Disruption of ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli cells and maturing spermatids by anti-nectin-2 and anti-nectin-3 antibodies

• Published in: Asian journal of andrology Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 577 - 584
• Main Authors: Toyama, Yoshiro, Suzuki‐Toyota, Fumie, Maekawa, Mamiko, Ito, Chizuru, Toshimori, Kiyotaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-07-2008; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: actin; Actins - metabolism; Animals; Antibodies - immunology; Antibodies - pharmacology; Cell Adhesion Molecules - immunology; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Communication - drug effects; Cell Communication - physiology; ectoplasmic specialization; Intercellular Junctions - drug effects; Intercellular Junctions - metabolism; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microfilament Proteins - metabolism; Microscopy, Confocal; nectin; Nectins; Seminiferous Epithelium - cytology; Seminiferous Epithelium - drug effects; Seminiferous Epithelium - metabolism; Sertoli cell; Sertoli Cells - cytology; Sertoli Cells - drug effects; Sertoli Cells - metabolism; Spermatids - cytology; Spermatids - drug effects; Spermatids - metabolism; spermatogenic cell; testis; 塞尔托利细胞; 精子发生; 精子细胞; 肌动蛋白
• ISSN: 1008-682X; 1745-7262
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00357.x

Aim： To understand the biological functions of the ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli cells and maturing spermatids in seminiferous epithelia. Methods： In order to disrupt the function of the ectoplasmic specializations, nectin-2, which is expressed at the specialization, was neutralized with anti-nectin-2 antibody micro-injected into the lumen of the mouse seminiferous tubule. Anti-nectin-3 antibody was also micro-injected into the lumen in order to neutralize nectin-3, which is expressed at the specialization. Results： The actin filaments at the specialization disappeared, and exfoliation of maturing spermatids was observed by electron microscopy. Conclusion： Nectin-2 was neutralized by anti-nectin-2 antibody and nectin-3 was neutralized by anti-nectin-3 antibody, respectively. Inactivated nectin-2 and nectin-3 disrupted the nectin-afadin-actin system, and finally the actin filaments disappeared. As a result, the specialization lost the holding function and detachment of spermatids was observed. One of the functions of the specialization seems to be to hold maturing spermatids until spermiation.