Reduced spermatogonial proliferation and decreased fertility in mice overexpressing cyclin E in spermatogonia

Cell Cycle. 2010 Oct 15;9(20):4222-7. doi: 10.4161/cc.9.20.13544. Epub 2010 Oct 4.

Abstract

Cyclin E is a key component of the cell cycle regulatory machinery, contributing to the activation of Cdk2 and the control of cell cycle progression at several stages. Cyclin E expression is tightly regulated, by periodic transcription and ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Overexpression of cyclin E has been associated with tumor development and poor prognosis in several tumor types, including germ cell tumors and both cyclin E and its partner Cdk2 are required for normal spermatogenesis. Here we have generated and characterized transgenic mice overexpressing a cyclin E mutant protein, resistant to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, in testicular germ cells, under the control of the human EF-1alpha promoter. The transgenic mice develop normally and live a normal life span, with no signs of testicular tumor development. The transgenic mice display however reduced fertility and testicular atrophy, due to reduced spermatogonial proliferation as a consequence of deregulated cyclin E levels. Overall our results show that deregulation of cyclin E expression contribute to infertility, due to inability of the spermatogonial cells to start the mitotic cycles prior to entering meiosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cyclin E / genetics
  • Cyclin E / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fertility / physiology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Spermatogonia / cytology
  • Spermatogonia / physiology*

Substances

  • Cyclin E