Essential role of the p110β subunit of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase in male fertility

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Elisa Ciraolo - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Fulvio Morello - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Robin M. Hobbs - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Frieder Wolf - , University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Romina Marone - , University of Basel (Author)
  • Manuela Iezzi - , University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara (Author)
  • Xiaoyun Lu - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Giulio Mengozzi - , Azienda Sanitaria Ospedaliera Molinette San Giovanni Battista Di Torino (Author)
  • Fiorella Altruda - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Giovanni Sorba - , University of Eastern Piedmont (Author)
  • Kaomei Guan - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Pier Paolo Pandolfi - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Matthias P. Wymann - , University of Basel (Author)
  • Emilio Hirsch - , University of Turin (Author)

Abstract

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) are key molecular players in male fertility. However, the specific roles of different p110 PI3K catalytic subunits within the spermatogenic lineage have not been characterized so far. Herein, we report that male mice expressing a catalytically inactive p110β develop testicular hypotrophy and impaired spermatogenesis, leading to a phenotype of oligo-azoospermia and defective fertility. The examination of testes from p110β-defective tubules demonstrates a widespread loss in spermatogenic cells, due to defective proliferation and survival of pre- and postmeiotic cells. In particular, p110βis crucially needed in c-Kit - mediated spermatogonial expansion, as c-Kit - positive cells are lost in the adult testis and activation of Akt by SCF is blocked by a p110βinhibitor. These data establish that activation of the p110β PI3K isoform by c-Kit is required during spermatogenesis, thus opening the way to new treatments for c-Kit positive testicular cancers.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)704-711
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell
Volume21
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2010
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 20053680

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas