A novel high throughput screen to identify candidate molecular networks that regulate spermatogenic stem cell functions. A novel high throughput screen to identify candidate molecular networks that regulate spermatogenic stem cell functions

To understand the role of the transcription factor ZSCAN2 in regulating spermatogonial stem cell function, we performed single cell RNA-sequencing on testis cells enriched for spermatogonia, comparing control populations with populations from a CRISPR-generated Zscan2-knockout mouse line. Transcriptome profiling revealed that ZSCAN2 deficiency alters key cellular processes in undifferentiated spermatogonia such as translation, chromatin modification, and ubiquitination. These findings are cohesive with the decline in regenerative capacity that is experienced by spermatogonial stem cells in the Zscan2-knockout mouse testis following exposure to clastogens. Overall design: Comparison of testicular cell populations (speramatogonia enriched) from a control and Zscan2-knockout mouse line