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Zhou D, Wu H, Wang L, Wang X, Tang S, Zhou Y, Wang J, Wu B, Tang J, Zhou X, Tian S, Liu S, Lv M, He X, Jin L, Shi H, Zhang F, Cao Y, Liu C. Deficiency of MFSD6L, an acrosome membrane protein, causes oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00149-8. [PMID: 38909778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.06.008] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is an important factor affecting male fertility and has been found to be associated with genetic factors. However, there are still a proportion of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia cases that cannot be explained by known pathogenic genetic variants. Here, we perform genetic analyses and identify bi-allelic loss-of-function variants of MFSD6L from an oligoasthenoteratozoospermia-affected family. Mfsd6l knock-out male mice also present male subfertility with reduced sperm concentration, motility, and deformed acrosomes. Further mechanistic analyses reveal that MFSD6L, as an acrosome membrane protein, plays an important role in the formation of acrosome by interacting with the inner acrosomal membrane protein SPACA1. Moreover, poor embryonic development is consistently observed after intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment using spermatozoa from the MFSD6L-deficient man and male mice. Collectively, our findings reveal that MFSD6L is required for the anchoring of sperm acrosome and head shaping. The deficiency of MFSD6L affects male fertility and causes oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yiling Zhou
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jiaxiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China; Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianan Tang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xuehai Zhou
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shixiong Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Soong Ching Ling Institute of Maternity and Child Health, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Soong Ching Ling Institute of Maternity and Child Health, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
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Wang Y, Huang X, Sun G, Chen J, Wu B, Luo J, Tang S, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Coiled-coil domain-containing 38 is required for acrosome biogenesis and fibrous sheath assembly in mice. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:407-418. [PMID: 37709195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes to form slender sperm flagella and cap-like acrosomes, which are required for successful fertilization. Severe deformities in flagella cause a male infertility syndrome, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), while acrosomal hypoplasia in some cases leads to sub-optimal embryonic developmental potential. However, evidence regarding the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF is limited. Here, we report the generation of base-edited mice knocked out for coiled-coil domain-containing 38 (Ccdc38) via inducing a nonsense mutation and find that the males are infertile. The Ccdc38-KO sperm display acrosomal hypoplasia and typical MMAF phenotypes. We find that the acrosomal membrane is loosely anchored to the nucleus and fibrous sheaths are disorganized in Ccdc38-KO sperm. Further analyses reveal that Ccdc38 knockout causes a decreased level of TEKT3, a protein associated with acrosome biogenesis, in testes and an aberrant distribution of TEKT3 in sperm. We finally show that intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes Ccdc38-related infertility. Our study thus reveals a previously unknown role for CCDC38 in acrosome biogenesis and provides additional evidence for the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guoying Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jiahui Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
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Sun W, Zhang X, Wang L, Ren G, Piao S, Yang C, Liu Z. RNA sequencing profiles reveals progressively reduced spermatogenesis with progression in adult cryptorchidism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1271724. [PMID: 38027210 PMCID: PMC10643144 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1271724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The fertility of cryptorchidism patients who didn't perform corrective surgery will decrease with age. Herein, we elucidate the histological alterations and underlying molecular mechanism in patients with an increase in the disease duration from 20 to 40 years. Methods Testicular tissues were obtained from three patients with cryptorchidism, ranging in age from 22 to 44 years. Three benign paracancerous testicular samples of matched ages were used as controls. The normal and undescended testicular tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunofluorescence and all six testicular samples were subjected to RNA sequencing. RNA sequencing data were subjected to gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and Gene Ontology (GO) searches. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the DEGs. Results The seminiferous tubules' basement membrane thickens with age in healthy testes. As the period of cryptorchidism in the cryptorchid testis extended, the seminiferous tubules significantly atrophy, the number of spermatogenic cells declines, and the amount of interstitial fibrous tissue increases in comparison to normal tissues. The number of germ cells per cross-section of seminiferous tubules was significantly lower in cryptorchidism than in normal testicular tissues, according to immunofluorescence staining, but the number of Sertoli cells remained stable. RNA sequencing analysis identified 1150 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cryptorchidism and normal testicular tissues (fold change >2 and p<0.05), of which 61 genes were noticeably upregulated and 1089 were significantly downregulated. These genes were predominantly linked to sperm development and differentiation, and fertilization, according to GO analysis. Meiosis pathways were significantly downregulated in cryptorchidism, according to KEGG pathway analysis and GSEA (P<0.001). PPI analysis was used to identify the top seven downregulated hub genes (PLCZ1, AKAP4, IZUMO1, SPAG6, CAPZA3, and ROPN1L), which were then further verified by qPCR. Discussion By describing the histological changes and differential gene expression patterns in adult cryptorchid patients of different age groups, we discovered the progression mechanisms of undescended testes in adults with aging and identified seven significantly downregulated hub genes (PLCZ1, AKAP4, IZUMO1, SPAG6, CAPZA3, and ROPN1L) in cryptorchid testis compared to normal testicular tissues. These genes played a role in the process of spermgenesis and are directly linked to the steady decline in fertility caused by cryptorchidism. Our study provided a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the loss of spermatogenesis in adult cryptorchidism, and give support for the development of adult cryptorchidism treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihao Sun
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanyu Ren
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuguang Piao
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenghua Yang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Shanghai, China
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Sahoo B, Mishra B, Bhaskar R, Vikas YNV, Umesh A, Guttula PK, Gupta MK. Analyzing the effect of heparin on in vitro capacitation and spermatozoal RNA population in goats. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124502. [PMID: 37080410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124502] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan polymer that is commonly used as an anticoagulant. Heparin also induces in vitro capacitation in spermatozoa, although its molecular mechanism is elusive. This study investigated the effect of heparin on in vitro capacitation and spermatozoal RNA (spRNA) population in goats. Goat spermatozoa were treated with 20 μM heparin for 0-6 h and evaluated for motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and spRNA population by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). It was observed that heparin enhanced sperm motility up to 6 h of incubation (p < 0.05). Heparin also induced capacitation and acrosome reaction within 4 h. RNA-seq identified 1254 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between heparin-treated and control spermatozoa. Most DEGs (1251 nos.) were upregulated and included 1090 protein-coding genes. A few genes (PRND, ITPR1, LLCFC1, and CHRM2) showed >5-fold increased expression in heparin-treated spermatozoa compared to the control. The upregulated genes were found to be involved in cAMP-PKA, PI3-Akt, calcium, MAPK signaling, and oxidative stress pathways. DCFDA staining confirmed the increased oxidative stress in heparin-treated spermatozoa compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that heparin enhances sperm motility and induces capacitation by upregulation of the spRNA population and oxidative stress pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijayalaxmi Sahoo
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Balaram Mishra
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Y N V Vikas
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Anushri Umesh
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Guttula
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India.
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Mostek-Majewska A, Majewska A, Janta A, Ciereszko A. New insights into posttranslational modifications of proteins during bull sperm capacitation. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:72. [PMID: 37046330 PMCID: PMC10091539 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01080-w] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the unique nature of spermatozoa, which are transcriptionally and translationally silent, the regulation of capacitation is based on the formation of posttranslational modifications of proteins (PTMs). However, the interactions between different types of PTMs during the capacitation remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to unravel the PTM-based regulation of sperm capacitation by considering the relationship between tyrosine phosphorylation and reversible oxidative PTMs (oxPTMs), i.e., S-nitrosylation and S-glutathionylation. Since reversible oxPTMs may be closely related to peroxyredoxin (PRDX) activity, the second aim was to verify the role of PRDXs in the PTM-based regulation of capacitation. METHODS Cryopreserved bull sperm were capacitated in vitro with or without PRDX inhibitor. Qualitative parameters of sperm and symptoms characteristic of capacitation were analyzed. Posttranslational protein modifications (S-nitrosylation, S-glutathionylation, tyrosine phosphorylation) were investigated at the cellular level (flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy) and at the proteomic level (fluorescent gel-based proteomic approach). RESULTS Zona-pellucida binding proteins (ACRBP, SPAM1, ZAN, ZPBP1 and IZUMO4) were particularly rich in reversible oxPTMs. Moreover, numerous flagellar proteins were associated with all analyzed types of PTMs, which indicates that the direction of posttranslational modifications was integrated. Inhibition of PRDX activity during capacitation caused an increase in S-nitrosylation and S-glutathionylation and a decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation. Inhibition of PRDXs caused GAPDHS to undergo S-glutathionylation and the GSTO2 and SOD2 enzymes to undergo denitrosylation. Moreover, PRDX inhibition caused the AKAP proteins to be dephosphorylated. CONCLUSIONS Our research provides evidence that crosstalk occurs between tyrosine phosphorylation and reversible oxPTMs during bull sperm capacitation. This study demonstrates that capacitation triggers S-nitrosylation and S-glutathionylation (and reverse reactions) of zona-pellucida binding proteins, which may be a new important mechanism that determines the interaction between sperms and oocytes. Moreover, TCA-related and flagellar proteins, which are particularly rich in PTMs, may play a key role in sperm capacitation. We propose that the deglutathionylation of ODFs and IZUMO4 proteins is a new hallmark of bull sperm capacitation. The obtained results indicate a relationship between PRDX activity and protein phosphorylation, S-glutathionylation and S-nitrosylation. The activity of PRDXs may be crucial for maintaining redox balance and for providing proper PKA-mediated protein phosphorylation during capacitation. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Anna Majewska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Janta
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ciereszko
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
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Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Pal S, Dufau ML. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of the Mouse Testicular Germ Cells Reveals Important Role of Phosphorylated GRTH/DDX25 in Round Spermatid Differentiation and Acrosome Biogenesis during Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043127. [PMID: 36834539 PMCID: PMC9962311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH)/DDX25 is a member of DEAD-box family of RNA helicase essential for the completion of spermatogenesis and male fertility, as evident from GRTH-knockout (KO) mice. In germ cells of male mice, there are two species of GRTH, a 56 kDa non-phosphorylated form and 61 kDa phosphorylated form (pGRTH). GRTH Knock-In (KI) mice with R242H mutation abolished pGRTH and its absence leads to infertility. To understand the role of the GRTH in germ cell development at different stages during spermatogenesis, we performed single-cell RNA-seq analysis of testicular cells from adult WT, KO and KI mice and studied the dynamic changes in gene expression. Pseudotime analysis revealed a continuous developmental trajectory of germ cells from spermatogonia to elongated spermatids in WT mice, while in both KO and KI mice the trajectory was halted at round spermatid stage indicating incomplete spermatogenesis process. The transcriptional profiles of KO and KI mice were significantly altered during round spermatid development. Genes involved in spermatid differentiation, translation process and acrosome vesicle formation were significantly downregulated in the round spermatids of KO and KI mice. Ultrastructure of round spermatids of KO and KI mice revealed several abnormalities in acrosome formation that includes failure of pro-acrosome vesicles to fuse to form a single acrosome vesicle, and fragmentation of acrosome structure. Our findings highlight the crucial role of pGRTH in differentiation of round spermatids into elongated spermatids, acrosome biogenesis and its structural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
| | - Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Soumitra Pal
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria L. Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
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The Role of Sperm Proteins IZUMO1 and TMEM95 in Mammalian Fertilization: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073929. [PMID: 35409288 PMCID: PMC8999778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamete membrane fusion is a critical cellular event in sexual reproduction. In addition, the generation of knockout models has provided a powerful tool for testing the functional relevance of proteins thought to be involved in mammalian fertilization, suggesting IZUMO1 and TMEM95 (transmembrane protein 95) as essential proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the current knowledge about IZUMO1 and TMEM95 during mammalian fertilization. Hence, three distinct databases were consulted—PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—using single keywords. As a result, a total of 429 articles were identified. Based on both inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final number of articles included in this study was 103. The results showed that IZUMO1 is mostly studied in rodents whereas TMEM95 is studied primarily in bovines. Despite the research, the topological localization of IZUMO1 remains controversial. IZUMO1 may be involved in organizing or stabilizing a multiprotein complex essential for the membrane fusion in which TMEM95 could act as a fusogen due to its possible interaction with IZUMO1. Overall, the expression of these two proteins is not sufficient for sperm–oocyte fusion; therefore, other molecules must be involved in the membrane fusion process.
