POTE protein, a cancer-testis antigen, is highly expressed in spermatids in human testis and is associated with apoptotic cells

The POTE gene family encodes very closely related proteins that are highly expressed in testis and in many cancers. Recent studies indicate that the POTE proteins have a pro-apoptotic function. To examine if POTE is associated with cells that are undergoing apoptosis in testis, we determined the cellular location of POTE and of Cleaved Caspase-3 in testicular tissues from 26 azoospermic men. We found intense expression of POTE in round spermatids that are undergoing apoptosis, which are positive for Cleaved Caspase-3. This study suggests POTE may have a role in apoptosis in the human testis.