JmjC domain-containing proteins are a class of enzymes responsible for histone demethylation. Previous studies revealed that the JmjC domain-containing protein KDM3A possesses intrinsic demethylase activity toward lysine 9 of histone H3 and plays essential roles in spermiogenesis. In contrast, the biological roles of JMJD1C, a KDM3A homolog in mice, are largely unknown. Here we present the crucial role of JMJD1C in male gametogenesis. Jmjd1c-deficient males became infertile due to the progressive reduction of germ cells after 3 mo of age. Importantly, Jmjd1c-deficient testes frequently contained abnormal tubules lacking developmentally immature germ cells. JMJD1C is most abundantly expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia in mouse testis. The numbers of ZBTB16-positive spermatogonia and apoptotic germ cells in Jmjd1c-deficient testes decreased and increased in an age-dependent manner, respectively. Our studies demonstrated that JMJD1C contributes to the long-term maintenance of the male germ line.
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4 September 2013
JMJD1C, a JmjC Domain-Containing Protein, Is Required for Long-Term Maintenance of Male Germ Cells in Mice
Shunsuke Kuroki,
Mika Akiyoshi,
Mikiyo Tokura,
Hitoshi Miyachi,
Yuji Nakai,
Hiroshi Kimura,
Yoichi Shinkai,
Makoto Tachibana
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Biology of Reproduction
Vol. 89 • No. 4
October 2013
Vol. 89 • No. 4
October 2013
aging
epigenetics
histone modifications
Male infertility