Biomaterial Database

A seamless trespass: germ cell migration across the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis. 2007

Claire Q F Wang, and C Yan Cheng

Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY 10065, USA.

During spermatogenesis, preleptotene spermatocytes traverse the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the seminiferous epithelium, which is reminiscent of viral pathogens breaking through the tight junctions of host epithelial cells. The process also closely resembles the migration of leukocytes across endothelial tight junctions to reach inflammation sites. Cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (e.g., JAM/CAR/nectin) participate in germ cell migration by conferring transient adhesion between Sertoli and germ cells through homophilic and heterophilic interactions. The same molecules also comprise the junctional complexes at the BTB. Interestingly, JAM/CAR/nectin molecules mediate virus uptake and leukocyte transmigration in strikingly similar manners. It is likely that the strategy used by viruses and leukocytes to break through junctional barriers is used by germ cells to open up the inter-Sertoli cell junctions. In associating these diverse cellular events, we highlight the "guiding" role of JAM/CAR/nectin molecules for germ cell passage. Knowledge on viral invasion and leukocyte transmigration has also shed insights into germ cell movement during spermatogenesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D005854	Germ Cells	The reproductive cells in multicellular organisms at various stages during GAMETOGENESIS.	Gamete,Gametes,Germ-Line Cells,Germ Line,Cell, Germ,Cell, Germ-Line,Cells, Germ,Cells, Germ-Line,Germ Cell,Germ Line Cells,Germ Lines,Germ-Line Cell
D000075983	Nectins	A family of calcium-independent cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily. They are expressed by most cell types and mediate both homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion. Nectins function in a variety of morphogenetic and developmental processes that include organogenesis of the eye, ear, tooth, and cerebral cortex; they also play roles in viral infection and cell proliferation.	CD111 Antigen,CD112 Antigen,CD113 Antigen,Herpesvirus Entry Mediator C,HevC Protein,Human Poliovirus Receptor Related 1,Nectin,Nectin-1,Nectin-1delta,Nectin-2,Nectin-2alpha,Nectin-2delta,Nectin-2gamma,Nectin-3,Nectin1delta,PVRL1,Poliovirus Receptor-Related Protein 1,Prr1 Protein,Antigen, CD111,Antigen, CD112,Antigen, CD113,Nectin 1,Nectin 1delta,Nectin 2,Nectin 2alpha,Nectin 2delta,Nectin 2gamma,Nectin 3,Poliovirus Receptor Related Protein 1
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012670	Seminiferous Epithelium	The epithelium lining the seminiferous tubules composed of primary male germ cells (SPERMATOGONIA) and supporting SERTOLI CELLS. As SPERMATOGENESIS proceeds, the developing germ cells migrate toward the lumen. The adluminal compartment, the inner two thirds of the tubules, contains SPERMATOCYTES and the more advanced germ cells.	Epithelium, Seminiferous,Epitheliums, Seminiferous,Seminiferous Epitheliums
D013091	Spermatogenesis	The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA.	Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis
D015815	Cell Adhesion Molecules	Surface ligands, usually glycoproteins, that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion. Their functions include the assembly and interconnection of various vertebrate systems, as well as maintenance of tissue integration, wound healing, morphogenic movements, cellular migrations, and metastasis.	Cell Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecules,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide-Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Adhesion Molecule, Cell,Adhesion Molecule, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecule, Leukocyte,Adhesion Molecules, Cell,Adhesion Molecules, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecules, Leukocyte,Molecule, Cell Adhesion,Molecule, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecule, Leukocyte Adhesion,Molecules, Cell Adhesion,Molecules, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecules, Leukocyte Adhesion
D062726	Junctional Adhesion Molecules	A family of membrane glycoproteins localized to TIGHT JUNCTIONS that contain two extracellular Ig-like domains, a single transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic tail of variable length.	Junction Adhesion Molecule,Junctional Adhesion Molecule,Adhesion Molecule, Junction,Adhesion Molecule, Junctional,Adhesion Molecules, Junctional