In:
Development, The Company of Biologists, Vol. 140, No. 8 ( 2013-04-15), p. 1751-1761
Abstract:
Peritubular myoid cells (PMCs) are myofibroblast-like cells that surround the seminiferous tubules and play essential roles in male fertility. How these cells modulate spermatogenesis and the signaling pathways that are involved are largely unknown. Here we report that Lgr4 is selectively expressed in mouse PMCs in the testes, and loss of Lgr4 leads to germ cells arresting at meiosis I and then undergoing apoptosis. In PMCs of Lgr4 mutant mice, the expression of androgen receptor, alpha-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix proteins was dramatically reduced. Malfunctioning PMCs further affected Sertoli cell nuclear localization and functional protein expression in Lgr4-/- mice. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was activated in wild-type PMCs but attenuated in those of Lgr4-/- mice. When Wnt/β-catenin signaling was reactivated by crossing with Apcmin/+ mice or by Gsk3β inhibitor treatment, the Lgr4 deficiency phenotype in testis was partially rescued. Together, these data demonstrate that Lgr4 signaling through Wnt/β-catenin regulates PMCs and is essential for spermatogenesis.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1477-9129
,
0950-1991
Language:
English
Publisher:
The Company of Biologists
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2007916-3
SSG:
12
