Premium
Nuclear matrix in developing rat spermatogenic cells
Author(s) -
Chen Jilong,
Guo Shuhong,
Gao Fuhong
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.1036
Subject(s) - nuclear matrix , biology , spermatogenesis , cell nucleus , chromatin , nuclear lamina , nuclear protein , microbiology and biotechnology , matrix (chemical analysis) , nuclear dna , nucleus , dna , genetics , transcription factor , gene , endocrinology , materials science , composite material , mitochondrial dna
Abstract The nonchromatin structure or nuclear matrix in developing spermatogenic cells of the rat was studied using a biochemical fractionation in concert with resinless section electron microscopy. Observations demonstrated that the nuclear matrix of spermatogenic cells consisted of a three‐dimensional network of filaments of variable thicknesses. In spermatogonia and spermatocytes the nuclear matrix consisted of relatively thin filaments, while that of round spermatids consisted of a thicker interconnecting network of filament. In elongating spermatids, the interior of the nuclear matrix consisted of a network of dense filaments bounded by a peripheral lamina. The protein composition of the nuclear matrix in spermatogenic cells was examined by high‐resolution two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and correlated with morphological changes characteristic of each stage. The results showed that the proteins of nuclear matrix changed in a cell stage‐specific manner. These stage‐specific changes corresponded to the major transitions of chromatin structure and function during spermatogenesis. Furthermore, immunocytochemical and immunoblotting analysis of DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) revealed that this enzyme exhibited stage‐specific variations and was associated with the nuclear matrix. These results suggest that the nuclear matrix in spermatogenic cells may be involved in mediating DNA modifications and maintaining nuclear organization during spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:314–321, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.