DNAJB7 is dispensable for male fertility in mice

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2023 Mar 31;21(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12958-023-01086-6.

Abstract

Background: DNAJBs are highly conserved proteins that are involved in various biological processes. Although several DNAJBs are highly expressed in the testis, the function of DNAJB7 in spermatogenesis and male fertility remains unclear.

Methods: To identify the role of DNAJB7 in the male reproduction process, Dnajb7-deficient mice were generated by the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system. Histological and immunofluorescence assays were performed to analyze the phenotype of the Dnajb7 mutants.

Results: DNAJB7 is specifically expressed in haploid germ cells. Dnajb7 knockout mice are fertile and do not have any detectable defects in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, meiotic and postmeiotic cells, indicating that DNAJB7 is not essential for spermatogenesis.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DNAJB7 is dispensable for male fertility in mice, which could prevent duplicative work by other groups.

Keywords: Dnajb7; Male fertility; Spermatogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fertility / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis* / genetics
  • Testis* / metabolism