Tribbles homolog 3 expression in spermatogonial stem cells of rat testes

Tribbles are a family of signal-regulating proteins shown to coordinate the action and the suppression of different pathways. Tribbles homolog 3 (Trib3), the best-studied member of the mammalian tribble family, has a key function in determining cell fate when responding to environmental challenges. Trib3 effects are also modulated by its direct interaction with other signaling molecules. We found that Trib3 is highly expressed in the early development of rat testis, at just the time when the gonocytes resume proliferation to give rise to A spermatogonia. Immunofluorescence staining of cross-sections of rat testis and cultured spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) also confirmed that Trib3 is expressed in rat SSCs.