| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: serge.nef{at}unige.ch.
Spermatogenesis is a strictly regulated process, both at the transcriptional and the post-transcriptional level, which allows continuous gamete production throughout adulthood. A novel mechanism of post-transcriptional control mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs) has lately emerged as an important regulator of spermatogenesis. miRNAs are endogenous, small, non-coding RNAs produced through a multi-step enzymatic process, which involves the action of Dicer, an RNaseIII endonuclease. Here, we first present a short overview of classic post-transcriptional control during spermatogenesis, and then concentrate on recent findings that have unraveled the important role of miRNAs in male reproductive function. Particular focus is given to the in vivo role of miRNAs that has been demonstrated through the generation of Sertoli- or germ-cell specific Dicer knockouts, as well as the potential application of these findings in the treatment of human male infertility and the development of male contraceptives. It is anticipated that unraveling miRNA functions in the testis will further our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of mammalian spermatogenesis.
Key words: Reproductive Genetics •
Spermatogenesis •
Testis •
Dicer •
Sertoli cells •
microRNA
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  S. C. McIver, S. D. Roman, B. Nixon, and E. A. McLaughlin miRNA and mammalian male germ cells Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2012; 18(1): 44 - 59. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Z. Niu, S. M. Goodyear, S. Rao, X. Wu, J. W. Tobias, M. R. Avarbock, and R. L. Brinster MicroRNA-21 regulates the self-renewal of mouse spermatogonial stem cells PNAS, August 2, 2011; 108(31): 12740 - 12745. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. D. Papaioannou, M. Lagarrigue, C. E. Vejnar, A. D. Rolland, F. Kuhne, F. Aubry, O. Schaad, A. Fort, P. Descombes, M. Neerman-Arbez, et al. Loss of Dicer in Sertoli Cells Has a Major Impact on the Testicular Proteome of Mice Mol. Cell. Proteomics, April 1, 2011; 10(4): M900587-MCP200 - M900587-MCP200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. D. Johnson, C. Lalancette, A. K. Linnemann, F. Leduc, G. Boissonneault, and S. A. Krawetz The sperm nucleus: chromatin, RNA, and the nuclear matrix Reproduction, January 1, 2011; 141(1): 21 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Bagarova, T. A. Chowdhury, M. Kimura, and K. C. Kleene Identification of elements in the Smcp 5' and 3' UTR that repress translation and promote the formation of heavy inactive mRNPs in spermatids by analysis of mutations in transgenic mice Reproduction, December 1, 2010; 140(6): 853 - 864. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. K. Bjork, A. Sandqvist, A. N. Elsing, N. Kotaja, and L. Sistonen miR-18, a member of Oncomir-1, targets heat shock transcription factor 2 in spermatogenesis Development, October 1, 2010; 137(19): 3177 - 3184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
