Circadian proteins CLOCK and BMAL1 in the chromatoid body, a RNA processing granule of male germ cells.

ABSTRACT: Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiation process that involves genetic and epigenetic regulation, sophisticated hormonal control, and extensive structural changes in male germ cells. RNA nuclear and cytoplasmic bodies appear to be critical for the progress of spermatogenesis. The chromatoid body (CB) is a cytoplasmic organelle playing an important role in RNA post-transcriptional and translation regulation during the late steps of germ cell differentiation. The CB is also important for fertility determination since mutations of genes encoding its components cause infertility by spermatogenesis arrest. Targeted ablation of the Bmal1 and Clock genes, which encode central regulators of the circadian clock also result in fertility defects caused by problems other than spermatogenesis alter

SUBMITTER: Peruquetti RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3416844 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature