Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “mouse testis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Detection of H-Y in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

We have developed a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of H-Y phenotype in the human. This assay, which measures the inhibition of the reaction of a monoclonal anti-H-Y antibody and a mouse testis extract as a source of H-Y antigen, was applied to the supernatant of lymphocytes from ten normal male and ten normal female subjects. Introduction of supernatant from male cells gave readings of 69%-78% of those obtained with testis supernatant alone; female-cell supernatant did not inhibit the reaction (89%-102%).

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Distribution of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells, Sertoli cells, and tunica albuginea of rat and mouse testes.

Frozen sections of the rat and mouse testes were stained with either FITC-phalloidin or NBD-phallacidin and viewed with conventional fluorescence and confocal laser microscopes in order to demonstrate the arrangement of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells, Sertoli cells and tunica albuginea. Myoid cells are rich in actin-filament bundles crossing at right angles. These bundles running in different directions can also be visualized by means of electron microscopy. Nerve fibers occur in the vicinity of myoid cells, suggesting a neural control of the cell. At Sertoli cell junctions actin filaments occur at the circumference of the cell, where they show a honeycomb pattern. The ratio of the number of Sertoli cells per myoid cell can be calculated by means of confocal microscopy; this technique may provide a new parameter for determining spermatogenic activity. In the tunica albuginea of the juvenile mouse testis, actin filaments are arranged in an alternate fashion.

Actins↗
PubMed1979

Synaptonemal complexes of mouse and human pachytene chromosomes visualized by silver staining in air-dried preparations.

A new method is described which allows light microscopy visualization of the synaptonemal complexes in primary spermatocytes. The conventional acetic acid-alcohol fixed and air-dried preparations can be used for the modified silver staining technique. Several hundred pachytene spermatocytes from a single mouse testis or human testicular biopsy can be examined. The prospective utilization of the present method is briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Microwave-aided technique to detect bromodeoxyuridine in S-phase cells using immunogold-silver staining and plastic-embedded sections.

A technique is described to detect bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporated by cells in S-phase, with a monoclonal antibody, using removable plastic embedding and immunogold-silver staining (IGSS). The incubation times were reduced and the immunological reactions enhanced by microwave irradiation. The embedding in methyl methacrylate enabled us to make thinner sections and it improved the quality of the preparations. The methyl methacrylate did not hinder the reaction of BrdU with the antibody because it could be removed prior to the IGSS procedure. The IGSS procedure appeared to be very sensitive, requiring lower concentrations of the antibodies than other methods. The use of microwave irradiation shortened the time needed to stain a section from 7 to less than 4 h. Furthermore, using microwave irradiation, the concentration of the antibodies needed could be reduced even further compared with the normal IGSS procedure. In sections of the mouse testis and small intestine only nuclei of cells known to be able to proliferate appeared BrdU positive. The non-specific background staining was found to be negligible. In testes of mice that received both 3H-thymidine and BrdU more than 95% of the radioactively labelled cells also showed BrdU label and vice versa. This indicates that both methods are equally sensitive for detecting cells in S-phase.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Nonradioactive in situ nick translation combined with counterstaining: characterization of C-band and silver positive regions in mouse testicular cells.

The DNase I sensitivity of three different chromatin regions in mouse testicular cells was analysed by in situ nick translation with biotin-dUTP combined with various counterstaining techniques. The regions were: (i) the constitutive centromeric heterochromatin, (ii) an interstitial C-band positive insertion on chromosome 1, Is(HSR1;C5)1Lub, and (iii) the chromatin containing rDNA (designated nucleolar chromatin herein). Incorporated biotin was detected either by the horseradish peroxidase reaction with diaminobenzidine (DAB) or the alkaline phosphatase reaction with fast red. The latter resulted in a water insoluble red precipitate, which was easily removable by any organic solution thus allowing the application of various counterstaining protocols. DNase I sensitivity of the three chromatin regions was screened in different cell types of the mouse testis. The interstitial Is(HSR) region was highly DNase I sensitive when it was recognizable by strong mithramycin fluorescence. The centromeric heterochromatin was DNase I resistant when it was compacted into microscopically visible chromosomal structures (mitosis, pachytene, metaphase I and II). In interphase nuclei from Sertoli cells and spermatogonia it became highly DNase I sensitive. In round spermatids it displayed medium DNase I sensitivity. Nucleolar chromatin was not labelled by in situ nick translation when silver staining demonstrated strong protein production. Sperm cells were highly DNase I sensitive from stages 11 to 15, but resistant as mature spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immuno-electron microscopic localization of calmodulin and calmodulin-binding proteins in the mouse germ cells during spermatogenesis and maturation.

When extracts of mouse testis were Western-blotted against a monoclonal antibody which reacts with calmodulin in the presence of Ca2+, all calmodulin was associated with the macromolecules of molecular weight above 50 kDa. Immuno-electron microscopy of testes using this antibody indicated that calmodulin is localized at higher density in the nucleus and cytoplasm of germ cells during the developmental phase between pachytene and round spermatid, showing the highest level just before meiotic divisions. There was no special association of calmodulin to any organelles in these cells. Extremely low levels of calmodulin occurred in spermatogonia and other testicular tissue cells. Calmodulin decreased dramatically as spermatids underwent metamorphosis, becoming detectable only at the perinuclear space of sperm heads. Further relocation to the postacrosomal region occurred during sperm transit to the cauda epididymis. Immunodetection after the calmodulin overlay on ultrathin sections revealed a sharp increase of calmodulin immunogold deposits in the nuclei of spermatids accompanying their condensation. The results indicate that some calmodulin-binding proteins, but not calmodulin itself, accumulate in the nuclei during the final steps of spermiogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Gene conversion of major histocompatibility complex genes is associated with CpG-rich regions.

We examined 32 DNA sequences of mouse and human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes believed to have been subjected to gene conversion events. All regions of the mouse H2 genes as well as the human HLA genes which have been implied to be involved in gene conversion events had elevated levels of CpG dinucleotides, whereas the rest of the genes showed extensive CpG suppression. Mouse MHC genes which have been suspected but not directly implied to be involved in gene conversion events also showed elevated levels of CpG dinucleotides. Moreover, both mouse and human MHC genes which have never been suspected of undergoing gene conversion had low levels of CpG throughout the genes. These results indicate that high CpG levels are correlated with gene conversion rather than with polymorphism, as non-polymorphic genes that have been implicated as gene conversion donors also have elevated levels of CpG dimers in the involved regions, whereas polymorphic genes which have never been considered to undergo gene conversion events have a low level of CpG dinucleotides. We also studied the methylation pattern of CpG dimers in the Abk gene by restriction enzyme digestion of mouse testis DNA followed by Southern blot and hybridization to an Abk-specific probe. The examined CpG dimers in prepubescent mice, where the latest germline stages are spermatogonia, leptene, or pachytene, are respectively non-methylated. Accordingly, the CpG dimers appear to be non-methylated in germline DNA from the testis of prepubescent mice, where gene conversions have been reported to occur.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Organization and expression of the SLC36 cluster of amino acid transporter genes.

Three closely related genes encoding amino acid transport proteins are clustered on 5q32 in humans, and Chromosome (Chr) 11 in mice. The human SLC36A1 gene, which encodes the lysosomal amino acid transporter LYAAT1/PAT1, generates multiple alternative mRNAs, some of which encode truncated proteins. SLC36A1 is expressed in numerous tissues, whereas expression of SLC36A2, which encodes the glycine transporter tramdorinl/PAT2, is most abundant in kidney and muscle. Expression of a third gene, SLC36A3, is restricted to testis. Mouse Slc36a2 also is expressed in bone and fat tissue. Polymorphisms in human SLC36A2 exclude it as a candidate locus for a peripheral neuropathy that has been mapped to 5q31-33. SLC36A2 is a candidate gene for 5q-myelodysplastic syndrome, on the basis of its chromosomal location and its expression in bone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Localisation of RAD50 and MRE11 in spermatocyte nuclei of mouse and rat.

Synaptonemal complexes (SCs) are zipperlike structures that are assembled between homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase. They consist of two axial elements (AEs) (one along each of the two homologous chromosomes), which, in mature SCs, are connected by numerous transverse filaments along their length. Several proteins involved in the later steps of meiotic recombination most probably function in close association with the AEs of SCs, because the proteins involved in these steps have all been localised along AEs or SCs by immunocytochemical methods. It is not known at which step in meiotic recombination this association with the AEs is established. In order to shed some light on this issue, we analysed the localisation of two proteins that are involved in early steps of meiotic recombination, RAD50 and MRE11, relative to AEs and SCs by immunofluorescence labelling of paraffin sections of the mouse testis, using affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies against RAD50 and MRE11, and monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against SC components. The localisation patterns of MRE11 and RAD50 within spermatocytes were very similar. MRE11 and RAD50 appeared in high abundance in preleptotene spermatocytes, just before SC components could be detected. From preleptotene until early zygotene they were present throughout the nucleus. In mid and late zygotene, MRE11 and RAD50 concentrated in distinct areas; in early pachytene the two proteins had almost disappeared from the nucleus, except from the sex vesicle (the chromatin of the XY bivalent), where they persisted in high abundance until diplotene. We propose that MRE11 and RAD50, together with other proteins, prepare chromatin throughout the early meiotic prophase nucleus for the initiation of meiotic recombination. Possibly, only a small fraction of the RAD50- and MRE11-containing (pre)recombination complexes associates transiently with AEs, where further steps in meiotic recombination can take place.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The SLC14 gene family of urea transporters.

