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Zhang Y, Xing X, Huang L, Su Y, Liu G, Zhang X, Yang Y. WDR64, a testis-specific protein, is involved in the manchette and flagellum formation by interacting with ODF1. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38263. [PMID: 39386799 PMCID: PMC11462348 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The WD40 repeat (WDR) domain is present in a wide range of proteins, providing sites for protein‒protein interactions. Recent studies have shown that WDR proteins play indispensable roles in spermatogenesis, such as in spermatocyte division, sperm head formation and flagellar assembly. In this study, we identified a novel testis-specific gene, WDR64, which has the typical characteristics of WD40 proteins with two β-propellers, and is highly conserved in Mammalia. RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed that WDR64 was highly expressed in testis. WDR64 protein was weakly expressed at postnatal Day 7, increased substantially at postnatal Day 28 and maintained at high levels thereafter. Further immunofluorescence demonstrated that WDR64 was localized posterior to the nucleus in steps 8-14 spermatids in line with the dynamic localization of manchette, moved to the flagella in steps 15-16 spermatids, and localized at the midpiece of the flagellum in mature spermatozoa. To explore the function of WDR64, we performed immunoprecipitation‒mass spectrometry (IP‒MS) to screen its interacting proteins and found that WDR64 interacted with ODF1 to form a complex. The WDR64/ODF1 complex is located at the manchette during nucleus shaping and finally at the midpiece of the mature spermatozoa tail, suggesting that it may be involved in the assembly of the manchette and flagella during spermiogenesis. Our findings provide the first understanding of the expression pattern of WDR64 and its potential molecular mechanism in spermiogenesis.
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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
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- 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
| | - Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Youbo Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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2
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Hussain A, Zhang H, Zubair M, Shah W, Khan K, Ali I, Raza Y, Zeb A, Abbas T, Ahmed N, Rahim F, Mustafa G, Uddin M, Ullah N, Abbas M, Khan MA, Ma H, Yang B, Shi QH. A novel homozygous splicing mutation in AK7 causes multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella in patients from consanguineous Pakistani families. Asian J Androl 2024:00129336-990000000-00242. [PMID: 39254435 DOI: 10.4103/aja202471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) represent a severe form of sperm defects leading to asthenozoospermia and male infertility. In this study, we identified a novel homozygous splicing mutation (c.871-4 ACA>A) in the adenylate kinase 7 (AK7) gene by whole-exome sequencing in infertile individuals. Spermatozoa from affected individuals exhibited typical MMAF characteristics, including coiled, bent, short, absent, and irregular flagella. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed disorganized axonemal structure and abnormal mitochondrial sheets in sperm flagella. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the absence of AK7 protein from the patients' spermatozoa, validating the pathogenic nature of the mutation. This study provides direct evidence linking the AK7 gene to MMAF-associated asthenozoospermia in humans, expanding the mutational spectrum of AK7 and enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansar Hussain
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Wasim Shah
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Khalid Khan
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Imtiaz Ali
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yousaf Raza
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Aurang Zeb
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Tanveer Abbas
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Fazal Rahim
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ghulam Mustafa
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Meftah Uddin
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Nadeem Ullah
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Musavir Abbas
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Muzammil Ahmad Khan
- Gomal Centre of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan
| | - Hui Ma
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qing-Hua Shi
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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3
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Stallmeyer B, Dicke AK, Tüttelmann F. How exome sequencing improves the diagnostics and management of men with non-syndromic infertility. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 39120565 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13728] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 17% of all men and represents a complex disorder in which not only semen parameters such as sperm motility, morphology, and number of sperm are highly variable, but also testicular phenotypes range from normal spermatogenesis to complete absence of germ cells. Genetic factors significantly contribute to the disease but chromosomal aberrations, mostly Klinefelter syndrome, and microdeletions of the Y-chromosome have remained the only diagnostically and clinically considered genetic causes. Monogenic causes remain understudied and, thus, often unidentified, leaving the majority of the male factor couple infertility pathomechanistically unexplained. This has been changing mostly because of the introduction of exome sequencing that allows the analysis of multiple genes in large patient cohorts. As a result, pathogenic variants in single genes have been associated with non-syndromic forms of all aetiologic sub-categories in the last decade. This review highlights the contribution of exome sequencing to the identification of novel disease genes for isolated (non-syndromic) male infertility by presenting the results of a comprehensive literature search. Both, reduced sperm count in azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients, and impaired sperm motility and/or morphology, in asthenozoospermic and/or teratozoospermic patients are highly heterogeneous diseases with well over 100 different candidate genes described for each entity. Applying the standardized evaluation criteria of the ClinGen gene curation working group, 70 genes with at least moderate evidence to contribute to the disease are highlighted. The implementation of these valid disease genes in clinical exome sequencing is important to increase the diagnostic yield in male infertility and, thus, improve clinical decision-making and appropriate genetic counseling. Future advances in androgenetics will continue to depend on large-scale exome and genome sequencing studies of comprehensive international patient cohorts, which are the most promising approaches to identify additional disease genes and provide reliable data on the gene-disease relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Stallmeyer
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Dicke
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Munster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Munster, Germany
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4
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Fakhro KA, Awwad J, Garibova S, Saraiva LR, Avella M. Conserved genes regulating human sex differentiation, gametogenesis and fertilization. J Transl Med 2024; 22:473. [PMID: 38764035 PMCID: PMC11103854 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05162-2] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of the functional genome in mice and humans has been instrumental for describing the conserved molecular mechanisms regulating human reproductive biology, and for defining the etiologies of monogenic fertility disorders. Infertility is a reproductive disorder that includes various conditions affecting a couple's ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of genes and mechanisms that, if affected, lead to infertility. We report established genes that regulate conserved functions in fundamental reproductive processes (e.g., sex determination, gametogenesis, and fertilization). We only cover genes the deletion of which yields comparable fertility phenotypes in both rodents and humans. In the case of newly-discovered genes, we report the studies demonstrating shared cellular and fertility phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations in both species. Finally, we introduce new model systems for the study of human reproductive biology and highlight the importance of studying human consanguineous populations to discover novel monogenic causes of infertility. The rapid and continuous screening and identification of putative genetic defects coupled with an efficient functional characterization in animal models can reveal novel mechanisms of gene function in human reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Fakhro
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Johnny Awwad
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Vincent Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Service, The Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Luis R Saraiva
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Matteo Avella
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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5
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Wang Y, Chen J, Huang X, Wu B, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Gene-knockout by iSTOP enables rapid reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1035-1050. [PMID: 38332217 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2408-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine base editing achieves C•G-to-T•A substitutions and can convert four codons (CAA/CAG/CGA/TGG) into STOP-codons (induction of STOP-codons, iSTOP) to knock out genes with reduced mosaicism. iSTOP enables direct phenotyping in founders' somatic cells, but it remains unknown whether this works in founders' germ cells so as to rapidly reveal novel genes for fertility. Here, we initially establish that iSTOP in mouse zygotes enables functional characterization of known genes in founders' germ cells: Cfap43-iSTOP male founders manifest expected sperm features resembling human "multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella" syndrome (i.e., MMAF-like features), while oocytes of Zp3-iSTOP female founders have no zona pellucida. We further illustrate iSTOP's utility for dissecting the functions of unknown genes with Ccdc183, observing MMAF-like features and male infertility in Ccdc183-iSTOP founders, phenotypes concordant with those of Ccdc183-KO offspring. We ultimately establish that CCDC183 is essential for sperm morphogenesis through regulating the assembly of outer dynein arms and participating in the intra-flagellar transport. Our study demonstrates iSTOP as an efficient tool for direct reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation, and rapidly reveals the essentiality of Ccdc183 in fertility, thus providing a time-saving approach for validating genetic defects (like nonsense mutations) for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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6
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Parkes R, Garcia TX. Bringing proteomics to bear on male fertility: key lessons. Expert Rev Proteomics 2024; 21:181-203. [PMID: 38536015 PMCID: PMC11426281 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2024.2327553] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Male infertility is a major public health concern globally. Proteomics has revolutionized our comprehension of male fertility by identifying potential infertility biomarkers and reproductive defects. Studies comparing sperm proteome with other male reproductive tissues have the potential to refine fertility diagnostics and guide infertility treatment development. AREAS COVERED This review encapsulates literature using proteomic approaches to progress male reproductive biology. Our search methodology included systematic searches of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles up to 2023. Keywords used included 'male fertility proteomics,' 'spermatozoa proteome,' 'testis proteomics,' 'epididymal proteomics,' and 'non-hormonal male contraception.' Inclusion criteria were robust experimental design, significant contributions to male fertility, and novel use of proteomic technologies. EXPERT OPINION Expert analysis shows a shift from traditional research to an integrative approach that clarifies male reproductive health's molecular intricacies. A gap exists between proteomic discoveries and clinical application. The expert opinions consolidated here not only navigate the current findings but also chart the future proteomic applications for scientific and clinical breakthroughs. We underscore the need for continued investment in proteomic research - both in the technological and collaborative arenas - to further unravel the secrets of male fertility, which will be central to resolving fertility issues in the coming era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Parkes
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Thomas X. Garcia
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine
- Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine
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7
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Wang Y, Huang X, Sun G, Chen J, Wu B, Luo J, Tang S, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Coiled-coil domain-containing 38 is required for acrosome biogenesis and fibrous sheath assembly in mice. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:407-418. [PMID: 37709195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.002] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes to form slender sperm flagella and cap-like acrosomes, which are required for successful fertilization. Severe deformities in flagella cause a male infertility syndrome, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), while acrosomal hypoplasia in some cases leads to sub-optimal embryonic developmental potential. However, evidence regarding the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF is limited. Here, we report the generation of base-edited mice knocked out for coiled-coil domain-containing 38 (Ccdc38) via inducing a nonsense mutation and find that the males are infertile. The Ccdc38-KO sperm display acrosomal hypoplasia and typical MMAF phenotypes. We find that the acrosomal membrane is loosely anchored to the nucleus and fibrous sheaths are disorganized in Ccdc38-KO sperm. Further analyses reveal that Ccdc38 knockout causes a decreased level of TEKT3, a protein associated with acrosome biogenesis, in testes and an aberrant distribution of TEKT3 in sperm. We finally show that intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes Ccdc38-related infertility. Our study thus reveals a previously unknown role for CCDC38 in acrosome biogenesis and provides additional evidence for the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guoying Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jiahui Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
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8
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Muroňová J, Kherraf ZE, Giordani E, Lambert E, Eckert S, Cazin C, Amiri-Yekta A, Court M, Chevalier G, Martinez G, Neirijnck Y, Kühne F, Wehrli L, Klena N, Hamel V, De Macedo L, Escoffier J, Guichard P, Coutton C, Mustapha SFB, Kharouf M, Bouin AP, Zouari R, Thierry-Mieg N, Nef S, Geimer S, Loeuillet C, Ray PF, Arnoult C. Lack of CCDC146, a ubiquitous centriole and microtubule-associated protein, leads to non-syndromic male infertility in human and mouse. eLife 2024; 12:RP86845. [PMID: 38441556 PMCID: PMC10942651 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86845] [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] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
From a cohort of 167 infertile patients suffering from multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum (MMAF), pathogenic bi-allelic mutations were identified in the CCDC146 gene. In somatic cells, CCDC146 is located at the centrosome and at multiple microtubule-related organelles during mitotic division, suggesting that it is a microtubule-associated protein (MAP). To decipher the molecular pathogenesis of infertility associated with CCDC146 mutations, a Ccdc146 knock-out (KO) mouse line was created. KO male mice were infertile, and sperm exhibited a phenotype identical to CCDC146 mutated patients. CCDC146 expression starts during late spermiogenesis. In the spermatozoon, the protein is conserved but is not localized to centrioles, unlike in somatic cells, rather it is present in the axoneme at the level of microtubule doublets. Expansion microscopy associated with the use of the detergent sarkosyl to solubilize microtubule doublets suggests that the protein may be a microtubule inner protein (MIP). At the subcellular level, the absence of CCDC146 impacted all microtubule-based organelles such as the manchette, the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA), and the axoneme. Through this study, a new genetic cause of infertility and a new factor in the formation and/or structure of the sperm axoneme were characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Muroňová
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Zine Eddine Kherraf
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Elsa Giordani
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Emeline Lambert
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Simon Eckert
- Cell Biology/ Electron Microscopy, University of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Amir Amiri-Yekta
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECRTehranIslamic Republic of Iran
| | - Magali Court
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Geneviève Chevalier
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Hôpital Couple-Enfant, CHU Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical SchoolGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Francoise Kühne
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical SchoolGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Lydia Wehrli
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical SchoolGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Nikolai Klena
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Sciences IIIGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Virginie Hamel
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Sciences IIIGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Lisa De Macedo
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Jessica Escoffier
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Paul Guichard
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Sciences IIIGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Charles Coutton
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Hôpital Couple-Enfant, CHU Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | | | - Mahmoud Kharouf
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain NordTunisTunisia
| | - Anne-Pacale Bouin
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain NordTunisTunisia
| | - Nicolas Thierry-Mieg
- Laboratoire TIMC/MAGe, CNRS UMR 5525, Pavillon Taillefer, Faculté de MedecineLa TroncheFrance
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical SchoolGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Stefan Geimer
- Cell Biology/ Electron Microscopy, University of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Corinne Loeuillet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM 1209GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), CNRS UMR 5309GrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
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9
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Nawaz S, Hussain S, Bilal M, Syed N, Liaqat K, Ullah I, Akil AAS, Fakhro KA, Ahmad W. A variant in sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme enolase 4 (ENO4) causes human male infertility. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3583. [PMID: 37640479 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3583] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although defects in sperm morphology and physiology lead to male infertility, in many instances, the exact disruption of molecular pathways in a given patient is often unknown. The glycolytic pathway is an essential process to supply energy in sperm cell motility. Enolase 4 (ENO4) is crucial for the glycolytic process, which provides the energy for sperm cells in motility. ENO4 is located in the sperm principal piece and is essential for the motility and organization of the sperm flagellum. In the present study, we characterized a family with asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology as a result of a variant in the enolase 4 (ENO4) gene. METHODS Computer-assisted semen analysis, papanicolaou smear staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine sperm motility and morphology for semen analysis in patients. For genetic analysis, whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing was performed. RESULTS Two brothers in a consanguineous family were being clinically investigated for sperm motility and morphology issues. Genetic analysis by whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant [c.293A>G, p.(Lys98Arg)] in the ENO4 gene that segregated with infertility in the family, shared by affected but not controls. CONCLUSIONS In view of the association of asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology in Eno4 knockout mice, we consider this to be the first report describing the involvement of ENO4 gene in human male infertility. We also explore the possible involvement of another variant in explaining other phenotypic features in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Clinical And Molecular Metabolism Research (CAMM) Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Agha Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Najeeb Syed
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khurram Liaqat
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Center for Statistical Genetics, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, and the Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Imran Ullah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Precision Medicine in Diabetes Prevention Lab, Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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10
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Jin HJ, Ruan T, Dai S, Geng XY, Yang Y, Shen Y, Chen SR. Identification of CFAP52 as a novel diagnostic target of male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development. eLife 2023; 12:RP92769. [PMID: 38126872 PMCID: PMC10735225 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92769] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a worldwide population health concern. Asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. No evidence indicates the relevance of CFAP52 mutations to human male infertility. Our whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations in CFAP52 recessively cosegregating with male infertility status in a non-consanguineous Chinese family. Spermatozoa of CFAP52-mutant patient mainly exhibited abnormal head-tail connection and deformed flagella. Cfap52-knockout mice resembled the human infertile phenotype, showing a mixed acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) phenotype. The ultrastructural analyses further revealed a failure of connecting piece formation and a serious disorder of '9+2' axoneme structure. CFAP52 interacts with a head-tail coupling regulator SPATA6 and is essential for its stability. Expression of microtubule inner proteins and radial spoke proteins were reduced after the CFAP52 deficiency. Moreover, CFAP52-associated male infertility in humans and mice could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study reveals a prominent role for CFAP52 in sperm development, suggesting that CFAP52 might be a novel diagnostic target for male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tiechao Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xin-Yan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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11
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Hwang JY, Chai P, Nawaz S, Choi J, Lopez-Giraldez F, Hussain S, Bilguvar K, Mane S, Lifton RP, Ahmad W, Zhang K, Chung JJ. LRRC23 truncation impairs radial spoke 3 head assembly and sperm motility underlying male infertility. eLife 2023; 12:RP90095. [PMID: 38091523 PMCID: PMC10721216 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Radial spokes (RS) are T-shaped multiprotein complexes on the axonemal microtubules. Repeated RS1, RS2, and RS3 couple the central pair to modulate ciliary and flagellar motility. Despite the cell type specificity of RS3 substructures, their molecular components remain largely unknown. Here, we report that a leucine-rich repeat-containing protein, LRRC23, is an RS3 head component essential for its head assembly and flagellar motility in mammalian spermatozoa. From infertile male patients with defective sperm motility, we identified a splice site variant of LRRC23. A mutant mouse model mimicking this variant produces a truncated LRRC23 at the C-terminus that fails to localize to the sperm tail, causing male infertility due to defective sperm motility. LRRC23 was previously proposed to be an ortholog of the RS stalk protein RSP15. However, we found that purified recombinant LRRC23 interacts with an RS head protein RSPH9, which is abolished by the C-terminal truncation. Evolutionary and structural comparison also shows that LRRC34, not LRRC23, is the RSP15 ortholog. Cryo-electron tomography clearly revealed that the absence of the RS3 head and the sperm-specific RS2-RS3 bridge structure in LRRC23 mutant spermatozoa. Our study provides new insights into the structure and function of RS3 in mammalian spermatozoa and the molecular pathogenicity of LRRC23 underlying reduced sperm motility in infertile human males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yeon Hwang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
| | - Pengxin Chai
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of BiologicalSciences, Quaid-i-Azam UniversityIslamabadPakistan
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Genetics, YaleSchool of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | | | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam UniversityIslamabadPakistan
| | - Kaya Bilguvar
- Department of Genetics, YaleSchool of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
- Yale Center forGenome Analysis, Yale UniversityWest HavenUnited States
| | - Shrikant Mane
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Richard P Lifton
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of BiologicalSciences, Quaid-i-Azam UniversityIslamabadPakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam UniversityIslamabadPakistan
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
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12
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Chu C, Lin EW, Tran A, Jin H, Ho NI, Veit A, Cortes-Ciriano I, Burns KH, Ting DT, Park PJ. The landscape of human SVA retrotransposons. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11453-11465. [PMID: 37823611 PMCID: PMC10681720 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) retrotransposons are evolutionarily young and still-active transposable elements (TEs) in the human genome. Several pathogenic SVA insertions have been identified that directly mutate host genes to cause neurodegenerative and other types of diseases. However, due to their sequence heterogeneity and complex structures as well as limitations in sequencing techniques and analysis, SVA insertions have been less well studied compared to other mobile element insertions. Here, we identified polymorphic SVA insertions from 3646 whole-genome sequencing (WGS) samples of >150 diverse populations and constructed a polymorphic SVA insertion reference catalog. Using 20 long-read samples, we also assembled reference and polymorphic SVA sequences and characterized the internal hexamer/variable-number-tandem-repeat (VNTR) expansions as well as differing SVA activity for SVA subfamilies and human populations. In addition, we developed a module to annotate both reference and polymorphic SVA copies. By characterizing the landscape of both reference and polymorphic SVA retrotransposons, our study enables more accurate genotyping of these elements and facilitate the discovery of pathogenic SVA insertions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric W Lin
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Antuan Tran
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hu Jin
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Natalie I Ho
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alexander Veit
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Isidro Cortes-Ciriano
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kathleen H Burns
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David T Ting
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Peter J Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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13
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Dacheux D, Martinez G, Broster Reix CE, Beurois J, Lores P, Tounkara M, Dupuy JW, Robinson DR, Loeuillet C, Lambert E, Wehbe Z, Escoffier J, Amiri-Yekta A, Daneshipour A, Hosseini SH, Zouari R, Mustapha SFB, Halouani L, Jiang X, Shen Y, Liu C, Thierry-Mieg N, Septier A, Bidart M, Satre V, Cazin C, Kherraf ZE, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Toure A, Bonhivers M, Coutton C. Novel axonemal protein ZMYND12 interacts with TTC29 and DNAH1, and is required for male fertility and flagellum function. eLife 2023; 12:RP87698. [PMID: 37934199 PMCID: PMC10629824 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is common and complex, presenting a wide range of heterogeneous phenotypes. Although about 50% of cases are estimated to have a genetic component, the underlying cause often remains undetermined. Here, from whole-exome sequencing on samples from 168 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia due to severe sperm flagellum, we identified homozygous ZMYND12 variants in four unrelated patients. In sperm cells from these individuals, immunofluorescence revealed altered localization of DNAH1, DNALI1, WDR66, and TTC29. Axonemal localization of ZMYND12 ortholog TbTAX-1 was confirmed using the Trypanosoma brucei model. RNAi knock-down of TbTAX-1 dramatically affected flagellar motility, with a phenotype similar to the sperm from men bearing homozygous ZMYND12 variants. Co-immunoprecipitation and ultrastructure expansion microscopy in T. brucei revealed TbTAX-1 to form a complex with TTC29. Comparative proteomics with samples from Trypanosoma and Ttc29 KO mice identified a third member of this complex: DNAH1. The data presented revealed that ZMYND12 is part of the same axonemal complex as TTC29 and DNAH1, which is critical for flagellum function and assembly in humans, and Trypanosoma. ZMYND12 is thus a new asthenoteratozoospermia-associated gene, bi-allelic variants of which cause severe flagellum malformations and primary male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Dacheux
- University of Bordeaux, CNRSBordeauxFrance
- Bordeaux INP, Microbiologie Fondamentale et PathogénicitéBordeauxFrance
| | | | | | - Julie Beurois
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Patrick Lores
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université Paris CiteParisFrance
| | | | | | | | - Corinne Loeuillet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Emeline Lambert
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Zeina Wehbe
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Jessica Escoffier
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Amir Amiri-Yekta
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECRTehranIslamic Republic of Iran
| | - Abbas Daneshipour
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECRTehranIslamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyedeh-Hanieh Hosseini
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECRTehranIslamic Republic of Iran
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain NordTunisTunisia
| | | | - Lazhar Halouani
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain NordTunisTunisia
| | - Xiaohui Jiang
- Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan UniversitySichuanChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversitySichuanChina
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of EducationSichuanChina
| | - Ying Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversitySichuanChina
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of EducationSichuanChina
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | | | | | - Marie Bidart
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
- CHU Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire: Maladies Héréditaires et OncologieGrenobleFrance
| | - Véronique Satre
- CHU Grenoble-Alpes, UM de Génétique ChromosomiqueGrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Caroline Cazin
- CHU Grenoble-Alpes, UM de Génétique ChromosomiqueGrenobleFrance
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
- CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPIGrenobleFrance
| | - Zine Eddine Kherraf
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
- CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPIGrenobleFrance
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
- CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPIGrenobleFrance
| | - Aminata Toure
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sperm cellsGrenobleFrance
| | | | - Charles Coutton
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of InfertilityGrenobleFrance
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14
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Gao Q, Liu G, Huang L, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Song X, Xing X. WDR38, a novel equatorial segment protein, interacts with the GTPase protein RAB19 and Golgi protein GM130 to play roles in acrosome biogenesis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1561-1570. [PMID: 37635409 PMCID: PMC10579810 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023126] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The WD40-repeat containing (WDR) proteins are enriched in the testis and play important roles in spermatogenesis. In the present study, we investigate the expression profile of WDR38, a novel member of the WDR protein family, in humans and mice. RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) results demonstrate that WDR38 mRNA is abundantly expressed in both the human and mouse testis. The expression of mouse Wdr38 is strictly regulated during development. Further immunofluorescence staining results show that WDR38 is located in the equatorial segment of the acrosome in human and mouse mature spermatozoa and is involved in acrosome biogenesis. Subcellular localization analysis reveals that the mouse Wdr38 protein is distributed in the perinuclear cytoplasm of transfected cells and colocalizes with the GTPase protein Rab19 and Golgi protein GM130. Coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays demonstrate that Wdr38, Rab19 and GM130 interact with each other in the mouse testis and in HEK293T cells. In acrosome biogenesis, Wdr38, Rab19 and GM130 aggregate at the nuclear membrane to form large vesicles, and GM130 then detaches and moves towards the caudal region of the nucleus, whereas the Wdr38/Rab19 complex spreads along the dorsal nuclear edge and finally docks to the equatorial segment. These results indicate that WDR38 is a novel equatorial segment protein that interacts with the GTPase protein RAB19 and Golgi protein GM130 to play roles in acrosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujie Gao
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
| | - Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell EngineeringSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangsha410078China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
| | - Yunfei Zhang
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
| | - Xiaoyue Song
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental MedicineThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangsha410013China
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15
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Greither T, Dejung M, Behre HM, Butter F, Herlyn H. The human sperm proteome-Toward a panel for male fertility testing. Andrology 2023; 11:1418-1436. [PMID: 36896575 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13431] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although male factor accounts for 40%-50% of unintended childlessness, we are far from fully understanding the detailed causes. Usually, affected men cannot even be provided with a molecular diagnosis. OBJECTIVES We aimed at a higher resolution of the human sperm proteome for better understanding of the molecular causes of male infertility. We were particularly interested in why reduced sperm count decreases fertility despite many normal-looking spermatozoa and which proteins might be involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS Applying mass spectrometry analysis, we qualitatively and quantitatively examined the proteomic profiles of spermatozoa from 76 men differing in fertility. Infertile men had abnormal semen parameters and were involuntarily childless. Fertile subjects exhibited normozoospermia and had fathered children without medical assistance. RESULTS We discovered proteins from about 7000 coding genes in the human sperm proteome. These were mainly known for involvements in cellular motility, response to stimuli, adhesion, and reproduction. Numbers of sperm proteins showing at least threefold deviating abundances increased from oligozoospermia (N = 153) and oligoasthenozoospermia (N = 154) to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (N = 368). Deregulated sperm proteins primarily engaged in flagellar assembly and sperm motility, fertilization, and male gametogenesis. Most of these participated in a larger network of male infertility genes and proteins. DISCUSSION We expose 31 sperm proteins displaying deviant abundances under infertility, which already were known before to have fertility relevance, including ACTL9, CCIN, CFAP47, CFAP65, CFAP251 (WDR66), DNAH1, and SPEM1. We propose 18 additional sperm proteins with at least eightfold differential abundance for further testing of their diagnostic potential, such as C2orf16, CYLC1, SPATA31E1, SPATA31D1, SPATA48, EFHB (CFAP21), and FAM161A. CONCLUSION Our results shed light on the molecular background of the dysfunctionality of the fewer spermatozoa produced in oligozoospermia and syndromes including it. The male infertility network presented may prove useful in further elucidating the molecular mechanism of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Greither
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Mario Dejung
- Proteomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Falk Butter
- Department of Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Holger Herlyn
- Anthropology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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16
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Hwang JY, Chai P, Nawaz S, Choi J, Lopez-Giraldez F, Hussain S, Bilguvar K, Mane S, Lifton RP, Ahmad W, Zhang K, Chung JJ. LRRC23 truncation impairs radial spoke 3 head assembly and sperm motility underlying male infertility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530050. [PMID: 36865175 PMCID: PMC9980178 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Radial spokes (RS) are T-shaped multiprotein complexes on the axonemal microtubules. Repeated RS1, RS2, and RS3 couple the central pair to modulate ciliary and flagellar motility. Despite the cell type specificity of RS3 substructures, their molecular components remain largely unknown. Here, we report that a leucine-rich repeat-containing protein, LRRC23, is an RS3 head component essential for its head assembly and flagellar motility in mammalian spermatozoa. From infertile male patients with defective sperm motility, we identified a splice site variant of LRRC23. A mutant mouse model mimicking this variant produces a truncated LRRC23 at the C-terminus that fails to localize to the sperm tail, causing male infertility due to defective sperm motility. LRRC23 was previously proposed to be an ortholog of the RS stalk protein RSP15. However, we found that purified recombinant LRRC23 interacts with an RS head protein RSPH9, which is abolished by the C-terminal truncation. Evolutionary and structural comparison also shows that LRRC34, not LRRC23, is the RSP15 ortholog. Cryo-electron tomography clearly revealed that the absence of the RS3 head and the sperm-specific RS2-RS3 bridge structure in LRRC23 mutant spermatozoa. Our study provides new insights into the structure and function of RS3 in mammalian spermatozoa and the molecular pathogenicity of LRRC23 underlying reduced sperm motility in infertile human males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yeon Hwang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
- Present address, Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea, 43241
| | - Pengxin Chai
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Present address, Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar, 26999
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, 02841
| | | | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Present address, Clinical and Molecular Metabolism Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 00250
| | - Kaya Bilguvar
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516
| | - Shrikant Mane
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, 02841
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516
| | - Richard P. Lifton
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510
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17
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Jin HJ, Wang JL, Geng XY, Wang CY, Wang BB, Chen SR. CFAP70 is a solid and valuable target for the genetic diagnosis of oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia in infertile men. EBioMedicine 2023; 93:104675. [PMID: 37352829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a worldwide population health concern, but its aetiology remains largely understood. Although CFAP70 variants have already been reported in two oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) individuals by sequencing, animal evidence to support CFAP70 as a credible OAT-pathogenic gene is lacking. METHOD Cfap70-KO mice were generated to explore the physiological role of CFAP70. CFAP70 variants were detected in infertile men with OAT by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing confirmation. Cfap70-truncated mice were further generated to explore the pathogenicity of the nonsense variant of CFAP70 identified in the proband. FINDINGS Here, we demonstrate that Cfap70-KO mice are sterile mainly due to OAT and further identify a Chinese infertile man carrying a homozygous nonsense variant (c.2962C > T/p.R988X) of CFAP70. Cfap70-truncated mice lacking 5-8 tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) mimic the patient's symptoms. CFAP70 is required for the biogenesis of spermatid flagella partially by regulating the expression of OAT-associated proteins (e.g., QRICH2), assisting the cytoplasmic preassembly of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC), and controlling the manchette localization of axoneme-related proteins. Moreover, we suggest that CFAP70-associated male infertility could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. INTERPRETATION Overall, we demonstrate that CFAP70 is necessary to assemble spermatid flagella and that CFAP70 gene could be used as a diagnostic target for male infertility with OAT in the clinic. FUNDING This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Project (2019YFA0802101 to S.C), Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education (to S.C), Central Government to Guide Local Scientific and Technological Development (ZY21195023 to B.W), and Basic Research Projects of Central Scientific Research Institutes (to B.W).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jun-Li Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, China; Environmental Health Risk Assessment and Prevention Engineering Center of Ecological Aluminum Industry Base of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, China
| | - Xin-Yan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chun-Yan Wang
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, 100081, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Bin-Bin Wang
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, 100081, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research (NRIFP), National Research Institute for Family Planning, 100081 Beijing, China.
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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18
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Abu-Halima M, Becker LS, Al Smadi MA, Abdul-Khaliq H, Raeschle M, Meese E. Sperm Motility Annotated Genes: Are They Associated with Impaired Fecundity? Cells 2023; 12:cells12091239. [PMID: 37174638 PMCID: PMC10177407 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091239] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is a prerequisite for achieving pregnancy, and alterations in sperm motility, along with sperm count and morphology, are commonly observed in subfertile men. The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression level of genes annotated with the Gene Ontology (GO) term 'sperm motility' differed in sperm collected from healthy men and men diagnosed with oligoasthenozoospermia. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), quantitative mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and enrichment analyses were used to validate a set of 132 genes in 198 men present at an infertility clinic. Out of the 132 studied sperm-motility-associated genes, 114 showed differentially expressed levels in oligoasthenozoospermic men compared to those of normozoospermic controls using an RT-qPCR analysis. Of these, 94 genes showed a significantly lower expression level, and 20 genes showed a significantly higher expression level. An MS analysis of sperm from an independent cohort of healthy and subfertile men identified 692 differentially expressed proteins, of which 512 were significantly lower and 180 were significantly higher in oligoasthenozoospermic men compared to those of the normozoospermic controls. Of the 58 gene products quantified with both techniques, 48 (82.75%) showed concordant regulation. Besides the sperm-motility-associated proteins, the unbiased proteomics approach uncovered several novel proteins whose expression levels were specifically altered in abnormal sperm samples. Among these deregulated proteins, there was a clear overrepresentation of annotation terms related to sperm integrity, the cytoskeleton, and energy-related metabolism, as well as human phenotypes related to spermatogenesis and sperm-related abnormalities. These findings suggest that many of these proteins may serve as diagnostic markers of male infertility. Our study reveals an extended number of sperm-motility-associated genes with altered expression levels in the sperm of men with oligoasthenozoospermia. These genes and/or proteins can be used in the future for better assessments of male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masood Abu-Halima
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Lea Simone Becker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Mohammad A Al Smadi
- Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Unit, King Hussein Medical Centre, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Hashim Abdul-Khaliq
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Markus Raeschle
- Department of Molecular Genetics, TU Kaiserslautern, 67653 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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19
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Ma A, Zhou J, Ali H, Abbas T, Ali I, Muhammad Z, Dil S, Chen J, Huang X, Ma H, Zhao D, Zhang B, Zhang Y, Shah W, Shah B, Murtaza G, Iqbal F, Khan MA, Khan A, Li Q, Xu B, Wu L, Zhang H, Shi Q. Loss-of-function mutations in CFAP57 cause multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella in humans and mice. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e166869. [PMID: 36752199 PMCID: PMC9977434 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.166869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) are the most severe form of asthenozoospermia due to impaired axoneme structure in sperm flagella. Dynein arms are necessary components of the sperm flagellar axoneme. In this study, we recruited 3 unrelated consanguineous Pakistani families with multiple MMAF-affected individuals, who had no overt ciliary symptoms. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified 2 cilia and flagella associated protein 57 (CFAP57) loss-of-function mutations (c.2872C>T, p. R958*; and c.2737C>T, p. R913*) recessively segregating with male infertility. A mouse model mimicking the mutation (c.2872C>T) was generated and recapitulated the typical MMAF phenotype of CFAP57-mutated individuals. Both CFAP57 mutations caused loss of the long transcript-encoded CFAP57 protein in spermatozoa from MMAF-affected individuals or from the Cfap57-mutant mouse model while the short transcript was not affected. Subsequent examinations of the spermatozoa from Cfap57-mutant mice revealed that CFAP57 deficiency disrupted the inner dynein arm (IDA) assembly in sperm flagella and that single-headed IDAs were more likely to be affected. Thus, our study identified 2 pathogenic mutations in CFAP57 in MMAF-affected individuals and reported a conserved and pivotal role for the long transcript-encoded CFAP57 in IDAs' assembly and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haider Ali
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tanveer Abbas
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Imtiaz Ali
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zubair Muhammad
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Sobia Dil
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiongheng Huang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Daren Zhao
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wasim Shah
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Basit Shah
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Zoology Division, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muzammil Ahmad Khan
- Gomal Centre of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
| | - Asad Khan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Li
- The Central Laboratory of Medical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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20
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Hu T, Meng L, Tan C, Luo C, He WB, Tu C, Zhang H, Du J, Nie H, Lu GX, Lin G, Tan YQ. Biallelic CFAP61 variants cause male infertility in humans and mice with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. J Med Genet 2023; 60:144-153. [PMID: 35387802 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic causes for most male infertility due to severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To identify the genetic cause of male infertility characterised by OAT. METHODS Variant screening was performed by whole-exome sequencing from 325 infertile patients with OAT and 392 fertile individuals. In silico and in vitro analyses were performed to evaluate the impacts of candidate disease-causing variants. A knockout mouse model was generated to confirm the candidate disease-causing gene, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used to evaluate the efficiency of clinical treatment. RESULTS We identified biallelic CFAP61 variants (NM_015585.4: c.1654C>T (p.R552C) and c.2911G>A (p.D971N), c.144-2A>G and c.1666G>A (p.G556R)) in two (0.62%) of the 325 OAT-affected men. In silico bioinformatics analysis predicted that all four variants were deleterious, and in vitro functional analysis confirmed the deleterious effects of the mutants. Notably, H&E staining and electron microscopy analyses of the spermatozoa revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella, the absence of central pair microtubules and mitochondrial sheath malformation in sperm flagella from man with CFAP61 variants. Further immunofluorescence assays revealed markedly reduced CFAP61 staining in the sperm flagella. In addition, Cfap61-deficient mice showed the OAT phenotype, suggesting that loss of function of CFAP61 was the cause of OAT. Two individuals accepted ICSI therapy using their own ejaculated sperm, and one of them succeeded in fathering a healthy baby. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that CFAP61 is essential for spermatogenesis and that biallelic CFAP61 variants lead to male infertility in humans and mice with OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyao Hu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Luo
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China .,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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21
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New Mutations in DNHD1 Cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032559. [PMID: 36768883 PMCID: PMC9916431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a common and complex disease and presents as a wide range of heterogeneous phenotypes. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum (MMAF) phenotype is a peculiar condition of extreme morphological sperm defects characterized by a mosaic of sperm flagellum defects to a total asthenozoospermia. At this time, about 40 genes were associated with the MMAF phenotype. However, mutation prevalence for most genes remains individually low and about half of individuals remain without diagnosis, encouraging us to pursue the effort to identify new mutations and genes. In the present study, an a cohort of 167 MMAF patients was analyzed using whole-exome sequencing, and we identified three unrelated patients with new pathogenic mutations in DNHD1, a new gene recently associated with MMAF. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that DNHD1 was totally absent from sperm cells from DNHD1 patients, supporting the deleterious effect of the identified mutations. Transmission electron microscopy reveals severe flagellum abnormalities of sperm cells from one mutated patient, which appeared completely disorganized with the absence of the central pair and midpiece defects with a shortened and misshapen mitochondrial sheath. Immunostaining of IFT20 was not altered in mutated patients, suggesting that IFT may be not affected by DNHD1 mutations. Our data confirmed the importance of DNHD1 for the function and structural integrity of the sperm flagellum. Overall, this study definitively consolidated its involvement in MMAF phenotype on a second independent cohort and enriched the mutational spectrum of the DNHD1 gene.
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22
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Vezain M, Thauvin-Robinet C, Vial Y, Coutant S, Drunat S, Urtizberea JA, Rolland A, Jacquin-Piques A, Fehrenbach S, Nicolas G, Lecoquierre F, Saugier-Veber P. Retrotransposon insertion as a novel mutational cause of spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Genet 2023; 142:125-138. [PMID: 36138164 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder resulting from biallelic alterations of the SMN1 gene: deletion, gene conversion or, in rare cases, intragenic variants. The disease severity is mainly influenced by the copy number of SMN2, a nearly identical gene, which produces only low amounts of full-length (FL) mRNA. Here we describe the first example of retrotransposon insertion as a pathogenic SMN1 mutational event. The 50-year-old patient is clinically affected by SMA type III with a diagnostic odyssey spanning nearly 30 years. Despite a mild disease course, he carries a single SMN2 copy. Using Exome Sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we characterized a SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) type F retrotransposon inserted in SMN1 intron 7. Using RT-PCR and RNASeq experiments on lymphoblastoid cell lines, we documented the dramatic decrease of FL transcript production in the patient compared to subjects with the same SMN1 and SMN2 copy number, thus validating the pathogenicity of this SVA insertion. We described the mutant FL-SMN1-SVA transcript characterized by exon extension and showed that it is subject to degradation by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. The stability of the SMN-SVA protein may explain the mild course of the disease. This observation exemplifies the role of retrotransposons in human genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Vezain
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- INSERM UMR1231 GAD-Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, F-21000 , Dijon, France.,Genetics Center, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Dijon-Burgundy University Hospital, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Yoann Vial
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Genetics Department, AP-HP, Robert-Debré University Hospital, 48 boulevard Sérurier, 75019 , Paris, France
| | - Sophie Coutant
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Séverine Drunat
- INSERM UMR 1141, PROTECT, Paris University, F-75019, Paris, France.,Genetics Department, AP-HP, Robert-Debré University Hospital, F-75019, Paris, France
| | - Jon Andoni Urtizberea
- Myology Institute, AP-HP Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Anne Rolland
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Pediatrics Department, Valence Hospital, 179 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 26000, Valence, France
| | - Agnès Jacquin-Piques
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Competence Center of Neuromuscular Diseases, Dijon-Burgundy University Hospital, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Séverine Fehrenbach
- Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Gaël Nicolas
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - François Lecoquierre
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France.,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Pascale Saugier-Veber
- INSERM UMR1245, UNIROUEN, Normandie Univ, F-76000, Rouen, France. .,Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France. .,Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, UFR-Santé, 22 boulevard Gambetta, 76183, Rouen, France.
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23
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Cfap91-Dependent Stability of the RS2 and RS3 Base Proteins and Adjacent Inner Dynein Arms in Tetrahymena Cilia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244048. [PMID: 36552811 PMCID: PMC9776847 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Motile cilia and eukaryotic flagella are specific cell protrusions that are conserved from protists to humans. They are supported by a skeleton composed of uniquely organized microtubules-nine peripheral doublets and two central singlets (9 × 2 + 2). Microtubules also serve as docking sites for periodically distributed multiprotein ciliary complexes. Radial spokes, the T-shaped ciliary complexes, repeat along the outer doublets as triplets and transduce the regulatory signals from the cilium center to the outer doublet-docked dynein arms. Using the genetic, proteomic, and microscopic approaches, we have shown that lack of Tetrahymena Cfap91 protein affects stable docking/positioning of the radial spoke RS3 and the base of RS2, and adjacent inner dynein arms, possibly due to the ability of Cfap91 to interact with a molecular ruler protein, Ccdc39. The localization studies confirmed that the level of RS3-specific proteins, Cfap61 and Cfap251, as well as RS2-associated Cfap206, are significantly diminished in Tetrahymena CFAP91-KO cells. Cilia of Tetrahymena cells with knocked-out CFAP91 beat in an uncoordinated manner and their beating frequency is dramatically reduced. Consequently, CFAP91-KO cells swam about a hundred times slower than wild-type cells. We concluded that Tetrahymena Cfap91 localizes at the base of radial spokes RS2 and RS3 and likely plays a role in the radial spoke(s) positioning and stability.
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24
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Wang J, Wang W, Shen L, Zheng A, Meng Q, Li H, Yang S. Clinical detection, diagnosis and treatment of morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella: A review of literature. Front Genet 2022; 13:1034951. [PMID: 36425067 PMCID: PMC9679630 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1034951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm carries male genetic information, and flagella help move the sperm to reach oocytes. When the ultrastructure of the flagella is abnormal, the sperm is unable to reach the oocyte and achieve insemination. Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF) is a relatively rare idiopathic condition that is mainly characterized by multiple defects in sperm flagella. In the last decade, with the development of high-throughput DNA sequencing approaches, many genes have been revealed to be related to MMAF. However, the differences in sperm phenotypes and reproductive outcomes in many cases are attributed to different pathogenic genes or different pathogenic mutations in the same gene. Here, we will review information about the various phenotypes resulting from different pathogenic genes, including sperm ultrastructure and encoding proteins with their location and functions as well as assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. We will share our clinical detection and diagnosis experience to provide additional clinical views and broaden the understanding of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shenmin Yang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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25
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Wu X, Zhou L, Shi J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Multiomics analysis of male infertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:118-134. [PMID: 35639635 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8-12% of couples globally, and the male factor is a primary cause in approximately 50% of couples. Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder, which can be caused by paracrine and autocrine factors, hormones, genes, and epigenetic changes. Recent studies in rodents and most notably in humans using multiomics approach have yielded important insights into understanding the biology of spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility are still largely unknown. In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated findings based on the use of advanced technologies to compare normal and obstructive azoospermia (OA) versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men, including whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), whole exome sequencing (WES), and ATAC-seq. It is obvious that the multiomics approach is the method of choice for basic research and clinical studies including clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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26
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Damert A. SVA retrotransposons and a low copy repeat in humans and great apes: a mobile connection. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6586216. [PMID: 35574660 PMCID: PMC9132208 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Segmental duplications (SDs) constitute a considerable fraction of primate genomes. They contribute to genetic variation and provide raw material for evolution. Groups of SDs are characterized by the presence of shared core duplicons. One of these core duplicons, low copy repeat (lcr)16a, has been shown to be particularly active in the propagation of interspersed SDs in primates. The underlying mechanisms are, however, only partially understood. Alu short interspersed elements (SINEs) are frequently found at breakpoints and have been implicated in the expansion of SDs. Detailed analysis of lcr16a-containing SDs shows that the hominid-specific SVA (SINE-R-VNTR-Alu) retrotransposon is an integral component of the core duplicon in Asian and African great apes. In orang-utan, it provides breakpoints and contributes to both interchromosomal and intrachromosomal lcr16a mobility by inter-element recombination. Furthermore, the data suggest that in hominines (human, chimpanzee, gorilla) SVA recombination-mediated integration of a circular intermediate is the founding event of a lineage-specific lcr16a expansion. One of the hominine lcr16a copies displays large flanking direct repeats, a structural feature shared by other SDs in the human genome. Taken together, the results obtained extend the range of SVAs’ contribution to genome evolution from RNA-mediated transduction to DNA-based recombination. In addition, they provide further support for a role of circular intermediates in SD mobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Damert
- Infection Biology Unit and Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
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27
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Loeuillet C, Dhellemmes M, Cazin C, Kherraf ZE, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Zouari R, Thierry-Mieg N, Arnoult C, Ray PF. A recurrent ZP1 variant is responsible for Oocyte Maturation Defect with degenerated oocytes in infertile females. Clin Genet 2022; 102:22-29. [PMID: 35460069 PMCID: PMC9327729 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A female factor is present in approximately 70% of couple infertility, often due to ovulatory disorders. In oocyte maturation defect (OMD), affected patients have a primary infertility with normal menstrual cycles but produce no oocyte, degenerated (atretic) or abnormal oocytes blocked at different stages of maturation. Four genes have so far been associated with OMD: PATL2, TUBB8, WEE2, and ZP1. In our initial study, 6 out of 23 OMD subjects were shown to carry the same PATL2 homozygous loss of function variant and one patient had a TUBB8 truncating variant. Here, we included four additional OMD patients and reanalyzed all 27 subjects. In addition to the seven patients with a previously identified defect, five carried the same deleterious homozygous ZP1 variant (c.1097G>A; p.Arg366Gln). All the oocytes from ZP1‐associated patients appeared shriveled and dark indicating that the abnormal ZP1 protein induced oocyte death and degeneration. Overall ZP1‐associated patients had degenerated or absent oocytes contrary to PATL2‐associated subjects who had immature oocytes blocked mainly at the germinal vesicle stage. In this cohort of North African OMD patients, whole exome sequencing permitted to diagnose 44% of the patients studied and to identify a new frequent ZP1 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Loeuillet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Magali Dhellemmes
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France.,Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, Lyon, France
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
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28
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Kherraf ZE, Cazin C, Bouker A, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Hennebicq S, Septier A, Coutton C, Raymond L, Nouchy M, Thierry-Mieg N, Zouari R, Arnoult C, Ray PF. Whole-exome sequencing improves the diagnosis and care of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:508-517. [PMID: 35172124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe and frequent cause of male infertility, often treated by testicular sperm extraction followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The aim of this study is to improve the genetic diagnosis of NOA, by identifying new genes involved in human NOA and to better assess the chances of successful sperm extraction according to the individual's genotype. Exome sequencing was performed on 96 NOA-affected individuals negative for routine genetic tests. Bioinformatics analysis was limited to a panel of 151 genes selected as known causal or candidate genes for NOA. Only highly deleterious homozygous or hemizygous variants were retained as candidates. A likely causal defect was identified in 16 genes in a total of 22 individuals (23%). Six genes had not been described in man (DDX25, HENMT1, MCMDC2, MSH5, REC8, TDRKH) and 10 were previously reported (C14orf39, DMC1, FANCM, GCNA, HFM1, MCM8, MEIOB, PDHA2, TDRD9, TERB1). Seven individuals had defects in genes from piwi or DNA repair pathways, three in genes involved in post-meiotic maturation, and 12 in meiotic processes. Interestingly, all individuals with defects in meiotic genes had an unsuccessful sperm retrieval, indicating that genetic diagnosis prior to TESE could help identify individuals with low or null chances of successful sperm retrieval and thus avoid unsuccessful surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France; Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | - Amine Bouker
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Sylviane Hennebicq
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM laboratoire d'aide à la procréation-CECOS, 38 000 Grenoble, France
| | - Amandine Septier
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR5525, TIMC, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Laure Raymond
- Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | - Marc Nouchy
- Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | | | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France.
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29
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Niziolek M, Bicka M, Osinka A, Samsel Z, Sekretarska J, Poprzeczko M, Bazan R, Fabczak H, Joachimiak E, Wloga D. PCD Genes-From Patients to Model Organisms and Back to Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031749. [PMID: 35163666 PMCID: PMC8836003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a hereditary genetic disorder caused by the lack of motile cilia or the assembxly of dysfunctional ones. This rare human disease affects 1 out of 10,000-20,000 individuals and is caused by mutations in at least 50 genes. The past twenty years brought significant progress in the identification of PCD-causative genes and in our understanding of the connections between causative mutations and ciliary defects observed in affected individuals. These scientific advances have been achieved, among others, due to the extensive motile cilia-related research conducted using several model organisms, ranging from protists to mammals. These are unicellular organisms such as the green alga Chlamydomonas, the parasitic protist Trypanosoma, and free-living ciliates, Tetrahymena and Paramecium, the invertebrate Schmidtea, and vertebrates such as zebrafish, Xenopus, and mouse. Establishing such evolutionarily distant experimental models with different levels of cell or body complexity was possible because both basic motile cilia ultrastructure and protein composition are highly conserved throughout evolution. Here, we characterize model organisms commonly used to study PCD-related genes, highlight their pros and cons, and summarize experimental data collected using these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Niziolek
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Marta Bicka
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, 1 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Osinka
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Zuzanna Samsel
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Justyna Sekretarska
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Martyna Poprzeczko
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory of Immunology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafal Bazan
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Hanna Fabczak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
| | - Ewa Joachimiak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (D.W.); Tel.: +48-22-58-92-338 (E.J. & D.W.)
| | - Dorota Wloga
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.N.); (M.B.); (A.O.); (Z.S.); (J.S.); (M.P.); (R.B.); (H.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (D.W.); Tel.: +48-22-58-92-338 (E.J. & D.W.)
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30
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Ma A, Zeb A, Ali I, Zhao D, Khan A, Zhang B, Zhou J, Khan R, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Khan I, Shah W, Ali H, Javed AR, Ma H, Shi Q. Biallelic Variants in CFAP61 Cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Flagella and Male Infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:803818. [PMID: 35174165 PMCID: PMC8841411 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.803818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) can lead to male infertility due to impaired sperm motility and morphology. Calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex (CSC) are known for their roles in radial spoke (RS) assembly and ciliary motility in Chlamydomonas, while the role of cilia- and flagella-associated protein 61 (CFAP61), a mammalian ortholog of the CSC subunits, in humans is yet unknown. Here, we recruited three unrelated Pakistani families comprising of 11 infertile male patients diagnosed with MMAF. CFAP61 variants, c.451_452del (p.I151Nfs*4) in family 1 and c.847C > T (p.R283*) in family 2 and 3, were identified recessively co-segregating with the MMAF phenotype. Transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed severe disorganized axonemal ultrastructures, and missings of central pair, RSs, and inner dynein arms were also observed and confirmed by immunofluorescence staining in spermatozoa from patients. CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients, which suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella. Altogether, our findings report that homozygous variants in CFAP61 are associated with MMAF and male infertility, demonstrating the essential role of this gene in normal sperm flagellum structure in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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31
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Wang J, Zhang C, Tang H, Zheng A, Li H, Yang S, Xiang J. Successful Results of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection of a Chinese Patient With Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of Sperm Flagella Caused by a Novel Splicing Mutation in CFAP251. Front Genet 2022; 12:783790. [PMID: 35087568 PMCID: PMC8787216 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.783790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenospermia is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Among asthenospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF) are relatively rare idiopathic conditions characterized by multiple defects in sperm flagella. Although many studies focusing on the genetic factors of MMAF have been conducted, its pathogenesis and treatment effect remain largely unknown. Here, we report a male patient from a nonconsanguineous Chinese family who exhibited a typical MMAF phenotype revealed by morphological analysis. We identified splicing mutations in CFAP251 (c.1192-3C>G), and the mutation was proven to cause exon skipping. In addition, western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis of the spermatozoa from the proband and a control subject revealed a significantly lower expression of CFAP251 protein due to pathogenic mutation. Interestingly, the patient’s mother was a heterozygous carrier for the mutation, but his father was not, and finally, the inheritance pattern was proven to be maternal uniparental disomy. We applied an intracytoplasmic sperm injection and achieved a successful pregnancy. Above all, our findings expand the spectrum of CFAP251 pathogenic mutations and provide more indications for clinical genetic counseling and assisted reproductive treatment for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiong Wang
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ce Zhang
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Tang
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Aiyan Zheng
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shenmin Yang
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Xiang
- The Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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32
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Liu S, Zhang J, Kherraf ZE, Sun S, Zhang X, Cazin C, Coutton C, Zouari R, Zhao S, Hu F, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Liu M. CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in human and mouse. Development 2021; 148:273455. [PMID: 34792097 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the structure or motility of cilia and flagella may lead to severe diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a multisystemic disorder with heterogeneous manifestations affecting primarily respiratory and reproductive functions. We report that CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia. We find that a CFAP61 splice variant, c.143+5G>A, causes exon skipping/intron retention in human, inducing a multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) phenotype. We generated Cfap61 knockout mice that recapitulate the infertility phenotype of the human CFAP61 mutation, but without other symptoms usually observed in PCD. We find that CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head. During early stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters, and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted. This study reveals an organ-specific mechanism of axoneme stabilization that is related to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zine Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Shuya Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Fan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | | | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
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33
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Bi-allelic variants in human WDR63 cause male infertility via abnormal inner dynein arms assembly. Cell Discov 2021; 7:110. [PMID: 34782613 PMCID: PMC8593051 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inner dynein arm (IDA), composed of a series of protein complex, is necessary to cilia and flagella bend formation and beating. Previous studies indicated that defects of IDA protein complex result in multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum (MMAF) and male infertility. However, the genetic causes and molecular mechanisms in the IDAs need further exploration. Here we identified two loss-of-function variants of WDR63 in both MMAF and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) affected cohorts. WDR63 encodes an IDA-associated protein that is dominantly expressed in testis. We next generated Wdr63-knockout (Wdr63-KO) mice through the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Remarkably, Wdr63-KO induced decreased sperm number, abnormal flagellar morphology and male infertility. In addition, transmission electron microscopy assay showed severely disorganized "9 + 2" axoneme and absent inner dynein arms in the spermatozoa from Wdr63-KO male mice. Mechanistically, we found that WDR63 interacted with WDR78 mainly via WD40-repeat domain and is necessary for IDA assembly. Furthermore, WDR63-associated male infertility in human and mice could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that bi-allelic variants of WDR63 cause male infertility via abnormal inner dynein arms assembly and flagella formation and can be used as a genetic diagnostic indicator for infertility males.
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Ferreux L, Bourdon M, Chargui A, Schmitt A, Stouvenel L, Lorès P, Ray P, Lousqui J, Pocate-Cheriet K, Santulli P, Dulioust E, Toure A, Patrat C. Genetic diagnosis, sperm phenotype and ICSI outcome in case of severe asthenozoospermia with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2848-2860. [PMID: 34529793 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are ICSI outcomes impaired in cases of severe asthenozoospermia with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum (MMAF phenotype)? SUMMARY ANSWER Despite occasional technical difficulties, ICSI outcomes for couples with MMAF do not differ from those of other couples requiring ICSI, irrespective of the genetic defect. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Severe asthenozoospermia, especially when associated with the MMAF phenotype, results in male infertility. Recent findings have confirmed that a genetic aetiology is frequently responsible for this phenotype. In such situations, pregnancies can be achieved using ICSI. However, few studies to date have provided detailed analyses regarding the flagellar ultrastructural defects underlying this phenotype, its genetic aetiologies, and the results of ICSI in such cases of male infertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We performed a retrospective study of 25 infertile men exhibiting severe asthenozoospermia associated with the MMAF phenotype identified through standard semen analysis. They were recruited at an academic centre for assisted reproduction in Paris (France) between 2009 and 2017. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed in order to determine the sperm ultrastructural phenotype and the causal mutations, respectively. Finally 20 couples with MMAF were treated by assisted reproductive technologies based on ICSI. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Patients with MMAF were recruited based on reduced sperm progressive motility and increased frequencies of absent, short, coiled or irregular flagella compared with those in sperm from fertile control men. A quantitative analysis of the several ultrastructural defects was performed for the MMAF patients and for fertile men. The ICSI results obtained for 20 couples with MMAF were compared to those of 378 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia but no MMAF as an ICSI control group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE TEM analysis and categorisation of the flagellar anomalies found in these patients provided important information regarding the structural defects underlying asthenozoospermia and sperm tail abnormalities. In particular, the absence of the central pair of axonemal microtubules was the predominant anomaly observed more frequently than in control sperm (P < 0.01). Exome sequencing, performed for 24 of the 25 patients, identified homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic mutations in CFAP43, CFAP44, CFAP69, DNAH1, DNAH8, AK7, TTC29 and MAATS1 in 13 patients (54.2%) (11 affecting MMAF genes and 2 affecting primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)-associated genes). A total of 40 ICSI cycles were undertaken for 20 MMAF couples, including 13 cycles (for 5 couples) where a hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test was required due to absolute asthenozoospermia. The fertilisation rate was not statistically different between the MMAF (65.7%) and the non-MMAF (66.0%) couples and it did not differ according to the genotype or the flagellar phenotype of the subjects or use of the HOS test. The clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer did not differ significantly between the MMAF (23.3%) and the non-MMAF (37.1%) groups. To date, 7 of the 20 MMAF couples have achieved a live birth from the ICSI attempts, with 11 babies born without any birth defects. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The ICSI procedure outcomes were assessed retrospectively on a small number of affected subjects and should be confirmed on a larger cohort. Moreover, TEM analysis could not be performed for all patients due to low sperm concentrations, and WES results are not yet available for all of the included men. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS An early and extensive phenotypic and genetic investigation should be considered for all men requiring ICSI for severe asthenozoospermia. Although our study did not reveal any adverse ICSI outcomes associated with MMAF, we cannot rule out that some rare genetic causes could result in low fertilisation or pregnancy rates. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was used for this study and there are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Ferreux
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Bourdon
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique II et de Médecine de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Chargui
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Alain Schmitt
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, U1016, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Stouvenel
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, U1016, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Lorès
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, U1016, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'avancée des Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Johanna Lousqui
- APHP.nord-Université de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Khaled Pocate-Cheriet
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Pietro Santulli
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique II et de Médecine de la Reproduction, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Dulioust
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, U1016, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Aminata Toure
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'avancée des Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Catherine Patrat
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Centre-Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, U1016, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
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Fan X, Moustakas I, Torrens-Juaneda V, Lei Q, Hamer G, Louwe LA, Pilgram GSK, Szuhai K, Matorras R, Eguizabal C, van der Westerlaken L, Mei H, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM. Transcriptional progression during meiotic prophase I reveals sex-specific features and X chromosome dynamics in human fetal female germline. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009773. [PMID: 34499650 PMCID: PMC8428764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During gametogenesis in mammals, meiosis ensures the production of haploid gametes. The timing and length of meiosis to produce female and male gametes differ considerably. In contrast to males, meiotic prophase I in females initiates during development. Hence, the knowledge regarding progression through meiotic prophase I is mainly focused on human male spermatogenesis and female oocyte maturation during adulthood. Therefore, it remains unclear how the different stages of meiotic prophase I between human oogenesis and spermatogenesis compare. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomics data from human fetal germ cells (FGC) allowed us to identify the molecular signatures of female meiotic prophase I stages leptotene, zygotene, pachytene and diplotene. We have compared those between male and female germ cells in similar stages of meiotic prophase I and revealed conserved and specific features between sexes. We identified not only key players involved in the process of meiosis, but also highlighted the molecular components that could be responsible for changes in cellular morphology that occur during this developmental period, when the female FGC acquire their typical (sex-specific) oocyte shape as well as sex-differences in the regulation of DNA methylation. Analysis of X-linked expression between sexes during meiotic prophase I suggested a transient X-linked enrichment during female pachytene, that contrasts with the meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in males. Our study of the events that take place during meiotic prophase I provide a better understanding not only of female meiosis during development, but also highlights biomarkers that can be used to study infertility and offers insights in germline sex dimorphism in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Fan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Torrens-Juaneda
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Qijing Lei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Leoni A. Louwe
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonneke S. K. Pilgram
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Matorras
- IVIRMA, IVI Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain; Human Reproduction Unit, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basque Country University, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cristina Eguizabal
- Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues, Galdakao, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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36
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Oud MS, Houston BJ, Volozonoka L, Mastrorosa FK, Holt GS, Alobaidi BKS, deVries PF, Astuti G, Ramos L, Mclachlan RI, O’Bryan MK, Veltman JA, Chemes HE, Sheth H. Exome sequencing reveals variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2597-2611. [PMID: 34089056 PMCID: PMC8373475 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 10 out of 21 patients (48%) and variants in novel candidate genes in seven additional patients (33%). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum that do not affect viability. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 22 genes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We performed exome sequencing in 21 patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n = 9) and one from Australia (n = 12), with clinically defined severe sperm motility disorders (motility <5%) and normal morphology values of 0-4%, were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on light and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm ultrastructural information was not available for the Australian cohort. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE In 10 of 21 patients (48%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm assembly genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), CFAP58 (1 patient), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (55% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel human candidate sperm motility genes: DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In this study, we described patients with either a homozygous or two heterozygous candidate pathogenic variants in genes linked to sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed the frequency of de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not determine the parental origin of the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations are present on both alleles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our results confirm the likely causal role of variants in six known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility disorders (10/21 diagnosed; 48%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed six novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was supported in part by funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1120356) to M.K.O.B., J.A.V. and R.I.M.L., The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (918-15-667) to J.A.V., the Royal Society and Wolfson Foundation (WM160091) to J.A.V., as well as an Investigator Award in Science from the Wellcome Trust (209451) to J.A.V. and Grants from the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 0900 and 4584) and ANPCyT (PICT 9591) to H.E.C. and a UUKi Rutherford Fund Fellowship awarded to B.J.H.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Monash, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - L Volozonoka
- Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - F K Mastrorosa
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - G S Holt
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - B K S Alobaidi
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - P F deVries
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - G Astuti
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - L Ramos
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R I Mclachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M K O’Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Monash, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - J A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - H E Chemes
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” CEDIE-CONICET-FEI, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - H Sheth
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology, Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India
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37
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Shen Q, Martinez G, Liu H, Beurois J, Wu H, Amiri-Yekta A, Liang D, Kherraf ZE, Bidart M, Cazin C, Celse T, Satre V, Thierry-Mieg N, Whitfield M, Touré A, Song B, Lv M, Li K, Liu C, Tao F, He X, Zhang F, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Cao Y, Coutton C. Bi-allelic truncating variants in CFAP206 cause male infertility in human and mouse. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1367-1377. [PMID: 34255152 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are polarized cells with a head and a flagellum joined together by the connecting piece. Flagellum integrity is critical for normal sperm function, and flagellum defects consistently lead to male infertility. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is a distinct sperm phenotype consistently leading to male infertility due to a reduced or absent sperm motility associated with severe morphological and ultrastructural flagellum defects. Despite numerous genes recently described to be recurrently associated with MMAF, more than half of the cases analyzed remain unresolved, suggesting that many yet uncharacterized gene defects account for this phenotype. By performing a retrospective exome analysis of the unsolved cases from our initial cohort of 167 infertile men with a MMAF phenotype, we identified one individual carrying a homozygous frameshift variant in CFAP206, a gene encoding a microtubule-docking adapter for radial spoke and inner dynein arm. Immunostaining experiments in the patient's sperm cells demonstrated the absence of WDR66 and RSPH1 proteins suggesting severe radial spokes and calmodulin and spoke-associated complex defects. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, we generated homozygous Cfap206 knockout (KO) mice which presented with male infertility due to functional, structural and ultrastructural sperm flagellum defects associated with a very low rate of embryo development using ICSI. Overall, we showed that CFAP206 is essential for normal sperm flagellum structure and function in human and mouse and that bi-allelic mutations in CFAP206 cause male infertility in man and mouse by inducing morphological and functional defects of the sperm flagellum that may also cause ICSI failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunshan Shen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Julie Beurois
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Amir Amiri-Yekta
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dan Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie Bidart
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,Unité Médicale de Génétique Moléculaire: Maladies Héréditaires et Oncologie, Pôle Biologie, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Tristan Celse
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Véronique Satre
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Thierry-Mieg
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UMR 5525, TIMC-IMAG/BCM, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Marjorie Whitfield
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Aminata Touré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Bing Song
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Human Sperm Bank, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Charles Coutton
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France. .,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000, Grenoble, France. .,Laboratoire de Génétique Chromosomique, Hôpital Couple-Enfant, CHU de Grenoble, 38043, Grenoble, France.
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38
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Azhar M, Altaf S, Uddin I, Cheng J, Wu L, Tong X, Qin W, Bao J. Towards Post-Meiotic Sperm Production: Genetic Insight into Human Infertility from Mouse Models. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2487-2503. [PMID: 34326689 PMCID: PMC8315030 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined quality and quantity of sperm is currently the major cause of patients suffering from infertility. Male germ cell development is spatiotemporally regulated throughout the whole developmental process. While it has been known that exogenous factors, such as environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle, et al, play causative roles in male infertility, recent progress has revealed abundant genetic mutations tightly associated with defective male germline development. In mammals, male germ cells undergo dramatic morphological change (i.e., nuclear condensation) and chromatin remodeling during post-meiotic haploid germline development, a process termed spermiogenesis; However, the molecular machinery players and functional mechanisms have yet to be identified. To date, accumulated evidence suggests that disruption in any step of haploid germline development is likely manifested as fertility issues with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, aberrant sperm morphology or combined. With the continually declined cost of next-generation sequencing and recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, growing studies have revealed a vast number of disease-causing genetic variants associated with spermiogenic defects in both mice and humans, along with mechanistic insights partially attained and validated through genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). In this review, we mainly summarize genes that are functional at post-meiotic stage. Identification and characterization of deleterious genetic variants should aid in our understanding of germline development, and thereby further improve the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Saba Altaf
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Islam Uddin
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Jinbao Cheng
- The 901th hospital of Joint logistics support Force of PLA, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
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39
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Kolmykov S, Vasiliev G, Osadchuk L, Kleschev M, Osadchuk A. Whole-Exome Sequencing Analysis of Human Semen Quality in Russian Multiethnic Population. Front Genet 2021; 12:662846. [PMID: 34178030 PMCID: PMC8232892 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.662846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The global trend toward the reduction of human spermatogenic function observed in many countries, including Russia, raised the problem of extensive screening and monitoring of male fertility and elucidation of its genetic and ethnic mechanisms. Recently, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was developed as a powerful tool for genetic analysis of complex traits. We present here the first Russian WES study for identification of new genes associated with semen quality. The experimental 3 × 2 design of the WES study was based on the analysis of 157 samples including three ethnic groups—Slavs (59), Buryats (n = 49), and Yakuts (n = 49), and two different semen quality groups—pathozoospermia (n = 95) and normospermia (n = 62). Additionally, our WES study group was negative for complete AZF microdeletions of the Y-chromosome. The normospermia group included men with normal sperm parameters in accordance with the WHO-recommended reference limit. The pathozoospermia group included men with impaired semen quality, namely, with any combined parameters of sperm concentration <15 × 106/ml, and/or progressive motility <32%, and/or normal morphology <4%. The WES was performed for all 157 samples. Subsequent calling and filtering of variants were carried out according to the GATK Best Practices recommendations. On the genotyping stage, the samples were combined into four cohorts: three sets corresponded to three ethnic groups, and the fourth set contained all the 157 whole-exome samples. Association of the obtained polymorphisms with semen quality parameters was investigated using the χ2 test. To prioritize the obtained variants associated with pathozoospermia, their effects were determined using Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor. Moreover, polymorphisms located in genes expressed in the testis were revealed based on the genomic annotation. As a result, the nine potential SNP markers rs6971091, rs557806, rs610308, rs556052, rs1289658, rs278981, rs1129172, rs12268007, and rs17228441 were selected for subsequent verification on our previously collected population sample (about 1,500 males). The selected variants located in seven genes FAM71F1, PPP1R15A, TRIM45, PRAME, RBM47, WDFY4, and FSIP2 that are expressed in the testis and play an important role in cell proliferation, meiosis, and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semyon Kolmykov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Department of Computational Biology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Gennady Vasiliev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ludmila Osadchuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maxim Kleschev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Osadchuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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40
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Jiang C, Zhang X, Zhang H, Guo J, Zhang C, Li J, Yang Y. Novel bi-allelic mutations in DNAH1 cause multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella resulting in male infertility. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1656-1664. [PMID: 33968654 PMCID: PMC8100829 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-1434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Male infertility is a major health concern and approximately 10–15% of cases are caused by genetic abnormalities. Defects in the sperm flagella are closely related to male infertility, since flagellar beating allows sperm to swim. The sperm of males afflicted with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) possess severe defects of the sperm flagella, may impair sperm motility and lead to male infertility. Currently, known genetic defects only account for MMAF in about 60% of patients and need more intensive efforts to explore the relationship between genes and MMAF. Methods The whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to analyze the genetic cause of the MMAF patient. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphology of sperm cells and to identify the ultrastructural characteristics of the flagella in the patient. The expression of DNAH1 was analyzed by sperm immunofluorescence staining. Results We identified the negative effects produced by the DNAH1 mutations c. 8170.C>T (p. R2724*) and c. 4670C>T (p. T1557M) on DNAH1 expression and the development of sperm flagella. Conclusions Our findings suggest that DNAH1 is associated with the formation of sperm flagella and homozygous loss-of-function mutations in DNAH1 can impair sperm motility and cause male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Junliang Guo
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaoliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhong Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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41
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Weng M, Sha Y, Zeng YU, Huang N, Liu W, Zhang X, Zhou H. Mutations in DNAH8 contribute to multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella and male infertility. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 53:472-480. [PMID: 33704367 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratospermia is an important cause of male infertility. Here, we report two infertile patients with severe asthenoteratospermia accompanied by new genetic abnormality. Whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis suggested that compound heterozygous mutations in DNAH8 (MIM:603337) may be responsible for multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF). Immunofluorescence assay showed that DNAH8 protein expression was significantly decreased in the sperm tail of the patients, and electron microscopy exhibited an abnormal flagellum ultrastructure, while clinical pregnancy could be achieved by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Therefore, the compound heterozygous mutations in the DNAH8 gene may be responsible for MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiang Weng
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361002, China
| | - 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 361005, China
| | - Y u Zeng
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children’s Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Ningyu Huang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Shantou Polytechnic, Shantou 515078, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510600, China
| | - Huiliang Zhou
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
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42
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Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030666. [PMID: 33802813 PMCID: PMC8002376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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43
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Chen L, Ouyang J, Li X, Xiao X, Sun W, Li S, Zhou L, Liao Y, Zhang Q. DNAH17 is essential for rat spermatogenesis and fertility. J Genet 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-021-01264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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44
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Gao Y, Tian S, Sha Y, Zha X, Cheng H, Wang A, Liu C, Lv M, Ni X, Li Q, Wu H, Tan Q, Tang D, Song B, Ding D, Cong J, Xu Y, Zhou P, Wei Z, Cao Y, Xu Y, Zhang F, He X. Novel bi-allelic variants in DNAH2 cause severe asthenoteratozoospermia with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 42:963-972. [PMID: 33771466 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is characterized by excessive immotile spermatozoa with severe flagellar abnormalities in the ejaculate. Previous studies have reported a heterogeneous genetic profile associated with MMAF. What other genetic variants might explain the cause of MMAF? DESIGN Whole-exome sequencing was conducted in a cohort of 90 Chinese patients with MMAF. The pathogenicity of identified mutations was assessed through electron microscopy and immunofluorescent examinations. RESULTS Three unrelated men with bi-allelic DNAH2 variants were identified. Sanger sequencing verified that the six novel variants originated from every parent. All these variants were located at the conserved domains of DNAH2 and predicted to be deleterious by bioinformatic tools. Haematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy revealed that spermatozoa harbouring DNAH2 variants displayed severely aberrant morphology mainly with absent and short flagella (≥78%). Moreover, transmission electron microscopy revealed the obvious absence of a central pair of microtubules and inner dynein arms in the spermatozoa with mutated DNAH2. Immunofluorescence data further validated these findings, showing reduced DNAH2 protein expression in the spermatozoa with DNAH2 variants, compared with normal spermatozoa. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection using spermatozoa from the three men with mutated DNAH2 resulted in blastocyst formation in all cases. Embryo transfer was carried out in two couples, both resulting in clinical pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS These experimental and clinical data suggest that bi-allelic DNAH2 variants might induce MMAF-associated asthenoteratozoospermia, which can be overcome through intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These findings contribute to the knowledge of the genetic landscape of asthenoteratozoospermia and clinical counselling of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Shixiong Tian
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen Fujian 361005, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Centerfor Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiaomin Zha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China; Department of clinical laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Huiru Cheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Anyong Wang
- Department of clinical laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiaoqing Ni
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qing Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Bing Song
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ding Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jiangshan Cong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of clinical laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.
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Ding X, Schimenti JC. Strategies to Identify Genetic Variants Causing Infertility. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:792-806. [PMID: 33431240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genetic causes are thought to underlie about half of infertility cases, but understanding the genetic bases has been a major challenge. Modern genomics tools allow more sophisticated exploration of genetic causes of infertility through population, family-based, and individual studies. Nevertheless, potential therapies based on genetic diagnostics will be limited until there is certainty regarding the causality of genetic variants identified in an individual. Genome modulation and editing technologies have revolutionized our ability to functionally test such variants, and also provide a potential means for clinical correction of infertility variants. This review addresses strategies being used to identify causative variants of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Bi-allelic BRWD1 variants cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia and likely primary ciliary dyskinesia. Hum Genet 2021; 140:761-773. [PMID: 33389130 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetics-associated asthenoteratozoospermia is often seen in patients with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF). Although 24 causative genes have been identified, these explain only approximately half of patients with MMAF. Since sperm flagella and motile cilia (especially respiratory cilia) have similar axonemal structures, many patients with MMAF also exhibit respiratory symptoms, such as recurrent airway infection, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis, which are frequently associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), another recessive disorder. Here, exome sequencing was conducted to evaluate the genetic cause in 53 patients with MMAF and classic PCD/PCD-like symptoms. Two homozygous missense variants and a compound-heterozygous variant in the BRWD1 gene were identified in three unrelated individuals. BRWD1 staining was detected in the whole flagella and respiratory cilia of normal controls but was absent in BRWD1-mutated individuals. Transmission electron microscopy and immunostaining demonstrated that BRWD1 deficiency in human affected respiratory cilia and sperm flagella differently, as the absence of outer and inner dynein arms in sperm flagellum and respiratory cilia, while with a decreased number and outer doublet microtubule defects of respiratory cilia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a BRWD1-variant-related disease in humans, manifesting as an autosomal recessive form of MMAF and PCD/PCD-like symptoms. Our data provide a basis for further exploring the molecular mechanism of BRWD1 gene during spermatogenesis and ciliogenesis.
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Xavier MJ, Salas-Huetos A, Oud MS, Aston KI, Veltman JA. Disease gene discovery in male infertility: past, present and future. Hum Genet 2021; 140:7-19. [PMID: 32638125 PMCID: PMC7864819 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02202-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the genes causing male infertility is important to increase our biological understanding as well as the diagnostic yield and clinical relevance of genetic testing in this disorder. While significant progress has been made in some areas, mainly in our knowledge of the genes underlying rare qualitative sperm defects, the same cannot be said for the genetics of quantitative sperm defects. Technological advances and approaches in genomics are critical for the process of disease gene identification. In this review we highlight the impact of various technological developments on male infertility gene discovery as well as functional validation, going from the past to the present and the future. In particular, we draw attention to the use of unbiased genomics approaches, the development of increasingly relevant functional assays and the importance of large-scale international collaboration to advance disease gene identification in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Xavier
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - A Salas-Huetos
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - M S Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - K I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
| | - J A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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Kumar N, Singh AK. The anatomy, movement, and functions of human sperm tail: an evolving mystery. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:508-520. [PMID: 33238303 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperms have attracted attention of many researchers since it was discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1677. Though a small cell, its every part has complex structure and different function to play in carrying life. Sperm tail is most complicated structure with more than 1000 proteins involved in its functioning. With the advent of three-dimensional microscopes, many studies are undergoing to understand exact mechanism of sperm tail movement. Most recent studies have shown that sperms move by spinning rather than swimming. Each subunit of tail, including axonemal, peri-axonemal structures, plays essential roles in sperm motility, capacitation, hyperactivation, fertilization. Furthermore, over 2300 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. A number of genetic mutations have been linked with abnormal sperm flagellar development leading to motility defects and male infertility. It was found that 6% of male infertility cases are related to genetic causes, and 4% of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male subfertility have chromosomal abnormalities. Hence, an understanding of sperm tail development and genes associated with its normal functioning can help in better diagnosis of male infertility and its management. There is still a lot that needs to be discovered about genes, proteins contributing to normal human sperm tail development, movement, and role in male fertility. Sperm tail has complex anatomy, with surrounding axoneme having 9 + 2 microtubules arrangement along its entire length and peri-axonemal structures that contribute in sperm motility and fertilization. In future sperm tail-associated genes, proteins and subunits can be used as markers of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522503, India
| | - Amit Kant Singh
- Department of Physiology, U.P. University of Medical Sciences, Etawah 206130, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Jiao SY, Yang YH, Chen SR. Molecular genetics of infertility: loss-of-function mutations in humans and corresponding knockout/mutated mice. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:154-189. [PMID: 33118031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major issue in human reproductive health, affecting an estimated 15% of couples worldwide. Infertility can result from disorders of sex development (DSD) or from reproductive endocrine disorders (REDs) with onset in infancy, early childhood or adolescence. Male infertility, accounting for roughly half of all infertility cases, generally manifests as decreased sperm count (azoospermia or oligozoospermia), attenuated sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Female infertility can be divided into several classical types, including, but not limited to, oocyte maturation arrest, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest. An estimated one half of infertility cases have a genetic component; however, most genetic causes of human infertility are currently uncharacterized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly facilitated the identification of infertility-associated gene mutations in patients over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to conduct a narrative review of the genetic causes of human infertility. Loss-of-function mutation discoveries related to human infertility are summarized and further illustrated in tables. Corresponding knockout/mutated animal models of causative genes for infertility are also introduced. SEARCH METHODS A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term 'mutation' was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: infertility, DSD, REDs, azoospermia or oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), globozoospermia, teratozoospermia, acrosome, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, zona pellucida, fertilization defects and early embryonic arrest. OUTCOMES Our search generated ∼2000 records. Overall, 350 articles were included in the final review. For genetic investigation of human infertility, the traditional candidate gene approach is proceeding slowly, whereas high-throughput sequencing technologies in larger cohorts of individuals is identifying an increasing number of causative genes linked to human infertility. This review provides a wide panel of gene mutations in several typical forms of human infertility, including DSD, REDs, male infertility (oligozoospermia, MMAF, PCD, ASS and globozoospermia) and female infertility (oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest). The causative genes, their identified mutations, mutation rate, studied population and their corresponding knockout/mutated mice of non-obstructive azoospermia, MMAF, ASS, globozoospermia, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest are further illustrated by tables. In this review, we suggest that (i) our current knowledge of infertility is largely obtained from knockout mouse models; (ii) larger cohorts of clinical cases with distinct clinical characteristics need to be recruited in future studies; (iii) the whole picture of genetic causes of human infertility relies on both the identification of more mutations for distinct types of infertility and the integration of known mutation information; (iv) knockout/mutated animal models are needed to show whether the phenotypes of genetically altered animals are consistent with findings in human infertile patients carrying a deleterious mutation of the homologous gene; and (v) the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility caused by pathogenic mutations are largely unclear in most current studies. WILDER IMPLICATIONS It is important to use our current understanding to identify avenues and priorities for future research in the field of genetic causes of infertility as well as to apply mutation knowledge to risk prediction, genetic diagnosis and potential treatment for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ya Jiao
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. The WD40-protein CFAP52/WDR16 is a centrosome/basal body protein and localizes to the manchette and the flagellum in male germ cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14240. [PMID: 32859975 PMCID: PMC7455747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of spermatozoa requires remodelling and formation of particular structures. In elongating spermatids, the transient microtubular manchette contributes to the formation of the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the sperm tail. The HTCA derives from the centrosome in that the proximal centriole inserts into the nuclear indentation and the distal centriole gives rise to the sperm flagellum. Although impairments in the formation of HTCA and sperm tail cause male infertility their molecular constituents are only partially known. The WD40-protein CFAP52 is implicated in motile cilia, but its relevance for male germ cell differentiation is not known. Here we show that CFAP52 is widespread expressed and localizes to a subset of microtubular structures. In male germ cells, CFAP52 is a component of the transient manchette and the sperm tail. However, expression of Cfap52 is not restricted to motile cilia-bearing cells. In NIH3T3 cells, CFAP52 localizes to the centrosome, the basal body, and the mitotic spindle poles, but not to the primary cilium. Our results demonstrate that CFAP52 is not restricted to motile cilia but instead most likely functions in constituting the centrosome/basal body matrix and the sperm tail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Tapia Contreras
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental Biology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental Biology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
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