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Hassine MBH, Venditti M, Rhouma MB, Minucci S, Messaoudi I. Combined effect of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on rat blood-testis barrier integrity and sperm quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:56700-56712. [PMID: 36928700 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26429-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The harmful effects of microplastics and Cd on the testicular activity of sexually mature rats are here documented. Oral treatment with both substances caused testicular impairment that was evidenced by histological and biomolecular alterations, such as MP accumulation in the seminiferous epithelium, imbalance of oxidative status, and reduced sperm quality. Importantly, the cytoarchitecture of the blood-testis barrier was compromised, as revealed by the down-regulation of protein levels of structural occludin, Van Gogh-like protein 2, and connexin 43 and activation of regulative kinases proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase and focal adhesion kinase. Interestingly, for the first time, MPs are reported to activate the autophagy pathway in germ cells, to reduce damaged organelles and molecules, probably in an attempt to avoid apoptosis. Surprisingly, the results obtained with the simultaneous Cd + MPs treatment showed more harmful effects than those produced by MPs alone but less severe than with Cd alone. This might be due to the different ways of administration to rats (oral gavage for MPs and in drinking water for Cd), which might favor the adsorption, in the gastrointestinal tract, of Cd by MPs, which, by exploiting the Trojan horse effect, reduces the bioavailability of Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majida Ben Hadj Hassine
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité Et Valorisation Des Bio-Ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Rue Taher Haddad, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana E Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi, Università Degli Studi Della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Via Costantinopoli, 16, 80138, Naples, NA, Italy
| | - Mariem Ben Rhouma
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité Et Valorisation Des Bio-Ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Rue Taher Haddad, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana E Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi, Università Degli Studi Della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Via Costantinopoli, 16, 80138, Naples, NA, Italy.
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité Et Valorisation Des Bio-Ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Rue Taher Haddad, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
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Venditti M, Ben Hadj Hassine M, Messaoudi I, Minucci S. The simultaneous administration of microplastics and cadmium alters rat testicular activity and changes the expression of PTMA, DAAM1 and PREP. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1145702. [PMID: 36968197 PMCID: PMC10033688 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1145702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper confirms the damaging effects produced by MP and Cd on testicular activity in the rat. Oral treatment with both chemicals resulted in testicular damage, documented by biomolecular and histological alterations, particularly by impaired morphometric parameters, increased apoptosis, reduced testosterone synthesis, and downregulation of the steroidogenic enzyme 3β-HSD. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that both MP and Cd can affect the protein level of PTMA, a small peptide that regulates germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, the cytoarchitecture of testicular cells was also altered by the treatments, as evidenced by the impaired expression and localization of DAAM1 and PREP, two proteins involved in actin- and microtubule-associated processes, respectively, during germ cells differentiation into spermatozoa, impairing normal spermatogenesis. Finally, we showed that the effect of simultaneous treatment with MP and Cd were more severe than those produced by MP alone and less harmful than those of Cd alone. This could be due to the different ways of exposure of the two substances to rats (in drinking water for Cd and in oral gavage for MP), since being the first contact in the animals’ gastrointestinal tract, MP can adsorb Cd, reducing its bioavailability through the Trojan-horse effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Massimo Venditti, ; Sergio Minucci,
| | - Majida Ben Hadj Hassine
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Massimo Venditti, ; Sergio Minucci,
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Romano MZ, Ben Rhouma M, Messaoudi I, Aniello F, Minucci S, Venditti M. Expression of RSPH6A in the first wave of rat spermatogenesis and oxidative stress conditions: Attenuation by melatonin. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12542. [PMID: 37795044 PMCID: PMC10545975 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Here, we report, for the first time, the temporal expression and localization of axonemal radial spoke head homolog A (RSPH6A) protein during the first wave of rat spermatogenesis and in oxidative stress conditions. Methods For the developmental study, testes were collected from rats at different developmental stages (7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 60 postnatal days); for in vivo treatment, 24 rats were treated with cadmium and/or melatonin. From each sample, western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses for RSPH6A were performed. Results RSPH6A expression starts at 21 PND alongside the appearance of I spermatocytes (SPC) with a significant increase up to 60 PND. Data were confirmed by IF analysis, showing that RPSH6A expression is restricted to I and II SPC, spermatids, and mature sperm. In vivo experiments showed that the expression and localization of RSPH6A in the testis and epididymal spermatozoa of adult rats treated with cadmium were impaired. Interestingly, melatonin (an antioxidant), given together with Cd, can counteract its damaging effects. Conclusions All combined data confirm that RSPH6A contributes to the onset of fertility by acting on sperm motility, raising the possibility of using RSPH6A as a marker for normal fertility in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zelinda Romano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NapoliItaly
