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Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B 2007 Vol.8 No.7 P.498-506

http://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2007.B0498


Actin-based dynamics during spermatogenesis and its significance


Author(s):  XIAO Xiang, YANG Wan-xi

Affiliation(s):  The Sperm Laboratory, Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Corresponding email(s):   wxyang@spermlab.org

Key Words:  Testis, Actin, Spermatogenesis, Nuclear shaping, Sertoli cell


XIAO Xiang, YANG Wan-xi. Actin-based dynamics during spermatogenesis and its significance[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B, 2007, 8(7): 498-506.

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author="XIAO Xiang, YANG Wan-xi",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science B",
volume="8",
number="7",
pages="498-506",
year="2007",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.2007.B0498"
}

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%T Actin-based dynamics during spermatogenesis and its significance
%A XIAO Xiang
%A YANG Wan-xi
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
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%P 498-506
%@ 1673-1581
%D 2007
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.2007.B0498

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T1 - Actin-based dynamics during spermatogenesis and its significance
A1 - XIAO Xiang
A1 - YANG Wan-xi
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science B
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SP - 498
EP - 506
%@ 1673-1581
Y1 - 2007
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.2007.B0498


Abstract: 
actin can be found in all kinds of eukaryotic cells, maintaining their shapes and motilities, while its dynamics in sperm cells is understood less than their nonmuscle somatic cell counterparts. spermatogenesis is a complicated process, resulting in the production of mature sperm from primordial germ cell. Significant structural and biochemical changes take place in the seminiferous epithelium of the adult testis during spermatogenesis. It was proved that all mammalian sperm contain actin, and that F-actin may play an important role during spermatogenesis, especially in nuclear shaping. Recently a new model for sperm head elongation based on the acrosome-acroplaxome-manchette complex has been proposed. In Drosophila, F-actin assembly is supposed to be very crucial during individualization. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the structure, function, and regulation characteristics of actin cytoskeleton, and a summary of the current status of research of actin-based structure and movement is also provided, with emphasis on the role of actins in sperm head shaping during spermiogenesis and the cell junction dynamics in the testis. Research of the Sertoli ectoplasmic specialization is in the spotlight, which is a testis-specific actin-based junction very important for the movement of germ cells across the epithelium. Study of the molecular architecture and the regulating mechanism of the Sertoli ectoplasmic specialization has become an intriguing field. All this may lead to a new strategy for male infertility and, at the same time, a novel idea may result in devising much safer contraception with high efficiency. It is hoped that the advances listed in this review would give developmental and morphological researchers a favorable investigating outline and could help to enlarge the view of new strategies and models for actin dynamics during spermatogenesis.

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