The closely related POU family transcription factors Brn-3a and Brn-3b are expressed in distinct cell types in the testis - Archive ouverte HAL Access content directly
Journal Articles International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Year : 2001

The closely related POU family transcription factors Brn-3a and Brn-3b are expressed in distinct cell types in the testis

V Budhram-Mahadeo
  • Function : Author
A Moore
  • Function : Author
P Morris
  • Function : Author
T Ward
  • Function : Author
B Weber
  • Function : Author
D Latchman
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Although the Brn-3a and Brn-3b POU family transcription factors were originally identified in neuronal cells, their expression in some non neuronal cell types has previously been reported. Here we report that Brn-3a and Brn-3b are also expressed in the testis with expression of each factor being observed at distinct stages of germ cell development. Thus, Brn-3a is expressed in spermatogonia whereas Brn-3b expression is observed in post-meiotic spermatids. In agreement with this, Brn-3a expression is detectable much earlier than that of Brn-3b in testes derived from sexually immature postnatal animals. Similarly, Brn-3b expression is absent in knock out mice lacking a functional CREM transcription factor in which the later stages of germ cell development do not occur, whereas Brn-3a expression is observed at similar levels in the testes of these knock out mice. Interestingly, the cellular pattern of Brn-3a expression during germ cell development coincides with that of the BRCA-1 anti-oncogene. Consistent with the possibility that Brn-3a may regulate expression of BRCA-1 in the testis, we have shown that Brn-3a can strongly activate the BRCA-1 promoter in co-transfection experiments whereas Brn-3b does not have this effect. Hence, as observed in neuronal cells, Brn-3a and Brn-3b may play distinct and important functional roles in the regulation of gene expression during germ cell development.

Dates and versions

hal-04120928 , version 1 (07-06-2023)

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V Budhram-Mahadeo, A Moore, P Morris, T Ward, B Weber, et al.. The closely related POU family transcription factors Brn-3a and Brn-3b are expressed in distinct cell types in the testis. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 2001, 33 (10), pp.1027-1039. ⟨10.1016/s1357-2725(01)00069-3⟩. ⟨hal-04120928⟩
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