Localization of the chromatin remodelling protein, ATRX in the adult testis.
Mutations in ATRX (alpha-thalassaemia and mental retardation on the X-chromosome) can give rise to ambiguous or female genitalia in XY males, implying a role for ATRX in testicular development. Studies on ATRX have mainly focused on its crucial role in brain development and α-globin regulation; however, little is known about its function in sexual differentiation and its expression in the adult testis. Here we show that the ATRX protein is present in adult human and rat testis and is expressed in the somatic cells; Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular myoid cells, and also in germ cells; spermatogonia and early meiotic spermatocytes. The granular pattern of ATRX staining is consistent with that observed in other cell-types and suggests a role in chromatin regulation. The findings suggest that ATRX in humans may play a role in adult spermatogenesis as well as in testicular development.
Tang
Paisu
P
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3168, Australia.
Argentaro
Anthony
A
Pask
Andrew J
AJ
O'Donnell
Liza
L
Marshall-Graves
Jennifer
J
Familari
Mary
M
Harley
Vincent R
VR
D000818:Animals; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D038901:X-Linked Intellectual Disability / Q000196:embryology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000201:enzymology; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*; D000075924:X-linked Nuclear Protein; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000196:embryology
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D004265:DNA Helicases; C092332:ATRX protein, human; D000075924:X-linked Nuclear Protein