Targeted disruption of the spermatid-specific gene Spata31 causes male infertility

SUMMARY Spata31, a novel testis‐specific gene, was first isolated from the testis of a vitamin A‐deficient rat model. To gain insight into its physiological function, Spata31‐targeted knockout mice were generated by homologous recombination. Spata31‐deficient (Spata31flox/flox; Vasa‐Cre) male mice e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular reproduction and development 2015-06, Vol.82 (6), p.432-440
Main Authors: Wu, Yuan-Yi, Yang, Yong, Xu, Yong-De, Yu, Hua-Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Adhesion Molecules - biosynthesis
Cell Adhesion Molecules - genetics
Gene Deletion
Homeodomain Proteins - genetics
Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism
Humans
Infertility, Male - genetics
Infertility, Male - metabolism
Male
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Nectins
Rats
Sperm Count
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Summary:SUMMARY Spata31, a novel testis‐specific gene, was first isolated from the testis of a vitamin A‐deficient rat model. To gain insight into its physiological function, Spata31‐targeted knockout mice were generated by homologous recombination. Spata31‐deficient (Spata31flox/flox; Vasa‐Cre) male mice exhibited low sperm count and premature shedding of germ cells into the lumen, ultimately causing azoospermia and male sterility. Mechanistically, the Spata31 deficiency resulted in reduced expression of the adhesion protein nectin‐3 and cytoskeletal protein β‐actin at the apical ectoplasmic specialization. Our findings demonstrate that the disruptions to the SPATA31 ortholog could be linked to human male infertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 432–440, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:1040-452X
1098-2795
DOI:10.1002/mrd.22491