Carrier-mediated urea transport allows rapid urea movement across the cell membrane, which is particularly important in the process of urinary concentration and for rapid urea equilibrium in non-renal tissues. Urea transporters mediate passive urea uptake that is inhibited by phloretin and urea analogues. Facilitated urea transporters are divided into two classes: (1) the renal tubular/testicular type of urea transporter, UT-A1 to -A5, encoded by alternative splicing of the SLC14A2 gene, and (2) the erythrocyte urea transporter UT-B1 encoded by the SLC14A1 gene. The primary structure of urea transporters is unique, consisting of two extended, hydrophobic, membrane-spanning domains and an extracellular glycosylated-connecting loop. UT-A1 is the result of a gene duplication of this two-halves-structure, and the duplicated portions are linked together by a large intracellular hydrophilic loop, carrying several putative protein kinase A (PKA) and -C (PKC) phosphorylation sites. UT-A1 is located in the apical membrane of the kidney inner medullary collecting duct cells, where it is stimulated acutely by cAMP-mediated phosphorylation in response to the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin. Vasopressin also up-regulates UT-A2 mRNA/protein expression in the descending thin limb of the loops of Henle. UT-A1 and UT-A2 are regulated independently and respond differently to changes in dietary protein content. UT-A3 and UT-A4 are located in the rat kidney medulla and UT-A5 in the mouse testis. The widely expressed UT-B participates in urea recycling in the descending vasa recta, as demonstrated by a relatively mild "urea-selective" urinary concentrating defect in transgenic UT-B null mice and individuals with the Jk(null) blood group.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Mechanism of induction of luteal phase defects by danazol.

The effects of danazol on the luteal phase of cycling rhesus monkeys and on the ability of the intact rhesus monkey to respond to hCG stimulation were studied in two experiments. In a third experiment the impact of danazol upon the response of the decapsulated mouse testis to hCG stimulation was evaluated. These experiments demonstrated that danazol shortens the luteal phase and decreases progesterone production in intact monkeys via a direct effect on the gonad.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immortalization of germ cells and somatic testicular cells using the SV40 large T antigen.

We report the immortalization, using the SV40 large T antigen, of all the cell types contributing to a developing seminiferous tubule in the mouse testis. Sixteen peritubular, 22 Leydig, 8 Sertoli, and 1 germ cell line have been established and cultured successfully for 90 generations in a period of 2.5 years. Immortalized peritubular cells were identified by their spindle-like appearance, their high expression of alkaline phosphatase, and their expression of the intermediary filament desmin. They also produce high amounts of collagen. Immortalized Leydig cells are easily identifiable by the accumulation of lipid droplets in their cytoplasm and the production of the enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Some Leydig cell lines also express LH receptors. The immortalized Sertoli cells are able to adopt their typical in vivo columnar appearance when cultured at high density. They exhibit a typical indented nucleus and cytoplasmic phagosomes. Some Sertoli cell lines also express FSH receptors. A germ cell line (GC-1spg) was established that corresponds to a stage between spermatogonia type B and primary spermatocyte, based on its characteristics in phase contrast and electron microscopy. This cell line expresses the testicular cytochrome ct and lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isozyme. These four immortalized cell types, when plated together, are able to reaggregate and form structures resembling two-dimensional spermatogenic tubules in vitro. When only the immortalized somatic cells are cocultured, the peritubular and Sertoli cells form cord-like structures in the presence of Leydig cells. Fresh pachytene spermatocytes cocultured with the immortalized somatic cells integrate within the cords and are able to survive for at least 7 days. The ability to perform coculture experiments with immortalized testicular cell lines represents an important advancement in our ability to study the nature of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during spermatogenesis and testis morphogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Antigenic determinant and interspecies cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody to poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase.

A monoclonal antibody (1F4) was prepared against calf thymus poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase. It was classified as IgG1/kappa and its antigenic determinant was localized on the 46 kDa portion of the enzyme molecule which contains the site for the binding of DNA. When calf thymus DNA-binding proteins were subjected to immunostaining after electrophoresis and transblotting to a nitrocellulose filter, the native enzyme (120 kDa) and its endogenous degradation products (80, 64 and 32 kDa) were detected. When the interspecies cross-reactivity was examined using DNA-binding proteins from 6 different sources, 1F4 reacted with the 120- and 32-kDa protein bands in HeLa cells, mouse testis and chicken liver as in the case of calf thymus. These results indicate that the antigenic structures of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and its degradation products are highly conserved in various animal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Differentiation-dependent enhanced expression of protein phosphatase 2Cbeta in germ cells of mouse seminiferous tubules.

