EXPRESSION OF IMMEDIATE-EARLY GENES IN TUBULAR CELLS OF RAT TESTIS

In this study we investigated the expression of the immediate early ge nes (IEGs) c-fos, c-jun, and junD on mRNA and protein levels during th e spermatogenic cycle of the rat using Northern blotting, in situ hybr idization, and immunocytochemistry. The expression of these IEG mRNAs and proteins exhibited stage-specific variations. The results suggest that IEGs take part in transcriptional events that are involved in reg ulating the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells d uring specific stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium.