Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry
09:41

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

2.0K

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 is essential for spermatogenesis by regulating retinoic acid signaling pathways and the

Xu Chen1, Yan Li1, Haiqian Dai1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

IUBMB Life
|October 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is crucial for spermatogenesis, regulating germ cell development, meiosis, and sperm formation. CDK7 inhibition impairs sperm production and quality, highlighting its role in male fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Endocrinology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Spermatogenesis is a complex, highly regulated process essential for male fertility.
  • Protein phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism in spermatogenesis.
  • Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is implicated in cell cycle control but its specific role in spermatogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and molecular mechanisms of CDK7 in spermatogenesis.
  • To explore CDK7's role in regulating germ cell proliferation, differentiation, meiosis, and sperm formation.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies using a cell line and in vivo studies using a mouse model.
  • Inhibition of CDK7 activity to assess its effects on spermatogenesis.
  • Analysis of key molecular pathways including retinoic acid (RA)-mediated signaling, STAT3 activation, and EP300 phosphorylation.

Main Results:

  • CDK7 inhibition disrupted spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation, affecting RA-mediated c-KIT expression.
  • CDK7 regulates meiosis initiation, DNA repair, and synaptonemal complex formation via RA-mediated STRA8 and REC8 pathways.
  • CDK7 inhibition led to impaired spermatid differentiation, reduced sperm counts, decreased motility, and increased head deformities, partly through STAT3 and Cortactin.
  • EP300 was identified as a CDK7 target involved in chromatin condensation.

Conclusions:

  • CDK7 plays a critical role in multiple stages of spermatogenesis, from germ cell development to sperm maturation.
  • CDK7 regulates key signaling pathways essential for successful meiosis and sperm formation.
  • CDK7 represents a potential therapeutic target for male infertility and related pathogenesis.
Keywords:
CDK7male infertilityphosphorylationsignaling pathwaysspermatogenesis

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