Molecular signatures to define spermatogenic cells in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

Germ cell development is a fundamental process required to produce offspring. The developmental program of spermatogenesis has been assumed to be similar among mammals. However, recent studies have revealed differences in the molecular properties of primate germ cells compared with the well-characterized mouse germ cells. This may prevent simple application of rodent insights into higher primates. Therefore, thorough investigation of primate germ cells is necessary, as this may lead to the development of more appropriate animal models. The aim of this study is to define molecular signatures of spermatogenic cells in the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus. Interestingly, NANOG, PRDM1, DPPA3 (STELLA), IFITM3, and ZP1 transcripts, but no POU5F1 (OCT4), were detected in adult marmoset testis. Conversely, mouse testis expressed Pou5f1 but not Nanog, Prdm1, Dppa3, Ifitm3, and Zp1. Other previously described mouse germ cell markers were conserved in marmoset and mouse testes. Intriguingly, marmoset spermatogenic cells underwent dynamic protein expression in a developmental stage-specific manner; DDX4 (VASA) protein was present in gonocytes, diminished in spermatogonial cells, and reexpressed in spermatocytes. To investigate epigenetic differences between adult marmoset and mice, DNA methylation analyses identified unique epigenetic profiles to marmoset and mice. Marmoset NANOG and POU5F1 promoters in spermatogenic cells exhibited a methylation status opposite to that in mice, while the DDX4 and LEFTY1 loci, as well as imprinted genes, displayed an evolutionarily conserved methylation pattern. Marmosets have great advantages as models for human reproductive biology and are also valuable as experimental nonhuman primates; thus, the current study provides an important platform for primate reproductive biology, including possible applications to humans.

Primordial germ cell development in the marmoset monkey as revealed by pluripotency factor expression: suggestion of a novel model of embryonic germ cell translocation

“…Moreover, the marmoset monkey was the first transgenic non-human primate with germ line transmission ( Sasaki et al , 2009 ). However, in sharp contrast to the relatively well-characterized post-natal testicular germ cell development ( Chandolia et al , 2006 ; Mitchell et al , 2008 ; McKinnell et al , 2009 ; Aeckerle et al , 2012 ; Eildermann et al , 2012 ; Lin et al , 2012 ), embryonic germ cell development is poorly understood, or even uninvestigated, in the marmoset monkey ( Li et al , 2005 ).…”

Splice variants and promoter methylation status of the Bovine Vasa Homology (Bvh) gene may be involved in bull spermatogenesis

“…A clinical study showed that spermatogenesis defects, such as idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligospermia, were also associated with a hypermethylated Vasa promoter in some individuals [48]. Lin et al [49] reported that some germ cell-specific genes (e.g. Nanog, Pou5f1, and Zp1) in the marmoset and mouse testis showed different expression patterns and methylation patterns, but the expression patterns and methylation patterns of Vasa and some imprinted genes are conserved.…”

Molecular and cellular characteristics of human and non-human primate multipotent stromal cells from the amnion and bone marrow during long term culture

“…Evaluation of the methylation status of Oct-3/4 promoter was performed by the bisulfite conversion method as described previously [ 21 ]. In brief, bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA converts unmethylated cytosines into uracil; respective changes were detected by PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing.…”