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Cao M, Xiong L, Wang X, Guo S, Hu L, Kang Y, Wu X, Bao P, Chu M, Liang C, Pei J, Guo X. Comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs and their ceRNA network in the testis of cattle-yak, yak, and cattle. Genomics 2024; 116:110872. [PMID: 38849017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Cattle-yak is a hybrid offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of yak and cattle, and it exhibits substantial heterosis in production performance. However, male sterility in cattle-yak remains a concern. Reports suggest that noncoding RNAs are involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we comprehensively compared testicular transcription profiles among cattle, yak, and cattle-yak. Numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs), and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the intersection of two comparison groups, namely cattle versus cattle-yak and yak versus cattle-yak, with the number of DEGs, DECs, and DEMs being 4968, 360, and 59, respectively. The DEGs in cattle-yaks, cattle, and yaks were mainly associated with spermatogenesis, male gamete generation, and sexual reproduction. Concurrently, GO and KEGG analyses indicated that DEC host genes and DEM source genes were involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis. The construction of a potential competing endogenous RNA network revealed that some differentially expressed noncoding RNAs may be involved in regulating the expression of genes related to testicular spermatogenesis, including miR-423-5p, miR-449b, miR-34b/c, and miR-15b, as well as previously unreported miR-6123 and miR-1306, along with various miRNA-circRNA interaction pairs. This study serves as a valuable reference for further investigations into the mechanisms underlying male sterility in cattle-yaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Cao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Liyan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Yandong Kang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Pengjia Bao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Chunnian Liang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China.
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China.
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Chen Y, Luo M, Tu H, Qi Y, Guo Y, Zhang X, Cui Y, Gao M, Zhou X, Zhu T, Zhu H, Situ C, Li Y, Guo X. STYXL1 regulates CCT complex assembly and flagellar tubulin folding in sperm formation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:44. [PMID: 38168070 PMCID: PMC10761714 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44337-1] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tubulin-based microtubule is a core component of flagella axoneme and essential for sperm motility and male fertility. Structural components of the axoneme have been well explored. However, how tubulin folding is regulated in sperm flagella formation is still largely unknown. Here, we report a germ cell-specific co-factor of CCT complex, STYXL1. Deletion of Styxl1 results in male infertility and microtubule defects of sperm flagella. Proteomic analysis of Styxl1-/- sperm reveals abnormal downregulation of flagella-related proteins including tubulins. The N-terminal rhodanese-like domain of STYXL1 is important for its interactions with CCT complex subunits, CCT1, CCT6 and CCT7. Styxl1 deletion leads to defects in CCT complex assembly and tubulin polymerization. Collectively, our findings reveal the vital roles of germ cell-specific STYXL1 in CCT-facilitated tubulin folding and sperm flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Medical Research Center, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213000, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengmeng Gao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Villarroya‐Beltri C, Martins AFB, García A, Giménez D, Zarzuela E, Novo M, del Álamo C, González‐Martínez J, Bonel‐Pérez GC, Díaz I, Guillamot M, Chiesa M, Losada A, Graña‐Castro O, Rovira M, Muñoz J, Salazar‐Roa M, Malumbres M. Mammalian CDC14 phosphatases control exit from stemness in pluripotent cells. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111251. [PMID: 36326833 PMCID: PMC9811616 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111251] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of stemness is tightly linked to cell cycle regulation through protein phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). However, how this process is reversed during differentiation is unknown. We report here that exit from stemness and differentiation of pluripotent cells along the neural lineage are controlled by CDC14, a CDK-counteracting phosphatase whose function in mammals remains obscure. Lack of the two CDC14 family members, CDC14A and CDC14B, results in deficient development of the neural system in the mouse and impairs neural differentiation from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Mechanistically, CDC14 directly dephosphorylates specific proline-directed Ser/Thr residues of undifferentiated embryonic transcription Factor 1 (UTF1) during the exit from stemness, triggering its proteasome-dependent degradation. Multiomic single-cell analysis of transcription and chromatin accessibility in differentiating ESCs suggests that increased UTF1 levels in the absence of CDC14 prevent the proper firing of bivalent promoters required for differentiation. CDC14 phosphatases are dispensable for mitotic exit, suggesting that CDC14 phosphatases have evolved to control stemness rather than cell cycle exit and establish the CDK-CDC14 axis as a critical molecular switch for linking cell cycle regulation and self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Filipa B Martins
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Alejandro García
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | | | | | - Mónica Novo
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Cristina del Álamo
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | | | - Gloria C Bonel‐Pérez
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Irene Díaz
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - María Guillamot
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Massimo Chiesa
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Ana Losada
- Chromosome Dynamics groupCNIOMadridSpain
| | - Osvaldo Graña‐Castro
- Bioinformatics UnitCNIOMadridSpain
- Present address:
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA‐Nemesio Díez), School of MedicineSan Pablo‐CEU University, CEU UniversitiesBoadilla del MonteSpain
| | - Meritxell Rovira
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatUniversity of Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P‐CMR[C]Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge—IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - María Salazar‐Roa
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
- Present address:
Advanced Therapies and Cancer Group, Faculty of BiologyComplutense UniversityMadridSpain
| | - Marcos Malumbres
- Cell Division and Cancer groupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
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Wen Z, Zhu H, Wu B, Zhang A, Wang H, Cheng Y, Zhao H, Li J, Liu M, Gao J. Cathepsin B plays a role in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation through regulating autophagy and apoptosis in mice. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14472. [PMID: 36518274 PMCID: PMC9744162 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis and sperm maturation are complex and highly ordered biological processes. Any failure or disorder in these processes can cause defects in sperm morphology, motility, and fertilization ability. Cathepsin B (CTSB) is involved in the regulation of a variety of pathological processes. In the present study, we found that CTSB was abundantly expressed in the male reproductive system, however, the specific role of CTSB in regulating spermatogenesis and sperm maturation remained elusive. Hence, we generated Ctsb -/- mice using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. In Ctsb -/- mice, sperm count was significantly decreased while the level of morphologically abnormal sperm was markedly increased. Additionally, these mice had significantly lower levels of progressive motility sperm and elevated levels of immobilized sperm. Histological analysis showed slight vacuolization in the testis epithelium, as well as the loss of epididymal epithelium cells. Further investigation showed that autophagic activity was inhibited and apoptotic activity was increased in both the testis and epididymis of Ctsb -/- mice. Together, our findings demonstrate that CTSB plays an important role in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongzhuang Wen
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Haixia Zhu
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Aizhen Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongxiang Wang
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yin Cheng
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, Institute of Science and Technology, National Health Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China,School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Zhu H, Wang H, Cheng Y, Liu D, Zhang A, Wen Z, Gao J. Hadh deficiency induced oligoasthenoteratozoospermia through the TNF-α/Bcl-2 pathway in male mice. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22661. [PMID: 36398584 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201144r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The process of spermatogenesis is a complex and delicate process that is still not fully understood. In this study, we examined the role of fatty acid oxidase 3-hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase (HADH) in maintaining normal spermatogenesis in mice. In male mice, ablation of the Hadh gene using CRISPR/Cas9 technology arrested spermatocyte meiosis, increased multinucleated giant germ cells and vacuoles in seminiferous tubules, and accompanied with acrosomal dysplasia. Hadh-/- male mice showed the typical features of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), including decreased sperm concentration and motility and increased sperm abnormalities. Next, we explored the molecular events in the testes of the mutant mice. We found fatty acids accumulated in the testis of Hadh-/- mice. And also, inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly increased, apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 was decreased, and Bax and cleaved-Caspase3 were increased in Hadh-/- male mice testis. After using etanercept, a specific inhibitor of TNF-α, testis injury caused by Hadh knockout was significantly alleviated, the sperm quality and motility were improved, and germ cell apoptosis was reduced. So our study demonstrated that Hadh deletion caused an increase in fatty acids. The accumulated fatty acids further induced testicular inflammation and germ cell apoptosis through the TNF-α/Bcl-2 signaling pathway, finally resulting in OAT in the Hadh-/- mice. Inhibiting TNF-α may be used as a new treatment approach for testicular inflammation and OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Zhu
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongxiang Wang
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yin Cheng
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongyue Liu
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Aizhen Zhang
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zongzhuang Wen
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Sepponen K, Lundin K, Yohannes DA, Vuoristo S, Balboa D, Poutanen M, Ohlsson C, Hustad S, Bifulco E, Paloviita P, Otonkoski T, Ritvos O, Sainio K, Tapanainen JS, Tuuri T. Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1) induces multiple transcriptional changes during differentiation of human gonadal-like cells. Differentiation 2022; 128:83-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Wang HQ, Wang T, Gao F, Ren WZ. Application of CRISPR/Cas Technology in Spermatogenesis Research and Male Infertility Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13061000. [PMID: 35741761 PMCID: PMC9223233 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
As the basis of animal reproductive activity, normal spermatogenesis directly determines the efficiency of livestock production. An in-depth understanding of spermatogenesis will greatly facilitate animal breeding efforts and male infertility treatment. With the continuous development and application of gene editing technologies, they have become valuable tools to study the mechanism of spermatogenesis. Gene editing technologies have provided us with a better understanding of the functions and potential mechanisms of action of factors that regulate spermatogenesis. This review summarizes the applications of gene editing technologies, especially CRISPR/Cas9, in deepening our understanding of the function of spermatogenesis-related genes and disease treatment. The problems of gene editing technologies in the field of spermatogenesis research are also discussed.
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Qi M, Sun H, Guo Y, Zhou Y, Gu X, Jin J, Chen X, Wang F, Ma H, Guo X, Chen H, Shen B. m 6 A reader protein YTHDF2 regulates spermatogenesis by timely clearance of phase-specific transcripts. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13164. [PMID: 34850470 PMCID: PMC8780898 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accumulating evidences show that the regulatory network of m6 A modification is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis. However, as an m6 A reader, the roles of YTHDF2 remain enigmatic due to the lack of a proper model. Here, we employed the germ cell conditional knockout mouse model and explored the function of YTHDF2 in spermatogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ythdf2 germ cell conditional knockout mice were obtained by crossing Ythdf2-floxed mice with Vasa-Cre and Stra8-Cre mice. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting were used for phenotyping. CASA, IVF and ICSI were applied for sperm function analysis. RNA-seq, YTHDF2-RIP-seq and quantitative real-time PCR were used to explore transcriptome changes and molecular mechanism analysis. RESULTS Our results showed that YTHDF2 was highly expressed in spermatogenic cells. The germ cell conditional knockout males were sterile, and their sperm displayed malformation, impaired motility, and lost fertilization ability. During differentiated spermatogonia transiting to pachytene spermatocyte, most m6 A-modified YTHDF2 targets that were degraded in control germ cells persisted in pachytene spermatocytes of Ythdf2-vKO mice. These delayed mRNAs were mainly enriched in pathways related to the regulation of transcription, and disturbed the transcriptome of round spermatid and elongated spermatid subsequently. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that YTHDF2 facilitates the timely turnover of phase-specific transcripts to ensure the proper progression of spermatogenesis, which highlights a critical role of YTHDF2 in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijie Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Center for Reproductive MedicineDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Haifeng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xueying Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jiachuan Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Fangzhu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterGansu Provincial Maternity and Child‐Care HospitalLanzhouChina
| | - Honghui Ma
- Department of CardiologyShanghai East HospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Human Cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Gusu SchoolNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Center for Global HealthSchool of Public HealthNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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