Transcription Factor GLIS3: A New and Critical Regulator of Postnatal Stages of Mouse Spermatogenesis. (11th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Hong Soon; Chen, Liang-Yu; Lichti-Kaiser, Kristin; Liao, Grace; Gerrish, Kevin; Bortner, Carl D.; Yao, Humphrey H.-C.; Eddy, Edward M.; Jetten, Anton M.
• Is Part Of: Stem cells. Volume 34:Number 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 2772
• Page End: 2783
• Publication Date: 2016-07-11
• Subjects: GLIS3 -- Spermatogonial stem cell -- Spermatogenesis -- Gene expression; Cloning -- Periodicals; Clone cells -- Periodicals; Stem cells -- Periodicals; Cell Differentiation -- Periodicals; Cell Division -- Periodicals; Clone Cells -- Periodicals; Hematopoietic Stem Cells -- Periodicals; Stem Cells -- Periodicals; 571.84
• DOI: 10.1002/stem.2449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-5099

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we identify a novel and essential role for the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor GLI-similar 3 (GLIS3) in the regulation of postnatal spermatogenesis. We show that GLIS3 is expressed in gonocytes, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and spermatogonial progenitors (SPCs), but not in differentiated spermatogonia and later stages of spermatogenesis or in somatic cells. Spermatogenesis is greatly impaired in GLIS3 knockout mice. Loss of GLIS3 function causes a moderate reduction in the number of gonocytes, but greatly affects the generation of SSCs/SPCs, and as a consequence the development of spermatocytes. Gene expression profiling demonstrated that the expression of genes associated with undifferentiated spermatogonia was dramatically decreased in GLIS3-deficient mice and that the cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation of FOXO1, which marks the gonocyte-to-SSC transition and is necessary for SSC self-renewal, is inhibited. These observations suggest that GLIS3 promotes the gonocyte-to-SSC transition and is a critical regulator of the dynamics of early postnatal spermatogenesis.