Genome-Wide Temporal Expression Profiling in Identifies a Core Gene Set Related to Long-Term Memory.

The identification of genes related to encoding, storage, and retrieval of memories is a major interest in neuroscience. In the current study, we analyzed the temporal gene expression changes in a neuronal mRNA pool during an olfactory long-term associative memory (LTAM) in hermaphrodites. Here, we identified a core set of 712 (538 upregulated and 174 downregulated) genes that follows three distinct temporal peaks demonstrating multiple gene regulation waves in LTAM.

Piwi-pathway alteration induces LINE-1 transposon derepression and infertility development in cryptorchidism.

Spermatogonia contain processing bodies that harbor P-element-induced wimpy testis (Piwi) proteins. Piwi proteins are associated specifically with Piwi-interacting RNAs to silence transposable DNA elements. Loss-of-function mutations in the Piwi pathway lead to derepression of transposable elements, resulting in defective spermatogenesis.

Decreased expression of genes associated with memory and x-linked mental retardation in boys with non-syndromic cryptorchidism and high infertility risk.

An elevated odds ratio for low IQ has been found for cryptorchid boys. Furthermore, poor school performance has been observed in cryptorchid boys with impaired mini-puberty. Gene expression analysis, qPCR and immunohistology were performed on testicular biopsies from 7 boys who underwent orchiopexy and had testicular histology typical of a high risk of infertility (HIR).

PKCα is genetically linked to memory capacity in healthy subjects and to risk for posttraumatic stress disorder in genocide survivors.

Strong memory of a traumatic event is thought to contribute to the development and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, a genetic predisposition to build strong memories could lead to increased risk for PTSD after a traumatic event. Here we show that genetic variability of the gene encoding PKCα (PRKCA) was associated with memory capacity--including aversive memory--in nontraumatized subjects of European descent.

Deficient expression of genes involved in the endogenous defense system against transposons in cryptorchid boys with impaired mini-puberty.

Mini-puberty is the period between 30 and 80 days after birth when testosterone and gonadotropin surges occur in male infants to induce the transformation of gonocytes into adult/dark spermatogonia. Cryptorchid boys with impaired mini-puberty develop infertility despite timely and successful surgical treatment. The decreased germ cell count found in this group of boys could be the result of uncontrolled transposon activity inducing genomic instability and germ cell death.

Testicular gene expression in cryptorchid boys at risk of azoospermia.

Despite timely and successful surgery, 32% of patients with bilateral and 10% with unilateral cryptorchidism will develop azoospermia. Cryptorchid boys at risk of azoospermia display a typical testicular histology of impaired mini-puberty at the time of the orchidopexy. During mini-puberty increased gonadotropin and testosterone secretion stimulate transformation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia.

Decreased expression of FGFR1, SOS1, RAF1 genes in cryptorchidism.

Background: In recent years, several genes were found to be involved in the process of epididymo-testicular descent, the most frequently cited ones include INSL3, HOXA10, GNRHR, and KAL1. In this study, we analyzed the differences in gene expression profiles between cryptorchid and descended testes. In particular, we analyzed expression of all recently published genes known to be associated with undescended testis.

EGR4 is a master gene responsible for fertility in cryptorchidism.

The purpose of early medical or surgical treatment of boys with undescended testes is to prevent the development of infertility. However, early and successful surgery cannot prevent infertility in cryptorchid boys who lack type A dark (Ad) spermatogonia. The aim of this study was to compare the gene expression pattern of patients with completed transformation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia, associated with low infertility risk, with patients that had failed to undergo this process and had a high infertility risk.