title: Disruption of ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli cells and maturing spermatids by anti-nectin-2 and anti-nectin-3 antibodies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the biological functions of the ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli cells and maturing spermatids in seminiferous epithelia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to disrupt the function of the ectoplasmic specializations, nectin-2, which is expressed at the specialization, was neutralized with anti-nectin-2 antibody micro-injected into the lumen of the mouse seminiferous tubule. Anti-nectin-3 antibody was also micro-injected into the lumen in order to neutralize nectin-3, which is expressed at the specialization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The actin filaments at the specialization disappeared, and exfoliation of maturing spermatids was observed by electron microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nectin-2 was neutralized by anti-nectin-2 antibody and nectin-3 was neutralized by anti-nectin-3 antibody, respectively. Inactivated nectin-2 and nectin-3 disrupted the nectin-afadin-actin system, and finally the actin filaments disappeared. As a result, the specialization lost the holding function and detachment of spermatids was observed. One of the functions of the specialization seems to be to hold maturing spermatids until spermiation.
authors: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. ytoyama@faculty.chiba-u.jp
authors: Yoshiro
authors: Y
authors: Toyama
authors: Fumie
authors: F
authors: Suzuki-Toyota
authors: Mamiko
authors: M
authors: Maekawa
authors: Chizuru
authors: C
authors: Ito
authors: Kiyotaka
authors: K
authors: Toshimori
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D000075983:Nectins; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000906:Antibodies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C000619017:Nectin3 protein, mouse; D000075983:Nectins; C108835:afadin