Reciprocal localization of transcription factors YY1 and CP2c in spermatogonial stem cells and their putative roles during spermatogenesis

Maintaining stemness and permitting differentiation mediated by combinations of transcription factors (TFs) are key aspects of mammalian spermatogenesis. It has been established that yin yang 1 (YY1), a target factor of mammalian polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and a regulator of stemness, is involved in the stable maintenance of prophase stage spermatocytes. Recently, we have demonstrated that the TF CP2c partners with YY1 in some cells to antagonistically regulate the other protein's function. To date, the functional roles of YY1 and CP2c in spermatogonial stem cells and their derived germ cells remain unclear. Here, we investigated the expression of YY1 and CP2c in mouse gonocytes and germ cells using tissue immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses. At E14.5, both YY1 and CP2c were stained in gonocytes and Sertoli cells in testicular cords, showing different proportion and density of immunoreactivity. However, in adult testes, YY1 was localized in the nuclei of spermatogonial stem cells and spermatocytes, but not in spermatozoa. It was also detected in spermatogonia and spermatids in a stage-specific manner during spermatogenic cycle. CP2c could be detected mostly in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes but not at all in spermatogonial stem cells, indicating mutually exclusive expression of CP2c and YY1. Interestingly, however, CP2c was stained in the cytoplasm and nucleus of spermatogonia at elongation and release stages, and co-localized with YY1 in the nucleus at grouping, maturation, and releasing stages. Neither YY1 nor CP2c was expressed in spermatozoa. Our data indicate that YY1 strongly localizes in the spermatogonial stem cells and co-localizes heterogeneously with CP2c to permit spermatogenesis, and also suggest that YY1 is essential for stemness of spermatogonial stem cells (SCs) whereas CP2c is critical for the commitment of spermatogonia and during the progression of spermatogonia to spermatids. This evaluation expands our understanding of the molecular mechanism of spermatogonia formation as well as spermatogenesis in general.