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Yamatoya K, Kousaka M, Ito C, Nakata K, Hatano M, Araki Y, Toshimori K. Cleavage of SPACA1 regulates assembly of sperm-egg membrane fusion machinery in mature spermatozoa†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:750-757. [PMID: 31836887 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz223] [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] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The acrosome reaction is a multi-step event essential for physiological fertilization. During the acrosome reaction, gamete fusion-related factor IZUMO1 translocates from the anterior acrosome to the equatorial segment and assembles the gamete fusion machinery. The morphological changes in the acrosome reaction process have been well studied, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of acrosome reorganization essential for physiological gamete membrane fusion. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IZUMO1 translocation, the steps of the acrosome reaction during that process must be clarified. In this study, we established a method to detect the early steps of the acrosome reaction and subdivided the process into seven populations through the use of two epitope-defined antibodies, anti-IZUMO1 and anti-SPACA1, a fertilization-inhibiting antibody. We found that part of the SPACA1 C-terminus in the periacrosomal space was cleaved and had begun to disappear when the vesiculation of the anterior acrosome occurred. The IZUMO1 epitope externalized from the acrosomal lumen before acrosomal vesiculation and phosphorylation of IZUMO1 occurred during the translocation to the equatorial segment. IZUMO1 circumvented the area of the equatorial segment where the SPACA1C-terminus was still localized. We therefore propose an IZUMO1 translocation model and involvement of SPACA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yamatoya
- Institute for Environmental and Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Biomedical Research Center, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Marika Kousaka
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chizuru Ito
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuya Nakata
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.,Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan and
| | - Masahiko Hatano
- Biomedical Research Center, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Araki
- Institute for Environmental and Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Future Medicine Research Center, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
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9
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Bull Sperm Capacitation Is Accompanied by Redox Modifications of Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157903. [PMID: 34360666 PMCID: PMC8347624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157903] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to fertilise an egg is acquired by the mammalian sperm during the complex biochemical process called capacitation. Capacitation is accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the mechanism of redox regulation during capacitation has not been elucidated. This study aimed to verify whether capacitation coincides with reversible oxidative post-translational modifications of proteins (oxPTMs). Flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and Western blot analyses were used to verify the sperm capacitation process. A fluorescent gel-based redox proteomic approach allowed us to observe changes in the level of reversible oxPTMs manifested by the reduction or oxidation of susceptible cysteines in sperm proteins. Sperm capacitation was accompanied with redox modifications of 48 protein spots corresponding to 22 proteins involved in the production of ROS (SOD, DLD), playing a role in downstream redox signal transfer (GAPDHS and GST) related to the cAMP/PKA pathway (ROPN1L, SPA17), acrosome exocytosis (ACRB, sperm acrosome associated protein 9, IZUMO4), actin polymerisation (CAPZB) and hyperactivation (TUBB4B, TUB1A). The results demonstrated that sperm capacitation is accompanied by altered levels of oxPTMs of a group of redox responsive proteins, filling gaps in our knowledge concerning sperm capacitation.
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10
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Wang W, Tian S, Nie H, Tu C, Liu C, Li Y, Li D, Yang X, Meng L, Hu T, Zhang Q, Du J, Fan L, Lu G, Lin G, Zhang F, Tan YQ. CFAP65 is required in the acrosome biogenesis and mitochondrial sheath assembly during spermiogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:2240-2254. [PMID: 34231842 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratospermia is a common cause of male infertility. Recent studies have revealed that CFAP65 mutations lead to severe asthenoteratospermia due to acrosome hypoplasia and flagellum malformations. However, the molecular mechanism underlying CFAP65-associated sperm malformation is largely unclear. Here, we initially examined the role of CFAP65 during spermiogenesis using Cfap65 knockout (Cfap65-/-) mice. The results showed that Cfap65-/- male mice exhibited severe asthenoteratospermia characterized by morphologically defective sperm heads and flagella. In Cfap65-/- mouse testes, hyper-constricted sperm heads were apparent in step 9 spermatids accompanied by abnormal manchette development, and acrosome biogenesis was abnormal in the maturation phase. Moreover, subsequent flagellar elongation was also severely affected and characterized by disrupted assembly of the mitochondrial sheath (MS) in Cfap65-/- male mice. Furthermore, the proteomic analysis revealed that the proteostatic system during acrosome formation, manchette organization, and MS assembly was disrupted when CFAP65 was lost. Importantly, endogenous immunoprecipitation and immunostaining experiments revealed that CFAP65 may form a cytoplasmic protein network comprising MNS1, RSPH1, TPPP2, ZPBP1, and SPACA1. Overall, these findings provide insights into the complex molecular mechanisms of spermiogenesis by uncovering the essential roles of CFAP65 during sperm head shaping, acrosome biogenesis, and MS assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Shixong Tian
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Tongyao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Liqing Fan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
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11
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Selvaraju S, Ramya L, Parthipan S, Swathi D, Binsila BK, Kolte AP. Deciphering the complexity of sperm transcriptome reveals genes governing functional membrane and acrosome integrities potentially influence fertility. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:207-222. [PMID: 33783607 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03443-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering sperm transcriptome is the key to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing peri-fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy establishment. This study aimed to profile sperm transcriptome to identify signature transcripts regulating male fertility. Semen samples were collected from 47 bulls with varied fertility rates. The sperm total RNA was isolated (n = 8) and subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Based on the expression pattern obtained from RNA profiling, the bulls were grouped (p = 0.03) into high-fertile and sub-fertile, and signature transcripts controlling sperm functions and fertility were identified. The results were validated using the OMIM database, qPCR, and sperm function tests. The sperm contains 1100 to 1700 intact transcripts, of which BCL2L11 and CAPZA3 were abundant and associated (p < 0.05) with spermatogenesis and post-embryonic organ morphogenesis. The upregulated genes in the acrosome integrity and functional membrane integrity groups had a close association with the fertility rate. The biological functions of these upregulated genes (p < 0.05) in the high-fertile bulls were associated with spermatogenesis (AFF4 and BRIP1), sperm motility (AK6 and ATP6V1G3), capacitation and zona binding (AGFG1), embryo development (TCF7 and AKIRIN2), and placental development (KRT19). The transcripts involved in pathways regulating embryonic development such as translation (EEF1B2 and MTIF3, p = 8.87E-05) and nonsense-mediated decay (RPL23 and RPL7A, p = 5.01E-27) were upregulated in high-fertile bulls. The identified transcripts may significantly impact oocyte function, embryogenesis, trophectoderm development, and pregnancy establishment. In addition, the study also reveals that the genes governing sperm functional membrane integrity and acrosome integrity have a prospective effect on male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sellappan Selvaraju
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India.
| | - Laxman Ramya
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India
| | - Sivashanmugam Parthipan
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India
| | - Divakar Swathi
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India
| | - Bala Krishnan Binsila
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India
| | - Atul P Kolte
- Omics Laboratory, Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru, 560030, India
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12
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Ran M, Huang H, Hu B, Hu S, Hu J, Li L, He H, Liu H, Wang J. Comparative Analysis of Testicular Histology and lncRNA-mRNA Expression Patterns Between Landes Geese ( Anser anser) and Sichuan White Geese ( Anser cygnoides). Front Genet 2021; 12:627384. [PMID: 33737948 PMCID: PMC7963104 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.627384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Landes geese and Sichuan White geese are two important genetic materials for commercial goose breeding. However, the differences in the male reproductive capacity between these two breeds and the potential molecular mechanisms and associated key genes have not been reported to date. The present study compared the testicular histology and mRNA-long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression patterns to reveal the differences in male reproductive performance between Sichuan White geese and Landes geese, as well as to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Histological results showed that the testicular organ index, semen volume, and long diameter of seminiferous tubules of Landes geese were significantly larger than those of Sichuan White geese. Analyses of mRNA-lncRNA expression profile showed that compared with Sichuan White geese, a total of 462 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) (173 up-regulated and 289 down-regulated) and 329 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) (280 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) were identified in Landes geese. Among these DEGs, there were 10 spermatogenesis-related and highly expressed (FPKM > 10) DEGs. Except for SEPP1, all of these DEGs were significantly up-regulated in the testes of Landes geese. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the pathway related to metabolism progress and phosphoinositol signal is vitally responsible for differences in male reproductive performance between Landes geese and Sichuan White geese. These results show that compared with Sichuan White geese, the spermatogenesis in the testis of Landes geese was more active, which may be mainly related to the inositol phosphate signal. These data contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying different male reproductive performances between Landes geese and Sichuan White geese. This knowledge might eventually provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive performance in geese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Ran
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huaxuan Huang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua He
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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13
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Balestrini PA, Jabloñski M, Schiavi-Ehrenhaus LJ, Marín-Briggiler CI, Sánchez-Cárdenas C, Darszon A, Krapf D, Buffone MG. Seeing is believing: Current methods to observe sperm acrosomal exocytosis in real time. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:1188-1198. [PMID: 33118273 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Acrosomal exocytosis (AR) is a critical process that sperm need to undergo to fertilize an egg. The evaluation of the presence or absence of the acrosome is usually performed by using lectins or dyes in fixed cells. With this approach, it is neither possible to monitor the dynamic process of exocytosis and related molecular events while discriminating between live and dead cells, nor to evaluate the acrosomal status while sperm reside in the female reproductive tract. However, over the last two decades, several new methodologies have been used to assess the occurrence of AR in living cells allowing different groups to obtain information that was not possible in the past. These techniques have revolutionized the whole study of this process. This review summarizes current methods available to analyze AR in living cells as well as the important information that emerged from studies using these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martina Jabloñski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Claudia Sánchez-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Darío Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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14
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Ramesha KP, Mol P, Kannegundla U, Thota LN, Gopalakrishnan L, Rana E, Azharuddin N, Mangalaparthi KK, Kumar M, Dey G, Patil A, Saravanan K, Behera SK, Jeyakumar S, Kumaresan A, Kataktalware MA, Prasad TSK. Deep Proteome Profiling of Semen of Indian Indigenous Malnad Gidda (Bos indicus) Cattle. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:3364-3376. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kerekoppa P. Ramesha
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | - Praseeda Mol
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Kerala 690525, India
| | - Uday Kannegundla
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | | | - Lathika Gopalakrishnan
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Madhav Nagar, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Ekta Rana
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | - Nizamuddin Azharuddin
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | - Kiran K Mangalaparthi
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Kerala 690525, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Gourav Dey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Arun Patil
- Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Kumar Saravanan
- Proteomics Facility, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Behera
- Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Sakthivel Jeyakumar
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
| | - Mukund A. Kataktalware
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore 560030, India
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15
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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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16
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Soda T, Miyagawa Y, Fukuhara S, Tanaka H. Physiological role of actin regulation in male fertility: Insight into actin capping proteins in spermatogenic cells. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:120-127. [PMID: 32273816 PMCID: PMC7138945 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During spermatogenesis, cytoskeletal elements are essential for spermatogenic cells to change morphologically and translocate in the seminiferous tubule. Actin filaments have been revealed to be concentrated in specific regions of spermatogenic cells and are regulated by a large number of actin-binding proteins. Actin capping protein is one of the essential actin regulatory proteins, and a recent study showed that testis-specific actin capping protein may affect male infertility. METHODS The roles of actin during spermatogenesis and testis-specific actin capping protein were reviewed by referring to the previous literature. MAIN FINDINGS RESULTS Actin filaments are involved in several crucial phases of spermatogenesis including acrosome biogenesis, flagellum formation, and nuclear processes such as the formation of synaptonemal complex. Besides, an implication for capacitation and acrosome reaction was also suggested. Testis-specific actin capping proteins are suggested to be associated with the removal of excess cytoplasm in mice. By the use of high-throughput sperm proteomics, lower protein expression of testis-specific actin capping protein in infertile men was also reported. CONCLUSION Actin is involved in the crucial phases of spermatogenesis, and the altered expression of testis-specific actin capping proteins is suggested to be a cause of male infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuji Soda
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
- Department of UrologyOsaka Police HospitalOsakaJapan
| | - Yasushi Miyagawa
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
- Department of UrologySumitomo HospitalOsakaJapan
| | | | - Hiromitsu Tanaka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagasaki International UniversitySaseboJapan
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17
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Romarowski A, Velasco Félix ÁG, Torres Rodríguez P, Gervasi MG, Xu X, Luque GM, Contreras-Jiménez G, Sánchez-Cárdenas C, Ramírez-Gómez HV, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Krapf D, Guerrero A, Darszon A, Buffone MG. Super-resolution imaging of live sperm reveals dynamic changes of the actin cytoskeleton during acrosomal exocytosis. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.218958. [PMID: 30301778 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.218958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous actin (F-actin) is a key factor in exocytosis in many cell types. In mammalian sperm, acrosomal exocytosis (denoted the acrosome reaction or AR), a special type of controlled secretion, is regulated by multiple signaling pathways and the actin cytoskeleton. However, the dynamic changes of the actin cytoskeleton in live sperm are largely not understood. Here, we used the powerful properties of SiR-actin to examine actin dynamics in live mouse sperm at the onset of the AR. By using a combination of super-resolution microscopy techniques to image sperm loaded with SiR-actin or sperm from transgenic mice containing Lifeact-EGFP, six regions containing F-actin within the sperm head were revealed. The proportion of sperm possessing these structures changed upon capacitation. By performing live-cell imaging experiments, we report that dynamic changes of F-actin during the AR occur in specific regions of the sperm head. While certain F-actin regions undergo depolymerization prior to the initiation of the AR, others remain unaltered or are lost after exocytosis occurs. Our work emphasizes the utility of live-cell nanoscopy, which will undoubtedly impact the search for mechanisms that underlie basic sperm functions.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Ángel G Velasco Félix
- Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Paulina Torres Rodríguez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Paige Labs, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Xinran Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, 1301 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Gastón Contreras-Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Claudia Sánchez-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Héctor V Ramírez-Gómez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, 1301 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Paige Labs, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Dario Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Santa Fe S2000EZP, Argentina
| | - Adán Guerrero
- Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
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Frolikova M, Manaskova-Postlerova P, Cerny J, Jankovicova J, Simonik O, Pohlova A, Secova P, Antalikova J, Dvorakova-Hortova K. CD9 and CD81 Interactions and Their Structural Modelling in Sperm Prior to Fertilization. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041236. [PMID: 29671763 PMCID: PMC5979608 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins CD9 and CD81 are members of the tetraspanin superfamily and were detected in mammalian sperm, where they are suspected to form an active tetraspanin web and to participate in sperm–egg membrane fusion. The importance of these two proteins during the early stages of fertilization is supported by the complete sterility of CD9/CD81 double null female mice. In this study, the putative mechanism of CD9/CD81 involvement in tetraspanin web formation in sperm and its activity prior to fertilization was addressed. Confocal microscopy and colocalization assay was used to determine a mutual CD9/CD81 localization visualised in detail by super-resolution microscopy, and their interaction was address by co-immunoprecipitation. The species-specific traits in CD9 and CD81 distribution during sperm maturation were compared between mice and humans. A mutual position of CD9/CD81 is shown in human spermatozoa in the acrosomal cap, however in mice, CD9 and CD81 occupy a distinct area. During the acrosome reaction in human sperm, only CD9 is relocated, compared to the relocation of both proteins in mice. The structural modelling of CD9 and CD81 homologous and possibly heterologous network formation was used to propose their lateral Cis as well as Trans interactions within the sperm membrane and during sperm–egg membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Frolikova
- Group of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavla Manaskova-Postlerova
- Group of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Laboratory of Structural Bioinformatics of Proteins, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Jankovicova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics Centre of Biosciences Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Ondrej Simonik
- Group of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Alzbeta Pohlova
- Group of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Petra Secova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics Centre of Biosciences Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Jana Antalikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics Centre of Biosciences Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Katerina Dvorakova-Hortova
- Group of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic.
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19
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Soda T, Miyagawa Y, Ueda N, Takezawa K, Okuda H, Fukuhara S, Fujita K, Kiuchi H, Uemura M, Okamoto Y, Tsujimura A, Tanaka H, Nonomura N. Systematic characterization of human testis-specific actin capping protein β3 as a possible biomarker for male infertility. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:514-522. [PMID: 28104696 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is actin capping protein (CP) β3 involved in human spermatogenesis and male infertility? SUMMARY ANSWER Human CPβ3 (hCPβ3) is expressed in testis, changes its localization dynamically during spermatogenesis, and has some association with male infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The testis-specific α subunit of CP (CPα3) was previously identified in human, and mutations in the cpα3 gene in mouse were shown to induce malformation of the sperm head and male infertility. However, CPβ3, which is considered to be a heterodimeric counterpart of CPα3, has been neither characterized in human nor reported in association with male infertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION To confirm the existence of CPβ3 in human testis, fresh semen samples from proven fertile men were analyzed. To investigate protein expression during spermatogenesis, cryopreserved testis obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia were examined by immunofluorescent analysis. To assess the association of CP with male infertility, we compared protein expression of human CPα3 (hCPα3) and hCPβ3 using immunofluorescent analysis of cryopreserved sperm between men with normozoospermia (volunteers: Normo group, n = 20) and infertile men with oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia (O + A group, n = 21). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The tissue-specific expression of hCPβ3 was investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. To investigate whether hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a heterodimer, a tandem expression vector containing hcpα3 tagged with monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 and hcpβ3 tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein in a single plasmid was constructed and analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. The protein expression profiles of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 during spermatogenesis were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using human spermatogenic cells. The protein expressions of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 in sperm were compared between the Normo and O + A groups by immunohistochemical analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE RT-PCR showed that mRNA of hcpβ3 was expressed exclusively in testis. Western blot analysis detected hCPβ3 with anti-bovine CPβ3 antibody. Co-IP assay with recombinant protein showed that hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a protein complex. At each step during spermatogenesis, the cellular localization of hCPβ3 changed dynamically. In spermatogonia, hCPβ3 showed a slight signal in cytoplasm. hCPβ3 expression was conspicuous mainly from spermatocytes, and hCPβ3 localization dynamically migrated from cytoplasm to the acrosomal cap and acrosome. In mature spermatozoa, hCPβ3 accumulated in the postacrosomal region and less so at the midpiece of the tail. Double-staining analysis revealed that hCPα3 localization was identical to hCPβ3 at every step in the spermatogenic cells. Most spermatozoa from the Normo group were stained homogenously by both hCPα3 and hCPβ3. In contrast, significantly more spermatozoa in the O + A versus Normo group showed heterogeneous or lack of staining for either hCPα3 or hCPβ3 (abnormal staining) (P < 0.001). The percentage of abnormal staining was higher in the O + A group (52.4 ± 3.0%) than in the Normo group (31.2 ± 2.5%). Even by confining the observations to morphologically normal spermatozoa selected in accordance with David's criteria, the percentage of abnormal staining was still higher in the O + A group (39.9 ± 2.9%) versus the Normo group (22.5 ± 2.1%) (P < 0.001). hCPβ3 in conjunction with hCPα3 seemed to play an important role in spermatogenesis and may be associated with male infertility. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Owing to the difficulty of collecting fresh samples of human testis, we used cryopreserved samples from testicular sperm extraction. To examine the interaction of spermatogenic cells or localization in seminiferous tubules, fresh testis sample of healthy males are ideal. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The altered expression of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 may not only be a cause of male infertility but also a prognostic factor for the results of ART. They may be useful biomarkers to determine the fertilization ability of human sperm in ART. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP16K20133). The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Soda
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Miyagawa
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - N Ueda
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Takezawa
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Okuda
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - S Fukuhara
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Fujita
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Kiuchi
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - M Uemura
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Okamoto
- Okamoto Clinic, Osaka 558-0004, Japan
| | - A Tsujimura
- Department of Urology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu 279-0021, Japan
| | - H Tanaka
- Molecular Biology laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan
| | - N Nonomura
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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20
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Zhou C, Huang L, Shi DS, Jiang JR. Effects of latrunculin A on the relocation of sperm IZUMO1 during gamete interaction in mouse. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:1183-1190. [PMID: 28833824 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The sperm protein IZUMO1 plays a central role in gamete fusion. In mouse sperm, IZUMO1 is enriched at the acrosomal cap before the acrosome reaction, and at the equatorial segment following this reaction; its relocation is dependent on filamentous actin. How actin polymerization affects IZUMO1 relocation during gamete interaction remains unknown. The present study addressed these processes using latrunculin A (LatA), an inhibitor of actin polymerization. We report that 25 µM LatA blocked actin polymerization in the capacitated sperm head, resulting in a marked decrease in sperm with relocated IZUMO1 during the A23187-induced acrosome reaction and cumulus layer penetration. Treated sperm also exhibited reduced zona pellucida penetration and fertilizing capacity. Interestingly, LatA-treated sperm present in the perivitelline space of eggs did not show impaired IZUMO1 relocation. Thus, IZUMO1 relocation represents one method by which eggs may select for or rescue sperm that are competent to undergo gamete adhesion/fusion. These data support the hypothesis that dynamic movement of IZUMO1 is essential for gamete fusion during mouse fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - De-Shun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian-Rong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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21
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Selvaraju S, Parthipan S, Somashekar L, Kolte AP, Krishnan Binsila B, Arangasamy A, Ravindra JP. Occurrence and functional significance of the transcriptome in bovine (Bos taurus) spermatozoa. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42392. [PMID: 28276431 PMCID: PMC5343582 DOI: 10.1038/srep42392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa deliver various classes of RNAs to the oocyte during fertilization, and many of them may regulate fertility. The objective of the present study was to determine the composition and abundance of spermatozoal transcripts in fresh bull semen. The entire transcriptome of the spermatozoa from bulls (n = 3) was sequenced using two different platforms (Ion Proton and Illumina) to identify the maximum number of genes present in the spermatozoa. The bovine spermatozoa contained transcripts for 13,833 genes (transcripts per million, TPM > 10). Both intact and fragmented transcripts were found. These spermatozoal transcripts were associated with various stages of spermatogenesis, spermatozoal function, fertilization, and embryo development. The presence of intact transcripts of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in the spermatozoa suggest a possible influence of sperm transcripts beyond early embryonic development. The specific regions (exon, intron, and exon-intron) of the particular spermatozoal transcripts might help regulate fertilization. This study demonstrates that the use of two different RNA-seq platforms provides a comprehensive profile of bovine spermatozoal RNA. Spermatozoal RNA profiling may be useful as a non-invasive method to delineate possible causes of male infertility and to predict fertility in a manner that is more effective than the conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sellappan Selvaraju
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - Sivashanmugam Parthipan
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - Lakshminarayana Somashekar
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - Atul P Kolte
- Omics Laboratory, Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - B Krishnan Binsila
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - Arunachalam Arangasamy
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
| | - Janivara Parameshwaraiah Ravindra
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru-560030, India
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22
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Hirohashi N. Site of Mammalian Sperm Acrosome Reaction. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY EMBRYOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY 2016; 220:145-58. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30567-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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23
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Ferrer-Vaquer A, Barragan M, Freour T, Vernaeve V, Vassena R. PLCζ sequence, protein levels, and distribution in human sperm do not correlate with semen characteristics and fertilization rates after ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:747-56. [PMID: 27138933 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0718-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sperm-borne PLCζ protein induces Ca(2+) oscillations in the oocyte and is believed to play a major role during oocyte activation. However, its implication in fertilization failure following ICSI is still debated. We analyzed PLCζ gene sequence, protein expression level, and localization in both patients with previous failed fertilization by ICSI and sperm donors with proven fertility in order to assess the association of PLCζ with both sperm characteristics and ability to fertilize. METHODS Semen from 15 patients and 13 sperm donors with proven fertility was included in the study. Analysis of the PLCζ gene sequence, protein expression through Western blot, and protein localization by immunofluorescence were performed. RESULTS Two patients with total fertilization failure presented mutations in heterozygosis in the PLCζ gene. Comparison with donor sample sequences displayed comparable SNP allele frequency. Distribution pattern of PLCζ did not vary significantly between donor and patient samples. Levels of PLCζ protein in sperm cells showed an interindividual variability both in patient and donor samples. Several SNPs previously reported in infertile patients were also present in fertile men. CONCLUSION Failed fertilization occurs even when levels and distribution of PLCζ protein are within normal range. PLCζ seems to be a necessary but not sufficient factor in determining the molecular pathway involved in oocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Freour
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain.,Service de médecine et biologie de la reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France.,INSERM UMR 1064, Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Vernaeve
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rita Vassena
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain.
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Javadian-Elyaderani S, Ghaedi K, Tavalaee M, Rabiee F, Deemeh MR, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Diagnosis of genetic defects through parallel assessment of PLCζ and CAPZA3 in infertile men with history of failed oocyte activation. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2016; 19:281-9. [PMID: 27114798 PMCID: PMC4834118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) is considered as a nominee for sperm associated oocyte activating factors and is located back-to-back with CAPZA3, an actin-capping protein controlling actin polymerization during spermiogenesis. They contain a common bidirectional promoter. The objective of this study was to identify individuals with parallel low expression of PLCζ and CAPZA3 mRNA, in hope of detecting genetic defects in this bidirectional promoter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen samples were collected from 24 fertile and 59 infertile individuals with total failed, low and high fertilization rate post intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as globozoospermic individuals. Expression of PLCζ and CAPZA3 were assessed by Real time PCR. In addition, PLCζ was assessed by Western blot. RESULTS Significant correlations between PLCζ with CAPZA3 and also between these two genes with fertilization were observed. Individuals with low fertilization presented significantly lower expression of these two genes. Low expression of PLCζ was also verified by Western analysis. Sequence analysis of bidirectional promoter of these two genes in an individual with parallel low expression of both PLCζ and CAPZA3, revealed a mutation within the CAPZA3 predicted promoter, known as human regulatory factor X4 which is a testis-specific dimeric DNA-binding protein. In the opposite stand, in the same location, the mutation appears to be outside but in the vicinity of PLCζ, in a binding region predicate by Genomatix. CONCLUSION Parallel assessment of CAPZA3 with PLCζ at mRNA level in individuals with inability to induce oocyte activation may help researcher to identify genetic defects associated with failed fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudabeh Javadian-Elyaderani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Ghaedi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Biology Department, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Rabiee
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Deemeh
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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25
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Role of Actin Cytoskeleton During Mammalian Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2016; 220:129-44. [PMID: 27194353 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30567-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm require to undergo an exocytotic process called acrosomal exocytosis in order to be able to fuse with the oocyte. This ability is acquired during the course of sperm capacitation. This review is focused on one aspect related to this acquisition: the role of the actin cytoskeleton. Evidence from different laboratories indicates that actin polymerization occurs during capacitation, and the detection of several actin-related proteins suggests that the cytoskeleton is involved in important sperm functions. In other mammalian cells, the cortical actin network acts as a dominant negative clamp which blocks constitutive exocytosis but, at the same time, is necessary to prepare the cell to undergo regulated exocytosis. Thus, F-actin stabilizes structures generated by exocytosis and supports the physiological progression of this process. Is this also the case in mammalian sperm? This review summarizes what is currently known about actin and its related proteins in the male gamete, with particular emphasis on their role in acrosomal exocytosis.
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Romarowski A, Battistone MA, La Spina FA, Puga Molina LDC, Luque GM, Vitale AM, Cuasnicu PS, Visconti PE, Krapf D, Buffone MG. PKA-dependent phosphorylation of LIMK1 and Cofilin is essential for mouse sperm acrosomal exocytosis. Dev Biol 2015; 405:237-49. [PMID: 26169470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm must acquire their fertilizing ability after a series of biochemical modifications in the female reproductive tract collectively called capacitation to undergo acrosomal exocytosis, a process that is essential for fertilization. Actin dynamics play a central role in controlling the process of exocytosis in somatic cells as well as in sperm from several mammalian species. In somatic cells, small GTPases of the Rho family are widely known as master regulators of actin dynamics. However, the role of these proteins in sperm has not been studied in detail. In the present work we characterized the participation of small GTPases of the Rho family in the signaling pathway that leads to actin polymerization during mouse sperm capacitation. We observed that most of the proteins of this signaling cascade and their effector proteins are expressed in mouse sperm. The activation of the signaling pathways of cAMP/PKA, RhoA/C and Rac1 is essential for LIMK1 activation by phosphorylation on Threonine 508. Serine 3 of Cofilin is phosphorylated by LIMK1 during capacitation in a transiently manner. Inhibition of LIMK1 by specific inhibitors (BMS-3) resulted in lower levels of actin polymerization during capacitation and a dramatic decrease in the percentage of sperm that undergo acrosomal exocytosis. Thus, we demonstrated for the first time that the master regulators of actin dynamics in somatic cells are present and active in mouse sperm. Combining the results of our present study with other results from the literature, we have proposed a working model regarding how LIMK1 and Cofilin control acrosomal exocytosis in mouse sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Battistone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florenza A La Spina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lis del C Puga Molina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra M Vitale
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia S Cuasnicu
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Paige Labs, University of Massachusets, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Darío Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Rosario 2000 Argentina
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Berruti G, Paiardi C. USP8/UBPy-regulated sorting and the development of sperm acrosome: the recruitment of MET. Reproduction 2015; 149:633-44. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The acrosome is a peculiar vacuole that at fertilization undergoes the acrosome reaction (AR), an event unique in the sperm life. Contents released promote sperm penetration through oocyte's investments; membranous components are involved in sperm–egg interaction/fusion. Therefore, both constituents play a role in fertilization. The biogenesis of this vacuole, however, has not been clarified yet; recently, it has been proposed as a novel lysosome-related organelle (LRO). Our research focuses on the involvement of the endosomal pathway in acrosomogenesis starting from the early phases. The trafficking sorted by USP8/UBPy, an endosomal regulator recently described as a compelling candidate for male fertility gene, was investigated in comparison to that of SP56, a marker of the biosynthetic pathway. Mouse spermatids were double/triple immunolabeled and examined by confocal microscopy. The contribution of the vesicular traffic assisted by the cortical microtubule array was also evaluated in nocodazole-treated spermatids. USP8/UBPy-sorted cargo contributes early to acrosomogenesis and its trafficking is microtubule mediated. It was identified, through co-immunoprecipitation/co-immunolocalization assays, that the membrane receptor MET, described herein for the first time in spermatids, as an USP8/UBPy-target substrate is delivered to the acrosome. MET and USP8/UBPy still colocalize in epididymal spermatozoa. Following the AR, MET and USP8/UBPy show a distinct fate. MET, in particular, translocates at the PAS, the post acrosomal segment known to harbor sperm-borne factors involved in oocyte activation. Overall, our results support the concept of the acrosome as a LRO and provide evidence for the identification of MET as a tyrosine kinase receptor that may play a role in fertilization.
