Gene trap mutation of murine outer dense fiber protein-2 gene can result in sperm tail abnormalities in mice with high percentage chimaerism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Outer dense fiber protein 2, Odf2, is a major component of the outer dense fibers, ODF, in the flagellum of spermatozoa. ODF are associated with microtubule doublets that form the axoneme. We recently demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of Odf2 is important for sperm motility. In the course of a study of Odf2 using Odf2 mouse knockout lines we observed that males of a high percentage chimaerism, made using XL169 embryonic stem cells, were infertile, whereas mice of low-medium percentage chimaerism were fertile.

Results

XL169 ES cells have a beta-geo gene trap cassette inserted in the Odf2 gene. To determine possible underlying mechanisms resulting in infertility we analyzed epididymal sperm and observed that >50% displayed bent tails. We next performed ultr

SUBMITTER: Tarnasky H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2894780 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature