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Sánchez-Jasso DE, López-Guzmán SF, Bermúdez-Cruz RM, Oviedo N. Novel Aspects of cAMP-Response Element Modulator (CREM) Role in Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12558. [PMID: 37628737 PMCID: PMC10454534 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612558] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a very complex process with an intricate transcriptional regulation. The transition from the diploid to the haploid state requires the involvement of specialized genes in meiosis, among other specific functions for the formation of the spermatozoon. The transcription factor cAMP-response element modulator (CREM) is a key modulator that triggers the differentiation of the germ cell into the spermatozoon through the modification of gene expression. CREM has multiple repressor and activator isoforms whose expression is tissue-cell-type specific and tightly regulated by various factors at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational level. The activator isoform CREMτ controls the expression of several relevant genes in post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In addition, exposure to xenobiotics negatively affects CREMτ expression, which is linked to male infertility. On the other hand, antioxidants could have a positive effect on CREMτ expression and improve sperm parameters in idiopathically infertile men. Therefore, CREM expression could be used as a biomarker to detect and even counteract male infertility. This review examines the importance of CREM as a transcription factor for sperm production and its relevance in male fertility, infertility and the response to environmental xenobiotics that may affect CREMτ expression and the downstream regulation that alters male fertility. Also, some health disorders in which CREM expression is altered are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Eduardo Sánchez-Jasso
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Sergio Federico López-Guzmán
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Rosa Maria Bermúdez-Cruz
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Norma Oviedo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Immunología e Infectología, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City 02990, Mexico
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Zhang X, Peng J, Wu M, Sun A, Wu X, Zheng J, Shi W, Gao G. Broad phosphorylation mediated by testis-specific serine/threonine kinases contributes to spermiogenesis and male fertility. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2629. [PMID: 37149634 PMCID: PMC10164148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies elucidate a link between testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) and male infertility in mammals, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify a TSSK homolog in Drosophila, CG14305 (termed dTSSK), whose mutation impairs the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis and causes multiple phenotypic defects in nuclear shaping, DNA condensation, and flagellar organization in spermatids. Genetic analysis demonstrates that kinase catalytic activity of dTSSK, which is functionally conserved with human TSSKs, is essential for male fertility. Phosphoproteomics identify 828 phosphopeptides/449 proteins as potential substrates of dTSSK enriched primarily in microtubule-based processes, flagellar organization and mobility, and spermatid differentiation and development, suggesting that dTSSK phosphorylates various proteins to orchestrate postmeiotic spermiogenesis. Among them, the two substrates, protamine-like protein Mst77F/Ser9 and transition protein Mst33A/Ser237, are biochemically validated to be phosphorylated by dTSSK in vitro, and are genetically demonstrated to be involved in spermiogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that broad phosphorylation mediated by TSSKs plays an indispensable role in spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedi Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghua Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Angyang Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangfei Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanjun Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Wen Y, Wu Q, Zhang L, He J, Chen Y, Yang X, Zhang K, Niu X, Li S. Association of Intrauterine Microbes with Endometrial Factors in Intrauterine Adhesion Formation and after Medicine Treatment. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070784. [PMID: 35890029 PMCID: PMC9322781 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070784] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) have caused serious harm to women’s reproductive health. Although emerging evidence has linked intrauterine microbiome to gynecological diseases, the association of intrauterine microbiome with IUA, remains unknown. We performed metagenome-wide association, metabolomics, and transcriptomics studies on IUA and non-IUA uteri of adult rats to identify IUA-associated microbial species, which affected uterine metabolites and endometrial transcriptions. A rat model was used with one side of the duplex uterus undergoing IUA and the other remaining as a non-IUA control. Both 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenome-wide association analysis revealed that instead of Mycoplasmopsis specie in genital tract, murine lung pathogen Mycoplasmopsispulmonis markedly increased in IUA samples and displayed a distinct positive interaction with the host immune system. Moreover, most of the IUA-enriched 58 metabolites positively correlate with M.pulmonis, which inversely correlates with a mitotic progression inhibitor named 3-hydroxycapric acid. A comparison of metabolic profiles of intrauterine flushing fluids from human patients with IUA, endometritis, and fallopian tube obstruction suggested that rat IUA shared much similarity to human IUA. The endometrial gene Tenascin-N, which is responsible for extracellular matrix of wounds, was highly up-regulated, while the key genes encoding parvalbumin, trophectoderm Dkkl1 and telomerase involved in leydig cells, trophectoderm cells, activated T cells and monocytes were dramatically down-regulated in rat IUA endometria. Treatment for rat IUA with estrogen (E2), oxytetracycline (OTC), and a traditional Chinese patent medicine GongXueNing (GXN) did not reduce the incidence of IUA, though inflammatory factor IL-6 was dramatically down-regulated (96–86%) with all three. Instead, in both the E2 and OTC treated groups, IUA became worse with a highly up-regulated B cell receptor signaling pathway, which may be associated with the significantly increased proportions of Ulvibacter or Staphylococcus. Our results suggest an association between intrauterine microbiota alterations, certain uterine metabolites, characteristic changes in endometrial transcription, and IUA and the possibility to intervene in IUA formation by targeting the causal factors, microbial infection, and Tenascin-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Qunfu Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
| | - Longlong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
| | - Jiangbo He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
- Kunming Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Yonghong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650034, China
| | - Keqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
| | - Xuemei Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.W.); (Q.W.); (L.Z.); (J.H.); (Y.C.); (X.Y.); (K.Z.)
- Correspondence: (X.N.); (S.L.)
| | - Shenghong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Correspondence: (X.N.); (S.L.)
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4
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Wang X, Pei J, Xiong L, Guo S, Cao M, Kang Y, Bao P, Wu X, Chu M, Liang C, Yan P, Guo X. Identification of the TSSK4 Alternative Spliceosomes and Analysis of the Function of the TSSK4 Protein in Yak (Bos grunniens). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111380. [PMID: 35681843 PMCID: PMC9179852 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the testis-specific serine/threonine kinase (TSSK) is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. TSSK4 belongs to the family of the testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase (TSSK), with a crucial role in spermatogenesis. This study aimed to analyze the variable spliceosome of the TSSK4 gene in the yak for understanding the regulatory function of the TSSK4 spliceosome in yak testis development using PCR amplification and cloning techniques. The GST pull-down was used for pulling down the protein interacting with TSSK4, and then the protein interacting with TSSK4 was identified using LC–MS/MS. The results of the PCR amplification demonstrated multiple bands of the TSSK4 gene in the yak. The cloning and sequencing yielded a total of six alternative spliceosomes, which included only two alternative spliceosomes before sexual maturity and four alternative spliceosomes after sexual maturity. The sub-cells of the alternative spliceosomes were found to localize in the nucleus before sexual maturity and in the cytoplasm after sexual maturity. The LC–MS/MS analysis of the alternative spliceosome with the highest expression after sexual maturity yielded a total of 223 interacting proteins. The enrichment analysis of the 223 interacting proteins revealed these proteins participate in biological processes, cell composition, and molecular functions. The KEGG analysis indicated that the TSSK4-interacting protein participates in the estrogen signaling pathways, tight junctions, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing, and other signaling pathways. This study cloned the six alternative spliceosomes of the TSSK4 gene laying the foundation for studying the function of each spliceosome in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Mengli Cao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Yandong Kang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Pengjia Bao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Chunnian Liang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Ping Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1899-3037-854
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Yu R, Chen X, Zhu X, He B, Lu C, Liu Y, Xu X, Wu X. ATF6 deficiency damages the development of spermatogenesis in male Atf6 knockout mice. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14350. [PMID: 34904262 DOI: 10.1111/and.14350] [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: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), also known as ACHM7, ATF6A, encodes a transcription factor that activates target genes for the unfolded protein response (UPR) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It functions as nuclear transcription factor via a cis-acting ER stress response element (ERSE) that is presented in the promoters of genes encoding ER chaperones. Studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) can cause damage to spermatozoa and testes, leading to male sterility. And we find that the expression of ATF6 in spermatozoa of some infertile patients is significantly reduced. Then, we construct the Atf6 knockout mice model and interestingly find a decline in male fertility. The downstream gene testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 (Tssk4) is screened based on transcriptome sequencing. We use Western blot and real-time PCR to confirm this result in both 293T cells and Atf6 knockout mice. TSSK4 is essential in male germ cell genesis and sperm maturation. Our results suggest that the expression of TSSK4 may be regulated by ATF6. The effect of Atf6 knockout on the reproductive development of male mice may be related to the low expression of TSSK4, which further verify that there may be some relationship between ERS and male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xihua Chen
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xilin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bin He
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Lu
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangbo Xu
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaopan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Salicioni AM, Gervasi MG, Sosnik J, Tourzani DA, Nayyab S, Caraballo DA, Visconti PE. Testis-specific serine kinase protein family in male fertility and as targets for non-hormonal male contraception†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:264-274. [PMID: 32337545 PMCID: PMC7401350 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Male contraception is a very active area of research. Several hormonal agents have entered clinical trials, while potential non-hormonal targets have been brought to light more recently and are at earlier stages of development. The general strategy is to target genes along the molecular pathways of sperm production, maturation, or function, and it is predicted that these novel approaches will hopefully lead to more selective male contraceptive compounds with a decreased side effect burden. Protein kinases are known to play a major role in signaling events associated with sperm differentiation and function. In this review, we focus our analysis on the testis-specific serine kinase (TSSK) protein family. We have previously shown that members of the family of TSSKs are postmeiotically expressed in male germ cells and in mature mammalian sperm. The restricted postmeiotic expression of TSSKs as well as the importance of phosphorylation in signaling processes strongly suggests that TSSKs have an important role in germ cell differentiation and/or sperm function. This prediction has been supported by the reported sterile phenotype of the Tssk6 knockout (KO) mice and of the double Tssk1 and Tssk2 KO mice and by the male subfertile phenotype observed in a Tssk4 KO mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
| | - Julian Sosnik
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Saman Nayyab
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Diego A Caraballo
- IFIBYNE-CONICET, Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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7
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Sohail S, Tariq K, Zheng W, Ali MW, Peng W, Raza MF, Zhang H. RNAi-Mediated Knockdown of Tssk1 and Tektin1 Genes Impair Male Fertility in Bactrocera dorsalis. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10060164. [PMID: 31185651 PMCID: PMC6627857 DOI: 10.3390/insects10060164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The genetic-based sterile insect technique (SIT) is an effective and environmentally safe strategy to diminish populations of agricultural and horticultural insect pests. Functional characterization of genes related to male fertility can enhance the genetic-based SIT. Tssk1 has been involved to control male fertility in both mammals and insects. Moreover, Tektin1 has also been revealed to influence male fertility in both human and mammals. These findings suggested that Tssk1 and Tektin1 identified from Bactrocera dorsalis could be required for male fertility in B. dorsalis. In this study, expression profiles of these two genes were studied at different developmental stages and in various tissues of adult males. Remarkably, it was found that Tssk1 and Tektin1 were highly expressed in the testis of mature adult males of B. dorsalis. Furthermore, Tssk1 and Tektin1 genes were downregulated by using the RNA interference (RNAi) method. Fertility assays including egg laying, hatching, and spermatozoa count were also performed to investigate male fertility of B. dorsalis. Results showed that knockdown of Tssk1 and Tektin1 caused male sterility up to 58.99% and 64.49%, respectively. As expected, the total numbers of spermatozoa were also significantly reduced by 65.83% and 73.9%, respectively. These results suggested that male sterility was happened wing to the low number of spermatozoa. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Tssk1 and Tektin1 are the novel agents that could be used to enhance the genetic-based SIT, or their double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can be used as biopesticides to control the population of B. dorsalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Summar Sohail
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Kaleem Tariq
- Department of Agriculture, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23200, Pakistan.
| | - Weiwei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Muhammad Waqar Ali
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Wei Peng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Muhammad Fahim Raza
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, China-Australia Joint Research Centre for Horticultural and Urban Pests, Institute of Urban and Horticultural Entomology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
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Shetty J, Sinville R, Shumilin IA, Minor W, Zhang J, Hawkinson JE, Georg GI, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. Recombinant production of enzymatically active male contraceptive drug target hTSSK2 - Localization of the TSKS domain phosphorylated by TSSK2. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 121:88-96. [PMID: 26777341 PMCID: PMC4866589 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 2 (TSSK2) has been proposed as a candidate male contraceptive target. Development of a selective inhibitor for this kinase first necessitates the production of highly purified, soluble human TSSK2 and its substrate, TSKS, with high yields and retention of biological activity for crystallography and compound screening. Strategies to produce full-length, soluble, biologically active hTSSK2 in baculovirus expression systems were tested and refined. Soluble preparations of TSSK2 were purified by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) followed by gel filtration chromatography. The biological activities of rec.hTSSK2 were verified by in vitro kinase and mobility shift assays using bacterially produced hTSKS (isoform 2), casein, glycogen synthase peptide (GS peptide) and various TSKS peptides as target substrates. Purified recombinant hTSSK2 showed robust kinase activity in the in vitro kinase assay by phosphorylating hTSKS isoform 2 and casein. The ATP Km values were similar for highly and partially purified fractions of hTSSK2 (2.2 and 2.7 μM, respectively). The broad spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine was a potent inhibitor of rec.hTSSK2 (IC50 = 20 nM). In vitro phosphorylation experiments carried out with TSKS (isoform 1) fragments revealed particularly strong phosphorylation of a recombinant N-terminal region representing aa 1-150 of TSKS, indicating that the N-terminus of human TSKS is phosphorylated by human TSSK2. Production of full-length enzymatically active recombinant TSSK2 kinase represents the achievement of a key benchmark for future discovery of TSSK inhibitors as male contraceptive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagathpala Shetty
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rondedrick Sinville
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Igor A Shumilin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jianhai Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Jon E Hawkinson
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charles J Flickinger
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John C Herr
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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9
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Li HH, Kong LF, Yu R, Yu H, Li Q. Characterization, expression, and functional analysis of testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 1 (Tssk1) in the pen shellAtrina pectinata. INVERTEBR REPROD DEV 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2016.1161667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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10
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Fu G, Wei Y, Wang X, Yu L. Phosphorylated testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 4 may phosphorylate Crem at Ser-117. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2016; 80:1088-94. [PMID: 26940607 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2016.1146067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the internal existence status of testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 4 (Tssk4) and the interaction of Tssk4 and Cre-responsive element modulator (Crem). The internal existence status of Tssk4 in testis of mice was detected using western blotting and dephosphorylation method. The interaction of Tssk4 and Crem was analyzed by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, in vitro co-immunoprecipitation assays, and in vitro kinase assay. The results revealed that Tssk4 existed in testis both in phosphorylation and unphosphorylation status by a temporal manner with the development of testis. Immunofluorescence results showed that Tssk4 had identical distribution pattern with Crem in testis, which was utterly different to the localization of Cre-responsive element binding (Creb). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that phosphorylated Tssk4 might participate in testis genes expressions by phosphorylating Crem at Ser-117.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guolong Fu
- a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Genetics , Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Youheng Wei
- a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Genetics , Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- b Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan , P.R. China
| | - Long Yu
- a State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Genetics , Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
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11
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Wang XL, Wei YH, Fu GL, Yu L. Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) leads to cell apoptosis relying on its kinase activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 35:235-240. [PMID: 25877358 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-015-1417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) belongs to the TSSK family, and its members play an important role in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Mouse TSSK4 has been reported to be expressed exclusively in the testis and can maintain its kinase activity through autophosphorylation at Thr-197. However, its biological function remains poorly understood. Here we found that GFP-TSSK4-overexpressed HeLa cells showed apoptotic bodies, indicating TSSK4 can lead to apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, TSSK4 induced apoptosis in different cell lines including HeLa, Cos-7 and H1299 tested by flow cytometry but not its kinase-dead mutant TSSK4-K54M. TSSK4 knockout mice showed increased testes weight and decreased apoptotic spermatogonia and spermatocytes at 21st day after birth tested by TUNEL technology. So TSSK4 was able to induce cell apoptosis in vitro depending on its kinase activity, which leads to abnormal testes weight and apoptosis, shedding light on its function in the process of spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - You-Heng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Guo-Long Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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12
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Wang X, Wei Y, Fu G, Li H, Saiyin H, Lin G, Wang Z, Chen S, Yu L. Tssk4 is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of sperm flagellum. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 21:136-45. [PMID: 25361759 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tssk4 belongs to the Testis Specific Serine/threonine protein Kinase (TSSK) family, members of which play an important role in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Several Tssk family proteins have extensively been studied. However, the exact function of Tssk4 remains unclear. A Tssk4 knockout mouse model was generated and the males were subfertile due to seriously decreased sperm motility. The ultrastructure of the Tssk4(-/-)sperm tail is disorganized at the midpiece-principal piece junction, leading to a severe bend in the sperm flagellum. One or more axonemal microtubule doublets are absent and the midpiece is fused with the principal piece. Furthermore, we identified the association between Tssk4 and Odf2, a prominent cytoskeletal protein of the outer dense fiber (ODF) in sperm flagellum. Tssk4 can change the phosphorylation state of Odf2 and conversely Odf2 potentiates the autophosphorylation activity of Tssk4. These findings reveal that Tssk4 is required for maintaining the structural integrity of sperm flagellum and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Youheng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Guolong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Haitao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Hexige Saiyin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Gang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- Shanghai Research Center for Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
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Baker MA, Aitken RJ. Proteomic insights into spermatozoa: critiques, comments and concerns. Expert Rev Proteomics 2014; 6:691-705. [DOI: 10.1586/epr.09.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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14
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Cloning and expression of Tssk1 & Tssk2 in mice and the presence & localization of them in mature sperm. Zool Res 2013; 33:381-8. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1141.2012.04381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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15
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Testis specific serine/threonine kinase 4 (Tssk4) maintains its kinase activity by phosphorylating itself at Thr-197. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 40:439-47. [PMID: 23054012 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase family (Tssk) members play important roles in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Similar to other Tssk family members, Tssk4 protein shows exclusive expression in testis, but its biochemical and biological functions are still largely unknown. In present work, we generate a polyclonal antibody which specifically recognizes Tssk4 but not the other three Tssk family members (Tssk1, Tssk2 and Tssk3). By using the qualified antibody, we show that Tssk4 protein is constantly expressed in testis from haploid round spermatids to morphological mature spermatozoa. Further experiments reveal that Tssk4 has autophosphorylation activity and self-association character in vitro. Importantly, we find that autophosphorylation of Tssk4 at Thr-197 in the T-loop region is essential to its kinase activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that autophosphorylation at Thr-197 plays a critical role in maintaining Tssk4 kinase activity, which might be involved in spermiogenesis.
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Li Y, Sosnik J, Brassard L, Reese M, Spiridonov NA, Bates TC, Johnson GR, Anguita J, Visconti PE, Salicioni AM. Expression and localization of five members of the testis-specific serine kinase (Tssk) family in mouse and human sperm and testis. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:42-56. [PMID: 20729278 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (Tssk) family may have a role in sperm differentiation in the testis and/or fertilization. To gain insight into the functional relevance of these kinases, their expression was examined both at the mRNA and protein levels. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that all five Tssk mRNAs are almost exclusively expressed postmeiotically in the testis. Recombinant mouse and human Tssks were cloned and used for validation of an array of commercial and custom-made antibodies against Tssks. Immunolocalization in mouse testis, and in mouse and human sperm, showed that Tssk1, Tssk2, Tssk4 and Tssk6, but not Tssk3, were present in mouse sperm and in germ cells from mouse testis. TSSK1, TSSK2 and TSSK6 were also detected in human sperm, while TSSK3 was absent. In both mouse and human sperm, Tssk1 was partially soluble, while Tssk2, Tssk4 and Tssk6 were insoluble in non-ionic detergents. In vitro recombinant TSSK2 activity assays showed maximum enzymatic activity at 5 mM Mg(2+) and a Km for ATP of ∼10 µM. These, observations together with findings that the Tssk1/Tssk2 double knock-out as well as the Tssk6 null mice are sterile without presenting other detectable defects, suggest that these kinases could be used as targets for male contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Li
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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17
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Shang P, Baarends WM, Hoogerbrugge J, Ooms MP, van Cappellen WA, de Jong AAW, Dohle GR, van Eenennaam H, Gossen JA, Grootegoed JA. Functional transformation of the chromatoid body in mouse spermatids requires testis-specific serine/threonine kinases. J Cell Sci 2010; 123:331-9. [PMID: 20053632 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.059949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic chromatoid body (CB) organizes mRNA metabolism and small regulatory RNA pathways, in relation to haploid gene expression, in mammalian round spermatids. However, little is known about functions and fate of the CB at later steps of spermatogenesis, when elongating spermatids undergo chromatin compaction and transcriptional silencing. In mouse elongating spermatids, we detected accumulation of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinases TSSK1 and TSSK2, and the substrate TSKS, in a ring-shaped structure around the base of the flagellum and in a cytoplasmic satellite, both corresponding to structures described to originate from the CB. At later steps of spermatid differentiation, the ring is found at the caudal end of the newly formed mitochondrial sheath. Targeted deletion of the tandemly arranged genes Tssk1 and Tssk2 in mouse resulted in male infertility, with loss of the CB-derived ring structure, and with elongating spermatids possessing a collapsed mitochondrial sheath. These results reveal TSSK1- and TSSK2-dependent functions of a transformed CB in post-meiotic cytodifferentiation of spermatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Shang
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Su D, Zhang W, Yang Y, Zhang H, Liu YQ, Bai G, Ma YX, Peng Y, Zhang SZ. c.822+126T>G/C: a novel triallelic polymorphism of the TSSK6 gene associated with spermatogenic impairment in a Chinese population. Asian J Androl 2009; 12:234-9. [PMID: 20037600 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2009.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
TSSK6 is a member of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinase family. Male Tssk6 knockout mice are infertile owing to spermatogenic impairment, including sperm count reduction, a decrease in motile sperm number and motility rates, and an increase in the number of sperms with abnormal morphology. We investigated the possible association between variations of the TSSK6 gene and spermatogenic impairment in humans. Mutation screening of TSSK6 was carried out in 519 patients with azoospermia (n = 273) or severe oligozoospermia (n = 246) and in 359 controls with normozoospermia by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of gene polymorphism were compared between patients and controls. A novel triallelic polymorphism in TSSK6, c.822+126T>G/C, was identified. The frequencies of genotype TT and allele T were increased dramatically in infertile patients compared with controls, whereas genotype TG, allele G and allele C frequencies were significantly higher in controls than in patients. Further study revealed that the allele C frequency of controls was remarkably higher than that of patients with oligospermia. Our findings, for the first time, suggested an association of c.822+126T>G/C in TSSK6 with spermatogenic impairment in humans in which allele T may be a risk factor for male infertility, while alleles C and G may decrease susceptibility to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Su
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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19
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Zhang L, Yan Y, Liu Z, Abliz Z, Liu G. Identification of peptide substrate and small molecule inhibitors of testis-specific serine/threonine kinase1 (TSSK1) by the developed assays. J Med Chem 2009; 52:4419-28. [PMID: 19530700 DOI: 10.1021/jm9002846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, a peptide substrate (Pep8) of TSSK1 is identified. Using Pep8 as a substrate, two homogeneous and efficient assays for TSSK1 inhibitors screening have been developed, including luminescent kinase assay and LC-MS-based high-throughput assay. Two classes of compounds were identified that are able to efficiently inhibit phosphorylation catalyzed by TSSK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Zhang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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20
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Zeng M, Deng W, Wang X, Qiu W, Liu Y, Sun H, Tao D, Zhang S, Ma Y. DAZL binds to the transcripts of several Tssk genes in germ cells. BMB Rep 2008; 41:300-4. [PMID: 18452650 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2008.41.4.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Dazl gene encodes a germ-cell-specific RNA-binding protein which is essential for spermatogenesis. It has been proposed that this protein (DAZL) binds to RNA in the cytoplasm of germ cells and controls spermatogenesis. Using the specific nucleic acids associated with proteins (SNAAP) technique, we identified 17 target mRNAs bound by mDAZL. Among these transcripts, we focused on TSSK2, which encodes a testis-specific serine/threonine kinase. To date, five TSSK family members have been cloned, and all are exclusively expressed in the testis. We demonstrated that in addition to the TSSK1 3'UTR , the 3'UTRs of TSSKs 2 and 4 were bound by human and mouse DAZL, and that human DAZL (hDAZL) bound to the 3'UTR of human TSSK5 (hTSSK5). Our results suggest that the Dazl gene may play different roles in human and mouse spermatogenesis by regulating different members of the downstream gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zeng
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
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21
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Targeted deletion of Tssk1 and 2 causes male infertility due to haploinsufficiency. Dev Biol 2008; 319:211-22. [PMID: 18533145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2007] [Revised: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 03/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Targeted deletion of Tssk1 and 2 resulted in male chimeras which produced sperm/spermatogenic cells bearing the mutant allele, however this allele was never transmitted to offspring, indicating infertility due to haploinsufficiency. Morphological defects in chimeras included failure to form elongated spermatids, apoptosis of spermatocytes and spermatids, and the appearance of numerous round cells in the epididymal lumen. Characterization of TSSK2 and its interactions with the substrate, TSKS, were further investigated in human and mouse. The presence of both kinase and substrate in the testis was confirmed, while persistence of both proteins in spermatozoa was revealed for the first time. In vivo binding interactions between TSSK2 and TSKS were established through co-immunoprecipitation of TSSK2/TSKS complexes from both human sperm and mouse testis extracts. A role for the human TSKS N-terminus in enzyme binding was defined by deletion mapping. TSKS immunoprecipitated from both mouse testis and human sperm extracts was actively phosphorylated. Ser281 was identified as a phosphorylation site in mouse TSKS. These results confirm both TSSK 2 and TSKS persist in sperm, define the critical role of TSKS' N-terminus in enzyme interaction, identify Ser 281 as a TSKS phosphorylation site and indicate an indispensable role for TSSK 1 and 2 in spermiogenesis.
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Zhang Z, Shen X, Jones BH, Xu B, Herr JC, Strauss JF. Phosphorylation of mouse sperm axoneme central apparatus protein SPAG16L by a testis-specific kinase, TSSK2. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:75-83. [PMID: 18367677 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.066308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian protein SPAG16L, the ortholog of Chlamydomonas Pf20, is an axoneme central apparatus protein necessary for flagellar motility. The SPAG16L protein sequence contains multiple potential phosphorylation sites, and the protein was confirmed to be phosphorylated in vivo. A yeast two-hybrid screen identified the testis-specific kinase, TSSK2, to be a potential SPAG16L binding partner. SPAG16L and TSSK2 interactions were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of both proteins from testis extracts and cell lysates expressing these proteins, and their colocalization was also noted by confocal microscopy in Chinese hamster ovary cells, where they were coexpressed. TSSK2 associates with SPAG16L via its C-terminal domain bearing WD repeats. The N-terminal domain containing a coiled coil motif does not associate with TSSK2. SPAG16L can be phosphorylated by TSSK2 in vitro. Finally, TSSK2 is absent or markedly reduced from the testes in most of the SPAG16L-null mice. These data support the conclusion that SPAG16L is a TSSK2 substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA.
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Sacher F, Möller C, Bone W, Gottwald U, Fritsch M. The expression of the testis-specific Dyrk4 kinase is highly restricted to step 8 spermatids but is not required for male fertility in mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2007; 267:80-8. [PMID: 17292540 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2006] [Revised: 11/30/2006] [Accepted: 12/28/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Members of the dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylated and regulated kinase family (Dyrk) were shown to have a highly testis-abundant or testis-restricted expression pattern. Furthermore, for some members of the family an involvement in gene expression regulation by phosphorylating transcription factors has been shown. Since little is known about the complex regulation of germ cell differentiation in spermatogenesis, we analysed the possible involvement of Dyrk kinases in this process. ISH experiments showed specific distribution of Dyrk kinases mainly in postmeiotic germ cell. We identified Dyrk4 as a testis-specific kinase with a very restricted expression to stage VIII postmeiotic spermatids. In vitro and in vivo experiments proved the enzymatic activity and suggested the cytoplasmatic localisation of Dyrk4. Finally, analysis of a Dyrk4 deficient mouse line showed that Dyrk4 is dispensable for male fertility, hence suggesting a functional redundancy of some Dyrk isoforms during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sacher
- Corporate Research Business Area Gynecology and Andrology, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany
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