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Subrini J, Turner J. Y chromosome functions in mammalian spermatogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:67345. [PMID: 34606444 PMCID: PMC8489898 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome is critical for male sex determination and spermatogenesis. However, linking each Y gene to specific aspects of male reproduction has been challenging. As the Y chromosome is notoriously hard to sequence and target, functional studies have mostly relied on transgene-rescue approaches using mouse models with large multi-gene deletions. These experimental limitations have oriented the field toward the search for a minimum set of Y genes necessary for male reproduction. Here, considering Y-chromosome evolutionary history and decades of discoveries, we review the current state of research on its function in spermatogenesis and reassess the view that many Y genes are disposable for male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremie Subrini
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Yamauchi Y, Riel JM, Stoytcheva Z, Ward MA. Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in the mouse. Science 2014; 343:69-72. [PMID: 24263135 PMCID: PMC3880637 DOI: 10.1126/science.1242544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The Y chromosome is thought to be important for male reproduction. We have previously shown that, with the use of assisted reproduction, live offspring can be obtained from mice lacking the entire Y chromosome long arm. Here, we demonstrate that live mouse progeny can also be generated by using germ cells from males with the Y chromosome contribution limited to only two genes, the testis determinant factor Sry and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y. Sry is believed to function primarily in sex determination during fetal life. Eif2s3y may be the only Y chromosome gene required to drive mouse spermatogenesis, allowing formation of haploid germ cells that are functional in assisted reproduction. Our findings are relevant, but not directly translatable, to human male infertility cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yamauchi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822
| | - Jonathan M. Riel
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822
| | - Zoia Stoytcheva
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822
| | - Monika A. Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822
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3
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Heard E, Turner J. Function of the sex chromosomes in mammalian fertility. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2011; 3:a002675. [PMID: 21730045 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a002675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The sex chromosomes play a highly specialized role in germ cell development in mammals, being enriched in genes expressed in the testis and ovary. Sex chromosome abnormalities (e.g., Klinefelter [XXY] and Turner [XO] syndrome) constitute the largest class of chromosome abnormalities and the commonest genetic cause of infertility in humans. Understanding how sex-gene expression is regulated is therefore critical to our understanding of human reproduction. Here, we describe how the expression of sex-linked genes varies during germ cell development; in females, the inactive X chromosome is reactivated before meiosis, whereas in males the X and Y chromosomes are inactivated at this stage. We discuss the epigenetics of sex chromosome inactivation and how this process has influenced the gene content of the mammalian X and Y chromosomes. We also present working models for how perturbations in sex chromosome inactivation or reactivation result in subfertility in the major classes of sex chromosome abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Heard
- Mammalian Developmental Epigenetics Group, Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3215 INSERM U934, 75248 Paris Cedex 05, France.
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Hall NM, Brown GM, Furlong RA, Sargent CA, Mitchell M, Rocha D, Affara NA. Usp9y (ubiquitin-specific protease 9 gene on the Y) is associated with a functional promoter and encodes an intact open reading frame homologous to Usp9x that is under selective constraint. Mamm Genome 2003; 14:437-47. [PMID: 12925892 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-002-3068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2003] [Accepted: 03/25/2003] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sequences complementary to the X-linked ubiquitin-specific protease gene Usp9x (Dffrx) have been shown to map to the Sxr(b) interval of the mouse Y Chromosome (chr) and to be expressed in a testis-specific manner. In humans, ubiquitously expressed functional homologues (USP9Y and USP9X DFFRY/DFFRX) are present on both sex chromosomes, whereas in mouse it remains to be demonstrated that the Y-linked sequences encode a functional protein. In this paper, it is shown that the Usp9y gene encodes a potentially functional ubiquitin-specific protease possessing a core promoter region that shares several features characteristic of other testis-specific genes. Analysis of synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide changes suggests that there is constraint on the amino acid sequence of both the mouse Usp9x and Usp9y genes, a finding that mirrors similar analysis of the human orthologs. Thus, in both mouse and human, selection is acting to maintain the amino acid sequence of the X and Y-linked genes. This indicates that in both species the genes on each sex chromosome continue to encode an important function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Hall
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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Simpson EM, Johnson KA, Shirley BJ, Fang GY, Bayleran JK, Lerner CP. Novel Sxr(a) ES cell line offers hope for Y chromosome gene-targeted mice. Genesis 2002; 33:62-6. [PMID: 12112873 DOI: 10.1002/gene.10093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A mouse targeted for a Y Chromosome gene has not been reported. Because the Y Chromosome is present in only one copy, and most of its genes are critical for germ cell development, such a mouse would likely be infertile. Thus, we describe a new reproductive strategy to enable transmission of targeted Y Chromosome genes to subsequent generations. The strategy uses two segregating copies of Y Chromosome genes to mimic the autosomal condition. To achieve this, we developed a new embryonic stem cell line from the XYSxr(a) mouse, which carries a duplication of the gene-rich Y Chromosome short arm. Importantly, we demonstrate germ line transmission of the YSxr(a) chromosome and describe this significant new tool as a practical solution to enable reproduction in mice targeted for Y Chromosome genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health, and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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6
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Rohozinski J, Agoulnik AI, Boettger-Tong HL, Bishop CE. Successful targeting of mouse Y chromosome genes using a site-directed insertion vector. Genesis 2002; 32:1-7. [PMID: 11835668 DOI: 10.1002/gene.10020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Gene targeting via homologous recombination in mouse ES cells is now a routine method for addressing gene function in vivo. Several hundred genes mapping to all autosomes and the X chromosome have been mutated and analyzed in this way. In contrast, despite repeated attempts in several laboratories, including our own, there have been no reports of successful targeting of mouse Y chromosome genes. We show here that this problem can be overcome through the use of insertional targeting, rather than the usual replacement strategy. Using this method we have successfully targeted the mouse Y located Dby (dead box Y) and Eif2s3y (elongation initiation factor) genes. In addition, as Y chromosome genes are transcribed in ES cells, successful targeting and disruption of gene expression can be easily confirmed by RTPCR analysis of selected clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rohozinski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Negrutiu I, Vyskot B, Barbacar N, Georgiev S, Moneger F. Dioecious plants. A key to the early events of sex chromosome evolution. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2001. [PMID: 11743084 DOI: 10.1104/pp.010711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- I Negrutiu
- Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, France.
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Mazeyrat S, Saut N, Grigoriev V, Mahadevaiah SK, Ojarikre OA, Bishop C, Eicher EM, Mitchell MJ, Burgoyne PS. A Y-encoded subunit of the translation initiation factor Eif2 is essential for mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Genet 2001; 29:49-53. [PMID: 11528390 DOI: 10.1038/ng717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In mouse and man, deletions of specific regions of the Y chromosome have been linked to early failure of spermatogenesis and consequent sterility; the Y chromosomal gene(s) with this essential early role in spermatogenesis have not been identified. The partial deletion of the mouse Y short arm (the Sxrb deletion) that occurred when Tp(Y)1CtSxr-b (hereafter Sxrb) arose from Tp(Y)1CTSxr-b (hereafter Sxra) defines Spy, a Y chromosomal factor essential for normal spermatogonial proliferation. Molecular analysis has identified six genes that lie within the deletion: Ube1y1 (refs. 4,5), Smcy, Uty, Usp9y (also known as Dffry), Eif2s3y (also known as Eif-2gammay) and Dby10; all have closely similar X-encoded homologs. Of the Y-encoded genes, Ube1y1 and Dby have been considered strong candidates for mouse Spy function, whereas Smcy has been effectively ruled out as a candidate. There is no Ube1y1 homolog in man, and DBY, either alone or in conjunction with USP9Y, is the favored candidate for an early spermatogenic role. Here we show that introduction of Ube1y1 and Dby as transgenes into Sxrb-deletion mice fails to overcome the spermatogenic block. However, the introduction of Eif2s3y restores normal spermatogonial proliferation and progression through meiotic prophase. Therefore, Eif2s3y, which encodes a subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor Eif2, is Spy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mazeyrat
- Division of Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
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Abstract
The human Y chromosome is strictly paternally inherited and, in most of its length, does not recombine during male meiosis. These features make the Y a very useful genetic marker for different purposes. In the last decade, the Y has been increasingly used to investigate the evolution, migrations and range expansions of modern humans. The possibility to construct highly informative Y chromosome haplotypes has also had a significant impact in forensic studies and paternity testing. All these studies assume that the Y chromosome markers used are selectively neutral. However, recent experimental and statistical analyses suggest that both positive and negative selection are acting on the Y chromosome and, consequently, may influence Y chromosome haplotype distribution in the general population. Current data suggest that the effects of selection on patterns of Y chromosome distribution are minimal, however as interest focuses on biological functions of the Y chromosome which have a major impact on male fitness such as fertility, these assumptions may be challenged. This review briefly describes the genes and biological functions of the human Y chromosome and its use in disentangling the origin and history of human populations. An overview of the role of selection acting on the Y chromosome from the perspective of human population histories and disease is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Quintana-Murci
- Unité d'Immunogénétique Humaine, Institut Nationale de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) E0021, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Cedex 15, Paris, France.
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Metzler-Guillemain C, Usson Y, Mignon C, Depetris D, Dubreuil G, Guichaoua MR, Mattei MG. Organization of the X and Y chromosomes in human, chimpanzee and mouse pachytene nuclei using molecular cytogenetics and three-dimensional confocal analyses. Chromosome Res 2001; 8:571-84. [PMID: 11117353 DOI: 10.1023/a:1009277722579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We used multicolour fluorescence in-situ hybridization on air-dried pachytene nuclei to analyse the structural and functional domains of the sex vesicle (SV) in human, chimpanzee and mouse. The same technology associated with 3-dimensional analysis was then performed on human and mouse pachytene nuclei from cytospin preparations and tissue cryosections. The human and the chimpanzee SVs were very similar, with a consistently small size and a high degree of condensation. The mouse SV was most often seen to be large and poorly condensed, although it did undergo progressive condensation during pachynema. These results suggest that the condensation of the sex chromosomes is not a prerequisite for the formation of the mouse SV, and that a different specific mechanism could be responsible for its formation. We also found that the X and Y chromosomes are organized into two separate and non-entangled chromatin domains in the SV of the three species. In each species, telomeres of the X and Y chromosomes remain clustered in a small area of the SV, even those without a pseudoautosomal region. The possible mechanisms involved in the organization of the sex chromosomes and in SV formation are discussed.
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