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Zhang Y, Liu G, Huang L, He X, Su Y, Nie X, Mao Z, Xing X. SUN5 interacts with nuclear membrane LaminB1 and cytoskeletal GTPase Septin12 mediating the sperm head-and-tail junction. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae022. [PMID: 38870534 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae022] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is a severe teratospermia with decaudated, decapitated, and malformed sperm, resulting in male infertility. Nuclear envelope protein SUN5 localizes to the junction between the sperm head and tail. Mutations in the SUN5 gene have been identified most frequently (33-47%) in ASS cases, and its molecular mechanism of action is yet to be explored. In the present study, we generated Sun5 knockout mice, which presented the phenotype of ASS. Nuclear membrane protein LaminB1 and cytoskeletal GTPases Septin12 and Septin2 were identified as potential partners for interacting with SUN5 by immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry in mouse testis. Further studies demonstrated that SUN5 connected the nucleus by interacting with LaminB1 and connected the proximal centriole by interacting with Septin12. The binding between SUN5 and Septin12 promoted their aggregation together in the sperm neck. The disruption of the LaminB1/SUN5/Septin12 complex by Sun5 deficiency caused separation of the Septin12-proximal centriole from the nucleus, leading to the breakage of the head-to-tail junction. Collectively, these data provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ASS caused by SUN5 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiyi He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuyan Su
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinmin Nie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zenghui Mao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Graziani A, Rocca MS, Vinanzi C, Masi G, Grande G, De Toni L, Ferlin A. Genetic Causes of Qualitative Sperm Defects: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:600. [PMID: 38790229 PMCID: PMC11120687 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Several genes are implicated in spermatogenesis and fertility regulation, and these genes are presently being analysed in clinical practice due to their involvement in male factor infertility (MFI). However, there are still few genetic analyses that are currently recommended for use in clinical practice. In this manuscript, we reviewed the genetic causes of qualitative sperm defects. We distinguished between alterations causing reduced sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) and alterations causing changes in the typical morphology of sperm (teratozoospermia). In detail, the genetic causes of reduced sperm motility may be found in the alteration of genes associated with sperm mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial proteins, ion transport and channels, and flagellar proteins. On the other hand, the genetic causes of changes in typical sperm morphology are related to conditions with a strong genetic basis, such as macrozoospermia, globozoospermia, and acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. We tried to distinguish alterations approved for routine clinical application from those still unsupported by adequate clinical studies. The most important aspect of the study was related to the correct identification of subjects to be tested and the correct application of genetic tests based on clear clinical data. The correct application of available genetic tests in a scenario where reduced sperm motility and changes in sperm morphology have been observed enables the delivery of a defined diagnosis and plays an important role in clinical decision-making. Finally, clarifying the genetic causes of MFI might, in future, contribute to reducing the proportion of so-called idiopathic MFI, which might indeed be defined as a subtype of MFI whose cause has not yet been revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Graziani
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Cinzia Vinanzi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Masi
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
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Andone BA, Handrea-Dragan IM, Botiz I, Boca S. State-of-the-art and future perspectives in infertility diagnosis: Conventional versus nanotechnology-based assays. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 54:102709. [PMID: 37717928 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2023.102709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
According to the latest World Health Organization statistics, around 50 to 80 million people worldwide suffer from infertility, amongst which male factors are responsible for around 20 to 30 % of all infertility cases while 50 % were attributed to the female ones. As it is becoming a recurrent health problem worldwide, clinicians require more accurate methods for the improvement of both diagnosis and treatment schemes. By emphasizing the potential use of innovative methods for the rapid identification of the infertility causes, this review presents the news from this dynamic domain and highlights the benefits brought by emerging research fields. A systematic description of the standard techniques used in clinical protocols for diagnosing infertility in both genders is firstly provided, followed by the presentation of more accurate and comprehensive nanotechnology-related analysis methods such as nanoscopic-resolution imaging, biosensing approaches and assays that employ nanomaterials in their design. Consequently, the implementation of nanotechnology related tools in clinical practice, as recently demonstrated in the selection of spermatozoa, the detection of key proteins in the fertilization process or the testing of DNA integrity or the evaluation of oocyte quality, might confer excellent advantages both for improving the assessment of infertility, and for the success of the fertilization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca-Astrid Andone
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 T. Laurian Str., 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Str., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Iuliana M Handrea-Dragan
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 T. Laurian Str., 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Str., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Botiz
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 T. Laurian Str., 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sanda Boca
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 T. Laurian Str., 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Str., 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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4
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Xu W, Yao Z, Li Y, Wang K, Kong S, Wang Y, Xiang M, Zhu F, Wang F, Zhang H. Loss of PMFBP1 Disturbs Mouse Spermatogenesis by Downregulating HDAC3 Expression. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023:10.1007/s10815-023-02874-0. [PMID: 37423931 PMCID: PMC10371971 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Polyamine modulating factor 1 binding protein (PMFBP1) acts as a scaffold protein for the maintenance of sperm structure. The aim of this study was further to identify the new role and molecular mechanism of PMFBP1 during mouse spermatogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified a profile of proteins interacting with PMFBP1 by immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry and demonstrated that class I histone deacetylases, particularly HDAC3 and chaperonin-containing TCP1 subunit 3 (CCT3), were potential interaction partners of PMFBP1 based on network analysis of protein-protein interactions and co-immunoprecipitation. Immunoblotting and immunochemistry assays showed that loss of Pmfbp1 would result in a decline in HDACs and change the proteomic profile of mouse testis, in which differently expressed proteins are associated with spermatogenesis and assembly of flagella, which was proved by proteomic analysis of testis tissue obtained from Pmfbp1-/- mice. After integrating with transcriptome data for Hdac3-/- and Sox30-/- round sperm obtained from a public database, RT-qPCR confirmed ring finger protein 151 (Rnf151) and ring finger protein 133 (Rnf133) were key downstream response factors of the Pmfbp1-Hdac axis affecting mouse spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION Taken together, this study indicates a previously unidentified molecular mechanism of PMFBP1 in spermatogenesis whereby PMFBP1 interacts with CCT3, affecting the expression of HDAC3, followed by the downregulation of RNF151 and RNF133, resulting in an abnormal phenotype of sperm beyond the headless sperm tails. These findings not only advance our understanding of the function of Pmfbp1 in mouse spermatogenesis but also provide a typical case for multi-omics analysis used in the functional annotation of specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilong Xu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhoujuan Yao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yunzhi Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ke Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, China
| | - Shuai Kong
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Mingfei Xiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Fuxi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Fengsong Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Homann J, Osburg T, Ohlei O, Dobricic V, Deecke L, Bos I, Vandenberghe R, Gabel S, Scheltens P, Teunissen CE, Engelborghs S, Frisoni G, Blin O, Richardson JC, Bordet R, Lleó A, Alcolea D, Popp J, Clark C, Peyratout G, Martinez-Lage P, Tainta M, Dobson RJB, Legido-Quigley C, Sleegers K, Van Broeckhoven C, Wittig M, Franke A, Lill CM, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Lovestone S, Streffer J, ten Kate M, Vos SJB, Barkhof F, Visser PJ, Bertram L. Genome-Wide Association Study of Alzheimer's Disease Brain Imaging Biomarkers and Neuropsychological Phenotypes in the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer's Disease Multimodal Biomarker Discovery Dataset. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:840651. [PMID: 35386118 PMCID: PMC8979334 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.840651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disease with an increasing prevalence in industrialized, aging populations. AD susceptibility has an established genetic basis which has been the focus of a large number of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) published over the last decade. Most of these GWAS used dichotomized clinical diagnostic status, i.e., case vs. control classification, as outcome phenotypes, without the use of biomarkers. An alternative and potentially more powerful study design is afforded by using quantitative AD-related phenotypes as GWAS outcome traits, an analysis paradigm that we followed in this work. Specifically, we utilized genotype and phenotype data from n = 931 individuals collected under the auspices of the European Medical Information Framework for Alzheimer's Disease Multimodal Biomarker Discovery (EMIF-AD MBD) study to perform a total of 19 separate GWAS analyses. As outcomes we used five magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) traits and seven cognitive performance traits. For the latter, longitudinal data from at least two timepoints were available in addition to cross-sectional assessments at baseline. Our GWAS analyses revealed several genome-wide significant associations for the neuropsychological performance measures, in particular those assayed longitudinally. Among the most noteworthy signals were associations in or near EHBP1 (EH domain binding protein 1; on chromosome 2p15) and CEP112 (centrosomal protein 112; 17q24.1) with delayed recall as well as SMOC2 (SPARC related modular calcium binding 2; 6p27) with immediate recall in a memory performance test. On the X chromosome, which is often excluded in other GWAS, we identified a genome-wide significant signal near IL1RAPL1 (interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein like 1; Xp21.3). While polygenic score (PGS) analyses showed the expected strong associations with SNPs highlighted in relevant previous GWAS on hippocampal volume and cognitive function, they did not show noteworthy associations with recent AD risk GWAS findings. In summary, our study highlights the power of using quantitative endophenotypes as outcome traits in AD-related GWAS analyses and nominates several new loci not previously implicated in cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Homann
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tim Osburg
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Olena Ohlei
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Valerija Dobricic
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Laura Deecke
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Isabelle Bos
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Neurology Service, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Silvy Gabel
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E. Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neurosciences, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giovanni Frisoni
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Olivier Blin
- Institut Neurosciences Timone, AIX Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Jill C. Richardson
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Regis Bordet
- Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Memory Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Memory Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julius Popp
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Clark
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gwendoline Peyratout
- Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Martinez-Lage
- Department of Neurology, Center for Research and Advanced Therapies, CITA-Alzheimer Foundation, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Mikel Tainta
- Department of Neurology, Center for Research and Advanced Therapies, CITA-Alzheimer Foundation, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Richard J. B. Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Health Data Research UK London, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Legido-Quigley
- Steno Diabetes Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristel Sleegers
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease Group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christine Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group, Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Wittig
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christina M. Lill
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Lovestone
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Streffer
- Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (BIODEM), Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Janssen R&D, LLC. Beerse, Belgium
| | - Mara ten Kate
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stephanie J. B. Vos
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pieter Jelle Visser
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sha Y, Liu W, Li L, Serafimovski M, Isachenko V, Li Y, Chen J, Zhao B, Wang Y, Wei X. Pathogenic Variants in ACTRT1 Cause Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676246. [PMID: 34422805 PMCID: PMC8377740 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia, but its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing for 34 patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and identified pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene, ACTRT1, in two patients. Sanger sequencing confirmed the pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 in the patients. Both pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 were highly conserved, and in silico analysis revealed that they were deleterious and rare. Actrt1-knockout mice exhibited a similar acephalic spermatozoa phenotype. Therefore, we speculated that mutations in ACTRT1 account for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Moreover, the patients in this study conceived their children through artificial insemination. This study provides further insights for clinicians and researchers regarding the genetic etiology and therapeutic strategies for acephalic spermatozoa patients with pathogenic variants in ACTRT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mario Serafimovski
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Youzhu Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bangrong Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Hebei Provincial, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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