Notch-1, c-kit and GFRalpha-1 are developmentally regulated markers for premeiotic germ cells.
Culture, transfection and immortalization of mouse germ line stem cells, germ cell transplantation and grafting of testicular tissue are milestones of recent biotechnological breakthroughs. Alone and in combination they offer new pathways to explore the cellular mechanisms responsible for pluripotency and the requirements of cells to enter the germ line. Efficient markers, isolation and culture systems as well as transfection approaches are developed to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to the development of male germ line cells. Here, we describe the localization pattern of c-kit, Notch-1 and GFRalpha-1 in postnatal, immature and adult testes. All three proteins are potentially useful markers for spermatogonial characterization and enrichment. First attempts and various future perspectives to use spermatogonial stem cells as pathway for the introduction of transgenes are discussed.
von Schönfeldt
V
V
Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Wistuba
J
J
Schlatt
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; C494988:Gfra1 protein, mouse; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; C497762:Notch1 protein, mouse; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases