Comparative expression profiling of testis-enriched genes regulated during the development of spermatogonial cells

Abstract

The testis has been identified as the organ in which a large number of tissue-enriched genes are present. However, a large portion of transcripts related to each stage or cell type in the testis still remains unknown. In this study, databases combined with confirmatory measurements were used to investigate testis-enriched genes, localization in the testis, developmental regulation, gene expression profiles of testicular disease, and signaling pathways. Our comparative analysis of GEO DataSets showed that 24 genes are predominantly expressed in testis. Cellular locations of 15 testis-enriched proteins in human testis have been identified and most of them were located in spermatocytes and round spermatids. Real-time PCR revealed that expressions of these 15 genes are significantly increased during testis development. Also, an analysis of GEO DataSets indicated that expressions of these 15 genes were significantly decreased in teratozoospermic patients and polyubiquitin knockout mice, suggesting their involvement in normal testis development. Pathway analysis revealed that most of those 15 genes are implicated in various sperm-related cell processes and disease conditions. This approach provides effective strategies for discovering novel testis-enriched genes and their expression patterns, paving the way for future characterization of their functions regarding infertility and providing new biomarkers for specific stages of spematogenesis.