title: The role of retinoblastoma protein family in the control of germ cell proliferation, differentiation and survival.
abstract: Retinoblastoma family proteins pRb, p107 and p130 are differentially expressed in the rat testis. They function in specific cell types during testicular development and spermatogenesis, participating in the control of proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Their expression levels and phosphorylation status are modulated during germ cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Hyperphosphorylated states and elevated levels of p107 are correlated with cell cycle progression, whereas hypophosphorylated states and reduced levels are associated with suppression of proliferation and apoptosis in germ cells and Leydig cells. These proteins may also serve as markers of cell cycle status of germ cells during spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland. jorma.toppari@utu.fi
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toppari
authors.forename: Janne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suominenf
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D050720:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p107; D050717:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p130; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011506:Proteins; C493844:RBL1 protein, human; C493837:RBL2 protein, human; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D050720:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p107; D050717:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p130