N-wasp is required for structural integrity of the blood-testis barrier.
PLoS Genet
; 10(6): e1004447, 2014 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24967734
ABSTRACT
During spermatogenesis, the blood-testis barrier (BTB) segregates the adluminal (apical) and basal compartments in the seminiferous epithelium, thereby creating a privileged adluminal environment that allows post-meiotic spermatid development to proceed without interference of the host immune system. A key feature of the BTB is its continuous remodeling within the Sertoli cells, the major somatic component of the seminiferous epithelium. This remodeling is necessary to allow the transport of germ cells towards the seminiferous tubule interior, while maintaining intact barrier properties. Here we demonstrate that the actin nucleation promoting factor Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (N-WASP) provides an essential function necessary for BTB restructuring, and for maintaining spermatogenesis. Our data suggests that the N-WASP-Arp2/3 actin polymerization machinery generates branched-actin arrays at an advanced stage of BTB remodeling. These arrays are proposed to mediate the restructuring process through endocytic recycling of BTB components. Disruption of N-WASP in Sertoli cells results in major structural abnormalities to the BTB, including mis-localization of critical junctional and cytoskeletal elements, and leads to disruption of barrier function. These impairments result in a complete arrest of spermatogenesis, underscoring the critical involvement of the somatic compartment of the seminiferous tubules in germ cell maturation.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Espermatogênese
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Barreira Hematotesticular
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Complexo 2-3 de Proteínas Relacionadas à Actina
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Proteína Neuronal da Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
PLoS Genet
Assunto da revista:
GENETICA
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos