title: Tcp10 promoter-directed expression of the Nek2 gene in mouse meiotic spermatocytes.
abstract: Nek2 is a cell cycle regulator that is involved in diverse cell cycle events. The expression pattern and biochemical properties of Nek2 in mammalian male germ cells suggested its involvement on regulation of the meiotic cell cycle. To further investigate specific roles of Nek2 in meiosis, we generated transgenic mice in which the Nek2 transgenes were expressed specifically in spermatocytes using the Tcp10 promoter. The Nek2 transgenic mice did not reveal any significant defect in gross testicular anatomy as well as in fertility. However, we observed significant increases in defective spermatogenic cells, such as apoptotic cells and giant degenerating cells, in the Tcp10/Nek2 transgenic mice. These results revealed that even only slightly elevated production of the Nek2 protein disturbed the normal development of male germ cells, possibly in meiosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Development, Center for Reproductive Sciences, The Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Kunsoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Debra J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wolgemuth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002678:Chimera / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D000072379:NIMA-Related Kinases; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D056427:t-Complex Genome Region
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C533392:TCP10L3 protein, human; C533395:Tcp10 protein, mouse; C116196:PPP1R11 protein, human; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D000072379:NIMA-Related Kinases; C490317:Nek2 protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases