Reproduction Abstracts

Fizzy-related 1 (FZR1) is one of two known activators of the anaphase promoting complex (APC) and a well-established important regulator of the mitotic cell cycle. In a germ-cell-specific (DDX4-cre) conditional knockout model we examined the role of FZR1 in germ cell development with particular emphasis on the entry into meiosis and early meiotic events. Loss of APC FZR1 activity in the male germline led to both a mitotic and a meiotic cell defect resulting in sterility throug...

Introduction: The production of functional spermatozoa is a highly complex process that requires tight regulation of gene expression. Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential post-transcriptional process. Over 95% of multi-exon human genes undergo alternative splicing to create diverse arrays of mRNAs from a single gene. Disturbance of splicing regulation is associated with many human diseases.Materials and methods: A genome-wide ENU mutagenesis screen was carr...

Introduction: RNA-binding proteins (RBP) are important catalysts of post-transcriptional gene regulation. The RBP MSI2 directs stem cell function and division through established roles in cell cycle dynamics and cell fate determination. During the complex process of mammalian spermatogenesis, the directed uncoupling of transcription and translation is essential for the correct development of male gametes. We have previously established that dysregulation of MSI2 during germ ce...

Controlled gene regulation during gamete development is vital for maintaining reproductive potential. During the process of gamete development, male germ cells experience extended periods of inactive transcription despite requirements for continued growth and differentiation. Spermatogenesis therefore provides an ideal model to study the effects of post-transcriptional control on gene regulation. During spermatogenesis post-transcriptional regulation is orchestrated by abundan...