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Nawaz S, Hussain S, Bilal M, Syed N, Liaqat K, Ullah I, Akil AAS, Fakhro KA, Ahmad W. A variant in sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme enolase 4 (ENO4) causes human male infertility. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3583. [PMID: 37640479 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3583] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although defects in sperm morphology and physiology lead to male infertility, in many instances, the exact disruption of molecular pathways in a given patient is often unknown. The glycolytic pathway is an essential process to supply energy in sperm cell motility. Enolase 4 (ENO4) is crucial for the glycolytic process, which provides the energy for sperm cells in motility. ENO4 is located in the sperm principal piece and is essential for the motility and organization of the sperm flagellum. In the present study, we characterized a family with asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology as a result of a variant in the enolase 4 (ENO4) gene. METHODS Computer-assisted semen analysis, papanicolaou smear staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine sperm motility and morphology for semen analysis in patients. For genetic analysis, whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing was performed. RESULTS Two brothers in a consanguineous family were being clinically investigated for sperm motility and morphology issues. Genetic analysis by whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant [c.293A>G, p.(Lys98Arg)] in the ENO4 gene that segregated with infertility in the family, shared by affected but not controls. CONCLUSIONS In view of the association of asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology in Eno4 knockout mice, we consider this to be the first report describing the involvement of ENO4 gene in human male infertility. We also explore the possible involvement of another variant in explaining other phenotypic features in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Clinical And Molecular Metabolism Research (CAMM) Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Agha Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Najeeb Syed
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khurram Liaqat
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Center for Statistical Genetics, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, and the Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Imran Ullah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Precision Medicine in Diabetes Prevention Lab, Population Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Li DY, Gao SJ, Sun J, Zhang LQ, Wu JY, Song FH, Liu DQ, Zhou YQ, Mei W. Notch signaling activation contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain via activation of A1 astrocytes. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 928:175130. [PMID: 35777441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) is a progressive and refractory side effect of chemotherapy with few effective treatments at present. It is well-established that astrocytes activation contributes to the development of PINP. Recent reports showed astrocytes can be divided into A1 and A2 phenotypes. However, whether the transformation of astrocytes participates in PINP and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. As Notch signaling pathway have shown to be involved in neuropathic pain, we aimed to investigate the relationship between Notch signaling pathway and A1 astrocytes in PINP. Herein we found that both A1 astrocytes and Notch signaling were markedly activated in the spinal cord of PINP rats and the downstream molecules of Notch signaling were colocalized with A1 astrocytes. DAPT (an inhibitor of Notch signaling) not only suppressed the mechanical allodynia of PINP rats, but also inhibited the activation of Notch signaling pathway and A1 astrocytes. Furthermore, Jagged1 (a ligand of Notch1 receptors) dose-dependently induced mechanical hyperalgesia in naïve rats and simultaneously led to Notch signaling activation and A1 astrocytes transformation, all of which were inhibited by DAPT. Taken together, these results demonstrate Notch signaling activation contributes to PINP via A1 astrocytes activation, which provides a promising therapeutic target for PINP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Yang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shao-Jie Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Long-Qing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia-Yi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fan-He Song
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dai-Qiang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ya-Qun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Wei Mei
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Lustofin S, Kaminska A, Brzoskwinia M, Pardyak L, Pawlicki P, Szpregiel I, Bilinska B, Hejmej A. Follicle-stimulating hormone regulates Notch signalling in the seminiferous epithelium of continuously and seasonally breeding rodents. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:560-575. [PMID: 35143740 DOI: 10.1071/rd21237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Juxtacrine (contact-dependent) communication between the cells of seminiferous epithelium mediated by Notch signalling is of importance for the proper course of spermatogenesis in mammals. AIMS The present study was designed to evaluate the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the regulation of Notch signalling in rodent seminiferous epithelium. METHODS We explored the effects (1) of pharmacological inhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and FSH replacement in pubertal rats, and (2) of photoinhibition of HPG axis followed by FSH substitution in seasonally breeding rodents, bank voles, on Notch pathway activity. Experiments on isolated rat Sertoli cells exposed to FSH were also performed. Gene and protein expressions of Notch pathway components were analysed using RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence. KEY RESULTS Distribution patterns of Notch pathway proteins in bank vole and rat seminiferous epithelium were comparable; however, levels of activated Notch1 and Notch3, hairy/enhancer of split 1 (HES1) and hairy/enhancer of split-related with YRPW motif 1 (HEY1) in bank voles were dependent on the length of the photoperiod. In response to FSH similar changes in these proteins were found in both species, indicating that FSH is a negative regulator of Notch pathway activity in seminiferous epithelium. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a common mechanism of FSH action on Notch pathway during onset and recrudescence of spermatogenesis in rodents. IMPLICATIONS Interaction between FSH signalling and Notch pathway in Sertoli cells may be involved in spermatogenic activity changes of the testes occurring during puberty or photoperiod shift in continuously and seasonally breeding rodents, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Lustofin
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Alicja Kaminska
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Brzoskwinia
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-248 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Pawlicki
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-248 Krakow, Poland
| | - Izabela Szpregiel
- Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Bilinska
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Hejmej
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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Lustofin S, Kamińska A, Brzoskwinia M, Cyran J, Kotula-Balak M, Bilińska B, Hejmej A. Nuclear and Membrane Receptors for Sex Steroids Are Involved in the Regulation of Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 Proteins in Rodent Sertoli Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042284. [PMID: 35216398 PMCID: PMC8876387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 (DSL) proteins, which serve as ligands for Notch receptors, mediate direct cell–cell interactions involved in the determination of cell fate and functioning. The present study aimed to explore the role of androgens and estrogens, and their receptors in the regulation of DSL proteins in Sertoli cells. To this end, primary rat Sertoli cells and TM4 Sertoli cell line were treated with either testosterone or 17β-estradiol and antagonists of their receptors. To confirm the role of particular receptors, knockdown experiments were performed. mRNA and protein expressions of Jagged1 (JAG1), Delta-like1 (DLL1), and Delta-like4 (DLL4) were analyzed using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Testosterone caused downregulation of JAG1 and DLL1 expression, acting through membrane androgen receptor ZRT- and Irt-like protein 9 (ZIP9) or nuclear androgen receptor (AR), respectively. DLL4 was stimulated by testosterone in the manner independent of AR and ZIP9 in Sertoli cells. The expression of all studied DSL proteins was upregulated by 17β-estradiol. Estrogen action on JAG1 and DLL1 was mediated chiefly via estrogen receptor α (ERα), while DLL4 was controlled via estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and membrane G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). To summarize, the co-operation of nuclear and membrane receptors for sex steroids controls DSL proteins in Sertoli cells, contributing to balanced Notch signaling activity in seminiferous epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Lustofin
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Alicja Kamińska
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Brzoskwinia
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Joanna Cyran
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Kotula-Balak
- Department of Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Barbara Bilińska
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Anna Hejmej
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Khanehzad M, Abbaszadeh R, Holakuyee M, Modarressi MH, Nourashrafeddin SM. FSH regulates RA signaling to commit spermatogonia into differentiation pathway and meiosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:4. [PMID: 33407539 PMCID: PMC7789255 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00686-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is a complex process that is controlled by interactions between germ cells and somatic cells. The commitment of undifferentiated spermatogonia to differentiating spermatogonia and normal spermatogenesis requires the action of gonadotropins. Additionally, numerous studies revealed the role of retinoic acid signaling in induction of germ cell differentiation and meiosis entry. MAIN TEXT Recent studies have shown that expression of several RA signaling molecules including Rdh10, Aldh1a2, Crabp1/2 are influenced by changes in gonadotropin levels. Components of signaling pathways that are regulated by FSH signaling such as GDNF, Sohlh1/2, c-Kit, DMRT, BMP4 and NRGs along with transcription factors that are important for proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia are also affected by retinoic acid signaling. CONCLUSION According to all studies that demonstrate the interface between FSH and RA signaling, we suggest that RA may trigger spermatogonia differentiation and initiation of meiosis through regulation by FSH signaling in testis. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the correlation between FSH and RA signaling in spermatogenesis is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Khanehzad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Abbaszadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Seyed Mehdi Nourashrafeddin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Okada R, Fujimagari M, Koya E, Hirose Y, Sato T, Nishina Y. Expression Profile of NOTCH3 in Mouse Spermatogonia. Cells Tissues Organs 2017; 204:283-292. [PMID: 29161703 DOI: 10.1159/000481772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable and sustainable spermatogenesis is supported by the strict regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC), which are a rare population of undifferentiated spermatogonia. It has been revealed that some signaling factors regulate the self-renewal of SSC; however, the molecular mechanism of SSC maintenance is still not completely understood. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved juxtacrine signaling that plays important roles in the cell fate determination of various tissue stem cells. Recently, analyses of loss- and gain-of-function suggested that Notch signaling was necessary for normal spermatogenesis. However, the expression of Notch signal components in spermatogonia is still unclear. Here, we analyzed the distribution of NOTCH3-expressing spermatogonia and the target genes. Double immunostaining with differentiation markers revealed that NOTCH3 was expressed in some undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia in mouse testes. To define the target gene of Notch3 signaling in spermatogonia, we analyzed the mRNA expression pattern of Hes and Hey family genes during testis development. Hes1 abundance was decreased during testis development, suggesting that spermatogonia may express Hes1. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HES1 was expressed in prepubertal spermatogonia, whereas it was expressed predominantly in adult Sertoli cells and weakly in adult spermatogonia. Furthermore, NOTCH3-HES1 double-positive spermatogonia were in pup and adult testes. These results suggest that Notch3 signaling in spermatogonia could promote Hes1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryu Okada
- Laboratory of Molecular Embryology, Department of Genome System Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
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