Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/Ddx25) is essential for spermatid development and completion of spermatogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/Ddx25), a member of the DEAD-box protein family, is a testis-specific gonadotropin-regulated RNA helicase that is present in Leydig cells and germ cells (meiotic spermatocytes and spermatids). In this study, we observed that GRTH is present in the nucleus, cytoplasm and chromatoid body of germ cells, and is an integral component of messenger ribonuclear protein particles. Male mice with a null mutation in the GRTH gene displayed normal gonadotropin and androgen profiles. However, they were sterile, with azoospermia caused by a complete arrest of spermiogenesis at step 8 of round spermatids and failure to elongate. Round spermatids of the null mice showed marked diminution in the size of chromatoid bodies. The transcription of relevant me

SUBMITTER: Tsai-Morris CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC404052 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature