Publications by authors named "Nadim E Hachem"
Article Synopsis
- Polysialic acid (polySia) is a carbohydrate polymer that plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation, particularly during postnatal brain development.
- Research on polySia in the murine epididymis revealed that smooth muscle cells are polysialylated in the initial weeks of development, and loss of polySia in knockout mice led to the absence of a key signaling molecule, cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (PGK1).
- The study found that the lack of polySia resulted in less differentiated smooth muscle cells, which impaired contractility and caused disturbances in fluid transport, evidenced by the dilation of the rete testis connecting the testis and epid
In the testis, the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules is surrounded by contractile peritubular cells, which are involved in sperm transport. Interestingly, in postnatal testis, polysialic acid (polySia), which is also an essential player for the development of the brain, was observed around the tubules. Western blotting revealed a massive decrease of polySia from postnatal day 1 towards puberty, together with a fundamental reduction of the net-like intertubular polySia.
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