| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Population Council, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10021
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Y-Cheng{at}popcbr.rockefeller.edu. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Y-Cheng{at}popcbr.rockefeller.edu.
Spermatogenesis is the process by which a single spermatogonium develops into 256 spermatozoa, one of which will fertilize the ovum. Since the 1950s when the stages of the epithelial cycle were first described, reproductive biologists have been in pursuit of one question: How can a spermatogonium traverse the epithelium, while at the same time differentiating into elongate spermatids that remain attached to the Sertoli cell throughout their development? Although it was generally agreed upon that junction restructuring was involved, at that time the types of junctions present in the testis were not even discerned. Today, it is known that tight, anchoring, and gap junctions are found in the testis. The testis also has two unique anchoring junction types, the ectoplasmic specialization and tubulobulbar complex. However, attention has recently shifted on identifying the regulatory molecules that "open" and "close" junctions, because this information will be useful in elucidating the mechanism of germ cell movement. For instance, cytokines have been shown to induce Sertoli cell tight junction disassembly by shutting down the production of tight junction proteins. Other factors such as proteases, protease inhibitors, GTPases, kinases, and phosphatases also come into play. In this review, we focus on this cellular phenomenon, recapping recent developments in the field.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K.-F. Lee, Y.-T. Tam, Y. Zuo, A. W.Y. Cheong, R. T.K. Pang, N. P.Y. Lee, C. K.Y. Shum, P.-C. Tam, A. N.Y. Cheung, Z.-M. Yang, et al. Characterization of an acrosome protein VAD1.2/AEP2 which is differentially expressed in spermatogenesis Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2008; 14(8): 465 - 474. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. W. P. Wong, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Par3/Par6 polarity complex coordinates apical ectoplasmic specialization and blood-testis barrier restructuring during spermatogenesis PNAS, July 15, 2008; 105(28): 9657 - 9662. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. H. N. Yan, D. D. Mruk, E. W. P. Wong, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng An autocrine axis in the testis that coordinates spermiation and blood-testis barrier restructuring during spermatogenesis PNAS, July 1, 2008; 105(26): 8950 - 8955. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. S. Johnston, W. W. Wright, P. DiCandeloro, E. Wilson, G. S. Kopf, and S. A. Jelinsky Stage-specific gene expression is a fundamental characteristic of rat spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells PNAS, June 17, 2008; 105(24): 8315 - 8320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. H. N. Yan, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Blood-testis barrier dynamics are regulated by testosterone and cytokines via their differential effects on the kinetics of protein endocytosis and recycling in Sertoli cells FASEB J, June 1, 2008; 22(6): 1945 - 1959. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P J O'Shaughnessy, L Hu, and P J Baker Effect of germ cell depletion on levels of specific mRNA transcripts in mouse Sertoli cells and Leydig cells Reproduction, June 1, 2008; 135(6): 839 - 850. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Mruk, B. Silvestrini, and C. Y. Cheng Anchoring Junctions As Drug Targets: Role in Contraceptive Development Pharmacol. Rev., June 1, 2008; 60(2): 146 - 180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. S. Tash, B. Attardi, S. A. Hild, R. Chakrasali, S. R. Jakkaraj, and G. I. Georg A Novel Potent Indazole Carboxylic Acid Derivative Blocks Spermatogenesis and Is Contraceptive in Rats after a Single Oral Dose Biol Reprod, June 1, 2008; 78(6): 1127 - 1138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. Tash, R. Chakrasali, S. R. Jakkaraj, J. Hughes, S. K. Smith, K. Hornbaker, L. L. Heckert, S. B. Ozturk, M. K. Hadden, T. G. Kinzy, et al. Gamendazole, an Orally Active Indazole Carboxylic Acid Male Contraceptive Agent, Targets HSP90AB1 (HSP90BETA) and EEF1A1 (eEF1A), and Stimulates Il1a Transcription in Rat Sertoli Cells Biol Reprod, June 1, 2008; 78(6): 1139 - 1152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Chang, F. Gao, F. Guillou, M. M. Taketo, V. Huff, and R. R. Behringer Wt1 negatively regulates {beta}-catenin signaling during testis development Development, May 15, 2008; 135(10): 1875 - 1885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Rabionet, A. C. van der Spoel, C.-C. Chuang, B. von Tumpling-Radosta, M. Litjens, D. Bouwmeester, C. C. Hellbusch, C. Korner, H. Wiegandt, K. Gorgas, et al. Male Germ Cells Require Polyenoic Sphingolipids with Complex Glycosylation for Completion of Meiosis: A LINK TO CERAMIDE SYNTHASE-3 J. Biol. Chem., May 9, 2008; 283(19): 13357 - 13369. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. Sarkar, P. P. Mathur, C. Y. Cheng, and D. D. Mruk Interleukin 1 Alpha (IL1A) Is a Novel Regulator of the Blood-Testis Barrier in the Rat Biol Reprod, March 1, 2008; 78(3): 445 - 454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Paz, P. P Lopez-Casas, and J. d. Mazo Changes in Vinexin Expression Patterns in the Mouse Testis Induced by Developmental Exposure to 17Beta-Estradiol Biol Reprod, October 1, 2007; 77(4): 605 - 613. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Mruk, A. S. N. Lau, O. Sarkar, and W. Xia Rab4A GTPase Catenin Interactions Are Involved in Cell Junction Dynamics in the Testis J Androl, September 1, 2007; 28(5): 742 - 754. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Q.F. Wang and C. Y. Cheng A seamless trespass: germ cell migration across the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis J. Cell Biol., August 9, 2007; 178(4): 549 - 556. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. J Kaitu'u-Lino, P. Sluka, C. F H Foo, and P. G Stanton Claudin-11 expression and localisation is regulated by androgens in rat Sertoli cells in vitro Reproduction, June 1, 2007; 133(6): 1169 - 1179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Xia, D. D. Mruk, and C. Y. Cheng C-type natriuretic peptide regulates blood-testis barrier dynamics in adult rat testes PNAS, March 6, 2007; 104(10): 3841 - 3846. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Xia, D. D Mruk, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng Unraveling the molecular targets pertinent to junction restructuring events during spermatogenesis using the Adjudin-induced germ cell depletion model J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2007; 192(3): 563 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Hyenne, J. C Harf, M. Latz, B. Maro, U. Wolfrum, and M.-C. Simmler Vezatin, a ubiquitous protein of adherens cell-cell junctions, is exclusively expressed in germ cells in mouse testis Reproduction, March 1, 2007; 133(3): 563 - 574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Rossi, V. Gasperi, R. Paro, D. Barsacchi, S. Cecconi, and M. Maccarrone Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Activates Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase by Protein Kinase A and Aromatase-Dependent Pathways in Mouse Primary Sertoli Cells Endocrinology, March 1, 2007; 148(3): 1431 - 1439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.-H. Wong, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Targeted and reversible disruption of the blood-testis barrier by an FSH mutant-occludin peptide conjugate FASEB J, February 1, 2007; 21(2): 438 - 448. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P Y Lee, D. D Mruk, W. Xia, and C Y. Cheng Cellular localization of sphingomyelin synthase 2 in the seminiferous epithelium of adult rat testes J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2007; 192(1): 17 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M.-Y. Tsai, S.-D. Yeh, R.-S. Wang, S. Yeh, C. Zhang, H.-Y. Lin, C.