The Bile Acid Nuclear Receptor FXRα Is a Critical Regulator of Mouse Germ Cell Fate.

ABSTRACT: Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatozoa are generated from spermatogonia. This cell population is heterogeneous, with self-renewing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and progenitor spermatogonia that will continue on a path of differentiation. Only SSCs have the ability to regenerate and sustain spermatogenesis. This makes the testis a good model to investigate stem cell biology. The Farnesoid X Receptor alpha (FXRα) was recently shown to be expressed in the testis. However, its global impact on germ cell homeostasis has not yet been studied. Here, using a phenotyping approach in Fxrα^-/- mice, we describe unexpected roles of FXRα on germ cell physiology independent of its effects on somatic cells. FXRα helps establish and maintain an undifferentiated germ cell pool an

SUBMITTER: Martinot E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5511114 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature