β1- and α6-integrin are surface markers on mouse spermatogonial stem cells

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.10.5504
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:31:39Z
• Authors: Takashi Shinohara; Mary R. Avarbock; Ralph L. Brinster
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Cell Transplantation; Integrin beta1; Stem Cells; Cell Differentiation; Mice, Transgenic; Integrin alpha6; Flow Cytometry; Spermatogonia; Cell Line; Mice; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; 03 medical and health sciences; Antigens, CD; Animals; Spermatogenesis; Biomarkers

Although spermatogenesis is essential for reproduction, little known about spermatogonial stem cells. These cells provide the basis throughout adult life by undergoing self-renewal and providing progeny that differentiate into spermatozoa. A major impediment to our understanding of biology these inability distinguish them from spermatogonia are committed differentiation. We made use association with basement membranes transplantation assay system identify specific molecular markers on cell surface. Selection mouse testis anti-β 1 - or anti-α 6 -integrin antibody, but not anti-c-kit produced populations a significantly enhanced ability colonize recipient testes generate donor cell-derived spermatogenesis. demonstrate cell-associated antigens using an based biological function. Furthermore, presence surface integrins suggests share elements common machinery in other tissues.