Abstract
Several lines of evidence indicate that highly specialized transcriptional mechanisms ensure stringent stage-specific gene expression in the germ cells. Specific checkpoints correspond to the activation of transcription factors; these regulate gene promoters with a restricted pattern of activity, in a germ cell-specific fashion. There is also evidence that general transcription factors may be differentially regulated in germ cells. For example, TBP (TATA-binding protein) accumulates in early haploid germ cells at much higher levels than in any other somatic cell type. It has been calculated that adult spleen and liver cells contain 0.7 and 2.3 molecules of TBP mRNA per haploid genome-equivalent, respectively, while adult testis contain 80–200 molecules of TBP transcript per haploid genome-equivalent (1). In addition to TBP, TFIIB and RNA polymerase II also were found to be overexpressed in the testis (1). These remarkable features are consistent with the potent transcriptional activity that occurs in a coordinated manner during the germ cell differentiation. Here we discuss the characteristics of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) (2), a transcription factor responsive to the cAMP signaling pathway and whose function is crucial for a normal germ cell differentiation program.
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Monaco, L., Sassone-Corsi, P. (1998). CREM: A Master-Switch Governing Transcription in Male Germ Cells. 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_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2206-4_9
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