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Wang T, Zhang Z, Qu C, Song W, Li M, Shao X, Fukuda T, Gu J, Taniguchi N, Li W. Core fucosylation regulates the ovarian response via FSH receptor during follicular development. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00038-9. [PMID: 38280716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.025] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ovarian low response to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes infertility featuring hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, ovarian failure, and/or defective ovarian response. OBJECTIVES N-glycosylation is essential for FSH receptor (FSHR). Core fucosylation catalyzed by fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) is the most common N-glycosylation. Core fucosylation level changes between individuals and plays important roles in multiple physiological and pathological conditions. This study aims to elucidate the significance of FUT8 to modulate FSHR function in female fertility. METHODS Samples from patients classified as poor ovary responders (PORs) were detected with lectin blot and real-time PCR. Fut8 gene knockout (Fut8-/-) mice and FUT8-knockdown human granulosa cell line (KGN-KD) were established and in vitro fertilization (IVF) assay, western blot, molecular interaction, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation were applied. RESULTS Core fucosylation is indispensable for oocyte and follicular development. FSHR is a highly core-fucosylated glycoprotein. Loss of core fucosylation suppressed binding of FSHR to FSH, and attenuated FSHR downstream signaling in granulosa cells. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the downregulation of several transcripts crucial for oocyte meiotic progression and preimplantation development in Fut8-/- mice and in POR patients. Furthermore, loss of FUT8 inhibited the interaction between granulosa cells and oocytes, reduced transzonal projection (TZP) formation and caused poor developmental competence of oocytes after fertilization in vitro. While L-fucose administration increased the core fucosylation of FSHR, and its sensitivity to FSH. CONCLUSION This study first reveals a significant presence of core fucosylation in female fertility control. Decreased fucosylation on FSHR reduces the interaction of FSH-FSHR and subsequent signaling, which is a feature of the POR patients. Our results suggest that core fucosylation controls oocyte and follicular development via the FSH/FSHR pathway and is essential for female fertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan
| | - Changduo Qu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Wanli Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section Lvshun South Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Xiaoguang Shao
- Medical Center for Reproductive and Genetic Research, Dalian Municipal Women and Children's Medical Center, 878 Xibei Road, Gezhenbao Street, Dalian, Liaoning 116037, China
| | - Tomohiko Fukuda
- Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan
| | - Jianguo Gu
- Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Taniguchi
- Department of Glyco-Oncology and Medical Biochemistry, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuoku, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
| | - Wenzhe Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China.
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Zigo M, Kerns K, Sutovsky P. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Participates in Sperm Surface Subproteome Remodeling during Boar Sperm Capacitation. Biomolecules 2023; 13:996. [PMID: 37371576 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm capacitation is a complex process endowing biological and biochemical changes to a spermatozoon for a successful encounter with an oocyte. The present study focused on the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in the remodeling of the sperm surface subproteome. The sperm surface subproteome from non-capacitated and in vitro capacitated (IVC) porcine spermatozoa, with and without proteasomal inhibition, was selectively isolated. The purified sperm surface subproteome was analyzed using high-resolution, quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in four replicates. We identified 1680 HUGO annotated proteins, out of which we found 91 to be at least 1.5× less abundant (p < 0.05) and 141 to be at least 1.5× more abundant (p < 0.05) on the surface of IVC spermatozoa. These proteins were associated with sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, metabolism, acrosomal exocytosis, and fertilization. Abundances of 14 proteins were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05), exceeding a 1.5-fold abundance between the proteasomally inhibited (100 µM MG132) and vehicle control (0.2% ethanol) groups. The proteins NIF3L1, CSE1L, NDUFB7, PGLS, PPP4C, STK39, and TPRG1L were found to be more abundant; while BPHL, GSN, GSPT1, PFDN4, STYXL1, TIMM10, and UBXN4 were found to be less abundant in proteasomally inhibited IVC spermatozoa. Despite the UPS having a narrow range of targets, it modulated sperm metabolism and binding by regulating susceptible surface proteins. Changes in CSE1L, PFDN4, and STK39 during in vitro capacitation were confirmed using immunocytochemistry, image-based flow cytometry, and Western blotting. The results confirmed the active participation of the UPS in the extensive sperm surface proteome remodeling that occurs during boar sperm capacitation. This work will help us to identify new pharmacological mechanisms to positively or negatively modulate sperm fertilizing ability in food animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Ligands and Receptors Involved in the Sperm-Zona Pellucida Interactions in Mammals. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010133. [PMID: 33445482 PMCID: PMC7827414 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction, involving the binding of sperm surface ligands to complementary carbohydrates of ZP, is the first direct gamete contact event crucial for subsequent gamete fusion and successful fertilization in mammals. It is a complex process mediated by the coordinated engagement of multiple ZP receptors forming high-molecular-weight (HMW) protein complexes at the acrosomal region of the sperm surface. The present article aims to review the current understanding of sperm-ZP binding in the four most studied mammalian models, i.e., murine, porcine, bovine, and human, and summarizes the candidate ZP receptors with established ZP affinity, including their origins and the mechanisms of ZP binding. Further, it compares and contrasts the ZP structure and carbohydrate composition in the aforementioned model organisms. The comprehensive understanding of sperm-ZP interaction mechanisms is critical for the diagnosis of infertility and thus becomes an integral part of assisted reproductive therapies/technologies.
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Zigo M, Maňásková-Postlerová P, Zuidema D, Kerns K, Jonáková V, Tůmová L, Bubeníčková F, Sutovsky P. Porcine model for the study of sperm capacitation, fertilization and male fertility. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:237-262. [PMID: 32140927 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03181-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization remains a poorly understood event with the vast majority of studies done in the mouse model. The purpose of this review is to revise the current knowledge about semen deposition, sperm transport, sperm capacitation, gamete interactions and early embryonic development with a focus on the porcine model as a relevant, alternative model organism to humans. The review provides a thorough overview of post-ejaculation events inside the sow's reproductive tract including comparisons with humans and implications for human fertilization and assisted reproductive therapy (ART). Porcine methodology for sperm handling, preservation, in vitro capacitation, oocyte in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection that are routinely used in pig research laboratories can be successfully translated into ART to treat human infertility. Last, but not least, new knowledge about mitochondrial inheritance in the pig can provide an insight into human mitochondrial diseases and new knowledge on polyspermy defense mechanisms could contribute to the development of new male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
| | - Pavla Maňásková-Postlerová
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dalen Zuidema
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Věra Jonáková
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Tůmová
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filipa Bubeníčková
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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Morgan CC, Hart MW. Molecular evolution of mammalian genes with epistatic interactions in fertilization. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:154. [PMID: 31345177 PMCID: PMC6659299 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1480-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genes that encode proteins associated with sperm competition, fertilization, and sexual conflicts of interest are often among the most rapidly evolving parts of animal genomes. One family of sperm-expressed genes (Zp3r, C4bpa) in the mammalian gene cluster called the regulator of complement activation (RCA) encodes proteins that bind eggs and mediate reproductive success, and are therefore expected to show high relative rates of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution in response to sexual selection in comparison to other genes not involved in gamete binding at fertilization. We tested that working hypothesis by using phylogenetic models of codon evolution to identify episodes of diversifying positive selection. We used a comparative approach to quantify the evidence for episodic diversifying selection acting on RCA genes with known functions in fertilization (and sensitivity to sexual selection), and contrast them with other RCA genes in the same gene family that function in innate immunity (and are not sensitive to sexual selection). RESULTS We expected but did not find evidence for more episodes of positive selection on Zp3r in Glires (the rodents and lagomorphs) or on C4BPA in Primates, in comparison to other paralogous RCA genes in the same taxon, or in comparison to the same orthologous RCA gene in the other taxon. That result was not unique to RCA genes: we also found little evidence for more episodes of diversifying selection on genes that encode selective sperm-binding molecules in the egg coat or zona pellucida (Zp2, Zp3) in comparison to members of the same gene family that encode structural elements of the egg coat (Zp1, Zp4). Similarly, we found little evidence for episodic diversifying selection acting on two other recently discovered genes (Juno, Izumo1) that encode essential molecules for sperm-egg fusion. CONCLUSIONS These negative results help to illustrate the importance of a comparative context for this type of codon model analysis. The results may also point to other phylogenetic contexts in which the effects of selection acting on these fertilization proteins might be more readily discovered and documented in mammals and other taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C. Morgan
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN UK
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael W. Hart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6 Canada
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Gopinathan L, Szmyd R, Low D, Diril MK, Chang HY, Coppola V, Liu K, Tessarollo L, Guccione E, van Pelt AMM, Kaldis P. Emi2 Is Essential for Mouse Spermatogenesis. Cell Rep 2018; 20:697-708. [PMID: 28723571 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The meiotic functions of Emi2, an inhibitor of the APC/C complex, have been best characterized in oocytes where it mediates metaphase II arrest as a component of the cytostatic factor. We generated knockout mice to determine the in vivo functions of Emi2-in particular, its functions in the testis, where Emi2 is expressed at high levels. Male and female Emi2 knockout mice are viable but sterile, indicating that Emi2 is essential for meiosis but dispensable for embryonic development and mitotic cell divisions. We found that, besides regulating cell-cycle arrest in mouse eggs, Emi2 is essential for meiosis I progression in spermatocytes. In the absence of Emi2, spermatocytes arrest in early diplotene of prophase I. This arrest is associated with decreased Cdk1 activity and was partially rescued by a knockin mouse model of elevated Cdk1 activity. Additionally, we detected expression of Emi2 in spermatids and sperm, suggesting potential post-meiotic functions for Emi2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Gopinathan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - Radoslaw Szmyd
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117456, Republic of Singapore
| | - Diana Low
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - M Kasim Diril
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - Heng-Yu Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Vincenzo Coppola
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, NCI-Frederick, Building 560, 1050 Boyles Street, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Kui Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lino Tessarollo
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, NCI-Frederick, Building 560, 1050 Boyles Street, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A(∗)STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos #3-09, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore.
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7
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Hart MW, Stover DA, Guerra V, Mozaffari SV, Ober C, Mugal CF, Kaj I. Positive selection on human gamete-recognition genes. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4259. [PMID: 29340252 PMCID: PMC5767332 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coevolution of genes that encode interacting proteins expressed on the surfaces of sperm and eggs can lead to variation in reproductive compatibility between mates and reproductive isolation between members of different species. Previous studies in mice and other mammals have focused in particular on evidence for positive or diversifying selection that shapes the evolution of genes that encode sperm-binding proteins expressed in the egg coat or zona pellucida (ZP). By fitting phylogenetic models of codon evolution to data from the 1000 Genomes Project, we identified candidate sites evolving under diversifying selection in the human genes ZP3 and ZP2. We also identified one candidate site under positive selection in C4BPA, which encodes a repetitive protein similar to the mouse protein ZP3R that is expressed in the sperm head and binds to the ZP at fertilization. Results from several additional analyses that applied population genetic models to the same data were consistent with the hypothesis of selection on those candidate sites leading to coevolution of sperm- and egg-expressed genes. By contrast, we found no candidate sites under selection in a fourth gene (ZP1) that encodes an egg coat structural protein not directly involved in sperm binding. Finally, we found that two of the candidate sites (in C4BPA and ZP2) were correlated with variation in family size and birth rate among Hutterite couples, and those two candidate sites were also in linkage disequilibrium in the same Hutterite study population. All of these lines of evidence are consistent with predictions from a previously proposed hypothesis of balancing selection on epistatic interactions between C4BPA and ZP3 at fertilization that lead to the evolution of co-adapted allele pairs. Such patterns also suggest specific molecular traits that may be associated with both natural reproductive variation and clinical infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Hart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daryn A Stover
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University Colleges at Lake Havasu City, Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA
| | - Vanessa Guerra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sahar V Mozaffari
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carina F Mugal
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ingemar Kaj
- Department of Mathematics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Ito C, Toshimori K. Acrosome markers of human sperm. Anat Sci Int 2016; 91:128-42. [PMID: 26748928 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-015-0323-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Molecular biomarkers that can assess sperm acrosome status are very useful for evaluating sperm quality in the field of assisted reproductive technology. In this review, we introduce and discuss the localization and function of acrosomal proteins that have been well studied. Journal databases were searched using keywords, including "human acrosome", "localization", "fertilization-related protein", "acrosomal membrane", "acrosomal matrix", "acrosome reaction", "knockout mouse", and "acrosome marker".
