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Xu S, Zhao J, Gao F, Zhang Y, Luo J, Zhang C, Tian R, Zhi E, Zhang J, Bai F, Sun H, Zhao F, Huang Y, Li P, Jiang L, Li Z, Yao C, Zhou Z. A bi-allelic REC114 loss-of-function variant causes meiotic arrest and nonobstructive azoospermia. Clin Genet 2024; 105:440-445. [PMID: 38148155 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14473] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), the most severe manifestation of male infertility, lacks a comprehensive understanding of its genetic etiology. Here, a bi-allelic loss-of-function variant in REC114 (c.568C > T: p.Gln190*) were identified through whole exome sequencing (WES) in a Chinese NOA patient. Testicular histopathological analysis and meiotic chromosomal spread analysis were conducted to assess the stage of spermatogenesis arrested. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Western blot (WB) were used to investigate the influence of variant in vitro. In addition, our results revealed that the variant resulted in truncated REC114 protein and impaired interaction with MEI4, which was essential for meiotic DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation. As far as we know, this study presents the first report that identifies REC114 as the causative gene for male infertility. Furthermore, our study demonstrated indispensability of the REC114-MEI4 complex in maintaining DSB homoeostasis, and highlighted that the disruption of the complex due to the REC114 variant may underline the mechanism of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingpeng Zhao
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Pathology Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqiang Luo
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenwang Zhang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxiong Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Bai
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongfang Sun
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fujun Zhao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liren Jiang
- Pathology Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of ART, Institute of Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Cerván-Martín M, González-Muñoz S, Guzmán-Jiménez A, Higueras-Serrano I, Castilla JA, Garrido N, Luján S, Bassas L, Seixas S, Gonçalves J, Lopes AM, Larriba S, Palomino-Morales RJ, Bossini-Castillo L, Carmona FD. Changes in environmental exposures over decades may influence the genetic architecture of severe spermatogenic failure. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:612-622. [PMID: 38305414 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae007] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do the genetic determinants of idiopathic severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) differ between generations? SUMMARY ANSWER Our data support that the genetic component of idiopathic SPGF is impacted by dynamic changes in environmental exposures over decades. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The idiopathic form of SPGF has a multifactorial etiology wherein an interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors leads to the disease onset and progression. At the genetic level, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) allow the analysis of millions of genetic variants across the genome in a hypothesis-free manner, as a valuable tool for identifying susceptibility risk loci. However, little is known about the specific role of non-genetic factors and their influence on the genetic determinants in this type of conditions. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Case-control genetic association analyses were performed including a total of 912 SPGF cases and 1360 unaffected controls. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS All participants had European ancestry (Iberian and German). SPGF cases were diagnosed during the last decade either with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (n = 547) or with idiopathic non-obstructive oligozoospermia (n = 365). Case-control genetic association analyses were performed by logistic regression models considering the generation as a covariate and by in silico functional characterization of the susceptibility genomic regions. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE This analysis revealed 13 novel genetic association signals with SPGF, with eight of them being independent. The observed associations were mostly explained by the interaction between each lead variant and the age-group. Additionally, we established links between these loci and diverse non-genetic factors, such as toxic or dietary habits, respiratory disorders, and autoimmune diseases, which might potentially influence the genetic architecture of idiopathic SPGF. LARGE SCALE DATA GWAS data are available from the authors upon reasonable request. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Additional independent studies involving large cohorts in ethnically diverse populations are warranted to confirm our findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Overall, this study proposes an innovative strategy to achieve a more precise understanding of conditions such as SPGF by considering the interactions between a variable exposome through different generations and genetic predisposition to complex diseases. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the "Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI 2020)" (ref. PY20_00212, P20_00583), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (ref. PID2020-120157RB-I00 funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033), and the 'Proyectos I+D+i del Programa Operativo FEDER 2020' (ref. B-CTS-584-UGR20). ToxOmics-Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, is also partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Projects: UIDB/00009/2020; UIDP/00009/2020). The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Sara González-Muñoz
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Guzmán-Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Higueras-Serrano
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José A Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
- Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Saturnino Luján
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Lluís Bassas
