Dynamics of satellite binding protein CENP-B and telomere binding protein TRF2/MTBP in the nuclei of mouse spermatogenic line

The location of centromeric protein CENP-B and telomeric protein TRF2/MTBP in the mouse spermatogenic line has been studied using indirect immunofluorescent and immunoelectron microscopy. CENP-B localized to the heterochromatic parts of the nuclei at meiotic stages. A clearly distinct chromocenter forms in the nucleus at stages 3–4 of spermatid maturation; CENP-B localizes in it and in the area adjacent to the future acrosome. CENP-B localization in the subacrosomal area and in the chromocenters’ periphery demonstrates that centromeres are organized in two groups in mouse spermatozoa, unlike human centromeres. TRF2/MTBP concentrates around the forming chromocenter at spermiogenesis early stages. The TRF2/MTBP main signal migrates into the area of acrosomal membrane at the course of spermatozoon maturation. TRF2/MTBP never localizes inside the synaptonemal complex but can be found in the areas where the synaptonemal complex attaches to the nuclear envelope. At the pachytene and diplotene stages when chromosomes separate from the nuclear envelope, some amount of the protein remains bound to the nuclear membrane while the other part reveals itself in chromosomes. TRF2/MTBP accumulates in the future acrosome from the very beginning of its formation. In the mature spermatozoon TRF2/MTBP decorates the acrosomal membrane as well as spreads in condensed chromatin.