Supporting Information

<正>Figure S1 Significantly differentially expressed mi RNAs between of type B spermatogonia cells(BSc)and primary spermatocytes(PSc)validated by stem-loop RT-PCR experiments.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel gene SRG-L expressed in late stages of mouse spermatogenic cells

Spermatogenesis is a continuum of spermatogoniarenewal and proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesisin mammalian. First the stem cells (primitive type A sper-matogonia) divide to preleptotene primary spermato-cytes, which develop to leptotene primary spermatocytes,zygotene primary spermatocytes, and pachytene anddiplotene primary spermatocytes in sequence. Then thediplotene primary spermatocytes go through two meioticdivisions, and produce round spermatids. Subsequently,round spermatids enter…     

Pachytene spermatocyte protein(s) stimulate sertoli cells grown in bicameral chambers: Dose-dependent secretion of ceruloplasmin,sulfated glycoprotein-1, sulfated glycoprotein-2, and transferrin

Summary Interactions between pachytene spermatocytes and Sertoli cells were investigated using the bicameral culture chamber system. Pachytene spermatocytes were isolated from adult rats with a purity in excess of 90% by centrifugal elutriation. The pachytene spermatocytes were cultured in a defined media and pachytene spermatocyte protein prepared from the conditioned media by dialysis and lyophilization. This pachytene spermatocyte protein was reconstituted at various concentrations and incubated with confluent epithelial sheets of immature Sertoli cells cultured in bicameral chambers. Pachytene spermatocyte protein stimulated secretion of total [³⁵S]methionine-labeled protein from Sertoli cells in a dose-dependent manner predominantly in an apical direction. This stimulatory effect of pachytene spermatocyte protein was domain specific from the apical surface of Sertoli cells, and seemed specific for secretion because total intracellular protein did not increase under the influence of pachytene spermatocyte protein. Pachytene spermatocyte protein and follicle-stimulating hormone additively stimulated Sertoli cell secretion. The physicochemical characteristics of the stimulatory pachytene spermatocyte protein are indicative of heat stability, whereas the stimulatory pachytene spermatocyte protein exhibit acid, dithiothreitol and trypsin sensitivity, and partial urea sensitivity. Furthermore, Sertoli cell secretion of ceruloplasmin, sulfated glycoprotein-1, sulfated glycoprotein-2, and transferrin in response to various concentrations of pachytene spermatocyte protein were determined by immunoprecipitate of these [³⁵S]methionine-labeled proteins with polyclonal antibodies. Maximal stimulation of ceruloplasmin and sulfated glycoprotein-1 secretion from Sertoli cells was observed at a dose of 50 μg/ml pachytene spermatocyte protein, whereas maximal stimulation of sulfated glycoprotein-2 and transferrin secretion from Sertoli cells was observed at a dose of 100 μg/ml of pachytene spermatocyte protein. These results suggest that pachytene spermatocytes modulate Sertoli cell secretory function of at least four proteins in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Supported by grant #DCB-8915930 (D. D.) from the National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.     

Identification of differentially expressed genes of primary spermatocyte against round spermatid isolated from human testis using the laser capture microdissection technique

The method of laser capture microdissection (LCM) combined with suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was developed to isolate specific germ cells from human testis sections and to identify the genes expressed during differentiation and development. In the present study, over 10,000 primary spermatocytes and round spermatid cells weresuccessfully isolated by LCM. Using the cDNAs from primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, SSH cDNAs library of primary spermatocyte-specific was constructed. The average insert size of the cDNA isolated from 75 randomly picked white clones was 500 bp, ranging from 250 bp to 1.7 kb. Using the dot-blot method, a total of 421 clones were examined, resulting in the identification of 390 positive clones emitting strong signals. Partial sequence of cDNAs prepared from each clone was determined with an overall success rate of 84.4%. Genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase Ⅱ and the rescue factor-humanin were most frequently expressed in primary spermatocytes, suggesting their roles involved in meiosis.     

Meiotic Chromosome Behavior in a Human Male t（8;15） Carrier

Reciprocal translocation is one of the most common structural chromosomal rearrangements in human beings; it is widely recognized to be associated with male infertility. This association is mainly based on the abnormal chromosome behavior of the translocated chromosomes and sex chromosomes during meiosis prophase I in reciprocal translocation carriers. However, the underlying mechanisms are not completely known. Here we report a reciprocal translocation carrier of t（8;15）, who is oligozoospermic due to apoptosis of primary spermatocytes and to premature germ cell desquamation from seminiferous tubules. Further analysis showed abnormal synapsis and recombination frequency in this patient, indicating a connection between chromosome behavior and apoptosis of primary spermatocytes. We also compared these observations with recently reported findings on spermatogenesis defects in reciprocal translocation carriers, and discuss the possible mechanisms underlying both common and unique phenotypes of reciprocal translocations involving different chromosomes with the aim of further understanding the regulation of human spermatogenesis.     

Molecular cloning of a novel mouse testis-specific spermatogenic cell apoptosis inhibitor gene mTSARG7 as a candidate oncogene

A novel mouse gene, mTSARG7 (GenBank accession No. AY489184), with a full cDNA length of 2279 bp and containing 12 exons and.ll introns, was cloned from a mouse expressed sequence tag (GenBank accession No. BE644543) that was significantly up-regulated in cryptorchidism. The gene was located in mouse chromosome 8A1.3 and encoded a protein containing 403 amino acid residues that was a new member of the acyltransferase family because the sequence contained the highly conserved phosphate acyltransferase (PlsC) domain existing in all acyltransferase-like proteins. The mTSARG7 protein and AU041707 protein shared 83.9% identity in 402 amino acid residues. Expression of the mTSARG7 gene was restricted to the mouse testis. The results of the in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the mTSARG7 mRNA was expressed in mouse spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Subcellular localization studies showed that the EGFPtagged mTSARG7 protein was localized in the cytoplasm of GC-1 spg cells. The mTSARG7 mRNA expression was initiated in the mouse testis in the second week after birth, and the expression level increased steadily with spermatogenesis and sexual maturation of the mouse. The results of the heat stress experiment showed that the mTSARG7 mRNA expression gradually decreased as the heating duration increased. The pcDNA3.1 Hygro(-)/mTSARG7 plasmid was constructed and introduced into GC- 1 spg cells by liposome transfection. The mTSARG7 can accelerate GC-1 spg cells, causing them to traverse the S-phase and enter the G2-phase, compared with the control group where this did not occur as there was no transfection of mTSARG7. In conclusion, our results suggest that this gene may play an important role in spermatogenesis and the development of cryptorchid testes, and is a testis-specific apoptosis candidate oncogene.     

Getting the Measure of Bionics

In this issue of the Journal of Bionics Engineering we start something which is novel in academic publication but which is not at all uncommon in other serial publications. We present, in a series of seven chapters, a book on the interrelations between biology and engineering. It is not a handbook of bionics ( though that might follow) but a series of essays that will bridge the gap between biology and engineering. We hope you will find them entertaining and informative, and that they will reinforce and revise areas of your knowledge,no matter what your entry point into this subject.     

Pi和PGA对玉米叶片PFK-2/FBPase-2的作用

Fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase and fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase have been partially purified from maize leaves by PEG fractionadon and by chromatography on TSK-DEAE ion exchanger and Blue-Sepharose 4B. Fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase was activated by phosphate and inhibited by 3-pnosphoglycerate. Furctose 2,6-bisphosphatase was inhibited by inorganic phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate.The observed pattern of reguladon suggests that systhesis and degradation of Fru-2,6-P_2 respond to changes in the concentration of effectors. An increase in the level of glycerate-3-phosphate or dihydroxyacetonephosphate will result in a decrease in the level of Fru-2,6-P_2. Conversely a rise in Fru-6-P concentration will lead to an increase in the Fru-2, 6-P_2 concentration.     

Genome-wide identification of neuropeptides and their receptor genes in Bemisia tabaci and their transcript accumulation change in response to temperature stresses

Insect neuropeptides play an important role in regulating physiological functions such as growth,development,behavior and reproduction.We identified temperaturesensitive neuropeptides and receptor genes of the cotton whitefly,Bemisia tabaci.We identified 38 neuropeptide precursor genes and 35 neuropeptide receptors and constructed a phylogenetic tree using additional data from other insects.As temperature adaptability enables B.tabaci to colonize a diversity of habitats,we performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction with two temperature stresses(low=4℃ and high=40℃)to screen for temperature-sensitive neuropeptides.We found many neuropeptides and receptors that may be involved in the temperature adaptability of B.tabaci.This study is the first to identify B.tabaci neuropeptides and their receptors,and it will help to reveal the roles of neuropeptides in temperature adaptation of B.tabaci.     

SRG4在出生后小鼠睾丸及隐睾中的表达特性

研究小鼠生精新基因SRG4在出生后小鼠睾丸及手术隐睾中的表达特性, 为了解SRG4在精子发生中的作用奠定基础。取出生后1, 3, 12 w小鼠睾丸进行免疫组化检测, 观察SRG4蛋白在出生后小鼠不同发育阶段睾丸中的表达; 制备单侧手术隐睾模型, 取术后0~18 d 的隐睾组织进行半定量RT-PCR检测, 观察SRG4 mRNA在隐睾病变过程中的表达变化, 并对隐睾术后18 d 睾丸进行组织原位杂交分析。免疫组化分析结果表明, SRG4蛋白在出生1 w的小鼠睾丸中几乎检测不到, 在出生3 w的小鼠睾丸中有明显表达, 在出生12 w的小鼠中大量表达, 主要分布在精母细胞和圆形精子细胞胞浆及胞膜, 呈不均匀分布。半定量RT-PCR结果发现, SRG4 mRNA在小鼠隐睾术后0~6 d表达没有明显下调, 9 d 开始表达下调, 第18 d表达最低。组织原位杂交结果表明, 术后18 d隐睾睾丸生殖细胞大量凋亡, 精曲小管中仅见到个别的SRG4阳性信号, 而对照则不受影响。上述结果说明, SRG4蛋白表达受小鼠生长发育调控; 隐睾模型中, 随着生殖细胞的大量凋亡, SRG4基因表达下调, 提示SRG4基因可作为一个精子发生特定阶段的分子标记用以研究精子发生过程。     

人类生精相关基因TSARG4的cDNA克隆

为了探索精子生成的分子机制 ,从人精子外部致密纤维蛋白相关基因SPAG4(spermantigen 4)和小鼠精母细胞中表达的AK0 0 62 2 5基因出发 ,找到两个人类EST ,BG72 0 5 64和AI70 0 45 4,其中BG72 0 5 64在人睾丸中表达。运用“间隙填充法”填平这两个EST之间的间隙 ,从人睾丸文库中快速克隆了同源于SPAG4和AK0 0 62 2 5基因的人类TSARG4基因 (testisandspermatogenesisrelatedgene 4) (GenBank登录号为AF40 13 5 0 ) ,并用RT PCR对该基因阅读框进行验证。TSARG4基因全长 12 5 2bp ,开放阅读框为 94～ 12 3 3bp ,定位于 2 0q11.2 ,推定编码 3 79个氨基酸 ,预计分子量为 43 0 81.45 ,等电点为 8.61,该基因与小鼠精母细胞基因AK0 0 62 2 5编码的氨基酸序列同源性 74% ,与人类SPAG4基因编码的氨基酸序列同源性 45 %。RT PCR表明人类TSARG4基因在多个组织中均有表达 ,而同源的小鼠AK0 0 62 2 5基因仅在睾丸中表达     

