LIM-15 PCNA Gene Expression Test

Lim15/Dmc1 is a protein taking a role in the recombination-based DNA synthesis at the meiosis stage. The conducted studies show that the Lim15/Dmc1 protein was only expressed in the specific cells to meiosis, and indicated that the Lim15/Dmc1 protein cooperated with the PCNA protein at the meiosis stage (1). PCNA is expressed both in somatic cells and meiotic cells. The expression of these two proteins has a critical importance for meiosis. PCNA expression was also used in a new study to determine whether patients responded to gonadotropin treatment (2). A conviction can reach about whether patients reacted to gonadotropin treatment by examining the Lim15/Dmc1 and PCNA expression.

To summarize, the Lim 15 gene expression analysis is an important indicator showing whether there is or the potential to be (or there might be) meiosis providing sperm production in the testis tissue.

Therefore, the predictions can be made about the following matters by looking at the Lim 15 gene expression in azoospermic patients:

1. Does the patient have sperm production?
2. Does the patient have the potential to produce sperm?
3. Does the treatment given to the patient increase this potential?
4. Whether the treatment given to the patient will be effective or not.

REFERENCE:

F.N. Hamada et al. (2007), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) interacts with a meiosis-specific RecA homologue, Lim15/Dmc1, but does not stimulate its strand transfer activity. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 352: 836–842

Shinjo & K. Shiraishi et al (2013) The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin-based hormonal therapy on intratesticular testosterone levels and spermatogonial DNA Synthesis in men with non-obstructive Azoospermia.Andrology 1(6):929-35