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Hu W, Zhang R, Xu H, Li Y, Yang X, Zhou Z, Huang X, Wang Y, Ji W, Gao F, Meng W. CAMSAP1 role in orchestrating structure and dynamics of manchette microtubule minus-ends impacts male fertility during spermiogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2313787120. [PMID: 37903275 PMCID: PMC10636317 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313787120] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The manchette is a crucial transient structure involved in sperm development, with its composition and regulation still not fully understood. This study focused on investigating the roles of CAMSAP1 and CAMSAP2, microtubule (MT) minus-end binding proteins, in regulating manchette MTs, spermiogenesis, and male fertility. The loss of CAMSAP1, but not CAMSAP2, disrupts the well-orchestrated process of spermiogenesis, leading to abnormal manchette elongation and delayed removal, resulting in deformed sperm nuclei and tails resembling oligoasthenozoospermia symptoms. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms by purifying manchette assemblies and comparing them through proteomic analysis, and results showed that the absence of CAMSAP1 disrupted the proper localization of key proteins (CEP170 and KIF2A) at the manchette minus end, compromising its structural integrity and hindering MT depolymerization. These findings highlight the significance of maintaining homeostasis in manchette MT minus-ends for shaping manchette morphology during late spermiogenesis, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility and sperm abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Honglin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
| | - Yuejia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Zhengrong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiahe Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
| | - Yingchun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Wei Ji
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, Guangdong510320, China
| | - Fei Gao
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Wenxiang Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
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2
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Potgieter S, Eddy C, Badrinath A, Chukrallah L, Lo T, Mohanty G, Visconti PE, Snyder EM. ADAD1 is required for normal translation of nuclear pore and transport protein transcripts in spermatids of Mus musculus†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:340-355. [PMID: 37399121 PMCID: PMC10502568 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad069] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ADAD1 is a testis-specific RNA-binding protein expressed in post-meiotic spermatids whose loss leads to defective sperm and male infertility. However, the drivers of the Adad1 phenotype remain unclear. Morphological and functional analysis of Adad1 mutant sperm showed defective DNA compaction, abnormal head shaping, and reduced motility. Mutant testes demonstrated minimal transcriptome changes; however, ribosome association of many transcripts was reduced, suggesting ADAD1 may be required for their translational activation. Further, immunofluorescence of proteins encoded by select transcripts showed delayed protein accumulation. Additional analyses demonstrated impaired subcellular localization of multiple proteins, suggesting protein transport is also abnormal in Adad1 mutants. To clarify the mechanism giving rise to this, the manchette, a protein transport microtubule network, and the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, which connects the manchette to the nuclear lamin, were assessed across spermatid development. Proteins of both displayed delayed translation and/or localization in mutant spermatids implicating ADAD1 in their regulation, even in the absence of altered ribosome association. Finally, ADAD1's impact on the NPC (nuclear pore complex), a regulator of both the manchette and the LINC complex, was examined. Reduced ribosome association of NPC encoding transcripts and reduced NPC protein abundance along with abnormal localization in Adad1 mutants confirmed ADAD1's impact on translation is required for a NPC in post-meiotic germ cells. Together, these studies lead to a model whereby ADAD1's influence on nuclear transport leads to deregulation of the LINC complex and the manchette, ultimately generating the range of physiological defects observed in the Adad1 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Potgieter
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Eddy
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Aditi Badrinath
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lauren Chukrallah
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Toby Lo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gayatri Mohanty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Snyder
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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3
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Wang J, Liu Z, Gao X, Du C, Hou C, Tang D, Lou B, Shen W, Zhu J. The potential function of KIF17 in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) spermatid remodeling: molecular characterization and expression pattern during spermiogenesis. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:603-616. [PMID: 35538183 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-021-01035-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
KIF17, which belongs to the kinesin-2 protein family, plays an indispensable role in mammalian spermiogenesis. However, the role of KIF17 in fish spermatid remodeling during spermiogenesis remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to study the role of KIF17 in spermatid remodeling during Larimichthys crocea (L. crocea) spermiogenesis. The kif17 cDNA sequence, 3247 bp in length, was cloned from L. crocea testis, which consisted of a 347-bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 413-bp 3' -UTR, and 2487-bp open reading frame. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that KIF17 obtained from L. crocea (Lc-KIF17) exhibited a high sequence identity compared with those from other teleosts and possessed the structural features of other kinesin-2 proteins. Based on structural similarity, we speculate that the role of Lc-KIF17 may be similar to that of KIF17 in other animals. Lc-kif17 mRNA was diffusely expressed in L. crocea tissues and was highly expressed in the testis, especially at stage IV testicular development. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Lc-KIF17 signals colocalized with β-tubulin signals and migrated from the perinuclear cytoplasm to the side of the nucleus where the tail forms during spermiogenesis. These findings revealed that KIF17 may be involved in L. crocea spermiogenesis. In particular, KIF17 may participate in spermatid remodeling by interacting with perinuclear microtubules during L. crocea spermiogenesis. Collectively, this study contributes to an improved understanding of the mechanism underlying L. crocea spermiogenesis and provides a basis for further research on L. crocea reproduction and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Du
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Congcong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Daojun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao Lou
- Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310021, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiliang Shen
- Ningbo Academy of Oceanology and Fishery, Ningbo, 315012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junquan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology By the Ministry of Education, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China.
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Gadadhar S, Hirschmugl T, Janke C. The tubulin code in mammalian sperm development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 137:26-37. [PMID: 35067438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements that play key roles throughout the different steps of sperm development. As an integral part of the sperm flagellum, the molecular machine that generates sperm motility, microtubules are also essential for the progressive swimming of sperm to the oocyte, which is a prerequisite for fertilisation. Given the central role of microtubules in all steps of spermatogenesis, their functions need to be tightly controlled. Recent work has showcased tubulin posttranslational modifications as key players in sperm development and function, with aberrations often leading to male infertility with a broad spectrum of sperm defects. Posttranslational modifications are part of the tubulin code, a mechanism that can control microtubule functions by modulating the properties of their molecular building blocks, the tubulin proteins. Here we review the current knowledge on the implications of the tubulin code in sperm development and functions and its importance for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshan Gadadhar
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3348, F-91401 Orsay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91401 Orsay, France.
| | | | - Carsten Janke
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3348, F-91401 Orsay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91401 Orsay, France.
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5
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CFAP43-mediated intra-manchette transport is required for sperm head shaping and flagella formation. ZYGOTE 2020; 29:75-81. [PMID: 33046149 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199420000556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mutation in CFAP43 leads to severe asthenozoospermia and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum (MMAF) in both human and mouse. Previous studies have shown that disruption of intra-manchette transport (IMT) caused failure of flagellum assembly and sperm head shaping. In a previous study, therefore, we postulated that disruption of IMT may contribute to the failure of sperm flagellum formation and result in MMAF, however the mechanisms underlying these defects are still poorly understood. Cfap43-deficient mice were studied here to reveal the cellular mechanisms of abnormal sperm head morphology and MMAF. Depletion of Cfap43 led to abnormal spermiogenesis and caused MMAF, sperm head abnormality and oligozoospermia. Furthermore, both abnormal manchette and disorganized ectoplasmic specialization (ES) could be observed at the elongated spermatids in Cfap43-deficient mice. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that, in mice, CFAP43-mediated IMT is essential for sperm head shaping and sperm flagellum formation.
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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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7
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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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8
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Wei YL, Yang WX. The acroframosome-acroplaxome-manchette axis may function in sperm head shaping and male fertility. Gene 2018; 660:28-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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9
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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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10
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Serrano JB, Martins F, Sousa JC, Pereira CD, van Pelt AMM, Rebelo S, da Cruz E Silva OAB. Descriptive Analysis of LAP1 Distribution and That of Associated Proteins throughout Spermatogenesis. MEMBRANES 2017; 7:E22. [PMID: 28387711 PMCID: PMC5489856 DOI: 10.3390/membranes7020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis comprises highly complex differentiation processes. Nuclear envelope (NE) proteins have been associated with these processes, including lamins, lamina-associated polypeptide (LAP) 2 and the lamin B-receptor. LAP1 is an important NE protein whose function has not been fully elucidated, but several binding partners allow predicting putative LAP1 functions. To date, LAP1 had not been associated with spermatogenesis. In this study, LAP1 expression and cellular/subcellular localization during spermatogenesis in human and mouse testes is established for the first time. The fact that LAP1 is expressed during nuclear elongation in spermiogenesis and is located at the spermatids' centriolar pole is singularly important. LAP1 binds to members of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) family. Similar localization of LAP1 and PP1γ2, a testis-specific PP1 isoform, suggests a shared function for both proteins during spermiogenesis. Furthermore, this study suggests an involvement of LAP1 in manchette development and chromatin regulation possibly via interaction with acetylated α-tubulin and lamins, respectively. Taken together, the present results indicate that, by moving to the posterior pole in spermatids, LAP1 can contribute to the achievement of non-random, sperm-specific chromatin distribution, as well as modulate cellular remodeling during spermiogenesis. In addition, LAP1 seems to be associated with dynamic microtubule changes related to manchette formation and flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana B Serrano
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Martins
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João C Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Cátia D Pereira
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandra Rebelo
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Odete A B da Cruz E Silva
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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11
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O'Donnell L, O'Bryan MK. Microtubules and spermatogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 30:45-54. [PMID: 24440897 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 01/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic polymers of tubulin subunits that underpin many essential cellular processes, such as cell division and migration. Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatogenic stem cells undergo mitotic and meiotic division and differentiation to produce streamlined spermatozoa capable of motility and fertilization. This review summarizes the current knowledge of microtubule-based processes in spermatogenesis. We describe the involvement of microtubule dynamics in Sertoli cell shape and function, as well as in the mitotic and meiotic division of germ cells. The roles of microtubules in sperm head shaping, via the development and function of the manchette, and in sperm flagella development are also discussed. The review brings together data from microscopy studies and genetically modified mouse models, and reveals that the regulation of microtubule dynamics is essential for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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SEPT12-microtubule complexes are required for sperm head and tail formation. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22102-16. [PMID: 24213608 PMCID: PMC3856054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The septin gene belongs to a highly conserved family of polymerizing GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins. SEPTs perform cytoskeletal remodeling, cell polarity, mitosis, and vesicle trafficking by interacting with various cytoskeletons. Our previous studies have indicated that SEPTIN12+/+/+/- chimeras with a SEPTIN12 mutant allele were infertile. Spermatozoa from the vas deferens of chimeric mice indicated an abnormal sperm morphology, decreased sperm count, and immotile sperm. Mutations and genetic variants of SEPTIN12 in infertility cases also caused oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. We suggest that a loss of SEPT12 affects the biological function of microtublin functions and causes spermiogenesis defects. In the cell model, SEPT12 interacts with α- and β-tubulins by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). To determine the precise localization and interactions between SEPT12 and α- and β-tubulins in vivo, we created SEPTIN12-transgene mice. We demonstrate how SEPT12 interacts and co-localizes with α- and β-tubulins during spermiogenesis in these mice. By using shRNA, the loss of SEPT12 transcripts disrupts α- and β-tubulin organization. In addition, losing or decreasing SEPT12 disturbs the morphogenesis of sperm heads and the elongation of sperm tails, the steps of which are coordinated and constructed by α- and β-tubulins, in SEPTIN12+/+/+/- chimeras. In this study, we discovered that the SEPTIN12-microtubule complexes are critical for sperm formation during spermiogenesis.
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Kierszenbaum AL, Rivkin E, Tres LL. Cytoskeletal track selection during cargo transport in spermatids is relevant to male fertility. SPERMATOGENESIS 2011; 1:221-230. [PMID: 22319670 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.1.3.18018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spermatids generate diverse and unusual actin and microtubule populations during spermiogenesis to fulfill mechanical and cargo transport functions assisted by motor and non-motor proteins. Disruption of cargo transport may lead to teratozoospermia and consequent male infertility. How motor and non-motor proteins utilize the cytoskeleton to transport cargos during sperm development is not clear. Filamentous actin (F-actin) and the associated motor protein myosin Va participate in the transport of Golgi-derived proacrosomal vesicles to the acrosome and along the manchette. The acrosome is stabilized by the acroplaxome, a cytoskeletal plate anchored to the nuclear envelope. The acroplaxome plate harbors F-actin and actin-like proteins as well as several other proteins, including keratin 5/Sak57, Ran GTPase, Hook1, dynactin p150Glued, cenexin-derived ODF2, testis-expressed profilin-3 and profilin-4, testis-expressed Fer tyrosine kinase (FerT), members of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and cortactin. Spermatids express transcripts encoding the non-spliced form of cortactin, a F-actin-regulatory protein. Tyrosine phosphorylated cortactin and FerT coexist in the acrosome-acroplaxome complex. Hook1 and p150Glued, known to participate in vesicle cargo transport, are sequentially seen from the acroplaxome to the manchette to the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA). The golgin Golgi-microtubule associated protein GMAP210 resides in the cis-Golgi whereas the intraflagellar protein IFT88 localizes in the trans-Golgi network. Like Hook1 and p150Glued, GMAP210 and IFT88 colocalize at the cytosolic side of proacrosomal vesicles and, following vesicle fusion, become part of the outer and inner acrosomal membranes before relocating to the acroplaxome, manchette and HTCA. A hallmark of the manchette and axoneme is microtubule heterogeneity, determined by the abundance of acetylated, tysosinated and glutamylated tubulin isoforms produced by post-translational modifications. We postulate that the construction of the male gamete requires microtubule and F-actin tracks and specific molecular motors and associated non-motor proteins for the directional positioning of vesicular and non-vesicular cargos at specific intracellular sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy; The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education; The City University of New York; New York, NY USA
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Bao J, Wu Q, Song R, Jie Z, Zheng H, Xu C, Yan W. RANBP17 is localized to the XY body of spermatocytes and interacts with SPEM1 on the manchette of elongating spermatids. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 333:134-42. [PMID: 21184802 PMCID: PMC3039071 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We identified Ran-binding protein 17 (RANBP17) as one of the interacting partners of sperm maturation 1 (SPEM1) using yeast 2-hybrid screening and immunoprecipitation assays. Expression profiling analyses suggested that RANBP17 was preferentially expressed in the testis. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy revealed a dynamic localization pattern of RANBP17 during spermatogenesis. In primary spermatocytes RANBP17 was mainly localized to the XY body. In the subsequent spermiogenesis, RANBP17 was first observed in the nuclei of round spermatids (steps 1-7) and then confined to the manchette of elongating spermatids (steps 8-14) together with its interacting partner SPEM1. In the Spem1-null testes, levels of RANBP17 were significantly elevated. As a member of a large protein family involved in the nucleocytoplasmic transport, RANBP17 may have a role in sex chromosome inactivation during the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis, and also in the intramanchette transport during spermiogenesis. Interactions between RANBP17 and SPEM1, for the first time, point to a potential function of SPEM1 in the RANBP17-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Department of Embryology and Histology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuxia Wu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Zhang Jie
- Department of Biochemistry, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Embryology and Histology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Corresponding author: Wei Yan MD, PhD Associate Professor Department of Physiology and Cell Biology University of Nevada School of Medicine Anderson Biomedical Science Building 105C/111 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 352 Reno, NV 89557 Tel: 775 784 7765 (Office) 775 784 4688 (Lab) Fax: 775 784 6903 URL: http://www.medicine.nevada.edu/physio/facyan.html
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Kierszenbaum AL, Rivkin E, Tres LL, Yoder BK, Haycraft CJ, Bornens M, Rios RM. GMAP210 and IFT88 are present in the spermatid golgi apparatus and participate in the development of the acrosome-acroplaxome complex, head-tail coupling apparatus and tail. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:723-36. [PMID: 21337470 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the localization of the golgin GMAP210 and the intraflagellar protein IFT88 in the Golgi of spermatids and the participation of these two proteins in the development of the acrosome-acroplaxome complex, the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the spermatid tail. Immunocytochemical experiments show that GMAP210 predominates in the cis-Golgi, whereas IFT88 prevails in the trans-Golgi network. Both proteins colocalize in proacrosomal vesicles, along acrosome membranes, the HTCA and the developing tail. IFT88 persists in the acrosome-acroplaxome region of the sperm head, whereas GMAP210 is no longer seen there. Spermatids of the Ift88 mouse mutant display abnormal head shaping and are tail-less. GMAP210 is visualized in the Ift88 mutant during acrosome-acroplaxome biogenesis. However, GMAP210-stained vesicles, mitochondria and outer dense fiber material build up in the manchette region and fail to reach the abortive tail stump in the mutant. In vitro disruption of the spermatid Golgi and microtubules with Brefeldin-A and nocodazole blocks the progression of GMAP210- and IFT88-stained proacrosomal vesicles to the acrosome-acroplaxome complex but F-actin distribution in the acroplaxome is not affected. We provide the first evidence that IFT88 is present in the Golgi of spermatids, that the microtubule-associated golgin GMAP210 and IFT88 participate in acrosome, HTCA, and tail biogenesis, and that defective intramanchette transport of cargos disrupts spermatid tail development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.
