TSSK3, a novel target for male contraception, is required for spermiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that members of the family of testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) are post-meiotically expressed in testicular germ cells and in mature sperm in mammals. The restricted post-meiotic expression of TSSKs as well as the importance of phosphorylation in signaling processes strongly suggest that TSSKs have an important role in germ cell differentiation and/or sperm function. This prediction has been supported by the reported sterile phenotype of the TSSK6 knock-out (KO) mice and of the double TSSK1/TSSK2 KO. The aim of this study was to develop KO mouse models of TSSK3 and to validate this kinase as a target for the development of a male contraceptive. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate the TSSK3 KO allele on B6D2F1 background mice. Male heterozygou

SUBMITTER: Nayyab S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8961454 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature