Paranodal junction formation and spermatogenesis require sulfoglycolipids

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.032068299
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:37:36Z
• Authors: Koichi Honke; Yukie Hirahara; Jeffrey Dupree; Kinuko Suzuki; Brian Popko; Kikuro Fukushima; Junko Fukushima; Takashi Nagasawa; Nobuaki Yoshida; Yoshinao Wada; Naoyuki Taniguchi
• Keywords: Galactocerebroside

Mammalian sulfoglycolipids comprise two major members, sulfatide (HSO3-3-galactosylceramide) and seminolipid (HSO3-3-monogalactosylalkylacylglycerol). Sulfatide is a lipid component of the myelin sheath serves as epitope for well known oligodendrocyte-marker antibody O4. Seminolipid synthesized in spermatocytes maintained subsequent germ cell stages. Both can be vitro by using isolated cerebroside sulfotransferase. To investigate physiological role to determine whether are biosynthesized vivo single sulfotransferase, Cst-null mice were generated gene targeting. Cst(-/-) lacked brain testis, proving that copy responsible their biosynthesis. born healthy, but began display hindlimb weakness 6 weeks age subsequently showed pronounced tremor progressive ataxia. Although compact was preserved, displayed abnormalities paranodal junctions. On other hand, males sterile because block spermatogenesis before first meiotic division, whereas females able breed. These data show critical function spermatogenesis.