| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 3 | Page : 129-136 |
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Mageb4, a testis-specific gene, is dispensable for mouse spermatogenesis
Sheng Gao, Da-Min Yun, Li-Wei Zhou, Yun-Hao Wu, Deng-Feng Lin, Xiao-Long Wu, Fei Sun
Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
Correspondence Address:
Fei Sun
Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001
China
Xiao-Long Wu
Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001
China
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/2096-2924.296546
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Objective: It has recently been shown that the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family is expressed in various tumor cell lines but silent in normal tissues, except germ cell lines. Mageb4, a member of the MAGE family, is highly expressed in the testis and homologous in humans and mice. Whole-exome sequencing studies have identified Mageb4 as a possible X-linked cause of inherited male infertility. However, the function of Mageb4 protein remains largely unknown.
Methods: Using clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) 9 technology, we generated a Mageb4 knockout mouse model (Mageb4−/Y) to explore the role of this gene in spermatogenesis.
Results: First, immunostaining of testicular cells showed that Mageb4 is localized in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia. Second, Mageb4−/Y male mice displayed significant increases in apoptosis. However, Mageb4−/Y male mice showed normal fertility, including normal sperm concentration, sperm motility, and testicular and epididymal histology.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that, despite testis-exclusive expression, Mageb4 is dispensable for mouse spermatogenesis. Future research should focus on the role of this gene in apoptosis, aiming to provide clinical guidance regarding male infertility.
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