Gtsf1/Cue110, a gene encoding a protein with two copies of a CHHC Zn-finger motif, is involved in spermatogenesis and retrotransposon suppression in murine testes

Dev Biol. 2009 Nov 1;335(1):216-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.09.003. Epub 2009 Sep 6.

Abstract

We recently reported that the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene, a member of the evolutionarily conserved UPF0224 family, is expressed predominantly in male germ cells, and that the GTSF1/CUE110 protein is localized to the cytoplasm of these cells in the adult testis. Here, to analyze the roles of the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene in spermatogenesis, we produced Gtsf1/Cue110-null mice by gene targeting. The Gtsf1/Cue110-null mice grew normally and appeared healthy; however, the males were sterile due to massive apoptotic death of their germ cells after postnatal day 14. In contrast, the null females were fertile. Detailed analyses revealed that the Gtsf1/Cue110-null male meiocytes ceased meiotic progression before the zygotene stage. Thus, the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene is essential for spermatogenesis beyond the early meiotic phase. Furthermore, the loss of the Gtsf1/Cue110 gene caused increased transcription of the long interspersed nucleotide element (Line-1) and the intracisternal A-particle (IAP) retrotransposons, accompanied by demethylation of their promoter regions. These observations indicate that Gtsf1/Cue110 is required for spermatogenesis and involved in retrotransposon suppression in male germ cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Methylation
  • Female
  • Fertility / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Targeting
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Male
  • Meiosis / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proteins* / genetics
  • Proteins* / metabolism
  • Retroelements*
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Testis* / cytology
  • Testis* / physiology
  • Zinc Fingers*

Substances

  • Cue110 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Retroelements