This Article Order Full text via Infotrieve Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nishiyama, H. Articles by Fujita, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nishiyama, H. Articles by Fujita, J.

American Journal of Pathology, Vol 152, 289-296, Copyright © 1998 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

REGULAR ARTICLES

Decreased expression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in male germ cells at elevated temperature

H Nishiyama, S Danno, Y Kaneko, K Itoh, H Yokoi, M Fukumoto, H Okuno, JL Millan, T Matsuda, O Yoshida and J Fujita
Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.

Physiological scrotal hypothermia is necessary for normal spermatogenesis and fertility in mammals. Cirp is a recently identified cold-inducible RNA-binding protein that is inducible at 32 degrees C in mouse somatic cells in vitro. Cirp is constitutively expressed in the testis of mouse and structurally highly similar to RBM1, a candidate for the human azoospermia factor. To elucidate the role played by Cirp in spermatogenesis, we investigated its expression levels during spermatogenesis and after heat stress. In the mouse testis, cirp mRNA was detected in the germ cells, and the level varied depending on the stage of differentiation. Also, a high level of Cirp protein was detected immunohistochemically in the nucleus of primary spermatocytes. Expression of Cirp was decreased in the GC-2spd(ts) mouse germ cell line when culture temperature was raised from 32 degrees C to 37 degrees C. When mouse testis was exposed to heat stress by experimental cryptorchidism or immersion of the lower abdomen in warm (42 degrees C) water, the expression of Cirp was decreased in the testis within 6 hours after either treatment. In human testis with varicocele analyzed immunohistochemically, germ cells expressed less Cirp protein than those in the testis without varicocele. These results demonstrated that CIRP expression is down-regulated at elevated temperature in male germ cells of mice and humans. Analysis of Cirp expression in the testes will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to male infertility.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Banks, S. A King, D S. Irvine, and P. T K Saunders Impact of a mild scrotal heat stress on DNA integrity in murine spermatozoa Reproduction, April 1, 2005; 129(4): 505 - 514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Shetty and C. C. Y. Weng Cryptorchidism Rescues Spermatogonial Differentiation in Juvenile Spermatogonial Depletion (Jsd) Mice Endocrinology, January 1, 2004; 145(1): 126 - 133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Aoki, K. Matsumoto, and M. Tsujimoto Xenopus Cold-inducible RNA-binding Protein 2 Interacts with ElrA, the Xenopus Homolog of HuR, and Inhibits Deadenylation of Specific mRNAs J. Biol. Chem., November 28, 2003; 278(48): 48491 - 48497. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Aoki, Y. Ishii, K. Matsumoto, and M. Tsujimoto Methylation of Xenopus CIRP2 regulates its arginine- and glycine-rich region-mediated nucleocytoplasmic distribution Nucleic Acids Res., December 1, 2002; 30(23): 5182 - 5192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Sonna, J. Fujita, S. L. Gaffin, and C. M. Lilly Molecular Biology of Thermoregulation: Invited Review: Effects of heat and cold stress on mammalian gene expression J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2002; 92(4): 1725 - 1742. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Matsumoto, K. Aoki, N. Dohmae, K. Takio, and M. Tsujimoto CIRP2, a major cytoplasmic RNA-binding protein in Xenopus oocytes Nucleic Acids Res., December 1, 2000; 28(23): 4689 - 4697. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Danno, K. Itoh, T. Matsuda, and J. Fujita Decreased Expression of Mouse Rbm3, a Cold-Shock Protein, in Sertoli Cells of Cryptorchid Testis Am. J. Pathol., May 1, 2000; 156(5): 1685 - 1692. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]