| First Author | Nakamura T | Year | 2004 |
| Journal | Nat Genet | Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 528-33 |
| PubMed ID | 15107851 | Mgi Jnum | J:90439 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3043872 | Doi | 10.1038/ng1344 |
| Citation | Nakamura T, et al. (2004) Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia in mice lacking Cnot7, a regulator of retinoid X receptor beta. Nat Genet 36(5):528-33 |
| abstractText | Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves cooperation of germ cells and testicular somatic cells. Various genetic disorders lead to impaired spermatogenesis, defective sperm function and male infertility. Here we show that Cnot7(-/-) males are sterile owing to oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, suggesting that Cnot7, a CCR4-associated transcriptional cofactor, is essential for spermatogenesis. Maturation of spermatids is unsynchronized and impaired in seminiferous tubules of Cnot7(-/-) mice. Transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells from male Cnot7(-/-) mice to seminiferous tubules of Kit mutant mice (Kit(W/W-v)) restores spermatogenesis, suggesting that the function of testicular somatic cells is damaged in the Cnot7(-/-) condition. The testicular phenotypes of Cnot7(-/-) mice are similar to those of mice deficient in retinoid X receptor beta (Rxrb). We further show that Cnot7 binds the AF-1 domain of Rxrb and that Rxrb malfunctions in the absence of Cnot7. Therefore, Cnot7 seems to function as a coregulator of Rxrb in testicular somatic cells and is thus involved in spermatogenesis. |
