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TEX14
Testis-expressed protein 14 is a protein in humans encoded by the TEX14 gene, and is 1497 amino acids in length. TEX14 plays a vital role in the formation of germ cells, as it is an essential component of the mammalian germ cell interphase bridge. An orthologue of TEX14 exists in other mammals, also called TEX14. Function During cell division, specifically in telophase, the spindle is converted into a midbody. This midbody contains a ring of TEX14, which gradually travels outwards as cell division progresses. Finally, TEX14 marks the ends of the intercellular bridge. Clinical significance Male mice and male pigs that lack normal TEX14 are incapable of producing functional sperm Sperm is the male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction (forms in which there is a larger, female reproductive cell and a smaller, male one). Animals produce motile sperm with a tail known as a flagellum, whi ..., and thus are infertile. However, TEX14-knockou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Midbody (cell Biology)
The midbody is a transient structure found in mammalian cells and is present near the end of cytokinesis just prior to the complete separation of the dividing cells. The structure was first described by Walther Flemming in 1891. Structure The midbody structure contains bundles of microtubules derived from the mitotic spindle which compacts during the final stages of cell division. It has a typical diameter of 1 micrometre and a length of 3 to 5 micrometres. Aside from microtubules it also contains various proteins involved in cytokinesis, asymmetric cell division, and chromosome segregation. The midbody is important for completing the final stages of cytokinesis, a process called abscission. During symmetric abscission, the midbody is severed at each end and released into the cellular environment. Role in intercellular signalling It was long assumed that the midbody was simply a structural part of cytokinesis, and was totally degraded with the completion of mitosis. Howeve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
