Work

Retinoblastoma protein represses E2F3 to maintain Sertoli cell quiescence in mouse testis

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Maintenance of the differentiated state and cell cycle exit in adult Sertoli cells depends on tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein (RB, also known as RB1). We have previously shown that RB interacts with transcription factor E2F3 in the mouse testis. Here, we investigated how E2f3 contributes to adult Sertoli cell proliferation in a mouse model of Sertoli cell-specific knockout of Rb by crossing these mice with an E2f3 knockout mouse line. In the presence of intact RB, E2f3 was redundant in Sertoli cells. However, in the absence of RB, E2f3 is a key driver for cell cycle re-entry and loss of function in adult Sertoli cells. Knockout of E2f3 in Sertoli cells rescued the breakdown of Sertoli cell function associated with Rb loss, prevented proliferation of adult Sertoli cells and restored fertility of the mice. In summary, our results show that RB-mediated repression of E2F3 is critical for the maintenance of cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation in adult mouse Sertoli cells.

Source: Journal of Cell Science

DOI: 10.1242/jcs.229849

Authors: Emmi Rotgers, Sheyla Cisneros-Montalvo, Mirja Nurmio, Jorma Toppari

Institutions: University of Turku, Turku University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Sperm and Testicular Function

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,609