| | - Mariem Ben Rhouma
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio‐RessourcésInstitut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de MonastirMonastirTunisia
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio‐RessourcésInstitut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de MonastirMonastirTunisia
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Dipartimento di BiologiaUniversità di Napoli “Federico II”NapoliItaly
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NapoliItaly
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NapoliItaly
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Minucci S, Venditti M. New Insight on the In Vitro Effects of Melatonin in Preserving Human Sperm Quality. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095128. [PMID: 35563519 PMCID: PMC9100642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa (SPZ) are sensitive to stressful conditions, particularly oxidative stress, which alters their quality; thus, the use of protective molecules as an antioxidant is encouraged. Herein, we used melatonin (MLT) to investigate its in vitro effects on human sperm parameters under conditions of oxidative stress induced by cadmium (Cd). Fifteen human semen samples were divided into control, Cd-treated, MLT-treated, and Cd+MLT-treated groups and analyzed after 30 min, 6 h, and 24 h of exposure. Results showed a time-dependent decrease in SPZ motility, DNA integrity, and increased apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, and these effects were counteracted by MLT co-treatment. Based on these data, we further explored additional parameters just at 24 h. The induced oxidative stress, highlighted by the increased lipid peroxidation, reduced the percentage of SPZ able to undertake acrosome reaction and altered the levels and localization of some protein markers of motility (PREP, RSPH6A), morphology (DAAM1), and acrosome membrane (PTMA, IAM38); all these effects were counteracted by MLT co-treatment. Interestingly, MLT alone was able to ameliorate motility at 30 min of incubation compared to the control, while at 24 h, it prevented the physiological alteration in terms of motility, DNA integrity, and apoptosis. Collectively, the data encourage MLT use as an integrative molecule to ameliorate human gamete quality when compromised by stressful conditions.
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de Pontual L, Tomé S. Overview of the Complex Relationship between Epigenetics Markers, CTG Repeat Instability and Symptoms in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073477. [PMID: 35408837 PMCID: PMC8998570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the trinucleotide repeat disorders, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is one of the most complex neuromuscular diseases caused by an unstable CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK gene. DM1 patients exhibit high variability in the dynamics of CTG repeat instability and in the manifestations and progression of the disease. The largest expanded alleles are generally associated with the earliest and most severe clinical form. However, CTG repeat length alone is not sufficient to predict disease severity and progression, suggesting the involvement of other factors. Several data support the role of epigenetic alterations in clinical and genetic variability. By highlighting epigenetic alterations in DM1, this review provides a new avenue on how these changes can serve as biomarkers to predict clinical features and the mutation behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphanie Tomé
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-42-16-57-16; Fax: +33-1-42-16-57-00
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Cellular Senescence and Aging in Myotonic Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042339. [PMID: 35216455 PMCID: PMC8877951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a dominantly inherited multisystemic disorder affecting various organs, such as skeletal muscle, heart, the nervous system, and the eye. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are caused by expanded CTG and CCTG repeats, respectively. In both forms, the mutant transcripts containing expanded repeats aggregate as nuclear foci and sequester several RNA-binding proteins, resulting in alternative splicing dysregulation. Although certain alternative splicing events are linked to the clinical DM phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying multiple DM symptoms remain unclear. Interestingly, multi-systemic DM manifestations, including muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, cataract, and frontal baldness, resemble premature aging. Furthermore, cellular senescence, a critical contributor to aging, is suggested to play a key role in DM cellular pathophysiology. In particular, several senescence inducers including telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and senescence biomarkers such as cell cycle inhibitors, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, chromatin reorganization, and microRNA have been implicated in DM pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the clinical similarities between DM and aging, and summarize the involvement of cellular senescence in DM and the potential application of anti-aging DM therapies.
