CDK2 kinase activity is a regulator of male germ cell fate.

ABSTRACT: The ability of men to remain fertile throughout their lives depends upon establishment of a spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool from gonocyte progenitors, and thereafter balancing SSC renewal versus terminal differentiation. Here, we report that precise regulation of the cell cycle is crucial for this balance. Whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is not necessary for mouse viability or gametogenesis stages prior to meiotic prophase I, mice bearing a deregulated allele (Cdk2^Y15S ) are severely deficient in spermatogonial differentiation. This allele disrupts an inhibitory phosphorylation site (Tyr15) for the kinase WEE1. Remarkably, Cdk2^Y15S/Y15S mice possess abnormal clusters of mitotically active SSC-like cells, but these are eventually remov

SUBMITTER: Singh P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6857589 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature