Stage-specific interactions between Sertoli cells and germ cells plays central role in the regulation of spermatogenesis. In the first part of the study, function of Theg (testicular haploid expressed gene) gene was characterized. Theg is specifically expressed in spermatid cells. Its expression is upregulated by some unknown factor(s) from Sertoli cells. To elucidate the function of THEG protein and its role in spermatogenesis, we disrupted the Theg locus in mouse by homologous recombination. The Theg knockout mice from two different genetic backgrounds appeared normal and were fertile, with...
Stage-specific interactions between Sertoli cells and germ cells plays central role in the regulation of spermatogenesis. In the first part of the stu...