Expression and localization of the mRNA for DNA (cytosine-5)- methyltransferase in mouse seminiferous tubules.

DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase (DNA MTase) is the only enzyme known to be involved in the methylation of mammalian DNA. Although the expression of DNA MTase gene is abundant in the testis, little is known about the role of this enzyme during spermatogenesis. We examined the distribution of DNA MTase mRNA in mouse testis by in situ hybridization histochemistry with an oligonucleotide probe. The mRNA signal was observed in the seminiferous tubules and was localized predominantly in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, particularly during the earlier steps of meiotic prophase I, with maximal intensity in the early pachytene cells. These results suggest some significant role for DNA MTase in spermatogenesis.