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Sethi S, Mehta P, Andrabi W, Mitra K, Rajender S. SPEM1 Gene Mutation in a Case with Sperm Morphological Defects Leading to Male Infertility. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01612-w. [PMID: 38886283 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01612-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The present study aimed at identifying the genetic mutation responsible for teratozoospermic infertility in a case with coiled sperm tails. A 33-year-old infertile male was diagnosed with teratozoospermic infertility, with sperm head in coiled (HIC) tail as the most common deformity. We employed whole exome sequencing to identify the genetic cause in this case. Exome sequencing data was filtered using the following criteria: MAF (< 0.003), ALFA project (< 0.001), 1000 Genomes (< 0.003), Granthem (> 50), Polyphen-2 (> 0.70), SIFT (< 0.03), and PhyloP (> = 0) scores. Shortlisted variants were looked in the in-house 29 exomes data available with us, and the variants that affected conserved amino acid residues or led to insertion/deletion or to protein-truncation with a Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion (CADD) score ≥ 10 were shortlisted. The variants thus populated were prioritized according to their roles in spermiogenesis. The study identified a heterozygous mutation c.826C > T (Arg276Trp) in the SPEM1 gene as a potential pathogenic variant that led to teratozoospermic infertility in the case under investigation. The mutation had a minor allele frequency of 0.00008176 in the gnomAd database and was absent in the Indian Genome Variations database. This is the first human study reporting a mutation in the SPEM1 gene as a cause of coiled sperm tails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Sethi
- Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Poonam Mehta
- Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Kalyan Mitra
- Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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2
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Li C, Shen C, Xiong W, Ge H, Shen Y, Chi J, Zhang H, Tang L, Lu S, Wang J, Fei J, Wang Z. Spem2, a novel testis-enriched gene, is required for spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:108. [PMID: 38421455 PMCID: PMC10904452 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05147-w] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is considered to be crucial for the production of haploid spermatozoa with normal morphology, structure and function, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SPEM family member 2 (Spem2), as a novel testis-enriched gene, is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. Spem2 is predominantly expressed in the haploid male germ cells and is highly conserved across mammals. Mice deficient for Spem2 develop male infertility associated with spermiogenesis impairment. Specifically, the insufficient sperm individualization, failure of excess cytoplasm shedding, and defects in acrosome formation are evident in Spem2-null sperm. Sperm counts and motility are also significantly reduced compared to controls. In vivo fertilization assays have shown that Spem2-null sperm are unable to fertilize oocytes, possibly due to their impaired ability to migrate from the uterus into the oviduct. However, the infertility of Spem2-/- males cannot be rescued by in vitro fertilization, suggesting that defective sperm-egg interaction may also be a contributing factor. Furthermore, SPEM2 is detected to interact with ZPBP, PRSS21, PRSS54, PRSS55, ADAM2 and ADAM3 and is also required for their processing and maturation in epididymal sperm. Our findings establish SPEM2 as an essential regulator of spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice, possibly in mammals including humans. Understanding the molecular role of SPEM2 could provide new insights into future therapeutic treatment of human male infertility and development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haoyang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Chi
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lingyun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shunyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jinjin Wang
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of teratospermia has been increasing, and it has become a very important factor leading to male infertility. The research on the molecular mechanism of teratospermia is also progressing rapidly. This article briefly summarizes the clinical incidence of teratozoospermia, and makes a retrospective summary of related studies reported in recent years. Specifically discussing the relationship between gene status and spermatozoa, the review aims to provide the basis for the genetic diagnosis and gene therapy of teratozoospermia.
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4
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Nozawa K, Fujihara Y, Devlin DJ, Deras RE, Kent K, Larina IV, Umezu K, Yu Z, Sutton CM, Ye Q, Dean LK, Emori C, Ikawa M, Garcia TX, Matzuk MM. The testis-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF133 is required for fecundity in mice. BMC Biol 2022; 20:161. [PMID: 35831855 PMCID: PMC9277888 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01368-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification required for a number of physiological functions regulating protein homeostasis, such as protein degradation. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control system recognizes and degrades proteins no longer needed in the ER through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. E2 and E3 enzymes containing a transmembrane domain have been shown to function in ER quality control. The ER transmembrane protein UBE2J1 is a E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme reported to be essential for spermiogenesis at the elongating spermatid stage. Spermatids from Ube2j1 KO male mice are believed to have defects in the dislocation step of ER quality control. However, associated E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases that function during spermatogenesis remain unknown. RESULTS We identified four evolutionarily conserved testis-specific E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases [RING finger protein 133 (Rnf133); RING finger protein 148 (Rnf148); RING finger protein 151 (Rnf151); and Zinc finger SWIM-type containing 2 (Zswim2)]. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated and analyzed the fertility of mutant mice with null alleles for each of these E3-encoding genes, as well as double and triple knockout (KO) mice. Male fertility, male reproductive organ, and sperm-associated parameters were analyzed in detail. Fecundity remained largely unaffected in Rnf148, Rnf151, and Zswim2 KO males; however, Rnf133 KO males displayed severe subfertility. Additionally, Rnf133 KO sperm exhibited abnormal morphology and reduced motility. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that cytoplasmic droplets were retained in Rnf133 KO spermatozoa. Although Rnf133 and Rnf148 encode paralogous genes that are chromosomally linked and encode putative ER transmembrane E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases based on their protein structures, there was limited functional redundancy of these proteins. In addition, we identified UBE2J1 as an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating protein that interacts with RNF133. CONCLUSIONS Our studies reveal that RNF133 is a testis-expressed E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that plays a critical role for sperm function during spermiogenesis. Based on the presence of a transmembrane domain in RNF133 and its interaction with the ER containing E2 protein UBE2J1, we hypothesize that these ubiquitin-regulatory proteins function together in ER quality control during spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Nozawa
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Darius J Devlin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ricardo E Deras
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Katarzyna Kent
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kohei Umezu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Courtney M Sutton
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qiuji Ye
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Laura K Dean
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Mészárosová M, Mészáros G, Moravčíková N, Pavlík I, Margetín M, Kasarda R. Within- and between-Breed Selection Signatures in the Original and Improved Valachian Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111346. [PMID: 35681809 PMCID: PMC9179888 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the genomic diversity and selection signatures in two Slovakian national breeds, the Original Valachian and the Improved Valachian sheep. As they are an important animal genetic resource within the country, but with decreasing population size, our aim is to identify potentially valuable genomic regions. A total of 97 sheep (18 male and 79 female) from the Original Valachian, and 69 sheep (25 male and 44 female) from the Improved Valachian populations were genotyped using the GeneSeek GGP Ovine 50 K chip. The inbreeding levels were assessed with runs of homozygosity (ROH). The selection signatures within breeds were identified based on the top 1% of most homozygous regions within the breed, the so-called ROH islands. The selection signatures between breeds were assessed based on variance in linkage disequilibrium. Overall, we have identified selection signatures with quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes pointing towards all three production purposes of the Valachian sheep, milk, meat, and wool, including their quality characteristics. Another group with apparent large importance was the various traits related to health and resistance to parasites, which is well in line with the sturdy nature of this breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Mészárosová
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.M.); (R.K.)
| | - Gábor Mészáros
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Nina Moravčíková
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.M.); (R.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ivan Pavlík
- Research Institute of Animal Production—NPPC Slovakia, Hlohovecká 2, 95141 Nitra—Lužianky, Slovakia;
| | - Milan Margetín
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Radovan Kasarda
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.M.); (R.K.)
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6
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS. Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:7-60. [PMID: 33880962 PMCID: PMC8812575 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon is a highly differentiated and polarized cell, with two main structures: the head, containing a haploid nucleus and the acrosomal exocytotic granule, and the flagellum, which generates energy and propels the cell; both structures are connected by the neck. The sperm's main aim is to participate in fertilization, thus activating development. Despite this common bauplan and function, there is an enormous diversity in structure and performance of sperm cells. For example, mammalian spermatozoa may exhibit several head patterns and overall sperm lengths ranging from ∼30 to 350 µm. Mechanisms of transport in the female tract, preparation for fertilization, and recognition of and interaction with the oocyte also show considerable variation. There has been much interest in understanding the origin of this diversity, both in evolutionary terms and in relation to mechanisms underlying sperm differentiation in the testis. Here, relationships between sperm bauplan and function are examined at two levels: first, by analyzing the selective forces that drive changes in sperm structure and physiology to understand the adaptive values of this variation and impact on male reproductive success and second, by examining cellular and molecular mechanisms of sperm formation in the testis that may explain how differentiation can give rise to such a wide array of sperm forms and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Ubiquitome analysis reveals the involvement of lysine ubiquitination in the spermatogenesis process of adult buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) testis. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:225077. [PMID: 32469046 PMCID: PMC7298129 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination, a major and conserved post-translational modification, is known to play a critical regulatory role in many biological processes in eukaryotes. Although several ubiquitinated proteins have been found in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) testis in our previous studies, large-scale profiling of buffalo testis ubiquitome has not been reported to date. In the present study, we first identified a global profiling of lysine ubiquitination of adult buffalo testis using a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS coupled with immune-affinity enrichment of ubiquitinated peptides. In total, 422 lysine ubiquitination sites were identified in 262 proteins in adult buffalo testis tissue. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the ubiquitinated proteins are involved in a variety of biological processes and diverse subcellular localizations. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and protein interaction network analysis indicated that proteasome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and gap junction pathways are modulated by protein ubiquitination in testis. Besides, 44 ubiquitinated proteins may involve in spermatogenesis according to the SpermatogenesisOnline database, of which, the ubiquitination of HSPA2 and UCHL1 were confirmed by Immunoprecipitation (IP)/Western blot analysis. Taken together, these data provide a global view of ubiquitome in buffalo testis for the first time, and serve as an important resource for exploring the physiological role especially spermatogenesis of lysine ubiquitination in testis in mammals.
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Elango K, Kumaresan A, Sharma A, Nag P, Prakash MA, Sinha MK, Manimaran A, Peter ESKJ, Jeyakumar S, Selvaraju S, Ramesha KP, Datta TK. Sub-fertility in crossbred bulls: deciphering testicular level transcriptomic alterations between zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) bulls. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:502. [PMID: 32693775 PMCID: PMC7372791 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06907-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of poor semen quality and sub-fertility/infertility is higher in crossbred as compared to Zebu males. Several attempts have been made to understand the possible reasons for higher incidence of fertility problems in crossbred males, at sperm phenotype, proteome and genome level but with variable results. Since the quality of the ejaculated spermatozoa is determined by the testicular environment, assessing the testicular transcriptome between these breeds would help in identifying the possible mechanisms associated with infertility in crossbred bulls. However, such information is not available. We performed global transcriptomic profiling of testicular tissue from crossbred and Zebu bulls using Agilent Bos taurus GXP 8X60k AMADID: 29411 array. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the testicular mRNAs between crossbred and Zebu bulls. RESULTS Out of the 14,419 transcripts detected in bovine testis, 1466 were differentially expressed between crossbred and Zebu bulls, in which 1038 were upregulated and 428 were downregulated in crossbred bulls. PI4KB and DPY19L2 genes, reported to be involved in sperm capacitation and acrosome formation respectively, were among the top 10 downregulated transcripts in crossbred testis. Genes involved in ubiquitination and proteolysis were upregulated, while genes involved in cell proliferation, stem cell differentiation, stem cell population maintenance, steroidogenesis, WNT signalling, protein localization to plasma membrane, endocannabinoid signalling, heparin binding, cAMP metabolism and GABA receptor activity were downregulated in crossbred testis. Among the 10 genes validated using qPCR, expression of CCNYL, SOX2, MSMB, SPATA7, TNP1, TNP2 and CRISP2 followed the same trend as observed in microarray analysis with SPATA7 being significantly downregulated and transition proteins (TNP1, TNP2) being significantly upregulated in crossbred bulls. CONCLUSIONS Abundant proteolysis by ubiquitination and downregulation of WNT signaling, cell proliferation, differentiation and steroidogenesis might be associated with higher incidence of poor semen quality and/or sub-fertility/infertility in crossbred bulls as compared to Zebu bulls. Downregulation of SPATA7 (Spermatogenesis Associated 7) and upregulation of transition proteins (TNP1 and TNP2) in crossbred bull testis might be associated with impaired spermatogenesis processes including improper chromatin compaction in crossbred bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaraj Elango
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India.
