Oatley Jon M, Brinster Ralph L
Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2008;24:263-86. doi: 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.24.110707.175355.
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a classic adult stem cell-dependent process, supported by self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Studying SSCs provides a model to better understand adult stem cell biology, and deciphering the mechanisms that control SSC functions may lead to treatment of male infertility and an understanding of the etiology of testicular germ cell tumor formation. Self-renewal of rodent SSCs is greatly influenced by the niche factor glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). In mouse SSCs, GDNF activation upregulates expression of the transcription factor-encoding genes bcl6b, etv5, and lhx1, which influence SSC self-renewal. Additionally, the non-GDNF-stimulated transcription factors Plzf and Taf4b have been implicated in regulating SSC functions. Together, these molecules are part of a robust gene network controlling SSC fate decisions that may parallel the regulatory networks in other adult stem cell populations.
哺乳动物的精子发生是一个典型的依赖成体干细胞的过程，由精原干细胞（SSCs）的自我更新和分化所支持。研究精原干细胞为更好地理解成体干细胞生物学提供了一个模型，而破解控制精原干细胞功能的机制可能会带来男性不育症的治疗方法，并有助于了解睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤形成的病因。啮齿动物精原干细胞的自我更新受到微环境因子胶质细胞系源性神经营养因子（GDNF）的极大影响。在小鼠精原干细胞中，GDNF激活会上调编码转录因子的基因bcl6b、etv5和lhx1的表达，这些基因会影响精原干细胞的自我更新。此外，非GDNF刺激的转录因子Plzf和Taf4b也参与调节精原干细胞的功能。这些分子共同构成了一个强大的基因网络，控制着精原干细胞的命运决定，这可能与其他成体干细胞群体中的调控网络相似。
