POSTTRANSCRIPTIONAL CONTROL OF GENE-EXPRESSION DURING SPERMATOGENESIS

The synthesis and storage of mRNAs prior to their translation is a nec essity during spermatogenesis as global transcription ceases several d ays prior to the completion of spermatid differentiation. Post-transcr iptional control can be mediated by sequences in the 5' and 3' untrans lated regions of mRNAs, and in some cases separate elements may regula te translational repression and translational activation. Translationa l repression is essential for spermatid differentiation as premature t ranslation can lead to an arrest in spermatid differentiation and caus e dominant male sterility.