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Song Y, Zhang N, Zhang Y, Wang J, Lv Q, Zhang J. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Development-Specific Networks at Distinct Synchronized Antral Follicle Sizes in Sheep Oocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:910. [PMID: 38255985 PMCID: PMC10815039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020910] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of the ovarian antral follicle is a complex, highly regulated process. Oocytes orchestrate and coordinate the development of mammalian ovarian follicles, and the rate of follicular development is governed by a developmental program intrinsic to the oocyte. Characterizing oocyte signatures during this dynamic process is critical for understanding oocyte maturation and follicular development. Although the transcriptional signature of sheep oocytes matured in vitro and preovulatory oocytes have been previously described, the transcriptional changes of oocytes in antral follicles have not. Here, we used single-cell transcriptomics (SmartSeq2) to characterize sheep oocytes from small, medium, and large antral follicles. We characterized the transcriptomic landscape of sheep oocytes during antral follicle development, identifying unique features in the transcriptional atlas, stage-specific molecular signatures, oocyte-secreted factors, and transcription factor networks. Notably, we identified the specific expression of 222 genes in the LO, 8 and 6 genes that were stage-specific in the MO and SO, respectively. We also elucidated signaling pathways in each antral follicle size that may reflect oocyte quality and in vitro maturation competency. Additionally, we discovered key biological processes that drive the transition from small to large antral follicles, revealing hub genes involved in follicle recruitment and selection. Thus, our work provides a comprehensive characterization of the single-oocyte transcriptome, filling a gap in the mapping of the molecular landscape of sheep oogenesis. We also provide key insights into the transcriptional regulation of the critical sizes of antral follicular development, which is essential for understanding how the oocyte orchestrates follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.S.)
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2
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Wei Y, Wang J, Qu R, Zhang W, Tan Y, Sha Y, Li L, Yin T. Genetic mechanisms of fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest: a comprehensive review. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:48-80. [PMID: 37758324 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad026] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility and pregnancy loss are longstanding problems. Successful fertilization and high-quality embryos are prerequisites for an ongoing pregnancy. Studies have proven that every stage in the human reproductive process is regulated by multiple genes and any problem, at any step, may lead to fertilization failure (FF) or early embryonic arrest (EEA). Doctors can diagnose the pathogenic factors involved in FF and EEA by using genetic methods. With the progress in the development of new genetic technologies, such as single-cell RNA analysis and whole-exome sequencing, a new approach has opened up for us to directly study human germ cells and reproductive development. These findings will help us to identify the unique mechanism(s) that leads to FF and EEA in order to find potential treatments. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The goal of this review is to compile current genetic knowledge related to FF and EEA, clarifying the mechanisms involved and providing clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search for relevant research articles and reviews, primarily focusing on English-language publications from January 1978 to June 2023. The search terms included fertilization failure, early embryonic arrest, genetic, epigenetic, whole-exome sequencing, DNA methylation, chromosome, non-coding RNA, and other related keywords. Additional studies were identified by searching reference lists. This review primarily focuses on research conducted in humans. However, it also incorporates relevant data from animal models when applicable. The results were presented descriptively, and individual study quality was not assessed. OUTCOMES A total of 233 relevant articles were included in the final review, from 3925 records identified initially. The review provides an overview of genetic factors and mechanisms involved in the human reproductive process. The genetic mutations and other genetic mechanisms of FF and EEA were systematically reviewed, for example, globozoospermia, oocyte activation failure, maternal effect gene mutations, zygotic genome activation abnormalities, chromosome abnormalities, and epigenetic abnormalities. Additionally, the review summarizes progress in treatments for different gene defects, offering new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The information provided in this review will facilitate the development of more accurate molecular screening tools for diagnosing infertility using genetic markers and networks in human reproductive development. The findings will also help guide clinical practice by identifying appropriate interventions based on specific gene mutations. For example, when an individual has obvious gene mutations related to FF, ICSI is recommended instead of IVF. However, in the case of genetic defects such as phospholipase C zeta1 (PLCZ1), actin-like7A (ACTL7A), actin-like 9 (ACTL9), and IQ motif-containing N (IQCN), ICSI may also fail to fertilize. We can consider artificial oocyte activation technology with ICSI to improve fertilization rate and reduce monetary and time costs. In the future, fertility is expected to be improved or restored by interfering with or supplementing the relevant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiu Wei
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Qu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiqian Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiling Tan
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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3