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizuru Ito
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Adonin LS, Podgornaya OI, Shaposhnikova TG. Morphodynamics of the contract plate in the course of oocyte maturation in the scyphozoan Aurelia aurita (Cnidaria: Semaeostomae). Russ J Dev Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s106236041105002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Dun MD, Smith ND, Baker MA, Lin M, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. The chaperonin containing TCP1 complex (CCT/TRiC) is involved in mediating sperm-oocyte interaction. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:36875-87. [PMID: 21880732 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.188888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm-oocyte interactions are among the most remarkable processes in cell biology. These cellular recognition events are initiated by an exquisitely specific adhesion of free-swimming spermatozoa to the zona pellucida, an acellular matrix that surrounds the ovulated oocyte. Decades of research focusing on this interaction have led to the establishment of a widely held paradigm that the zona pellucida receptor is a single molecular entity that is constitutively expressed on the sperm cell surface. In contrast, we have employed the techniques of blue native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, far Western blotting, and proximity ligation to secure the first direct evidence in support of a novel hypothesis that zona binding is mediated by multimeric sperm receptor complex(es). Furthermore, we show that one such multimeric association, comprising the chaperonin-containing TCP1 complex (CCT/TRiC) and a zona-binding protein, zona pellucida-binding protein 2, is present on the surface of capacitated spermatozoa and could account for the zona binding activity of these cells. Collectively, these data provide an important biochemical insight into the molecular basis of sperm-zona pellucida interaction and a plausible explanation for how spermatozoa gain their ability to fertilize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Dun
- Reproductive Science Group, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
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Abstract
Reproduction is the process by which organisms create descendants. In human reproduction, two kinds of sex cells, or gametes, are involved. Sperm, the male gamete, and egg egg , or ovum ovum Vedi egg , the female gamete, must meet in the female reproductive system to create a new individual and both the female and the male reproductive systems are essential to the occurrence of reproduction. Scientific reports dealing with the effects of methylxanthines on reproduction are mostly centred on the use of these compounds as phosphodiesterase inhibitors that, by maintaining high intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) cyclic AMP , will affect the gametes differently. High cAMP levels will sustain sperm sperm maturation while they hold the oocytes in mitotic arrest. Caffeine caffeine , being the methylxanthine most widely consumed by every segment of the population, has been the subject of greatest interest among health professionals and researchers. Conflicting results still seem to characterize the association between male/female caffeine caffeine consumption in adult life and semen quality/fertility fertility , although moderate daily caffeine consumption of levels up to 400-450 mg/day (5.7-6.4 mg/kg/day in a 70-kg adult) do not seem to be associated with adverse effects, i.e. general toxicity, effects on bone status and calcium balance, cardiovascular effects, behavioural changes, increased incidence of cancer, or effects on male fertility. A clear stimulation of egg-laying by the coffee leaf pest Leucoptera coffeella was recently reported, providing support for the hypothesis that caffeine, in a dose-dependent way, in insects stimulates egg-laying, thus leading to the death of coffee trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Minelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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12
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Rohlfs RV, Swanson WJ, Weir BS. Detecting coevolution through allelic association between physically unlinked loci. Am J Hum Genet 2010; 86:674-85. [PMID: 20381007 PMCID: PMC2869012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Revised: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Coevolving interacting genes undergo complementary mutations to maintain their interaction. Distinct combinations of alleles in coevolving genes interact differently, conferring varying degrees of fitness. If this fitness differential is adequately large, the resulting selection for allele matching could maintain allelic association, even between physically unlinked loci. Allelic association is often observed in a population with the use of gametic linkage disequilibrium. However, because the coevolving genes are not necessarily in physical linkage, this is not an appropriate measure of coevolution-induced allelic association. Instead, we propose using both composite linkage disequilibrium (CLD) and a measure of association between genotypes, which we call genotype association (GA). Using a simple selective model, we simulated loci and calculated power for tests of CLD and GA, showing that the tests can detect the allelic association expected under realistic selective pressure. We apply CLD and GA tests to the polymorphic, physically unlinked, and putatively coevolving human gamete-recognition genes ZP3 and ZP3R. We observe unusual allelic association, not attributable to population structure, between ZP3 and ZP3R. This study shows that selection for allele matching can drive allelic association between unlinked loci in a contemporary human population, and that selection can be detected with the use of CLD and GA tests. The observation of this selection is surprising, but reasonable in the highly selected system of fertilization. If confirmed, this sort of selection provides an exception to the paradigm of chromosomal independent assortment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rori V Rohlfs
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Findlay GD, Swanson WJ. Proteomics enhances evolutionary and functional analysis of reproductive proteins. Bioessays 2010; 32:26-36. [PMID: 20020477 DOI: 10.1002/bies.200900127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive proteins maintain species-specific barriers to fertilization, affect the outcome of sperm competition, mediate reproductive conflicts between the sexes, and potentially contribute to the formation of new species. However, the specific proteins and molecular mechanisms that underlie these processes are understood in only a handful of cases. Advances in genomic and proteomic technologies enable the identification of large suites of reproductive proteins, making it possible to dissect reproductive phenotypes at the molecular level. We first review these technological advances and describe how reproductive proteins are identified in diverse animal taxa. We then discuss the dynamic evolution of reproductive proteins and the potential selective forces that act on them. Finally, we describe molecular and genomic tools for functional analysis and detail how evolutionary data may be used to make predictions about interactions among reproductive proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey D Findlay
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-5065, USA.
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Veaute C, Liu DY, Furlong LI, Biancotti JC, Baker HWG, Vazquez-Levin MH. Anti-human proacrosin antibody inhibits the zona pellucida (ZP)-induced acrosome reaction of ZP-bound spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 2009; 93:2456-9. [PMID: 19850289 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 08/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The anti-acrosin monoclonal antibody AcrC5F10 inhibited proacrosin activation, proacrosin-human zona pellucida glycoprotein A (ZPA) binding, and the zona pellucida (ZP)-induced acrosome reaction of the ZP-bound spermatozoa but had no significant effect on sperm-ZP binding. These results suggest that proacrosin-acrosin may play an important role in the ZP-induced acrosome reaction of spermatozoa after primary binding to the ZP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Veaute
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), 1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Buffone MG, Kim KS, Doak BJ, Rodriguez-Miranda E, Gerton GL. Functional consequences of cleavage, dissociation and exocytotic release of ZP3R, a C4BP-related protein, from the mouse sperm acrosomal matrix. J Cell Sci 2009; 122:3153-60. [PMID: 19654207 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.052977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acrosome is an exocytotic vesicle located on the apical tip of the sperm head. In addition to having different morphological regions, two biochemically distinct compartments can be defined within the acrosome: a particulate acrosomal matrix and a soluble partition. The domains within the acrosome participate in the release of acrosomal proteins from the sperm during exocytosis, depending on whether the proteins partition into either the soluble or matrix compartments of the acrosome. We have examined the mechanism of differential release by evaluating the solubilization of acrosomal matrix protein ZP3R (sp56) from mouse sperm during the course of spontaneous acrosomal exocytosis. Using indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, we found that the ZP3R monomer is processed from 67,000 M(r) to 43,000 M(r) by proteases coincident with release from the acrosome. Sperm require a maturational step, termed capacitation, before they are competent for acrosomal exocytosis and the processing of ZP3R is dramatically reduced under non-capacitating conditions. The cleavage probably takes place in complement control protein domain (CCP) 6 or the bridge region between CCP6 and CCP7, which is not present in the guinea pig orthologue AM67. The cleaved form of ZP3R does not bind to unfertilized eggs. We have incorporated these structural considerations into a model to explain the functional consequences of acrosomal exocytosis on sperm-zona interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano G Buffone
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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