Spatio-Developmental Distribution of the Prion-Like Protein Doppel in Mammalian Testis: A Comparative Analysis Focusing on Its Presence in the Acrosome of Spermatids1

The first prion-like protein doppel, officially designed as prion protein dublet, does not seem to be needed for prion disease progression, whereas its physiological function seems to be related to male fertility. Its expression is primarily detected in the male genital tract, and Prnd-inactivated m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2006-05, Vol.74 (5), p.816-823
Main Authors: Serres, C, Peoc'h, K, Courtot, A. M, Lesaffre, C, Jouannet, P, Laplanche, J. L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acrosome reaction
Contents
fertilization
Sertoli cells
spermatid
testis
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Summary:The first prion-like protein doppel, officially designed as prion protein dublet, does not seem to be needed for prion disease progression, whereas its physiological function seems to be related to male fertility. Its expression is primarily detected in the male genital tract, and Prnd-inactivated male mice are sterile. We investigated the location of Doppel in the testis of various species of mammal to determine its physiological function. Doppel is expressed early during ontogenesis, and is found in both germ cells and Sertoli cells in mice, rats, boars, and humans. Doppel is permanently expressed in the Sertoli cells but at different levels according to species. Its expression in testicular germ cells was primarily detected in spermatids, with a transient presence in the acrosome. These data suggest that Doppel may play a physiological role in acrosome biogenesis and may be of use in studies of patients suffering from idiopathic infertility.
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.105.047829