Dynamics of Notch pathway expression during mouse testis post-natal development and along the spermatogenic cycle

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 28;8(8):e72767. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072767. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

The transcription and expression patterns of Notch pathway components (Notch 1-3, Delta1 and 4, Jagged1) and effectors (Hes1, Hes2, Hes5 and Nrarp) were evaluated (through RT-PCR and IHC) in the mouse testis at key moments of post-natal development, and along the adult spermatogenic cycle. Notch pathway components and effectors are transcribed in the testis and expressed in germ, Sertoli and Leydig cells, and each Notch component shows a specific cell-type and time-window expression pattern. This expression at key testis developmental events prompt for a role of Notch signaling in pre-pubertal spermatogonia quiescence, onset of spermatogenesis, and regulation of the spermatogenic cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Testis* / cytology
  • Testis* / growth & development
  • Testis* / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; http://www.fct.pt/index.phtml.en), Project PTDC/CVT/105022/2008. DM is a PhD student supported by grant SFRH/BD/64416/2009 from FCT. MB has a research contract under the grant PTDC/CVT/105022/2008. ES is a Postdoctoral Researcher under the Portuguese Government initiative for research jobs, Ciência 2008-FCT. AT is a Postdoctoral Researcher supported by grant SFRH/BPD/47079/2008 from FCT. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.