Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
07:48
Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae
Published on: October 11, 2022
1.8K
KIF2C Deletion Causes Meiotic Abnormalities and Nonobstructive Azoospermia in Mice
Hiroaki Kitakaze1,2, Haruhiko Miyata1, Yuki Oyama1,3
1Research Institute for Microbial Diseases The University of Osaka Osaka Japan.
Reproductive Medicine and Biology
|May 28, 2025
Summary
Kinesin Family Member 2C (KIF2C) is crucial for male fertility. KIF2C knockout mice show impaired spermatogenesis and infertility, establishing a model for nonobstructive azoospermia research.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Kinesin Family Member 2C (KIF2C) regulates microtubule dynamics and chromosome segregation during mitosis.
- Its specific role in spermatogenesis and male fertility is not well understood.
- Transcriptomic data suggests a link between KIF2C and male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of KIF2C in spermatogenesis and male fertility.
- To establish an animal model for nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Main Methods:
- Generated global KIF2C knockout (KO) mice on a mixed genetic background to overcome lethality.
- Assessed male fertility, epididymal sperm counts, and testicular histology in KIF2C KO mice.
Main Results:
- KIF2C KO mice displayed male infertility.
- Histological analysis revealed severely impaired spermatogenesis and absence of mature sperm.
- Spermatogenic cells arrested at early stages, particularly during meiosis, mirroring human NOA.
Conclusions:
- KIF2C is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.
- The KIF2C KO mouse model is valuable for studying NOA and germ cell development.
- This research advances understanding of reproductive health.
Related Concept Videos
02:02Meiosis II
45.1K
Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
45.1K
01:58X-Inactivation
38.3K
The human X chromosome contains over ten times the number of genes as in the Y chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, and females have two, one might expect females to produce twice as many of the proteins, with undesirable results.
38.3K
01:29Nondisjunction
75.3K
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
75.3K
01:16In-vitro Mutagenesis
13.9K
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
13.9K