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy is a dominantly inherited multisystem disorder that results from increased CTG repeats in the 3' region of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene (DMPK). The mutant DMPK mRNA remains in the nucleus and sequesters RNA-binding proteins, including regulators of mRNA splicing. Myotonic dystrophy is characterized by a highly variable phenotype that includes muscle weakness and myotonia, and the disorder may affect the function of many endocrine glands. DMPK mRNA is expressed in muscle, testis, liver, pituitary, thyroid, and bone; the mutated form leads to disruption of meiosis and an increase in fetal insulin receptor-A relative to adult insulin receptor-B, resulting in adult primary testicular failure and insulin resistance predisposing to diabetes, respectively. Patients with myotonic dystrophy are also at increased risk for hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, erectile dysfunction, benign and malignant thyroid nodules, bone fractures, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and failed labor during delivery. Circulating parathyroid hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels may be elevated, but the mechanisms for these associations are unclear. This review summarizes what is known about endocrine dysfunction in individuals with myotonic dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Winters
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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Venditti M, Arcaniolo D, De Sio M, Minucci S. Preliminary Investigation on the Involvement of Cytoskeleton-Related Proteins, DAAM1 and PREP, in Human Testicular Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158094. [PMID: 34360857 PMCID: PMC8347498 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, for the first time, the potential relationships between the cytoskeleton-associated proteins DAAM1 and PREP with different testicular disorders, such as classic seminoma (CS), Leydig cell tumor (LCT), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SOS), were evaluated. Six CS, two LCT, and two SOS tissue samples were obtained during inguinal exploration in patients with a suspect testis tumor based on clinical examination and ultrasonography. DAAM1 and PREP protein levels and immunofluorescent localization were analyzed. An increased DAAM1 protein level in CS and SOS as compared to non-pathological (NP) tissue was observed, while LCT showed no significant differences. Conversely, PREP protein level increased in LCT, while it decreased in CS and SOS compared to NP tissue. These results were strongly supported by the immunofluorescence staining, revealing an altered localization and signal intensity of DAAM1 and PREP in the analyzed samples, highlighting a perturbed cytoarchitecture. Interestingly, in LCT spermatogonia, a specific DAAM1 nuclear localization was found, probably due to an enhanced testosterone production, as confirmed by the increased protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes. Finally, although further studies are needed to verify the involvement of other formins and microtubule-associated proteins, this report raised the opportunity to indicate DAAM1 and PREP as new potential markers, supporting the cytoskeleton dynamics changes occurring during normal and/or pathological cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez, Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.M.)
| | - Davide Arcaniolo
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (D.A.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Marco De Sio
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (D.A.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez, Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.M.)
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Altered Expression of DAAM1 and PREP Induced by Cadmium Toxicity Is Counteracted by Melatonin in the Rat Testis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071016. [PMID: 34208970 PMCID: PMC8304460 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic pollutants for health due to its accumulation in several tissues, including testis. This report confirms that Cd increased oxidative stress and apoptosis of germ and somatic cells and provoked testicular injury, as documented by biomolecular and histological alterations, i.e., CAT and SOD activity, the protein level of steroidogenic enzymes (StAR and 3β-HSD), and morphometric parameters. Additionally, it further documents the melatonin (MLT) coadministration produces affects in mitigating Cd-induced toxicity on adult rat testis, as demonstrated by the reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis, with reversal of the observed histological changes; moreover, a role of MLT in partially restoring steroidogenic enzymes expression was evidenced. Importantly, the cytoarchitecture of testicular cells was perturbed by Cd exposure, as highlighted by impairment of the expression and localization of two cytoskeleton-associated proteins DAAM1 and PREP, which are involved in the germ cells' differentiation into spermatozoa, altering the normal spermatogenesis. Here, for the first time, we found that the co-treatment with MLT attenuated the Cd-induced toxicity on the testicular DAAM1 and PREP expression. The combined findings provide additional clues about a protective effect of MLT against Cd-induced testicular toxicity by acting on DAAM1 and PREP expression, encouraging further studies to prove its effectiveness in human health.