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Guo H, Wu H, Yan Z, Yin M, Wu L, Li B. Novel WEE2 homozygous mutations c.1346C>T and c.949A>T identified in primary infertile women due to unexplained fertilization failure. Clin Genet 2023; 104:700-704. [PMID: 37772619 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of unexplained fertilization failure can have profound psychological and financial consequences for couples struggling with infertility, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Increasing evidence highlights genetic basis of unexplained fertilization failure occurrence. Here, we identified one novel homozygous nonsense mutation (c.949A>T), one novel homozygous missense mutation (c.1346C>T), and three reported homozygous mutations (c.585G>C, c.1006_1007insTA, c.1221G>A) in six unrelated probands, showing similar manifestations of unexplained fertilization failure. This finding expands the spectrum of WEE2 mutations, highlighting the critical role of WEE2 in fertilization process, and provides a basis for the prognostic value of testing for WEE2 mutations in primary infertile couples with unexplained fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Guo
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibo Wu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingru Yin
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhang X, Hu C, Wu L. Advances in the study of genetic factors and clinical interventions for fertilization failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1787-1805. [PMID: 37289376 PMCID: PMC10371943 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02810-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization failure refers to the failure in the pronucleus formation, evaluating 16-18 h post in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. It can be caused by sperm, oocytes, and sperm-oocyte interaction and lead to great financial and physical stress to the patients. Recent advancements in genetics, molecular biology, and clinical-assisted reproductive technology have greatly enhanced research into the causes and treatment of fertilization failure. Here, we review the causes that have been reported to lead to fertilization failure in fertilization processes, including the sperm acrosome reaction, penetration of the cumulus and zona pellucida, recognition and fusion of the sperm and oocyte membranes, oocyte activation, and pronucleus formation. Additionally, we summarize the progress of corresponding treatment methods of fertilization failure. This review will provide the latest research advances in the genetic aspects of fertilization failure and will benefit both researchers and clinical practitioners in reproduction and genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Congyuan Hu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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Zhao S, Cui Y, Guo S, Liu B, Bian Y, Zhao S, Chen Z, Zhao H. Novel variants in ACTL7A and PLCZ1 are associated with male infertility and total fertilization failure. Clin Genet 2023; 103:603-608. [PMID: 36593593 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14293] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Total fertilization failure (TFF), which refers to fertilization failure in all mature oocytes, accounting for 5%-10% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and 1%-3% of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in human. In this study, we recruited three unrelated primary infertile men with repeated cycles of TFF and performed whole-exome sequencing to identify the potential pathogenic variants. We identified homozygous or compound-heterozygous variants of paternal-effect genes ACTL7A and PLCZ1 that followed a Mendelian recessive inheritance pattern. Novel homozygous nonsense variant in ACTL7A [c.C146G: p.S49*] was identified in case 1, who came from a consanguineous family. Ultrastructural observation of ACTL7A-mutated spermatozoa by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that apparent increased thickness of perinuclear matrix and the acrosome was detached from the nuclear envelop. Besides, two novel compound-heterozygous variants in PLCZ1 were identified in case 2 [c.1174+3A>C:p.?; c.A1274G:p.N425S] and case 3 [c.136-1G>C:p.?; c.G1358A:p.G453D]. Mutated spermatozoa from case 2 with reduced expression of PLCZ1 showed apparent acrosome detachment by TEM analysis. And ICSI with assisted oocyte activation (ICSI-AOA) treatment can partly rescue the TFF. Taken together, our findings revealed that novel biallelic variants in the paternal-effect genes ACTL7A and PLCZ1 were associated with human TFF, which expanding the spectrum of genetic causes and facilitating the genetic diagnosis of male infertility with TFF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shunli Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Yuehong Bian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shigang Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Zijiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
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Artificial oocyte activation with ionomycin compared with A23187 among patients at risk of failed or impaired fertilization. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:35-45. [PMID: 36379856 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.08.105] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do fertilization rates differ between intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles treated with artificial oocyte activation (AOA) using 10 µmol/l ionomycin or commercial A23187 in women at risk of failed or impaired fertilization? DESIGN This single-centre, 7-year retrospective cohort study included 157 couples with a history of total fertilization failure (TFF, 0%) or low fertilization (<30%) after ICSI, or with severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) in the male partner. Couples and underwent 171 ICSI-AOA cycles using either 10 µmol/l ionomycin or commercial A23187. The embryological and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS Fertilization rates in the ionomycin group were significantly higher than those in the A23187 group for all three subgroups (TFF, 46.9% versus 28.4%, P = 0.002; low fertilization, 67.7% versus 49.2%, P < 0.001; severe OAT, 66.4% versus 31.6%, P < 0.001). AOA with ionomycin significantly increased the day 3 cleavage rate (P = 0.009) when compared with A23187 in the low fertilization group, but not in the TFF or severe OAT group (both P > 0.05). The rates of day 3 good-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, implantation and live birth, and the cumulative live birth, did not differ between the two groups (all P > 0.05). A total of 64 live births resulted in 72 healthy babies born. CONCLUSIONS AOA with 10 µmol/l ionomycin may be more effective than commercial A23187 in improving oocyte activation in patients at risk of failed or impaired fertilization, especially in cases of sperm-related defects.
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Xu M, Wu W, Zhao M, Chung JPW, Li TC, Chan DYL. Common dysmorphic oocytes and embryos in assisted reproductive technology laboratory in association with gene alternations. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 152:106298. [PMID: 36122887 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amorphic or defected oocytes and embryos are commonly observed in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories. It is believed that a proper gene expression at each stage of embryo development contributes to the possibility of a decent-quality embryo leading to successful implantation. Many studies reported that several defects in embryo morphology are associated with gene expressions during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. There is lacking literature review on summarizing common morphological defects about gene alternations. In this review, we summarized the current literature. We selected 64 genes that have been reported to be involved in embryo morphological abnormalities in animals and humans, 30 of which were identified in humans and might be the causes of embryonic changes. Five papers focusing on associations of multiple gene expressions and embryo abnormalities using RNA transcriptomes were also included during the search. We have also reviewed our time-lapse image database with over 3000 oocytes/embryos to show morphological defects possibly related to gene alternations reported previously in the literature. This holistic review can better understand the associations between gene alternations and morphological changes. It is also beneficial to select important biomarkers with strong evidence in IVF practice and reveal their potential application in embryo selection. Also, identifying genes may help patients with genetic disorders avoid unnecessary treatments by providing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M), reduce embryo replacements by less potential, and help scientists develop new methods for oocyte/embryo research in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murong Xu
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Waner Wu
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mingpeng Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jacqueline Pui Wah Chung
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tin Chiu Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Solovova OA, Chernykh VB. Genetics of Oocyte Maturation Defects and Early Embryo Development Arrest. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1920. [PMID: 36360157 PMCID: PMC9689903 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Various pathogenic factors can lead to oogenesis failure and seriously affect both female reproductive health and fertility. Genetic factors play an important role in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation but still need to be clarified. Oocyte maturation is a well-organized complex process, regulated by a large number of genes. Pathogenic variants in these genes as well as aneuploidy, defects in mitochondrial genome, and other genetic and epigenetic factors can result in unexplained infertility, early pregnancy loss, and recurrent failures of IVF/ICSI programs due to poor ovarian response to stimulation, oocyte maturation arrest, poor gamete quality, fertilization failure, or early embryonic developmental arrest. In this paper, we review the main genes, as well as provide a description of the defects in the mitochondrial genome, associated with female infertility.
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Xue Y, Cheng X, Xiong Y, Li K. Gene mutations associated with fertilization failure after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1086883. [PMID: 36589837 PMCID: PMC9800785 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1086883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization failure during assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is often unpredictable, as this failure is encountered only after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have been performed. The etiology of fertilization failure remains elusive. More and more mutations of genes are found to be involved in human fertilization failure in infertile patients as high throughput sequencing techniques are becoming widely applied. In this review, the mutations of nine important genes expressed in sperm or oocytes, PLCZ1, ACTL7A, ACTL9, DNAH17, WEE2, TUBB8, NLRP5, ZP2, and TLE6, were summarized and discussed. These abnormalities mainly have shown Mendelian patterns of inheritance, including dominant and recessive inheritance, although de novo mutations were present in some cases. The review revealed the crucial roles of each reported gene in the fertilization process and summarized all known mutations and their corresponding phenotypes. The review suggested the mutations might become promising targets for precision treatments in reproductive medicine. Moreover, our work will provide some helpful clues for genetic counseling, risk prediction, and optimizing clinical treatments for human infertility by supplying the useful and timely information on the genetic causes leading to fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Xue
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Cheng
- Institute for Reproductive Health, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Xiong
- Institute for Reproductive Health, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kun Li
- Institute for Reproductive Health, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Experimental Animal’s & Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kun Li,
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Wang A, Huang S, Liu M, Wang B, Wu F, Zhu D, Zhao X. Clinical exome sequencing identifies novel compound heterozygous mutations of the WEE2 gene in primary infertile women with fertilization failure. Gynecol Endocrinol 2021; 37:1096-1101. [PMID: 33904356 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1916458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The genetic basis of fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is largely unknown and the aim of this study is to investigate the genetic causes of fertilization failure in primary infertile women. METHODS Six affected women diagnosed with infertility and fertilization failure were recruited. The genetically pathogenic factor of their fertilization failures were investigated by clinical exome sequencing. One hundred healthy controls were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Novel compound heterozygous mutations c.625G > T and c.759-2A > G of WEE2 in one affected individual were revealed by clinical exome sequencing. Trios analysis of the mutations represented an autosomal recessive pattern. The nonsense mutation c.625G > T (p.Glu209*) indicated the truncation of the WEE2 protein and c.759-2A > G was predicted to affect the splicing. CONCLUSIONS The novel variants extend the spectrum of WEE2 mutations, which promotes the prognostic value of testing for WEE2 mutations in infertile women with fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ancong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
| | - Shan Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine, Linyi, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
| | - Baosong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
| | - Fengxia Wu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Dongyi Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, PR China
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11
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Jin J, Tong X, Zhang YL, Yang W, Ma Y, Ren P, Zhou F, Zhang S. Novel WEE2 compound heterozygous mutations identified in patients with fertilization failure or poor fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2861-2869. [PMID: 34476630 PMCID: PMC8608989 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study associations between novel WEE2 mutations and patients with fertilization failure or poor fertilization. METHODS Thirty-one Chinese patients who underwent treatment with assisted reproductive technology and suffered from repeated (at least two times) total fertilization failure (TFF) or a low fertilization rate were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from patients for whole-exome sequencing. Suspicious mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. WEE2 protein levels in oocytes from affected patients were examined by immunofluorescence. Disruptive effects of mutations on WEE2 protein stability, subcellular localization, and kinase function were analyzed through western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry in HeLa cells. RESULTS Three of thirty-one (9.6%) enrolled patients had six compound heterozygous mutations of the WEE2 gene, and three of them were reported here for the first time (c.115_116insT, c.756_758delTGA, and c.C1459T). Oocytes from affected patients showed decreased WEE2 immunofluorescence signals. In vitro experiments showed that the mutant WEE2 gene caused reduced WEE2 protein levels or cellular compartment translocation in HeLa cells, leading to decreased levels of the phosphorylated Cdc2 protein. Compared with the wild-type WEE2 protein, the mutant WEE2 proteins were also found to have different effects on the cell cycle. CONCLUSION Three novel compound heterozygous WEE2 variants were found in patients with pronucleus formation failure. This study provides new evidence that WEE2 mutations result in loss of function, which could result in fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Jin
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Xiaomei Tong
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Yin-Li Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Weijie Yang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Yerong Ma
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Peipei Ren
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
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12
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Sang Q, Zhou Z, Mu J, Wang L. Genetic factors as potential molecular markers of human oocyte and embryo quality. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:993-1002. [PMID: 33895934 PMCID: PMC8190202 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02196-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful human reproduction requires gamete maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Human oocyte maturation includes nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, and abnormalities in the process will lead to infertility and recurrent failure of IVF/ICSI attempts. In addition, the quality of oocytes/embryos in the clinic can only be determined by morphological markers, and there is currently a lack of molecular markers for determining oocyte quality. As the number of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI has increased, many patients have been identified with recurrent IVF/ICSI failure. However, the genetic basis behind this phenotype remains largely unknown. In recent years, a few mutant genes have been identified by us and others, which provide potential molecular markers for determining the quality of oocytes/embryos. In this review, we outline the genetic determinants of abnormalities in the processes of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Currently, 16 genes (PATL2, TUBB8, TRIP13, ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, PANX1, TLE6, WEE2, CDC20, BTG4, PADI6, NLRP2, NLRP5, KHDC3L, and REC114) have been reported to be the causes of oocyte maturation arrest, fertilization failure, embryonic arrest, and preimplantation embryonic lethality. These abnormalities mainly have Mendelian inheritance patterns, including both dominant inheritance and recessive inheritance, although in some cases de novo mutations have also appeared. In this review, we will introduce the effects of each gene in the specific processes of human early reproduction and will summarize all known variants in these genes and their corresponding phenotypes. Variants in some genes have specific effects on certain steps in the early human reproductive processes, while other variants result in a spectrum of phenotypes. These variants and genetic markers will lay the foundation for individualized genetic counseling and potential treatments for patients and will be the target for precision treatments in reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Sang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhou Zhou
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian Mu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, the Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, and the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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13
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Wartosch L, Schindler K, Schuh M, Gruhn JR, Hoffmann ER, McCoy RC, Xing J. Origins and mechanisms leading to aneuploidy in human eggs. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:620-630. [PMID: 33860956 PMCID: PMC8237340 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The gain or loss of a chromosome-or aneuploidy-acts as one of the major triggers for infertility and pregnancy loss in humans. These chromosomal abnormalities affect more than 40% of eggs in women at both ends of the age spectrum, that is, young girls as well as women of advancing maternal age. Recent studies in human oocytes and embryos using genomics, cytogenetics, and in silico modeling all provide new insight into the rates and potential genetic and cellular factors associated with aneuploidy at varying stages of development. Here, we review recent studies that are shedding light on potential molecular mechanisms of chromosome missegregation in oocytes and embryos across the entire female reproductive life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Wartosch
- Department of MeiosisMax Planck Institute for Biophysical ChemistryGöttingenGermany
| | - Karen Schindler
- Department of GeneticsRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Human Genetics Institute of New JerseyRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of MeiosisMax Planck Institute for Biophysical ChemistryGöttingenGermany
| | - Jennifer R. Gruhn
- DNRF Center for Chromosome StabilityDepartment of Cellular and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eva R. Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome StabilityDepartment of Cellular and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Rajiv C. McCoy
- Department of BiologyJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of GeneticsRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Human Genetics Institute of New JerseyRutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
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14
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Biswas L, Tyc K, Yakoubi WE, Morgan K, Xing J, Schindler K. Meiosis interrupted: the genetics of female infertility via meiotic failure. Reproduction 2021; 161:R13-R35. [PMID: 33170803 PMCID: PMC7855740 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic or 'unexplained' infertility represents as many as 30% of infertility cases worldwide. Conception, implantation, and term delivery of developmentally healthy infants require chromosomally normal (euploid) eggs and sperm. The crux of euploid egg production is error-free meiosis. Pathologic genetic variants dysregulate meiotic processes that occur during prophase I, meiotic resumption, chromosome segregation, and in cell cycle regulation. This dysregulation can result in chromosomally abnormal (aneuploid) eggs. In turn, egg aneuploidy leads to a broad range of clinical infertility phenotypes, including primary ovarian insufficiency and early menopause, egg fertilization failure and embryonic developmental arrest, or recurrent pregnancy loss. Therefore, maternal genetic variants are emerging as infertility biomarkers, which could allow informed reproductive decision-making. Here, we select and deeply examine human genetic variants that likely cause dysregulation of critical meiotic processes in 14 female infertility-associated genes: SYCP3, SYCE1, TRIP13, PSMC3IP, DMC1, MCM8, MCM9, STAG3, PATL2, TUBB8, CEP120, AURKB, AURKC, andWEE2. We discuss the function of each gene in meiosis, explore genotype-phenotype relationships, and delineate the frequencies of infertility-associated variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leelabati Biswas
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tyc
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Warif El Yakoubi
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katie Morgan
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Karen Schindler
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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15
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Capalbo A, Poli M, Riera-Escamilla A, Shukla V, Kudo Høffding M, Krausz C, Hoffmann ER, Simon C. Preconception genome medicine: current state and future perspectives to improve infertility diagnosis and reproductive and health outcomes based on individual genomic data. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:254-279. [PMID: 33197264 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our genetic code is now readable, writable and hackable. The recent escalation of genome-wide sequencing (GS) applications in population diagnostics will not only enable the assessment of risks of transmitting well-defined monogenic disorders at preconceptional stages (i.e. carrier screening), but also facilitate identification of multifactorial genetic predispositions to sub-lethal pathologies, including those affecting reproductive fitness. Through GS, the acquisition and curation of reproductive-related findings will warrant the expansion of genetic assessment to new areas of genomic prediction of reproductive phenotypes, pharmacogenomics and molecular embryology, further boosting our knowledge and therapeutic tools for treating infertility and improving women's health. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE In this article, we review current knowledge and potential development of preconception genome analysis aimed at detecting reproductive and individual health risks (recessive genetic disease and medically actionable secondary findings) as well as anticipating specific reproductive outcomes, particularly in the context of IVF. The extension of reproductive genetic risk assessment to the general population and IVF couples will lead to the identification of couples who carry recessive mutations, as well as sub-lethal conditions prior to conception. This approach will provide increased reproductive autonomy to couples, particularly in those cases where preimplantation genetic testing is an available option to avoid the transmission of undesirable conditions. In addition, GS on prospective infertility patients will enable genome-wide association studies specific for infertility phenotypes such as predisposition to premature ovarian failure, increased risk of aneuploidies, complete oocyte immaturity or blastocyst development failure, thus empowering the development of true reproductive precision medicine. SEARCH METHODS Searches of the literature on PubMed Central included combinations of the following MeSH terms: human, genetics, genomics, variants, male, female, fertility, next generation sequencing, genome exome sequencing, expanded carrier screening, secondary findings, pharmacogenomics, controlled ovarian stimulation, preconception, genetics, genome-wide association studies, GWAS. OUTCOMES Through PubMed Central queries, we identified a total of 1409 articles. The full list of articles was assessed for date of publication, limiting the search to studies published within the last 15 years (2004 onwards due to escalating research output of next-generation sequencing studies from that date). The remaining articles' titles were assessed for pertinence to the topic, leaving a total of 644 articles. The use of preconception GS has the potential to identify inheritable genetic conditions concealed in the genome of around 4% of couples looking to conceive. Genomic information during reproductive age will also be useful to anticipate late-onset medically actionable conditions with strong genetic background in around 2-4% of all individuals. Genetic variants correlated with differential response to pharmaceutical treatment in IVF, and clear genotype-phenotype associations are found for aberrant sperm types, oocyte maturation, fertilization or pre- and post-implantation embryonic development. All currently known capabilities of GS at the preconception stage are reviewed along with persisting and forthcoming barriers for the implementation of precise reproductive medicine. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The expansion of sequencing analysis to additional monogenic and polygenic traits may enable the development of cost-effective preconception tests capable of identifying underlying genetic causes of infertility, which have been defined as 'unexplained' until now, thus leading to the development of a true personalized genomic medicine framework in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix Italy, Marostica, Italy.,Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vallari Shukla
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miya Kudo Høffding
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology BIDMC, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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16
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Tian Y, Wang G, Wang J, Mu X, Chen H, Song X, Bai X. Novel compound heterozygous mutation in WEE2 is associated with fertilization failure: case report of an infertile woman and literature review. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2020; 20:246. [PMID: 33148236 PMCID: PMC7643268 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-01111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection continues to affect couples and the etiology is not well-understood. CASE PRESENTATION We characterized a couple with 2-year history of primary unexplained infertility. Three different assisted reproduction attempts (IVF + rescue ICSI, ICSI and ICSI-AOA) showed repeated fertilization failure for MII oocyte retrieval after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. After whole-exome sequencing and sanger sequencing of the couple and their family members, variant pathogenicity was assessed using SIFT, PolyPhen2, Mutation Taster, and Human Splicing Finder software. We identified novel compound heterozygous mutations, c.1535 + 3A > G and c.946C > T (p. Leu316Phe), in WEE2 in the female proband. Trios analysis of the variations revealed an autosomal recessive pattern. c.1535 + 3A > G in WEE2 was predicted to break the wild-type donor site and affect splicing, and the missense mutation c.946C > T (p. Leu316Phe) of WEE2 was predicted to be pathogenic. CONCLUSION A novel compound heterozygous mutation in WEE2 was identified in an infertile female who experienced repeated fertilization failure even after ICSI-AOA. These novel mutations in WEE2 provided genetic evidence for fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Guojie Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaohuan Mu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Haixia Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xueru Song
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaohong Bai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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17
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Vakili K, Fathi M, Yaghoobpoor S, Deravi N, Ghafouri-Fard S. Recurrent IVF failure: Review of genetic factors. GENE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2020.100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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18
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Hanna CB, Mudaliar D, John K, Allen CL, Sun L, Hawkinson JE, Schönbrunn E, Georg GI, Jensen JT. Development of WEE2 kinase inhibitors as novel non-hormonal female contraceptives that target meiosis†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:368-377. [PMID: 32667031 PMCID: PMC7401407 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
WEE2 oocyte meiosis inhibiting kinase is a well-conserved oocyte specific kinase with a dual regulatory role during meiosis. Active WEE2 maintains immature, germinal vesicle stage oocytes in prophase I arrest prior to the luteinizing hormone surge and facilitates exit from metaphase II arrest at fertilization. Spontaneous mutations at the WEE2 gene locus in women have been linked to total fertilization failure indicating that selective inhibitors to this kinase could function as non-hormonal contraceptives. Employing co-crystallization with WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase inhibitors, we revealed the structural basis of action across WEE kinases and determined type I inhibitors were not selective to WEE2 over WEE1. In response, we performed in silico screening by FTMap/FTSite and Schrodinger SiteMap analysis to identify potential allosteric sites, then used an allosterically biased activity assay to conduct high-throughput screening of a 26 000 compound library containing scaffolds of known allosteric inhibitors. Resulting hits were validated and a selective inhibitor that binds full-length WEE2 was identified, designated GPHR-00336382, along with a fragment-like inhibitor that binds the kinase domain, GPHR-00355672. Additionally, we present an in vitro testing workflow to evaluate biological activity of candidate WEE2 inhibitors including; (1) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays measuring WEE2 phosphorylation activity of cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1; also known as cell division cycle 2 kinase, CDC2), (2) in vitro fertilization of bovine ova to determine inhibition of metaphase II exit, and (3) cell-proliferation assays to look for off-target effects against WEE1 in somatic (mitotic) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol B Hanna
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences OR, USA
- Correspondence: Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA. Tel: +1-503-346-5000; Fax: +1-503-346-5585; E-mail:
| | - Deepti Mudaliar
- University of Minnesota, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristen John
- University of Minnesota, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - C Leigh Allen
- University of Minnesota, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Luxin Sun
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Drug Discovery Department, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jon E Hawkinson
- University of Minnesota, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ernst Schönbrunn
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Drug Discovery Department, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Gunda I Georg
- University of Minnesota, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Jensen
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences OR, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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19
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Okutman Ö, Demirel C, Tülek F, Pfister V, Büyük U, Muller J, Charlet-Berguerand N, Viville S. Homozygous Splice Site Mutation in ZP1 Causes Familial Oocyte Maturation Defect. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040382. [PMID: 32244758 PMCID: PMC7231235 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using hormones to produce large numbers of oocytes. The success of IVF is tightly linked to the availability of mature oocytes. In most cases, about 70% to 80% of the oocytes are mature at the time of retrieval, however, in rare instances, all of them may be immature, implying that they were not able to reach the metaphase II (MII) stage. The failure to obtain any mature oocytes, despite a well conducted ovarian stimulation in repeated cycles is a very rare cause of primary female infertility, for which the underlying suspected genetic factors are still largely unknown. In this study, we present the whole exome sequencing analysis of a consanguineous Turkish family comprising three sisters with a recurrent oocyte maturation defect. Analysis of the data reveals a homozygous splice site mutation (c.1775-3C>A) in the zona pellucida glycoprotein 1 (ZP1) gene. Minigene experiments show that the mutation causes the retention of the intron 11 sequence between exon 11 and exon 12, resulting in a frameshift and the likely production of a truncated protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Okutman
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle (IPPTS), Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, UF3472-génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Cem Demirel
- Memorial Atasehir Hospital, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Andrology and Genetics Center, Kucukbakkalkoy mh.Vedat Gunyol cd No:28-30, 34758 Atasehir/Istanbul, Turkey; (C.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Firat Tülek
- Memorial Atasehir Hospital, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Andrology and Genetics Center, Kucukbakkalkoy mh.Vedat Gunyol cd No:28-30, 34758 Atasehir/Istanbul, Turkey; (C.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Veronique Pfister
- Médecine Translationnelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (V.P.); (N.C.-B.)
| | - Umut Büyük
- Hibrigen Biotechnology R&D Industry and Trade Ltd. Co.,Tubitak MAM Teknoloji Serbest Bolgesi, Baris SB Mh 5002.sk Yeni Tek. Binasi ABlok 4, A/101 Gebze/Kocaeli, Turkey;
| | - Jean Muller
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, INSERM U1112, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolas Charlet-Berguerand
- Médecine Translationnelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (V.P.); (N.C.-B.)
| | - Stéphane Viville
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle (IPPTS), Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, UF3472-génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence:
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20
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A homozygous nonsense mutation of PLCZ1 cause male infertility with oocyte activation deficiency. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:821-828. [PMID: 32146562 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the pathogenic PLCZ1 mutation involved in male infertility and fertilization failure. METHODS All coding regions of PLCZ1 were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The expression and localization of PLCZ1 in sperm was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. To promote the fertilization rate, the infertile man with PLCZ1 mutation was treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) accompanied by assisted oocyte activation (AOA) in the following cycle. RESULT We identified a novel homozygous PLCZ1 nonsense mutation, c.588C>A (p.Cys196Ter) in an infertile man from a consanguineous family. No PLCZ1 protein was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence in ejaculated sperm from the patient. The treatment of ICSI + AOA avoided fertilization failure but did not result in pregnancy in the following cycle. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the essential role of PLCZ1 in fertilization and male fertility, which indicated the potential prognostic value of testing for PLCZ1 mutations in primary infertile men with sperm-derived fertilization failure.
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21
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Hanna CB, Yao S, Martin M, Schönbrunn E, Georg GI, Jensen JT, Cuellar RAD. Identification and Screening of Selective WEE2 Inhibitors to Develop Non-Hormonal Contraceptives that Specifically Target Meiosis. ChemistrySelect 2019; 4:13363-13369. [PMID: 32190728 PMCID: PMC7079731 DOI: 10.1002/slct.201903696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We used a progressive elimination strategy to identify oocyte-specific WEE2 kinase inhibitors for potential non-hormonal contraceptives that target meiosis. Beginning with an in-house library of over 300,000 compounds, virtual high throughput screening identified 57 WEE2 inhibitors with preferential predicted binding over the somatic variant WEE1. Seven compounds were further evaluated in vitro by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure biochemical inhibition on WEE1 and WEE2 phosphorylation of CDK1. To assess specificity, we evaluated WEE2-mediated inhibition of meiosis using in vitro oocyte fertilization, and WEE1-mediated inhibition of mitosis using a somatic cell proliferation assay. Our results from these assays identified three candidates for further development: 6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-((4-(2-(diethylamino)ethoxy) phenyl)amino)-8-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one (2), 6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-8-methyl-2-((4-morpholinophenyl) amino)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one (12), and 3-((6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-8-methyl-7-oxo-7,8-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)amino)benzoic acid (16).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol B Hanna
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 Northwest 185 Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 (USA)
| | - Shan Yao
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 Northwest 185 Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 (USA)
| | - Mat Martin
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 (USA)
| | - Ernst Schönbrunn
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 (USA)
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (USA)
| | - Jeffrey T Jensen
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 Northwest 185 Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 (USA)
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 (USA)
| | - Rebecca A D Cuellar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (USA)
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Novel compound heterozygous mutations in WEE2 causes female infertility and fertilization failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:1957-1962. [PMID: 31428887 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01553-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the disease-causing gene in a family with female infertility and fertilization failure. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the disease-causing gene in a female with infertility and fertilization failure. Subcellular localization and western blot analysis were used to check the effect of mutations. RESULTS We identified novel compound heterozygous mutations c.598C>T (p.Arg200Ter) and c.1319G>C (p.Trp440Ser) in WEE2 gene in a female with infertility and fertilization failure. The p.Arg200Ter mutant WEE2 gene produce truncated protein and mainly located in the nucleus, the same as the wild protein, while the p.Trp440Ser mutant WEE2 proteins are located in the nucleus and cytoplasm and the expression level of p.Trp440Ser mutant WEE2 protein is reduced significantly compared with that of wild-type WEE2. CONCLUSIONS We discovered novel compound heterozygous mutations c.598C>T (p.Arg200Ter) and c.1319G>C (p.Trp440Ser) in WEE2 gene in a female whose oocytes could not form pronucleus after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Moreover, mutations in WEE2 gene affect the normal function of WEE2 proteins and cause fertilization failure.
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