A targeted mutation of Nkd1 impairs mouse spermatogenesis

J Biol Chem. 2005 Jan 28;280(4):2831-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M405680200. Epub 2004 Nov 16.

Abstract

Nkd1 is an antagonist of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. The EF-hand motif of Nkd1 is required for its inhibitory function. Early studies suggested that Nkd1 might play important roles in mouse embryonic development and tumorigenesis. We constructed Nkd1(-/-) mice whose Nkd1 protein lacked the EF-hand and was unable to inhibit Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. The homozygotes were viable and grew normally, but their fertility in males was reduced. In wild-type adult testes, Nkd1 mRNA was expressed more abundantly in the elongating spermatids than in the round spermatids. Lack of EF-hand caused reductions in the testis weight and sperm count by 30 and 60%, respectively. During testis development, Nkd1 mRNA expression started at the 25th day after birth, coincident with the onset of Wnt1 expression. Nuclear localization of beta-catenin increased in the elongating spermatids, suggesting that the mutant Nkd1 failed to inhibit the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. These results suggest that deletion of the EF-hand from Nkd1 reduces the number of the elongating spermatids at haploid stage. In contrast, the mutant Nkd1 did not affect intestinal polyposis in Apc(Delta716) mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Haploidy
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Intestinal Polyposis / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sperm Count
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nkd1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA