Solute carrier family 25 (mitochondrial carrier, adenine nucleotide translocator), member 31 [Mus musculus (house mouse)]

Reviewed functional gene

1. Abstract
The adenine nucleotide translocases (Ant) facilitate the transport of ADP and ATP by an antiport mechanism across the inner mitochondrial membrane, thus playing an essential role in cellular energy metabolism. We recently ... The adenine nucleotide translocases (Ant) facilitate the transport of ADP and ATP by an antiport mechanism across the inner mitochondrial membrane, thus playing an essential role in cellular energy metabolism. We recently identified a novel member of the Ant family in mouse, Ant4, of which gene configuration as well as amino acid homology is well conserved among mammals. The conservation of Ant4 in mammals, along with the absence of Ant4 in nonmammalian species, suggests a unique and indispensable role for this ADP/ATP carrier in mammalian development. Of interest, in contrast to its paralog Ant2, which is encoded by the X chromosome and ubiquitously expressed in somatic cells, Ant4 is encoded by an autosome and selectively expressed in testicular germ cells. Immunohistochemical examination as well as RNA expression analysis using separated spermatogenic cell types revealed that Ant4 expression was particularly high in spermatocytes. When we generated Ant4-deficient mice by targeted disruption, a significant reduction in testicular size was observed without any other distinguishable abnormalities in the mice. Histological examination as well as stage-specific gene expression analysis in adult and neonatal testes revealed a severe reduction of spermatocytes accompanied by increased apoptosis. Subsequently, the Ant4-deficient male mice were infertile. Taken together, these data elucidated the indispensable role of Ant4 in murine spermatogenesis. Considering the unique conservation and chromosomal location of the Ant family genes in mammals, the Ant4 gene may have arisen in mammalian ancestors and been conserved in mammals to serve as the sole and essential mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier during spermatogenesis where the sex chromosome-linked Ant2 gene is inactivated. PMID: [17681941]  

2. Abstract
Male fertility relies on the highly specialized process of spermatogenesis to continually renew the supply of spermatozoa necessary for reproduction. Central to this unique process is meiosis that is responsible ... Male fertility relies on the highly specialized process of spermatogenesis to continually renew the supply of spermatozoa necessary for reproduction. Central to this unique process is meiosis that is responsible for the production of haploid spermatozoa as well as for generating genetic diversity. During meiosis I, there is a dramatic increase in the number of mitochondria present within the developing spermatocytes, suggesting an increased necessity for ATP production and utilization. Essential for the utilization of ATP is the translocation of ADP and ATP across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is mediated by the adenine nucleotide translocases (Ant). We recently identified and characterized a novel testis specific Ant, ANT4 (also known as SLC25A31 and Aac4). The generation of Ant4-deficient animals resulted in the severe disruption of the seminiferous epithelium with an apparent spermatocytic arrest of the germ cell population. In the present study utilizing a chromosomal spread technique, we determined that Ant4-deficiency results in an accumulation of leptotene spermatocytes, a decrease in pachytene spermatocytes, and an absence of diplotene spermatocytes, indicating early meiotic arrest. Furthermore, the chromosomes of Ant4-deficient pachytene spermatocyte occasionally demonstrated sustained gammaH2AX association as well as synaptonemal complex protein 1 (SYCP1)/SYCP3 dissociation beyond the sex body. Large ATP supplies from mitochondria may be critical for normal progression of spermatogenesis during early stages of meiotic prophase I, including DNA double-strand break repair and chromosomal synapsis. PMID: [19556438]  

1000G (Phase 3): 1086   ESP6500 (SI-V2): 58   ExAC (r0.3.1): 304   dbSNP(Build 147): 2391

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