Summary
In our previous study, we identified a novel testis-specific expressed gene 2 (TSEG-2) from mouse testis. To further investigate its functions, 35 male Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were divided into cryptorchidism group (n=20), sham group (n=10), and control group (n=5). In cryptorchidism group, the right testes were anchored to the inner lateral abdominal wall. In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied to measure the localization of TSEG-2 in mouse testis. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of TSEG-2 gene. Meanwhile, under the mediation of polyethylenimine (PEI), the recombinant vector pEGFP-TSEG-2 (n=5) or empty vector (mock, n=5) was transfected into the testis of male mice. The transfection efficiencies were measured under a fluorescence microscope. The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidyl-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that TSEG-2 was expressed in convoluted seminiferous tubules, more precisely, in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. As compared with sham and control groups, the TSEG-2 transcription was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) and was correlated with apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in cryptorchid testes (P<0.05). PEI was efficient in mediating transfection of TSEG-2 into seminiferous tubules of testis. One week post-transfection, intratesticular injection of TSEG-2 resulted in increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo (P<0.05). These results indicate that TSEG-2 may participate in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.
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This project was supported by grants from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30200284, No. 30600278, No. 30772359), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-06-0641), and Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars (2008-889).
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Hu, T., Wang, Z., Zeng, F. et al. Expression pattern of testis-specific expressed gene 2 in cryptorchidism model and its role in apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 30, 193–197 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-010-0212-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-010-0212-3