Tex 19 Paralogs Exhibit a Gonad and Placenta-Specific Expression in the Mouse

Catherine Celebi, Aafke Van Montfoort, Valerie Skory, Emmanuelle Kieffer, Sandra Kuntz, Manuel Mark, Stephane Viville*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We have previously suggested that TEX19, a mammalian-specific protein of which two paralogs exist in rodents, could be implicated in stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency. We have established here the expression profiles of Tex19.1 and Tex19.2 during mouse development and adulthood. We show that both genes are coexpressed in the ectoderm and then in primordial germ cells (PGCs). They are also coexpressed in the testis from embryonic day 13.5 to adulthood, whereas only Tex19.1 transcripts are detected in the developing and adult ovary as well as in the placenta and its precursor tissue, the ectoplacental cone. The presence of both Tex19.1 and Tex19.2 in PGCs, gonocytes and spermatocytes opens the possibility that these two genes could play redundant functions in male germ cells. Furthermore, the placental expression of Tex19.1 can explain why Tex19.1 knockout mice show embryonic lethality, in addition to testis defects.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)360-365
JournalJournal of Reproduction and Development
Volume58
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Embryo
  • Gonad development
  • In situ hybridization
  • Placenta
  • Spermatogenesis

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