Germline stem cell markers

What spermatogenesis markers should you use? This guide outlines the markers that are detectable at every stage.

Click the image above for the full size timeline, or scroll down for more information on each of the markers.

DDX4/VASA/MVH

Germ cell-specific ATP-dependent RNA helicase. Present in the cytoplasm of both male and female germ cells.

​​P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-DDX4/MVH (ab13840) primary antibody and AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

ZBTB16/PLZF

Nuclear protein that functions as a putative transcriptional repressor.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-PLZF (ab189849) primary antibody and AlexaFluor^® 555 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

POU5F1/OCT4

Nuclear homeodomain-containing protein that functions as a transcription factor.

P6 mouse testis stained with anti-OCT4 (ab181557) antibody and AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

STRA8

Nuclear protein with unknown function that is required for meiotic entry in both female and male mice.

Adult CD-1 testis stained with anti-STRA8 antibody (ab49602) and AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

KIT/c-KIT

Receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and is required for their survival and in differentiating spermatogonia.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-KIT primary antibody (ab65525) and goat anti-rabbit AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green, ab150081). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

SYCP3

SYCP3 is a structural component of the synaptonemal complex, which forms during the zygotene stage of meiosis.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-SCP3 primary antibody (ab15093), using AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

DAZL

Autosomally-encoded RNA binding protein that is usually located in the cytoplasm. It is expressed only in male and female germ cells.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-DAZL primary antibody (ab34139) and ab150081 goat anti-rabbit AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

SALL4

SALL4 is a transcription factor that regulates axis formation during embryonic development and is generally detectable in stem and progenitor cell populations.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-SALL4 primary antibody (ab 29112) and goat anti-rabbit AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green, ab150081). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

TRA98

Testis-specific nuclear protein with unknown function detectable in all post-natal male germ cells.

P6 CD-1 testis stained with anti-TRA98 rat monoclonal (ab82527) primary antibody and goat anti-rat AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green, ab150165). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

DPPA3/STELLA

Nuclear protein with a role in epigenetic regulation in the fetal gonad. It is dispensable during male germ cell development and is not required for fertility.

Adult testis stained with anti-STELLA primary antibody (ab19878) and goat anti-rabbit AlexaFluor^® 488 secondary antibody (green, ab150081). Phalloidin-594 was used to label F-actin (red), and DAPI was used to label nuclei (blue).

References

• Kehler J, Tolkunova E, Koschorz B, Pesce M, Gentile L, Boiani M, Lomelí H, Nagy A, McLaughlin KJ, Schöler HR, Tomilin A. Oct4 is required for primordial germ cell survival. EMBO Rep. 5, 1078–83 (2004).
• Mithraprabhu S, Loveland KL. Control of KIT signalling in male germ cells: what can we learn from other systems? Reproduction 138:743–57 (2009).
• Orr-Urtreger A, Avivi A, Zimmer Y, Givol D, Yarden Y, Lonai P. Developmental expression of c-kit, a proto-oncogene encoded by the W locus. Development 109,911–23 (1990).
• Sato M, Kimura T, Kurokawa K, Fujita Y, Abe K, Masuhara M, Yasunaga T, Ryo A, Yamamoto M, Nakano T. Identification of PGC7, a new gene expressed specifically in preimplantation embryos and germ cells. Mech Dev. 113, 91–4 (2002).

Developed in collaboration with the Geyer lab at East Carolina Univeristy.