Two miRNA clusters, Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) and Mir-106b-25 (Mirc3), are involved in the regulation of spermatogonial differentiation in mice

Biol Reprod. 2012 Mar 19;86(3):72. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.096313. Print 2012 Mar.

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be critical players in spermatogenesis. The miRNA expression profiles of THY1(+)-enriched undifferentiated spermatogonia were characterized, and members of Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) and its paralog Mir-106b-25 (Mirc3) clusters are significantly downregulated during retinoic acid-induced spermatogonial differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo. The repression of microRNA clusters Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) and Mir-106b-25 (Mirc3) by retinoic acid in turn potentially upregulates the expression of Bim, Kit, Socs3, and Stat3. The male germ cell-specific Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) knockout mice exhibit small testes, a lower number of epididymal sperm, and mild defect in spermatogenesis. Absence of Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) in male germ cells dramatically increases expression of Mir-106b-25 (Mirc3) cluster miRNAs in the germ cells. These results suggest that Mir-17-92 (Mirc1) cluster and Mir-106b-25 (Mirc3) cluster miRNAs possibly functionally cooperate in regulating spermatogonial development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / physiology
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn106 microRNA, mouse
  • Tretinoin