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Differential expression profiles of conserved Snail transcription factors in the mouse testis
Author(s) -
Micati D. J.,
Hime G. R.,
McLaughlin E. A.,
Abud H. E.,
Loveland K. L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 2047-2927
pISSN - 2047-2919
DOI - 10.1111/andr.12465
Subject(s) - snai1 , biology , sertoli cell , in situ hybridization , spermatogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , genetics , gene , endocrinology , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , downregulation and upregulation
Summary Snail transcription factors are key regulators of cellular transitions during embryonic development and tumorigenesis. The closely related SNAI 1 and SNAI 2 proteins induce epithelial–mesenchymal transitions ( EMT s), acting predominantly as transcriptional repressors, while the functions of SNAI 3 are unknown. An initial examination of Snai2 ‐deficient mice provided evidence of deficient spermatogenesis. To address the hypothesis that Snail proteins are important for male fertility, this study provides the first comprehensive cellular expression profiles of all three mammalian Snail genes in the post‐natal mouse testis. To evaluate Snail transcript expression profiles, droplet digital (dd) PCR and in situ hybridization were employed. Snai1 , 2 and 3 transcripts are readily detected at 7, 14, 28 days post‐partum (dpp) and 7 weeks (adult). Unique cellular expression was demonstrated for each by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry using Western blot‐validated antibodies. SNAI 1 and SNAI 2 are in the nucleus of the most mature germ cell types at post‐natal ages 10, 15 and 26. SNAI 3 is only detected from 15 dpp onwards and is localized in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. In the adult testis, Snai1 and Snai2 transcripts are detected in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while Snai3 is in both germ and Sertoli cells. SNAI 1 protein is evident in nuclei of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids (Stages IX – XII ). SNAI 2 is present in the nuclei of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, with a faint signal detected in round spermatids. SNAI 3 was detected only in Sertoli cell cytoplasm, as in juvenile testes. Additionally, colocalization of SNAI 1 and SNAI 2 with previously identified key binding partners, LSD 1 and PRC 2 complex components, provides strong evidence that these important functional interactions are conserved during spermatogenesis to control gene activity. These distinct expression profiles suggest that each Snail family member has unique functions during spermatogenesis.