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Zhang X, Zheng R, Liang C, Liu H, Zhang X, Ma Y, Liu M, Zhang W, Yang Y, Liu M, Jiang C, Ren Q, Wang Y, Chen S, Yang Y, Shen Y. Loss-of-function mutations in CEP78 cause male infertility in humans and mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0968. [PMID: 36206347 PMCID: PMC9544341 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Centrosomal protein dysfunction might cause ciliopathies. However, the role of centrosomal proteins in male infertility remains poorly defined. Here, we identified a pathogenic splicing mutation in CEP78 in male infertile patients with severely reduced sperm number and motility, and the typical multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella phenotype. We further created Cep78 knockout mice, which showed an extremely low sperm count, completely aberrant sperm morphology, and approximately null sperm motility. The infertility of the patients and knockout mice could not be rescued by an intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. Mechanistically, CEP78 might regulate USP16 expression, which further stabilizes Tektin levels via the ubiquitination pathway. Cep78 knockout mice also exhibited impairments in retina and outer hair cells of the cochlea. Collectively, our findings identified nonfunctional CEP78 as an indispensable factor contributing to male infertility and revealed a role for this gene in regulating retinal and outer hair cell function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haotian Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yongyi Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China
| | - Mohan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingjia Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Suren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Jin ZR, Fang D, Liu BH, Cai J, Tang WH, Jiang H, Xing GG. Roles of CatSper channels in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture-like treatment on asthenozoospermia. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2822-2844. [PMID: 33456575 PMCID: PMC7806476 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Idiopathic asthenozoospermia (iAZS) is one of the major causes of male infertility and has no effective therapeutic treatment. Understanding the potential mechanisms that cause it may be helpful in seeking novel targets and treatment strategies for overcoming the problem of low sperm motility in iAZS individuals. Methods: Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was utilized to assess the sperm motility. RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and calcium imaging analysis were performed to examine the expression and function of CatSper channels. Hyperactivation and acrosome reaction were used to evaluate the functional characteristics of epididymal sperm. In vivo fertility assay was applied to determine the fertility of rats. CatSper1 knockdown and overexpression experiments were performed to confirm the roles of CatSper channels in the pathogenesis of iAZS and the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on AZS model rats. Results: Here, we reported a functional down-regulation of CatSper channel from CatSper1 to CatSper 4 in the sperm of both iAZS patients and ornidazole (ORN)-induced AZS model rats, and an impaired sperm function characterized by a reduction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction in the epididymal sperm of AZS rats. Knockdown of CatSper1 in the testis tissues is sufficient to induce AZS in normal rats, and this action was validated by the reversal effects of CatSper1 overexpression. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and electroacupuncture (EA) at 2 Hz frequency improve the sperm motility via enhancing the functional expression of CatSper channels in the sperm. Gene silencing CatSper1 in the sperm abolishes the therapeutic effects of 2 Hz-EA treatment on AZS rats. Conclusions: We conclude that a functional down-regulation of CatSper channel in the sperm may be a contributor or a downstream indicator for a portion of AZS, especially iAZS, while 2 Hz-TEAS or EA treatment has a therapeutic effect on iAZS through inducing the functional up-regulation of CatSper channels in the sperm. This study provides a novel mechanism for the pathogenesis of some AZS especially iAZS, and presents a potential therapeutic target of CatSper for iAZS treatment. Acupuncture treatment like TEAS may be used as a promising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy for male infertility caused by iAZS in clinical practice.
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Ablondi M, Gòdia M, Rodriguez-Gil JE, Sánchez A, Clop A. Characterisation of sperm piRNAs and their correlation with semen quality traits in swine. Anim Genet 2020; 52:114-120. [PMID: 33226164 DOI: 10.1111/age.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are essential in the transcriptional silencing of transposable elements and warrant genome stability in the mammalian germline. In this study, we have identified piRNAs in porcine sperm using male germline and zygote datasets from human, mice, cow and pig, and evaluated the relation between their abundances and sperm quality traits. In our analysis, we identified 283 382 piRNAs, 1355 of which correlated with P ≤ 0.01 to at least one semen quality trait. Fifty-seven percent of the correlated piRNAs mapped less than 50 kb apart from any other piRNA in the pig genome. Furthermore, piRNA location was significantly enriched near long interspersed nuclear elements. Moreover, some of the significant piRNAs mapped within or close to genes relevant for fertility or spermatogenesis such as CSNK1G2 and PSMF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ablondi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - M Gòdia
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics,, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| | - J E Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Sciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| | - A Sánchez
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics,, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain.,Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, School of Veterinary Sciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| | - A Clop
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics,, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain.,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08003, Spain
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Dos Santos da Silva L, Borges Domingues W, Fagundes Barreto B, da Silveira Martins AW, Dellagostin EN, Komninou ER, Corcini CD, Varela Junior AS, Campos VF. Capillary electroporation affects the expression of miRNA-122-5p from bull sperm cells. Gene 2020; 768:145286. [PMID: 33144270 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145286] [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: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has a potential application in the generation of transgenic animals. Capillary electroporation consists of the application of electrical pulses, resulting in an increased transfection rate. Little is known about the impacts of the transfection of exogenous DNA on sperm epigenetics. MicroRNAs are epigenetic factors that are related to sperm motility. MiRNA-122-5p regulates genes that influence motility, and consequently, the fertilizing potential of sperm. Therefore, we aimed at identifying whether epigenetic factors such as microRNAs could be altered after DNA transfection, using the capillary electroporation technique. In this study, bull sperm was electroporated using voltages of 600 V, 1500 V, and 0 V (control group), with or without exogenous DNA. Parameters of sperm quality were analyzed using CASA and flow cytometry, and expression of the miRNA-122-5p was analyzed using RT-qPCR. It was observed that electroporation increased the internalization of exogenous DNA (P < 0.05), but did not impair the mitochondrial activity (P > 0.05). It reduced sperm motility (P < 0.05). The expression of miRNA-122-5p was upregulated in sperm electroporated at 1500 V, and the presence of exogenous DNA did not affect its expression. Thus, we can conclude that electroporation influences the expression of miRNA-122-5p from bull sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Dos Santos da Silva
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - William Borges Domingues
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Fagundes Barreto
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Amanda Weege da Silveira Martins
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Nunes Dellagostin
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Eliza Rossi Komninou
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Carine D Corcini
- ReproPel, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Antônio Sergio Varela Junior
- ReproPel, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Farias Campos
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
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Rajesh A, Yenugu S. shRNA mediated ablation of prostate and testis expressed (Pate
) messenger RNA results in impaired sperm function and fertility. Andrology 2017; 5:541-547. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Rajesh
- Department of Animal Biology; University of Hyderabad; Gachibowli Hyderabad India
| | - S. Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology; University of Hyderabad; Gachibowli Hyderabad India
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Dong WW, Huang HL, Yang W, Liu J, Yu Y, Zhou SL, Wang W, Lv XC, Li ZY, Zhang MY, Zheng ZH, Yan W. Testis-specific Fank1 gene in knockdown mice produces oligospermia via apoptosis. Asian J Androl 2014; 16:124-30. [PMID: 24369145 PMCID: PMC3901870 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.122592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fank1 is exclusively expressed in the testis from the meiosis phase to the haploid phase of spermatogenesis. In this study, we examined the function of Fank1 by establishing a Fank1-knockdown transgenic mouse model. The apoptotic statuses of the testes of the transgenic mice were tested using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The FANK1 consensus DNA-binding sequence was identified using cyclic amplification of sequence target (CAST) analysis. Differentially expressed genes were examined using microarray analysis. A reduction in sperm number and an increase in apoptotic spermatocytes were observed in Fank1-knockdown mice, and the apoptotic cells were found to be primarily spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The CAST results demonstrated that the consensus DNA-binding sequence was AAAAAG, in which the percentage occurrence of each base at each position ranged from 55 to 86%. This sequence was present in the promoter regions of 10 differentially expressed genes that were examined using microarray analysis. In total, 17 genes were differentially expressed with changes in their expression levels greater than twofold. The abnormal expression of Fank1 target genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by Fank1 reduced the number of sperm in the knockdown mice. Thus, FANK1 may play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis as a transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhi-Hong Zheng
- Laboratory Animal Centre; Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology Research, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Zheng LP, Wang HF, Li BM, Zeng XH. Sperm-specific ion channels: targets holding the most potential for male contraceptives in development. Contraception 2013; 88:485-91. [PMID: 23845210 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There is a global need for an ideal method of male contraception. However, the development of male contraceptives has not been well successful. Research on sperm-specific ion channels, especially the recent advance obtained from electrophysiological studies, has emphasized the conception that those channels are targets with the most potential to develop non-hormonal male contraceptives. While summarizing the general options for male contraception, this review focuses on the properties and functions of sperm ion channels together with the attempts of utilizing these channels to develop male contraceptives. We believe that a deeper insight into the signaling and molecular mechanisms by which ion channels regulate sperm functions will pave the way for developing novel male-based contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Zheng
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
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Yu J, Zhou S, Jiang X, Bai J, Wang G. Knockdown of sAC affects sperm hyperactivation by cAMP-signaling pathway in male rat (Rattus norvegicus). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-013-5928-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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