-R. Tzeng, and C. Chang Differential effects of spermatogenesis and fertility in mice lacking androgen receptor in individual testis cells PNAS, December 12, 2006; 103(50): 18975 - 18980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. P Y Lie, W. Xia, C. Q F Wang, D. D Mruk, H. H N Yan, C.-h. Wong, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng Dynamin II interacts with the cadherin- and occludin-based protein complexes at the blood-testis barrier in adult rat testes J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2006; 191(3): 571 - 586. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.-S. Wang, S. Yeh, L.-M. Chen, H.-Y. Lin, C. Zhang, J. Ni, C.-C. Wu, P. A. di Sant'Agnese, K. L. deMesy-Bentley, C.-R. Tzeng, et al. Androgen Receptor in Sertoli Cell Is Essential for Germ Cell Nursery and Junctional Complex Formation in Mouse Testes Endocrinology, December 1, 2006; 147(12): 5624 - 5633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Zhang, S. Yeh, Y.-T. Chen, C.-C. Wu, K.-H. Chuang, H.-Y. Lin, R.-S. Wang, Y.-J. Chang, C. Mendis-Handagama, L. Hu, et al. Oligozoospermia with normal fertility in male mice lacking the androgen receptor in testis peritubular myoid cells PNAS, November 21, 2006; 103(47): 17718 - 17723. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Yuan, T. M. Leisner, A. W. McFadden, S. Clark, S. Hiller, N. Maeda, D. A. O'Brien, and L. V. Parise CIB1 Is Essential for Mouse Spermatogenesis Mol. Cell. Biol., November 15, 2006; 26(22): 8507 - 8514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Wolski, D. D. Mruk, and D. F. Cameron The Sertoli-Spermatid Junctional Complex Adhesion Strength Is Affected In Vitro by Adjudin J Androl, November 1, 2006; 27(6): 790 - 794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. Plotton, P. Sanchez, P. Durand, and H. Lejeune Decrease of both stem cell factor and clusterin mRNA levels in testicular biopsies of azoospermic patients with constitutive or idiopathic but not acquired spermatogenic failure Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2006; 21(9): 2340 - 2345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Kuwahara, A. Ikei, Y. Taguchi, Y. Tabuchi, N. Fujimoto, M. Obinata, S. Uesugi, and Y. Kurihara PSPC1, NONO, and SFPQ Are Expressed in Mouse Sertoli Cells and May Function as Coregulators of Androgen Receptor-Mediated Transcription Biol Reprod, September 1, 2006; 75(3): 352 - 359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. W M Li, W. Xia, D. D Mruk, C. Q F Wang, H. H N Yan, M. K Y Siu, W.-y. Lui, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng Tumor necrosis factor {alpha} reversibly disrupts the blood-testis barrier and impairs Sertoli-germ cell adhesion in the seminiferous epithelium of adult rat testes. J. Endocrinol., August 1, 2006; 190(2): 313 - 329. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. C. Thakur, V. Kumar, I. Ghosh, A. Bharadwaj, and K. Datta Appearance of Hyaluronan Binding Protein 1 Proprotein in Pachytene Spermatocytes and Round Spermatids Correlates With Spermatogenesis J Androl, July 1, 2006; 27(4): 604 - 610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. Winters, C. Wang, E. Abdelrahaman, V. Hadeed, M. A. Dyky, and A. Brufsky Inhibin-B Levels in Healthy Young Adult Men and Prepubertal Boys: Is Obesity the Cause for the Contemporary Decline in Sperm Count Because of Fewer Sertoli Cells? J Androl, July 1, 2006; 27(4): 560 - 564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. H. N. Yan and C. Y. Cheng Laminin {alpha} 3 Forms a Complex with beta3 and {gamma}3 Chains That Serves as the Ligand for {alpha} 6beta1-Integrin at the Apical Ectoplasmic Specialization in Adult Rat Testes J. Biol. Chem., June 23, 2006; 281(25): 17286 - 17303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Xia, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Differential Interactions between Transforming Growth Factor-beta3/TbetaR1, TAB1, and CD2AP Disrupt Blood-Testis Barrier and Sertoli-Germ Cell Adhesion J. Biol. Chem., June 16, 2006; 281(24): 16799 - 16813. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P Sluka, L O'Donnell, J R Bartles, and P G Stanton FSH regulates the formation of adherens junctions and ectoplasmic specialisations between rat Sertoli cells in vitro and in vivo. J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2006; 189(2): 381 - 395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Denolet, K. De Gendt, J. Allemeersch, K. Engelen, K. Marchal, P. Van Hummelen, K. A. L. Tan, R. M. Sharpe, P. T. K. Saunders, J. V. Swinnen, et al. The Effect of a Sertoli Cell-Selective Knockout of the Androgen Receptor on Testicular Gene Expression in Prepubertal Mice Mol. Endocrinol., February 1, 2006; 20(2): 321 - 334. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P.Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, C.-h. Wong, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics in the Testis Via the Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS)/cGMP/Protein Kinase G (PRKG)/{beta}-Catenin (CATNB) Signaling Pathway: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study Biol Reprod, September 1, 2005; 73(3): 458 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Grunkemeyer, C. Kwoh, T. B. Huber, and A. S. Shaw CD2-associated Protein (CD2AP) Expression in Podocytes Rescues Lethality of CD2AP Deficiency J. Biol. Chem., August 19, 2005; 280(33): 29677 - 29681. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. H. N. Yan and C. Y. Cheng Blood-testis barrier dynamics are regulated by an engagement/disengagement mechanism between tight and adherens junctions via peripheral adaptors PNAS, August 16, 2005; 102(33): 11722 - 11727. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. H Walker and J. Cheng FSH and testosterone signaling in Sertoli cells Reproduction, July 1, 2005; 130(1): 15 - 28. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. K. Y. Siu, C.-h. Wong, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Sertoli-Germ Cell Anchoring Junction Dynamics in the Testis Are Regulated by an Interplay of Lipid and Protein Kinases J. Biol. Chem., July 1, 2005; 280(26): 25029 - 25047. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W.-Y. Lui, Y. H. Cheng, D. D Mruk, C. H. Cheng, M. Y. Mo, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng {alpha}2-Macroglobulin expression in the liver in response to inflammation is mediated by the testis J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2005; 185(3): 497 - 505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Wolski, C. Perrault, R. Tran-Son-Tay, and D. F. Cameron Strength Measurement of the Sertoli-Spermatid Junctional Complex J Androl, May 1, 2005; 26(3): 354 - 359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.-h. Wong, D. D. Mruk, M. K. Y. Siu, and C. Y. Cheng Blood-Testis Barrier Dynamics Are Regulated by {alpha}2-Macroglobulin via the c-Jun N-Terminal Protein Kinase Pathway Endocrinology, April 1, 2005; 146(4): 1893 - 1908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Zhang, C.-h. Wong, W. Xia, D. D. Mruk, N. P. Y. Lee, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics via Changes in Protein-Protein Interactions of the N-Cadherin-{beta}-Catenin Protein Complex which Are Possibly Mediated by c-Src and Myotubularin-Related Protein 2: An in Vivo Study Using an Androgen Suppression Model Endocrinology, March 1, 2005; 146(3): 1268 - 1284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.-H. Wong, W. Xia, N. P. Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of Ectoplasmic Specialization Dynamics in the Seminiferous Epithelium by Focal Adhesion-Associated Proteins in Testosterone-Suppressed Rat Testes Endocrinology, March 1, 2005; 146(3): 1192 - 1204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Bolino, A. Bolis, S. C. Previtali, G. Dina, S. Bussini, G. Dati, S. Amadio, U. Del Carro, D. D. Mruk, M. L. Feltri, et al. Disruption of Mtmr2 produces CMT4B1-like neuropathy with myelin outfolding and impaired spermatogenesis J. Cell Biol., November 22, 2004; 167(4): 711 - 721. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
| Endocrinology | Endocrine Reviews | J. Clin. End. & Metab. |
| Molecular Endocrinology | Recent Prog. Horm. Res. | All Endocrine Journals |
