1
|
Menon DU, Chakraborty P, Murcia N, Magnuson T. ARID1A governs the silencing of sex-linked transcription during male meiosis in the mouse. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.25.542290. [PMID: 37292940 PMCID: PMC10245947 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present evidence implicating the BAF (BRG1/BRM Associated Factor) chromatin remodeler in meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). By immunofluorescence (IF), the putative BAF DNA binding subunit, ARID1A (AT-rich Interaction Domain 1a), appeared enriched on the male sex chromosomes during diplonema of meiosis I. Those germ cells showing a Cre-induced loss of ARID1A were arrested in pachynema and failed to repress sex-linked genes, indicating a defective MSCI. Consistent with this defect, mutant sex chromosomes displayed an abnormal presence of elongating RNA polymerase II coupled with an overall increase in chromatin accessibility detectable by ATAC-seq. By investigating potential mechanisms underlying these anomalies, we identified a role for ARID1A in promoting the preferential enrichment of the histone variant, H3.3, on the sex chromosomes, a known hallmark of MSCI. Without ARID1A, the sex chromosomes appeared depleted of H3.3 at levels resembling autosomes. Higher resolution analyses by CUT&RUN revealed shifts in sex-linked H3.3 associations from discrete intergenic sites and broader gene-body domains to promoters in response to the loss of ARID1A. Several sex-linked sites displayed ectopic H3.3 occupancy that did not co-localize with DMC1 (DNA Meiotic Recombinase 1). This observation suggests a requirement for ARID1A in DMC1 localization to the asynapsed sex chromatids. We conclude that ARID1A-directed H3.3 localization influences meiotic sex chromosome gene regulation and DNA repair.
Collapse
|
2
|
Kitamura Y, Namekawa SH. Epigenetic priming in the male germline. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102190. [PMID: 38608568 PMCID: PMC11162906 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic priming presets chromatin states that allow the rapid induction of gene expression programs in response to differentiation cues. In the germline, it provides the blueprint for sexually dimorphic unidirectional differentiation. In this review, we focus on epigenetic priming in the mammalian male germline and discuss how cellular memories are regulated and inherited to the next generation. During spermatogenesis, epigenetic priming predetermines cellular memories that ensure the lifelong maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells and their subsequent commitment to meiosis and to the production of haploid sperm. The paternal chromatin state is also essential for the recovery of totipotency after fertilization and contributes to paternal epigenetic inheritance. Thus, epigenetic priming establishes stable but reversible chromatin states during spermatogenesis and enables epigenetic inheritance and reprogramming in the next generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kitamura
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baquero J, Tang XH, Ferrotta A, Zhang T, DiKun KM, Gudas LJ. The transcription factor BMI1 increases hypoxic signaling in oral cavity epithelia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167161. [PMID: 38599260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167161] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The tongue epithelium is maintained by a proliferative basal layer. This layer contains long-lived stem cells (SCs), which produce progeny cells that move up to the surface as they differentiate. B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI1), a protein in mammalian Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and a biomarker of oral squamous cell carcinoma, is expressed in almost all basal epithelial SCs of the tongue, and single, Bmi1-labelled SCs give rise to cells in all epithelial layers. We previously developed a transgenic mouse model (KrTB) containing a doxycycline- (dox) controlled, Tet-responsive element system to selectively overexpress Bmi1 in the tongue basal epithelial SCs. Here, we used this model to assess BMI1 actions in tongue epithelia. Genome-wide transcriptomics revealed increased levels of transcripts involved in the cellular response to hypoxia in Bmi1-overexpressing (KrTB+DOX) oral epithelia even though these mice were not subjected to hypoxia conditions. Ectopic Bmi1 expression in tongue epithelia increased the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α) and HIF1α targets linked to metabolic reprogramming during hypoxia. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to demonstrate that Bmi1 associates with the promoters of HIF1A and HIF1A-activator RELA (p65) in tongue epithelia. We also detected increased SC proliferation and oxidative stress in Bmi1-overexpressing tongue epithelia. Finally, using a human oral keratinocyte line (OKF6-TERT1R), we showed that ectopic BMI1 overexpression decreases the oxygen consumption rate while increasing the extracellular acidification rate, indicative of elevated glycolysis. Thus, our data demonstrate that high BMI1 expression drives hypoxic signaling, including metabolic reprogramming, in normal oral cavity epithelia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Baquero
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiao-Han Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Annalisa Ferrotta
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Weill Cornell Genomics Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Krysta M DiKun
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorraine J Gudas
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Han C. Gene expression programs in mammalian spermatogenesis. Development 2024; 151:dev202033. [PMID: 38691389 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis, probably the most complex of all cellular developmental processes, is an ideal model both for studying the specific mechanism of gametogenesis and for understanding the basic rules governing all developmental processes, as it entails both cell type-specific and housekeeping molecular processes. Spermatogenesis can be viewed as a mission with many tasks to accomplish, and its success is genetically programmed and ensured by the collaboration of a large number of genes. Here, I present an overview of mammalian spermatogenesis and the mechanisms underlying each step in the process, covering the cellular and molecular activities that occur at each developmental stage and emphasizing their gene regulation in light of recent studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, 100101 Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie H, Kong X, Song X, Guo X, Li Z, Fan C, Zhai B, Yang X, Wang Y. Roles of histone post-translational modifications in meiosis†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:648-659. [PMID: 38224305 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination, play vital roles in various chromatin-based cellular processes. Meiosis is crucial for organisms that depend on sexual reproduction to produce haploid gametes, during which chromatin undergoes intricate conformational changes. An increasing body of evidence is clarifying the essential roles of histone post-translational modifications during meiotic divisions. In this review, we concentrate on the post-translational modifications of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, as well as the linker histone H1, that are required for meiosis, and summarize recent progress in understanding how these modifications influence diverse meiotic events. Finally, challenges and exciting open questions for future research in this field are discussed. Summary Sentence Diverse histone post-translational modifications exert important effects on the meiotic cell cycle and these "histone codes" in meiosis might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against reproductive diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Nie
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xueyu Kong
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhanyu Li
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Cunxian Fan
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Binyuan Zhai
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gao J, Qin Y, Schimenti JC. Gene regulation during meiosis. Trends Genet 2024; 40:326-336. [PMID: 38177041 PMCID: PMC11003842 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is essential for gamete production in all sexually reproducing organisms. It entails two successive cell divisions without DNA replication, producing haploid cells from diploid ones. This process involves complex morphological and molecular differentiation that varies across species and between sexes. Specialized genomic events like meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation are tightly regulated, including preparation for post-meiotic development. Research in model organisms, notably yeast, has shed light on the genetic and molecular aspects of meiosis and its regulation. Although mammalian meiosis research faces challenges, particularly in replicating gametogenesis in vitro, advances in genetic and genomic technologies are providing mechanistic insights. Here we review the genetics and molecular biology of meiotic gene expression control, focusing on mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Gao
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiwen Qin
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alavattam KG, Esparza JM, Hu M, Shimada R, Kohrs AR, Abe H, Munakata Y, Otsuka K, Yoshimura S, Kitamura Y, Yeh YH, Hu YC, Kim J, Andreassen PR, Ishiguro KI, Namekawa SH. ATF7IP2/MCAF2 directs H3K9 methylation and meiotic gene regulation in the male germline. Genes Dev 2024; 38:115-130. [PMID: 38383062 PMCID: PMC10982687 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351569.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) plays emerging roles in gene regulation, beyond its accumulation on pericentric constitutive heterochromatin. It remains a mystery why and how H3K9me3 undergoes dynamic regulation in male meiosis. Here, we identify a novel, critical regulator of H3K9 methylation and spermatogenic heterochromatin organization: the germline-specific protein ATF7IP2 (MCAF2). We show that in male meiosis, ATF7IP2 amasses on autosomal and X-pericentric heterochromatin, spreads through the entirety of the sex chromosomes, and accumulates on thousands of autosomal promoters and retrotransposon loci. On the sex chromosomes, which undergo meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), the DNA damage response pathway recruits ATF7IP2 to X-pericentric heterochromatin, where it facilitates the recruitment of SETDB1, a histone methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K9me3. In the absence of ATF7IP2, male germ cells are arrested in meiotic prophase I. Analyses of ATF7IP2-deficient meiosis reveal the protein's essential roles in the maintenance of MSCI, suppression of retrotransposons, and global up-regulation of autosomal genes. We propose that ATF7IP2 is a downstream effector of the DDR pathway in meiosis that coordinates the organization of heterochromatin and gene regulation through the spatial regulation of SETDB1-mediated H3K9me3 deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris G Alavattam
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Jasmine M Esparza
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Mengwen Hu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Anna R Kohrs
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | - Hironori Abe
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Kai Otsuka
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Saori Yoshimura
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yuka Kitamura
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
| | - Jihye Kim
- Laboratory of Chromosome Dynamics, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan;
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hu M, Yeh YH, Maezawa S, Nakagawa T, Yoshida S, Namekawa S. PRC1 directs PRC2-H3K27me3 deposition to shield adult spermatogonial stem cells from differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2306-2322. [PMID: 38142439 PMCID: PMC10954450 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells functionality reside in the slow-cycling and heterogeneous undifferentiated spermatogonia cell population. This pool of cells supports lifelong fertility in adult males by balancing self-renewal and differentiation to produce haploid gametes. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning long-term stemness of undifferentiated spermatogonia during adulthood remain unclear. Here, we discover that an epigenetic regulator, Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), shields adult undifferentiated spermatogonia from differentiation, maintains slow cycling, and directs commitment to differentiation during steady-state spermatogenesis in adults. We show that PRC2-mediated H3K27me3 is an epigenetic hallmark of adult undifferentiated spermatogonia. Indeed, spermatogonial differentiation is accompanied by a global loss of H3K27me3. Disruption of PRC1 impairs global H3K27me3 deposition, leading to precocious spermatogonial differentiation. Therefore, PRC1 directs PRC2-H3K27me3 deposition to maintain the self-renewing state of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Importantly, in contrast to its role in other tissue stem cells, PRC1 negatively regulates the cell cycle to maintain slow cycling of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Our findings have implications for how epigenetic regulators can be tuned to regulate the stem cell potential, cell cycle and differentiation to ensure lifelong fertility in adult males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 281-8510, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakagawa
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Course for Basic Biology, The Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Course for Basic Biology, The Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sun H, Zhang H. Lysine Methylation-Dependent Proteolysis by the Malignant Brain Tumor (MBT) Domain Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2248. [PMID: 38396925 PMCID: PMC10889763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysine methylation is a major post-translational protein modification that occurs in both histones and non-histone proteins. Emerging studies show that the methylated lysine residues in non-histone proteins provide a proteolytic signal for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. The SET7 (SETD7) methyltransferase specifically transfers a methyl group from S-Adenosyl methionine to a specific lysine residue located in a methylation degron motif of a protein substrate to mark the methylated protein for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. LSD1 (Kdm1a) serves as a demethylase to dynamically remove the methyl group from the modified protein. The methylated lysine residue is specifically recognized by L3MBTL3, a methyl-lysine reader that contains the malignant brain tumor domain, to target the methylated proteins for proteolysis by the CRL4DCAF5 ubiquitin ligase complex. The methylated lysine residues are also recognized by PHF20L1 to protect the methylated proteins from proteolysis. The lysine methylation-mediated proteolysis regulates embryonic development, maintains pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells and other stem cells such as neural stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells, and controls other biological processes. Dysregulation of the lysine methylation-dependent proteolysis is associated with various diseases, including cancers. Characterization of lysine methylation should reveal novel insights into how development and related diseases are regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, P.O. Box 454003, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4003, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Säflund M, Özata DM. The MYBL1/TCFL5 transcription network: two collaborative factors with central role in male meiosis. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:2163-2172. [PMID: 38015556 PMCID: PMC10754281 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231007] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Male gametogenesis, spermatogenesis, is a stepwise developmental process to generate mature sperm. The most intricate process of spermatogenesis is meiosis during which two successive cell divisions ensue with dramatic cellular and molecular changes to produce haploid cells. After entry into meiosis, several forms of regulatory events control the orderly progression of meiosis and the timely entry into post-meiotic sperm differentiation. Among other mechanisms, changes to gene expression are controlled by key transcription factors. In this review, we will discuss the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying meiotic entry, meiotic progression, and post-meiotic differentiation with a particular emphasis on the MYBL1/TCFL5 regulatory architecture and how this architecture involves in various forms of transcription network motifs to regulate gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Säflund
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Deniz M. Özata
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kitamura Y, Takahashi K, Maezawa S, Munakata Y, Sakashita A, Kaplan N, Namekawa SH. CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin predetermines the gene expression program in the male germline. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569508. [PMID: 38076840 PMCID: PMC10705413 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a unidirectional differentiation process that generates haploid sperm, but how the gene expression program that directs this process is established is largely unknown. Here we determine the high-resolution 3D chromatin architecture of male germ cells during spermatogenesis and show that CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin predetermines the gene expression program required for spermatogenesis. In undifferentiated spermatogonia, CTCF-mediated chromatin contacts on autosomes pre-establish meiosis-specific super-enhancers (SE). These meiotic SE recruit the master transcription factor A-MYB in meiotic spermatocytes, which strengthens their 3D contacts and instructs a burst of meiotic gene expression. We also find that at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition, the germline-specific Polycomb protein SCML2 resolves chromatin loops that are specific to mitotic spermatogonia. Moreover, SCML2 and A-MYB establish the unique 3D chromatin organization of sex chromosomes during meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. We propose that CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin organization enforces epigenetic priming that directs unidirectional differentiation, thereby determining the cellular identity of the male germline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kitamura
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, 281-8510, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582 Japan
| | - Noam Kaplan
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cheng J, Li T, Zheng Z, Zhang X, Cao M, Tang W, Hong K, Zheng R, Shao J, Zhao X, Jiang H, Xu W, Lin H. Loss of histone reader Phf7 leads to immune pathways activation via endogenous retroviruses during spermiogenesis. iScience 2023; 26:108030. [PMID: 37920670 PMCID: PMC10618686 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108030] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies have elucidated the critical roles of Phf7 in germline development in animals; however, the exact etiology of Phf7 mutations leading to male infertility and the possibility of mechanism-based therapy are still unclear and warrant further investigation. Using the Phf7 knockout mouse model, we verified that genetic defects were responsible for male infertility by preventing histone-to-protamine exchange, as previously reported. The deficiency of spermatogenesis caused by Phf7 deletion through the endogenous retrovirus-mediated activation of the immune pathway is a common mechanism of infertility. Furthermore, we identified PPARα as a promising target of immunity and inflammation in the testis, where endogenous retroviruses are suppressed, and Phf7 as a crucial regulator of endogenous retrovirus-mediated immune regulation and revealed its role as an epigenetic reader. The loss of Phf7 activates immune pathways, which can be rescued by the PPARα agonist astaxanthin. These results showed that astaxanthin is a potential therapeutic agent for treating male infertility. The findings in our study provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility and suggest potential targets for future research and therapeutic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Cheng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhongjie Zheng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mengyang Cao
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhao Tang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jichun Shao
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yang H, Wang Y, Zhang Y. Characterization of H3K9me3 and DNA methylation co-marked CpG-rich regions during mouse development. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:663. [PMID: 37924034 PMCID: PMC10623782 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09758-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND H3K9me3 and DNA methylation co-marked CpG-rich regions (CHMs) are functionally important in mouse pre-implantation embryos, but their characteristics in other biological processes are still largely unknown. RESULTS In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis to characterize CHMs during 6 mouse developmental processes, identifying over 2,600 CHMs exhibiting stable co-mark of H3K9me3 and DNA methylation patterns at CpG-rich regions. We revealed the distinctive features of CHMs, including elevated H3K9me3 signals and a significant presence in euchromatin and the potential role in silencing younger long terminal repeats (LTRs), especially in some ERVK subfamilies. The results highlight the distinct nature of universal CHMs compared to CpG-rich nonCHMs in terms of location, LTR enrichment, and DNA sequence features, enhancing our understanding of CpG-rich regions' regulatory roles. CONCLUSIONS This study characterizes the features of CHMs in multiple developmental processes and broadens our understanding of the regulatory roles of CpG-rich regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yiman Wang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Boston AM, Dwead AM, Al-Mathkour MM, Khazaw K, Zou J, Zhang Q, Wang G, Cinar B. Discordant interactions between YAP1 and polycomb group protein SCML2 determine cell fate. iScience 2023; 26:107964. [PMID: 37810219 PMCID: PMC10558808 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb group protein SCML2 and the transcriptional cofactor YAP1 regulate diverse cellular biology, including stem cell maintenance, developmental processes, and gene regulation in mammals and flies. However, their molecular and functional interactions are unknown. Here, we show that SCML2 interacts with YAP1, as revealed by immunological assays and mass spectroscopy. We have demonstrated that the steroid hormone androgen regulates the interaction of SCML2 with YAP1 in human tumor cell models. Our proximity ligation assay and GST pulldown showed that SCML2 and YAP1 physically interacted with each other. Silencing SCML2 by RNAi changed the growth behaviors of cells in response to androgen signaling. Mechanistically, this phenomenon is attributed to the interplay between distinct chromatin modifications and transcriptional programs, likely coordinated by the opposing SCML2 and YAP1 activity. These findings suggest that YAP1 and SCML2 cooperate to regulate cell growth, cell survival, and tumor biology downstream of steroid hormones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ava M Boston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abdulrahman M Dwead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marwah M Al-Mathkour
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kezhan Khazaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jin Zou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Guangdi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Bekir Cinar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Alavattam KG, Esparza JM, Hu M, Shimada R, Kohrs AR, Abe H, Munakata Y, Otsuka K, Yoshimura S, Kitamura Y, Yeh YH, Hu YC, Kim J, Andreassen PR, Ishiguro KI, Namekawa SH. ATF7IP2/MCAF2 directs H3K9 methylation and meiotic gene regulation in the male germline. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.30.560314. [PMID: 37873266 PMCID: PMC10592865 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.30.560314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
H3K9 tri-methylation (H3K9me3) plays emerging roles in gene regulation, beyond its accumulation on pericentric constitutive heterochromatin. It remains a mystery why and how H3K9me3 undergoes dynamic regulation in male meiosis. Here, we identify a novel, critical regulator of H3K9 methylation and spermatogenic heterochromatin organization: the germline-specific protein ATF7IP2 (MCAF2). We show that, in male meiosis, ATF7IP2 amasses on autosomal and X pericentric heterochromatin, spreads through the entirety of the sex chromosomes, and accumulates on thousands of autosomal promoters and retrotransposon loci. On the sex chromosomes, which undergo meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), the DNA damage response pathway recruits ATF7IP2 to X pericentric heterochromatin, where it facilitates the recruitment of SETDB1, a histone methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K9me3. In the absence of ATF7IP2, male germ cells are arrested in meiotic prophase I. Analyses of ATF7IP2-deficient meiosis reveal the protein's essential roles in the maintenance of MSCI, suppression of retrotransposons, and global upregulation of autosomal genes. We propose that ATF7IP2 is a downstream effector of the DDR pathway in meiosis that coordinates the organization of heterochromatin and gene regulation through the spatial regulation of SETDB1-mediated H3K9me3 deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris G. Alavattam
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jasmine M. Esparza
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Mengwen Hu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Anna R. Kohrs
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | - Hironori Abe
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Kai Otsuka
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Saori Yoshimura
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yuka Kitamura
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
| | - Jihye Kim
- Laboratory of Chromosome Dynamics, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1, Yayoi, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Paul R. Andreassen
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
| | - Kei-ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 49229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hadziselimovic F, Verkauskas G, Stadler MB. Epigenetics, cryptorchidism, and infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2023; 33:24. [PMID: 37730534 PMCID: PMC10512650 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-023-00199-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptorchid boys with defective mini-puberty and impaired differentiation of Ad spermatogonia (high infertility risk) have altered expression of several genes encoding histone methyltransferases compared to patients with intact differentiation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia (low infertility risk). RESULTS High infertility risk cryptorchid boys display hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which, together with the diminished expression of histone deacetylases and increased expression of HDAC8 decrotonylase, indicates altered histone marks and, thus, a perturbed histone code. Curative GnRHa treatment induces normalization of histone methyltransferase, chromatin remodeling, and histone deacetylase gene expression. As a result, histone changes induce differentiation of Ad spermatogonia from their precursors and, thus, fertility. In this short report, we describe key functions of histone lysine methyltransferases, chromatin remodeling proteins, and long-noncoding RNAs, and discuss their potential roles in processes leading to infertility. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that epigenetic mechanisms are critical to better understanding the root causes underlying male infertility related to cryptorchidism and its possible transgenerational transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children’s Day Care Center, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- Children’s Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B. Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sakashita A, Ooga M, Otsuka K, Maezawa S, Takeuchi C, Wakayama S, Wakayama T, Namekawa S. Polycomb protein SCML2 mediates paternal epigenetic inheritance through sperm chromatin. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6668-6683. [PMID: 37283086 PMCID: PMC10359620 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm chromatin retains small amounts of histones, and chromatin states of sperm mirror gene expression programs of the next generation. However, it remains largely unknown how paternal epigenetic information is transmitted through sperm chromatin. Here, we present a novel mouse model of paternal epigenetic inheritance, in which deposition of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediated-repressive H3K27me3 is attenuated in the paternal germline. By applying modified methods of assisted reproductive technology using testicular sperm, we rescued infertility of mice missing Polycomb protein SCML2, which regulates germline gene expression by establishing H3K27me3 on bivalent promoters with other active marks H3K4me2/3. We profiled epigenomic states (H3K27me3 and H3K4me3) of testicular sperm and epididymal sperm, demonstrating that the epididymal pattern of the sperm epigenome is already established in testicular sperm and that SCML2 is required for this process. In F1 males of X-linked Scml2-knockout mice, which have a wild-type genotype, gene expression is dysregulated in the male germline during spermiogenesis. These dysregulated genes are targets of SCML2-mediated H3K27me3 in F0 sperm. Further, dysregulation of gene expression was observed in the mutant-derived wild-type F1 preimplantation embryos. Together, we present functional evidence that the classic epigenetic regulator Polycomb mediates paternal epigenetic inheritance through sperm chromatin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Sakashita
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45229, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo160-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu400-8510, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA95616, USA
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa252-5201, Japan
| | - Kai Otsuka
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA95616, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45229, USA
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa252-5201, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba278-8510, Japan
| | - Chikara Takeuchi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo160-8582, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu400-8510, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu400-8510, Japan
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu400-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Peng Q, Shi X, Li D, Guo J, Zhang X, Zhang X, Chen Q. SCML2 contributes to tumor cell resistance to DNA damage through regulating p53 and CHK1 stability. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1849-1867. [PMID: 37353627 PMCID: PMC10307790 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
SCML2 has been found to be highly expressed in various tumors. However, the extent to which SCML2 is involved in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy is yet to be fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between SCML2 and DNA damage response (DDR). Firstly, DNA damage stabilizes SCML2 through CHK1-mediated phosphorylation at Ser570. Functionally, this increased stability of SCML2 enhances resistance to DNA damage agents in p53-positive, p53-mutant, and p53-negative cells. Notably, SCML2 promotes chemoresistance through distinct mechanisms in p53-positive and p53-negative cancer cells. SCML2 binds to the TRAF domain of USP7, and Ser441 is a critical residue for their interaction. In p53-positive cancer cells, SCML2 competes with p53 for USP7 binding and destabilizes p53, which prevents DNA damage-induced p53 overactivation and increases chemoresistance. In p53-mutant or p53-negative cancer cells, SCML2 promotes CHK1 and p21 stability by inhibiting their ubiquitination, thereby enhancing the resistance to DNA damage agents. Interestingly, we found that SCML2A primarily stabilizes CHK1, while SCML2B regulates the stability of p21. Therefore, we have identified SCML2 as a novel regulator of chemotherapy resistance and uncovered a positive feedback loop between SCML2 and CHK1 after DNA damage, which serves to promote the chemoresistance to DNA damage agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Peng
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xin Shi
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Dingwei Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiaqing Zhang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, PR China.
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kim JJ, Steinson ER, Lau MS, de Rooij DG, Page DC, Kingston RE. Cell type-specific role of CBX2 and its disordered region in spermatogenesis. Genes Dev 2023; 37:640-660. [PMID: 37553262 PMCID: PMC10499018 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350393.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins maintain the repressed state of lineage-inappropriate genes and are therefore essential for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. One critical function of PcG complexes is modulating chromatin structure. Canonical Polycomb repressive complex 1 (cPRC1), particularly its component CBX2, can compact chromatin and phase-separate in vitro. These activities are hypothesized to be critical for forming a repressed physical environment in cells. While much has been learned by studying these PcG activities in cell culture models, it is largely unexplored how cPRC1 regulates adult stem cells and their subsequent differentiation in living animals. Here, we show in vivo evidence of a critical nonenzymatic repressive function of cPRC1 component CBX2 in the male germline. CBX2 is up-regulated as spermatogonial stem cells differentiate and is required to repress genes that were active in stem cells. CBX2 forms condensates (similar to previously described Polycomb bodies) that colocalize with target genes bound by CBX2 in differentiating spermatogonia. Single-cell analyses of mosaic Cbx2 mutant testes show that CBX2 is specifically required to produce differentiating A1 spermatogonia. Furthermore, the region of CBX2 responsible for compaction and phase separation is needed for the long-term maintenance of male germ cells in the animal. These results emphasize that the regulation of chromatin structure by CBX2 at a specific stage of spermatogenesis is critical, which distinguishes this from a mechanism that is reliant on histone modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jongmin J Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Emma R Steinson
- Department of Molecular Biology, MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Mei Sheng Lau
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, the Netherlands
| | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Robert E Kingston
- Department of Molecular Biology, MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA;
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Karam G, Molaro A. Casting histone variants during mammalian reproduction. Chromosoma 2023:10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9. [PMID: 37347315 PMCID: PMC10356639 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian reproduction, germ cell chromatin packaging is key to prepare parental genomes for fertilization and to initiate embryonic development. While chromatin modifications such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications are well known to carry regulatory information, histone variants have received less attention in this context. Histone variants alter the stability, structure and function of nucleosomes and, as such, contribute to chromatin organization in germ cells. Here, we review histone variants expression dynamics during the production of male and female germ cells, and what is currently known about their parent-of-origin effects during reproduction. Finally, we discuss the apparent conundrum behind these important functions and their recent evolutionary diversification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Germaine Karam
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lin H, Cossu IG, Leu NA, Deshpande AJ, Bernt KM, Luo M, Wang PJ. The DOT1L-MLLT10 complex regulates male fertility and promotes histone removal during spermiogenesis. Development 2023; 150:dev201501. [PMID: 37082953 PMCID: PMC10259658 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Histone modifications regulate chromatin remodeling and gene expression in development and diseases. DOT1L, the sole histone H3K79 methyltransferase, is essential for embryonic development. Here, we report that DOT1L regulates male fertility in mouse. DOT1L associates with MLLT10 in testis. DOT1L and MLLT10 localize to the sex chromatin in meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells in an inter-dependent manner. Loss of either DOT1L or MLLT10 leads to reduced testis weight, decreased sperm count and male subfertility. H3K79me2 is abundant in elongating spermatids, which undergo the dramatic histone-to-protamine transition. Both DOT1L and MLLT10 are essential for H3K79me2 modification in germ cells. Strikingly, histones are substantially retained in epididymal sperm from either DOT1L- or MLLT10-deficient mice. These results demonstrate that H3K79 methylation promotes histone replacement during spermiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Department of Histoembryology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Isabella G. Cossu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - N. Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aniruddha J. Deshpande
- Tumor Initiation & Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kathrin M. Bernt
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Department of Histoembryology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - P. Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu R, Peng Y, Du W, Wu Y, Zhang W, Hu C, Liu M, Liu X, Wu J, Sun J, Zhao X. BMI1 fine-tunes gene repression and activation to safeguard undifferentiated spermatogonia fate. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146849. [PMID: 37169021 PMCID: PMC10164956 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Spermatogenesis is sustained by the homeostasis of self-renewal and differentiation of undifferentiated spermatogonia throughout life, which is regulated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI1), one of spermatogonial stem cell markers, is a member of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and important to spermatogenesis. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of how BMI1 regulates spermatogonia fate remain elusive. Methods: We knocked down BMI1 by siRNA to investigate the role of BMI1 in undifferentiated spermatogonia. Differentially expressed genes were identified by RNA-seq and used for KEGG pathway analysis. We performed ChIP-seq analysis in wild type and BMI1 knockdown cells to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms exerted by BMI1. BMI1-associated alterations in repressive histone modifications were detected via Western blotting and ChIP-seq. Furthermore, we performed mass spectrometry and Co-immunoprecipitation assays to investigate BMI1 co-factors. Finally, we demonstrated the genomic regions occupied by both BMI1 and its co-factor. Results: BMI1 is required for undifferentiated spermatogonia maintenance by both repressing and activating target genes. BMI1 preserves PI3K-Akt signaling pathway for spermatogonia proliferation. Decrease of BMI1 affects the deposition of repressive histone modifications H2AK119ub1 and H3K27me3. BMI also positively regulates H3K27ac deposited genes which are associated with proliferation. Moreover, we demonstrate that BMI1 interacts with Sal-like 4 (SALL4), the transcription factor critical for spermatogonia function, to co-regulate gene expression. Discussion: Overall, our study reveals that BMI1 safeguards undifferentiated spermatogonia fate through multi-functional roles in regulating gene expression programs of undifferentiated spermatogonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonglin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenfei Du
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunqiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Stem Cell Research and Translation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Congxia Hu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Wu
- Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ji Wu, ; Jielin Sun, ; Xiaodong Zhao,
| | - Jielin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ji Wu, ; Jielin Sun, ; Xiaodong Zhao,
| | - Xiaodong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ji Wu, ; Jielin Sun, ; Xiaodong Zhao,
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sakashita A, Takeuchi C, Maezawa S, Namekawa SH. Bioinformatics Pipelines for Identification of Super-Enhancers and 3D Chromatin Contacts. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:123-146. [PMID: 36173570 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Precise regulation of gene expression is integral in development. Emerging studies have highlighted that super-enhancers (SEs), which are clusters of multiple enhancers, play critical roles in regulating cell type-specific gene expression via 3D chromatin, thereby defining the cellular identities of given cells. Here we provide optimized bioinformatics pipelines to identify SEs and 3D chromatin contacts. Our pipelines encompass the processing of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data to identify SEs and the processing of genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. We can then infer long-range chromatin contacts between SEs and other genomic regions. This integrative computational approach, which can be applied to CUT&RUN and CUT&Tag, alternative technologies to ChIP-seq, allows us to identify genomic locations of SEs and their 3D genome configuration, whereby multiple SEs act in concert. We show an analysis of mouse spermatogenesis as an example of this application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Chikara Takeuchi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - So Maezawa
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Li M. Sex body: A nest of protein mixture. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1165745. [PMID: 37123420 PMCID: PMC10140345 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1165745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During the pachytene stage in mammalian meiosis, the X and Y chromosomes remain largely unsynapsed outside the pseudoautosomal region, while autosomes are fully synapsed. Then, the sex chromosomes are compartmentalized into a "sex body" in the nucleus and are subjected to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). For decades, the formation and functioning of the sex body and MSCI have been subjects worth exploring. Notably, a series of proteins have been reported to be located on the sex body area and inferred to play an essential role in MSCI; however, the proteins that are actually located in this area and how these proteins promote sex body formation and establish MSCI remain unclear. Collectively, the DNA damage response factors, downstream fanconi anemia proteins, and other canonical repressive histone modifications have been reported to be associated with the sex body. Here, this study reviews the factors located on the sex body area and tries to provide new insights into studying this mysterious domain.
Collapse
|
25
|
Prakash Yadav R, Leskinen S, Ma L, Mäkelä JA, Kotaja N. Chromatin remodelers HELLS, WDHD1 and BAZ1A are dynamically expressed during mouse spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2023; 165:49-63. [PMID: 36194437 PMCID: PMC9782464 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In brief Proper regulation of heterochromatin is critical for spermatogenesis. This study reveals the dynamic localization patterns of distinct chromatin regulators during spermatogenesis and disrupted sex chromatin status in spermatocytes in the absence of DICER. Abstract Heterochromatin is dynamically formed and organized in differentiating male germ cells, and its proper regulation is a prerequisite for normal spermatogenesis. While heterochromatin is generally transcriptionally silent, we have previously shown that major satellite repeat (MSR) DNA in the pericentric heterochromatin (PCH) is transcribed during spermatogenesis. We have also shown that DICER associates with PCH and is involved in the regulation of MSR-derived transcripts. To shed light on the heterochromatin regulation in the male germline, we studied the expression, localization and heterochromatin association of selected testis-enriched chromatin regulators in the mouse testis. Our results show that HELLS, WDHD1 and BAZ1A are dynamically expressed during spermatogenesis. They display limited overlap in expression, suggesting involvement in distinct heterochromatin-associated processes at different steps of differentiation. We also show that HELLS and BAZ1A interact with DICER and MSR chromatin. Interestingly, deletion of Dicer1 affects the sex chromosome heterochromatin status in late pachytene spermatocytes, as demonstrated by mislocalization of Polycomb protein family member SCML1 to the sex body. These data substantiate the importance of dynamic heterochromatin regulation during spermatogenesis and emphasize the key role of DICER in the maintenance of chromatin status in meiotic male germ cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ram Prakash Yadav
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sini Leskinen
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lin Ma
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Noora Kotaja
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Disruption of male fertility-critical Dcaf17 dysregulates mouse testis transcriptome. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21456. [PMID: 36509865 PMCID: PMC9744869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During mammalian spermatogenesis, the ubiquitin proteasome system maintains protein homoeostasis (proteastasis) and spermatogenic cellular functions. DCAF17 is a substrate receptor in the ubiquitin CRL4 E3 Ligase complex, absence of which causes oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in mice resulting in male infertility. To determine the molecular phenomenon underlying the infertility phenotype caused by disrupting Dcaf17, we performed RNA-sequencing-based gene expression profiling of 3-weeks and 8-weeks old Dcaf17 wild type and Dcaf17 disrupted mutant mice testes. At three weeks, 44% and 56% differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up- and down-regulated, respectively, with 32% and 68% DEGs were up- and down-regulated, respectively at 8 weeks. DEGs include protein coding genes and lncRNAs distributed across all autosomes and the X chromosome. Gene ontology analysis revealed major biological processes including proteolysis, regulation of transcription and chromatin remodelling are affected due to Dcaf17 disruption. We found that Dcaf17 disruption up-regulated several somatic genes, while germline-associated genes were down-regulated. Up to 10% of upregulated, and 12% of downregulated, genes were implicated in male reproductive phenotypes. Moreover, a large proportion of the up-regulated genes were highly expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while the majority of downregulated genes were predominantly expressed in round spermatids. Collectively, these data show that the Dcaf17 disruption affects directly or indirectly testicular proteastasis and transcriptional signature in mouse.
Collapse
|
27
|
Abe H, Yeh YH, Munakata Y, Ishiguro KI, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. Active DNA damage response signaling initiates and maintains meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7212. [PMID: 36443288 PMCID: PMC9705562 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34295-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is an essential process in the male germline. While genetic experiments have established that the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway directs MSCI, due to limitations to the experimental systems available, mechanisms underlying MSCI remain largely unknown. Here we establish a system to study MSCI ex vivo, based on a short-term culture method, and demonstrate that active DDR signaling is required both to initiate and maintain MSCI via a dynamic and reversible process. DDR-directed MSCI follows two layers of modifications: active DDR-dependent reversible processes and irreversible histone post-translational modifications. Further, the DDR initiates MSCI independent of the downstream repressive histone mark H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), thereby demonstrating that active DDR signaling is the primary mechanism of silencing in MSCI. By unveiling the dynamic nature of MSCI, and its governance by active DDR signals, our study highlights the sex chromosomes as an active signaling hub in meiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Abe
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA ,grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Paul R. Andreassen
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kim JJ, Kingston RE. Context-specific Polycomb mechanisms in development. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:680-695. [PMID: 35681061 PMCID: PMC9933872 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are crucial chromatin regulators that maintain repression of lineage-inappropriate genes and are therefore required for stable cell fate. Recent advances show that PcG proteins form distinct multi-protein complexes in various cellular environments, such as in early development, adult tissue maintenance and cancer. This surprising compositional diversity provides the basis for mechanistic diversity. Understanding this complexity deepens and refines the principles of PcG complex recruitment, target-gene repression and inheritance of memory. We review how the core molecular mechanism of Polycomb complexes operates in diverse developmental settings and propose that context-dependent changes in composition and mechanism are essential for proper epigenetic regulation in development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jongmin J. Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert E. Kingston
- Department of Molecular Biology and MGH Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abu-Halima M, Becker LS, Ayesh BM, Meese E. MicroRNA-targeting in male infertility: Sperm microRNA-19a/b-3p and its spermatogenesis related transcripts content in men with oligoasthenozoospermia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:973849. [PMID: 36211460 PMCID: PMC9533736 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.973849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To elucidate and validate the potential regulatory function of miR-19a/b-3p and its spermatogenesis-related transcripts content in sperm samples collected from men with oligoasthenozoospermia. Methods: Men presenting at an infertility clinic were enrolled. MicroRNA (miRNA) and target genes evaluation were carried out using in silico prediction analysis, Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) validation, and Western blot confirmation. Results: The expression levels of miRNA-19a/b-3p were significantly up-regulated and 51 target genes were significantly down-regulated in oligoasthenozoospermic men compared with age-matched normozoospermic men as determined by RT-qPCR. Correlation analysis highlighted that sperm count, motility, and morphology were negatively correlated with miRNA-19a/b-3p and positively correlated with the lower expression level of 51 significantly identified target genes. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between higher expression levels of miRNA-19a/b-3p and lower expression levels of 51 target genes was observed. Consistent with the results of the RT-qPCR, reduced expression levels of STK33 and DNAI1 protein levels were identified in an independent cohort of sperm samples collected from men with oligoasthenozoospermia. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the higher expression of miRNA-19a/b-3p or the lower expression of target genes are associated with oligoasthenozoospermia and male infertility, probably through influencing basic semen parameters. This study lay the groundwork for future studies focused on investigating therapies for male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masood Abu-Halima
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Masood Abu-Halima,
| | | | - Basim M. Ayesh
- Department of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Alaqsa University, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Eckart Meese
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sakamoto M, Ito D, Inoue R, Wakayama S, Kikuchi Y, Yang L, Hayashi E, Emura R, Shiura H, Kohda T, Namekawa SH, Ishiuchi T, Wakayama T, Ooga M. Paternally inherited H3K27me3 affects chromatin accessibility in mouse embryos produced by round spermatid injection. Development 2022; 149:276384. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Round spermatid injection (ROSI) results in a lower birth rate than intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which has hampered its clinical application. Inefficient development of ROSI embryos has been attributed to epigenetic abnormalities. However, the chromatin-based mechanism that underpins the low birth rate in ROSI remains to be determined. Here, we show that a repressive histone mark, H3K27me3, persists from mouse round spermatids into zygotes in ROSI and that round spermatid-derived H3K27me3 is associated with less accessible chromatin and impaired gene expression in ROSI embryos. These loci are initially marked by H3K27me3 but undergo histone modification remodelling in spermiogenesis, resulting in reduced H3K27me3 in normal spermatozoa. Therefore, the absence of epigenetic remodelling, presumably mediated by histone turnover during spermiogenesis, leads to dysregulation of chromatin accessibility and transcription in ROSI embryos. Thus, our results unveil a molecular logic, in which chromatin states in round spermatids impinge on chromatin accessibility and transcription in ROSI embryos, highlighting the importance of epigenetic remodelling during spermiogenesis in successful reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Sakamoto
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Daiyu Ito
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Rei Inoue
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi 2 , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Li Yang
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Erika Hayashi
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Rina Emura
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Hirosuke Shiura
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- University of California Davis 3 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics , , Davis, CA 95616 , USA
| | - Takashi Ishiuchi
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi 2 , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- University of Yamanashi 1 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences , , Yamanashi, 400-8510 , Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Riera-Escamilla A, Vockel M, Nagirnaja L, Xavier MJ, Carbonell A, Moreno-Mendoza D, Pybus M, Farnetani G, Rosta V, Cioppi F, Friedrich C, Oud MS, van der Heijden GW, Soave A, Diemer T, Ars E, Sánchez-Curbelo J, Kliesch S, O’Bryan MK, Ruiz-Castañe E, Azorín F, Veltman JA, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Tüttelmann F, Krausz C. Large-scale analyses of the X chromosome in 2,354 infertile men discover recurrently affected genes associated with spermatogenic failure. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1458-1471. [PMID: 35809576 PMCID: PMC9388793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the evolutionary history of the X chromosome indicates its specialization in male fitness, its role in spermatogenesis has largely been unexplored. Currently only three X chromosome genes are considered of moderate-definitive diagnostic value. We aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of all X chromosome-linked protein-coding genes in 2,354 azoospermic/cryptozoospermic men from four independent cohorts. Genomic data were analyzed and compared with data in normozoospermic control individuals and gnomAD. While updating the clinical significance of known genes, we propose 21 recurrently mutated genes strongly associated with and 34 moderately associated with azoospermia/cryptozoospermia not previously linked to male infertility (novel). The most frequently affected prioritized gene, RBBP7, was found mutated in ten men across all cohorts, and our functional studies in Drosophila support its role in germ stem cell maintenance. Collectively, our study represents a significant step towards the definition of the missing genetic etiology in idiopathic severe spermatogenic failure and significantly reduces the knowledge gap of X-linked genetic causes of azoospermia/cryptozoospermia contributing to the development of future diagnostic gene panels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Matthias Vockel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Miguel J. Xavier
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Albert Carbonell
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Daniel Moreno-Mendoza
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain,Department of Urology, Hospital del Oriente de Asturias, Arriondas, 33540 Asturias, Spain
| | - Marc Pybus
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ginevra Farnetani
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Viktoria Rosta
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Manon S. Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen 6525, the Netherlands
| | | | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Thorsten Diemer
- Clinic for Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Gießen 35392, Germany
| | - Elisabet Ars
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- The School of BioScience that the Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Eduard Ruiz-Castañe
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Azorín
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joris A. Veltman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ma L, Xie D, Luo M, Lin X, Nie H, Chen J, Gao C, Duo S, Han C. Identification and characterization of BEND2 as a key regulator of meiosis during mouse spermatogenesis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn1606. [PMID: 35613276 PMCID: PMC9132480 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn1606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The chromatin state, which undergoes global changes during spermatogenesis, is critical to meiotic initiation and progression. However, the key regulators involved and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be uncovered. Here, we report that mouse BEND2 is specifically expressed in spermatogenic cells around meiotic initiation and that it plays an essential role in meiotic progression. Bend2 gene knockout in male mice arrested meiosis at the transition from zygonema to pachynema, disrupted synapsis and DNA double-strand break repair, and induced nonhomologous chromosomal pairing. BEND2 interacted with chromatin-associated proteins that are components of certain transcription-repressor complexes. BEND2-binding sites were identified in diverse chromatin states and enriched in simple sequence repeats. BEND2 inhibited the expression of genes involved in meiotic initiation and regulated chromatin accessibility and the modification of H3K4me3. Therefore, our study identified BEND2 as a previously unknown key regulator of meiosis, gene expression, and chromatin state during mouse spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Department of Tissue and Embryology, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hengyu Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chenxu Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuguang Duo
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zheng B, Liu J, Shi X, Xu J, Zhang K, Zhou H, Wu T, Huang X, Shen C, Liang Y, Zhao D, Guo Y. BMI1 governs the maintenance of mouse GC-2 cells through epigenetic repression of Foxl1 transcription. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:3407-3418. [PMID: 35702123 PMCID: PMC9185053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies have demonstrated that B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI1) plays an important role in male reproductive function and the regulation of spermatogonia proliferation. However, whether BMI1 exerts a similarly important function in spermatocyte development remains unclear. METHODS In this study, we investigated the role of BMI1 in spermatocyte development using a mouse spermatocyte-derived cell line (GC-2) and a Bmi1-knockout (KO) mouse model. RESULTS We demonstrated that BMI1 promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of GC-2 cells. Mechanistically, we presented in vitro and in vivo evidence showing that BMI1 binds to the promoter region of the forkhead box L1 (Foxl1) gene, sequentially driving chromatin remodeling and gene silencing. BMI1, which functions as a classical polycomb protein, was found to direct the transcriptional repression of Foxl1 through increasing the H2AK119ub level and reducing that of H3K4me3 in the promoter region of Foxl1. Our results further indicated that the knockdown of Foxl1 expression significantly enhanced cell proliferation via activating β-catenin signaling in BMI1-deficient GC-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our study revealed for the first time the existence of an epigenetic mechanism involving BMI1-mediated gene silencing in GC-2 cells development and provided potential targets for the treatment of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical UniversitySuzhou 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou 215004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaodan Shi
- Department of Reproduction, The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjing 210004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinfu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou 215004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityWuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical UniversitySuzhou 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuting Liang
- Center for Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Xu J, Gao J, Liu J, Huang X, Zhang H, Ma A, Ye J, Zhang X, Li Y, Yang G, Yin H, Khan R, Li T, Fan S, Jiang X, Zhang Y, Jiang H, Ma H, Shi Q. ZFP541 maintains the repression of pre-pachytene transcriptional programs and promotes male meiosis progression. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110540. [PMID: 35320728 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The DSB machinery, which induces the programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the leptotene and zygotene stages during meiosis, is suppressed before the onset of the pachytene stage. However, the biological significance and underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we report that ZFP541 is indispensable for the suppression of DSB formation after mid-pachytene. The deletion of Zfp541 in mice causes the aberrant recruitment of DSB machinery to chromosome axes and generation of massive DSBs in late pachytene and diplotene spermatocytes, leading to meiotic arrest at the diplotene stage. Integrated analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing data indicate that ZFP541 predominantly binds to promoters of pre-pachytene genes, including meiotic DSB formation-related genes (e.g., Prdm9 and Mei1) and their upstream activators (e.g., Meiosin and Rxra), and maintains their repression in pachytene spermatocytes. Our results reveal that ZFP541 functions as a transcriptional regulator in pachytene spermatocytes, orchestrating the transcriptome to ensure meiosis progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianze Xu
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Jianing Gao
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Junyan Liu
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xue Huang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ao Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Jingwei Ye
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xingxia Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Gang Yang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Tao Li
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Suixing Fan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hanwei Jiang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Hui Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Xiong M, Zhou S, Feng S, Gui Y, Li J, Wu Y, Dong J, Yuan S. UHRF1 is indispensable for meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and interacts with the DNA damage response pathway in mice. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:168-182. [PMID: 35284939 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During male meiosis, the constitutively unsynapsed XY chromosomes undergo meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), and the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway is critical for MSCI establishment. Our previous study showed that UHRF1(ubiquitin-like, with PHD and ring finger domains 1) deletion led to meiotic arrest and male infertility; however, the underlying mechanisms of UHRF1 in the regulation of meiosis remain unclear. Here, we report that UHRF1 is required for MSCI and cooperates with the DDR pathway in male meiosis. UHRF1-deficient spermatocytes display aberrant pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes during the pachytene stage. In addition, UHRF1 deficiency leads to aberrant recruitment of ATR and FANCD2 on the sex chromosomes and disrupts the diffusion of ATR to the XY chromatin. Furthermore, we show that UHRF1 acts as a cofactor of BRCA1 to facilitate the recruitment of DDR factors onto sex chromosomes for MSCI establishment. Accordingly, deletion of UHRF1 leads to the failure of meiotic silencing on sex chromosomes, resulting in meiotic arrest. In addition to our previous findings, the present study reveals that UHRF1 participates in MSCI, ensuring the progression of male meiosis. This suggests a multifunctional role of UHRF1 in the male germline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengneng Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shenglei Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jinmei Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yanqing Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China.,Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhou S, Sakashita A, Yuan S, Namekawa SH. Retrotransposons in the Mammalian Male Germline. Sex Dev 2022:1-19. [PMID: 35231923 DOI: 10.1159/000520683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons are a subset of DNA sequences that constitute a large part of the mammalian genome. They can translocate autonomously or non-autonomously, potentially jeopardizing the heritable germline genome. Retrotransposons coevolved with the host genome, and the germline is the prominent battlefield between retrotransposons and the host genome to maximize their mutual fitness. Host genomes have developed various mechanisms to suppress and control retrotransposons, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), for their own benefit. Thus, rapidly evolved retrotransposons often acquire positive functions, including gene regulation within the germline, conferring reproductive fitness in a species over the course of evolution. The male germline serves as an ideal model to examine the regulation and evolution of retrotransposons, resulting in genomic co-evolution with the host genome. In this review, we summarize and discuss the regulatory mechanisms of retrotransposons, stage-by-stage, during male germ cell development, with a particular focus on mice as an extensively studied mammalian model, highlighting suppression mechanisms and emerging functions of retrotransposons in the male germline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chukrallah LG, Badrinath A, Vittor GG, Snyder EM. ADAD2 regulates heterochromatin in meiotic and post-meiotic male germ cells via translation of MDC1. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs259196. [PMID: 35191498 PMCID: PMC8919335 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cells establish a unique heterochromatin domain, the XY-body, early in meiosis. How this domain is maintained through the end of meiosis and into post-meiotic germ cell differentiation is poorly understood. ADAD2 is a late meiotic male germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein, loss of which leads to post-meiotic germ cell defects. Analysis of ribosome association in Adad2 mouse mutants revealed defective translation of Mdc1, a key regulator of XY-body formation, late in meiosis. As a result, Adad2 mutants show normal establishment but failed maintenance of the XY-body. Observed XY-body defects are concurrent with abnormal autosomal heterochromatin and ultimately lead to severely perturbed post-meiotic germ cell heterochromatin and cell death. These findings highlight the requirement of ADAD2 for Mdc1 translation, the role of MDC1 in maintaining meiotic male germ cell heterochromatin and the importance of late meiotic heterochromatin for normal post-meiotic germ cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aditi Badrinath
- Department of Animal Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Gabrielle G. Vittor
- Department of Animal Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Snyder
- Department of Animal Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Cruz Walma DA, Chen Z, Bullock AN, Yamada KM. Ubiquitin ligases: guardians of mammalian development. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:350-367. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
39
|
Chakraborty P, Magnuson T. INO80 requires a polycomb subunit to regulate the establishment of poised chromatin in murine spermatocytes. Development 2022; 149:273926. [PMID: 35006254 PMCID: PMC8881737 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INO80 is the catalytic subunit of the INO80-chromatin remodeling complex that is involved in DNA replication, repair and transcription regulation. Ino80 deficiency in murine spermatocytes (Ino80cKO) results in pachytene arrest of spermatocytes due to incomplete synapsis and aberrant DNA double-strand break repair, which leads to apoptosis. RNA-seq on Ino80cKO spermatocytes revealed major changes in transcription, indicating that an aberrant transcription program arises upon INO80 depletion. In Ino80WT spermatocytes, genome-wide analysis showed that INO80-binding sites were mostly promoter proximal and necessary for the regulation of spermatogenic gene expression, primarily of premeiotic and meiotic genes. Furthermore, most of the genes poised for activity, as well as those genes that are active, shared INO80 binding. In Ino80cKO spermatocytes, most poised genes demonstrated de-repression due to reduced H3K27me3 enrichment and, in turn, showed increased expression levels. INO80 interacts with the core PRC2 complex member SUZ12 and promotes its recruitment. Furthermore, INO80 mediates H2A.Z incorporation at the poised promoters, which was reduced in Ino80cKO spermatocytes. Taken together, INO80 is emerging as a major regulator of the meiotic transcription program by mediating poised chromatin establishment through SUZ12 binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prabuddha Chakraborty
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7264, USA
| | - Terry Magnuson
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7264, USA,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7264, USA,Author for correspondence ()
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Xie C, Wang W, Tu C, Meng L, Lu G, Lin G, Lu LY, Tan YQ. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:763-797. [PMID: 35613017 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo Xie
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin-Yu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Alavattam KG, Maezawa S, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and the XY body: a phase separation hypothesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:18. [PMID: 34971404 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In mammalian male meiosis, the heterologous X and Y chromosomes remain unsynapsed and, as a result, are subject to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). MSCI is required for the successful completion of spermatogenesis. Following the initiation of MSCI, the X and Y chromosomes undergo various epigenetic modifications and are transformed into a nuclear body termed the XY body. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the initiation of two essential, sequential processes in meiotic prophase I: MSCI and XY-body formation. The initiation of MSCI is directed by the action of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways; downstream of the DDR, unique epigenetic states are established, leading to the formation of the XY body. Accumulating evidence suggests that MSCI and subsequent XY-body formation may be driven by phase separation, a physical process that governs the formation of membraneless organelles and other biomolecular condensates. Thus, here we gather literature-based evidence to explore a phase separation hypothesis for the initiation of MSCI and the formation of the XY body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris G Alavattam
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ishiguro KI, Shimada R. MEIOSIN directs initiation of meiosis and subsequent meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Genes Genet Syst 2021; 97:27-39. [PMID: 34955498 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00054] [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: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a crucial process for spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Initiation of meiosis coincides with spermatocyte differentiation and is followed by meiotic prophase, a prolonged G2 phase that ensures the completion of numerous meiosis-specific chromosome events. During meiotic prophase, chromosomes are organized into axis-loop structures, which underlie meiosis-specific events such as meiotic recombination and homolog synapsis. In spermatocytes, meiotic prophase is accompanied by robust alterations of gene expression programs and chromatin status for subsequent sperm production. The mechanisms regulating meiotic initiation and subsequent meiotic prophase programs are enigmatic. Recently, we discovered MEIOSIN (Meiosis initiator), a DNA-binding protein that directs the switch from mitosis to meiosis. This review mainly focuses on how MEIOSIN is involved in meiotic initiation and the meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Further, we discuss the downstream genes activated by MEIOSIN, which are crucial for meiotic prophase-specific events, from the viewpoint of chromosome dynamics and the gene expression program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Xu W, Zhang Y, Qin D, Gui Y, Wang S, Du G, Yang F, Li L, Yuan S, Wang M, Wu X. Transcription factor-like 5 is a potential DNA/RNA-binding protein essential for maintaining male fertility in mice. J Cell Sci 2021; 135:273810. [PMID: 34931239 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor-like 5 (TCFL5) is a testis-specific protein that contains the basic helix-loop-helix domain, but the in vivo functions of TCFL5 remain unknown. Herein, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout mice to dissect the function of TCFL5 in mouse testes. Surprisingly, we found that it was difficult to generate homozygous mice with the Tcfl5 deletion since the heterozygous males (Tcfl5+/-) were infertile. We did; however, observe markedly abnormal phenotypes of spermatids and spermatozoa in the testes and epididymides of Tcfl5+/- mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TCFL5 transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated a set of genes participating in male germ cell development via TCFL5 ChIP-DNA and eCLIP-RNA high-throughput sequencing. We also identified a known RBP, FXR1 as an interacting partner of TCFL5 that may coordinate the transition and localization of TCFL5 in the nucleus. Collectively, we herein report for the first time that Tcfl5 is haploinsufficient in vivo and acts as a dual-function protein that mediates DNA and RNA to regulate spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiya Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yiyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Dongdong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Guihua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lufan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222000, China
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Menon DU, Kirsanov O, Geyer CB, Magnuson T. Mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler is essential for reductional meiosis in males. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6581. [PMID: 34772938 PMCID: PMC8589837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian SWI/SNF nucleosome remodeler is essential for spermatogenesis. Here, we identify a role for ARID2, a PBAF (Polybromo - Brg1 Associated Factor)-specific subunit, in meiotic division. Arid2cKO spermatocytes arrest at metaphase-I and are deficient in spindle assembly, kinetochore-associated Polo-like kinase1 (PLK1), and centromeric targeting of Histone H3 threonine3 phosphorylation (H3T3P) and Histone H2A threonine120 phosphorylation (H2AT120P). By determining ARID2 and BRG1 genomic associations, we show that PBAF localizes to centromeres and promoters of genes known to govern spindle assembly and nuclear division in spermatocytes. Consistent with gene ontology of target genes, we also identify a role for ARID2 in centrosome stability. Additionally, misexpression of genes such as Aurkc and Ppp1cc (Pp1γ), known to govern chromosome segregation, potentially compromises the function of the chromosome passenger complex (CPC) and deposition of H3T3P, respectively. Our data support a model where-in PBAF activates genes essential for meiotic cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debashish U Menon
- Department of Genetics, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7264, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Terry Magnuson
- Department of Genetics, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7264, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Distinct roles of haspin in stem cell division and male gametogenesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19901. [PMID: 34615946 PMCID: PMC8494884 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99307-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The kinase haspin phosphorylates histone H3 at threonine-3 (H3T3ph) during mitosis. H3T3ph provides a docking site for the Chromosomal Passenger Complex at the centromere, enabling correction of erratic microtubule-chromosome contacts. Although this mechanism is operational in all dividing cells, haspin-null mice do not exhibit developmental anomalies, apart from aberrant testis architecture. Investigating this problem, we show here that mouse embryonic stem cells that lack or overexpress haspin, albeit prone to chromosome misalignment during metaphase, can still divide, expand and differentiate. RNA sequencing reveals that haspin dosage affects severely the expression levels of several genes that are involved in male gametogenesis. Consistent with a role in testis-specific expression, H3T3ph is detected not only in mitotic spermatogonia and meiotic spermatocytes, but also in non-dividing cells, such as haploid spermatids. Similarly to somatic cells, the mark is erased in the end of meiotic divisions, but re-installed during spermatid maturation, subsequent to methylation of histone H3 at lysine-4 (H3K4me3) and arginine-8 (H3R8me2). These serial modifications are particularly enriched in chromatin domains containing histone H3 trimethylated at lysine-27 (H3K27me3), but devoid of histone H3 trimethylated at lysine-9 (H3K9me3). The unique spatio-temporal pattern of histone H3 modifications implicates haspin in the epigenetic control of spermiogenesis.
Collapse
|
46
|
Abe H, Meduri R, Li Z, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. RNF8 is not required for histone-to-protamine exchange in spermiogenesis. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1154-1159. [PMID: 34225362 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RNF8, was initially reported to be required for histone-to-protamine exchange in spermiogenesis, we subsequently demonstrated that RNF8 is not involved in this process. Nevertheless, reflecting a lingering misunderstanding in the field, a growing number of studies have continued to postulate a requirement for RNF8 in the histone-to-protamine exchange. For example, a recent study claimed that a mouse PIWI protein, MIWI, controls RNF8-mediated histone-to-protamine exchange. Here, confirming our earlier conclusions, we show that RNF8 is required neither for the establishment of histone H4K16 acetylation, which is an initial step in histone removal during spermiogenesis, nor for the incorporation of two protamine proteins, PRM1 and PRM2. Thus, whereas RNF8 mediates ubiquitination of H2A on the sex chromosomes in meiosis, during the prior stage of spermatogenesis, our genetic evidence underscores that RNF8 is not involved in histone-to-protamine exchange.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Abe
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Rajyalakshmi Meduri
- Center for RNA Biology: From Genome to Therapeutics, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, 14642, USA
| | - Ziwei Li
- Center for RNA Biology: From Genome to Therapeutics, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, 14642, USA
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Horisawa-Takada Y, Kodera C, Takemoto K, Sakashita A, Horisawa K, Maeda R, Shimada R, Usuki S, Fujimura S, Tani N, Matsuura K, Akiyama T, Suzuki A, Niwa H, Tachibana M, Ohba T, Katabuchi H, Namekawa SH, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Meiosis-specific ZFP541 repressor complex promotes developmental progression of meiotic prophase towards completion during mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3184. [PMID: 34075040 PMCID: PMC8169937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, meiosis is accompanied by a robust alteration in gene expression and chromatin status. However, it remains elusive how the meiotic transcriptional program is established to ensure completion of meiotic prophase. Here, we identify a protein complex that consists of germ-cell-specific zinc-finger protein ZFP541 and its interactor KCTD19 as the key transcriptional regulators in mouse meiotic prophase progression. Our genetic study shows that ZFP541 and KCTD19 are co-expressed from pachytene onward and play an essential role in the completion of the meiotic prophase program in the testis. Furthermore, our ChIP-seq and transcriptome analyses identify that ZFP541 binds to and suppresses a broad range of genes whose function is associated with biological processes of transcriptional regulation and covalent chromatin modification. The present study demonstrates that a germ-cell specific complex that contains ZFP541 and KCTD19 promotes the progression of meiotic prophase towards completion in male mice, and triggers the reconstruction of the transcriptional network and chromatin organization leading to post-meiotic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Horisawa-Takada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chisato Kodera
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Takemoto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kumi Matsuura
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Niwa
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, and Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Rwigemera A, El Omri-Charai R, Lecante LL, Delbes G. Dynamics in the expression of epigenetic modifiers and histone modifications in perinatal rat germ cells during de novo DNA methylation†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:361-373. [PMID: 33324985 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic reprogramming during perinatal germ cell development is essential for genomic imprinting and cell differentiation; however, the actors of this key event and their dynamics are poorly understood in rats. Our study aimed to characterize the expression patterns of epigenetic modifiers and the changes in histone modifications in rat gonocytes at the time of de novo DNA methylation. Using transgenic rats expressing Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) specifically in germ cells, we purified male gonocytes by fluorescent activated cell sorting at various stages of perinatal development and established the transcriptomic profile of 165 epigenetic regulators. Using immunofluorescence on gonad sections, we tracked six histone modifications in rat male and female perinatal germ cells over time, including methylation of histone H3 on lysines 27, 9, and 4; ubiquitination of histone H2A on lysine119; and acetylation of histone H2B on lysine 20. The results revealed the dynamics in the expression of ten-eleven translocation enzymes and DNA methyltransferases in male gonocytes at the time of de novo DNA methylation. Moreover, our transcriptomic data indicate a decrease in histone ubiquitination and methylation coinciding with the beginning of de novo DNA methylation. Decreases in H2AK119Ub and H3K27me3 were further confirmed by immunofluorescence in the male germ cells but were not consistent for all H3 methylation sites examined. Together, our data highlighted transient chromatin remodeling involving histone modifications during de novo DNA methylation. Further studies addressing how these dynamic changes in histone posttranslational modifications could guide de novo DNA methylation will help explain the complex establishment of the male germ cell epigenome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arlette Rwigemera
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Laetitia L Lecante
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geraldine Delbes
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Zhou S, Feng S, Qin W, Wang X, Tang Y, Yuan S. Epigenetic Regulation of Spermatogonial Stem Cell Homeostasis: From DNA Methylation to Histone Modification. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 17:562-580. [PMID: 32939648 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs)are the ultimate germline stem cells with the potential of self-renewal and differentiation, and a dynamic balance of SSCs play an essential role in spermatogenesis. During the gene expression process, genomic DNA and nuclear protein, working together, contribute to SSC homeostasis. Recently, emerging studies have shown that epigenome-related molecules such as chromatin modifiers play an important role in SSC homeostasis through regulating target gene expression. Here, we focus on two types of epigenetic events, including DNA methylation and histone modification, and summarize their function in SSC homeostasis. Understanding the molecular mechanism during SSC homeostasis will promote the recognition of epigenetic biomarkers in male infertility, and bring light into therapies of infertile patients.Graphical Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenglei Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, 510500, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunge Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, 510500, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China. .,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Endogenous retroviruses drive species-specific germline transcriptomes in mammals. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:967-977. [PMID: 32895553 PMCID: PMC8246630 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Gene regulation in the germline ensures the production of high-quality gametes, long-term maintenance of the species, and speciation. Male germline transcriptomes undergo dynamic changes after the mitosis-to-meiosis transition and have been subject to evolutionary divergence among mammals. However, the mechanisms underlying germline regulatory divergence remain undetermined. Here, we show that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) influence species-specific germline transcriptomes. After the mitosis-to-meiosis transition in male mice, specific ERVs function as active enhancers to drive germline genes, including a mouse-specific gene set, and bear binding motifs for critical regulators of spermatogenesis such as A-MYB. This raises the possibility that a genome-wide transposition of ERVs rewired germline gene expression in a species-specific manner. Of note, independently evolved ERVs are associated with the expression of human-specific germline genes, demonstrating the prevalence of ERV-driven mechanisms in mammals. Together, we propose that ERVs fine-tune species-specific transcriptomes in the mammalian germline.
Collapse
|