title: Tslc1 (nectin-like molecule-2) is essential for spermatozoa motility and male fertility.
abstract: The nectin-like molecule-2 (TSLC1) is a cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed in testicular germ cells. To directly examine the role of Tslc1 in male fertility, we generated Tslc1+/- mice that have greater than 90% reduction in Tslc1 expression. Tslc1+/- males exhibited reduced fertility and rarely transmitted the Tslc1 mutant allele, whereas Tslc1+/- females were consistently able to transmit the mutant allele. Histologic and electron microscopic analyses of the testes in Tslc1+/- mice demonstrated disruption of the junctional scaffold between germ cells and Sertoli cells. Reduced Tslc1 expression had no effect on germ cell proliferation or apoptosis. While evidence of normal spermatozoal maturation was supported by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analysis, spermatozoa from Tslc1+/- mice demonstrated markedly reduced motility without compromised viability. Collectively, these results establish an essential role for Tslc1 in spermatozoal maturation and motility, distinct from other members of the nectin family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63141, USA.
authors.forename: Ezequiel I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Surace
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Rex A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.forename: Cathy K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Naughton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000075982:Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002678:Chimera / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C498598:Cadm1 protein, mouse; D000075982:Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins