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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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Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

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Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
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Position-effect Variegation02:32

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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

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Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
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Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

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The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
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Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

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Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Isolation of Murine Spermatogenic Cells using a Violet-Excited Cell-Permeable DNA Binding Dye
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Silent cells? Potential for context-dependent gene expression in mature sperm.

Rowan A Lymbery1,2, Francisco Garcia-Gonzalez1,3, Jonathan P Evans1

  • 1Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|January 8, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Sperm may not be silent. Emerging evidence suggests ejaculated sperm might express genes, challenging traditional views and opening new research avenues in reproductive biology and evolution.

Keywords:
ejaculate-mediated paternal effectsepigenetic inheritancefertilityhaploid expressionsexual conflictsperm competition

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2025

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Sperm Cell Biology
  • Molecular Genetics

Background:

  • Spermatozoa are traditionally considered transcriptionally and translationally silent.
  • Components of gene expression machinery are found in ejaculated sperm, questioning this dogma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate evidence for active gene expression in ejaculated sperm.
  • To explore the potential for transcription and translation in sperm.
  • To investigate the link between sperm gene expression and phenotypic plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent evidence on sperm transcription and translation capabilities.
  • Analysis of differential transcript quantities in various post-ejaculation environments.
  • Examination of phenotypic plasticity in sperm and its potential genetic underpinnings.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests spermatozoa may retain the capacity for genome transcription and translation.
  • Sperm cells show differential transcript quantities dependent on post-ejaculation conditions.
  • Phenotypic plasticity in sperm may be mechanistically linked to gene expression changes.

Conclusions:

  • Indirect evidence raises the possibility of active gene expression in ejaculated sperm.
  • Emerging technologies may allow direct testing of sperm genome transcription.
  • Findings have broad implications for evolutionary, ecological, clinical, and applied reproductive sectors.