title: [The testicular microtubule-associated protein Tau: Where, when during spermatogenesis?].
abstract: The Tau protein (Tubulin Associated Unit) is a phosphoprotein of the microtubule-associated protein family (MAPs). Its role is the regulation of the microtubule polymerization. The Tau protein is naturally present in brain, heart, muscle, lung, kidney, pancreas and liver. An expression of Tau protein and RNA messengers was also highlighted in the testis that is an organ rich in microtubules. The role of microtubules is essential in the stabilization of the cellular shape and in cell divisions. In the testis, Tau protein could be involved in the division process of the spermatogenesis by acting on the microtubular dynamics in the arrangement of the spermatozoon polarity. This review synthesizes the current knowledge, the localization and the main functions of the Tau protein focused on the testis. The localization and the potential roles of the Tau protein during the spermatogenesis are discussed by emphasizing the link with the microtubular structures of seminiferous tubules.
authors.affiliation: Institut de biologie de la reproduction-spermiologie, CECOS, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, centre hospitalier régional universitaire de Lille, avenue Eugène-Avinée, 59037 Lille cedex, France; EA 4308 gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète, France; Inserm UMR-S 1172 Alzheimer et tauopathies, place de Verdun, 59045 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigala
authors.affiliation: EA 4308 gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète, France; Inserm UMR-S 1172 Alzheimer et tauopathies, place de Verdun, 59045 Lille cedex, France; Laboratoire de biologie de la reproduction, CECOS, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jumeau
authors.affiliation: Inserm UMR-S 1172 Alzheimer et tauopathies, place de Verdun, 59045 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buée
authors.affiliation: Inserm UMR-S 1172 Alzheimer et tauopathies, place de Verdun, 59045 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sergeant
authors.affiliation: Institut de biologie de la reproduction-spermiologie, CECOS, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, centre hospitalier régional universitaire de Lille, avenue Eugène-Avinée, 59037 Lille cedex, France; EA 4308 gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète, France. Electronic address: valerie.mitchell@chru-lille.fr.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D016764:Cell Polarity; D048430:Cell Shape; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D058105:Polymerization; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D016875:tau Proteins
keywords: Microtubule; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenèse; Tau; Testicule; Testis