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The niche-derived glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) induces migration of mouse spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells.
- Source :
-
PloS one [PLoS One] 2013 Apr 22; Vol. 8 (4), pp. e59431. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Apr 22 (Print Publication: 2013). - Publication Year :
- 2013
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Abstract
- In mammals, the biological activity of the stem/progenitor compartment sustains production of mature gametes through spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial stem cells and their progeny belong to the class of undifferentiated spermatogonia, a germ cell population found on the basal membrane of the seminiferous tubules. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a Sertoli-derived factor, is essential for in vivo and in vitro stem cell self-renewal. However, the mechanisms underlying this activity are not completely understood. In this study, we show that GDNF induces dose-dependent directional migration of freshly selected undifferentiated spermatogonia, as well as germline stem cells in culture, using a Boyden chamber assay. GDNF-induced migration is dependent on the expression of the GDNF co-receptor GFRA1, as shown by migration assays performed on parental and GFRA1-transduced GC-1 spermatogonial cell lines. We found that the actin regulatory protein vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is specifically expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia. VASP belongs to the ENA/VASP family of proteins implicated in actin-dependent processes, such as fibroblast migration, axon guidance, and cell adhesion. In intact seminiferous tubules and germline stem cell cultures, GDNF treatment up-regulates VASP in a dose-dependent fashion. These data identify a novel role for the niche-derived factor GDNF, and they suggest that GDNF may impinge on the stem/progenitor compartment, affecting the actin cytoskeleton and cell migration.
- Subjects :
- Actin Cytoskeleton drug effects
Actin Cytoskeleton metabolism
Actins metabolism
Animals
Cell Adhesion Molecules metabolism
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors metabolism
Humans
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Microfilament Proteins metabolism
Phosphoproteins metabolism
Rats
Stem Cells metabolism
Cell Movement drug effects
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor pharmacology
Spermatogonia cytology
Stem Cell Niche
Stem Cells cytology
Stem Cells drug effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1932-6203
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PloS one
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23613711
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059431