Open AccessA specific role for PRND in goat foetal Leydig cells is suggested by prion family gene expression during gonad development in goats and mice
Author(s) -
AllaisBonnet Aurélie,
Castille Johan,
Pannetier Maëlle,
Passet Bruno,
Elzaïat Maëva,
André Marjolaine,
MontazerTorbati Fatemeh,
MoazamiGoudarzi Katayoun,
Vilotte JeanLuc,
Pailhoux Eric
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
febs open bio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.718
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 2211-5463
DOI - 10.1002/2211-5463.12002
Subject(s) - biology , gene , gene expression , prnp , gonad , development of the gonads , sexual dimorphism , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , andrology , endocrinology , genotype , medicine
Three genes of the prion protein gene family are expressed in gonads. Comparative analyses of their expression patterns in mice and goats revealed constant expression of PRNP and SPRN in both species and in both male and female gonads, but with a weaker expression of SPRN . By contrast, expression of PRND was found to be sex‐dimorphic, in agreement with its role in spermatogenesis. More importantly, our study revealed that PRND seems to be a key marker of foetal Leydig cells specifically in goats, suggesting a yet unknown role for its encoded protein Doppel during gonadal differentiation in nonrodent mammals.