title: Nxf3 is expressed in Sertoli cells, but is dispensable for spermatogenesis.
abstract: In eukaryotes, mRNA is actively exported to the cytoplasm by a family of nuclear RNA export factors (NXF). Four Nxf genes have been identified in the mouse: Nxf1, Nxf2, Nxf3, and Nxf7. Inactivation of Nxf2, a germ cell-specific gene, causes defects in spermatogenesis. Here we report that Nxf3 is expressed exclusively in Sertoli cells of the postnatal testis, in a developmentally regulated manner. Expression of Nxf3 coincides with the cessation of Sertoli cell proliferation and the beginning of their differentiation. Continued expression of Nxf3 in mature Sertoli cells of the adult is spermatogenesis stage-independent. Nxf3 is not essential for spermatogenesis, however, suggesting functional redundancy among Nxf family members. With its unique expression pattern in the testis, the promoter of Nxf3 can be used to drive postnatal Sertoli cell-specific expression of other proteins such as Cre recombinase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jieyan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eckardt
authors.forename: N Adrian
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Leu
authors.forename: K John
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: P Jeremy
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D019426:Integrases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D029543:Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D034443:RNA Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C568774:NXF3 protein, mouse; D029543:Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases