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Bae JW, Hwang JM, Yoon M, Kwon WS. Bifenthrin Diminishes Male Fertility Potential by Inducing Protein Defects in Mouse Sperm. TOXICS 2024; 12:53. [PMID: 38251009 PMCID: PMC10821346 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
A synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, bifenthrin, has been commonly used as an effective exterminator, although the rise in its usage has raised concerns regarding its effects on the environment and public health, including reproduction, globally. The current study investigated the function-related molecular disparities and mechanisms in bifenthrin-exposed sperm cells and the underlying mechanism. Therefore, epididymal spermatozoa were released, and various concentrations of bifenthrin were treated (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM) to evaluate their effects on sperm. The findings showed that although bifenthrin had no effect on sperm viability, various other sperm functions (e.g., motility, spontaneous acrosome reaction, and capacitation) related to male fertility were decreased, commencing at a 1 µM treatment. Molecular studies revealed nine differentially expressed sperm proteins that were implicated in motile cilium assembly, sperm structure, and metabolic processes. Furthermore, bifenthrin affected sperm functions through abnormal diminution of the expression of specific sperm proteins. Collectively, these findings provide greater insights into how bifenthrin affects male fertility at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.B.); (J.-M.H.); (M.Y.)
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.B.); (J.-M.H.); (M.Y.)
| | - Minjung Yoon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.B.); (J.-M.H.); (M.Y.)
- Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.B.); (J.-M.H.); (M.Y.)
- Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
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2
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Mariani NAP, Silva JV, Fardilha M, Silva EJR. Advances in non-hormonal male contraception targeting sperm motility. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:545-569. [PMID: 37141450 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad008] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high rates of unintended pregnancy and the ever-growing world population impose health, economic, social, and environmental threats to countries. Expanding contraceptive options, including male methods, are urgently needed to tackle these global challenges. Male contraception is limited to condoms and vasectomy, which are unsuitable for many couples. Thus, novel male contraceptive methods may reduce unintended pregnancies, meet the contraceptive needs of couples, and foster gender equality in carrying the contraceptive burden. In this regard, the spermatozoon emerges as a source of druggable targets for on-demand, non-hormonal male contraception based on disrupting sperm motility or fertilization. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A better understanding of the molecules governing sperm motility can lead to innovative approaches toward safe and effective male contraceptives. This review discusses cutting-edge knowledge on sperm-specific targets for male contraception, focusing on those with crucial roles in sperm motility. We also highlight challenges and opportunities in male contraceptive drug development targeting spermatozoa. SEARCH METHODS We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database using the following keywords: 'spermatozoa', 'sperm motility', 'male contraception', and 'drug targets' in combination with other related terms to the field. Publications until January 2023 written in English were considered. OUTCOMES Efforts for developing non-hormonal strategies for male contraception resulted in the identification of candidates specifically expressed or enriched in spermatozoa, including enzymes (PP1γ2, GAPDHS, and sAC), ion channels (CatSper and KSper), transmembrane transporters (sNHE, SLC26A8, and ATP1A4), and surface proteins (EPPIN). These targets are usually located in the sperm flagellum. Their indispensable roles in sperm motility and male fertility were confirmed by genetic or immunological approaches using animal models and gene mutations associated with male infertility due to sperm defects in humans. Their druggability was demonstrated by the identification of drug-like small organic ligands displaying spermiostatic activity in preclinical trials. WIDER IMPLICATIONS A wide range of sperm-associated proteins has arisen as key regulators of sperm motility, providing compelling druggable candidates for male contraception. Nevertheless, no pharmacological agent has reached clinical developmental stages. One reason is the slow progress in translating the preclinical and drug discovery findings into a drug-like candidate adequate for clinical development. Thus, intense collaboration among academia, private sectors, governments, and regulatory agencies will be crucial to combine expertise for the development of male contraceptives targeting sperm function by (i) improving target structural characterization and the design of highly selective ligands, (ii) conducting long-term preclinical safety, efficacy, and reversibility evaluation, and (iii) establishing rigorous guidelines and endpoints for clinical trials and regulatory evaluation, thus allowing their testing in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemia A P Mariani
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Joana V Silva
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Erick J R Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
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3
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Protein Mimicry and the Design of Bioactive Cell-Penetrating Peptides: The Genesis of STOPSPERM Bioportides. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766298 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The mature spermatozoon, a highly differentiated cell equipped for the sole purpose of fertilization, lacks the protein machinery required for conventional endocytotic mechanisms. Perhaps contrary to expectation, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) rapidly translocate across the unique sperm plasma membrane to accrete within distinct intracellular compartments. Confocal microscopy, employing red-fluorescent CPPs and bioportides, is a convenient platform to study this membrane translocation process. In the virtual absence of genetic expression, rapid physiological responses of human sperm are dependent upon protein-protein interactions that may be regulated by posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation. This chapter provides an outline of the design of bioactive CPPs, or bioportides, which include protein-mimetic sequences from the interaction domains of sperm proteins. Protocols are included which enable the biological assessment of the impact of bioportides upon the viability and motility of spermatozoa.
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Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ. In Stallion Spermatozoa, Superoxide Dismutase (Cu-Zn) (SOD1) and the Aldo-Keto-Reductase Family 1 Member b (AKR1B1) Are the Proteins Most Significantly Reduced by Cryopreservation. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2435-2446. [PMID: 33656888 PMCID: PMC8562871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although cryopreservation is widely used in animal breeding, the technique is still suboptimal. The population of spermatozoa surviving the procedure experiences changes attributed to alteration in their redox regulation. In order to expand our knowledge regarding this particular aspect, the proteome in fresh and frozen thawed aliquots of equine spermatozoa was studied to identify the proteins most severely affected by the procedure. If alteration of redox regulation is a major factor explaining cryodamage, proteins participating in redox regulation should be principally affected. Using a split sample design, 30 ejaculates from 10 different stallions were analyzed as fresh spermatozoa, and another aliquot from the same ejaculate was analyzed as a frozen thawed sample. The proteome was studied under both conditions using UHPLC-MS/MS and bioinformatic analysis conducted to identify discriminant variables between both conditions. Data are available through the ProteomeXchange Consortium with identifier PXD022236. The proteins most significantly reduced were Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B (p = 2.2 × 10-17) and Superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn) (p = 4.7 × 10-14). This is the first time that SOD1 has been identified as a discriminating variable using bioinformatic analysis, where it was one of the most highly significantly different proteins seen between fresh and frozen thawed semen. This finding strongly supports the theory that alteration in redox regulation and oxidative stress is a major factor involved in cryodamage and suggests that control of redox regulation should be a major target to improve current cryopreservation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E. Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M. Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Antonio Silva-Rodríguez
- Facility of Innovation and Analysis in Animal Source
Foodstuffs, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Maria C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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5
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Khan IM, Cao Z, Liu H, Khan A, Rahman SU, Khan MZ, Sathanawongs A, Zhang Y. Impact of Cryopreservation on Spermatozoa Freeze-Thawed Traits and Relevance OMICS to Assess Sperm Cryo-Tolerance in Farm Animals. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:609180. [PMID: 33718466 PMCID: PMC7947673 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.609180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is a powerful tool for the livestock breeding program. Several technical attempts have been made to enhance the efficiency of spermatozoa cryopreservation in different farm animal species. However, it is well-recognized that mammalian spermatozoa are susceptible to cryo-injury caused by cryopreservation processes. Moreover, the factors leading to cryo-injuries are complicated, and the cryo-damage mechanism has not been methodically explained until now, which directly influences the quality of frozen–thawed spermatozoa. Currently, the various OMICS technologies in sperm cryo-biology have been conducted, particularly proteomics and transcriptomics studies. It has contributed while exploring the molecular alterations caused by cryopreservation, identification of various freezability markers and specific proteins that could be added to semen diluents before cryopreservation to improve sperm cryo-survival. Therefore, understanding the cryo-injury mechanism of spermatozoa is essential for the optimization of current cryopreservation processes. Recently, the application of newly-emerged proteomics and transcriptomics technologies to study the effects of cryopreservation on sperm is becoming a hotspot. This review detailed an updated overview of OMICS elements involved in sperm cryo-tolerance and freeze-thawed quality. While also detailed a mechanism of sperm cryo-injury and utilizing OMICS technology that assesses the sperm freezability potential biomarkers as well as the accurate classification between the excellent and poor freezer breeding candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrar Muhammad Khan
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zubing Cao
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Adnan Khan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sajid Ur Rahman
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Beijing Engineering Technology Research Center of Raw Milk Quality and Safety Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Anucha Sathanawongs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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6
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Silva JV, Freitas MJ, Santiago J, Jones S, Guimarães S, Vijayaraghavan S, Publicover S, Colombo G, Howl J, Fardilha M. Disruption of protein phosphatase 1 complexes with the use of bioportides as a novel approach to target sperm motility. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:348-362. [PMID: 32977940 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To design protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)-disrupting peptides covalently coupled to inert cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) as sychnologically organized bioportide constructs as a strategy to modulate sperm motility. DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING Academic research laboratory. PATIENT(S)/ANIMAL(S) Normozoospermic men providing samples for routine analysis and Holstein Frisian bulls. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Effect of the bioportides on the activity and interactions of PP1γ2-a PP1 isoform expressed exclusively in testicular germ cells and sperm-and on sperm vitality and motility. RESULT(S) PP1-disrupting peptides were designed based on the sequences from: 1) a sperm-specific PP1 interactor (A kinase anchor protein 4); and 2) a PP1 inhibitor (protein phosphatase inhibitor 2). Those sequences were covalently coupled to inert CPPs as bioportide constructs, which were successfully delivered to the flagellum of sperm cells to induce a marked impact on PP1γ2 activity and sperm motility. Molecular modeling studies further facilitated the identification of an optimized PP1-binding sequence and enabled the development of a modified stop-sperm bioportide with reduced size and increased potency of action. In addition, a bioportide mimetic of the unique 22-amino acid C-terminus of PP1γ2 accumulated within spermatozoa to significantly reduce sperm motility and further define the PP1γ2-specific interactome. CONCLUSION(S) These investigations demonstrate the utility of CPPs to deliver peptide sequences that target unique protein-protein interactions in spermatozoa to achieve a significant impact upon spermatozoa motility, a key prognostic indicator of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vieira Silva
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Freitas
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; present address: Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation and Proteomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Santiago
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sarah Jones
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Guimarães
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; present address: Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Steven Publicover
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta," Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
| | - John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
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7
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Freitas MJ, Silva JV, Brothag C, Regadas-Correia B, Fardilha M, Vijayaraghavan S. Isoform-specific GSK3A activity is negatively correlated with human sperm motility. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:171-183. [PMID: 30824926 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In mouse and bovine sperm, GSK3 activity is inversely proportional to motility. Targeted disruption of the GSK3A gene in testis results in normal spermatogenesis, but mature sperm present a reduced motility, rendering male mice infertile. On the other hand, GSK3B testis-specific KO is fertile. Yet in human sperm, an isoform-specific correlation between GSK3A and sperm motility was never established. In order to analyze GSK3 function in human sperm motility, normospermic and asthenozoospermic samples from adult males were used to correlate GSK3 expression and activity levels with human sperm motility profiles. Moreover, testicular and sperm GSK3 interactomes were identified using a yeast two-hybrid screen and coimmunoprecipitation, respectively. An extensive in-silico analysis of the GSK3 interactome was performed. The results proved that inhibited GSK3A (serine phosphorylated) presents a significant strong positive correlation (r = 0.822, P = 0.023) with the percentage of progressive human sperm, whereas inhibited GSK3B is not significantly correlated with sperm motility (r = 0.577, P = 0.175). The importance of GSK3 in human sperm motility was further reinforced by in-silico analysis of the GSK3 interactome, which revealed a high level of involvement of GSK3 interactors in sperm motility-related functions. The limitation of techniques used for GSK3 interactome identification can be a drawback, since none completely mimics the physiological environment. Our findings prove that human sperm motility relies on isoform-specific functions of GSK3A within this cell. Given the reported relevance of GSK3 protein-protein interactions in sperm motility, we hypothesized that they stand as potential targets for male contraceptive strategies based on sperm motility modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Freitas
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, Institute for Research in Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - J V Silva
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, Institute for Research in Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Reproductive Genetics & Embryo-fetal Development Group, Institute for Innovation and Health Research (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Brothag
- Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - B Regadas-Correia
- CNC.IBILI-Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBIT-Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department Quantitative Methods and Information and Management Systems, Coimbra Business School, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Fardilha
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, Institute for Research in Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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8
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First Insights on the Presence of the Unfolded Protein Response in Human Spermatozoa. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215518. [PMID: 31694346 PMCID: PMC6861958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is involved in protein quality control and is activated in response to several stressors. Although in testis the UPR mechanisms are well described, their presence in spermatozoa is contentious. We aimed to investigate the presence of UPR-related proteins in human sperm and the impact of oxidative stress induction in UPR activation. To identify UPR-related proteins in human sperm, a bioinformatic approach was adopted. To explore the activation of UPR, sperm were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and motility, vitality, and the levels of UPR-related proteins were assessed. We identified 97 UPR-related proteins in human sperm and showed, for the first time, the presence of HSF1, GADD34, and phosphorylated eIF2α. Additionally, the exposure of human sperm to H2O2 resulted in a significant decrease in sperm viability and motility and an increase in the levels of HSF1, HSP90, HSP60, HSP27, and eIF2α; all proteins involved in sensing and response to unfolded proteins. This study gave us a first insight into the presence of UPR mechanisms in the male gamete. However, the belief that sperm are devoid of transcription and translation highlight the need to clarify if these pathways are activated in sperm in the same way as in somatic cells.
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9
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Itoh K, Kondoh G, Miyachi H, Sugai M, Kaneko Y, Kitano S, Watanabe H, Maeda R, Imura A, Liu Y, Ito C, Itohara S, Toshimori K, Fujita J. Dephosphorylation of protamine 2 at serine 56 is crucial for murine sperm maturation in vivo. Sci Signal 2019; 12:12/574/eaao7232. [PMID: 30914484 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aao7232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The posttranslational modification of histones is crucial in spermatogenesis, as in other tissues; however, during spermiogenesis, histones are replaced with protamines, which are critical for the tight packaging of the DNA in sperm cells. Protamines are also posttranslationally modified by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, which prompted our investigation of the underlying mechanisms and biological consequences of their regulation. On the basis of a screen that implicated the heat shock protein Hspa4l in spermatogenesis, we generated mice deficient in Hspa4l (Hspa4l-null mice), which showed male infertility and the malformation of sperm heads. These phenotypes are similar to those of Ppp1cc-deficient mice, and we found that the amount of a testis- and sperm-specific isoform of the Ppp1cc phosphatase (Ppp1cc2) in the chromatin-binding fraction was substantially less in Hspa4l-null spermatozoa than that in those of wild-type mice. We further showed that Ppp1cc2 was a substrate of the chaperones Hsc70 and Hsp70 and that Hspa4l enhanced the release of Ppp1cc2 from these complexes, enabling the freed Ppp1cc2 to localize to chromatin. Pull-down and in vitro phosphatase assays suggested the dephosphorylation of protamine 2 at serine 56 (Prm2 Ser56) by Ppp1cc2. To confirm the biological importance of Prm2 Ser56 dephosphorylation, we mutated Ser56 to alanine in Prm2 (Prm2 S56A). Introduction of this mutation to Hspa4l-null mice (Hspa4l -/-; Prm2 S56A/S56A) restored the malformation of sperm heads and the infertility of Hspa4l -/- mice. The dephosphorylation signal to eliminate phosphate was crucial, and these results unveiled the mechanism and biological relevance of the dephosphorylation of Prm2 for sperm maturation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Itoh
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. .,Division of Medical Equipment Management, Department of Patient Safety, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Gen Kondoh
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Miyachi
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Manabu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Unit of Biochemistry and Bioinformative Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.,Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kaneko
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Satsuki Kitano
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hitomi Watanabe
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ryota Maeda
- Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiro Imura
- Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Chizuru Ito
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shigeyoshi Itohara
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.,Future Medical Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Jun Fujita
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,Department of Radiation Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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