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Repression and Activation of Protamine mRNA Translation During Murine Spermatogenesis

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Germ Cell Development, Division, Disruption and Death

Part of the book series: Serono Symposia USA Norwell, Massachusetts ((SERONOSYMP))

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Abstract

Murine spermatogenesis initiates a few days after birth and continues for the duration of the sexual life of the animal. Spermatogenesis takes approximately 35 days and consists of the mitotic proliferation of spermatogonial cells, meiosis, and spermiogenesis, the haploid spermatid differentiation stage (Fig. 11.1). Transcription is ongoing throughout spermatogonial proliferation, meiosis, and the early spermiogenesis. In fact, unlike spermatogenesis in Drosophila where there is no postmeiotic transcription, in the mouse there is considerable elevation in the transcriptional apparatus shortly after meiosis (1). Transcription continues until the transition from the round to the elongating spermatid, and then ceases several days before to the completion of spermiogenesis (2, 3). The study of transcriptional activity has relied primarily on metabolic labeling studies, which are limited in their sensitivity. The available data do not allow us to distinguish between transcriptional silencing at the transition from round spermatid to elongating spermatid (about step 9), or the elongating spermatid to elongated spermatid transition (about step 13). Distinguishing between these two possibilities is important if one is to understand the reason for transcriptional silencing. Cessation of transcription at step 9 would likely involve developmental changes in the transcriptional apparatus, whereas transcriptional arrest at step 13 could be attributed to changes in chromatin structure that occur as chromosome condensation commences.

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Authors
  1. Robert E. Braun
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Biology Department of Population Dynamics School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Barry R. Zirkin Ph.D.

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© 1998 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Braun, R.E. (1998). Repression and Activation of Protamine mRNA Translation During Murine Spermatogenesis. In: Zirkin, B.R. (eds) Germ Cell Development, Division, Disruption and Death. Serono Symposia USA Norwell, Massachusetts. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2206-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2206-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7458-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2206-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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