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Wang W, Zhu JQ, Yu HM, Tan FQ, Yang WX. KIFC1-like motor protein associates with the cephalopod manchette and participates in sperm nuclear morphogenesis in Octopus tankahkeei. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15616. [PMID: 21187923 PMCID: PMC3004946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nuclear morphogenesis is one of the most fundamental cellular transformations taking place during spermatogenesis. In rodents, a microtubule-based perinuclear structure, the manchette, and a C-terminal kinesin motor KIFC1 are believed to play crucial roles in this process. Spermatogenesis in Octopus tankahkeei is a good model system to explore whether evolution has created a cephalopod prototype of mammalian manchette-based and KIFC1-dependent sperm nuclear shaping machinery. Methodology/Principal Findings We detected the presence of a KIFC1-like protein in the testis, muscle, and liver of O. tankahkeei by Western Blot. Then we tracked its dynamic localization in spermatic cells at various stages using Immunofluorescence and Immunogold Electron Microscopy. The KIFC1-like protein was not expressed at early stages of spermatogenesis when no significant morphological changes occur, began to be present in early spermatid, localized around and in the nucleus of intermediate and late spermatids where the nucleus was dramatically elongated and compressed, and concentrated at one end of final spermatid. Furthermore, distribution of the motor protein during nuclear elongation and condensation overlapped with that of the cephalopod counterpart of manchette at a significant level. Conclusions/Significance The results support the assumption that the protein is actively involved in sperm nuclear morphogenesis in O. tankahkeei possibly through bridging the manchette-like perinuclear microtubules to the nucleus and assisting in the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of specific cargoes. This study represents the first description of the role of a motor protein in sperm nuclear shaping in cephalopod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Bioengineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Quan Zhu
- Faculty of Life Science and Bioengineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - He-Ming Yu
- Faculty of Life Science and Bioengineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fu-Qing Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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Hermo L, Pelletier RM, Cyr DG, Smith CE. Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells. Part 2: changes in spermatid organelles associated with development of spermatozoa. Microsc Res Tech 2010; 73:279-319. [PMID: 19941292 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a long process whereby haploid spermatids derived from the meiotic divisions of spermatocytes undergo metamorphosis into spermatozoa. It is subdivided into distinct steps with 19 being identified in rats, 16 in mouse and 8 in humans. Spermiogenesis extends over 22.7 days in rats and 21.6 days in humans. In this part, we review several key events that take place during the development of spermatids from a structural and functional point of view. During early spermiogenesis, the Golgi apparatus forms the acrosome, a lysosome-like membrane bound organelle involved in fertilization. The endoplasmic reticulum undergoes several topographical and structural modifications including the formation of the radial body and annulate lamellae. The chromatoid body is fully developed and undergoes structural and functional modifications at this time. It is suspected to be involved in RNA storing and processing. The shape of the spermatid head undergoes extensive structural changes that are species-specific, and the nuclear chromatin becomes compacted to accommodate the stream-lined appearance of the sperm head. Microtubules become organized to form a curtain or manchette that associates with spermatids at specific steps of their development. It is involved in maintenance of the sperm head shape and trafficking of proteins in the spermatid cytoplasm. During spermiogenesis, many genes/proteins have been implicated in the diverse dynamic events occurring at this time of development of germ cells and the absence of some of these have been shown to result in subfertility or infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Hermo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2.
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Rivkin E, Kierszenbaum AL, Gil M, Tres LL. Rnf19a, a ubiquitin protein ligase, and Psmc3, a component of the 26S proteasome, tether to the acrosome membranes and the head-tail coupling apparatus during rat spermatid development. Dev Dyn 2009; 238:1851-61. [PMID: 19517565 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the cDNA cloning of rat testis Rnf19a, a ubiquitin protein ligase, and show 98% and 93% protein sequence identity of testicular mouse and human Rnf19a, respectively. Rnf19a interacts with Psmc3, a protein component of the 19S regulatory cap of the 26S proteasome. During spermatid development, Rnf19a and Psmc3 are initially found in Golgi-derived proacrosomal vesicles. Later on, Rnf19a, Psmc3, and ubiquitin are seen along the cytosolic side of the acrosomal membranes and the acroplaxome, a cytoskeletal plate linking the acrosome to the spermatid nuclear envelope. Rnf19a and Psmc3 accumulate at the acroplaxome marginal ring-manchette perinuclear ring region during spermatid head shaping and in the developing sperm head-tail coupling apparatus and tail. Rnf19a and Psmc3 may interact directly or indirectly with each other, presumably pointing to the participation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in acrosome biogenesis, spermatid head shaping, and development of the head-tail coupling apparatus and tail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Rivkin
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, New York, New York 10031, USA
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19
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Kierszenbaum AL, Rivkin E, Tres LL. Expression of Fer testis (FerT) tyrosine kinase transcript variants and distribution sites of FerT during the development of the acrosome-acroplaxome-manchette complex in rat spermatids. Dev Dyn 2009; 237:3882-91. [PMID: 18985748 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the association of testicular Fer, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, with acrosome development and remodeling of the acrosome-associated acroplaxome plate during spermatid head shaping. A single gene expresses two forms of Fer tyrosine kinases in testis: a somatic form (FerS) and a truncated testis-type form (FerT). FerT transcript variants are seen in spermatocytes and spermatids. FerS transcripts are not detected in round spermatids but are moderately transcribed in spermatocytes. FerT protein is associated with the spermatid medial/trans-Golgi region, proacrosomal vesicles, the cytosolic side of the outer acrosome membrane and adjacent to the inner acrosome membrane facing the acroplaxome. FerT coexist in the acroplaxome with phosphorylated cortactin, a regulator of F-actin dynamics. We propose that FerT participates in acrosome development and that phosphorylated cortactin may contribute to structural changes in F-actin in the acroplaxome during spermatid head shaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, CUNY Medical School, Harris Hall Suite 306, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Hayasaka S, Terada Y, Suzuki K, Murakawa H, Tachibana I, Sankai T, Murakami T, Yaegashi N, Okamura K. Intramanchette transport during primate spermiogenesis: expression of dynein, myosin Va, motor recruiter myosin Va, VIIa-Rab27a/b interacting protein, and Rab27b in the manchette during human and monkey spermiogenesis. Asian J Androl 2008; 10:561-8. [PMID: 18478159 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00392.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To show whether molecular motor dynein on a microtubule track, molecular motor myosin Va, motor recruiter myosin Va, VIIa-Rab27a/b interacting protein (MyRIP), and vesicle receptor Rab27b on an F-actin track were present during human and monkey spermiogenesis involving intramanchette transport (IMT). METHODS Spermiogenic cells were obtained from three men with obstructive azoospermia and normal adult cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Immunocytochemical detection and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the proteins were carried out. Samples were analyzed by light microscope. RESULTS Using RT-PCR, we found that dynein, myosin Va, MyRIP and Rab27b were expressed in monkey testis. These proteins were localized to the manchette, as shown by immunofluorescence, particularly during human and monkey spermiogenesis. CONCLUSION We speculate that during primate spermiogenesis, those proteins that compose microtubule-based and actin-based vesicle transport systems are actually present in the manchette and might possibly be involved in intramanchette transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichi Hayasaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Matsuoka Y, Miyagawa Y, Tokuhiro K, Kitamura K, Iguchi N, Maekawa M, Takahashi T, Tsujimura A, Matsumiya K, Okuyama A, Nishimune Y, Tanaka H. Isolation and characterization of the spermatid-specific Smrp1 gene encoding a novel manchette protein. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:967-75. [PMID: 18163442 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The manchette, which is the structure that appears around the nuclei of elongated spermatids, is assumed to be involved in nuclear shaping during spermiogenesis and the transport of various proteins between the nucleus and sperm tail. In this report, we describe the molecular cloning and characterization of a mouse spermatid-specific manchette-related protein 1 (Smrp1) from a spermatid-specific subtracted mouse testis cDNA library. The isolated Smrp1 cDNA clones could be divided into three variants based on sequence analysis. Computer-assisted analysis showed that these variants were splice variants from a single locus of the mouse genome. The three putative proteins consisted of 296, 260, and 175 amino acids, respectively. Although 155 amino acids of the N terminus were common to the three proteins, they were distinguished by their C-terminal regions. Western blot analyses using specific antisera showed that SMRP1 expression was specific to the testes and that only the 261-amino-acid form was translated into protein. Immunohistochemistry revealed that SMRP1 was localized to the cytoplasm of step 9-12 elongated spermatids. The protein appeared in a cap formation that covered the caudal sides of the elongated nuclei. This localization pattern coincided with that of the manchette. SMRP1 may play an important role as a functional protein that co-operates with manchette proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Matsuoka
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Rivkin E, Eddy EM, Willis WD, Goulding EH, Suganuma R, Yanagimachi R, Kierszenbaum AL. Sperm tail abnormalities in mutant mice with neo(r) gene insertion into an intron of the keratin 9 gene. Mol Reprod Dev 2005; 72:259-71. [PMID: 16015579 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Keratin 9 (K9) is one of the components of the perinuclear ring of the manchette found in developing spermatids but is predominantly expressed in the epidermis of the footpad (palm and sole in human epidermis). As an initial step to determine the function of K9 protein in sperm development, we have generated a mutant mouse by homologous recombination of the targeting vector containing the disrupted K9 gene in which the neo(r) gene was inserted into the intron 6. This insertion resulted in the expression of two K9 mRNAs: a wild-type K9 mRNA, in which intron 6 with the neo(r) gene was completely spliced out, and a mutated form in which only a portion of the intron 6 between neo(r) gene and exon 7 was spliced out. While both heterozygous (K9(+/neo)) and homozygous (K9(neo/neo)) mutant mice expressed the wild-type form of K9 protein, the expression profile of the wild-type K9 in K9(neo/neo) mutants was modified. In addition, the open reading frame of the aberrant mRNA terminated at the exon 6/intron 6 splice site, resulting in a truncated K9 protein. Both K9(+neo) and K9(neo/neo) male mice displayed spermatids with ectopic manchette. Coiled tails were seen in maturing spermatids and epididymal sperm of mutant mice and sperm with deformed tails displayed forward motility. A predominant sperm anomaly was residual cytoplasm at the end of the mitochondria-containing middle piece tail segment. The residual cytoplasm displayed vesicles with random in situ motion, suggesting a transport impediment toward the distal end of the sperm tail. All mutant mice were fertile. Surprisingly, in oocyte nuclear injection experiments using K9(neo/neo) sperm donor, 76% of the resulting animals displayed a deletion of the neo(r) gene from the intron 6 of the mutated K9 allele. Results of this study support the view that intron 6 influences the transcriptional efficiency of the K9 gene by decreasing production of wild-type K9 and changing the expression of K9 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Rivkin
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City University of New York Medical School, 138th Street and Convent Avenue, Harris Hall 306, New York, NY, USA
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Vigodner M, Morris PL. Testicular expression of small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1) supports multiple roles in spermatogenesis: silencing of sex chromosomes in spermatocytes, spermatid microtubule nucleation, and nuclear reshaping. Dev Biol 2005; 282:480-92. [PMID: 15950612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2004] [Revised: 03/01/2005] [Accepted: 03/27/2005] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
SUMO-1 is a member of a ubiquitin-related family of proteins that mediates important post-translational effects affecting diverse physiological functions. Whereas SUMO-1 is detected in the testis, little is known about its reproductive role in males. Herein, cell-specific SUMO-1 was localized in freshly isolated, purified male germ cells and somatic cells of mouse and rat testes using Western analysis, high-resolution single-cell bioimaging, and in situ confocal microscopy of seminiferous tubules. During germ cell development, SUMO-1 was observed at low but detectable levels in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia and early spermatocytes. SUMO-1 appeared on gonosomal chromatin during zygotene when chromosome homologues pair and sex chromatin condensation is initiated. Striking SUMO-1 increases in the sex body of early-to-mid-pachytene spermatocytes correlated with timing of additional sex chromosome condensation. Before the completion of the first meiotic division, SUMO-1 disappeared from the sex body when X and Y chromosomal activity resumed. Together, these data indicate that sumoylation may be involved in non-homologous chromosomal synapsis, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, and XY body formation. During spermiogenesis, SUMO-1 localized in chromocenters of certain round spermatids and perinuclear ring and centrosomes of elongating spermatids, data implicating SUMO-1 in the process of microtubule nucleation and nuclear reshaping. STAT-4, one potential target of sumoylation, was located along the spermatid nuclei, adjacent but not co-localized with SUMO-1. Androgen receptor-positive Leydig, Sertoli, and some peritubular myoepithelial cells express SUMO-1, findings suggesting a role in modulating steroid action. Testicular SUMO-1 expression supports its specific functions in inactivation of sex chromosomes during meiosis, spermatid microtubule nucleation, nuclear reshaping, and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Vigodner
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Ing NH, Laughlin AM, Varner DD, Welsh TH, Forrest DW, Blanchard TL, Johnson L. Gene expression in the spermatogenically inactive "dark" and maturing "light" testicular tissues of the prepubertal colt. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 25:535-44. [PMID: 15223842 DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb02824.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the testis of the 1.5-year-old horse, spermatogenesis initiates locally in grossly light, central areas that contrast with grossly dark, peripheral areas that are as yet inactive in spermatogenesis. Gene expression was compared between "light" and "dark" tissues of 1.5-year-old horse testes to identify mechanisms important to the initiation of spermatogenesis. Microarrays containing human cDNAs were used to assess expression levels of 9132 genes simultaneously in matched pairs of dark and light testis tissues from 3 prepubertal colts. In all 3 analyses, dysferlin (DYS), down-regulated in ovarian cancer 1 (DOC1), and Golgi apparatus protein 1 (GLG1) genes were preferentially expressed in dark tissues, while outer dense fiber of sperm tails (ODF2) and phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) genes were more highly expressed in light testis tissue (>1.7 balanced difference value, Incyte GEM tools software). Expression levels of 88 additional genes appeared to be different between dark and light tissues in 2 of the 3 microarray analyses. The preferential expression of DYS, DOC1, ODF2, and PDE3B genes in dark or light testis tissues was confirmed on Northern blots and localized to cell types by in situ hybridization. Future studies to determine the role of genes regulated during the initiation of spermatogenesis may aid in elucidating molecular mechanisms during this critical time as well as in identifying new therapies for enhancing male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy H Ing
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, USA.
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Kierszenbaum AL, Tres LL. The acrosome-acroplaxome-manchette complex and the shaping of the spermatid head. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 67:271-84. [PMID: 15700535 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.67.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A combination of exogenous contractile forces generated by a stack of F-actin-containing hoops embracing the apical region of the elongating spermatid nucleus and an endogenous modulating mechanism dependent on the spermatid-containing acrosome-acroplaxome-manchette complex may play a cooperative role in the shaping of the spermatid head. In addition, the manchette is a key element in the transport of vesicles and macromolecules to the centrosome and developing spermatid tails as well as in nucleocytoplasmic transport. The proposed model of spermatid head shaping is based on: 1) currently known structural and molecular components of the F-actin hoops, the main cytoskeletal element of the Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations; 2) the molecular features of acrosome biogenesis; 3) the assembly of a subacrosomal cytoskeletal plate called the acroplaxome; and 4) the spatial relationship of the acrosome-acroplaxome complex with the manchette, a transient microtubular/actin-containing structure. During acrosome biogenesis, the acroplaxome becomes the nucleation site to which Golgi-derived proacrosomal vescicles tether and fuse. The acroplaxome has at least two functions: it anchors the developing acrosome to the elongating spermatid head. It may also provide a mechanical scaffolding plate during the shaping of the spermatid nucleus. The plate is stabilized by a marginal ring with junctional complex characteristics, adjusting to exogenous clutching forces generated by the stack of Sertoli cell F-actin-containing hoops applied to the elongating spermatid head. A tubulobulbar complex, formed by cytoplasmic processes protruding from the elongating spermatid head extending into the adjacent Sertoli cell, is located at the concave side of the spermatid head. The tubulobulbar complex might provide stabilizing conditions, together with the actin-afadin-nectin-2/nectin-3 adhesion unit, to enable sustained and balanced clutching exogenous forces applied during the elongation of the spermatid head.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/The City University of New York Medical School, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Kato A, Nagata Y, Todokoro K. δ-Tubulin is a component of intercellular bridges and both the early and mature perinuclear rings during spermatogenesis. Dev Biol 2004; 269:196-205. [PMID: 15081367 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2004.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2003] [Revised: 01/20/2004] [Accepted: 01/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis involves drastic morphological changes leading to the development of the mature sperm. Sperm development includes formation of the acrosome and flagellum, translocation of nucleus-acrosome to the cell surface, and condensation and elongation of the nucleus. In addition, spermatogenic cell progenies differentiate as cohorts of units interconnected by intercellular bridges. Little is known about the structural components involved in the establishment of conjoined spermatogenic cells and the mechanism of nuclear shaping of the male gamete. We identified two isoforms of delta-tubulin and found that the long isoform is predominantly expressed in testis, while the short isoform is expressed in all tissues examined. We also found that delta-tubulin forms intercellular bridges conjoining sister spermatogenic cells. In addition, delta-tubulin is a component of the perinuclear ring of the manchette, which acts on translocation and elongation of the nucleus. Furthermore, small rings clearly distinct from the intercellular bridges, which might mature to perinuclear ring of the manchette in later stages of spermatogenesis, were detected on the cell surface of round spermatids. These results suggest that delta-tubulin is a component of two types of ring, the intercellular bridges and the perinuclear rings, which may be involved in morphological changes of spermatid to mature sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Kato
- Cell Fate Signaling Research Unit, RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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Kierszenbaum AL, Rivkin E, Tres LL. The actin-based motor myosin Va is a component of the acroplaxome, an acrosome-nuclear envelope junctional plate, and of manchette-associated vesicles. Cytogenet Genome Res 2004; 103:337-44. [PMID: 15051957 DOI: 10.1159/000076822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2003] [Accepted: 11/10/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein and vesicle cargos can be mobilized during spermiogenesis by intramanchette transport utilizing microtubule-based protein motors (kinesins and dyneins). However, actin-based unconventional myosin motors may also play a significant role in targeting vesicle cargos to subcellular compartments during sperm development. Here we report that myosin Va, an actin-based motor protein, is a component of the acroplaxome of rodent spermatids. The acroplaxome is an F-actin/keratin-containing scaffold plate with a marginal ring fastening the caudal recess of the developing acrosome to the nuclear envelope during spermatid nuclear shaping. In contrast to the acroplaxome, fluorescently labeled phalloidin does not produce an obvious F-actin signal in the manchette. However, immunogold electron microscopy detects moderate but specific beta-actin immunoreactivity along interconnected tube-like bundles of manchette microtubules. We also show that the membrane of vesicles co-fractionated with intact manchettes by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation display immunogold-labeled myosin Va. Myosin Va vesicle localization is known to correlate with Rab proteins, monomeric GTPases of the Ras superfamily which recruit myosin Va/VIIa motor proteins through intermediate proteins. RT-PCR analysis demonstrates that transcripts for Rab27a and Rab27b and Slac2-c (a protein that links Rab27a/b to myosin Va/VIIa) are expressed in testis. These results indicate that two independent cytoskeletal tracks, F-actin in the acroplaxome and presumably in the manchette, and manchette microtubules, may facilitate short-range (from the Golgi to the acrosome) and long-range (from the manchette to the centrosome and axoneme) mobilization of appropriate cargos during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School/ The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Miranda-Vizuete A, Sadek CM, Jiménez A, Krause WJ, Sutovsky P, Oko R. The mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system. Antioxid Redox Signal 2004; 6:25-40. [PMID: 14713334 DOI: 10.1089/152308604771978327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Redox control of cell physiology is one of the most important regulatory mechanisms in all living organisms. The thioredoxin system, composed of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, has emerged as a key player in cellular redox-mediated reactions. For many years, only one thioredoxin system had been described in higher organisms, ubiquitously expressed in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. However, during the last decade, we and others have identified and characterized novel thioredoxin systems with unique properties, such as organelle-specific localization in mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum, tissue-specific distribution mostly in the testis, and features novel for thioredoxins, such as microtubule-binding properties. In this review, we will focus on the mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system that comprises three thioredoxins exclusively expressed in spermatids (named Sptrx-1, Sptrx-2, and Sptrx-3) and an additional thioredoxin highly expressed in testis, but also present in lung and other ciliated tissues (Txl-2). The implications of these findings in the context of male fertility and testicular cancer, as well as evolutionary aspects, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Miranda-Vizuete
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, S-14157 Huddinge, Sweden.
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Cobellis G, Meccariello R, Pierantoni R, Fasano S. Intratesticular signals for progression of germ cell stages in vertebrates. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2003; 134:220-8. [PMID: 14636628 DOI: 10.1016/s0016-6480(03)00281-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the complexity of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis have deeply been studied in recent years. Transgenic animals, gene-targeting techniques, and lower vertebrate animal models have led to the discovery of some of the intratesticular signals involved in germ cell progression. This review wish to give the state of the art about it with particular emphasis on the comparative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Cobellis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, II Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli, 16-80138 Naples, Italy
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Munier A, Serres C, Kann ML, Boissan M, Lesaffre C, Capeau J, Fouquet JP, Lacombe ML. Nm23/NDP kinases in human male germ cells: role in spermiogenesis and sperm motility? Exp Cell Res 2003; 289:295-306. [PMID: 14499630 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4827(03)00268-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinases, responsible for the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates and produced by the nm23 genes, are involved in numerous regulatory processes associated with proliferation, development, and differentiation. Their possible role in providing the GTP/ATP required for sperm function is unknown. Testis biopsies and ejaculated sperm were examined by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antibodies raised against Nm23-H5, specifically expressed in testis germinal cells and the ubiquitous NDP kinases A to D. Nm23-H5 was present in sperm extract, together with the ubiquitous A and B NDP kinases (but not the C and D isoforms) as shown by Western blotting. Nm23-H5 was located in the flagella of spermatids and spermatozoa, adjacent to the central pair and outer doublets of axonemal microtubules. High levels of NDP kinases A and B were observed at specific locations in postmeiotic germinal cells. NDP kinase A was transiently located in round spermatid nuclei and became asymmetrically distributed in the cytoplasm at the nuclear basal pole of elongating spermatids. The distribution of NDP kinase B was reminiscent of the microtubular structure of the manchette. In ejaculated spermatozoa, the proteins presented specific locations in the head and flagella. Nm23/NDP kinase isoforms may have specific functions in the phosphotransfer network involved in spermiogenesis and flagellar movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Munier
- INSERM U402, Faculté de Médecine Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France
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Kierszenbaum AL, Rivkin E, Tres LL. Acroplaxome, an F-actin-keratin-containing plate, anchors the acrosome to the nucleus during shaping of the spermatid head. Mol Biol Cell 2003; 14:4628-40. [PMID: 14551252 PMCID: PMC266778 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e03-04-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear shaping is a critical event during sperm development as demonstrated by the incidence of male infertility associated with abnormal sperm ad shaping. Herein, we demonstrate that mouse and rat spermatids assemble in the subacrosomal space a cytoskeletal scaffold containing F-actin and Sak57, a keratin ortholog. The cytoskeletal plate, designated acroplaxome, anchors the developing acrosome to the nuclear envelope. The acroplaxome consists of a marginal ring containing keratin 5 10-nm-thick filaments and F-actin. The ring is closely associated with the leading edge of the acrosome and to the nuclear envelope during the elongation of the spermatid head. Anchorage of the acroplaxome to the gradually shaping nucleus is not disrupted by hypotonic treatment and brief Triton X-100 extraction. By examining spermiogenesis in the azh mutant mouse, characterized by abnormal spermatid/sperm head shaping, we have determined that a deformity of the spermatid nucleus is restricted to the acroplaxome region. These findings lead to the suggestion that the acroplaxome nucleates an F-actin-keratin-containing assembly with the purpose of stabilizing and anchoring the developing acrosome during spermatid nuclear elongation. The acroplaxome may also provide a mechanical planar scaffold modulating external clutching forces generated by a stack of Sertoli cell F-actin-containing hoops encircling the elongating spermatid nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/The City University of New York Medical School, New York New York 10031, USA.
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Penttilä TL, Parvinen M, Paranko J. Microtubule-associated epithelial protein E-MAP-115 is localized in the spermatid manchette. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY 2003; 26:166-74. [PMID: 12755995 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2605.2003.00406.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A microtubule-associated protein E-MAP-115 has been originally isolated and characterized from HeLa cells. Because of its predominant expression in cultured cells of epithelial origin, it has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of cell polarization. The present immunocytochemical, Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis of E-MAP-115 in the mouse and rat seminiferous epithelium indicates its distinct association with the spermatid manchette, a unique microtubular structure which appears in the cytoplasm of spermatids at step 8 when nuclear polarization and elongation starts. At steps 15-16 when manchette has been disassembled, immunoreactivity for E-MAP-115 disappeared. At immunoelectron microscopical level, E-MAP-15 was associated with the microtubules of the manchette. In the Western and Northern blot analysis, a distinct stage-dependent expression of a single E-MAP-115 polypeptide and two mRNA species (3.4 and 2.4 kb) could be identified. MTEST 60, a spermatid-specific transcript, showed a 100% homology over region of 68-193 bp of E-MAP-115 sequence. The reported specific localization of E-MAP-115 to the spermatid manchette strongly supports its role as a regulator of cell polarization. This, in turn, supports the hypotheses concerning the dynamic function of the manchette during spermiogenesis.
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Sadek CM, Jiménez A, Damdimopoulos AE, Kieselbach T, Nord M, Gustafsson JÅ, Spyrou G, Davis EC, Oko R, van der Hoorn FA, Miranda-Vizuete A. Characterization of human thioredoxin-like 2. A novel microtubule-binding thioredoxin expressed predominantly in the cilia of lung airway epithelium and spermatid manchette and axoneme. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:13133-42. [PMID: 12569107 PMCID: PMC3158135 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m300369200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe here the cloning and characterization of a novel member of the thioredoxin family, thioredoxin-like protein 2 (Txl-2). The Txl-2 open reading frame codes for a protein of 330 amino acids consisting of two distinct domains: an N-terminal domain typical of thioredoxins and a C-terminal domain belonging to the nucleoside-diphosphate kinase family, separated by a small interface domain. The Txl-2 gene spans approximately 28 kb, is organized into 11 exons, and maps at locus 3q22.3-q23. A splicing variant lacking exon 5 (Delta 5Txl-2) has also been isolated. By quantitative real time PCR we demonstrate that Txl-2 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed, with testis and lung having the highest levels of expression. Unexpectedly, light and electron microscopy analyses show that the protein is associated with microtubular structures such as lung airway epithelium cilia and the manchette and axoneme of spermatids. Using in vitro translated proteins, we demonstrate that full-length Txl-2 weakly associates with microtubules. In contrast, Delta 5Txl-2 specifically binds with very high affinity brain microtubule preparations containing microtubule-binding proteins. Importantly, Delta 5Txl-2 also binds to pure microtubules, proving that it possesses intrinsic microtubule binding capability. Taken together, Delta 5Txl-2 is the first thioredoxin reported to bind microtubules and might therefore be a novel regulator of microtubule physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. Sadek
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Alberto Jiménez
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Anastasios E. Damdimopoulos
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Thomas Kieselbach
- Center for Structural Biology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Magnus Nord
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Giannis Spyrou
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
| | - Elaine C. Davis
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Richard Oko
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Frans A. van der Hoorn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Antonio Miranda-Vizuete
- Center for Biotechnology, Protein Analysis Unit, Department of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Center for Biotechnology, Dept. of Biosciences at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Halsovagen 7, Huddinge S-14157, Sweden. Tel.: 46-8-608-3338; Fax: 46-8-774-5538;
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Mochida K, Matsubara T, Kudo H, Andoh T, Ueda H, Adachi S, Yamauchi K. Molecular cloning and immunohistochemical localization of ubiquitin C-Terminal hydrolase expressed in testis of a teleost, the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 2002; 293:368-83. [PMID: 12210120 DOI: 10.1002/jez.10136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We previously produced four monoclonal antibodies to testicular proteins of a teleost, the Nile tilapia. One of the monoclonal antibodies, TAT(Testicular Antigen of Tilapia)-10, recognizes a Mr=27,000 protein (27 kD protein), which is present in A and early B type spermatogonia, spermatids, and spermatozoa in testis. In order to clarify the function of this protein, molecular cloning was conducted. The cDNA for the 27 kD protein contains a complete open reading frame encoding 220 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence of the 27 kD protein was homologous to those of the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolases (UCH) reported in mammals. The measurement of the ubiquitin-releasing activity of the recombinant 27 kD protein revealed that the protein is the active form of UCH. Northern blot analysis showed that the UCH mRNA was expressed in ovary and brain in addition to the testis. Immunohistochemical study showed that, in brain, UCH was localized especially on the olfactory organ including the olfactory bulb and olfactory epithelium in olfactory rosetta, suggesting the involvement of the protein in chemoreceptive function. In the Tilapia ovary, UCH localized especially in pre-vitellogenic oocytes, suggesting that the enzyme activity could be important in oocyte growth. This is the first report for the cDNA cloning and cellular localization of UCH in fish. J. Exp. Zool. 293:368-383, 2002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Mochida
- Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0802, Japan
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Kierszenbaum AL, Gil M, Rivkin E, Tres LL. Ran, a GTP-binding protein involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport and microtubule nucleation, relocates from the manchette to the centrosome region during rat spermiogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2002; 63:131-40. [PMID: 12211070 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.10164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ran, a Ras-related GTPase, is required for transporting proteins in and out of the nucleus during interphase and for regulating the assembly of microtubules. cDNA cloning shows that rat testis, like mouse testis, expresses both somatic and testis-specific forms of Ran-GTPase. The presence of a homologous testis-specific form of Ran-GTPase in rodents implies that the Ran-GTPase pathway plays a significant role during sperm development. This suggestions is supported by distinct Ran-GTPase immunolocalization sites identified in developing spermatids. Confocal microscopy demonstrates that Ran-GTPase localizes in the nucleus of round spermatids and along the microtubules of the manchette in elongating spermatids. When the manchette disassembles, Ran-GTPase immunoreactivity is visualized in the centrosome region of maturing spermatids. The circumstantial observation that fractionated manchettes, containing copurified centrin-immunoreactive centrosomes, can organize a three-dimensional lattice in the presence of taxol and GTP, points to the role of Ran-GTPase and associated factors in microtubule nucleation as well as the potential nucleating function of spermatid centrosomes undergoing a reduction process. Electron microscopy demonstrates the presence in manchette preparations of spermatid centrosomes, recognized as such by their association with remnants of the implantation fossa, a dense plate observed only at the basal surface of developing spermatid and sperm nuclei. In addition, we have found importin beta1 immunoreactivity in the nucleus of elongating spermatids, a finding that, together with the presence of Ran-GTPase in the nucleus of round spermatids and the manchette, suggest a potential role of Ran-GTPase machinery in nucleocytoplasmic transport. Our expression and localization analysis, correlated with functional observations in other cell systems, suggest that Ran-GTPase may be involved in both nucleocytoplasmic transport and microtubules assembly, two critical events during the development of functional sperm. In addition, the manchette-to-centrosome Ran-GTPase relocation, together with the similar redistribution of various proteins associated to the manchette, suggest the existence of an intramanchette molecular transport mechanism, which may share molecular analogies with intraflagellar transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, CUNY Medical School, New York, New York 10031, USA.
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Abstract
Two microtubule-containing structures are assembled during spermiogenesis: a transient manchette and a stable axoneme. Both structures contain microtubules enriched in posttranslationally modified tubulins. Despite the existence of a spectrum of tubulin isotypes postulated by the multi-tubulin hypothesis, further extended by an elaborated array of posttranslational modifications, it is unknown how this diversity influences microtubule function. There is increasing evidence that different alpha beta-tubulin isotypes can affect the structure and function of microtubules. It is also becoming increasingly clear that eukaryotic cells encode other tubulin proteins expressed by the tubulin superfamily: gamma, delta epsilon, zeta eta, and FtsZ have been identified so far. Although the role of gamma-tubulin in the nucleation of microtubule assembly is well established, the function of delta-, epsilon-, zeta-, eta-, and FtsZ-tubulins is less understood. The members of the tubulin superfamilies found in spermatids include the alpha beta-tubulin dimer, in addition to gamma-tubulin in the centrosome, and delta-tubulin in the perinuclear ring region of the mouse spermatid manchette, the centrosome region, and flagellum. Posttranslational modifications in tubulin isotypes are predominant in the C-terminus exposed on the outside surface of the microtubule. This target site may influence the interaction of microtubule-associated proteins, including motor proteins, and therefore determine the functional specificity of tubulin isotypes. It remains to be determined whether other newcomers to the superfamily of tubulins contain sites prone to posttranslational modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, 138th Street and Convent Ave., New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Tubb B, Mulholland DJ, Vogl W, Lan ZJ, Niederberger C, Cooney A, Bryan J. Testis fascin (FSCN3): a novel paralog of the actin-bundling protein fascin expressed specifically in the elongate spermatid head. Exp Cell Res 2002; 275:92-109. [PMID: 11925108 DOI: 10.1006/excr.2002.5486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, significant morphological changes occur as round spermatids are remodeled into the fusiform shape of mature spermatozoa. These changes are correlated with a reorganization of microfilaments and microtubules in the head and tail regions of elongating spermatids. There is also altered expression of specialized actin- and tubulin-associated proteins. We report the characterization of a novel, spermatid-specific murine paralog of the actin-bundling protein fascin (FSCN1); this paralog is designated testis fascin or FSCN3. Testis fascin is distantly related to fascins but retains its primary sequence organization. cDNA clones of mouse testis fascin predict a 498 amino acid protein of molecular mass 56 kD that shares 29% identity with mouse fascin. Mapping of murine and human FSCN3 genes shows localization to the 7q31.3 chromosome. Northern analysis indicates that FSCN3 expression is highly specific to testis and that in situ hybridization further restricts expression to elongating spermatids. Antibodies raised against recombinant FSCN3 protein identify a band at 56 kD in testis, epididymis, and epididymal spermatozoa, suggesting that testis fascin persists in mature spermatozoa. In accord with the in situ hybridization results, immunofluorescent microscopy localizes testis fascin protein to areas of the anterior spermatid head that match known distributions of F-actin in the dorsal and ventral subacrosomal spaces. It is possible that testis fascin may function in the terminal elongation of the spermatid head and in microfilament rearrangements that accompany fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Tubb
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Kierszenbaum AL, Tres LL. Bypassing natural sperm selection during fertilization: the azh mutant offspring experience and the alternative of spermiogenesis in vitro. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2002; 187:133-8. [PMID: 11988320 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00692-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Molecular aspects of spermiogenesis can be studied using mouse mutants and spermatids developed in vitro. The azh/azh mutant is an attractive model system because structural abnormalities in the sperm head and the ectopic position of the manchette are associated with tail bending and looping. Spermatids, developing an axoneme in vitro and capable of cell motility, offer the possibility of the dynamic analysis of tail development. Offspring generated by intracytoplasmic injection of azh/azh sperm heads into normal mouse oocytes complement the mouse mutant approach. A central question of sperm tail development is the role of the manchette, a transient microtubular structure assembled soon after the organization of the axoneme. The fractionation of intact manchettes by gradient centrifugation has enabled a biochemical analysis of constitutive tubulin isotypes and transiently associated proteins. For example, keratins Sak57, Odf1, and Odf2 are initially stored in the manchette before being sorted to the outer dense fibers and fibrous sheath of the developing spermatid tail. Additional proteins associated with the manchette include two proteases, the 26S proteasome and N-arginine convertase (both sorted to the developing spermatid tail), a spermatid perinuclear RNA binding protein, Spag4, an Odf1-binding protein, and type 4 cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase D. Keratin 9 and delta-tubulin are two proteins found in the perinuclear ring of the manchette, the insertion site of the microtubular mantle. Available data indicate that the manchette is a highly dynamic structure providing microtubular tracks to structural proteins participating in the sperm tail development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, 138th Street and Convent Avenue, J-903, New York, NY 10031, USA
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Kierszenbaum AL. Keratins: unraveling the coordinated construction of scaffolds in spermatogenic cells. Mol Reprod Dev 2002; 61:1-2. [PMID: 11774369 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent work shows that two groups of keratins are expressed during mammalian spermatogenesis. One group, belonging to the classic epidermis-type keratins, is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. A member of this group, Sak57, a keratin 5 homologue, has been shown to co-align with microtubules and provide a scaffolding shell while also strengthening intercellular cytoplasmic bridges conjoining members of spermatogonial and spermatocyte cohorts. The other, keratin 9, is a component of the perinuclear ring of the manchette, a microtubular structure developed during the elongation and condensation of the spermatid nucleus. The second group, the outer dense fiber (Odf) proteins, is expressed preferentially during mammalian spermiogenesis. The family of Odf proteins-Odf1, Odf2, and Odf3-includes an expanding group of proteins co-assembled along the axoneme during the development of the sperm tail. Investigations on the assembly of epidermis-type and Odf sperm tail-targeted keratins are now focused on a group of chaperone-like Odf-binding molecules, designated Spags. Spags appear to drive Odfs to a precise destination. A daunting task is to determine how members of the family of keratins get the signal to produce linear scaffolds in specific spermatogenic cell populations and transport keratins to microtubule-containing structures such as the manchette and axoneme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, New York, New York 10031, USA.
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Tarsounas M, Pearlman RE, Moens PB. CLIP-50 immunolocalization during mouse spermiogenesis suggests a role in shaping the sperm nucleus. Dev Biol 2001; 236:400-10. [PMID: 11476580 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.2001.0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The spermatid nucleus and cytoplasm undergo dramatic morphological modifications during spermatid differentiation into mature sperm. Some of the external force causing this nuclear shaping is generated by a microtubular structure termed the manchette, which attaches to the perinuclear ring of the spermatid. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a protein component of this perinuclear ring in an immunological screening of a mouse testis cDNA library. We termed this protein CLIP-50 because of its high similarity at the amino acid level to the C-terminal region of the microtubule-binding protein CLIP-170/restin. CLIP-50 lacks the characteristic microtubule-binding motif, but retains a portion of the predicted coiled-coiled domain and the metal-binding motif. The CLIP-50 transcript and protein are abundant in testis. The protein is also expressed in heart, lung, kidney, and skin. A distinct size variant exists in brain. In the spermatids, CLIP-50 protein localizes specifically to the centriolar region where the sperm tail originates and to the perinuclear ring from which the manchette emerges. CLIP-50 staining is retained in the ring throughout its migration over the surface of the nucleus which accompanies the nuclear shaping into its characteristic sperm configuration. This localization pattern indicates a very specific function for this novel CLIP derivative during mouse spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tarsounas
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada.
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Abstract
Spermiogenesis pursues three major objectives: (1) The safeguard of the male genome within the confines of a compact nucleus. (2) The accumulation of enzymes in the acrosome of be released at fertilization. (3) The development of a sperm propelling tail consisting of an axoneme surrounded by a scaffold of keratin-containing outer dense fibers and a fibrous sheath. Recent experimental data indicate that three keratins-Sak57, 0df1 and 0df2-and other proteins (the 26S proteasome and the 0df1-binding protein Spag4) are temporarily stored in the manchette before being sorted to the developing sperm tail. These findings support a general model for the manchette as an ephemeral structure timely developed and strategically positioned to provide a transient storage to both structural and signaling proteins. Some of the proteins are later sorted to the developing tail; others may participate in the reciprocal nuclear-cytoplasmic signaling pathways as the gene activity of the male genome gradually becomes silent. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 347-349, 2001.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, 138th Street and Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Mochida K, Rivkin E, Gil M, Kierszenbaum AL. Keratin 9 is a component of the perinuclear ring of the manchette of rat spermatids. Dev Biol 2000; 227:510-9. [PMID: 11071770 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.2000.9911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous work in our laboratory has shown that a 62- to 64-kDa protein was a major component of the perinuclear ring of manchettes fractionated from rat spermatids. Mass spectrometry analysis of this protein indicated the presence of a glycine-rich domain homologous to human keratin 9 (K9). Several antibodies to K9, raised against synthetic peptides of human K9, recognized the 64- to 62-kDa protein in the perinuclear ring of the manchette as well as in keratinocytes of the suprabasal layer of the rat and human footpad/sole epidermis in both immunoblotting and immunocytochemical experiments. Based on these data, human-derived K9 primers were used to clone rat K9 cDNA from epidermis by RT-PCR. Rat-specific K9 primers were then used to perform a two-step (nested) PCR to amplify the K9-specific rat testicular RNA and to obtain cDNA to demonstrate K9 gene expression in rat testis. The deduced amino acid sequence of rat K9 cDNA contains 618 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 63,020 Da, in agreement with that obtained by electrophoretic fractionation of rat manchette and epidermis footpad proteins. The deduced protein structure correlates with the recognizable pattern of keratins: a rod domain of 304 amino acids with well-conserved initiation and termination sequences (MQNLNSRLASY and EIETYRKLLEG, respectively), flanked by glycine/serine-rich head and tail domains of 141 and 173 amino acids, respectively. A high content of phenylalanine was detected in the head domain and a repetitive motif (SGGSYGGGS) in the tail domain. A comparison with human keratin 9 showed an overall nucleotide and amino acid similarity of 75%. An increased level of K9 transcripts was detected in a cDNA library prepared from fractionated round spermatids. Results of this study show that rat testis expresses K9 and that this protein is a component the perinuclear ring of the manchette of rat spermatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mochida
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, New York, New York 10031, USA
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Smrzka OW, Delgehyr N, Bornens M. Tissue-specific expression and subcellular localisation of mammalian delta-tubulin. Curr Biol 2000; 10:413-6. [PMID: 10753753 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00418-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The properties of the microtubule network are regulated at various levels including tissue-dependent isotype switching, post-translational modification of alpha- and beta-tubulin, and by a variety of microtubule-associated molecules (for reviews, see [1-3]). Microtubule nucleation is attributed to gamma-tubulin, which is present in protein complexes at the centrosome and in the cytoplasm [4,5]. A screen for flagellar mutants in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has led to the identification of a fourth member of the tubulin gene superfamily, delta-tubulin. In this unicellular organism, the lack of a functional delta-tubulin gene copy causes aberrant numbers of flagella, depending on the age of the corresponding basal bodies; mutants also show abnormal ultrastructure of the basal bodies and a misplacement of the cleavage furrow at mitosis [6]. Here, we report the isolation of the mouse delta-tubulin homologue and show that the gene is highly expressed in testis. In the elongating spermatid, delta-tubulin associated with the manchette, a specialised microtubule system present during reshaping of the sperm head. The protein specifically localised at the perinuclear ring of the manchette, at the centriolar vaults and along the principal piece of the sperm flagellum. In somatic cell lines, unlike most other tubulins, mammalian delta-tubulin was both cytoplasmic and nuclear and did not colocalise with microtubules. The protein was enriched at the spindle poles during mitosis and we found that gamma-tubulin coimmunoprecipitated with delta-tubulin. Together, the data indicate a specialised role for mammalian delta-tubulin that is distinct from other known tubulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- O W Smrzka
- Section Recherche, Institut Curie, Paris Cedex, 75248, France
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Shao X, Tarnasky HA, Lee JP, Oko R, van der Hoorn FA. Spag4, a novel sperm protein, binds outer dense-fiber protein Odf1 and localizes to microtubules of manchette and axoneme. Dev Biol 1999; 211:109-23. [PMID: 10373309 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.1999.9297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Outer dense fibers are structures unique to the sperm tail. No definite function for these fibers has been found, but they may play a role in motility and provide elastic recoil. Their composition had been described before, but only two of the fiber proteins, Odf1 and Odf2, are cloned. We cloned Odf2 by virtue of its functional and specific interaction with Odf1, which, we show, is mediated by a leucine zipper. Further work demonstrated that the 84-kDa Odf2 protein localizes to both the cortex and the medulla of the fibers, whereas the 27-kDa Odf1 protein is present only in the medulla. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a new Odf1-interacting protein, Spag4. Spag4 mRNA is spermatid specific, and the 49-kDa Spag4 protein complexes specifically with Odf1, but not Odf2, mediated by a leucine zipper. It also self-associates. In contrast to Odf1 and Odf2, Spag4 protein localizes to two microtubule-containing spermatid structures. Spag4 is detectable in the transient manchette and it is associated with the axoneme in elongating spermatids and epididymal sperm. Our data suggest a role for Spag4 in protein localization to two major sperm tail structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Shao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
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Mochida K, Tres LL, Kierszenbaum AL. Structural and biochemical features of fractionated spermatid manchettes and sperm axonemes of the azh/azh mutant mouse. Mol Reprod Dev 1999; 52:434-44. [PMID: 10092124 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199904)52:4<434::aid-mrd13>3.0.co;2-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The tubulin-containing axoneme and manchette develop consecutively during mammalian spermiogenesis. The nature of their molecular components and developmental sequence are not completely known. The azh/azh (for abnormal sperm headshape) mouse mutant is an ideal model for analyzing tubulin isotypes and microtubule-associated proteins of the manchette and axoneme in light of a potential role of the manchette in the shaping of the sperm head and formation of the tail. We have searched for possible differences in tubulin isotype variants in fractionated manchettes and axonemes of wildtype and azh/azh mutant mice using isotype-specific tubulin antibodies as immunoprobes. Manchettes from wild-type and azh/azh mutant mouse spermatids were fractionated from spermatogenic stage-specific seminiferous tubules and axonemes were isolated from epididymal sperm. We have found that: (1) Fractionated manchettes of azh/azh mutants are longer than in wild-type mice; (2) Manchette and sperm tail axonemes display a remarkable variety of posttranslationally modified tubulins (acetylated, glutamylated, tyrosinated, alpha-3/7 tubulins). Acetylated tubulin was more abundant in manchette than in axonemes; (3) An acidic 62 kDa protein was identified as the main component of the perinuclear ring of the manchette in wild-type and azh/azh mice; (4) Bending and looping of the mid piece of the tail of azh/azh sperm, accompanied by a dislocation of the connecting piece from head attachment sites, were visualized by phase-contrast, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy in about 35% of spermatids/sperm; and (5) A lasso-like tail configuration was predominant in epididymal sperm of azh/azh mutants. We speculate that spermatid and sperm tail abnormalities in the azh/azh mutant could reflect structural and/or assembly deficiencies of peri-axonemal proteins responsible for maintaining a stiffened tail during spermiogenesis and sperm maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mochida
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, The City University of New York Medical School, New York 10031, USA
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