HSP70 EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION DURING GAMETOGENESIS

The dramatic transformations in nuclear content and cellular organizat ion that occur during gametogenesis require unique regulation and exec ution of the mitotic and meiotic cell cycle, apoptotic cell death, DNA recombination and repair, and cellular differentiation. These process es are accompanied by the constitutive and developmentally regulated e xpression of a number of hsp70 genes encoding 70 kDa heat shock protei ns (Hsp70), including several hsp70s whose expression is unique to mal e germ cells. Examining the expression and function of Hsp70s in germ cells has provided significant insights into mechanisms of hsp70 gene regulation and Hsp70 protein function, as well as the developmental pr ocesses of gametogenesis.