OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Rictor/mTORC2 in the formation of blood testis barrier (BTB), testicular development, and spermatogenesis. METHODS: Amh Cre positive mice homozygous for rictor loxP with Sertoli cell specific deletion of rictor were obtained by cross breeding Amh Cre mice with rictor loxP mice. The histology of the reproductive organs, seminiferous tubules and epididymis of the transgenic mice was observed with HE staining. The cell subgroups of the germ cells in the seminiferous tubule were detected by flow cytometry with propidium iodide labeling. The expression levels of Ki 67 and separase were detected with immunofluorescence assay, and the expression levels of BTB associated proteins were detected with immunofluorescence and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control (Amh Cre-, rictorloxP/loxP or rictorloxP/-) mice, the mice with Sertoli cell specific rictor deletion showed significantly decreased testicular weight and epididymis weight (P<0.05), significantly increased diploid cells (P<0.01), and decreased haploid cells (P<0.01) but comparable tetraploid cells and similar expression levels of Ki 67 and separase. The mice with rictor knockout also showed aberrant localization of BTB associated proteins, which were scattered over the whole seminiferous epithelium, but the expression levels of the protein remained stable. CONCLUSION: Rictor in testicular Sertoli cells is essential for maintaining BTB integrity and function and ensuring normal spermatogenesis in mice.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Rictor/mTORC2 in the formation of blood testis barrier (BTB), testicular development, and spermatogenesis. METHODS: Amh Cre positive mice homozygous for rictor loxP with Sertoli cell specific deletion of rictor were obtained by cross breeding Amh Cre mice with rictor loxP mice. The histology of the reproductive organs, seminiferous tubules and epididymis of the transgenic mice was observed with HE staining. The cell subgroups of the germ cells in the seminiferous tubule were detected by flow cytometry with propidium iodide labeling. The expression levels of Ki 67 and separase were detected with immunofluorescence assay, and the expression levels of BTB associated proteins were detected with immunofluorescence and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control (Amh Cre-, rictorloxP/loxP or rictorloxP/-) mice, the mice with Sertoli cell specific rictor deletion showed significantly decreased testicular weight and epididymis weight (P<0.05), significantly increased diploid cells (P<0.01), and decreased haploid cells (P<0.01) but comparable tetraploid cells and similar expression levels of Ki 67 and separase. The mice with rictor knockout also showed aberrant localization of BTB associated proteins, which were scattered over the whole seminiferous epithelium, but the expression levels of the protein remained stable. CONCLUSION:Rictor in testicular Sertoli cells is essential for maintaining BTB integrity and function and ensuring normal spermatogenesis in mice.
Authors: Brian R Tash; Maria C Bewley; Mariano Russo; Jason M Keil; Kathleen A Griffin; Jeffrey M Sundstrom; David A Antonetti; Fang Tian; John M Flanagan Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-06-18 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: J Zuber; D Anglicheau; C Elie; L Bererhi; M-O Timsit; M-F Mamzer-Bruneel; M Ciroldi; F Martinez; R Snanoudj; C Hiesse; H Kreis; F Eustache; K Laborde; E Thervet; C Legendre Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 8.086
Authors: Beate Vollenbröker; Britta George; Maria Wolfgart; Moin A Saleem; Hermann Pavenstädt; Thomas Weide Journal: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Date: 2008-11-19