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Venditti M, Romano MZ, Aniello F, Minucci S. Preliminary Investigation on the Ameliorative Role Exerted by D-Aspartic Acid in Counteracting Ethane Dimethane Sulfonate (EDS) Toxicity in the Rat Testis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010133. [PMID: 33435542 PMCID: PMC7827869 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For proper fertility, the production of good-quality spermatozoa is essential. Nowadays, many environmental pollutants affect the spermatogenetic process, at different levels. For this reason, new approaches are needed to prevent/counteract these toxic effects. Here, we showed that the excitatory amino acid D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) prevents the deadly action of ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) on the testosterone-secreting Leydig cells in rat testis. We found that EDS, probably via the reduced testosterone level, alters the normal histology of the seminiferous epithelium, leading to germ cells death and to the decreased protein level of two Leydig cell “markers”: steroidogenic acute regulatory and prolyl endopeptidase. In addition, the same analysis performed on rats that were pre-treated with D-Asp revealed a protective role of this compound, since all the above parameters were quite normal. Moreover, we found that the protective mechanism of action involved in this scenario may be due to the ability of D-Asp to reduce the oxidative stress induced by EDS. Based on these findings, we could affirm that D-Asp may be an encouraging candidate to be used to alleviate the harmful action due to environmental pollutants exposure, in order to maintain appropriate fertility. Abstract Herein is reported the first evidence of the protective role of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) in preventing the toxic effect exerted by the alkylating agent ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) in the rat testis. We confirmed that EDS treatment specifically destroyed Leydig cells (LC), resulting in the drastic decrease of the serum testosterone level and producing morphological changes in the germinal tubules, i.e., altered organization of the epithelium, loss of cell contacts and the consequent presence of empty spaces between them, and a reduce number of spermatozoa. Moreover, an increase of TUNEL-positive germ cells, other than alteration in the protein level and localization of two LC “markers”, StAR and PREP, were observed. Interestingly, results obtained from rats pre-treated with D-Asp for 15 days before EDS-injection showed that all the considered parameters were quite normal. To explore the probable mechanism(s) involved in the protection exerted by D-Asp, we considered the increased oxidative stress induced by EDS and the D-Asp antioxidant effects. Thiobarbiturc acid-reactive species (TBARS) levels increased following EDS-injection, while no change was observed in the D-Asp + EDS treated rats. Our results showed that D-Asp may be used as a strategy to mitigate the toxic effects exerted by environmental pollutants, as endocrine disrupters, in order to preserve the reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (M.V.); (M.Z.R.)
| | - Maria Zelinda Romano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (M.V.); (M.Z.R.)
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II, Via Cinthia’, 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate “F. Bottazzi”, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (M.V.); (M.Z.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Venditti M, Donizetti A, Aniello F, Minucci S. EH domain binding protein 1-like 1 (EHBP1L1), a protein with calponin homology domain, is expressed in the rat testis. ZYGOTE 2020; 28:441-446. [PMID: 32795384 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199420000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, with the aim to find new genes involved in mammalian spermatogenesis, we isolated, for the first time in the rat testis, a partial cDNA clone that encoded EH domain binding protein 1-like 1 (Ehbp1l1), a protein that has a single calponin homology domain (CH). Bioinformatic analysis showed that EHBP1l1 contains three domains: the N-terminal C2-like, the CH and the C-terminal bivalent Mical/EHBP Rab binding (bMERB) domains, which are evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates. We found that Ehbp1l1 mRNA was expressed in several rat tissues, including the liver, intestine, kidney and also in the testis during its development, with a higher level in testis from 12-month-old animals. Interestingly, in situ hybridization experiments revealed that Ehbp1l1 is specifically expressed by types I and II spermatocytes, this result was validated by RT-PCR performed on total RNA obtained from enriched fractions of different testicular cell types. As EHBP1l1 has been described as linked to vesicular transport to the actin cytoskeleton and as an effector of the small GTPase Rab8, we hypothesized that it could participate both in cytoskeletal remodelling and in the regulation of vesicle sorting from the trans-Golgi network to the apical plasma membrane. Our findings provide a better understand of the molecular mechanisms of the differentiation process of spermatogenesis; Ehbp1l1 may also be used as a new marker of testicular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate 'F. Bottazzi', Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' via Costantinopoli, 16-80138 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Aldo Donizetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli 'Federico II, via Cinthia', 21-80126 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli 'Federico II, via Cinthia', 21-80126 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate 'F. Bottazzi', Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' via Costantinopoli, 16-80138 - Napoli, Italy
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Hildonen M, Knak KL, Dunø M, Vissing J, Tümer Z. Stable Longitudinal Methylation Levels at the CpG Sites Flanking the CTG Repeat of DMPK in Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080936. [PMID: 32823742 PMCID: PMC7465187 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder mainly characterized by gradual muscle loss, weakness, and delayed relaxation after muscle contraction. It is caused by an expanded CTG repeat in the 3′ UTR of DMPK, which is transcribed into a toxic gain-of-function mRNA that affects the splicing of a range of other genes. The repeat is unstable, with a bias towards expansions both in somatic cells and in the germline, which results in a tendency for earlier onset with each generation, as longer repeat lengths generally correlate with earlier onset. Previous studies have found hypermethylation in the regions flanking the repeat in congenital onset DM1 and in some patients with non-congenital DM1. We used pyrosequencing to investigate blood methylation levels in 68 patients with non-congenital DM1, compare the methylation levels between the blood and muscle, and assess whether methylation levels change over time in the blood. We found higher methylation levels in the blood of DM1 patients than in healthy controls and especially in the patients who had inherited the disease allele maternally. The methylation levels remained relatively stable over time and are a strong biomarker of the disease, as well as of the maternal inheritance of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathis Hildonen
- Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark;
| | - Kirsten Lykke Knak
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.L.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Morten Dunø
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - John Vissing
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.L.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Zeynep Tümer
- Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-2920-4855
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D-Aspartate Upregulates DAAM1 Protein Levels in the Rat Testis and Induces Its Localization in Spermatogonia Nucleus. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10050677. [PMID: 32353957 PMCID: PMC7277804 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell differentiation during spermatogenesis requires a proper actin dynamic, regulated by several proteins, including formins. Disheveled-Associated-Activator of Morphogenesis1 (DAAM1) belongs to the formins and promotes actin polymerization. Our results showed that oral D-Aspartate (D-Asp) administration, an excitatory amino acid, increased DAAM1 protein levels in germ cells cytoplasm of rat testis. Interestingly, after the treatment, DAAM1 also localized in rat spermatogonia (SPG) and mouse GC-1 cells nuclei. We provided bioinformatic evidence that DAAM1 sequence has two predicted NLS, supporting its nuclear localization. The data also suggested a role of D-Asp in promoting DAAM1 shuttling to the nuclear compartment of those proliferative cells. In addition, the proliferative action induced by D-Asp is confirmed by the increased levels of PCNA, a protein expressed in the nucleus of cells in the S phase and p-H3, a histone crucial for chromatin condensation during mitosis and meiosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated, for the first time, an increased DAAM1 protein levels following D-Asp treatment in rat testis and also its localization in the nucleus of rat SPG and in mouse GC-1 cells. Our results suggest an assumed role for this formin as a regulator of actin dynamics in both cytoplasm and nuclei of the germ cells.
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Venditti M, Chemek M, Minucci S, Messaoudi I. Cadmium-induced toxicity increases prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) expression in the rat testis. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:565-573. [PMID: 32329151 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
During the differentiation of the male gamete, there is a massive remodeling in the shape and architecture of all the cells of the seminiferous epithelium. The cytoskeleton, as well as many associated proteins with it, plays a pivotal role in this process. The testis is particularly susceptible to environmental pollutant, which can lead to injury and impairment of normal spermatozoa production. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the major chemical environmental toxicants in economically developed countries. Food and cigarettes are the main sources of exposure to this element. Here, the protective role of zinc (Zn) to prevent the testicular toxicity in male adult rats after prenatal and during lactation exposure to Cd has been assessed. Altered testicular histology at the interstitial and germinal levels was found, whereas Zn supply completely corrected Cd toxicity. Moreover, the effects of these metals on the testicular expression and localization of the protease prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) were evaluated. Interestingly, the results showed an increase of PREP messenger RNA and protein. Data were corroborated by immunofluorescence. This study raises the possibility of using PREP as a new fertility marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Marouane Chemek
- LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
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