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Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
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Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
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The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
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Cell polarity proteins and spermatogenesis.

Ying Gao1, Xiang Xiao2, Wing-Yee Lui3

  • 1The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, United States.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|June 14, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Polarity proteins organize Sertoli and germ cells in rat testes, establishing the blood-testis barrier (BTB). These proteins interact with the cytoskeleton to regulate cell junctions and support germ cell movement during spermatogenesis.

Keywords:
Actin microfilamentsCell polarityCytoskeletonGerm cellsMeiosisPolarity proteinsSertoli cellsSpermatidsSpermatogenesisSpermiogenesisTestis

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Sertoli and germ cells in rat testes exhibit distinct cellular polarization.
  • The blood-testis barrier (BTB), crucial for spermatogenesis, is formed by cell junctions near the basement membrane.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying polarity in the seminiferous epithelium were largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of polarity proteins in Sertoli and germ cell organization.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which polarity proteins influence cellular polarity.
  • To understand how polarity proteins modulate junction remodeling for germ cell transport.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of adult rat testes cross-sections.
  • Analysis of polarity protein complexes and their interaction with the actin cytoskeleton.
  • Review and synthesis of recent findings on polarity proteins in the seminiferous epithelium.

Main Results:

  • Polarity proteins are key regulators of Sertoli cell and spermatid polarity.
  • These proteins interact with the actin cytoskeleton via actin-binding proteins.
  • Polarity proteins modulate cell-cell adhesion complexes, including tight junctions and basal ectoplasmic specializations.
  • A hypothetical model of antagonistic polarity protein effects was proposed.

Conclusions:

  • Polarity proteins are essential for establishing and maintaining cellular organization in the seminiferous epithelium.
  • The actin cytoskeleton and associated proteins mediate the effects of polarity proteins on cell junctions.
  • Understanding polarity protein function provides insights into junction remodeling and germ cell transport during spermatogenesis.