Molecular cloning and characterization of SRG-L, a novel mouse gene developmentally expressed in spermatogenic cells

Full-length cDNA of a novel mouse gene upregulated in late stages of spermatogenic cells was cloned from mouse testis using overlapping RT-PCR and RACE. The mRNA of the gene was expressed mainly in diplotene/pachytene spermatocytes, round and elongating spermatids. We named this gene as SRG-L (Spermatogenesis Related Gene expressed in late stages of spermatogenic cells, GenBank Accession No. AY352586). The tissue-specific analysis showed a higher expression level in testis and spleen. The gene is mapped on chromosome 8q33.1 and contains 18 exons. The full-length of cDNA is 2,843 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,625 bp that encodes a 104 kDa protein (874 amino acids) with a putative transmembrane region. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that the SRG-L has two conserved regions, transglutaminase-like homologues domain and D-serine dehydratase domain, rich phosphorylation sites and methylation sites. The SRG-L protein was detected in diplotene/pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. The results suggest that SRG-L may play definite roles regulating differentiation of germ cells during spermatogenesis, particularly during meiosis and spermiogenesis.     

Cloning, characterization and identification of Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2, two novel splice variants of mouse Rcet1 related to Cres subgroup of family 2 cystatins.

Cystatins are physiological cysteine proteinase inhibitors. We used digital differential display (DDD) to clone two novel splice variants Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 which were isolated from adult mouse testis cDNA library. Sequence analysis revealed that Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 cDNAs are 454 and 610 bp in length, respectively, and each has four exons, but the lengths of their second and third exons are different, with the results that these cDNAs encoded two different putative proteins. The deduced proteins were 88 amino acid residues (RCET1-v1) and 140 residues (RCET1-v2) in length and have one potential signal peptide and one cystatin domain, respectively, but lack part critical consensus sites important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics are seen in CRES subgroup, which related to the family 2 cystatains and primarily expressed in reproductive tract. RT-PCR analysis showed that Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 were specifically expressed in adult mouse testis, epididymis and cerebrum, but higher in testis than in epididymis and cerebrum. RT-PCR analysis also showed that Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 were specifically expressed in adult mouse pituitary and spermatogonium, but not expressed in spermatozoa. Results of in situ hybridization showed that Rcet1 gene expressed abundantly in mouse spermatogonium, spermatocytes and round spermatids; did not expressed in spermatozoa. At mouse testis different development stages, Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 were expressed very low from postnatal 1 day to postnatal 3 weeks; after postnatal 4 weeks, expressed steadily increased from postnatal 4 to 7 weeks, highest in postnatal 7 to 8 weeks, then keeping on the expressing level of postnatal 6 weeks in postnatal 13-57 weeks. All these indicated that Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 primarily expressed in mouse male reproductive tract and may play important roles in mouse spermatocytes and round spermatid development. Rcet1-v1 and Rcet1-v2 may be new members of Cres subgroup of the family 2 cystatins.     

小鼠睾丸生精细胞凋亡相关基因SRG2的分子克隆及其在隐睾中的表达特征

从已获得的在隐睾和正常睾丸对照中表达量有明显差异的EST片段(BE644542)入手,利用网上生物信息学克隆了SRG2基因全长,GenBank登录号为AF395083。从小鼠睾丸cDNA文库中分离出该基因完整阅读框cDNA,SRG2基因的cDNA全长为1088bp,为编码295个氨基酸、分子量为33579kD、等电点为9．64的蛋白质,与人类同源基因TSARG2相似性为78％,而与其他已知蛋白质无明显同源性。RT-PCR结果表明：该基因只在睾丸中有高表达。应用新型的分子信标检测该基因在不同时期隐睾中的mRNA表达水平,发现该基因呈明显上调,证明该基因在隐睾的发生发展中具重要作用。     

Cloning, characterization and primary function study of a novel gene, Cymg1, related to family 2 cystatins

Cystatins are cysteine proteinase inhibitors. We found two expression sequence tags (ESTs), CA463109 and AV042522, from a mouse testis library using Digital differential display (DDD). By electrical hybridization, a novel gene, Cymg1 (GenBank accession No. AY600990), which has a full length of 0.78kb, and contains four exons and three introns, was cloned from a mouse testis cDNA library. The gene is located in the 2G3 area of chromosome 2. The full cDNA encompasses the entire open reading frame, encoding 141 amino acid residues. The protein has a cysteine protease inhibitor domain that is related to the family 2 cystatins but lacks critical consensus sites important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics are seen in the CRES subfamily, which are related to the family 2 cystatins and are expressed specifically in the male reproductive tract. CYMG1 has a 44% (48/108) identity with mouse CRES and 30% (42/140) identity with mouse cystatin C. Northern blot analysis showed that the Cymg1 is specifically expressed in adult mouse testes. Cell location studies showed that the GFP-tagged CYMG1 protein was localized in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the CYMG1 protein was expressed in mouse testes spermatogonium, spermatocytes, round spermatids, elongating spermatids and spermatozoa. RT-PCR results also showed that Cymg1 was expressed in mouse testes and spermatogonium. The Cymg1 expression level varied in different developmental stages: it was low 1 week postpartum, steadily increased 2 to 5 weeks postpartum, and was highest 7 weeks postpartum. The expression level at 5 weeks postpartum was maintained during 13 to 57 weeks postpartum. The Cymg1 expression level in the testes over different developmental stages correlates with the mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation process. All these indicate that Cymg1 might play an important role in mouse spermatogenesis and sexual maturation.     

Localization of lysosomal acid phosphatase mRNA in mouse tissues.

We studied the expression of lysosomal acid phosphatase (LAP) in mouse by hybridizing Northern blots and tissue sections with the mouse LAP cDNA. Three mRNA species of 2.3, 3.2 and 5.2 KB were identified, which differ in the length of their 3' untranslated region (UTR). The 3.2 KB mRNA is expressed in equal amounts in all tissues and represents the major species in most tissues, whereas the amounts of the 2.3 and 5.2 KB species differ. In situ hybridization of different tissues of adult mice showed a uniform expression of LAP, as expected for a housekeeping gene, except in testis and brain. In testis we found an increase in the LAP mRNA level in spermatocytes. By Northern blot analysis of young mouse testis, this increase could be attributed to late pachytene primary spermatocytes or secondary spermatocytes. In brain tissue the neurons were predominantly labeled, especially the Purkinje and pyramidal cells, whereas glial cells expressed only low amounts of LAP mRNA. Very high LAP expression was also found in the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus. Analysis of LAP expression during mouse embryonic development between Days 9.5 and 17.5 revealed a prominent expression relative to other tissues in the neural tube from Day 9.5 to Day 13.5.     

2P1, a novel male mouse cDNA specifically expressed during meiosis

We screened a mouse germinal cell expression library with a probe derived from Sob1, a human testis-specific cDNA, and identified 2P1, a new mouse cDNA. A database search revealed that 2P1 was 91% identical to ORF1 of E3-3, a rat gene probably involved in the regulation of alternative splicing. Sequencing showed that 2P1 has a destabilization motif in its 3'-untranslated region. Northern blotting showed strong gene expression in the testis and weak expression in the epididymis, with no signal detected in other tissues. RT-PCR analysis confirmed testis and epididymis expression. In situ hybridization revealed that 2P1 mRNA was absent in spermatogonia but expressed in spermatocytes. This last result was confirmed by RT-PCR of FACS isolated primary spermatocytes (pachytene stage). Using RT-PCR, purified spermatids were also shown to express 2P1.