gamma-Tubulin overexpression in Sertoli cells in vivo: I. Localization to sites of spermatid head attachment and alterations in Sertoli cell microtubule distribution

Biol Reprod. 2003 Jul;69(1):310-21. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.011791. Epub 2003 Apr 2.

Abstract

Sertoli cells play a number of roles in supporting spermatogenesis, including structural organization, physical and paracrine support of germ cells, and secretion of factors necessary for germ cell development. Studies with microtubule disrupting compounds indicate that intact microtubule networks are crucial for normal spermatogenesis. However, treatment with toxicants and pharmacologic agents that target microtubules lack cell-type selectivity and may therefore elicit direct effects on germ cells, which also require microtubule-mediated activities for division and morphological transformation. To evaluate the importance of Sertoli cell microtubule-based activities for spermatogenesis, an adenoviral vector that overexpresses the microtubule nucleating protein, gamma-tubulin, was used to selectively disrupt microtubule networks in Sertoli cells in vivo. gamma-Tubulin overexpression was observed to cause redistribution of Sertoli cell microtubule networks, and overexpression of a gamma-tubulin-enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein was observed to localize to the site of elongate spermatid head attachment to the seminiferous epithelium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Seminiferous Epithelium / cytology
  • Seminiferous Epithelium / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism*
  • Sertoli Cells / ultrastructure*
  • Spermatids / cytology
  • Spermatids / metabolism*
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Transfection
  • Tubulin / genetics*
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tubulin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins