TY - JOUR
T1 - Stage-specific expression of dynein light chain-1 and its interacting kinase, p21-activated kinase-1, in rodent testes
T2 - Implications in spermiogenesis
AU - Wang, Rui An
AU - Zhao, Ming
AU - Meistrich, Marvin L.
AU - Kumar, Rakesh
PY - 2005/10
Y1 - 2005/10
N2 - Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process involving regulatory interactions of many gene products. In this study, we found that dynein light chain-1 (DLC1), a component of the dynein motor complex, is highly expressed in mouse and rat testes. Immunohistochemically detectable levels of DLC1 are observed specifically in spermatids in steps 9-16 in distinct subcellular compartments: in steps 9-11, DLC1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus; in steps 12 and 13, it is found in both nucleus and cytoplasm; and in step 14-16, it is present exclusively in the cytoplasm. In addition, we found p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1), a protein kinase that activates DLC1 by phosphorylating DLC1 at Serine 88, was also expressed during these stages of spermatogenesis. Pak1 was also expressed in Leydig cells, in preleptotene primary spermatocytes, and in round spermatids. The spermiogenic stage-specific expression of DLC1 suggests a role for DLC1 in chromatin condensation, spermatid shaping, and the final release of sperm from the spermatogenic epithelium. Further, Pak1 may also play a role in spermiogenesis by regulating DLC1 phosphorylation and, consequently, its function.
AB - Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process involving regulatory interactions of many gene products. In this study, we found that dynein light chain-1 (DLC1), a component of the dynein motor complex, is highly expressed in mouse and rat testes. Immunohistochemically detectable levels of DLC1 are observed specifically in spermatids in steps 9-16 in distinct subcellular compartments: in steps 9-11, DLC1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus; in steps 12 and 13, it is found in both nucleus and cytoplasm; and in step 14-16, it is present exclusively in the cytoplasm. In addition, we found p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1), a protein kinase that activates DLC1 by phosphorylating DLC1 at Serine 88, was also expressed during these stages of spermatogenesis. Pak1 was also expressed in Leydig cells, in preleptotene primary spermatocytes, and in round spermatids. The spermiogenic stage-specific expression of DLC1 suggests a role for DLC1 in chromatin condensation, spermatid shaping, and the final release of sperm from the spermatogenic epithelium. Further, Pak1 may also play a role in spermiogenesis by regulating DLC1 phosphorylation and, consequently, its function.
KW - DLC1
KW - Pak1
KW - Spermatogenesis
KW - Testis
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U2 - 10.1369/jhc.5A6688.2005
DO - 10.1369/jhc.5A6688.2005
M3 - Article
C2 - 15983119
AN - SCOPUS:24944472243
SN - 0022-1554
VL - 53
SP - 1235
EP - 1243
JO - Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
JF - Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
IS - 10
ER -