Impaired spermatogenesis and elevated spontaneous tumorigenesis in xeroderma pigmentosum group A gene (Xpa)-deficient mice

DNA Repair (Amst). 2008 Dec 1;7(12):1938-50. doi: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2008.08.003. Epub 2008 Oct 1.

Abstract

We have reported that xeroderma pigmentosum group A (Xpa) gene-knockout mice [Xpa (-/-) mice] are deficient in nucleotide excision repair (NER) and highly sensitive to UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Although xeroderma pigmentosum group A patients show growth retardation, immature sexual development, and neurological abnormalities as well as a high incidence of UV-induced skin tumors, Xpa (-/-) mice were physiologically and behaviorally normal. In the present study, we kept Xpa (-/-) mice for 2 years under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions and found that the testis diminished in an age-dependent manner, and degenerating seminiferous tubules and no spermatozoa were detected in the 24-month-old Xpa (-/-) mice. In addition, a higher incidence of spontaneous tumorigenesis was observed in the 24-month-old Xpa (-/-) mice compared to Xpa (+/+) controls. Xpa (-/-) mice provide a useful model for investigating the aging and internal tumor formation in XPA patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Body Weight
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Growth Disorders / genetics*
  • Growth Disorders / metabolism
  • Growth Disorders / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Organ Size
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Spermatozoa / pathology
  • Testicular Diseases / genetics*
  • Testicular Diseases / pathology
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A Protein / physiology*

Substances

  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A Protein
  • Xpa protein, mouse