N-wasp is required for structural integrity of the blood-testis barrier.

[wiskott-aldrich syndrome]

During spermatogenesis , the blood -testis barrier (BTB ) segregates the adluminal (apical ) and basal compartments in the seminiferous epithelium , thereby creating a privileged adluminal environment that allows post-meiotic spermatid development to proceed without interference of the host immune system . A key feature of the BTB is its continuous remodeling within the Sertoli cells , the major somatic component of the seminiferous epithelium . This remodeling is necessary to allow the transport of germ cells towards the seminiferous tubule interior , while maintaining intact barrier properties . Here we demonstrate that the actin nucleation promoting factor Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (N-WASP ) provides an essential function necessary for BTB restructuring , and for maintaining spermatogenesis . Our data suggests that the N-WASP-Arp 2 /3 actin polymerization machinery generates branched-actin arrays at an advanced stage of BTB remodeling . These arrays are proposed to mediate the restructuring process through endocytic recycling of BTB components . Disruption of N-WASP in Sertoli cells results in major structural abnormalities to the BTB , including mis-localization of critical junctional and cytoskeletal elements , and leads to disruption of barrier function . These impairments result in a complete arrest of spermatogenesis , underscoring the critical involvement of the somatic compartment of the seminiferous tubules in germ cell maturation .

Diseases
Validation

Diseases presenting "thereby creating a privileged adluminal environment that allows post-meiotic spermatid development to proceed without interference of the host immune system" symptom

wiskott-aldrich syndrome

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