Expression of PCNA in the testis of the lizard, Podarcis s. sicula: an endogenous molecular marker of mitotic germinal epithelium proliferation.
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays an essential role in nucleic acid metabolism as a component of the replication and repair machinery. This protein encircles DNA and can slide bidirectionally along the duplex binding to DNA polymerase delta and epsilon. It is well known that PCNA interacts with proteins involved in the cell cycle. The PCNA interactions with different cellular proteins and the importance of these interactions are discussed. To examine mitotic germinal epithelium proliferation during annual discontinuous spermatogenesis in the lizard Podarcis s. sicula, temporal and the spatial PCNA expression were investigated, and provide a useful endogenous molecular marker.
Chieffi
P
P
II Università di Napoli and Università di Napoli Federico II, Italy. Paolo.Chieffi@unina2.it
Nasti
M
M
Fulgione
D
D
Franco
R
R
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen