Mouse DAZL expression in testicular germ cells

The DAZL proteins have important functions in primordial germ cell (PGC) migration, germ stem cell proliferation, differentiation and meiosis progression in the testis. In our experiments, to understand the expression of DAZL proteins in testicular germ cells, we have analyzed DAZL protein in the testis section and in testicular culture. The immunohistochemical studies confirmed that DAZL protein was expressed in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. The spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) colonies were recognized after digestion of the testis and characterized by electron microscopic (EM) analysis. The EM analyses made evident that germ stem cell (GSCs) colonies displayed a high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio. The immunocytochemistry experiment displayed that DAZL protein was localized and functioning in the cytoplasm of SSC cells. The Fluidigm RT-PCR results confirmed a low expression of the germ cell gene DAZL in testicular stroma cells (TSCs) and feeder and mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), but a high expression of DAZL was observed in the SSCs. Therefore, the DAZL gene is an important marker to study the roles of this protein in the development and isolation of SSCs.