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Published on: February 6, 2018
Spatial and temporal expression of c-mos in mouse testis during postnatal development
Shao-Feng Cao1, Ding Li, Qing Yuan
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Aim:
To immunolocalize the c-mos gene product and to investigate its spatial and temporal expression in mouse testis during postnatal development.
Methods:
Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization techniques were used to examine c-mos mRNA and indirect immunofluorescence was used to localize c-Mos protein in mouse testis on postnatal days 14, 21, 25, 28, 30, 35, 49 and 70.
Results:
c-mos mRNA remained low on postnatal days 14-21, increased abruptly from day 25 and peaked on day 30. Its levels decreased a little on day 35 and became almost stable thereafter until day 70. c-mos mRNA was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the spermatocytes and round spermatids. The nuclear staining was much stronger than the cytoplasmic staining. Using a polyclonal anti-c-Mos antibody, Western blotting detected a single band at 43 kDa in testis lysate. c-Mos protein was exclusively localized to the elongating spermatids and was first detected on postnatal day 30. The number of c-Mos-positive spermatids increased progressively till day 49 and stabilized thereafter.
Conclusion:
The c-mos gene displays a spatial and temporal expression pattern in the mouse testis during postnatal development at both the mRNA and protein level. This suggests that c-mos might play important roles in spermatogenesis.
Insights
The c-mos gene product is expressed in mouse testis during development, with both mRNA and protein appearing around postnatal day 30. This suggests c-mos plays a key role in spermatogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The c-mos gene product, known as Mos, is a key regulator of meiosis.
- Understanding its role in spermatogenesis is crucial for reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial and temporal expression of the c-mos gene product in the developing mouse testis.
- To immunolocalize c-Mos protein and examine its presence at both mRNA and protein levels.
Main Methods:
- Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization were used to analyze c-mos mRNA.
- Indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting were employed to detect and localize c-Mos protein.
Main Results:
- c-mos mRNA levels were low in early development, rising sharply around postnatal day 25 and peaking on day 30, localized in spermatocytes and round spermatids.
- c-Mos protein was first detected on postnatal day 30, exclusively in elongating spermatids, with increasing presence until day 49.
- Western blotting confirmed a 43 kDa c-Mos protein band in testis lysates.
Conclusions:
- The c-mos gene exhibits distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns in the mouse testis during postnatal development.
- The observed expression suggests a significant role for c-mos in the complex process of spermatogenesis.
