Stem Cell Defects in ATM-Deficient Undifferentiated Spermatogonia through DNA Damage-Induced Cell-Cycle Arrest

Keiyo Takubo, Masako Ohmura, Masaki Azuma, Go Nagamatsu, Wakako Yamada, Fumio Arai, Atsushi Hirao, Toshio Suda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mammalian spermatogenesis is maintained by stem cell capacity within undifferentiated spermatogonial subpopulation. Here, using a combination of surface markers, we describe a purification method for undifferentiated spermatogonia. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that this population is composed of Plzf-positive cells and exhibits quiescence and the side population phenotype, fulfilling general stem cell criteria. We then applied this method to analyze undifferentiated spermatogonia and stem cell activity of Atm-/- mice. Atm-/- testis shows progressive depletion of undifferentiated spermatogonia accompanied by cell-cycle arrest. In Atm-/- undifferentiated spermatogonia, a self-renewal defect was observed in vitro and in vivo. Accumulation of DNA damage and activation of the p19Arf-p53-p21Cip1/Waf1 pathway were observed in Atm-/- undifferentiated spermatogonia. Moreover, suppression of p21Cip1/Waf1 in an Atm-/- background restored transplantation ability of undifferentiated spermatogonia, indicating that ATM plays an essential role in maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia and their stem cell capacity by suppressing DNA damage-induced cell-cycle arrest.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)170-182
Number of pages13
JournalCell stem cell
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Feb 7

Keywords

  • STEMCELL

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stem Cell Defects in ATM-Deficient Undifferentiated Spermatogonia through DNA Damage-Induced Cell-Cycle Arrest'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this