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Liu W, Zhang L, Gao A, Khawar MB, Gao F, Li W. Food-Derived High Arginine Peptides Promote Spermatogenesis Recovery in Busulfan Treated Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:791471. [PMID: 34993200 PMCID: PMC8724571 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.791471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Food-derived peptides with high arginine content have important applications in medicine and food industries, but their potential application in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia remains elusive. Here, we report that high-arginine peptides, such as Oyster peptides and Perilla purple peptides were able to promote spermatogenesis recovery in busulfan-treated mice. We found that both Opp and Ppp could increase sperm concentration and motility after busulfan-induced testicular damage in mice. Further research revealed that Opp and Ppp might promote spermatogonia proliferation, which improved blood-testis barrier recovery between Sertoli cells. Taken together, these high-arginine peptides might be used as a medication or therapeutic component of a diet prescription to improve the fertility of some oligoasthenospermia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Liu
- College of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingfeng Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anning Gao
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fengyi Gao
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, China
- *Correspondence: Fengyi Gao, ; Wei Li,
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fengyi Gao, ; Wei Li,
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Hong Y, Zhou Y, Shen L, Wei Y, Long C, Fu Y, Wu H, Wang J, Wu Y, Wu S, Wei G. Exposure to DEHP induces testis toxicity and injury through the ROS/mTOR/NLRP3 signaling pathway in immature rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 227:112889. [PMID: 34649140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As the most abundantly used phthalate derivative, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) leads to reproductive disorders, especially in males. Testicular injury can be triggered when the testis is exposed to DEHP during the immature stage. However, the potential mechanism is largely unclear. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day DEHP from postnatal day (PND) 20 to PND 30. The spermatogonia cell line GC-1 and spermatocyte cell line GC-2 were exposed to different doses of monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), a metabolite of DEHP. Testicular injury was observed. Oxidative stress was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Our results showed that after DEHP exposure, the testicular structure was damaged and spermatogenesis was disturbed. We also found that oxidative stress was increased, as indicated by the upregulation of the important factors in the antioxidant pathway. Furthermore, the expression of autophagy-related proteins was significantly downregulated. Autophagy inhibition led to activation of the pyroptosis pathway. Nucleotide-binding and oligomerisation (NOD) domain-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain (PYD)-containing 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1 and cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly upregulated. Additionally, an imbalance in self-renewal and differentiation was observed in germ cells after DEHP exposure, causing the cessation of germ cell development. In summary, these data suggest that DEHP exposure enhances oxidative stress, downregulates autophagy, induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequently triggers pyroptosis in vivo and in vitro, which provides novel insight into DEHP-related injury in immature testes in the context of pyroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Hong
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Lianju Shen
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Yuexin Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Chunlan Long
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Yan Fu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Huan Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Junke Wang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Yuhao Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Shengde Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China
| | - Guanghui Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing 400014, PR China.
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Bizkarguenaga M, Gomez-Santos L, Madrid JF, Sáez FJ, Alonso E. Zona Pellucida sperm-binding protein 3 receptor distribution during Gopc -/- globozoospermic spermatogenesis. Microsc Res Tech 2021; 85:1454-1464. [PMID: 34870349 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Globozoospermia is a type of teratozoospermia characterized by round morphology of the sperm head. Gopc-/- infertile globozoospermic murine model has failures during spermiogenesis, such as the incorrect biogenesis of the acrosome, disorganized acroplaxome and manchette, round nuclei and spiral flagella. In this study, Western blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunogold were done for the localization of the acrosome protein Zona Pellucida sperm-binding protein 3 receptor (ZP3R), also called sp56, in wild type and Gopc-/- mice testis. The ZP3R protein was located in the acrosome and pseudo-acrosome vesicles of wild type and Gopc-/- mice, respectively. Also, it is distributed through the cytoplasm of the haploid spermatids only. The incorrect spermiogenesis of Gopc-/- mice causes a deregulation in the expression of ZP3R in the globozoospermic spermatids. Our results suggest that although the lack of GOPC causes a failure during the transport of the pre-acrosomal vesicles, the acrosome protein ZP3R is localized in the acrosome and is distributed through the cytoplasm only during spermiogenesis. Furthermore, the failure in spermiogenesis does not impair the synthesis of ZP3R and its localization in the pre-acrosomal vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Bizkarguenaga
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Laura Gomez-Santos
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Madrid
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco José Sáez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Edurne Alonso
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Pharmacy University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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Zhou X, Zhao P, Sun MX. Autophagy in sexual plant reproduction: new insights. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:7658-7667. [PMID: 34338297 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a mechanism by which damaged or unwanted cells are degraded and their constituents recycled. Over the past decades, research focused on autophagy has expanded from yeast to mammals and plants, and the core machinery regulating autophagy appears to be conserved. In plants, autophagy has essential roles in responses to stressful conditions and also contributes to normal development, especially in the context of reproduction. Here, based on recent efforts to understand the roles and molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, we highlight the specific roles of autophagy in plant reproduction and provide new insights for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Protection and Application of Special Plant Germplasm in Wuling Area of China, Engineering Research Centre for the Protection and Utilization of Bioresource in Ethnic Area of Southern China, College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Meng-Xiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Umer N, Arévalo L, Phadke S, Lohanadan K, Kirfel G, Sons D, Sofia D, Witke W, Schorle H. Loss of Profilin3 Impairs Spermiogenesis by Affecting Acrosome Biogenesis, Autophagy, Manchette Development and Mitochondrial Organization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:749559. [PMID: 34869336 PMCID: PMC8632698 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Profilins (PFNs) are key regulatory proteins for the actin polymerization in cells and are encoded in mouse and humans by four Pfn genes. PFNs are involved in cell mobility, cell growth, neurogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells. The testes-specific PFN3 is localized in the acroplaxome-manchette complex of developing spermatozoa. We demonstrate that PFN3 further localizes in the Golgi complex and proacrosomal vesicles during spermiogenesis, suggesting a role in vesicle transport for acrosome formation. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated mice deficient for Pfn3. Pfn3-/- males are subfertile, displaying a type II globozoospermia. We revealed that Pfn3-/- sperm display abnormal manchette development leading to an amorphous sperm head shape. Additionally, Pfn3-/- sperm showed reduced sperm motility resulting from flagellum deformities. We show that acrosome biogenesis is impaired starting from the Golgi phase, and mature sperm seems to suffer from a cytoplasm removal defect. An RNA-seq analysis revealed an upregulation of Trim27 and downregulation of Atg2a. As a consequence, mTOR was activated and AMPK was suppressed, resulting in the inhibition of autophagy. This dysregulation of AMPK/mTOR affected the autophagic flux, which is hallmarked by LC3B accumulation and increased SQSTM1 protein levels. Autophagy is involved in proacrosomal vesicle fusion and transport to form the acrosome. We conclude that this disruption leads to the observed malformation of the acrosome. TRIM27 is associated with PFN3 as determined by co-immunoprecipitation from testis extracts. Further, actin-related protein ARPM1 was absent in the nuclear fraction of Pfn3-/- testes and sperm. This suggests that lack of PFN3 leads to destabilization of the PFN3-ARPM1 complex, resulting in the degradation of ARPM1. Interestingly, in the Pfn3-/- testes, we detected increased protein levels of essential actin regulatory proteins, cofilin-1 (CFL1), cofilin-2 (CFL2), and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). Taken together, our results reveal the importance for PFN3 in male fertility and implicate this protein as a candidate for male factor infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Umer
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sharang Phadke
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Gregor Kirfel
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominik Sons
- Department of Membrane Biochemistry, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Denise Sofia
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Walter Witke
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Morohoshi A, Miyata H, Oyama Y, Oura S, Noda T, Ikawa M. FAM71F1 binds to RAB2A and RAB2B and is essential for acrosome formation and male fertility in mice. Development 2021; 148:dev199644. [PMID: 34714330 PMCID: PMC8602946 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The acrosome is a cap-shaped, Golgi-derived membranous organelle that is located over the anterior of the sperm nucleus and highly conserved throughout evolution. Although morphological changes during acrosome biogenesis in spermatogenesis have been well described, the molecular mechanism underlying this process is still largely unknown. Family with sequence similarity 71, member F1 and F2 (FAM71F1 and FAM71F2) are testis-enriched proteins that contain a RAB2B-binding domain, a small GTPase involved in vesicle transport and membrane trafficking. Here, by generating mutant mice for each gene, we found that Fam71f1 is essential for male fertility. In Fam71f1-mutant mice, the acrosome was abnormally expanded at the round spermatid stage, likely because of enhanced vesicle trafficking. Mass spectrometry analysis after immunoprecipitation indicated that, in testes, FAM71F1 binds not only RAB2B, but also RAB2A. Further study suggested that FAM71F1 binds to the GTP-bound active form of RAB2A/B, but not the inactive form. These results indicate that a complex of FAM71F1 and active RAB2A/B suppresses excessive vesicle trafficking during acrosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akane Morohoshi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuki Oyama
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Zhou L, Lv MQ, Ge P, Yang YQ, He DL, Wang HX, Zhou DX. The expression of Beclin-1 in testicular tissues of non-obstructive azoospermia patients and its predictive value in sperm retrieval rate. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:3267-3274. [PMID: 34532251 PMCID: PMC8421828 DOI: 10.21037/tau-21-320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Beclin-1 is an autophagy gene and higher levels suggest mammalian testicular damage. Our study aims at exploring the role of Beclin-1 in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients and clarifying the predictive value of Beclin-1for sperm retrieval in microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Methods In the present study, 62 NOA patients were finally recruited. Serum hormone including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol II (E2), testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL), as well as testicular volume were measured. Testicular histopathology was diagnosed by two independent pathologists. The expression of Beclin-1 was detected by real-time PCR in testicular tissue. Results Our study illustrated that Beclin-1 was differently expressed in three pathological types of NOA. Compared with hypospermatogenesis (HS, P=0.002) or maturation arrest (MA, P=0.049), Beclin-1 showed significantly up-regulated in Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) group. Moreover, Beclin-1 expression was obviously positive related with serum LH (rho =0.269, P=0.036), meanwhile significantly negative correlation with testicular volume (rho =-0.370, P=0.003), serum T (rho =-0.326, P=0.010), Johnsen score (rho =-0.318, P=0.012), and pathologic type (rho =-0.452, P<0.001). Furthermore, a logistic regression model demonstrated that Beclin-1 is an important predictor of failed sperm retrieval (OR =0.001, P=0.007), which exhibited a pretty AUC =78.6 (P=0.001). Conclusions Beclin-1 may play a critical role in spermatogenesis. Elevated Beclin-1 may be obviously associated with lower chances of positive sperm retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China.,Urology Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mo-Qi Lv
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pan Ge
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Da-Lin He
- Urology Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hai-Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dang-Xia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Lei Y, Zhang X, Xu Q, Liu S, Li C, Jiang H, Lin H, Kong E, Liu J, Qi S, Li H, Xu W, Lu K. Autophagic elimination of ribosomes during spermiogenesis provides energy for flagellar motility. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2313-2328.e7. [PMID: 34428398 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
How autophagy initiation is regulated and what the functional significance of this regulation is are unknown. Here, we characterized the role of yeast Vac8 in autophagy initiation through recruitment of PIK3C3-C1 to the phagophore assembly site (PAS). This recruitment is dependent on the palmitoylation of Vac8 and on its middle ARM domains for binding PIK3C3-C1. Vac8-mediated anchoring of PIK3C3-C1 promotes PtdIns3P generation at the PAS and recruitment of the PtdIns3P binding protein Atg18-Atg2. The mouse homolog of Vac8, ARMC3, is conserved and functions in autophagy in mouse testes. Mice lacking ARMC3 have normal viability but show complete male infertility. Proteomic analysis indicated that the autophagic degradation of cytosolic ribosomes was blocked in ARMC3-deficient spermatids, which caused low energy levels of mitochondria and motionless flagella. These studies uncovered a function of Vac8/ARMC3 in PtdIns3-kinase anchoring at the PAS and its physical significance in mammalian spermatogenesis with a germ tissue-specific autophagic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lei
- Department of Pathology, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingjia Xu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shiyan Liu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Eryan Kong
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Jiaming Liu
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Department of Pathology, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Kefeng Lu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Varuzhanyan G, Ladinsky MS, Yamashita SI, Abe M, Sakimura K, Kanki T, Chan DC. Fis1 ablation in the male germline disrupts mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy, and arrests spermatid maturation. Development 2021; 148:271183. [PMID: 34355730 PMCID: PMC8380467 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Male germline development involves choreographed changes to mitochondrial number, morphology and organization. Mitochondrial reorganization during spermatogenesis was recently shown to require mitochondrial fusion and fission. Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is another mechanism for controlling mitochondrial number and physiology, but its role during spermatogenesis is largely unknown. During post-meiotic spermatid development, restructuring of the mitochondrial network results in packing of mitochondria into a tight array in the sperm midpiece to fuel motility. Here, we show that disruption of mouse Fis1 in the male germline results in early spermatid arrest that is associated with increased mitochondrial content. Mutant spermatids coalesce into multinucleated giant cells that accumulate mitochondria of aberrant ultrastructure and numerous mitophagic and autophagic intermediates, suggesting a defect in mitophagy. We conclude that Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology and turnover to promote spermatid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Varuzhanyan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Mark S Ladinsky
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Shun-Ichi Yamashita
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Tomotake Kanki
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
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Nakane H, Higaki K, Koyama Y, Nanba E, Kaidoh T. Autophagy induction on impaired spermatogenesis of xeroderma pigmentosum group A gene-deficient mice. Biomed Res 2021; 41:237-242. [PMID: 33071259 DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.41.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) involves a defect in the initial step of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and consists of eight genetic complementation groups (groups A-G and a variant). XP group A (XPA) patients have a high incidence of UV-induced skin tumors, immature testicular development, and neurological symptoms. In an earlier study, we have shown that XP group A (Xpa) gene-knockout mice (Xpa-/- mice) were highly sensitive to UV-induced skin carcinogenesis with a defect in NER and were highly susceptibility to spontaneous tumorigenesis with impaired spermatogenesis. However, the pathology of impaired spermatogenesis in Xpa-/- mice is unknown. To unravel the underlying pathology, we made a concerted effort using the testis of 3-month-old Xpa-/- mice. We found many large vacuoles in the seminiferous tubules of 3-month old Xpa-/- mice, while there were no large vacuoles in that of Xpa+/+ mice. Immunohistochemistry of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), an autophagosome marker, showed degenerating cells with intense signal of LC3 in the seminiferous tubules, and immunoblotting revealed induction of LC3-II in the 3-month-old Xpa-/- mice. The results of the present study suggest autophagy induction as the possible mechanism underlying the impaired spermatogenesis in Xpa-/- mice. Therefore, Xpa-/- mice could be a useful model for investigating aging and male infertility with low expression of XPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Nakane
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University
| | - Katsumi Higaki
- Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University
| | - Yuka Koyama
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University
| | - Eiji Nanba
- Research Strategy Division, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University
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Yamamuro T, Nakamura S, Yamano Y, Endo T, Yanagawa K, Tokumura A, Matsumura T, Kobayashi K, Mori H, Enokidani Y, Yoshida G, Imoto H, Kawabata T, Hamasaki M, Kuma A, Kuribayashi S, Takezawa K, Okada Y, Ozawa M, Fukuhara S, Shinohara T, Ikawa M, Yoshimori T. Rubicon prevents autophagic degradation of GATA4 to promote Sertoli cell function. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009688. [PMID: 34351902 PMCID: PMC8341604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy degrades unnecessary proteins or damaged organelles to maintain cellular function. Therefore, autophagy has a preventive role against various diseases including hepatic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Although autophagy in germ cells or Sertoli cells is known to be required for spermatogenesis and male fertility, it remains poorly understood how autophagy participates in spermatogenesis. We found that systemic knockout mice of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, exhibited a substantial reduction in testicular weight, spermatogenesis, and male fertility, associated with upregulation of autophagy. Rubicon-null mice also had lower levels of mRNAs of Sertoli cell–related genes in testis. Importantly, Rubicon knockout in Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, caused a defect in spermatogenesis and germline stem cell maintenance in mice, indicating a critical role of Rubicon in Sertoli cells. In mechanistic terms, genetic loss of Rubicon promoted autophagic degradation of GATA4, a transcription factor that is essential for Sertoli cell function. Furthermore, androgen antagonists caused a significant decrease in the levels of Rubicon and GATA4 in testis, accompanied by elevated autophagy. Collectively, we propose that Rubicon promotes Sertoli cell function by preventing autophagic degradation of GATA4, and that this mechanism could be regulated by androgens. Androgens, known as “male” hormones, stimulate and activate their receptors in various tissues, including testicular cells and skeletal muscle cells, thereby maintaining spermatogenesis and muscle mass. Notably, androgens-dependent maintenance of male reproduction is of particular interest because the incidence of male infertility has increased in recent decades. Previous studies revealed that Androgen receptor knockout in Sertoli cells causes defective spermatogenesis, indicating a crucial role of androgens in Sertoli cells. Another study suggested that fatherhood-dependent downregulation of androgens could decrease male fertility, leading the male to concentrate on parenting existing offspring. However, it remains largely unknown how androgen regulates Sertoli cell function for male reproduction. In the present study, our results suggest that androgens regulate testicular levels of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, to control autophagic degradation of GATA4 that is required for Sertoli cell function. Because autophagy and androgens participate in various cellular processes, we anticipate that this study will provide a solid evidence for understanding such processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamamuro
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nakamura
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (TY)
| | - Yu Yamano
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Endo
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Yanagawa
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tokumura
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideto Mori
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Enokidani
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Gota Yoshida
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hitomi Imoto
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kawabata
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Maho Hamasaki
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akiko Kuma
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sohei Kuribayashi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Takezawa
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- Laboratory of Pathology and Development, The Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Ozawa
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Fukuhara
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Yoshimori
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (TY)
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Ye W, Bian D, Mao T, Dai M, Feng P, Zhu Q, Ren Y, Li F, Gu Z, Li B. Cloning and functional analysis of autophagy-related gene 7 in Bombyx mori, silkworm. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 107:e21827. [PMID: 34173258 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an important economic insect and an attractive model system. A series of autophagy-related genes (Atgs) are involved in the autophagic process, and these Atgs have been proved to play important roles in the development. Atg7 stands at the hub of two ubiquitin-like systems involving Atg8 and Atg12 in the autophagic vesicle. In the present study, we cloned and characterized a BmAtg7 gene in Bombyx mori. The open reading frame (ORF) of BmAtg7 was 1908 bp in length, and it encoded a polypeptide of 635 amino acids. BmAtg7 was highly expressed in the posterior silk gland, fatbody, and epidermis. The expression profile of BmAtg7 in the fatbody showed an increasing tendency from day 1 of the 5th instar to the prepupal stage. After chlorantraniliprole (CAP) exposure, the transcriptional level of BmAtg7 was continuously decreased. After depletion of BmAtg7 by RNAi, the expressions of BmAtg7, BmAtg8, and BmEcr were all downregulated, while the expression of BmJHBP2 was upregulated. However, depletion of BmAtg7 did not prevent the metamorphosis of silkworm from larvae to pupae, while the occurrence of such process was delayed. After the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) treatment, the expression characteristics of these four genes (BmAtg7, BmAtg8, BmEcr and BmJHBP2) were contrary to the results after depletion of BmAtg7. Our results suggested that although CAP exposure could significantly inhibit the expression of BmAtg7 continuously, the changes of BmAtg7 was not the key factor in CAP-induced metamorphosis defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Ye
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dandan Bian
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tingting Mao
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minli Dai
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Piao Feng
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingyu Zhu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuying Ren
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fanchi Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiya Gu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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63
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Gao X, Wang L, Liu C, Luo S, Du C, Jin S, Zhu J. Ultrastructure evidence for vesicles and double-membrane structures involved in cytoplasmic elimination during spermiogenesis in large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea (Teleostei, Perciformes, Scienidae). Micron 2021; 150:103122. [PMID: 34352468 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatids eliminate excess cytoplasm to form streamlined sperm during spermiogenesis, which mechanism is insufficiently elucidated in fish. In this study, we investigated the cytoplasmic elimination procedure in spermatid during spermiogenesis in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) using transmission electron microscopy. The early spermatid is subrotund with a centrally located nucleus. With further development, nucleus polarizes into one side of the cell while the cytoplasm with numerous vesicles near the membrane migrates to the caudal region. Furthermore, exocytosis-like structures were detected in middle spermatid. In late spermatid, the vesicles are reduced and rarely observed. These findings indicate that vesicles may be involved in cytoplasmic elimination possibly via exocytosis. In the later spermatid, a double-membrane, autophagosome-like structure envelopes the cytoplasm, which may develop into a single-membrane structure, and gets discarded from the cell as a residual body from the caudal region. This suggests its potential functions in the formation of residual body and cytoplasmic elimination. Overall, our results revealed that polarized development of spermatid causes polarized distribution of cytoplasm necessary for cytoplasmic elimination. Moreover, they provide ultrastructure evidence for vesicles and double-membrane structures involved in discarding spermatid cytoplasm in large yellow croaker, thus offering novel insights into cytoplasmic elimination during spermiogenesis in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Du
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Junquan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, People's Republic of China.
