• PMID: 20539761
• Gene Name: NANOG
• Condition: Plays a role in meiotic and post-meiotic stages of male germ cell development
• Association: Associated
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Plays a role in meiotic and post-meiotic stages of male germ cell development

A distinct expression pattern in mammalian testes indicates a conserved role for NANOG in spermatogenesis

Kuijk EW, de Gier J, Lopes SM, Chambers I, van Pelt AM, Colenbrander B, Roelen BA.

BACKGROUND: NANOG is a key player in pluripotency and its expression is restricted to pluripotent cells of the inner cell mass, the epiblast and to primordial germ cells. Spermatogenesis is closely associated with pluripotency, because through this process highly specialized sperm cells are produced that contribute to the formation of totipotent zygotes. Nevertheless, it is unknown if NANOG plays a role in this process. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the current study, NANOG expression was examined in testes of various mammals, including mouse and human. Nanog mRNA and NANOG protein were detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Furthermore, eGFP expression was detected in the testis of a transgenic Nanog eGFP-reporter mouse. Surprisingly, although NANOG expression has previously been associated with undifferentiated cells with stem cell potential, expression in the testis was observed in pachytene spermatocytes and in the first steps of haploid germ cell maturation (spermiogenesis). Weak expression in type A spermatogonia was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study strongly suggest a conserved role for NANOG in meiotic and post-meiotic stages of male germ cell development. FAU - Kuijk, Ewart W AU - Kuijk EW AD - Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. FAU - de Gier, Jeffrey AU - de Gier J FAU - Lopes, Susana M Chuva de Sousa AU - Lopes SM FAU - Chambers, Ian AU - Chambers I FAU - van Pelt, Ans M M AU - van Pelt AM FAU - Colenbrander, Ben AU - Colenbrander B