Differential Expression of Cyclins B1 and B2 during Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Spermatogenesis.

The Cdc2-cyclin B complex (named the M-phase-promoting factor, MPF) is well known to be a key regulator of G2-M transition in both mitosis and meiosis. However, MPF may have functions other than the cell cycle regulation, since its activity is detectable in post-mitotic (or post-meiotic) non-dividing cells. Cyclin B comprises several subtypes, but their functional differences are still unknown. Despite the established function of MPF during oocyte maturation, its role during spermatogenesis, where spermatogenic cells undergo drastic morphological changes after meiosis, remains to be elucidated. To address these issues, we have isolated cDNA clones encoding cyclins B1 and B2 from medaka testis and raised polyclonal antibodies against their products. Using these as probes, we examined the expression patterns of cyclins B1 and B2 in medaka testis at both mRNA and protein levels. Cyclin B1 and B2 mRNAs were expressed in all stages of spermatogenic cells except for spermatozoa, although the expression levels varied according to the spermatogenic stages. Cyclin B1 protein was expressed only in spermatogonia and spermatocytes at prophase and metaphase with a transient disappearance at anaphase. On the other hand, cyclin B2 protein was continuously expressed throughout spermatogenesis, even in spermatogonia and spermatocytes at anaphase and in post-meiotic spermatids and spermatozoa. The difference in their expression patterns suggests that cyclins B1 and B2 have distinct roles in medaka spermatogenesis; i.e., cyclin B1 controls the meiotic cell cycle, whereas cyclin B2 is involved in process(es) other than meiosis.