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Abstract
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Objective: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as unipotent stem cells, are responsible for the production of sperm
throughout the male’s life. Zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16/PLZF) genes provide various functions
in the cell development, signaling pathway, growth regulatory and differentiation. Here, we aimed to investigate
expression of the PLZF germ cell gene marker in testis, SSCs, pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and ES-like
cells of mouse testis.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we examined the expression of the PLZF germ cell marker in the
testis section and testicular cell culture of neonate and adult mice by immunohistochemistry (IMH), immunocytochemistry
(ICC) and Fluidigm Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: IMH data indicated that the PLZF protein was localized in the neonate testis cells of the tubules center as
well as the basal compartment of adult testis seminiferous tubules. Counting PLZF IMH-positive cells in the sections
of seminiferous tubules of adult and neonate testis revealed significant expression of positive cells in adult testis
compared to the neonate (P<0.05). Under in vitro conditions, isolated SSC colonies were strongly ICC-positive for the
PLZF germ cell marker, while ES cells and ES-like cells were negative for PLZF. Fluidigm Real-Time-PCR analysis
demonstrated a significant expression of the PLZF germ cell gene in the neonate and adult SSCs, compared to ES
cells and ES-like cells (P<0.05).
Conclusion: These results indicate that PLZF is a specific transcription factor of testicular germ cell proliferation, but it is downregulated
in pluripotent germ cells. This can be supportive for the analysis of germ cells development both in vitro and in vivo.
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