in late spermatids and spermatozoa. An overlap of expression patterns has been noted between FOS and JUND in postmeiotic cells (Alcivar et al, 1991;Schultz et al, 1995). Fos 2/2 mice show reduced mating behavior and a block in spermatogenesis Johnson et al, 1992).…”