| First Author | Kimmins S | Year | 2004 |
| Journal | Reproduction | Volume | 128 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 5-12 |
| PubMed ID | 15232059 | Mgi Jnum | J:91246 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3046162 | Doi | 10.1530/rep.1.00170 |
| Citation | Kimmins S, et al. (2004) Testis-specific transcription mechanisms promoting male germ-cell differentiation. Reproduction 128(1):5-12 |
| abstractText | Male germ-cell differentiation requires spermatogenic stage- and cell-specific gene expression that is achieved by unique chromatin remodeling, transcriptional control and the expression of testis-specific genes or isoforms. Recent findings have shown that the testis has specialized transcription complexes that coordinate the differentiation program of spermatogenesis. There are male germ cell-specific differences in the components of the general transcription machinery. These include upregulated expression of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) family and its associated cofactors. Importantly, a member of the TBP family, TBP-like factor (TLF), has a distribution pattern that is dependent on the spermatogenic cycle and is essential for spermatogenesis. Interestingly TBP-associated factor (TAF7), a factor of the transcription factor (TF)IID complex, is exchanged at a critical stage in germ cell development for the testis-specific paralogue TAF7L. A compelling amount of data has established that cAMP-response-element modulator (CREM), a transcription factor responsive to the cAMP signal transduction pathway, drives expression of key testis-specific genes. In this review we summarize recent advances in the transcription machinery that is testis-specific, gene-selective and necessary for the process of spermatogenesis. |
