Expression of BET genes in testis of men with different spermatogenic impairments.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the BET gene expression in human testis with spermatogenetic impairments; to examine BRDT protein expression in testis and semen.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Fertility clinic.


METHODS
Azoospermic men (n = 120) who underwent testicular sperm extraction and who were classified as either normal spermatogenesis, mixed atrophy, spermatocyte maturation arrest, or Sertoli cells only according to their combined histologic and cytologic testicular findings and three normozoospermic men who donated sperm.


METHODS
Evaluation of testicular biopsies by qualitative and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and analysis of spermatozoa by immunofluorescence.


METHODS
Expression of the four BET genes in testis and localization of BRDT protein in testicular tissue and ejaculated spermatozoa.


RESULTS
The BRDT gene was not expressed in testicular tissue from patients with Sertoli cells only, whereas the other three genes of the BET family retained expression in all the pathologies. The BRDT protein was localized in the nuclei of spermatocytes, spermatids, and ejaculated spermatozoa. Expression of BRDT protein was almost nil in testicular tissue specimens with spermatocyte maturation arrest despite normal transcript levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Human BRDT expression pattern differs from mouse BRDT expression. In human, BRDT is the only BET gene expressed exclusively in testicular germ cells. Its expression in elongated spermatids and ejaculated spermatozoa raises the possibility that it is involved in unidentified additional functions.
The Mina and Everard Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Shimi
S
Barda
Gedalia
G
Paz
Leah
L
Yogev
Haim
H
Yavetz
Ofer
O
Lehavi
Ron
R
Hauser
Amnon
A
Botchan
Haim
H
Breitbart
Sandra E
SE
Kleiman
D053713:Azoospermia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D054331:Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D013087:Spermatids / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C098415:BRD2 protein, human; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins; C109106:BRD3 protein, human; C441289:BRD4 protein, human; C109570:BRDT protein, human