Localization of protamine 1 mRNA in different stages of the cycle of the rat seminiferous epithelium.

• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.107.2.407
• Publication Date: 2004-05-15T00:18:20Z
• Authors: P Mali; M Sandberg; E Vuorio; P C Yelick; N B Hecht; M Parvinen
• Keywords: Spermiogenesis; Northern blot; Spermatid

A mouse protamine 1 cDNA probe was used to study P1 gene expression during the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in rat. In situ hybridization experiments showed that transcription mRNA starts middle step 7 spermiogenesis substage VIIc. The levels stay high steps 7-14 spermatids but decrease 15-16 and are virtually undetectable 17-19 spermatids. Northern blot analyses RNAs isolated from microdissected pools tubules show concentrations stages VIIc-XIV-III lower IV-VIIb. Owing a post-transcriptional shortening poly(A) tail by 130 bases, size approximately 580 450 nucleotides observed XIII-XIV suggesting an initiation synthesis 13-14 II-VI (steps 16-18 spermatids), only smaller detectable. mRNAs has been localized very last phase haploid activity. Although suggests disappearance after 16 spermiogenesis, analysis shows low present period final condensation chromatin, reflecting association with DNA.