Down regulation of suppressor of potassium transport defect 3 (SKD3) in testis of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice

Diabetes is classified into two groups: insulin dependent (Type 1) and insulin independent (Type II). Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice are the model animal to study Type I diabetes. NOD mice exhibit autoimmunity that cause diabetes due to destruction of insulin secreting pancreatic islets cells, leading to high blood glucose level and imbalance in the cellular homeostasis. In order to maintain cellular homeostasis, heat shock proteins (Hsp's) are expressed in the cells. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression of Suppressor of Potassium Transport Defect 3 (SKD3), a mammalian homologue of Escherichia coli ClpB and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hspl04 (ClpB/Hspl04), a stress induced protein in testis of NOD mice. Our results indicate that SKD3 expression is highly downregulated in testes of NOD mice compared to the control mice, indicating role of SKD3 in male germ cell production and maturation.