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Targeted disruption of the spermatid‐specific gene Spata31 causes male infertility
Author(s) -
Wu YuanYi,
Yang Yong,
Xu YongDe,
Yu HuaLiang
Publication year - 2015
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.22491
Subject(s) - biology , spermatid , male infertility , sterility , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , sperm , gene targeting , azoospermia , knockout mouse , homologous recombination , genetics , germ cell , infertility , andrology , pregnancy , medicine
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 ( Spata31 flox/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 .