Abstract:

Objective To investigate the expression of Islet1 in mouse testis and the process of embryonic organ development in which Islet1 may involved. Methods The RT-PCR was used to detect the time-course expression of Islet1 in mouse testis development and the PCR products were further sequenced and verified. The relative time-course expression quantities and sequences of Islet1 mRNA in mouse testis were measured by the Real-Time PCR. Immunofluorescence staining was then employed to identify Islet1-positive cell types in mouse testis at different time points and subcellular localizations of Islet1-granule were detected by the surface spreading experiment. Results The results of RT-PCR indicated that Islet1 mRNA has transcriptional activation during the entire course of testis development and relative expression quantities of Islet1 mRNA gradually increased with the development of testis tissues in Real-Time PCR results. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of Islet1 was mainly in germ cells. Surface spreading experiments proved that Islet1 localized on the XY body in the nucleus of primary spermatocyte. Conclusion For the first time, we discovered the expression of conservative transcription factor Islet1 in primary spermatocytes of mouse testis and the Islet1 localized on the XY body in the nucleus of primary spermatocyte, which provides new genes for studying the regulation of spermatogonium maintenance and differentiation.

Key words: Islet1, testis development, germ cells, meiosis, XY body