Spermatogonial stem cells share some, but not all, phenotypic and functional characteristics with other stem cells

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0631767100
• Publication Date: 2003-05-27T17:10:32Z
• Authors: Hiroshi Kubota; Mary R. Avarbock; Ralph L. Brinster
• Keywords: Side population; Cell Sorting

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are responsible for maintaining spermatogenesis throughout life in the male by continuous production of daughter that differentiate into spermatozoa. However, no unique phenotypic markers to identify SSCs have been described. In this study, SSC surface phenotype was characterized using flow cytometric cell sorting conjunction with a transplantation functional assay SSCs. Highly enriched activity found MHC class I (MHC-I) – Thy-1 + c-kit fraction mouse cryptorchid testis. There little or any other fraction. The antigenic MHC-I α6-integrin CD24 αvintegrin Sca-1 CD34 . Subsequently, testis side population (SP) cells, which defined Hoechst dye efflux assay, were identified. Their be , and demonstrated SP distinct populations. several tissues, has shown contain but we characteristic does not define identification allows highly will facilitate genomic studies enable further comparison cells.