» Articles » PMID: 2911388

Genetically Haploid Spermatids Are Phenotypically Diploid

Overview
Journal Nature
Specialty Science
Date 1989 Jan 26
PMID 2911388
Citations 132
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Because chromosomal homologues segregate from one another during meiosis, spermatids are genetically different. Post-meiotic gene expression could lead to gametic differences, some of which might lead to preferential transmission of certain alleles over others. In both insects and mammals, however, all the cells derived from a single spermatogonial cell develop within a common syncytium formed as a result of incomplete cytokinesis at each of the mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. It has been proposed that the intercellular bridges connecting the cells, which are about 1 micron in diameter, permit the sharing of cytoplasmic constituents, thus ensuring the synchronous development of a clone of cells and gametic equivalence between haploid spermatids. By analysing the product of a transgene which is expressed exclusively in post-meiotic germ cells in hemizygous transgenic mice, we have shown that genetically distinct spermatids share the product of the transgene and hence can be phenotypically equivalent.

Citing Articles

Intercellular bridges are essential for transposon repression and meiosis in the male germline.

Sorkin J, Tilton K, Lawlor M, Sarathy S, Liang S, Albanese A Nat Commun. 2025; 16(1):1488.

PMID: 39929837 PMC: 11811169. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56742-9.


Identification and characterization of dystrophin-locus-derived testis-specific protein: A testis-specific gene within the intronic region of the rat dystrophin gene.

Yamanouchi K, Kato S, Tanaka Y, Ikeda M, Oshimo Y, Shiga T J Reprod Dev. 2024; 70(2):55-64.

PMID: 38246612 PMC: 11017100. DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-073.


Female Germline Cysts in Animals: Evolution and Function.

Brubacher J Results Probl Cell Differ. 2023; 71:23-46.

PMID: 37996671 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9_2.


The Ancient Origin and Function of Germline Cysts.

Spradling A Results Probl Cell Differ. 2023; 71:3-21.

PMID: 37996670 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9_1.


The molecular evolution of mammalian spermatogenesis.

Trost N, Mbengue N, Kaessmann H Cells Dev. 2023; 175:203865.

PMID: 37336426 PMC: 10363733. DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203865.