The differentiation of mature sperm from male germ cells requires both chromatin remodeling and compaction as well as DNA double stranded break repair of sister chromatids.
We examined the function of PTIP, a protein implicated in both DNA repair and histone methylation, during spermatogenesis by using a conditional, inducible mutation in adult male mice. Loss of PTIP led to the developmental arrest of spermatocytes, testicular atrophy, and infertility. By immunostaining with specific markers for different stages of spermatogenesis and for proteins involved in DNA damage and repair mechanisms, we conclude that the lack of PTIP results in genomic instability and DNA damage resulting in the cessation of spermatogenesis in meiosis I. These data underscore the importance of PTIP in the DNA repair process associated with the development of mature spermatozoa.
Written by:
Schwab KR, Smith GD, Dressler GR. Are you the author?
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Reference: Dev Biol. 2013 Jan 1;373(1):64-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.10.006
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23063797
UroToday.com Investigative Urology Section