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64
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TSGA10 as a Potential Key Factor in the Process of Spermatid Differentiation/Maturation: Deciphering Its Association with Autophagy Pathway. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:3228-3240. [PMID: 34232471 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00648-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Testis-specific gene antigen 10 (TSGA10) plays an important role in spermatogenesis. However, the exact TSGA10 role and its relationship with the autophagy pathway in the process of spermatids differentiation/maturation is still not clear. Therefore, the present study evaluates the role of TSGA10 gene in the spermatid differentiation/maturation through its effect on autophagy and explores possible underlying pathway(s). Sperm samples from patients with teratospermia were collected. The mRNA and protein level of TSGA10 in these samples were assessed by real-time PCR and western blotting. Using the ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) software, the gene network and interactions of TSGA10 involved in sperm maturation and autophagy were investigated. Based on these analyses, the expression levels of identified genes in patient's samples and healthy controls were further evaluated. Moreover, using flow cytometry analysis, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS( production in teratospermic sperm samples were evaluated. The results showed that the expression levels of TSGA10 mRNA and protein decreased significantly in the teratospermic patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant reduction in the expression of the important genes involved in sperm maturation and autophagy was observed (P < 0.05). Also, the levels of ROS production in teratospermic sperm samples were shown to be significantly higher compared to those in normal sperms (P < 0.05). Our findings provide new evidence that simultaneous decrease in TSGA10 and autophagy beside the increased level of ROS production in sperm cells might be associated with the abnormalities in the spermatids differentiation/maturation and the formation of sperms with abnormal morphology.
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Azhar M, Altaf S, Uddin I, Cheng J, Wu L, Tong X, Qin W, Bao J. Towards Post-Meiotic Sperm Production: Genetic Insight into Human Infertility from Mouse Models. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2487-2503. [PMID: 34326689 PMCID: PMC8315030 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined quality and quantity of sperm is currently the major cause of patients suffering from infertility. Male germ cell development is spatiotemporally regulated throughout the whole developmental process. While it has been known that exogenous factors, such as environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle, et al, play causative roles in male infertility, recent progress has revealed abundant genetic mutations tightly associated with defective male germline development. In mammals, male germ cells undergo dramatic morphological change (i.e., nuclear condensation) and chromatin remodeling during post-meiotic haploid germline development, a process termed spermiogenesis; However, the molecular machinery players and functional mechanisms have yet to be identified. To date, accumulated evidence suggests that disruption in any step of haploid germline development is likely manifested as fertility issues with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, aberrant sperm morphology or combined. With the continually declined cost of next-generation sequencing and recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, growing studies have revealed a vast number of disease-causing genetic variants associated with spermiogenic defects in both mice and humans, along with mechanistic insights partially attained and validated through genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). In this review, we mainly summarize genes that are functional at post-meiotic stage. Identification and characterization of deleterious genetic variants should aid in our understanding of germline development, and thereby further improve the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Saba Altaf
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Islam Uddin
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Jinbao Cheng
- The 901th hospital of Joint logistics support Force of PLA, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
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Xiong W, Shen C, Wang Z. The molecular mechanisms underlying acrosome biogenesis elucidated by gene-manipulated mice. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:789-807. [PMID: 34131698 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of two gametes in a multistep and multifactorial process termed fertilization. One of the main steps that ensures successful fertilization is acrosome reaction. The acrosome, a special kind of organelle with a cap-like structure that covers the anterior portion of sperm head, plays a key role in the process. Acrosome biogenesis begins with the initial stage of spermatid development, and it is typically divided into four successive phases: the Golgi phase, cap phase, acrosome phase, and maturation phase. The run smoothly of above processes needs an active and specific coordination between the all kinds of organelles (endoplasmic reticulum, trans-golgi network and nucleus) and cytoplasmic structures (acroplaxome and manchette). During the past two decades, an increasingly genes have been discovered to be involved in modulating acrosome formation. Most of these proteins interact with each other and show a complicated molecular regulatory mechanism to facilitate the occurrence of this event. This Review focuses on the progresses of studying acrosome biogenesis using gene-manipulated mice and highlights an emerging molecular basis of mammalian acrosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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67
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Contextualizing Autophagy during Gametogenesis and Preimplantation Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126313. [PMID: 34204653 PMCID: PMC8231133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammals face environmental stressors throughout their lifespan, which may jeopardize cellular homeostasis. Hence, these organisms have acquired mechanisms to cope with stressors by sensing, repairing the damage, and reallocating resources to increase the odds of long-term survival. Autophagy is a pro-survival lysosome-mediated cytoplasm degradation pathway for organelle and macromolecule recycling. Furthermore, autophagy efflux increases, and this pathway becomes idiosyncratic depending upon developmental and environmental contexts. Mammalian germ cells and preimplantation embryos are attractive models for dissecting autophagy due to their metastable phenotypes during differentiation and exposure to varying environmental cues. The aim of this review is to explore autophagy during mammalian gametogenesis, fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development by contemplating its physiological role during development, under key stressors, and within the scope of assisted reproduction technologies.
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Sha Y, Liu W, Wei X, Zhu X, Tang B, Zhang X, Yang X, Wang Y, Wang X. Pathogenic variants of ATG4D in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia identified using whole-exome sequencing. Clin Genet 2021; 100:280-291. [PMID: 33988247 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility, and it is primarily associated with genetic defects. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 236 patients with NOA and identified a homozygous pathogenic variant of autophagy-related 4D cysteine peptidase (ATG4D) in two siblings from a consanguineous family and compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of ATG4D in two sporadic cases. The expression of LC3B, a regulator of autophagic activity, was significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissues was increased. Transfection of GC-2spd cells with a ATG4D mutant plasmid (Flag-Atg4dmut ) significantly decreased the expression level of Lc3b and increased the rate of apoptosis. Moreover, a pathogenic variant in X-linked ATG4A and compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of ATG4B were identified in one patient each. All novel variants were segregated by disease phenotype and were predicted to be pathogenic. Our findings revealed that autophagy-related cysteine peptidase family genes may play crucial roles in human spermatogenesis and identified ATG4D as a novel candidate gene for male infertility due to NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Centre for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xingshen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bowen Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaoya Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Centre of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
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ROS and metabolomics-mediated autophagy in rat's testicular tissue alter after exercise training; Evidence for exercise intensity and outcomes. Life Sci 2021; 277:119585. [PMID: 33957169 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Oxidative damage and altered metabolic reactions are suspected to initiate the autophagy. The exercise training significantly impacts testicular antioxidant and metabolic potentials. However, the underlying mechanism(s) that the exercise-induced alterations can affect the autophagy markers remained unknown. This study explored the effect of exercise training on antioxidant and metabolic statuses of testicular tissue and uncovered the possible cross-link between these statuses and autophagy-inducers expression. MAIN METHODS Wistar rats were divided into sedentary control, low (LICT), moderate (MICT), and high (HICT) intensity continuous training groups. Following 8 weeks of training, the testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), glutathione (GSH), and NADP+/NADPH as oxidative biomarkers along with intracytoplasmic carbohydrate and lipid droplet patterns, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and lactate as metabolic elements were assessed. Finally, the autophagy-inducers expression and sperm count were examined. KEY FINDINGS With no significant impact on the oxidative biomarkers and metabolic elements, the LICT and MICT groups exhibited statistically unremarkable (p < 0.05) impacts on spermatogenesis differentiation, spermiogenesis ratio, and sperm count while increased the autophagy-inducers expression. Reversely, the HICT group, simultaneous with suppressing the antioxidant biomarkers (TAC↓, GSH↓, TOS↑, NADP+/NADPH↑), significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the testicular LDH activity and lactate level, changed the intracytoplasmic carbohydrate and lipid droplet's pattern, and amplified the classical autophagy-inducers p62, Beclin-1, autophagy-related gene (ATG)-7, and light chain 3 (LC3)-II/I expression. SIGNIFICANCE The autophagy-inducers overexpression has occurred after HICT induction, most probably to eliminate the oxidative damage cargoes, while increased to maintain the metabolic homeostasis in the LICT and MICT groups.
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70
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Cafe SL, Nixon B, Ecroyd H, Martin JH, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Bromfield EG. Proteostasis in the Male and Female Germline: A New Outlook on the Maintenance of Reproductive Health. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660626. [PMID: 33937261 PMCID: PMC8085359 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
For fully differentiated, long lived cells the maintenance of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) becomes a crucial determinant of cellular function and viability. Neurons are the most well-known example of this phenomenon where the majority of these cells must survive the entire course of life. However, male and female germ cells are also uniquely dependent on the maintenance of proteostasis to achieve successful fertilization. Oocytes, also long-lived cells, are subjected to prolonged periods of arrest and are largely reliant on the translation of stored mRNAs, accumulated during the growth period, to support meiotic maturation and subsequent embryogenesis. Conversely, sperm cells, while relatively ephemeral, are completely reliant on proteostasis due to the absence of both transcription and translation. Despite these remarkable, cell-specific features there has been little focus on understanding protein homeostasis in reproductive cells and how/whether proteostasis is "reset" during embryogenesis. Here, we seek to capture the momentum of this growing field by highlighting novel findings regarding germline proteostasis and how this knowledge can be used to promote reproductive health. In this review we capture proteostasis in the context of both somatic cell and germline aging and discuss the influence of oxidative stress on protein function. In particular, we highlight the contributions of proteostasis changes to oocyte aging and encourage a focus in this area that may complement the extensive analyses of DNA damage and aneuploidy that have long occupied the oocyte aging field. Moreover, we discuss the influence of common non-enzymatic protein modifications on the stability of proteins in the male germline, how these changes affect sperm function, and how they may be prevented to preserve fertility. Through this review we aim to bring to light a new trajectory for our field and highlight the potential to harness the germ cell's natural proteostasis mechanisms to improve reproductive health. This manuscript will be of interest to those in the fields of proteostasis, aging, male and female gamete reproductive biology, embryogenesis, and life course health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenae L. Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Heath Ecroyd
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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71
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Choi H, Wang Z, Dean J. Sperm acrosome overgrowth and infertility in mice lacking chromosome 18 pachytene piRNA. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009485. [PMID: 33831001 PMCID: PMC8057611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
piRNAs are small non-coding RNAs required to maintain genome integrity and preserve RNA homeostasis during male gametogenesis. In murine adult testes, the highest levels of piRNAs are present in the pachytene stage of meiosis, but their mode of action and function remain incompletely understood. We previously reported that BTBD18 binds to 50 pachytene piRNA-producing loci. Here we show that spermatozoa in gene-edited mice lacking a BTBD18 targeted pachytene piRNA cluster on Chr18 have severe sperm head dysmorphology, poor motility, impaired acrosome exocytosis, zona pellucida penetration and are sterile. The mutant phenotype arises from aberrant formation of proacrosomal vesicles, distortion of the trans-Golgi network, and up-regulation of GOLGA2 transcripts and protein associated with acrosome dysgenesis. Collectively, our findings reveal central role of pachytene piRNAs in controlling spermiogenesis and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Choi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Zhengpin Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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72
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Xia M, Xia J, Niu C, Zhong Y, Ge T, Ding Y, Zheng Y. Testis-expressed protein 33 is not essential for spermiogenesis and fertility in mice. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:317. [PMID: 33760102 PMCID: PMC7974414 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression analyses have revealed that there are >2,300 testis-enriched genes in mice, and gene knockout models have shown that a number of them are responsible for male fertility. However, the functions of numerous genes have yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to identify the expression pattern of testis-expressed protein 33 (TEX33) in mice and explore the role of TEX33 in male reproduction. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were used to investigate the mRNA and protein levels of TEX33 in mouse testes during the first wave of spermatogenesis. Immunofluorescence analysis was also performed to identify the cellular and structural localization of TEX33 protein in the testes. Tex33 knockout mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing. Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and fertility testing, were also carried out to evaluate the effect of TEX33 on mouse spermiogenesis and male reproduction. The results showed that Tex33 mRNA and protein were exclusively expressed in mouse testes and were first detected on postnatal days 21–28 (spermiogenesis phase); their expression then remained into adulthood. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that TEX33 protein was located in the spermatids and sperm within the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testes, and exhibited specific localization to the acrosome, flagellum and manchette during spermiogenesis. These results suggested that TEX33 may play a role in mouse spermiogenesis. However, Tex33 knockout mice presented no detectable difference in testis-to-body weight ratios when compared with wild-type mice. PAS staining and CASA revealed that spermatogenesis and sperm quality were normal in mice lacking Tex33. In addition, fertility testing suggested that the Tex33 knockout mice had normal reproductive functions. In summary, the findings of the present study indicate that TEX33 is associated with spermiogenesis but is not essential for sperm development and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Changmin Niu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yanan Zhong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
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73
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Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030666. [PMID: 33802813 PMCID: PMC8002376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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74
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Wang M, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Chang G, An G, Yang X, Zheng C, Zhao J, Liu Z, Wang D, Miao K, Rao S, Dai M, Wang D, Zhao XY. Deciphering the autophagy regulatory network via single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals a requirement for autophagy homeostasis in spermatogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5010-5027. [PMID: 33754041 PMCID: PMC7978313 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Autophagy has been implicated as a crucial component in spermatogenesis, and autophagy dysfunction can lead to reproductive disorders in animal models, including yeast, C. elegans and mice. However, the sophisticated transcriptional networks of autophagic genes throughout human spermatogenesis and their biological significance remain largely uncharacterized. Methods: We profiled the transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes during human spermatogenesis by assessing specimens from nine fertile controls (including two normal persons and seven obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients) and one nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patient using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Dysregulation of autophagy was confirmed in two additional NOA patients by immunofluorescence staining. Gene knockdown was used to identify the role of Cst3 in autophagy during spermatogenesis. Results: Our data uncovered a unique, global stage-specific enrichment of autophagy-related genes. Human-mouse comparison analysis revealed that the stage-specific expression pattern of autophagy-related genes was highly conserved in mammals. More importantly, dysregulation of some clusters of autophagy-related genes was observed in NOA patients, suggesting the association of autophagy with male infertility. Cst3, a human-mouse conserved and autophagy-related gene that is actively expressed in spermatogonia and early spermatocytes, was found to regulate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) maintenance and subsequent male germ cell development. Knockdown of Cst3 increased autophagic activity in mouse SSCs and subsequently suppressed the transcription of SSC core factors such as Oct4, Id1, and Nanos3, which could be efficiently rescued by manipulating autophagic activity. Conclusions: Our study provides comprehensive insights into the global transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes and confirms the importance of autophagy homeostasis in SSC maintenance and normal spermatogenesis, opening new avenues for further dissecting the significance of the autophagy regulatory network in spermatogenesis as well as male infertility.
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75
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Tu C, Li H, Liu X, Wang Y, Li W, Meng L, Wang W, Li Y, Li D, Du J, Lu G, Lin G, Tan YQ. TDRD7 participates in lens development and spermiogenesis by mediating autophagosome maturation. Autophagy 2021; 17:3848-3864. [PMID: 33618632 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1894058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, TDRD7 (tudor domain containing 7) mutations lead to a syndrome combining congenital cataracts (CCs) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), characterized by abnormal lens development and spermiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying TDRD7's functions in eye and testicular development are still largely unknown. Here, we show that the depletion of this gene in mice and humans resulted in the accumulation of autophagosomes and the disruption of macroautophagic/autophagic flux. The disrupted autophagic flux in tdrd7-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) was caused by a failure of autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and biochemical assays showed that TDRD7 might directly bind to Tbc1d20 mRNAs and downregulate its expression, which is a key regulator of autophagosome maturation, resulting in the disruption of autophagosome maturation. In addition, we provide evidence to show that TDRD7-mediated autophagosome maturation maintains lens transparency by facilitating the removal of damaged proteins and organelles from lens fiber cells and the biogenesis of acrosome. Altogether, our results showed that TDRD7 plays an essential role in the maturation of autophagosomes and that tdrd7 deletion results in eye defects and testicular abnormalities in mice, implicating disrupted autophagy might be the mechanism that contributes to lens development and spermiogenesis defects in human.Abbreviations: CB: chromatoid bodies; CC: congenital cataract; CTSD: cathepsin D; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LECs: lens epithelial cells; MAP1LC3/LC3/Atg8: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MEFs: mouse embryonic fibroblasts; NOA: non-obstructive azoospermia; OFZ: organelle-free zone; RG: RNA granules; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBC1D20: TBC1 domain family member 20; TDRD7: tudor domain containing 7; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,The Center for Heart Development, Key Lab of MOE for Development Biology and Protein Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiyu Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
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76
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Foroozan-Boroojeni S, Tavalaee M, Zakeri Z, Lockshin RA, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Assessment of Atg7 and LC3II/LC3, as The Markers of Autophagy, in Sperm of Infertile Men with Globozoospermia: A Case-Control Study. CELL JOURNAL 2021; 23:70-74. [PMID: 33650822 PMCID: PMC7944124 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2021.7023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective Assessment of relationship between LC3II/LC3 and Autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) proteins, as markers of autophagy,
as well as evaluating the sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa of infertile men with globozoospermia.
Materials and Methods In this case-control study, 10 semen samples from infertile men with globozoospermia and 10
fertile individuals were collected, and the sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and main autophagy markers
(Atg7 and LC3II/LC3) were assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, TUNEL assay, and
western blot technique, respectively.
Results The mean of sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower, while the percentage of abnormal
spermatozoa and DNA fragmentation were significantly higher in infertile men with globozoospermia compared to
fertile individuals (P<0.01). Unlike the relative expression of LC3II/LC3 that did not significantly differ between the two
groups, the relative expression of ATG7 was significantly higher in infertile men with globozoospermia compared to
fertile individuals (P<0.05). There was a significantly negative correlation between the sperm concentration (r=-0.679;
P=0.005) and motility (r=-0.64; P=0.01) with the expression of ATG7, while a significantly positive association was founf
between the percentage of DNA fragmentation and expression of ATG7 (0.841; P =0.018).
Conclusion The increased expression of ATG7 and unaltered expression of LC3II/LC3 may indicate that the
autophagy pathway is initiated but not completely executed in spermatozoa of individuals with globozoospermia. A
significant correlation of ATG7 expression with increased sperm DNA fragmentation, reduced sperm concentration, and
sperm motility may associate with the activation of a compensatory mechanism for promoting deficient spermatozoa to
undergo cell death by the autophagy pathway. Therfore, this pathway could act as a double-edged sword that, at the
physiological level, is involved in acrosome biogenesis, while, at the pathological level, such as globozoospermia, could
act as a compensatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Foroozan-Boroojeni
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Zakeri
- Department of Biology, Queens College and Graduate Center of The City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Richard A Lockshin
- Department of Biology, Queens College and Graduate Center of The City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY, USA
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran. .,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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Zhang Y, Xu X, Hu M, Wang X, Cheng H, Zhou R. SPATA33 is an autophagy mediator for cargo selectivity in germline mitophagy. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:1076-1090. [PMID: 33087875 PMCID: PMC7937689 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00638-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) is important in maintaining proper cellular homeostasis. Here, we found that SPATA33 is a novel autophagy mediator for mitophagy in testis. The SPATA33 protein localizes on mitochondria via its binding of the carboxyl terminal with the outer mitochondrial membrane protein VDAC2. Upon starvation induction, SPATA33 is recruited to autophagosome by binding the autophagy machinery ATG16L1 via its N-terminal along with mitochondria. Notably, Spata33 knockout inhibited autophagy and overexpression can promote autophagosome formation for mitochondrial sequestration. Therefore, SPATA33 confers selectivity for mitochondrial degradation and promotes mitophagy in male germline cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Luoyang Normal University, Henan, China
| | - Xu Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengxin Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanhua Cheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Rongjia Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan, China.
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China.
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Gao X, Du C, Zheng X, Zhu J, Jin S. Process of cytoplasm elimination during spermiogenesis in Octopus tankahkeei: Polarized development of the spermatid and discarding of the residual body. J Morphol 2021; 282:500-510. [PMID: 33459394 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The elimination of the spermatid cytoplasm during spermiogenesis enables the sperm to acquire a streamlined architecture, which allows for unhindered swimming. While this process has been well described in vertebrates, it has rarely been reported in invertebrates. In this study, we observed the process of cytoplasm elimination during spermiogenesis in Octopus tankahkeei (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. In the early spermatid, the cell is circular, and the nucleus is centrally located. With spermatid development, the cell becomes polarized. The nucleus gradually elongates and moves toward the end of the cell where the tail is forming. As a result, the cytoplasm moves past the nucleus at the anterior region of the future sperm head (the foreside of the acrosome). Following this, during the late stage of spermiogenesis, the cytoplasm condenses and collects on the foreside of the acrosome until finally the residual body is discarded from the top of the sperm head. This represents a distinct directionality for the development of cytoplasmic polarity and discarding of residual body compared with that reported for vertebrates (in which the cytoplasm of the elongating spermatids is polarized toward the caudal region). The fact that the cytoplasm also becomes concentrated suggests that water pumps may be involved in the elimination of water from the cytoplasm before the residual body is discarded. Furthermore, we found that microtubules, forming a manchette-like structure, are involved not only in reshaping of the nucleus but also in the transport of mitochondria and vesicles to the foreside of the acrosome, subsequently allowing them to be discarded with the residual body. This study broadens our understanding of the development of polarization and elimination of cytoplasm from spermatids in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chen Du
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuebin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junquan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China
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Pang J, Yang H, Feng X, Wang Q, Cai Y, Liu Z, Wang C, Wang F, Zhang Y. HT-2 toxin affects cell viability of goat spermatogonial stem cells through AMPK-ULK1 autophagy pathways. Theriogenology 2021; 164:22-30. [PMID: 33529808 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
HT-2 toxin is widely found in moldy crops and is the major metabolite of T-2 toxin, which has been shown to exert various toxic effects in farm animals. However, little is known about the effects of HT-2 toxin on male reproduction, particularly spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of HT-2 toxin on goat spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and related autophagy-regulated mechanisms. Our results showed that HT-2 toxin exposure resulted in decreased cell viability and proliferation, disrupted SSCs self-renewal, and reduced germ cell-related gene expression. HT-2 toxin exposure also induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, as shown by ROS accumulation, increased antioxidant enzyme activity levels, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased caspase-9 mRNA and Bcl/bax protein levels. Additionally, HT-2 toxin exposure increased the expression of the autophagy-inducing genes Atg5, Atg7 and Beclin1 and the number of autophagosomes, which indicated that HT-2 toxin induced autophagy in the goat SSCs. Moreover, we also examined a possible mechanism by which HT-2 toxin exposure induced higher expression of AMPK, mTOR and ULK at both the mRNA and protein levels. our results indicated that HT-2 toxin caused apoptosis and autophagy by activating AMPK-mTOR-ULK1 pathway, which further affected SSCs viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Pang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Hua Yang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Xu Feng
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Yu Cai
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Zifei Liu
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Changjian Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Feng Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
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80
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Han F, Dong MZ, Lei WL, Xu ZL, Gao F, Schatten H, Wang ZB, Sun XF, Sun QY. Oligoasthenoteratospermia and sperm tail bending in PPP4C-deficient mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaaa083. [PMID: 33543287 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 4 (PPP4) is a protein phosphatase that, although highly expressed in the testis, currently has an unclear physiological role in this tissue. Here, we show that deletion of PPP4 catalytic subunit gene Ppp4c in the mouse causes male-specific infertility. Loss of PPP4C, when assessed by light microscopy, did not obviously affect many aspects of the morphology of spermatogenesis, including acrosome formation, nuclear condensation and elongation, mitochondrial sheaths arrangement and '9 + 2' flagellar structure assembly. However, the PPP4C mutant had sperm tail bending defects (head-bent-back), low sperm count, poor sperm motility and had cytoplasmic remnants attached to the middle piece of the tail. The cytoplasmic remnants were further investigated by transmission electron microscopy to reveal that a defect in cytoplasm removal appeared to play a significant role in the observed spermiogenesis failure and resulting male infertility. A lack of PPP4 during spermatogenesis causes defects that are reminiscent of oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT), which is a common cause of male infertility in humans. Like the lack of functional PPP4 in the mouse model, OAT is characterized by abnormal sperm morphology, low sperm count and poor sperm motility. Although the causes of OAT are probably heterogeneous, including mutation of various genes and environmentally induced defects, the detailed molecular mechanism(s) has remained unclear. Our discovery that the PPP4C-deficient mouse model shares features with human OAT might offer a useful model for further studies of this currently poorly understood disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Han
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - M Z Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - W L Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Z L Xu
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - F Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - H Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Z B Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - X F Sun
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, China
| | - Q Y Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 501317, China
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81
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Tang Z, Zhang Z, Lin Q, Xu R, Chen J, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Shi C, Liu Y, Yang H, Wang Z. HIF-1α/BNIP3-Mediated Autophagy Contributes to the Luteinization of Granulosa Cells During the Formation of Corpus Luteum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:619924. [PMID: 33537309 PMCID: PMC7848109 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.619924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the luteinization after ovulation in mammalian ovary, the containing cells undergo an energy consuming function re-determination process to differentiate into luteal cells under avascular environment. Previous evidences have delineated the contribution of autophagy to the cell differentiation and the catabolic homeostasis in various types of mammalian cells, whereas few interest had been focused on the involvement of autophagy in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of early corpus luteum. Herein, the present study investigated that expression and contribution of autophagy during granulosa cell luteinization and early luteal development through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results clearly demonstrated that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy plays a vital role in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the early luteal formation in vivo and in vitro. In the neonatal corpus luteum, HIF-1α up-regulated BNIP3 expressions, which contributed to the autophagic initiation by disrupting beclin1 from Bcl-2/beclin1 complex and protected cells from apoptosis by curbing the skew of mitochondria balance under avascular niche. Notably, Inhibition of HIF-1α activity by echinomycin enhanced the levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and cell apoptosis in the nascent corpus luteum. These findings revealed that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy enabled the process of granulosa cell luteinization and protected the granulosa-lutein cells from further apoptosis under hypoxia niche. To our knowledge, the present study firstly clarified that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy contributes to the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of pregnant corpus luteum, which will help us further understanding the luteal biology and provide us new clues for the treatment of luteal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhenghong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qingqiang Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Renfeng Xu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Congjian Shi
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongqin Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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Zakrzewski P, Lenartowska M, Buss F. Diverse functions of myosin VI in spermiogenesis. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 155:323-340. [PMID: 33386429 PMCID: PMC8021524 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01954-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the final stage of spermatogenesis, a differentiation process during which unpolarized spermatids undergo excessive remodeling that results in the formation of sperm. The actin cytoskeleton and associated actin-binding proteins play crucial roles during this process regulating organelle or vesicle delivery/segregation and forming unique testicular structures involved in spermatid remodeling. In addition, several myosin motor proteins including MYO6 generate force and movement during sperm differentiation. MYO6 is highly unusual as it moves towards the minus end of actin filaments in the opposite direction to other myosin motors. This specialized feature of MYO6 may explain the many proposed functions of this myosin in a wide array of cellular processes in animal cells, including endocytosis, secretion, stabilization of the Golgi complex, and regulation of actin dynamics. These diverse roles of MYO6 are mediated by a range of specialized cargo-adaptor proteins that link this myosin to distinct cellular compartments and processes. During sperm development in a number of different organisms, MYO6 carries out pivotal functions. In Drosophila, the MYO6 ortholog regulates actin reorganization during spermatid individualization and male KO flies are sterile. In C. elegans, the MYO6 ortholog mediates asymmetric segregation of cytosolic material and spermatid budding through cytokinesis, whereas in mice, this myosin regulates assembly of highly specialized actin-rich structures and formation of membrane compartments to allow the formation of fully differentiated sperm. In this review, we will present an overview and compare the diverse function of MYO6 in the specialized adaptations of spermiogenesis in flies, worms, and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Zakrzewski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland.,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, The Keith Peters Building, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Marta Lenartowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland
| | - Folma Buss
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, The Keith Peters Building, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
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83
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Berruti G. Destruction or Reconstruction: A Subtle Liaison between the Proteolytic and Signaling Role of Protein Ubiquitination in Spermatogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:215-240. [PMID: 34453739 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is one of the most diverse forms of protein post-translational modification that changes the function of the landscape of substrate proteins in response to stimuli, without the need for "de novo" protein synthesis. Ubiquitination is involved in almost all aspects of eukaryotic cell biology, from the best-studied role in promoting the removal of faulty or unnecessary proteins by the way of the ubiquitin proteasome system and autophagy-lysosome pathway to the recruitment of proteins in specific non-proteolytic signaling pathways, as emerged by the more recent discoveries about the protein signature with peculiar types of ubiquitin chains. Spermatogenesis, on its own, is a complex cellular developmental process in which mitosis, meiosis, and cell differentiation coexist so to result in the continuous formation of haploid spermatozoa. Successful spermatogenesis is thus at the same time a mixed result of the precise expression and correct intracellular destination of structural proteins and enzymes, from one hand, and the fine removal by targeted degradation of unfolded or damaged proteins as well as of obsolete, outlived proteins, from the other hand. In this minireview, I will focus on the importance of the ubiquitin system all over the spermatogenic process, discussing both proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions of protein ubiquitination. Alterations in the ubiquitin system have been in fact implicated in pathologies leading to male infertility. Notwithstanding several aspects of the multifaceted world of the ubiquitin system have been clarified, the physiological meaning of the so-called ubiquitin code remains still partially elusive. The studies reviewed in this chapter provide information that could aid the investigators to pursue new promising discoveries in the understanding of human and animal reproductive potential.
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Dai X, Zhou LY, Xu TT, Wang QY, Luo B, Li YY, Gu C, Li SP, Wang AQ, Wei WH, Yang SM. Reproductive responses of the male Brandt’s vole, Lasiopodomys brandtii (Rodentia: Cricetidae) to tannic acid. ZOOLOGIA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.37.e52232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Tannins are polyphenols that are present in various plants, and potentially contain antioxidant properties that promote reproduction in animals. This study investigated how tannic acid (TA) affects the reproductive parameters of male Brandt’s voles,Lasiopodomys brandtii(Radde, 1861). Specifically, the anti-oxidative level of serum, autophagy in the testis, and reproductive physiology were assessed in males treated with TA from the pubertal stage. Compared to the control, low dose TA enhanced relative testis and epididymis weight and sperm concentration in the epididymis, and significantly increased the level of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). mRNA levels of autophagy related genes LC3 and Beclin1 decreased significantly with low dose TA compared to the control. However, compared to the control, high dose TA sharply reduced the levels of serum SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, serum testosterone (T), and mRNA level in steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the testis. Both sperm abnormality and mortality increased with high dose TA compared to the control and low dose TA. Collectively, this study demonstrated that TA treatment during puberty had a dose-dependent effect on the reproductive responses of male Brandt’s voles. TA might mediate autophagy in the testis, through both indirect and direct processes. TA mainly affected the reproductive function of male Brandt’s voles by regulating anti-oxidative levels. This study advances our understanding of the mechanisms by which tannins influence reproduction in herbivores.
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85
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Jiao SY, Yang YH, Chen SR. Molecular genetics of infertility: loss-of-function mutations in humans and corresponding knockout/mutated mice. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:154-189. [PMID: 33118031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major issue in human reproductive health, affecting an estimated 15% of couples worldwide. Infertility can result from disorders of sex development (DSD) or from reproductive endocrine disorders (REDs) with onset in infancy, early childhood or adolescence. Male infertility, accounting for roughly half of all infertility cases, generally manifests as decreased sperm count (azoospermia or oligozoospermia), attenuated sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Female infertility can be divided into several classical types, including, but not limited to, oocyte maturation arrest, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest. An estimated one half of infertility cases have a genetic component; however, most genetic causes of human infertility are currently uncharacterized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly facilitated the identification of infertility-associated gene mutations in patients over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to conduct a narrative review of the genetic causes of human infertility. Loss-of-function mutation discoveries related to human infertility are summarized and further illustrated in tables. Corresponding knockout/mutated animal models of causative genes for infertility are also introduced. SEARCH METHODS A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term 'mutation' was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: infertility, DSD, REDs, azoospermia or oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), globozoospermia, teratozoospermia, acrosome, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, zona pellucida, fertilization defects and early embryonic arrest. OUTCOMES Our search generated ∼2000 records. Overall, 350 articles were included in the final review. For genetic investigation of human infertility, the traditional candidate gene approach is proceeding slowly, whereas high-throughput sequencing technologies in larger cohorts of individuals is identifying an increasing number of causative genes linked to human infertility. This review provides a wide panel of gene mutations in several typical forms of human infertility, including DSD, REDs, male infertility (oligozoospermia, MMAF, PCD, ASS and globozoospermia) and female infertility (oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest). The causative genes, their identified mutations, mutation rate, studied population and their corresponding knockout/mutated mice of non-obstructive azoospermia, MMAF, ASS, globozoospermia, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest are further illustrated by tables. In this review, we suggest that (i) our current knowledge of infertility is largely obtained from knockout mouse models; (ii) larger cohorts of clinical cases with distinct clinical characteristics need to be recruited in future studies; (iii) the whole picture of genetic causes of human infertility relies on both the identification of more mutations for distinct types of infertility and the integration of known mutation information; (iv) knockout/mutated animal models are needed to show whether the phenotypes of genetically altered animals are consistent with findings in human infertile patients carrying a deleterious mutation of the homologous gene; and (v) the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility caused by pathogenic mutations are largely unclear in most current studies. WILDER IMPLICATIONS It is important to use our current understanding to identify avenues and priorities for future research in the field of genetic causes of infertility as well as to apply mutation knowledge to risk prediction, genetic diagnosis and potential treatment for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ya Jiao
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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Fu G, Dai J, Li Z, Chen F, Liu L, Yi L, Teng Z, Quan C, Zhang L, Zhou T, Donkersley P, Song S, Shi Y. The role of STAT3/p53 and PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway on DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity in pubertal male rat. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 404:115151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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87
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Han Y, Liang C, Yu Y, Manthari RK, Cheng C, Tan Y, Li X, Tian X, Fu W, Yang J, Yang W, Xing Y, Wang J, Zhang J. Chronic arsenic exposure lowered sperm motility via impairing ultra-microstructure and key proteins expressions of sperm acrosome and flagellum formation during spermiogenesis in male mice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139233. [PMID: 32460071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) poisoning and its potential reproductive functional lesions are a global environmental concern. Recent studies shown that spermiogenesis tends to be a major target process in arsenic-induced male infertility, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully illuminated. In the present study, 32 fertility related indices including sperm motility, dynamic acrosome formation and sperm flagellum during spermiogenesis in testes were evaluated in adult male mice treated with 0, 0.2, 2, and 20 ppm As2O3 via drinking water for 180 consecutive days. The results showed that out of 32 indices, 11, 25, and 29 indicators were changed statistically by 0.2-, 2-, and 20- ppm As2O3 treatment compared to the controls (0 ppm As2O3), respectively, which reveals a significant dose-dependent relationship. For details, sperm motilities were significantly decreased by 18.85%, 32.47% and 29.53% in three As2O3 treatment groups compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the ultra-structures of acrosome formation and sperm flagellum in testes have been altered by chronic arsenic exposure. Furthermore, arsenic decreased the mRNA expressions of 11 out of 13 genes associated with acrosome biosynthesis and 11 out of 12 genes related to flagellum formation in testes, particularly, down-regulated DPY19L2, AKAP3, AKAP4, CFAP44 and SPAG16 were further confirmed at the protein levels by western blotting. Taken together, chronic arsenic exposure declines male fertility by disorganizing dynamic acrosome and flagellum formation in testes. Especially, DPY19L2, AKAP3, AKAP4, CFAP44, and SPAG16 maybe the potential targets in this process. These results may offer not only a new insight to the mechanism of arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity, but also provide a clue for the diagnosis and therapy of arseniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Yu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Ram Kumar Manthari
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Chenkai Cheng
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Yanjia Tan
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Xiang Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Tian
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Weixiang Fu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Jie Yang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Wei Yang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Yin Xing
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China
| | - Jianhai Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
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Yefimova MG, Buschiazzo A, Burel A, Lavault MT, Pimentel C, Jouve G, Jaillard S, Jegou B, Bourmeyster N, Ravel C. Autophagy is increased in cryptorchid testis resulting in abnormal spermatozoa. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:570-576. [PMID: 31031333 PMCID: PMC6859671 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_12_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is involved in spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell maturation. This catabolic process increases with hyperthermic conditions to prevent the accumulation of damaged organelles. Cryptorchidism is associated with impairment of germ cell maturation revealed by the presence of immature forms of sperm cells in ejaculates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of autophagy in sperm cells from cryptorchid patients. Semen samples of cryptorchid patients and normozoospermic controls were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Autophagy proteins, autophagy-related protein 9 (ATG9) and microtubule-associated protein, 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) were localized by immunocytochemistry on the acrosome and on the equatorial segment of sperm cells. LC3 was also detected in the midpiece of cryptorchid sperm tail. Autophagy substrate p62 protein was present in the acrosome and in the postequatorial segment of sperm in control samples, but not in the cryptorchid ones. Transmission electron microscopy revealed double-membrane-limited autophagosomes in postequatorial part of spermatozoa head and midpiece in cryptorchid samples. Partly degraded mitochondria were frequently discerned in autophagic vacuoles. In conclusion, autophagy is increased in sperm cells from patients with cryptorchid history comparatively to control. Our work provides insights into the role of autophagy in the maturation and survival of human male gametes in pathological conditions. Thus, regulating autophagy could represent a potential way to improve sperm quality in cryptorchid men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina G Yefimova
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France.,Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194223 St-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Antoine Buschiazzo
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Agnes Burel
- Univ Rennes, Biosit Platform - MRIC, Rennes 35000, France
| | | | - Celine Pimentel
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Department of Gynecology Obstetric and Human Reproduction, Rennes 35000, France
| | - Guilhem Jouve
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Department of Cytogenetic, Irset (Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes 35000, France
| | - Bernard Jegou
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Nicolas Bourmeyster
- University of Poitiers - CHU Poitiers, STIM ERL 7003 CNRS, Poitiers 86021, France
| | - Celia Ravel
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
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89
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Guo S, Chunyu Lv, Ouyang S, Wang X, Liao A, Yuan S. GOLGA4, A Golgi matrix protein, is dispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 529:642-646. [PMID: 32736686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
During acrosome biogenesis, numerous granules formed from trans-Golgi stacks and accumulated in the concave region of the nuclear surface that is essential for acrosome formation. Several Golgi-associated proteins were involved in this process. However, the specific function of Golgi-associated proteins, especially Golgi matrix protein, during acrosome biogenesis remains elusive. In this study, we identified GOLGA4, as a Golgi matrix protein, highly expressed in mouse testes. To explore the function of GOLGA4 in spermatogenesis, we generated a Golga4 global knockout mouse line using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and demonstrated that Golga4 knockout males are fertile with normal morphology of testis and sperm. Furthermore, testicular histology showed no significant difference between WT and KO mice. Together, our data demonstrate that GOLGA4 is dispensable for mouse spermatogenesis and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Guo
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Chunyu Lv
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Sijin Ouyang
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China; Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, China.
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90
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Huang Q, Liu Y, Zhang S, Yap YT, Li W, Zhang D, Gardner A, Zhang L, Song S, Hess RA, Zhang Z. Autophagy core protein ATG5 is required for elongating spermatid development, sperm individualization and normal fertility in male mice. Autophagy 2020; 17:1753-1767. [PMID: 32677505 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1783822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the longest phase of spermatogenesis, with dramatic morphological changes and a final step of spermiation, which involves protein degradation and the removal of excess cytoplasm; therefore, we hypothesized that macroautophagy/autophagy might be involved in the process. To test this hypothesis, we examined the function of ATG5, a core autophagy protein in male germ cell development. Floxed Atg5 and Stra8- iCre mice were crossed to conditionally inactivate Atg5 in male germ cells. In Atg5flox/flox; Stra8- iCre mutant mice, testicular expression of the autophagosome marker LC3A/B-II was significantly reduced, and expression of autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62 was significantly increased, indicating a decrease in testicular autophagy activity. The fertility of mutant mice was dramatically reduced with about 70% being infertile. Sperm counts and motility were also significantly reduced compared to controls. Histological examination of the mutant testes revealed numerous, large residual bodies in the lumen of stages after their normal resorption within the seminiferous epithelium. The cauda epididymal lumen was filled with sloughed germ cells, large cytoplasmic bodies, and spermatozoa with disorganized heads and tails. Examination of cauda epididymal sperm by electron microscopy revealed misshapen sperm heads, a discontinuous accessory structure in the mid-piece and abnormal acrosome formation and loss of sperm individualization. Immunofluorescence staining of epididymal sperm showed abnormal mitochondria and acrosome distribution in the mutant mice. ATG5 was shown to induce autophagy by mediating multiple signals to maintain normal developmental processes. Our study demonstrated ATG5 is essential for male fertility and is involved in various aspects of spermiogenesis.Abbreviations: AKAP4: a-kinase anchoring protein 4; ATG5: autophagy-related 5; ATG7: autophagy-related 7; ATG10: autophagy-related 10; ATG12: autophagy-related 12; cKO: conditional knockout; DDX4: DEAD-box helicase 4; MAP1LC3/LC3/tg8: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PIWIL2/MILI: piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2; RT-PCR: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBC: tubulobulbar complexes; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yunhao Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiyang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yi Tian Yap
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David Zhang
- School of Arts and Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
| | - Ahmad Gardner
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit High School, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shizheng Song
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rex A Hess
- Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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91
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Abstract
Mitochondrial fusion and fission (mitochondrial dynamics) are homeostatic processes that safeguard normal cellular function. This relationship is especially strong in tissues with constitutively high energy demands, such as brain, heart and skeletal muscle. Less is known about the role of mitochondrial dynamics in developmental systems that involve changes in metabolic function. One such system is spermatogenesis. The first mitochondrial dynamics gene, Fuzzy onions (Fzo), was discovered in 1997 to mediate mitochondrial fusion during Drosophila spermatogenesis. In mammals, however, the role of mitochondrial fusion during spermatogenesis remained unknown for nearly two decades after discovery of Fzo Mammalian spermatogenesis is one of the most complex and lengthy differentiation processes in biology, transforming spermatogonial stem cells into highly specialized sperm cells over a 5-week period. This elaborate differentiation process requires several developmentally regulated mitochondrial and metabolic transitions, making it an attractive model system for studying mitochondrial dynamics in vivo We review the emerging role of mitochondrial biology, and especially its dynamics, during the development of the male germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Varuzhanyan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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92
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS, Krapf D, Strauss III JF, Bhagat V, Sapao P. Sperm Differentiation: The Role of Trafficking of Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3702. [PMID: 32456358 PMCID: PMC7279445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm differentiation encompasses a complex sequence of morphological changes that takes place in the seminiferous epithelium. In this process, haploid round spermatids undergo substantial structural and functional alterations, resulting in highly polarized sperm. Hallmark changes during the differentiation process include the formation of new organelles, chromatin condensation and nuclear shaping, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and assembly of the sperm flagella. To achieve these transformations, spermatids have unique mechanisms for protein trafficking that operate in a coordinated fashion. Microtubules and filaments of actin are the main tracks used to facilitate the transport mechanisms, assisted by motor and non-motor proteins, for delivery of vesicular and non-vesicular cargos to specific sites. This review integrates recent findings regarding the role of protein trafficking in sperm differentiation. Although a complete characterization of the interactome of proteins involved in these temporal and spatial processes is not yet known, we propose a model based on the current literature as a framework for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Jerome F. Strauss III
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Virali Bhagat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Paulene Sapao
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298, USA;
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93
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Qu W, Tarique I, Deng B, Zhang Y, Haseeb A, Chen Q, Yang P. Cellular evidence of autophagy in Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis in goats. Theriogenology 2020; 154:237-245. [PMID: 32682203 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells (SCs) play their nursing role as structural and functional supporting cells during spermatogenesis to ensure the production of highly specialized mature spermatozoa. Besides that, the role of SCs in autophagy during active (adult) and inactive (young) spermatogenesis in the caprine testis is still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated autophagy in goat SCs by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry (IHC), double immunofluorescence (double-IF), and transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopy showed active seminiferous tubules with SCs and layers of developing germ cells in the adult goat testis. In young goats, layer of germ cells and SCs was viewed on the basal membrane in the seminiferous tubule. IHC of autophagy-related 7 (ATG7) showed moderate expressions in the cytoplasmic extensions of SCs during inactive spermatogenesis, and strong expression was observed during active spermatogenesis in the testis of goat. Co-immunolabeling of p62 or light chain 3 (LC3) with vimentin showed increasing expression from the basal to the luminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule and stronger expression during active than inactive spermatogenesis in the testis of goat. Ultrastructure assessment of the cytoplasm in SCs showed phagophores, generated from the endoplasmic reticulum during active spermatocytogenesis. Numerous autophagosomes and autolysosomes were noted in the SCs cytoplasm, which surrounds the spermatogenic cells in the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubules. At a later stage, SCs showed autophagosomes and autolysosomes, together with multivesicular bodies (MVB), during spermiogenesis at different phases of the acrosome formation. Numerous embedded elongated spermatozoa were found in the cytoplasm of SCs, surrounded by autophagic components and MVB. Under TEM, the mean diameter of autophagosomes was 952.35 nm and that of autolysosomes was 504.38 nm. Collectively, these results suggest that autophagy is active in SCs during caprine spermatogenesis and that the level of autophagy becomes more evident as spermatogenesis advances from the basal to the luminal compartment of SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Qu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
| | - Imran Tarique
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
| | - Bihua Deng
- Institute of Veterinary Immunology and Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210014, China.
| | - Yue Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
| | - Abdul Haseeb
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
| | - Quisheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
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94
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Autophagy Induced by ROS Aggravates Testis Oxidative Damage in Diabetes via Breaking the Feedforward Loop Linking p62 and Nrf2. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:7156579. [PMID: 32509151 PMCID: PMC7254092 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7156579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Testicular dysfunction due to hyperglycemia is the main cause of infertility in diabetic men. Over the years, in order to solve this growing problem, a lot of research has been done and a variety of treatments have been created, but so far, there is no safe, effective, and practical method to prevent male infertility caused by diabetes. In this review, we emphasize the male infertility mechanism caused by diabetes from the effects of oxidative stress and autophagy on the function of testes via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and we highlight that oxidative stress-induced autophagy breaks the feedforward loop linking Nrf2 and p62 and promotes oxidative damage in diabetic testes.
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95
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Zakrzewski P, Rędowicz MJ, Buss F, Lenartowska M. Loss of myosin VI expression affects acrosome/acroplaxome complex morphology during mouse spermiogenesis†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:521-533. [PMID: 32412041 PMCID: PMC7442776 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During spermiogenesis in mammals, actin filaments and a variety of actin-binding proteins are involved in the formation and function of highly specialized testis-specific structures. Actin-based motor proteins, such as myosin Va and VIIa, play a key role in this complex process of spermatid transformation into mature sperm. We have previously demonstrated that myosin VI (MYO6) is also expressed in mouse testes. It is present in actin-rich structures important for spermatid development, including one of the earliest events in spermiogenesis—acrosome formation. Here, we demonstrate using immunofluorescence, cytochemical, and ultrastructural approaches that MYO6 is involved in maintaining the structural integrity of these specialized actin-rich structures during acrosome biogenesis in mouse. We show that MYO6 together with its binding partner TOM1/L2 is present at/around the spermatid Golgi complex and the nascent acrosome. Depletion of MYO6 in Snell’s waltzer mice causes structural disruptions of the Golgi complex and affects the acrosomal granule positioning within the developing acrosome. In summary, our results suggest that MYO6 plays an anchoring role during the acrosome biogenesis mainly by tethering of different cargo/membranes to highly specialized actin-related structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Zakrzewski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland
| | - Maria Jolanta Rędowicz
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Cell Motility, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Folma Buss
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, The Keith Peters Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marta Lenartowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Torun, Poland
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96
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Li S, Yan H, Mei WM, Tse YC, Wang H. Boosting autophagy in sexual reproduction: a plant perspective. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:679-689. [PMID: 31917864 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The key process of sexual reproduction is the successful fusion of the sperm and egg cell. Distinct from dynamic and flagellated animal sperm cells, higher flowering plant sperm cells are immotile. Therefore, plants have evolved a novel reproductive system to achieve fertilization and generate progenies. Plant sexual reproduction consists of multiple steps, mainly including gametophyte development, pollen-pistil recognition, pollen germination, double fertilization and postfertilization. During reproduction, active production, consumption and recycling of cellular components and energy are critically required to achieve fertilization. However, the underlying machinery of cellular degradation and turnover remains largely unexplored. Autophagy, the major catabolic pathway in eukaryotic cells, participates in regulating multiple aspects of plant activities, including abiotic and biotic stress resistance, pathogen response, senescence, nutrient remobilization and plant development. Nevertheless, a key unanswered question is how autophagy regulates plant fertilization and reproduction. Here, we focus on comparing and contrasting autophagy in several key reproductive processes of plant and animal systems to feature important distinctions and highlight future research directions of autophagy in angiosperm reproduction. We further discuss the potential crosstalk between autophagy and programmed cell death, which are often considered as two disconnected events in plant sexual reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - He Yan
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wei-Ming Mei
- Outpatient Department of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yu Chung Tse
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518005, China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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97
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Shang YL, Zhu FX, Yan J, Chen L, Tang WH, Xiao S, Mo WK, Zhang ZG, He XJ, Qiao J, Cao YX, Li W. Novel DPY19L2 variants in globozoospermic patients and the overcoming this male infertility. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:183-189. [PMID: 30333325 PMCID: PMC6413555 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_79_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Globozoospermia has been reported to be a rare but severe causation of male infertility, which results from the failure of acrosome biogenesis and sperm head shaping. Variants of dpy-19-like 2 (DPY19L2) are highly related to globozoospermia, but related investigations have been mainly performed in patients from Western countries. Here, we performed a screening of DPY19L2 variants in a cohort of Chinese globozoospermic patients and found that five of nine patients carried DPY19L2 deletions and the other four patients contained novel DPY19L2 point mutations, as revealed by whole-exome sequencing. Patient 3 (P3) contained a heterozygous variant (c.2126+5G>A), P6 contained a homozygous nonsense mutation (c.1720C>T, p.Arg574*), P8 contained compound heterozygous variants (c.1182-1184delATC, p.Leu394_Ser395delinsPhe; c.368A>T, p.His123Arg), and P9 contained a heterozygous variant (c.1182-1184delATCTT, frameshift). We also reported intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in the related patients, finding that ICSI followed by assisted oocyte activation (AOA) with calcium ionophore achieved high rates of live births. In summary, the infertility of these patients results from DPY19L2 dysfunction and can be treated by ICSI together with AOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Liang Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fu-Xi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Medical Center of Reproductive and Genetics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Wen-Hao Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Sai Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei-Ke Mo
- Digital China Health Technologies Co., Ltd., Beijing 100080, China
| | - Zhi-Guo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiao-Jin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun-Xia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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98
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Han T, Wang L, Tang W, Zhang Z, Khawar MB, Li G, Jiang H, Liu C. GGNBP1 ensures proper spermiogenesis in response to stress in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 525:706-713. [PMID: 32139124 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.02.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
GGNBP1 is known as gametogenetin protein 1 (GGN1)-interacting protein. It is specifically expressed in the mitochondria of the testis, while its functional role during spermatogenesis is still unknown. Here, we showed that the disruption of Ggnbp1 resulted in abnormal spermiogenesis in around 40% mice, while the others show no defects in the genital system. Moreover, upon treatment with low dose of bisphenol A (BPA), Ggnbp1 knockout mice were more sensitive to environmental pollutant than control mice. The treatment led to decrease in sperm motility and production of abnormal spermatozoa. These results suggest that GGNBP1 mainly ensures proper spermiogenesis in response to various stresses in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Han
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lina Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenhao Tang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guoping Li
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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99
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Ommati MM, Manthari RK, Tikka C, Niu R, Sun Z, Sabouri S, Zamiri MJ, Ahmadi HN, Ghaffari H, Heidari R, Wang J. Arsenic-induced autophagic alterations and mitochondrial impairments in HPG-S axis of mature male mice offspring (F1-generation): A persistent toxicity study. Toxicol Lett 2020; 326:83-98. [PMID: 32112876 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) has been implicated in causing reproductive toxicity, but the precise cellular pathway through which the As toxicity in mature F1- male mice hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal- sperm (HPG-S) axis is induced has not well been documented. Hence, parental mice were treated to As2O3 (0, 0.2, 2, and 20 ppm in deionized water) from five weeks before mating until weaning, and the male pups from weaning to maturity. Afterward, the markers of oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and autophagy as fundamental mechanisms of cytotoxicity and organ injury were evaluated. Higher As2O3 doses (2 and 20 ppm) were a potent inducer of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy in HPG-S axis. Concomitant with a dose-dependent increase in the number of MDC-labeled autophagic vacuoles in the HPG axis, an adverse dose-dependent effect was observed on the mean body weight, litter size, organ coefficient, and spermatogenesis. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed more autophagosomes at high As2O3 dosage. Concomitant with a dose-dependent increment in gene expression of PI3K, Atg5, Atg12, as well as protein expression of Beclin1, LC3- I, II, P62 in HPG axis tissues and Atg12 in the pituitary; a dose-dependent decrease in mTOR gene expression was recorded in the HPG tissues of mature F1-males. These observations provide direct evidence that oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial impairments and autophagic cell death, through AMPK/TSC/mTOR and LC3 related pathways, are fundamental mechanisms for As2O3- induced toxicity on the reproductive system in mature male mice offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mehdi Ommati
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China; Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China.
| | - Ram Kumar Manthari
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China
| | - Chiranjeevi Tikka
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China
| | - Ruiyan Niu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China
| | - Zilong Sun
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China
| | - Samira Sabouri
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China; Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China
| | - Mohammad Javad Zamiri
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, 71441-65186, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hasan Nategh Ahmadi
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, 71345, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hasti Ghaffari
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Reza Heidari
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 158371345, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, PR China.
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100
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Dohmen M, Krieg S, Agalaridis G, Zhu X, Shehata SN, Pfeiffenberger E, Amelang J, Bütepage M, Buerova E, Pfaff CM, Chanda D, Geley S, Preisinger C, Sakamoto K, Lüscher B, Neumann D, Vervoorts J. AMPK-dependent activation of the Cyclin Y/CDK16 complex controls autophagy. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1032. [PMID: 32098961 PMCID: PMC7042329 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14812-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master sensor of the cellular energy status that is crucial for the adaptive response to limited energy availability. AMPK is implicated in the regulation of many cellular processes, including autophagy. However, the precise mechanisms by which AMPK controls these processes and the identities of relevant substrates are not fully understood. Using protein microarrays, we identify Cyclin Y as an AMPK substrate that is phosphorylated at Serine 326 (S326) both in vitro and in cells. Phosphorylation of Cyclin Y at S326 promotes its interaction with the Cyclin-dependent kinase 16 (CDK16), thereby stimulating its catalytic activity. When expressed in cells, Cyclin Y/CDK16 is sufficient to promote autophagy. Moreover, Cyclin Y/CDK16 is necessary for efficient AMPK-dependent activation of autophagy. This functional interaction is mediated by AMPK phosphorylating S326 of Cyclin Y. Collectively, we define Cyclin Y/CDK16 as downstream effector of AMPK for inducing autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Dohmen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Translational & Clinical Research Aachen (CTC-A), Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Krieg
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Georgios Agalaridis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Xiaoqing Zhu
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, P.O. box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elisabeth Pfeiffenberger
- Division of Molecular Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jan Amelang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mareike Bütepage
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elena Buerova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carolina M Pfaff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- AstraZeneca GmbH, Tinsdaler Weg 183, 22880, Wedel, Germany
| | - Dipanjan Chanda
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, P.O. box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stephan Geley
- Division of Molecular Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Preisinger
- Proteomics Facility, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Aachen, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kei Sakamoto
- Nestlé Research, EPFL Innovation Park, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Dietbert Neumann
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, P.O. box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Maastricht, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jörg Vervoorts
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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