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Tang Y, Zhang B, Shi H, Yan Z, Wang P, Yang Q, Huang X, Li J, Wang Z, Gun S. Cloning, expression analysis and localization of DAZL gene implicated in germ cell development of male Hezuo pig. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:4000-4014. [PMID: 37671929 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2023.2249953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) is essential for mammalian testicular function and spermatogenesis. To explore the molecular characterization, expression patterns, and cellular localization of the DAZL in Hezuo pig testes, testicular tissue was isolated from Hezuo pig at five development stages including 30 days old (30 d), 90 days old (90 d), 120 days old (120 d), 180 days old (180 d), and 240 days old (240 d). DAZL cDNA was first cloned using the RT-PCR method, and its molecular characterization was analyzed using relevant bioinformatics software. Subsequently, the expression patterns and cellular localization of DAZL were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The cloning and sequence analysis showed that the Hezuo pig DAZL cDNA fragment contained 888 bp open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding 295 amino acid residues and exhibited high identities with some other mammals. The qRT-PCR and Western blot results indicated that DAZL was specifically expressed in Hezuo pig testes, and DAZL levels of both mRNA and protein were expressed at all five reproductive stages of Hezuo pig testes, with extremely significant higher expression levels in 90 d, 120 d, 180 d, and 240 d than those in 30 d (p < 0.01). Additionally, immunohistochemistry results revealed that DAZL protein was mainly localized in gonocytes at 30 d testes, primary spermatocytes, and spermatozoon at other developmental stages, and Leydig cells throughout five development stages. Together, these results suggested that DAZL may play an important role by regulating the proliferation or differentiation of gonocytes, development of primary spermatocytes and spermatozoon, and functional maintenance of Leydig cells in testicular development and spermatogenesis of Hezuo pig. Nevertheless, the specific regulatory mechanisms underlying these phenomena still requires further investigated and verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuran Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haixia Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiyou Li
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zike Wang
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, China
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Garretson A, Dumont BL, Handel MA. Reproductive genomics of the mouse: implications for human fertility and infertility. Development 2023; 150:dev201313. [PMID: 36779988 PMCID: PMC10836652 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of mammalian gametogenesis and fertility have the potential to inform about two important and interrelated clinical areas: infertility and contraception. Here, we address the genetics and genomics underlying gamete formation, productivity and function in the context of reproductive success in mammalian systems, primarily mouse and human. Although much is known about the specific genes and proteins required for meiotic processes and sperm function, we know relatively little about other gametic determinants of overall fertility, such as regulation of gamete numbers, duration of gamete production, and gamete selection and function in fertilization. As fertility is not a binary trait, attention is now appropriately focused on the oligogenic, quantitative aspects of reproduction. Multiparent mouse populations, created by complex crossing strategies, exhibit genetic diversity similar to human populations and will be valuable resources for genetic discovery, helping to overcome current limitations to our knowledge of mammalian reproductive genetics. Finally, we discuss how what we know about the genomics of reproduction can ultimately be brought to the clinic, informing our concepts of human fertility and infertility, and improving assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Garretson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Beth L. Dumont
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Mary Ann Handel
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Li T, Wang X, Zhang H, Chen H, Liu N, Xue R, Zhao X, Ma Y. Gene expression patterns and protein cellular localization suggest a novel role for DAZL in developing Tibetan sheep testes. Gene 2020; 731:144335. [PMID: 31927007 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis as it regulates proliferation, development, maturation and functional maintenance of male germ cells. Its expression and regulation vary with different species or in the same animal at different developmental stages, and despite its importance, very little is known about its roles in sheep, especially Tibetan sheep. To investigate the expression patterns and regulatory roles of DZAL in Tibetan sheep testis, testicular tissue was isolated from sheep at three crucial development stages: 3 months old, 1 year old and 3 years old. Using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, we found that DAZL mRNA first decreased and then increased with advancing age, while DAZL protein exhibited an opposite expression pattern, with first increased and subsequently decreased levels. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence revealed that DAZL protein was located predominantly in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of spermatids. ELISA indicated that testosterone content within developing testes was first enhanced and then declined. Our results, taken together, demonstrate, for the first time, that DAZL gene is involved in Tibetan sheep spermatogenesis by regulating the development of spermatids in post-pubertal rams, along with a novel role in functional maintenance of Leydig cells in postnatal rams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China; Sheep Breeding Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Minqin 733300, Gansu, China
| | - Xia Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China
| | - Haolin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China
| | - Ningbo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China
| | - Ruilin Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Youji Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, China; Sheep Breeding Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Minqin 733300, Gansu, China.
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Identification and characterization of germ cell genes vasa and dazl in a protogynous hermaphrodite fish, orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Gene Expr Patterns 2020; 35:119095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2020.119095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Litchfield K, Shipley J, Turnbull C. Common variants identified in genome-wide association studies of testicular germ cell tumour: an update, biological insights and clinical application. Andrology 2015; 3:34-46. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Litchfield
- Division of Genetics and Epidemiology; The Institute of Cancer Research; London UK
| | - J. Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics; The Institute of Cancer Research; London UK
| | - C. Turnbull
- Division of Genetics and Epidemiology; The Institute of Cancer Research; London UK
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust; London UK
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Association between DAZL polymorphisms and susceptibility to male infertility: systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4642. [PMID: 24717865 PMCID: PMC5380160 DOI: 10.1038/srep04642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the association between polymorphisms in the Deleted in AZoospermia-Like (DAZL) gene and male infertility risk, but with inconsistent results. We aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, therefore a meta-analysis was performed. A total of 13 case-control studies, including 2556 cases and 1997 controls, were selected. Two polymorphisms in DAZL were investigated, namely T12A (Thr12 → Ala) and T54A (Thr54 → Ala). Our meta-analysis showed that A > G is a risk factor for male infertility (P = 0.047, OR = 1.262, 95%CI = 1.003–1.587). However, when using trial sequential analysis (TSA) to confirm, we found that A > G risk effect turned out to be false positive. In addition, significant association was found between the T54A polymorphism and male infertility under co-dominant model (AG vs. AA: OR = 4.364, 95%CI = 2.207–8.630, P < 0.001) and dominant model (OR = 4.584, 95%CI = 2.320–9.058, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that significantly strong association between T54A polymorphism and male infertility was present only in Asians, but not in Caucasians. Further studies of T12A and T54A with their biological functions are needed to understand the role of these polymorphisms in the development of male infertility.
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Ma C, Li J, Tao H, Lei B, Li Y, Tong K, Zhang X, Guan K, Shi Y, Li F. Discovery of two potential DAZL gene markers for sperm quality in boars by population association studies. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 143:97-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Teng YN, Chang YP, Tseng JT, Kuo PH, Lee IW, Lee MS, Kuo PL. A single-nucleotide polymorphism of the DAZL gene promoter confers susceptibility to spermatogenic failure in the Taiwanese Han. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:2857-65. [PMID: 22752612 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deleted in AZoospermia-like (DAZL) is an autosomal homologue of Y chromosome-linked DAZ gene located on chromosome 3p24. DAZL is only expressed in the gonads and is critical to germ cell development in different species. However, the regulation of DAZL has not been explored. METHODS Reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, supershift assays and bisulfate sequencing were used to identify the core promoter region of DAZL. Sequence analysis was used to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region. A total of 337 infertile men with abnormal semen parameters and 203 fertile men with normal semen parameters were subjected to sequence analysis of the DAZL promoter region. RESULTS The DAZL gene core promoter is located 1 kb upstream of the transcription start site. Three SNPs (-792G>A, -669A>C and -309T>C) were identified in our population. Of these three SNPs, -792G>A was more prevalent in the infertile men (P= 0.0005). Quantitative analysis revealed that genotypes of -792G>A had effects on sperm concentration (P= 0.0025) and motility (P= 1.5 × 10(-7)). The G to A substitution was associated with decreased binding of the nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) to the promoter region and decreased reporter gene activity. CONCLUSION We have identified the core promoter of the human DAZL gene. We also provide preliminary evidence for the role of a novel SNP of the DAZL gene promoter in human spermatogenic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeng-Ni Teng
- Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan, Taiwan
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Abstract
At present many couples face difficulties when trying to conceive that may have a genetic basis. The male factor is the cause of infertility as often as the female. Therefore it is important to identify key genes involved in spermatogenesis which may be linked to male infertility. This review discusses the identification of a range of genes associated with male fertility using microarrays. Based on differences in gene expression profiles between fertile and infertile male subgroups or between fetal and adult male gonads, many genes important for spermatogenesis have been discovered. Genes that are critical at particular stages of spermatogenesis were defined and can be considered as potential male fertility biomarkers. The studies described showed that microarrays may be potentially used as a diagnostic platform to increase the efficacy of diagnosis and perhaps treatment of infertile males.
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Lee IW, Kuo PH, Su MT, Kuan LC, Hsu CC, Kuo PL. Quantitative trait analysis suggests polymorphisms of estrogen-related genes regulate human sperm concentrations and motility. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:1585-96. [PMID: 21429951 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human spermatogenesis is regulated by complex networks, and estrogens are recognized as one of the significant regulators of spermatogenesis. We tested the associations between variants of estrogen-related genes and semen parameters. METHODS We performed genotyping for genetic variants of estrogen-related genes and quantitative trait analysis of fertile and infertile men with well-characterized reproductive phenotypes. Men with known semen parameters (n= 677) were enrolled, including 210 fertile men and 467 infertile men. A total of 17 genetic markers from 10 genes, including 2 estrogen receptors (ER-α, ER-β), 7 estrogen synthesizing/metabolizing genes (CYP19A1, HSD17B1, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, GSTM1, GSTT1) and 1 transport gene (SHBG) were genotyped. Sperm concentration, motility and morphology were taken as quantitative traits to correlate with genetic variants in the estrogen-related genes. RESULTS Five genes (rs1801132 and rs2228480 of the ER-α gene, rs1256049 and rs4986938 of the ER-β gene, rs605059 of the HSD17B1 gene, rs1799941 of the SHBG gene and rs1048943 and rs4646903 of the CYP1A1 gene) were found to be significantly associated with sperm concentration (P< 0.01), while five genes (rs1801132 of the ER-a gene, rs1256049 of the ER-β gene, rs1048943 of the CYP1A1 gene, rs605059 of the HSD17B1 gene and rs1799941 along with rs6259 of the SHBG gene) were associated with sperm motility (P< 0.01). None of the estrogen-related genes were associated with sperm morphology. With an increasing number of risk alleles, sperm concentration and motility tended to deteriorate and show a loci-dosage effect. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative trait analysis based on a limited number of genetic markers suggests that estrogen-related genes mainly regulate sperm concentration and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Wen Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
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