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Mani Arul Prakash
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Manish Kumar Sinha
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Ayyasamy Manimaran
- Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Ebenezer Samuel King John Peter
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Sakthivel Jeyakumar
- Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Sellappan Selvaraju
- Reproductive physiology Laboratory, ICAR - National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Kerekoppa P Ramesha
- Southern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, ICAR - National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132 001, India
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9
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS, Krapf D, Strauss III JF, Bhagat V, Sapao P. Sperm Differentiation: The Role of Trafficking of Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3702. [PMID: 32456358 PMCID: PMC7279445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm differentiation encompasses a complex sequence of morphological changes that takes place in the seminiferous epithelium. In this process, haploid round spermatids undergo substantial structural and functional alterations, resulting in highly polarized sperm. Hallmark changes during the differentiation process include the formation of new organelles, chromatin condensation and nuclear shaping, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and assembly of the sperm flagella. To achieve these transformations, spermatids have unique mechanisms for protein trafficking that operate in a coordinated fashion. Microtubules and filaments of actin are the main tracks used to facilitate the transport mechanisms, assisted by motor and non-motor proteins, for delivery of vesicular and non-vesicular cargos to specific sites. This review integrates recent findings regarding the role of protein trafficking in sperm differentiation. Although a complete characterization of the interactome of proteins involved in these temporal and spatial processes is not yet known, we propose a model based on the current literature as a framework for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Jerome F. Strauss III
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Virali Bhagat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Paulene Sapao
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298, USA;
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Yurchenko AA, Deniskova TE, Yudin NS, Dotsev AV, Khamiruev TN, Selionova MI, Egorov SV, Reyer H, Wimmers K, Brem G, Zinovieva NA, Larkin DM. High-density genotyping reveals signatures of selection related to acclimation and economically important traits in 15 local sheep breeds from Russia. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:294. [PMID: 32039702 PMCID: PMC7227232 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5537-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Domestication and centuries of selective breeding have changed genomes of sheep breeds to respond to environmental challenges and human needs. The genomes of local breeds, therefore, are valuable sources of genomic variants to be used to understand mechanisms of response to adaptation and artificial selection. As a step toward this we performed a high-density genotyping and comprehensive scans for signatures of selection in the genomes from 15 local sheep breeds reared across Russia. Results Results demonstrated that the genomes of Russian sheep breeds contain multiple regions under putative selection. More than 50% of these regions matched with intervals identified in previous scans for selective sweeps in sheep genomes. These regions contain well-known candidate genes related to morphology, adaptation, and domestication (e.g., KITLG, KIT, MITF, and MC1R), wool quality and quantity (e.g., DSG@, DSC@, and KRT@), growth and feed intake (e.g., HOXA@, HOXC@, LCORL, NCAPG, LAP3, and CCSER1), reproduction (e.g., CMTM6, HTRA1, GNAQ, UBQLN1, and IFT88), and milk-related traits (e.g., ABCG2, SPP1, ACSS1, and ACSS2). In addition, multiple genes that are putatively related to environmental adaptations were top-ranked in selected intervals (e.g., EGFR, HSPH1, NMUR1, EDNRB, PRL, TSHR, and ADAMTS5). Moreover, we observed that multiple key genes involved in human hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies, and genetic disorders accompanied with an inability to feel pain and environmental temperatures, were top-ranked in multiple or individual sheep breeds from Russia pointing to a possible mechanism of adaptation to harsh climatic conditions. Conclusions Our work represents the first comprehensive scan for signatures of selection in genomes of local sheep breeds from the Russian Federation of both European and Asian origins. We confirmed that the genomes of Russian sheep contain previously identified signatures of selection, demonstrating the robustness of our integrative approach. Multiple novel signatures of selection were found near genes which could be related to adaptation to the harsh environments of Russia. Our study forms a basis for future work on using Russian sheep genomes to spot specific genetic variants or haplotypes to be used in efforts on developing next-generation highly productive breeds, better suited to diverse Eurasian environments. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5537-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A Yurchenko
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICG SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana E Deniskova
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Podolsk, 142132, Russia
| | - Nikolay S Yudin
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICG SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Arsen V Dotsev
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Podolsk, 142132, Russia
| | - Timur N Khamiruev
- Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Eastern Siberia, The Branch of the Siberian Federal Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chita, Russia
| | - Marina I Selionova
- All-Russian Research Institute of Sheep and Goat Breeding - branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution North Caucasian Agrarian Center, Stavropol, 355017, Russia
| | - Sergey V Egorov
- Siberian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, Krasnoobsk, Russia
| | - Henry Reyer
- Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Klaus Wimmers
- Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Gottfried Brem
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Podolsk, 142132, Russia.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalia A Zinovieva
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Podolsk, 142132, Russia.
| | - Denis M Larkin
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICG SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia. .,Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK.
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11
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Giordano T, Gadadhar S, Bodakuntla S, Straub J, Leboucher S, Martinez G, Chemlali W, Bosc C, Andrieux A, Bieche I, Arnoult C, Geimer S, Janke C. Loss of the deglutamylase CCP5 perturbs multiple steps of spermatogenesis and leads to male infertility. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.226951. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.226951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells are highly specialized mammalian cells, and their biogenesis requires unique intracellular structures. Perturbations of spermatogenesis often lead to male infertility. Here we assess the role of a posttranslational modification of tubulin, glutamylation, in spermatogenesis. We show that mice lacking the tubulin deglutamylase CCP5 do not form functional sperm. Spermatids accumulate polyglutamylated tubulin, accompanied by the occurrence of disorganized microtubule arrays, in particular the sperm manchette, fail to re-arrange their intracellular space and accumulate organelles and cytosol, while nuclei condense normally. Strikingly, spermatids lacking CCP5 show supernumerary centrioles, suggesting that glutamylation could control centriole duplication. We show that most of these observed defects are also present in mice in which CCP5 is deleted only in the male germ line, strongly suggesting that they are germ-cell-autonomous. Our findings reveal that polyglutamylation is, beyond its known importance for sperm flagella, and essential regulator of several microtubule-based functions during spermatogenesis. This makes enzymes involved in glutamylation prime candidates for genes involved in male sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Giordano
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Sudarshan Gadadhar
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Satish Bodakuntla
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Jonas Straub
- Cell Biology and Electron Microscopy, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sophie Leboucher
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, F-38000, France
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Walid Chemlali
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Genetics, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Bosc
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, F-38000, France
- Inserm U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Annie Andrieux
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, F-38000, France
- Inserm U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Ivan Bieche
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Genetics, F-75005, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, F-38000, France
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Stefan Geimer
- Cell Biology and Electron Microscopy, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Carsten Janke
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
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12
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Ran MX, Li Y, Zhang Y, Liang K, Ren YN, Zhang M, Zhou GB, Zhou YM, Wu K, Wang CD, Huang Y, Luo B, Qazi IH, Zhang HM, Zeng CJ. Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals the Differentially Expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs Involved in Cryoinjuries in Frozen-Thawed Giant Panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Sperm. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103066. [PMID: 30297640 PMCID: PMC6212861 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination are important methods for giant panda breeding and preservation of extant genetic diversity. Lower conception rates limit the use of artificial insemination with frozen-thawed giant panda sperm, due to the lack of understanding of the cryodamaging or cryoinjuring mechanisms in cryopreservation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in regulating spermatogenesis. However, their roles during cryopreservation remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with cryodamage or freeze tolerance in frozen-thawed sperm through high throughput sequencing. A total of 61.05 Gb clean reads and 22,774 lncRNA transcripts were obtained. From the sequencing results, 1477 significantly up-regulated and 1,396 significantly down-regulated lncRNA transcripts from fresh and frozen-thawed sperm of giant panda were identified. GO and KEGG showed that the significantly dysregulated lncRNAs and mRNAs were mainly involved in regulating responses to cold stress and apoptosis, such as the integral component of membrane, calcium transport, and various signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, p53 and cAMP. Our work is the first systematic profiling of lncRNA and mRNA in fresh and frozen-thawed giant panda sperm, and provides valuableinsights into the potential mechanism of cryodamage in sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Xia Ran
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yuan Li
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Kai Liang
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ying-Nan Ren
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Guang-Bin Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ying-Min Zhou
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Kai Wu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Cheng-Dong Wang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Yan Huang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Bo Luo
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Izhar Hyder Qazi
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy & Histology, Faculty of Bio-Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand 67210, Pakistan.
| | - He-Min Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong 473000, China.
| | - Chang-Jun Zeng
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
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13
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Wei YL, Yang WX. The acroframosome-acroplaxome-manchette axis may function in sperm head shaping and male fertility. Gene 2018; 660:28-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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14
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Lehti MS, Sironen A. Formation and function of sperm tail structures in association with sperm motility defects†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:522-536. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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15
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Lin YH, Ke CC, Wang YY, Chen MF, Chen TM, Ku WC, Chiang HS, Yeh CH. RAB10 Interacts with the Male Germ Cell-Specific GTPase-Activating Protein during Mammalian Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18010097. [PMID: 28067790 PMCID: PMC5297731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
According to recent estimates, 2%–15% of couples are sterile, and approximately half of the infertility cases are attributed to male reproductive factors. However, the reasons remain undefined in approximately 25% of male infertility cases, and most infertility cases exhibit spermatogenic defects. Numerous genes involved in spermatogenesis still remain unknown. We previously identified Male Germ Cells Rab GTPase-Activating Proteins (MGCRABGAPs) through cDNA microarray analysis of human testicular tissues with spermatogenic defects. MGCRABGAP contains a conserved RABGAP catalytic domain, TBC (Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16). RABGAP family proteins regulate cellular function (e.g., cytoskeletal remodeling, vesicular trafficking, and cell migration) by inactivating RAB proteins. MGCRABGAP is a male germ cell-specific protein expressed in elongating and elongated spermatids during mammalian spermiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify proteins that interact with MGCRABGAP during mammalian spermiogenesis using a proteomic approach. We found that MGCRABGAP exhibited GTPase-activating bioability, and several MGCRABGAP interactors, possible substrates (e.g., RAB10, RAB5C, and RAP1), were identified using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS). We confirmed the binding ability between RAB10 and MGCRABGAP via co-IP. Additionally, MGCRABGAP–RAB10 complexes were specifically colocalized in the manchette structure, a critical structure for the formation of spermatid heads, and were slightly expressed at the midpiece of mature spermatozoa. Based on these results, we propose that MGCRABGAP is involved in mammalian spermiogenesis by modulating RAB10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Chun Ke
- Department of Urology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 23702, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Yun Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Feng Chen
- Bone and Joint Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Ming Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Chi Ku
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Han-Sun Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Hsin Yeh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Shin-Kong Wu-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 11101, Taiwan.
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16
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The control of male fertility by spermatid-specific factors: searching for contraceptive targets from spermatozoon's head to tail. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2472. [PMID: 27831554 PMCID: PMC5260884 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility due to abnormal spermatozoa has been reported in both animals and humans, but its pathogenic causes, including genetic abnormalities, remain largely unknown. On the other hand, contraceptive options for men are limited, and a specific, reversible and safe method of male contraception has been a long-standing quest in medicine. Some progress has recently been made in exploring the effects of spermatid-specifical genetic factors in controlling male fertility. A comprehensive search of PubMed for articles and reviews published in English before July 2016 was carried out using the search terms 'spermiogenesis failure', 'globozoospermia', 'spermatid-specific', 'acrosome', 'infertile', 'manchette', 'sperm connecting piece', 'sperm annulus', 'sperm ADAMs', 'flagellar abnormalities', 'sperm motility loss', 'sperm ion exchanger' and 'contraceptive targets'. Importantly, we have opted to focus on articles regarding spermatid-specific factors. Genetic studies to define the structure and physiology of sperm have shown that spermatozoa appear to be one of the most promising contraceptive targets. Here we summarize how these spermatid-specific factors regulate spermiogenesis and categorize them according to their localization and function from spermatid head to tail (e.g., acrosome, manchette, head-tail conjunction, annulus, principal piece of tail). In addition, we emphatically introduce small-molecule contraceptives, such as BRDT and PPP3CC/PPP3R2, which are currently being developed to target spermatogenic-specific proteins. We suggest that blocking the differentiation of haploid germ cells, which rarely affects early spermatogenic cell types and the testicular microenvironment, is a better choice than spermatogenic-specific proteins. The studies described here provide valuable information regarding the genetic and molecular defects causing male mouse infertility to improve our understanding of the importance of spermatid-specific factors in controlling fertility. Although a male contraceptive 'pill' is still many years away, research into the production of new small-molecule contraceptives targeting spermatid-specific proteins is the right avenue.
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17
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Lehti MS, Sironen A. Formation and function of the manchette and flagellum during spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2016; 151:R43-54. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The last phase of spermatogenesis involves spermatid elongation (spermiogenesis), where the nucleus is remodeled by chromatin condensation, the excess cytoplasm is removed and the acrosome and sperm tail are formed. Protein transport during spermatid elongation is required for correct formation of the sperm tail and acrosome and shaping of the head. Two microtubular-based protein delivery platforms transport proteins to the developing head and tail: the manchette and the sperm tail axoneme. The manchette is a transient skirt-like structure surrounding the elongating spermatid head and is only present during spermatid elongation. In this review, we consider current understanding of the assembly, disassembly and function of the manchette and the roles of these processes in spermatid head shaping and sperm tail formation. Recent studies have shown that at least some of the structural proteins of the sperm tail are transported through the intra-manchette transport to the basal body at the base of the developing sperm tail and through the intra-flagellar transport to the construction site in the flagellum. This review focuses on the microtubule-based mechanisms involved and the consequences of their disruption in spermatid elongation.
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18
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Bao J, Tang C, Li J, Zhang Y, Bhetwal BP, Zheng H, Yan W. RAN-binding protein 9 is involved in alternative splicing and is critical for male germ cell development and male fertility. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004825. [PMID: 25474150 PMCID: PMC4256260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
As a member of the large Ran-binding protein family, Ran-binding protein 9 (RANBP9) has been suggested to play a critical role in diverse cellular functions in somatic cell lineages in vitro, and this is further supported by the neonatal lethality phenotype in Ranbp9 global knockout mice. However, the exact molecular actions of RANBP9 remain largely unknown. By inactivation of Ranbp9 specifically in testicular somatic and spermatogenic cells, we discovered that Ranbp9 was dispensable for Sertoli cell development and functions, but critical for male germ cell development and male fertility. RIP-Seq and proteomic analyses revealed that RANBP9 was associated with multiple key splicing factors and directly targeted >2,300 mRNAs in spermatocytes and round spermatids. Many of the RANBP9 target and non-target mRNAs either displayed aberrant splicing patterns or were dysregulated in the absence of Ranbp9. Our data uncovered a novel role of Ranbp9 in regulating alternative splicing in spermatogenic cells, which is critical for normal spermatogenesis and male fertility. Male fertility depends on successful production of functional sperm. Sperm are produced through spermatogenesis, a process of male germ cell proliferation and differentiation in the testis. Most of the genes involved in spermatogenesis are transcribed and processed into multiple isoforms, which are mainly achieved through alternative splicing. The testis-specific transcriptome, characterized by male germ cell-specific alternative splicing patterns, has been shown to be essential for successful spermatogenesis. However, how these male germ cells-specific alternative splicing events are regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we report that RANBP9 is involved in alternative splicing events that are critical for male germ cell development, and dysfunction of RANBP9 leads to disrupted spermatogenesis and compromised male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Chong Tang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Jiachen Li
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Bhupal P. Bhetwal
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Koenig PA, Nicholls PK, Schmidt FI, Hagiwara M, Maruyama T, Frydman GH, Watson N, Page DC, Ploegh HL. The E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2J1 is required for spermiogenesis in mice. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:34490-502. [PMID: 25320092 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.604132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
ER-resident proteins destined for degradation are dislocated into the cytosol by components of the ER quality control machinery for proteasomal degradation. Dislocation substrates are ubiquitylated in the cytosol by E2 ubiquitin-conjugating/E3 ligase complexes. UBE2J1 is one of the well-characterized E2 enzymes that participate in this process. However, the physiological function of Ube2j1 is poorly defined. We find that Ube2j1(-/-) mice have reduced viability and fail to thrive early after birth. Male Ube2j1(-/-) mice are sterile due to a defect in late spermatogenesis. Ultrastructural analysis shows that removal of the cytoplasm is incomplete in Ube2j1(-/-) elongating spermatids, compromising the release of mature elongate spermatids into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. Our findings identify an essential function for the ubiquitin-proteasome-system in spermiogenesis and define a novel, non-redundant physiological function for the dislocation step of ER quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul-Albert Koenig
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Peter K Nicholls
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Florian I Schmidt
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Masatoshi Hagiwara
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Takeshi Maruyama
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Galit H Frydman
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Nicki Watson
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - David C Page
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- From the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, and
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20
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Kasimanickam VR, Kasimanickam RK, Dernell WS. Dysregulated microRNA clusters in response to retinoic acid and CYP26B1 inhibitor induced testicular function in dogs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99433. [PMID: 24911586 PMCID: PMC4049822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a multistep synchronized process. Diploid spermatogonia differentiate into haploid spermatozoa following mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesis. Division and differentiation of male germ cells is achieved through the sequential expression of several genes. Numerous mRNAs in the differentiating germ cells undergo post-transcriptional and translational regulation. MiRNAs are powerful negative regulators of mRNA transcription, stability, and translation and recognize their mRNA targets through base-pairing. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is essential for spermatogenesis and testicular function. Testicular RA level is critical for RA signal transduction. This study investigated the miRNAs modulation in an RA- induced testicular environment following the administration of all-trans RA (2 µM) and CYP26B1- inhibitor (1 µM) compared to control. Eighty four canine mature miRNAs were analyzed and their expression signatures were distinguished using real-time PCR based array technology. Of the miRNAs analyzed, miRNA families such as miR-200 (cfa-miR-200a, cfa-miR-200b and cfa-miR-200c), Mirlet-7 (cfa-let-7a, cfa-let-7b, cfa-let-7c, cfa-let-7g and cfa-let-7f), miR-125 (cfa-miR-125a and cfa-miR-125b), miR-146 (cfa-miR-146a and cfa-miR-146b), miR-34 (cfa-miR-34a, cfa-miR-34b and cfa-miR-34c), miR-23 (cfa-miR-23a and cfa-miR-23b), cfa-miR-184, cfa-miR-214 and cfa-miR-141 were significantly up-regulated with testicular RA intervention via administration of CYP26B1 inhibitor and all-trans-RA and species of miRNA such as cfa-miR-19a, cfa-miR-29b, cfa-miR-29c, cfa-miR-101 and cfa-miR-137 were significantly down-regulated. This study explored information regarding chromosome distribution, human orthologous sequences and the interaction of target genes of miRNA families significantly distinguished in this study using prediction algorithms. This study importantly identified dysregulated miRNA species resulting from RA-induced spermatogenesis. The present contribution serves as a useful resource for further elucidation of the regulatory role of individual miRNA in RA synchronized canine spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanmathy R. Kasimanickam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ramanathan K. Kasimanickam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - William S. Dernell
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
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Huang CJ, Chen HY, Lin WY, Choo KB. Differential expression of speckled POZ protein, SPOP: putative regulation by miR-145. J Biosci 2014; 39:401-13. [PMID: 24845504 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-014-9432-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The speckle POZ protein, SPOP, is an adaptor of the Cul3-based ubiquitination process, and has been implicated in the carcinogenesis process. Despite recent elucidation of biological functions, regulation of SPOP gene expression has not been reported. In this study, the mRNA levels of the mouse SPOP (mSPOP) gene were first shown to vary noticeably in different tissues. However, the SPOP protein was detected in high abundance only in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and seminiferous tubule of the testis, echoing previous reports of involvement of ubiquitination in neuron cells and in spermatogenesis. In other mouse tissues and human cancer cell lines analysed, only low SPOP protein levels were detected. The 3'-untranslated regions of both the mSPOP and human SPOP transcripts harbor a conserved putative miR-145 binding site (BS). In some tissues and cell lines, miR-145 and SPOP protein levels were in an inverse relationship suggesting miR-145 regulation. Luciferase assays of deletion and point mutation constructs of the miR-145 BS, and miR-145 induction by serum starvation that resulted in reduced endogenous SPOP levels provided further evidence that miR-145 is likely involved in post-transcriptional regulation of SPOP expression in selected tissues, and possibly with the participation of other miRNA species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu-Jung Huang
- Department of Animal Science and 2Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Yang Ming Shan, Taipei, Taiwan 111
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The ubiquilin gene family: evolutionary patterns and functional insights. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:63. [PMID: 24674348 PMCID: PMC4230246 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-14-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ubiquilins are proteins that function as ubiquitin receptors in eukaryotes. Mutations in two ubiquilin-encoding genes have been linked to the genesis of neurodegenerative diseases. However, ubiquilin functions are still poorly understood. Results In this study, evolutionary and functional data are combined to determine the origin and diversification of the ubiquilin gene family and to characterize novel potential roles of ubiquilins in mammalian species, including humans. The analysis of more than six hundred sequences allowed characterizing ubiquilin diversity in all the main eukaryotic groups. Many organisms (e. g. fungi, many animals) have single ubiquilin genes, but duplications in animal, plant, alveolate and excavate species are described. Seven different ubiquilins have been detected in vertebrates. Two of them, here called UBQLN5 and UBQLN6, had not been hitherto described. Significantly, marsupial and eutherian mammals have the most complex ubiquilin gene families, composed of up to 6 genes. This exceptional mammalian-specific expansion is the result of the recent emergence of four new genes, three of them (UBQLN3, UBQLN5 and UBQLNL) with precise testis-specific expression patterns that indicate roles in the postmeiotic stages of spermatogenesis. A gene with related features has independently arisen in species of the Drosophila genus. Positive selection acting on some mammalian ubiquilins has been detected. Conclusions The ubiquilin gene family is highly conserved in eukaryotes. The infrequent lineage-specific amplifications observed may be linked to the emergence of novel functions in particular tissues.
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SEPT12-microtubule complexes are required for sperm head and tail formation. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22102-16. [PMID: 24213608 PMCID: PMC3856054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The septin gene belongs to a highly conserved family of polymerizing GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins. SEPTs perform cytoskeletal remodeling, cell polarity, mitosis, and vesicle trafficking by interacting with various cytoskeletons. Our previous studies have indicated that SEPTIN12+/+/+/- chimeras with a SEPTIN12 mutant allele were infertile. Spermatozoa from the vas deferens of chimeric mice indicated an abnormal sperm morphology, decreased sperm count, and immotile sperm. Mutations and genetic variants of SEPTIN12 in infertility cases also caused oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. We suggest that a loss of SEPT12 affects the biological function of microtublin functions and causes spermiogenesis defects. In the cell model, SEPT12 interacts with α- and β-tubulins by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). To determine the precise localization and interactions between SEPT12 and α- and β-tubulins in vivo, we created SEPTIN12-transgene mice. We demonstrate how SEPT12 interacts and co-localizes with α- and β-tubulins during spermiogenesis in these mice. By using shRNA, the loss of SEPT12 transcripts disrupts α- and β-tubulin organization. In addition, losing or decreasing SEPT12 disturbs the morphogenesis of sperm heads and the elongation of sperm tails, the steps of which are coordinated and constructed by α- and β-tubulins, in SEPTIN12+/+/+/- chimeras. In this study, we discovered that the SEPTIN12-microtubule complexes are critical for sperm formation during spermiogenesis.
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Yuan S, Zheng H, Zheng Z, Yan W. Proteomic analyses reveal a role of cytoplasmic droplets as an energy source during epididymal sperm maturation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77466. [PMID: 24155961 PMCID: PMC3796460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A small portion of cytoplasm is generally retained as the cytoplasmic droplet (CD) on the flagellum of spermatozoa after spermiation in mice. CDs are believed to play a role in osmoadaptation by allowing water entrance or exit. However, many lines of evidence suggest that CDs may have roles beyond osmoregulation. To gain more insights, we purified CDs from murine epididymal spermatozoa and conducted proteomic analyses on proteins highly enriched in CDs. Among 105 proteins identified, 71 (68%) were enzymes involved in energy metabolism. We also found that sperm mitochondria underwent a reactivation process and glycolytic enzymes were further distributed and incorporated into different regions of the flagellum during epididymal sperm maturation. Both processes appeared to require CDs. Our data suggest that the CD represents a transient organelle that serves as an energy source essential for epididymal sperm maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqiao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Zhihong Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Abstract
TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 7l (Taf7l; a paralogue of Taf7) and TBP-related factor 2 (Trf2) are components of the core promoter complex required for gene/tissue-specific transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II. Previous studies reported that Taf7l knockout (KO) mice exhibit structurally abnormal sperm, reduced sperm count, weakened motility, and compromised fertility. Here we find that continued backcrossing of Taf7l(-/Y) mice from N5 to N9 produced KO males that are essentially sterile. Genome-wide expression profiling by mRNA-sequencing analysis of wild-type (WT) and Taf7l(-/Y) (KO) testes revealed that Taf7l ablation impairs the expression of many postmeiotic spermatogenic-specific as well as metabolic genes. Importantly, histological analysis of testes revealed that Taf7l(-/Y) mice develop postmeiotic arrest at the first stage of spermiogenesis, phenotypically similar to Trf2(-/-) mice, but distinct from Taf4b(-/-) mice. Indeed, we find that Taf7l and Trf2 coregulate postmeiotic genes, but none of Taf4b-regulated germ stem cell genes in testes. Genome-wide ChIP-sequencing studies indicate that TAF7L binds to promoters of activated postmeiotic genes in testis. Moreover, biochemical studies show that TAF7L associates with TRF2 both in vitro and in testis, suggesting that TAF7L likely cooperates directly with TRF2 at promoters of a subset of postmeiotic genes to regulate spermiogenesis. Our findings thus provide a previously undescribed mechanism for cell-type-specific transcriptional control involving an interaction between a "nonprototypic" core promoter recognition factor (Trf2) and an orphan TAF subunit (Taf7l) in mammalian testis-specific gene transcription.
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26
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The cytoplasmic droplet may be indicative of sperm motility and normal spermiogenesis. Asian J Androl 2013; 15:799-805. [PMID: 23770936 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2013.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the cytoplasm of spermatids is removed at the end of spermiogenesis, a tiny portion is usually retained in the sperm flagellum, which is termed the cytoplasmic droplet (CD) in mammals. CDs are believed to play a role in sperm volume adaptation. However, we have noticed that epididymal spermatozoa that display initial (flagellation in situ) and progressive motility mostly possess CDs, whereas spermatozoa without CDs are rarely motile, suggesting that CDs have a role in motility development during sperm epididymal maturation. In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between the presence or absence of CDs, motility development and positional changes of CDs during sperm epididymal maturation in mice and monkeys. We also examined CDs on spermatozoa of three knockout mouse lines with late spermiogenic defects. Our data suggest that the CD is a normal organelle transiently present exclusively on epididymal spermatozoa, and normal CD morphology and location are associated with normal motility development during epididymal maturation of spermatozoa. Abnormal CD formation, e.g., a complete lack of CDs or ectopic CDs, is indicative of defective spermiogenesis. If CDs are essential for sperm motility development, then CDs may represent an ideal drug target for the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.
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Takalo M, Haapasalo A, Natunen T, Viswanathan J, Kurkinen KM, Tanzi RE, Soininen H, Hiltunen M. Targeting ubiquilin-1 in Alzheimer's disease. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2013; 17:795-810. [PMID: 23600477 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.791284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting an increasing number of people worldwide as the population ages. Currently, there are no drugs available that could prevent AD pathogenesis or slow down its progression. Increasing evidence links ubiquilin-1, an ubiquitin-like protein, into the pathogenic mechanisms of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Ubiquilin-1 has been shown to play a key role in the regulation of the levels, subcellular targeting, aggregation and degradation of various neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins. These include the amyloid precursor protein and presenilins that are intimately involved in the mechanisms of AD. AREAS COVERED Here, the properties and diverse functions of ubiquilin-1 protein in the context of the pathogenesis of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders are discussed. This review recapitulates the available knowledge on the involvement of ubiquilin-1 in the genetic and molecular mechanisms in AD. Furthermore, the association of ubiquilin-1 with specific proteins and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is described and the known ubiquilin-1-interacting proteins summarized. EXPERT OPINION The variety of ubiquilin-1-interacting proteins and its central role in the regulation of protein levels and degradation provides a number of novel candidates and approaches for future research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Takalo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Bao J, Ma HY, Schuster A, Lin YM, Yan W. Incomplete cre-mediated excision leads to phenotypic differences between Stra8-iCre; Mov10l1(lox/lox) and Stra8-iCre; Mov10l1(lox/Δ) mice. Genesis 2013; 51:481-90. [PMID: 23554062 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In the Cre-loxp system, expression level and activity of Cre recombinase in a Cre deleter line are critical because these determine not only the cell specificity of gene knockout (KO), but also the efficiency of Cre-mediated excision in a specific cell lineage. Although the spatiotemporal expression pattern of a Cre transgene is usually defined upon the generation of the mouse line, the Cre excision efficiency in a specific targeted cell lineage is rarely evaluated and often assumed to be 100%. Incomplete excision can lead to highly variable phenotypes owing to mosaicism (i.e., coexistence of cells with the flox or the recombined flox allele) and this problem has long been overlooked. Here, we report that Stra8-codon-improved Cre recombinase (iCre), a transgenic allele expressing iCre under the control of the male germ cell-specific Stra8 promoter, could efficiently delete one Mov10l1 flox allele in spermatogenic cells, whereas the excision was incomplete when two Mov10l1 flox alleles were present. The incomplete Cre-mediated excision led to a testicular phenotype that was much less severe than that in the true conditional KO (inactivation, 100%) mice. Our findings suggest that it is essential to determine the efficiency of Cre excision when Cre-loxp system is used for deleting genes in a specific cell lineage and the Cre; gene(lox) (/)(Δ) genotype should be used to evaluate phenotypes instead of Cre; gene(lox/lox) owing to the fact that the latter usually bears incomplete deletion of the flox allele(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
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Li Y, Li M, Liu Y, Song G, Liu N. A microarray for microRNA profiling in spermatozoa from adult men living in an environmentally polluted site. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 89:1111-1114. [PMID: 23007372 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-012-0827-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We compared the miRNA expression profiles of spermatozoa from adult men living in an environment contaminated with electronic waste with those living in a normal environment, using a miRNA microarray. There were 73 significantly upregulated and 109 downregulated miRNAs in spermatozoa from men in the polluted environment compared with controls. Ten miRNAs were expressed significantly differently between the control and polluted samples and this result were further confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification. A bioinformatics pipeline was developed to distinguish relationship with spermatogenesis. Our data indicated specific miRNAs expression of spermatozoa in men living in environmentally polluted sites and suggested that miRNAs have a role in regulating spermatogenesis. We also propose a subclassification scheme for miRNAs for assisting future experimental and computational functional analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Rd, Ningbo, 315211 Zhejiang, China.
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Sperry AO. The dynamic cytoskeleton of the developing male germ cell. Biol Cell 2012; 104:297-305. [PMID: 22276751 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is characterised by dramatic cellular change to transform the non-polar spermatogonium into a highly polarised and functional spermatozoon. The acquisition of cell polarity is a requisite step for formation of viable sperm. The polarity of the spermatozoon is clearly demonstrated by the acrosome at the apical pole of the cell and the flagellum at the opposite end. Spermatogenesis consists of three basic phases: mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesis. The final phase represents the period of greatest cellular change where cell-type specific organelles such as the acrosome and the flagellum form, the nucleus migrates to the plasma membrane and elongates, chromatin condenses and residual cytoplasm is removed. An important feature of spermatogenesis is the change in the cytoskeleton that occurs throughout this pathway. In this review, the author will provide an overview of these transformations and provide insight into possible modes of regulation of these rearrangements during spermatogenesis. Although primary focus will be given to the microtubule cytoskeleton, the importance of actin filaments to the cellular transformation of the male germ cell will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann O Sperry
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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Bao J, Wang L, Lei J, Hu Y, Liu Y, Shen H, Yan W, Xu C. STK31(TDRD8) is dynamically regulated throughout mouse spermatogenesis and interacts with MIWI protein. Histochem Cell Biol 2011; 137:377-89. [PMID: 22205278 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-011-0897-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tudor-domain-containing proteins (TDRDs) are suggested to be critical regulators of germinal granules assembly involved in Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs)-mediated pathways, of which associated components and the underlying functional mechanisms, however, remain to be elucidated. We herein characterized the expression pattern of STK31, a member of TDRDs subfamily (also termed as TDRD8), throughout spermatogenesis during mouse postnatal development. RT-PCR and Western blot verified its preferential expression in testis, but not in any other somatic tissues, in addition to embryonic stem cells. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that STK31 was confined to granules-like structures in mid-to-late spermatocyte cytoplasm and to acrosomal cap starting at steps 7-8 of spermatids. Furthermore, STK31 retained its localization to equatorial segment of acrosome during epididymal maturation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction. Co-immunoprecipitation assay in vivo and in vitro confirmed MIWI is a bona fide partner of STK31 in mice testes, in combination with LC/MS identification. We also discovered a group of heat shock proteins specifically associated with STK31 in vivo. Our findings suggest mouse STK31 could be a potential nuage-associated protein in the cytoplasm of mid-to-late spermatocytes and play pivotal roles related to fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Bao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Bao J, Wu Q, Song R, Jie Z, Zheng H, Xu C, Yan W. RANBP17 is localized to the XY body of spermatocytes and interacts with SPEM1 on the manchette of elongating spermatids. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 333:134-42. [PMID: 21184802 PMCID: PMC3039071 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2010] [Revised: 12/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We identified Ran-binding protein 17 (RANBP17) as one of the interacting partners of sperm maturation 1 (SPEM1) using yeast 2-hybrid screening and immunoprecipitation assays. Expression profiling analyses suggested that RANBP17 was preferentially expressed in the testis. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy revealed a dynamic localization pattern of RANBP17 during spermatogenesis. In primary spermatocytes RANBP17 was mainly localized to the XY body. In the subsequent spermiogenesis, RANBP17 was first observed in the nuclei of round spermatids (steps 1-7) and then confined to the manchette of elongating spermatids (steps 8-14) together with its interacting partner SPEM1. In the Spem1-null testes, levels of RANBP17 were significantly elevated. As a member of a large protein family involved in the nucleocytoplasmic transport, RANBP17 may have a role in sex chromosome inactivation during the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis, and also in the intramanchette transport during spermiogenesis. Interactions between RANBP17 and SPEM1, for the first time, point to a potential function of SPEM1 in the RANBP17-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Department of Embryology and Histology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuxia Wu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Zhang Jie
- Department of Biochemistry, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Embryology and Histology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Corresponding author: Wei Yan MD, PhD Associate Professor Department of Physiology and Cell Biology University of Nevada School of Medicine Anderson Biomedical Science Building 105C/111 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 352 Reno, NV 89557 Tel: 775 784 7765 (Office) 775 784 4688 (Lab) Fax: 775 784 6903 URL: http://www.medicine.nevada.edu/physio/facyan.html
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Two cases of sperm immotility: a mosaic of flagellar alterations related to dysplasia of the fibrous sheath and abnormalities of head-neck attachment. Fertil Steril 2010; 95:1787.e19-23. [PMID: 21144504 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the association of two systematic sperm defects. DESIGN Case report. SETTING University, Interdepartmental Centre for Research and Therapy of Male Infertility. PATIENT(S) Patient 1, 42 years old, and patient 2, 38 years old, both with severe asthenozoospermia. INTERVENTION(S) Family history, physical examination, hormonal analysis, microbial assays, semen analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry for tubulin, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes 18, X, and Y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Admixture of dysplasia of the fibrous sheath (DFS) and head-tail misalignment up to acephalic sperm detected by microscopic methods. RESULT(S) In both patients, DFS was present in incomplete form and was associated with acephalic sperm and abnormal head-tail attachment. In patient 2, spermatozoa were also affected by necrosis that may cause fragmentation leading to short flagella; submicroscopic examination allowed defining only the origin of these "stumpy" tails. Immunofluorescence confirmed the sperm alterations. FISH revealed an altered frequency of diploidy and disomy in patient 2 and a slight increase in diploidy in patient 1. CONCLUSION(S) The importance of ultrastructural sperm evaluation for correct identification of sperm pathologies is evident, particularly regarding assisted reproduction technology and genetic risk assessment.
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