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Babaei K, Aziminezhad M, Mirzajani E, Mozdarani H, Sharami SH, Norollahi SE, Samadani AA. A critical review of the recent concept of regulatory performance of DNA Methylations, and DNA methyltransferase enzymes alongside the induction of immune microenvironment elements in recurrent pregnancy loss. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:546-563. [PMID: 38798987 PMCID: PMC11127471 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy Loss (RPL)is a frequent and upsetting condition. Besides the prevalent cause of RPL including chromosomal defects in the embryo,the effect of translational elements like alterations of epigenetics are of great importance. The emergence of epigenetics has offered a fresh outlook on the causes and treatment of RPL by focusing on the examination of DNA methylation. RPL may arise as a result of aberrant DNA methylation of imprinted genes, placenta-specific genes, immune-related genes, and sperm DNA, which may have a direct or indirect impact on embryo implantation, growth, and development. Moreover, the distinct immunological tolerogenic milieu established at the interface between the mother and fetus plays a crucial role in sustaining pregnancy. Given this, there has been a great deal of interest in the regulation of DNA methylation and alterations in the cellular components of the maternal-fetal immunological milieu. The research on DNA methylation's role in RPL incidence and the control of the mother-fetal immunological milieu is summed up in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosar Babaei
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mohsen Aziminezhad
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- UMR INSERM U 1122, IGE-PCV, Interactions Gène-Environment En Physiopathologie Cardiovascular Université De Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Ebrahim Mirzajani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hossein Mozdarani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Hajar Sharami
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Al-Zahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Elham Norollahi
- Cancer Research Center and Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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Chen H, Xing G, Xu W, Chen Y, Xia L, Huang H, Huang J, Hong Q, Luo T, Wang H, Wu Q. The adenosine A2A receptor in human sperm: its role in sperm motility and association with in vitro fertilization outcomes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1410370. [PMID: 38872963 PMCID: PMC11169588 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1410370] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The involvement of ATP and cAMP in sperm function has been extensively documented, but the understanding of the role of adenosine and adenosine receptors remains incomplete. This study aimed to examine the presence of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and study the functional role of A2AR in human sperm. Methods The presence and localization of A2AR in human sperm were examined by western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. The functional role of A2AR in sperm was assessed by incubating human sperm with an A2AR agonist (regadenoson) and an A2AR antagonist (SCH58261). The sperm level of A2AR was examined by western blotting in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men to evaluate the association of A2AR with sperm motility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Results A2AR with a molecular weight of 43 kDa was detected in the tail of human sperm. SCH58261 decreased the motility, penetration ability, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and CatSper current of human sperm. Although regadenoson did not affect these sperm parameters, it alleviated the adverse effects of SCH58261 on these parameters. In addition, the mean level of A2AR in sperm from asthenozoospermic men was lower than that in sperm from normozoospermic men. The sperm level of A2AR was positively correlated with progressive motility. Furthermore, the fertilization rate during IVF was lower in men with decreased sperm level of A2AR than in men with normal sperm level of A2AR. Conclusions These results indicate that A2AR is important for human sperm motility and is associated with IVF outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houyang Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Genbao Xing
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Leizhen Xia
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Jialv Huang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Hong
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qiongfang Wu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Nanchang, China
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Yu W, Li Y, Chen H, Cui Y, Situ C, Yao L, Zhang X, Lu S, Liu L, Li L, Ren J, Guo Y, Huo Z, Chen Y, Li H, Jiang T, Gu Y, Wang C, Zhu T, Li Y, Hu Z, Guo X. STK33 phosphorylates fibrous sheath protein AKAP3/4 to regulate sperm flagella assembly in spermiogenesis. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023:100564. [PMID: 37146716 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis defects are important for male infertility; however, the etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. Herein, we identified two loss of function mutations of STK33 in 7 individuals with non-obstructive azoospermia. Further functional studies of these frameshift and nonsense mutations revealed that Stk33-/KI male mice were sterile, and Stk33-/KI sperm were abnormal with defects in the mitochondrial sheath (MS), fibrous sheath (FS), outer dense fiber (ODF) and axoneme. Stk33KI/KI male mice were subfertile and had oligoasthenozoospermia. Differential phosphoproteomic analysis and in vitro kinase assay identified novel phosphorylation substrates of STK33, fibrous sheath components AKAP3 and AKAP4, whose expression levels decreased in testis after deletion of Stk33. STK33 regulated the phosphorylation of AKAP3/4, affected the assembly of fibrous sheath in the sperm, and played an essential role in spermiogenesis and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Liping Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shuai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Laihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jie Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zian Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Yayun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Functional Characterization of a Phf8 Processed Pseudogene in the Mouse Genome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14010172. [PMID: 36672913 PMCID: PMC9859284 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most pseudogenes are generated when an RNA transcript is reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genome at a new location. Pseudogenes are often considered as an imperfect and silent copy of a functional gene because of the accumulation of numerous mutations in their sequence. Here we report the presence of Pfh8-ps, a Phf8 retrotransposed pseudogene in the mouse genome, which has no disruptions in its coding sequence. We show that this pseudogene is mainly transcribed in testis and can produce a PHF8-PS protein in vivo. As the PHF8-PS protein has a well-conserved JmjC domain, we characterized its enzymatic activity and show that PHF8-PS does not have the intrinsic capability to demethylate H3K9me2 in vitro compared to the parental PHF8 protein. Surprisingly, PHF8-PS does not localize in the nucleus like PHF8, but rather is mostly located at the cytoplasm. Finally, our proteomic analysis of PHF8-PS-associated proteins revealed that PHF8-PS interacts not only with mitochondrial proteins, but also with prefoldin subunits (PFDN proteins) that deliver unfolded proteins to the cytosolic chaperonin complex implicated in the folding of cytosolic proteins. Together, our findings highlighted PHF8-PS as a new pseudogene-derived protein with distinct molecular functions from PHF8.
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Mao B, Zhang W, Zheng Y, Li D, Chen MY, Wang YF. Comparative phosphoproteomics reveal new candidates in the regulation of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1703-1720. [PMID: 35271765 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The most common phenotype induced by the endosymbiont Wolbachia in insects is cytoplasmic incompatibility, where none or fewer progenies can be produced when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. This suggests that some modifications are induced in host sperms during spermatogenesis by Wolbachia. To identify the proteins whose phosphorylation states play essential roles in male reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic strategy combined with titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) enrichment to compare the phosphoproteome of Wolbachia-infected with that of uninfected male reproductive systems in D. melanogaster. We identified 182 phosphopeptides, defining 140 phosphoproteins, that have at least a 1.2 fold change in abundance with a P-value of <0.05. Most of the differentially abundant phosphoproteins (DAPPs) were associated with microtubule cytoskeleton organization and spermatid differentiation. The DAPPs included proteins already known to be associated with spermatogenesis, as well as many not previously studied during this process. Six genes coding for DAPPs were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Slmap knockdown caused the most severe damage in spermatogenesis, with no mature sperm observed in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the formation of individualization complex composed of actin cones was completely disrupted. These results suggest that Wolbachia may induce wide changes in the abundance of phosphorylated proteins which are closely related to male reproduction. By identifying phospho-modulated proteins we also provide a significant candidate set for future studies on their roles in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng-Yan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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Li H, Chen H, Zhang X, Qi Y, Wang B, Cui Y, Ren J, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Zhu T, Wang Y, Yao L, Guo Y, Zhu H, Li Y, Situ C, Guo X. Global phosphoproteomic analysis identified key kinases regulating male meiosis in mouse. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:467. [PMID: 35930080 PMCID: PMC11071816 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04507-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Meiosis, a highly conserved process in organisms from fungi to mammals, is subjected to protein phosphorylation regulation. Due to the low abundance of phosphorylation, there is a lack of systemic characterization of phosphorylation regulation of meiosis in mammals. Using the phosphoproteomic approach, we profiled large-scale phosphoproteome of purified primary spermatocytes undergoing meiosis I, and identified 14,660 phosphorylation sites in 4419 phosphoproteins. Kinase-substrate phosphorylation network analysis followed by in vitro meiosis study showed that CDK9 was essential for meiosis progression to metaphase I and had enriched substrate phosphorylation sites in proteins involved in meiotic cell cycle. In addition, histones and epigenetic factors were found to be widely phosphorylated. Among those, HASPIN was found to be essential for male fertility. Haspin knockout led to misalignment of chromosomes, apoptosis of metaphase spermatocytes and a decreased number of sperm by deregulation of H3T3ph, chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). The complicated protein phosphorylation and its important regulatory functions in meiosis indicated that in-depth studies of phosphorylation-mediated signaling could help us elucidate the mechanisms of meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jie Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yichen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Liping Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Sperm Phosphoproteome: Unraveling Male Infertility. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050659. [PMID: 35625387 PMCID: PMC9137924 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide of childbearing age, and in many cases the etiology of male infertility is unknown. The current standard evaluation of semen is insufficient to establish an accurate diagnosis. Proteomics techniques, such as phosphoproteomics, applied in this field are a powerful tool to understand the mechanisms that regulate sperm functions such as motility, which is essential for successful fertilization. Among the post-translational modifications of sperm proteins, this review summarizes, from a proteomic perspective, the updated knowledge of protein phosphorylation, in human spermatozoa, as a relevant molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of sperm physiology. Specifically, the role of sperm protein phosphorylation in motility and, consequently, in sperm quality is highlighted. Additionally, through the analysis of published comparative phosphoproteomic studies, some candidate human sperm phosphoproteins associated with low sperm motility are proposed. Despite the remarkable advances in phosphoproteomics technologies, the relatively low number of studies performed in human spermatozoa suggests that phosphoproteomics has not been applied to its full potential in studying male infertility yet. Therefore, further studies will improve the application of this procedure and overcome the limitations, increasing the understanding of regulatory mechanisms underlying protein phosphorylation in sperm motility and, consequently, in male fertility.
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Sims JR, Faça VM, Pereira C, Ascenção C, Comstock W, Badar J, Arroyo-Martinez GA, Freire R, Cohen PE, Weiss RS, Smolka MB. Phosphoproteomics of ATR signaling in mouse testes. eLife 2022; 11:e68648. [PMID: 35133275 PMCID: PMC8824463 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K)-related kinase ATR is crucial for mammalian meiosis. ATR promotes meiotic progression by coordinating key events in DNA repair, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), and checkpoint-dependent quality control during meiotic prophase I. Despite its central roles in meiosis, the ATR-dependent meiotic signaling network remains largely unknown. Here, we used phosphoproteomics to define ATR signaling events in testes from mice following chemical and genetic ablation of ATR signaling. Quantitative analysis of phosphoproteomes obtained after germ cell-specific genetic ablation of the ATR activating 9-1-1 complex or treatment with ATR inhibitor identified over 14,000 phosphorylation sites from testes samples, of which 401 phosphorylation sites were found to be dependent on both the 9-1-1 complex and ATR. Our analyses identified ATR-dependent phosphorylation events in crucial DNA damage signaling and DNA repair proteins including TOPBP1, SMC3, MDC1, RAD50, and SLX4. Importantly, we identified ATR and RAD1-dependent phosphorylation events in proteins involved in mRNA regulatory processes, including SETX and RANBP3, whose localization to the sex body was lost upon ATR inhibition. In addition to identifying the expected ATR-targeted S/T-Q motif, we identified enrichment of an S/T-P-X-K motif in the set of ATR-dependent events, suggesting that ATR promotes signaling via proline-directed kinase(s) during meiosis. Indeed, we found that ATR signaling is important for the proper localization of CDK2 in spermatocytes. Overall, our analysis establishes a map of ATR signaling in mouse testes and highlights potential meiotic-specific actions of ATR during prophase I progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie R Sims
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Vitor M Faça
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Catalina Pereira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Carolline Ascenção
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - William Comstock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jumana Badar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | | | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de CanariasTenerifeSpain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La LagunaLa LagunaSpain
- Universidad Fernando Pessoa CanariasLas Palmas de Gran CanariaSpain
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Robert S Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Marcus B Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
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Chen X, Li Y, Dai H, Zhang H, Wan D, Zhou X, Situ C, Zhu H. Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 is essential for spermatogenesis by regulating retinoic acid signaling pathways and the STAT3 molecular pathway. IUBMB Life 2021; 73:1446-1459. [PMID: 34717033 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that requires precise regulation. Phosphorylation plays a role in spermatogenesis by regulating protein structure and activity. This study focused on cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), and explored its function and molecular mechanisms in spermatogenesis in vitro in a cell line and in vivo in a mouse model. Inhibition of CDK7 activity affected spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation, and we found that CDK7 regulates retinoic acid (RA)-mediated c-KIT expression to play a role in spermatogonia. Then, we demonstrated that inhibition of CDK7 affected meiosis initiation, DNA repair, and synaptonemal complex formation in meiosis progression, and CDK7 played this role by regulating RA-mediated STRA8 and REC8 signaling pathways. Moreover, inhibition of CDK7 impacted spermatid differentiation and resulted in decreased counts, decreased motility, and increased head deformity of sperm. We demonstrated that CDK7 affects germ cell apoptosis and sperm motility by activating STAT3 and that STAT3 further regulates Cortactin expression to influence the nuclear elongation, chromatin condensation, and acrosome formation of sperm. Additionally, EP300 was identified as another potential target phosphorylated by CDK7 that participates in chromatin condensation. Our results demonstrated the important role of CDK7 in all key aspects of spermatogenesis, potentially providing an effective target for clinical diagnosis and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiqian Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danyang Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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A novel posttranslational modification of histone, H3 S-sulfhydration, is down-regulated in asthenozoospermic sperm. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:3175-3193. [PMID: 34664184 PMCID: PMC8666411 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is one of the major causes leading to male infertility including asthenozoospermia. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been widely recognized to be a potent antioxidant whose role is partially implemented by protein S-sulfhydration. However, protein S-sulfhydration has not been reported in germ cells. Therefore, we investigated whether asthenozoospermia could be associated with sperm protein S-sulfhydration. S-sulfhydrated proteins in human sperm were enriched via biotin-switch assay and analyzed using LC-MS/MS spectrometry. Two hundred forty-four S-sulfhydrated proteins were identified. Importantly, we validated that sperm histones H3.1 and H3.3 were the S-sulfhydrated proteins. Their S-sulfhydrated amino acid residue was Cysteine111. Abundances of S-sulfhydrated H3 (sH3) and S-sulfhydrated H3.3 (sH3.3) were significantly down-regulated in asthenozoospermic sperm, compared with the fertile controls, and were significantly correlated with progressive motility. Retinoic acid (RA) up-regulated level of sH3.3 in primary round spermatids and the C18-4 cells (a mouse spermatogonial stem cell line). Overexpression of the mutant H3.3 (Cysteine111 was replaced with serine) affected expression of 759 genes and raised growth rate of C18-4 cells. For the first time, S-sulfhydration H3 and H3.3 were demonstrated in the present study. Our results highlight that aberrant S-sulfhydration of H3 is a new pathophysiological basis in male infertility.
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Wang S, Qiao H, Wang P, Wang Y, Qin D. ZDHHC19 Is Dispensable for Spermatogenesis, but Is Essential for Sperm Functions in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168894. [PMID: 34445597 PMCID: PMC8396176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complicated process involving mitotically proliferating spermatogonial cells, meiotically dividing spermatocytes, and spermatid going through maturation into spermatozoa. The post-translational modifications of proteins play important roles in this biological process. S-palmitoylation is one type of protein modifications catalyzed by zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys (ZDHHC)-family palmitoyl S-acyltransferases. There are 23 mammalian ZDHHCs that have been identified in mouse. Among them, Zdhhc19 is highly expressed in adult testis. However, the in vivo function of Zdhhc19 in mouse spermatogenesis and fertility remains unknown. In this study, we knocked out the Zdhhc19 gene by generating a 2609 bp deletion from exon 3 to exon 6 in mice. No differences were found in testis morphology and testis/body weight ratios upon Zdhhc19 deletion. Spermatogenesis was not disrupted in Zdhhc19 knockout mice, in which properly developed TRA98+ germ cells, SYCP3+ spermatocytes, and TNP1+ spermatids/spermatozoa were detected in seminiferous tubules. Nevertheless, Zdhhc19 knockout mice were male infertile. Zdhhc19 deficient spermatozoa exhibited multiple defects including abnormal morphology of sperm tails and heads, decreased motility, and disturbed acrosome reaction. All of these led to the inability of Zdhhc19 mutant sperm to fertilize oocytes in IVF assays. Taken together, our results support the fact that Zdhhc19 is a testis enriched gene dispensable for spermatogenesis, but is essential for sperm functions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Hongjie Qiao
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Pengxiang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China;
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (D.Q.)
| | - Danian Qin
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (D.Q.)
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