Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 21 June 2002:
Vol. 296. no. 5576, pp. 2176 - 2178
DOI: 10.1126/science.1070963
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Review

Unique Chromatin Remodeling and Transcriptional Regulation in Spermatogenesis

Paolo Sassone-Corsi

Most of our knowledge of transcriptional regulation comes from studies in somatic cells. However, increasing evidence reveals that gene regulation mechanisms are different in haploid germ cells. A number of highly specialized strategies operate during spermatogenesis. These include a unique chromatin reorganization program and the use of distinct promoter elements and specific transcription factors. Deciphering the rules governing transcriptional control during spermatogenesis will provide valuable insights of biomedical importance.

Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, B. P. 10142, 67404 Illkirch, Strasbourg, France. E-mail: paolosc{at}igbmc.u-strasbg.fr

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Disruption of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Homeostasis Affects Spermiogenesis and Sperm Chromatin Integrity in Mice.
M. L. Meyer-Ficca, J. Lonchar, C. Credidio, M. Ihara, Y. Li, Z.-Q. Wang, and R. G. Meyer (2009)
Biol Reprod 81, 46-55
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sam68 regulates translation of target mRNAs in male germ cells, necessary for mouse spermatogenesis.
M. P. Paronetto, V. Messina, E. Bianchi, M. Barchi, G. Vogel, C. Moretti, F. Palombi, M. Stefanini, R. Geremia, S. Richard, et al. (2009)
J. Cell Biol. 185, 235-249
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Age- and substrain-dependent sperm abnormalities in BALB/c mice and functional assessment of abnormal sperm by ICSI.
H. Ohta, Y. Sakaide, and T. Wakayama (2009)
Hum. Reprod. 24, 775-781
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Functional Analysis of Male Mouse Haploid Germ Cells of Various Differentiation Stages: Early and Late Round Spermatids Are Functionally Equivalent in Producing Progeny.
H. Ohta, Y. Sakaide, and T. Wakayama (2009)
Biol Reprod 80, 511-517
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Testis-specific Linker Histone H1t Is Multiply Phosphorylated during Spermatogenesis: IDENTIFICATION OF PHOSPHORYLATION SITES.
B. Sarg, S. Chwatal, H. Talasz, and H. H. Lindner (2009)
J. Biol. Chem. 284, 3610-3618
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A Novel Germ Cell-specific Protein, SHIP1, Forms a Complex with Chromatin Remodeling Activity during Spermatogenesis.
E. Choi, C. Han, I. Park, B. Lee, S. Jin, H. Choi, D. H. Kim, Z. Y. Park, E. M. Eddy, and C. Cho (2008)
J. Biol. Chem. 283, 35283-35294
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sperm Chromatin: Fertile Grounds for Proteomic Discovery of Clinical Tools.
T. F. Wu and D. S. Chu (2008)
Mol. Cell. Proteomics 7, 1876-1886
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Promoter ChIP-chip analysis in mouse testis reveals Y chromosome occupancy by HSF2.
M. Akerfelt, E. Henriksson, A. Laiho, A. Vihervaara, K. Rautoma, N. Kotaja, and L. Sistonen (2008)
PNAS 105, 11224-11229
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Bat3 deficiency accelerates the degradation of Hsp70-2/HspA2 during spermatogenesis.
T. Sasaki, E. Marcon, T. McQuire, Y. Arai, P. B. Moens, and H. Okada (2008)
J. Cell Biol. 182, 449-458
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Immunocytochemical and Ultrastructural Analyses of the Function of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System During Spermiogenesis with the Use of the Inhibitors of Proteasome Proteolytic Activity in the Alga, Chara vulgaris.
A. Wojtczak and M. Kwiatkowska (2008)
Biol Reprod 78, 577-585
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Promiscuous gene expression patterns in single medullary thymic epithelial cells argue for a stochastic mechanism.
J. Derbinski, S. Pinto, S. Rosch, K. Hexel, and B. Kyewski (2008)
PNAS 105, 657-662
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Mutations in the protamine 1 gene associated with male infertility.
C. Ravel, S. Chantot-Bastaraud, B. El Houate, I. Berthaut, L. Verstraete, V. De Larouziere, D. Lourenco, A. Dumaine, J.M. Antoine, J. Mandelbaum, et al. (2007)
Mol. Hum. Reprod. 13, 461-464
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Transition from a nucleosome-based to a protamine-based chromatin configuration during spermiogenesis in Drosophila.
C. Rathke, W. M. Baarends, S. Jayaramaiah-Raja, M. Bartkuhn, R. Renkawitz, and R. Renkawitz-Pohl (2007)
J. Cell Sci. 120, 1689-1700
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Altered protamine expression and diminished spermatogenesis: what is the link?.
D. T. Carrell, B. R. Emery, and S. Hammoud (2007)
Hum. Reprod. Update 13, 313-327
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Abnormal Sperm in Mice Lacking the Taf7l Gene.
Y. Cheng, M. G. Buffone, M. Kouadio, M. Goodheart, D. C. Page, G. L. Gerton, I. Davidson, and P. J. Wang (2007)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 27, 2582-2589
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cruciform extrusion propensity of human translocation-mediating palindromic AT-rich repeats.
H. Kogo, H. Inagaki, T. Ohye, T. Kato, B. S. Emanuel, and H. Kurahashi (2007)
Nucleic Acids Res. 35, 1198-1208
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The testes-specific bZip type transcription factor Tisp40 plays a role in ER stress responses and chromatin packaging during spermiogenesis..
I. Nagamori, K. Yomogida, M. Ikawa, M. Okabe, N. Yabuta, and H. Nojima (2006)
Genes Cells 11, 1161-1171
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Natural transmission of USP9Y gene mutations: a new perspective on the role of AZFa genes in male fertility.
C. Krausz, S. Degl'Innocenti, F. Nuti, A. Morelli, F. Felici, M. Sansone, G. Varriale, and G. Forti (2006)
Hum. Mol. Genet. 15, 2673-2681
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Packing for the germy: the role of histone H4 Ser1 phosphorylation in chromatin compaction and germ cell development.
K. D. Wendt and A. Shilatifard (2006)
Genes & Dev. 20, 2487-2491
   Full Text »    PDF »
Phosphorylation of histone H4 Ser1 regulates sporulation in yeast and is conserved in fly and mouse spermatogenesis.
T. Krishnamoorthy, X. Chen, J. Govin, W. L. Cheung, J. Dorsey, K. Schindler, E. Winter, C. D. Allis, V. Guacci, S. Khochbin, et al. (2006)
Genes & Dev. 20, 2580-2592
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Stage-Specific Expression of the Atce1/Tisp40{alpha} Isoform of CREB3L4 in Mouse Spermatids.
M. El-Alfy, L. Azzi, J. Lessard, E. Lavergne, M. Pelletier, and C. Labrie (2006)
J Androl 27, 686-694
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The human X chromosome is enriched for germline genes expressed in premeiotic germ cells of both sexes.
M. Koslowski, U. Sahin, C. Huber, and O. Tureci (2006)
Hum. Mol. Genet. 15, 2392-2399
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Interplay of PIWI/Argonaute protein MIWI and kinesin KIF17b in chromatoid bodies of male germ cells.
N. Kotaja, H. Lin, M. Parvinen, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2006)
J. Cell Sci. 119, 2819-2825
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Protamines and male infertility.
R. Oliva (2006)
Hum. Reprod. Update 12, 417-435
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The chromatoid body of male germ cells: Similarity with processing bodies and presence of Dicer and microRNA pathway components.
N. Kotaja, S. N. Bhattacharyya, L. Jaskiewicz, S. Kimmins, M. Parvinen, W. Filipowicz, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2006)
PNAS 103, 2647-2652
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Nuclear RNA-binding Protein Sam68 Translocates to the Cytoplasm and Associates with the Polysomes in Mouse Spermatocytes.
M. P. Paronetto, F. Zalfa, F. Botti, R. Geremia, C. Bagni, and C. Sette (2006)
Mol. Biol. Cell 17, 14-24
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Microtubule-independent and Protein Kinase A-mediated Function of Kinesin KIF17b Controls the Intracellular Transport of Activator of CREM in Testis (ACT).
N. Kotaja, B. Macho, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2005)
J. Biol. Chem. 280, 31739-31745
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
HANP1/H1T2, a Novel Histone H1-Like Protein Involved in Nuclear Formation and Sperm Fertility.
H. Tanaka, N. Iguchi, A. Isotani, K. Kitamura, Y. Toyama, Y. Matsuoka, M. Onishi, K. Masai, M. Maekawa, K. Toshimori, et al. (2005)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 7107-7119
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Infertility with Defective Spermiogenesis in Mice Lacking AF5q31, the Target of Chromosomal Translocation in Human Infant Leukemia.
A. Urano, M. Endoh, T. Wada, Y. Morikawa, M. Itoh, Y. Kataoka, T. Taki, H. Akazawa, H. Nakajima, I. Komuro, et al. (2005)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 6834-6845
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Replacement by Drosophila melanogaster Protamines and Mst77F of Histones during Chromatin Condensation in Late Spermatids and Role of Sesame in the Removal of These Proteins from the Male Pronucleus.
S. Jayaramaiah Raja and R. Renkawitz-Pohl (2005)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 6165-6177
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Nucleotide Excision Repair Activity Varies Among Murine Spermatogenic Cell Types.
G. Xu, G. Spivak, D. L. Mitchell, T. Mori, J. R. McCarrey, C. A. McMahan, R. B. Walter, P. C. Hanawalt, and C. A. Walter (2005)
Biol Reprod 73, 123-130
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
cAMP-responsive element in TATA-less core promoter is essential for haploid-specific gene expression in mouse testis.
P. Somboonthum, H. Ohta, S. Yamada, M. Onishi, A. Ike, Y. Nishimune, and M. Nozaki (2005)
Nucleic Acids Res. 33, 3401-3411
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tisp40, a spermatid specific bZip transcription factor, functions by binding to the unfolded protein response element via the Rip pathway.
I. Nagamori, N. Yabuta, T. Fujii, H. Tanaka, K. Yomogida, Y. Nishimune, and H. Nojima (2005)
Genes Cells 10, 575-594
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Nuclear Import of TAF10 Is Regulated by One of Its Three Histone Fold Domain-Containing Interaction Partners.
E. Soutoglou, M. A. Demeny, E. Scheer, G. Fienga, P. Sassone-Corsi, and L. Tora (2005)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 4092-4104
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Identification and Characterization of SSTK, a Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase Essential for Male Fertility.
N. A. Spiridonov, L. Wong, P. M. Zerfas, M. F. Starost, S. D. Pack, C. P. Paweletz, and G. R. Johnson (2005)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 4250-4261
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Maintenance of spermatogenesis requires TAF4b, a gonad-specific subunit of TFIID.
A. E. Falender, R. N. Freiman, K. G. Geles, K. C. Lo, K. Hwang, D. J. Lamb, P. L. Morris, R. Tjian, and J. S. Richards (2005)
Genes & Dev. 19, 794-803
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Polar nuclear localization of H1T2, a histone H1 variant, required for spermatid elongation and DNA condensation during spermiogenesis.
I. Martianov, S. Brancorsini, R. Catena, A. Gansmuller, N. Kotaja, M. Parvinen, P. Sassone-Corsi, and I. Davidson (2005)
PNAS 102, 2808-2813
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
SMYD3-NY, a Novel SMYD3 mRNA Transcript Variant, May Have a Role in Human Spermatogenesis.
Z. Zhou, X. Ren, X. Huang, L. Lu, M. Xu, L. Yin, J. Li, and J. Sha (2005)
Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. 35, 270-277
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Tcfl5 interacts with the Calmegin gene promoter in mouse spermatogenesis.
M. Siep, E. Sleddens-Linkels, S. Mulders, H. van Eenennaam, E. Wassenaar, W. A. Van Cappellen, J. Hoogerbrugge, J. A. Grootegoed, and W. M. Baarends (2004)
Nucleic Acids Res. 32, 6425-6436
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Distinct Regions of the Mouse Cyclin A1 Gene, Ccna1, Confer Male Germ-Cell Specific Expression and Enhancer Function.
K. M. Lele and D. J. Wolgemuth (2004)
Biol Reprod 71, 1340-1347
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A Short Core Promoter Drives Expression of the ALF Transcription Factor in Reproductive Tissues of Male and Female Mice.
S. Han, W. Xie, S. H. Kim, L. Yue, and J. DeJong (2004)
Biol Reprod 71, 933-941
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Metastasis-Associated Protein 1 Interacts with NRIF3, an Estrogen-Inducible Nuclear Receptor Coregulator.
A. H. Talukder, A. Gururaj, S. K. Mishra, R. K. Vadlamudi, and R. Kumar (2004)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 24, 6581-6591
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Abnormal sperm in mice with targeted deletion of the act (activator of cAMP-responsive element modulator in testis) gene.
N. Kotaja, D. De Cesare, B. Macho, L. Monaco, S. Brancorsini, E. Goossens, H. Tournaye, A. Gansmuller, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2004)
PNAS 101, 10620-10625
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Testis-specific transcription mechanisms promoting male germ-cell differentiation.
S. Kimmins, N. Kotaja, I. Davidson, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2004)
Reproduction 128, 5-12
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Control of Mouse hils1 Gene Expression During Spermatogenesis: Identification of Regulatory Element by Transgenic Mouse.
N. Iguchi, H. Tanaka, S. Yamada, H. Nishimura, and Y. Nishimune (2004)
Biol Reprod 70, 1239-1245
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Rosbin: A Novel Homeobox-Like Protein Gene Expressed Exclusively in Round Spermatids.
T. Takahashi, H. Tanaka, N. Iguchi, K. Kitamura, Y. Chen, M. Maekawa, H. Nishimura, H. Ohta, Y. Miyagawa, K. Matsumiya, et al. (2004)
Biol Reprod 70, 1485-1492
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Temporal Association of Protamine 1 with the Inner Nuclear Membrane Protein Lamin B Receptor during Spermiogenesis.
I. Mylonis, V. Drosou, S. Brancorsini, E. Nikolakaki, P. Sassone-Corsi, and T. Giannakouros (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 11626-11631
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Production of fertile offspring from genetically infertile male mice.
R. Yanagimachi, T. Wakayama, H. Kishikawa, G. M. Fimia, L. Monaco, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2004)
PNAS 101, 1691-1695
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Linking Covalent Histone Modifications to Epigenetics: The Rigidity and Plasticity of the Marks.
Y. WANG, J. WYSOCKA, J.R. PERLIN, L. LEONELLI, C.D. ALLIS, and S.A. COONROD (2004)
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 69, 161-170
   Abstract »    PDF »
Transcriptional Control in Male Germ Cells: General Factor TFIIA Participates in CREM-Dependent Gene Activation.
D. De Cesare, G. M. Fimia, S. Brancorsini, M. Parvinen, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2003)
Mol. Endocrinol. 17, 2554-2565
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Expression of the Germ Cell-specific Transcription Factor ALF in Xenopus Oocytes Compensates for Translational Inactivation of the Somatic Factor TFIIA.
S. Han, W. Xie, S. R. Hammes, and J. DeJong (2003)
J. Biol. Chem. 278, 45586-45593
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Dynamics of Protamine 1 Binding to Single DNA Molecules.
L. Brewer, M. Corzett, E. Y. Lau, and R. Balhorn (2003)
J. Biol. Chem. 278, 42403-42408
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Structural Organization of Sperm Chromatin.
S. M. Wykes and S. A. Krawetz (2003)
J. Biol. Chem. 278, 29471-29477
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Mouse Spam1 (PH-20) Is a Multifunctional Protein: Evidence for Its Expression in the Female Reproductive Tract.
H. Zhang and P. A. Martin-DeLeon (2003)
Biol Reprod 69, 446-454
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
MICoA, a Novel Metastasis-associated Protein 1 (MTA1) Interacting Protein Coactivator, Regulates Estrogen Receptor-{alpha} Transactivation Functions.
S. K. Mishra, A. Mazumdar, R. K. Vadlamudi, F. Li, R.-A. Wang, W. Yu, V. C. Jordan, R. J. Santen, and R. Kumar (2003)
J. Biol. Chem. 278, 19209-19219
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The intracellular localisation of TAF7L, a paralogue of transcription factor TFIID subunit TAF7, is developmentally regulated during male germ-cell differentiation.
J.-C. Pointud, G. Mengus, S. Brancorsini, L. Monaco, M. Parvinen, P. Sassone-Corsi, and I. Davidson (2003)
J. Cell Sci. 116, 1847-1858
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
BIR-1, a Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of Survivin, regulates transcription and development.
M. Kostrouchova, Z. Kostrouch, V. Saudek, J. Piatigorsky, and J. E. Rall (2003)
PNAS 100, 5240-5245
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Mouse Germ Cell-Less as an Essential Component for Nuclear Integrity.
T. Kimura, C. Ito, S. Watanabe, T. Takahashi, M. Ikawa, K. Yomogida, Y. Fujita, M. Ikeuchi, N. Asada, K. Matsumiya, et al. (2003)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 23, 1304-1315
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the protamine-1 and -2 genes of fertile and infertile human male populations.
H. Tanaka, Y. Miyagawa, A. Tsujimura, K. Matsumiya, A. Okuyama, and Y. Nishimune (2003)
Mol. Hum. Reprod. 9, 69-73
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
No Circadian Rhythms in Testis: Period1 Expression Is Clock Independent and Developmentally Regulated in the Mouse.
D. Morse, N. Cermakian, S. Brancorsini, M. Parvinen, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2003)
Mol. Endocrinol. 17, 141-151
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
CREM-Dependent Transcription in Male Germ Cells Controlled by a Kinesin.
B. Macho, S. Brancorsini, G. M. Fimia, M. Setou, N. Hirokawa, and P. Sassone-Corsi (2002)
Science 298, 2388-2390
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)