The Bile Acid Nuclear Receptor FXR? 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 (FXR?) 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 Fxr?-/- mice, we describe unexpected roles of FXR? on germ cell physiology independent of its effects on somatic cells. FXR? helps establish and maintain an undifferentiated germ cell pool and in turn influences male fertility. FXR? regulates the expression of several pluripotency factors. Among these, in vitro approaches show that FXR? controls the expression of the pluripotency marker Lin28 in the germ cells.

SUBMITTER: Martinot E 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature