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La Y, Li Z, Ma X, Bao P, Chu M, Guo X, Liang C, Yan P. Age-dependent changes in the expression and localization of LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA during testicular development in the Ashidan yak. Anim Biotechnol 2024; 35:2344213. [PMID: 38669244 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2344213] [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] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Lysozyme like 4 (LYZL4), lysozyme like 6 (LYZL6) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are implicated in the regulation of testicular function, but there was no research reported available on the expression patterns of LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA genes at different developmental stages of yak testes. In this study, we used the qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry estimated the LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA gene expression and protein lo-calization at different developmental stages of yak testes. The qPCR results showed that the mRNA expression of LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA genes significantly increased with age in the testes of yaks. Western blot results showed that the protein abundance of LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA in yak testes was significantly higher after puberty than before puberty. Furthermore, the results of immunohistochemistry indicated that LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA may be involved in the regulation of spermatogonia proliferation and Leydig cell function in immature testis. In adult yak testes, LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA may involve in the development of round spermatids and primary spermatocytes during testicular development. Our results indicated that LYZL4, LYZL6 and PCNA may be involved in the development of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and gonocytes in yak testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfu La
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Zhongbang Li
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Ma
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Pengjia Bao
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Min Chu
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Xian Guo
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Chunnian Liang
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Ping Yan
- Animal Science Department, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Yak Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction Engineering of Gansu Province, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China
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Aisha J, Yenugu S. Characterization of SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2: Effect of immunization on fecundity, sperm function and testicular transcriptome. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100711. [PMID: 36462395 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100711] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Testicular factors play a vital role in spermatogenesis. We characterized the functional role of rat Spink2, Spaca7 and Pdcl2 genes. Their primary, secondary and tertiary structure were deduced in silico. The genes of rat Spink2, Spaca7 and Pdcl2 mRNA were predominantly expressed in the testis. SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2 protein expression was evident in all the cell types of testis and on spermatozoa. Ablation of each of these proteins by active immunization resulted in reduced fecundity and sperm count. Damage to the anatomical architecture of testis and epididymis was evident. In SPINK2 immunized rats, 283 genes were differentially regulated while it was 434 and 872 genes for SPACA7 and PDCL2 respectively. Genes that were differentially regulated in the testis of SPINK2 immunized rats primarily belonged to extracellular exosome formation, extracellular space and response to drugs. SPACA7 ablation affected genes related to extracellular space, oxidation-reduction processes, endoplasmic reticulum membrane and response to drugs. Differential gene expression was observed for nuclear function, protein binding and positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter in testis of PDCL2 immunized rats. Results of our study demonstrate the role of SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2 in spermatogenesis and in important molecular processes that may dictate testicular function and other physiological responses as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Aisha
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. Ablation of the sperm-associated antigen 11A (SPAG11A) protein by active immunization promotes epididymal oncogenesis in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:115-128. [PMID: 35438340 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03623-y] [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: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Incidence of cancer in the epididymis is very rare. It is proposed that proteins specific to this organ may contribute to this unique property. We previously demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of SPAG11A mRNA resulted in increased proliferation of epididymal epithelial cells, whereas overexpression of this gene caused reduced proliferation in immortalized cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the oncogenesis-related anatomical and transcriptome changes in the epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats challenged with a low dose of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN). DEN treatment or SPAG11A immunization alone did not cause any histopathological changes in the epididymis. Interestingly, indications of oncogenesis were observed in SPAG11A-immunized + DEN-treated rats. Using high throughput sequencing, we observed that 3549 transcripts that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats displayed similar differential expression in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats, indicating that the microenvironment that contributes to oncogenesis sets in when SPAG11A protein is ablated. Differential expression of genes that are involved in 10 major cancer related pathways was also analyzed. Majority of the genes related to these pathways that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats also showed similar pattern in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats. For the first time, results of our study demonstrate that ablation of SPAG11A by active immunization renders the epididymis susceptible to oncogenesis and that this protein may be one of the factors that contributes to the rarity of epididymal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad - 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad - 500046, India.
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Mortazavi B, Allahyari Fard N, Karkhane AA, Shokrpoor S, Heidari F. Evaluation of multi-epitope recombinant protein as a candidate for a contraceptive vaccine. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103325. [PMID: 33930667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Contraceptive vaccine (CV) is a valuable, non-invasive, and alternative method for purposeful contraception. Sperm antigens are useful targets for producing CVs due to their specialized expression in sperm. In this study, a recombinant protein containing three main sperm epitopes (IZUMO1, SACA3, and PH-20) was designed and evaluated as CV to control fertility in male mice. The chimeric recombinant protein was expressed and purified in E. coli. Male mice were immunized by 100 μg purified protein and sera were collected to assess IgG antibodies. Evaluating the reproductive performance, immunized male mice mated with normal-fertile female mice and mating rate and the number of newborns was studied. Immunized mice were sacrificed and necropsy and histopathology studies were conducted. The results revealed that the designed chimeric protein stimulated the immune system of the mice effectively. The level of IgG antibody was significantly higher in vaccinated mouse rather than control mouse. Eighty percent of the vaccinated mice became infertile and in the remaining ones, the number of children decreased to 4-6 offspring instead of 10-12 in normal mice. Histopathological studies showed that no organs including heart, brain, lung, liver, kidney and intestine were damaged. However, Normal spermatogenesis has been disrupted and necrotic spermatogonia cells were reported in Seminiferous tubules. We concluded that the designed chimeric protein containing IZUMO1, SACA3, and PH-20 epitopes can stimulate the immune system and cause male contraception without any side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Mortazavi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Najaf Allahyari Fard
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Faculty of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Karkhane
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Faculty of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Shokrpoor
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Heidari
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
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Vitorino Carvalho A, Soler L, Thélie A, Grasseau I, Cordeiro L, Tomas D, Teixeira-Gomes AP, Labas V, Blesblois E. Proteomic Changes Associated With Sperm Fertilizing Ability in Meat-Type Roosters. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:655866. [PMID: 33898456 PMCID: PMC8063615 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.655866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of male fertility remains unclear, especially in chickens, where decades of genetic selection increased male fertility variability as a side effect. As transcription and translation are highly limited in sperm, proteins are key molecules defining their functionality, making proteomic approaches one of the most adequate methods to investigate sperm capacity. In this context, it is interesting to combine complementary proteomic approaches to maximize the identification of proteins related to sperm-fertilizing ability. In the present study, we aimed at identifying proteins related to fertility in meat-type roosters, showing fertility variability. Fertile roosters (fertility rates higher than 70% after artificial insemination) differed from subfertile roosters (fertility rates lower than 40%) in their sperm mass motility. Fertile and subfertile sperm protein contents were compared using two complementary label-free quantitative proteomic methods: Intact Cell MALDI-TOF-Mass Spectrometry and GeLC-MS/MS. Combining the two strategies, 57 proteins were identified as differentially abundant. Most of them were described for the first time as differentially abundant according to fertility in this species. These proteins were involved in various molecular pathways including flagellum integrity and movement, mitochondrial functions, sperm maturation, and storage in female tract as well as oocyte–sperm interaction. Collectively, our data improved our understanding of chicken sperm biology by revealing new actors involved in the complexity of male fertility that depends on multiple cell functions to reach optimal rates. This explains the inability of reductionist in vitro fertility testing in predicting male fertility and suggests that the use of a combination of markers is a promising approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Soler
- INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France
| | - Aurore Thélie
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Luiz Cordeiro
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Daniel Tomas
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France.,INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France
| | - Ana-Paula Teixeira-Gomes
- INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ISP, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Valérie Labas
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France.,INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France
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Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. Transgenesis and active immunization mediated reduction of sperm associated antigen 11A mRNA and protein levels affect fecundity in the rat. Theriogenology 2020; 157:517-524. [PMID: 32927355 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.08.027] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa acquire motility and fertilizing ability during their transit through the epididymis. A wide variety of proteins secreted into the epididymal lumen are added on to the sperm surface to allow morphological and molecular changes involved in sperm maturation. Proteins of the Sperm Associated Antigen 11 (SPAG11) family are known to be localized on the sperm surface. The rat SPAG11A protein was implicated in sperm maturation during epididymal transit in vitro. However, systematic analyses on the significance of SPAG11A in fertility and sperm function is not yet reported in vivo. In this study, using testicular electroporation, we generated transgenic rats that express shRNA to ablate endogenous Spag11a mRNA. Genotyping revealed the integration of the plasmid that expresses shRNA against Spag11a mRNA. Significant decrease in the mRNA levels of Spag11a and its encoded protein was observed in the caput epididymis of transgenic rats. We also generated an active immunization rat model to ablate endogenous SPAG11A protein by administering recombinant SPAG11A protein. Immunized rats had a high antibody titer in the serum and the tissue fluids of caput, cauda and testis. In both these model systems, the litter size and sperm count was significantly reduced. However, spermatozoa obtained from the transgenic or immunized rats underwent capacitation and acrosome reaction and the associated calcium release. Results of this study indicate the role of SPAG11A in fecundity and sperm production and not in sperm function, especially capacitation and acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500 046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500 046, India.
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7
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Babu Munipalli S, Yenugu S. Uroplakin expression in the male reproductive tract of rat. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 281:153-163. [PMID: 31181195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Uroplakins (UPKs) play an important role in the normal and pathophysiology of the urothelium. They protect the urothelium and play a crucial role during urothelial infections by Uropathogenic E. coli. However, their functions beyond this organ system remain unexplored. A wide variety of proteins secreted in the male reproductive tract tissues contribute to spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, fertilization and innate immunity. However, the presence of UPKs and their possible contribution to the male reproductive tract physiology is not yet reported. Hence, in this study, we characterized UPKs in the male reproductive tract of rats. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, we report the expression of UPKs in the male reproductive system. Upk1a, Upk1b, Upk2 and Upk3b mRNA and their corresponding proteins were abundantly expressed in the caput, cauda, testis, seminal vesicles and the prostate. Their expression was not developmentally regulated. UPK protein expression was also localized on the spermatozoa, suggesting a role for these proteins in sperm function. To study the role of UPKs in innate immunity, Upk mRNA expression in response to endotoxin challenge was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In the rat testicular and epididymal cell lines, Upk mRNA levels increased in response to lipopolysaccharide challenge. However, in the caput, cauda, testes, seminal vesicle and prostate obtained from LPS treated rats, Upk mRNA expression was significantly reduced. Results of this study indicate a role for UPKs in male reproductive physiology and innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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8
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Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. Characterization of isolated rat caput epididymal primary epithelial cells: A molecular biology approach. Theriogenology 2019; 135:13-18. [PMID: 31185425 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Sperm maturation in the epididymis is a tightly regulated process which involves secretion and addition of a variety of proteins onto the sperm surface. The molecular mechanisms governing these processes has gained interest in the last decade. In vitro model systems to study the role of epididymal proteins in sperm maturation and other physiological process are very important. Isolation of epididymal cells, culture of epididymal explants and generation of immortalized cells were standardized to be used as in vitro models to study epididymal function. However, isolation and maintenance of primary cultures of epididymal epithelial cells seems to be the best option because of its closeness to the in vivo conditions. Though structural and morphological characterization of primary cultures of epididymal epithelial cells were carried out, the same were not conducted at the molecular level. In this study, we isolated adult rat epididymal primary epithelial cells (EPECs) and characterized them for their purity and cell specific expression of molecular markers. Isolated EPECs exhibited normal cell morphology and were sub cultured and maintained up to 3 weeks. EPECs expressed the epithelial marker, E-cadherin and their purity was estimated to be 73% using flow cytometry. EPECs abundantly expressed CRISP1, Urp1a, Pate-F, Crisp1, Ar and Spag11e, markers of epididymal cells and were negative for Urp1b and Pate, markers negative for epididymis. Results of our study provide a systematic characterization of EPECs at the molecular level and thus a refinement to the previously reported characterization methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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9
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Zhang C, Zhou Y, Xie S, Yin Q, Tang C, Ni Z, Fei J, Zhang Y. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals the synergistic effects of β-defensin family members on sperm maturation in rat epididymis. FASEB J 2018; 32:1354-1363. [PMID: 29141997 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700936r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The epididymis is a male reproductive organ involved in posttesticular sperm maturation and storage, but the mechanism underlying sperm maturation remains unclear. β-Defensins (Defbs) belong to a family of small, cysteine-rich, cationic peptides that are antimicrobial and modulate the immune response. A large number of Defb genes are expressed abundantly in the male reproductive tract, especially in the epididymis. We and other groups have shown the involvement of several Defb genes in regulation of sperm function. In this study, we found that Defb23, Defb26, and Defb42 were highly expressed in specific regions of the epididymis. Rats with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated single-gene disruption of Defb23, Defb26, or Defb42 had no obvious fertility phenotypes. Those with the deletion of Defb23/ 26 or Defb23/ 26/ 42 became subfertile, and sperm isolated from the epididymal cauda of multiple-mutant rats were demonstrated decreased motility. Meanwhile, the sperm showed precocious capacitation and increased spontaneous acrosome reaction. Consistent with premature capacitation and acrosome reaction, sperm from multiple-gene-knockout rats had significantly increased intracellular calcium. These results suggest that Defb family members affect sperm maturation by a synergistic pattern in the epididymis.-Zhang, C., Zhou, Y., Xie, S., Yin, Q., Tang, C., Ni, Z., Fei, J., Zhang, Y. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals the synergistic effects of β-defensin family members on sperm maturation in rat epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengsong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunhua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zimei Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Fei
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonglian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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