Elucidation of epigenetic transcriptional regulation in germ cell differentiation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791662
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Urology
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: NISHIO Hidenori 名古屋市立大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 研究員 (10621063)
• Research Collaborator: KOHRI Kenjiro ; HAYASHI Yutaro ; KOJIMA Yoshiyuki ; MIZUNO Kentaro ; KUROKAWA Satoshi ; KAMISAWA Hideyuki ; MORITOKI Yoshinobu
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 精子幹細胞 / ヒストン修飾 / 脱メチル化 / エピジェネティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In present study, the aim is to elucidate the mechanism underlying gonocyte transformation to spermatogonial stem cells during spermatogenesis. Kdm5a expression was significantly higher at 9 days postpartum in the undescended testes of experimentally induced cryptorchid model rats than in the normal testes. Since Kdm5a regulates histone H3K4me2/me3 demethylation, H3K4me3/me2 expression levels were decreased in the undescended testes. Moreover, the expression of genes related to spermatogonial stem cell development was induced in spermatogonial cells over expressing Kdm5a. Thus, Kdm5a is likely involved in the transformation of gonocytes into spermatogonial stem cells by transcriptional regulation of specific genes via H3K4 histone modification. This is the first report of epigenetic analysis of germ cell differentiation during early spermatogenesis.

Free Research Field

泌尿器科学