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Hook J, Lemckert F, Schevzov G, Fath T, Gunning P. Functional identity of the gamma tropomyosin gene: Implications for embryonic development, reproduction and cell viability. BIOARCHITECTURE 2014; 1:49-59. [PMID: 21866263 DOI: 10.4161/bioa.1.1.15172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The actin filament system is fundamental to cellular functions including regulation of shape, motility, cytokinesis, intracellular trafficking and tissue organization. Tropomyosins (Tm) are highly conserved components of actin filaments which differentially regulate filament stability and function. The mammalian Tm family consists of four genes; αTm, βTm, γTm and δTm. Multiple Tm isoforms (>40) are generated by alternative splicing and expression of these isoforms is highly regulated during development. In order to further identify the role of Tm isoforms during development, we tested the specificity of function of products from the γTm gene family in mice using a series of gene knockouts. Ablation of all γTm gene cytoskeletal products results in embryonic lethality. Elimination of just two cytoskeletal products from the γTm gene (NM1,2) resulted in a 50% reduction in embryo viability. It was also not possible to generate homozygous knockout ES cells for the targets which eliminated or reduced embryo viability in mice. In contrast, homozygous knockout ES cells were generated for a different set of isoforms (NM3,5,6,8,9,11) which were not required for embryogenesis. We also observed that males hemizygous for the knockout of all cytoskeletal products from the γTm gene preferentially transmitted the minus allele with 80-100% transmission. Since all four Tm genes are expressed in early embryos, ES cells and sperm, we conclude that isoforms of the γTm gene are functionally unique in their role in embryogenesis, ES cell viability and sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Hook
- Department of Pharmacology The School of Medical Sciences; The University of New South Wales; Sydney, Australia
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Buffone MG, Hirohashi N, Gerton GL. Unresolved questions concerning mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:112. [PMID: 24671881 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.117911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the study of mammalian acrosomal exocytosis has produced some major advances that challenge the long-held, general paradigms in the field. Principally, the idea that sperm must be acrosome-intact to bind to the zona pellucida of unfertilized eggs, based largely on in vitro fertilization studies of mouse oocytes denuded of the cumulus oophorus, has been overturned by experiments using state-of-the-art imaging of cumulus-intact oocytes and fertilization experiments where eggs were reinseminated by acrosome-reacted sperm recovered from the perivitelline space of zygotes. In light of these results, this minireview highlights a number of unresolved questions and emphasizes the fact that there is still much work to be done in this exciting field. Future experiments using recently advanced technologies should lead to a more complete and accurate understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the fertilization process in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noritaka Hirohashi
- Oki Marine Biological Station, Education and Research Center for Biological Resources, Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
| | - George L Gerton
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Sebkova N, Ded L, Vesela K, Dvorakova-Hortova K. Progress of sperm IZUMO1 relocation during spontaneous acrosome reaction. Reproduction 2013; 147:231-40. [PMID: 24277869 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It has been recently shown in mice that sperm undergo acrosome reaction (AR) by passing through cumulus cells; furthermore, the acrosome-reacted sperm can bind to zona pellucida and consequently fertilise the egg. During AR, the relocation of the primary fusion protein IZUMO1 into the equatorial segment is crucial for sperm-egg fusion. There is a high rate of spontaneous AR in rodents, with up to 60% in promiscuous species. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the IZUMO1 relocation in sperm after spontaneous and induced AR is the same, and whether there is a correlation between the speed of IZUMO1 relocation and species-specific mating behaviour in field mice. Immunofluorescent detection of IZUMO1 dynamics during the in vitro capacitation, spontaneous, calcium ionophore and progesterone-induced AR was monitored. Our results show that during spontaneous AR, there is a clear IZUMO1 relocation from the acrosomal cap to the equatorial segment, and further over the whole sperm head. In addition, there is positive tail tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) associated with hyperactive motility. Moreover, the beginning and the progress of IZUMO1 relocation and tail TyrP positively correlate with the level of promiscuity and the acrosome instability in promiscuous species. The findings that crucial molecular changes essential for sperm-egg fusion represented by dynamic movements of IZUMO1 also happen during spontaneous AR are vital for understanding fertilisation in mice.
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Salvolini E, Buldreghini E, Lucarini G, Vignini A, Lenzi A, Di Primio R, Balercia G. Involvement of sperm plasma membrane and cytoskeletal proteins in human male infertility. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:697-704. [PMID: 23174138 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the physicochemical characteristics of sperm plasma membrane and to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of transmembrane and cytoskeletal proteins in spermatozoa isolated from normospermic fertile donors and asthenozoospermic infertile patients. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Academic male infertility center. PATIENT(S) Twenty-five infertile patients affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 21 age-matched normospermic fertile donors. INTERVENTION(S) Sperm parameters were evaluated; membrane fluidity and hydration studies, and immunohistochemical analysis were performed in isolated spermatozoa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Semen analyses to ascertain volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology; then membrane fluidity and hydration studies and immunohistochemical analysis were performed on isolated spermatozoa. RESULT(S) Spermatozoa from the asthenozoospermic group exhibited a reduced fluidity at the lipid-water interface level, an increased fluidity of the deeper portion of the bilayer, and a lower plasma membrane hydration than normospermic cells. Moreover, the immunohistochemical expression of ezrin, Cdc42, CD9, F-actin, and β-tubulin was higher in normospermic samples. CONCLUSION(S) Our results together assume that a cytoskeletal reorganization induced by a disturbance in the physicochemical features of sperm plasma membrane, and potentially mediated by ezrin, Cdc42, and tetraspanin CD9, could have a role in idiopathic asthenozoospermia.
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Meslin C, Mugnier S, Callebaut I, Laurin M, Pascal G, Poupon A, Goudet G, Monget P. Evolution of genes involved in gamete interaction: evidence for positive selection, duplications and losses in vertebrates. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44548. [PMID: 22957080 PMCID: PMC3434135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding proteins involved in sperm-egg interaction and fertilization exhibit a particularly fast evolution and may participate in prezygotic species isolation [1], [2]. Some of them (ZP3, ADAM1, ADAM2, ACR and CD9) have individually been shown to evolve under positive selection [3], [4], suggesting a role of positive Darwinian selection on sperm-egg interaction. However, the genes involved in this biological function have not been systematically and exhaustively studied with an evolutionary perspective, in particular across vertebrates with internal and external fertilization. Here we show that 33 genes among the 69 that have been experimentally shown to be involved in fertilization in at least one taxon in vertebrates are under positive selection. Moreover, we identified 17 pseudogenes and 39 genes that have at least one duplicate in one species. For 15 genes, we found neither positive selection, nor gene copies or pseudogenes. Genes of teleosts, especially genes involved in sperm-oolemma fusion, appear to be more frequently under positive selection than genes of birds and eutherians. In contrast, pseudogenization, gene loss and gene gain are more frequent in eutherians. Thus, each of the 19 studied vertebrate species exhibits a unique signature characterized by gene gain and loss, as well as position of amino acids under positive selection. Reflecting these clade-specific signatures, teleosts and eutherian mammals are recovered as clades in a parsimony analysis. Interestingly the same analysis places Xenopus apart from teleosts, with which it shares the primitive external fertilization, and locates it along with amniotes (which share internal fertilization), suggesting that external or internal environmental conditions of germ cell interaction may not be the unique factors that drive the evolution of fertilization genes. Our work should improve our understanding of the fertilization process and on the establishment of reproductive barriers, for example by offering new leads for experiments on genes identified as positively selected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Meslin
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France
- UMR6175, CNRS, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Sylvie Mugnier
- Département Agronomie Agro-équipement Élevage Environnement, AgroSup Dijon, Dijon, France
| | | | - Michel Laurin
- UMR 7207, CNRS/MNHN/UPMC, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Géraldine Pascal
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France
- UMR6175, CNRS, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Anne Poupon
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France
- UMR6175, CNRS, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Ghylène Goudet
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France
- UMR6175, CNRS, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Philippe Monget
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France
- UMR6175, CNRS, Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- IFCE, Nouzilly, France
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