title: Differential functions of the Aurora-B and Aurora-C kinases in mammalian spermatogenesis.
abstract: The Aurora kinases are cell cycle-regulatory serine-threonine kinases that have been implicated in the function of the centrosomes, kinetechores, chromosome dynamics, and cytokinesis. In comparison with other tissues, there are high levels of expression of Aurora-B and -C in testis. What their respective roles in mammalian spermatogenesis are is an open question. Here we describe the expression and distribution patterns of the three kinases in mouse testis using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Importantly, the localization of Aurora-B is tightly regulated during spermatogenesis, whereas Aurora-C expression appears to be testis specific. To address the function of Aurora-B in spermatogenesis, we have generated transgenic mice using a pachytene-stage-specific promoter driving the expression of either wild-type Aurora-B or an inactive form of the kinase. Expression of the inactive Aurora-B results in abnormal spermatocytes, increased apoptosis, spermatogenic arrest, and subfertility defects. The function of Aurora-C may also be targeted in the Aurora-B transgenic mutants. To address the function of Aurora-C in testis, we generated Aurora-C knockout mice by homologous recombination. Remarkably, Aurora-C null mice were viable, yet the males had compromised fertility. Aurora-C mutant sperm display abnormalities that included heterogenous chromatin condensation, loose acrosomes, and blunted heads. These findings indicate that Aurora-B and Aurora-C serve specialized functions in mammalian spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimmins
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crosio
authors.forename: Noora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kotaja
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monaco
authors.forename: Christer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Höög
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Duin
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gossen
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sassone-Corsi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064107:Aurora Kinase B; D064108:Aurora Kinase C; D064127:Aurora Kinases; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: C576924:Aurkb protein, mouse; C576928:Aurkc protein, mouse; D064107:Aurora Kinase B; D064108:Aurora Kinase C; D064127:Aurora Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases