Gtsf1/Cue110, a gene encoding a protein with two copies of a CHHC Zn-finger motif, is involved in spermatogenesis and retrotransposon suppression in murine testes.
We recently reported that the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene, a member of the evolutionarily conserved UPF0224 family, is expressed predominantly in male germ cells, and that the GTSF1/CUE110 protein is localized to the cytoplasm of these cells in the adult testis. Here, to analyze the roles of the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene in spermatogenesis, we produced Gtsf1/Cue110-null mice by gene targeting. The Gtsf1/Cue110-null mice grew normally and appeared healthy; however, the males were sterile due to massive apoptotic death of their germ cells after postnatal day 14. In contrast, the null females were fertile. Detailed analyses revealed that the Gtsf1/Cue110-null male meiocytes ceased meiotic progression before the zygotene stage. Thus, the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene is essential for spermatogenesis beyond the early meiotic phase. Furthermore, the loss of the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene caused increased transcription of the long interspersed nucleotide element (Line-1) and the intracisternal A-particle (IAP) retrotransposons, accompanied by demethylation of their promoter regions. These observations indicate that Gtsf1/Cue110 is required for spermatogenesis and involved in retrotransposon suppression in male germ cells.
Yoshimura
Takuji
T
Supply Center of Inbred Animals of Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Toyoda
Shuichi
S
Kuramochi-Miyagawa
Satomi
S
Miyazaki
Tatsushi
T
Miyazaki
Satsuki
S
Tashiro
Fumi
F
Yamato
Eiji
E
Nakano
Toru
T
Miyazaki
Jun-Ichi
J
D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018390:Gene Targeting; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018626:Retroelements; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D016335:Zinc Fingers
C526556:Cue110 protein, mouse; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D018626:Retroelements