The presence of five distinct isoforms of protein phosphatase 2Cbeta (PP2Cbeta-1 approximately -5) is known. In this study, we demonstrate that the mRNA levels of PP2Cbeta-3, -4 and -5 and PP2Cbeta protein level increased during the course of the first wave of spermatogenesis in neonatal mouse testis. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses revealed that PP2Cbeta-3, -4 and -5 were expressed predominantly in pachytene spermatocytes and in more highly differentiated germ cells. The substrate specificity of PP2Cbeta-4 determined with artificial substrates differed from those of PP2Cbeta-3 and -5, suggesting that the difference in the structure of PP2Cbeta-3, -4 and -5 reflect their unique physiological functions in testicular germ cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Accumulation of abundant messenger ribonucleic acids during postnatal development of mouse small intestine.

To describe the differentiation of the small bowel at the molecular level, intestinal messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) from mice at different stages of fetal and postnatal development were investigated. On the basis of cell-free translation and complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cloning experiments, abundant mRNAs coding for small polypeptides of 6-12 kilodaltons (low-molecular-weight mRNAs) were found in adult small intestine but not in the fetal gut. These developmentally regulated low-molecular-weight mRNAs are uniquely abundant in jejunum and ileum of adult mice, but they are absent or occur only at low levels in the duodenum, colon, stomach, and all other mouse organs examined. Low-molecular-weight mRNAs begin accumulating in the small bowel at approximately 3 wk of age, coinciding with weaning and with profound changes in intestinal differentiation. One complementary deoxyribonucleic acid clone of a low-molecular-weight mRNA (asb4/134) is specific to the distal small bowel, specifically accumulates at weaning, and hybridizes to RNA from mouse testis and brain at approximately 2%-5% of the intestinal level. Low-molecular-weight mRNA sequences may provide important markers of intestinal differentiation at the genetic level, leading to a better understanding of the factors that contribute to its postnatal maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Hotspots of homologous recombination in mouse meiosis.

The molecular mapping of recombinational breakpoints in the proximal region of the mouse MHC has revealed four hotspots at which breakpoints are clustered. A direct comparison of the nucleotide sequences of two independent hotspots revealed common molecular elements: a consensus sequence of the middle-repetitive MT-family, a repeat of tetramer sequences and a sequence homologous to a solitary LTR of mouse retroviruses. Extremely high frequency of recombination is observed at these hotspots when particular MHC haplotypes are used in genetic crosses. Wild mouse-derived wm7 haplotype instigates recombination at the hotspot located at the 3'-end of the Lmp-2 gene only during female meiosis. Fine genetic analysis demonstrated that the wm7 haplotype carries a genetic factor to instigate recombination and another factor to suppress recombination specifically during male meiosis. In addition, there is no dose effect of the hotspot on frequency of recombination. Finally, we described an attempt to establish an efficient in vitro assay system for monitoring recombination using plasmid DNAs that contain the Lmp-2 hotspot and nuclear extracts prepared from mouse testis.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Does H-Y antigen induce the heterogametic ovary?

To determine whether phylogenetically conservative H-Y antigen plays any part in gonadal differentiation among the nonmammalian vertebrates, we studied expression and binding of H-Y in the frog, Xenopus laevis. Soluble H-Y obtained from mouse testis and soluble H-W from chicken ovary bound specifically to cells of the ZZ testis from normal Xenopus males. In addition, H-Y (H-W) appeared selectively in the ovaries of ZZ genetic males that had been induced to become functional females by exposure to estradiol. Our observations suggest that H-Y (H-W) antigen may be involved in differentiation of the ZW ovary, and also that synthesis of H-Y may be regulated by sex steroids in the primitive ZW/ZZ species.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Serum-borne H-Y antigen in the fetal bovine freemartin.

In mammals, ovarian cells that have been exposed to soluble H-Y antigen acquire the H-Y+ cellular phenotype. They absorb H-Y antibody in serological tests. To determine whether masculinization of the bovine freemartin, the synchorial female twin of a bull, could be due to attachment of circulating bull-twin-derived H-Y in the freemartin gonad, we exposed normal fetal ovarian cells to serum from fetal bulls, fetal cows and fetal freemartins. Ovarian target cells became H-Y+ after exposure to serum from fetal bulls or fetal freemartins, but not after exposure to serum from fetal cows. In a new competitive binding radioassay, uptake of Daudi-secreted tritiated H-Y was inhibited in fetal ovarian target cells first exposed to mouse testis supernatant, a demonstrated source of soluble H-Y. It was also inhibited in ovarian target cells exposed to serum from fetal bulls or fetal freemartins; uptake was unaffected by exposure to serum from fetal cows. Since Daudi-secreted H-Y is known to induce precocious testicular organogenesis in XX indifferent gonads in culture, we infer that initial transformation of the freemartin gonad is due to H-Y antigen that is secreted in the fetal bull, transmitted in the common chorionic vasculature and bound by gonadal receptors of the fetal cow.

Animals↗