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service, Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Seixas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
- ToxOmics-Centro de Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Larriba
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rogelio J Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Lara Bossini-Castillo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - F David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
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Qin D, Gu Y, Zhang Y, Wang S, Jiang T, Wang Y, Wang C, Chen C, Zhang T, Xu W, Wang H, Zhang K, Hu L, Li L, Xie W, Wu X, Hu Z. Phase-separated CCER1 coordinates the histone-to-protamine transition and male fertility. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8209. [PMID: 38081819 PMCID: PMC10713660 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic fertility disorders are associated with mutations in various genes. Here, we report that coiled-coil glutamate-rich protein 1 (CCER1), a germline-specific and intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), mediates postmeiotic spermatid differentiation. In contrast, CCER1 deficiency results in defective sperm chromatin compaction and infertility in mice. CCER1 increases transition protein (Tnp1/2) and protamine (Prm1/2) transcription and mediates multiple histone epigenetic modifications during the histone-to-protamine (HTP) transition. Immiscible with heterochromatin in the nucleus, CCER1 self-assembles into a polymer droplet and forms a liquid-liquid phase-separated condensate in the nucleus. Notably, we identified loss-of-function (LoF) variants of human CCER1 (hCCER1) in five patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) that were absent in 2713 fertile controls. The mutants led to premature termination or frameshift in CCER1 translation, and disrupted condensates in vitro. In conclusion, we propose that nuclear CCER1 is a phase-separated condensate that links histone epigenetic modifications, HTP transitions, chromatin condensation, and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yayun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
- School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
- School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
- School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
| | - Chang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Weiya Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Hanben Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liangjun Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lufan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
- School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China.
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4
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Wan F, Yu L, Qu X, Xia Y, Feng K, Zhang L, Zhang N, Zhao G, Zhang C, Guo H. A novel mutation in PCD-associated gene DNAAF3 causes male infertility due to asthenozoospermia. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:3107-3116. [PMID: 37537752 PMCID: PMC10568663 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare autosomal-recessive disease manifested with recurrent infections of respiratory tract and infertility. DNAAF3 is identified as a novel gene associated with PCD and different mutations in DNAAF3 results in different clinical features of PCD patients, such as situs inversus, sinusitis and bronchiectasis. However, the sperm phenotypic characteristics of PCD males are generally poorly investigated. Our reproductive medicine centre received a case of PCD patient with infertility, who presented with sinusitis, recurrent infections of the lower airway and severe asthenozoospermia; However, no situs inversus was found in the patient. A novel homozygous mutation in DNAAF3(c.551T>A; p.V184E) was identified in the PCD patient by whole-exome sequencing. Subsequent Sanger sequencing further confirmed that the DNAAF3 had a homozygous missense variant in the fifth exon. Transmission electron microscopy and immunostaining analysis of the sperms from the patient showed a complete absence of outer dynein arms and partial absence of inner dynein arms, which resulted in the reduction in sperm motility. However, this infertility was overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injections, as his wife achieved successful pregnancy. These findings showed that the PCD-associated pathogenic mutation within DNAAF3 also causes severe asthenozoospermia and male infertility ultimately due to sperm flagella axoneme defect in humans. Our study not only contributes to understand the sperm phenotypic characteristics of patients with DNAAF3 mutations but also expands the spectrum of DNAAF3 mutations and may contribute to the genetic diagnosis and therapy for infertile patient with PCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wan
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Lan Yu
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiaowei Qu
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yanqing Xia
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Ke Feng
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Lei Zhang
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Cardiopulmonary FunctionHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
| | - Guihua Zhao
- Department of Cardiopulmonary FunctionHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Haibin Guo
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterPeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- The Reproductive Medicine CenterHenan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan UniversityZhengzhouChina
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5
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Dong F, Ma Y, Chen XF. Identification of a novel pyroptosis-related gene signature in human spermatogenic dysfunction. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2251-2266. [PMID: 37553495 PMCID: PMC10440330 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02892-y] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To reveal the underlying roles that pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) played in human spermatogenic dysfunction. METHODS One discovery set and three validation sets were employed to inspect the previously reported 33 PRGs in the human testis with different status of spermatogenesis. PRGs that differentially expressed in all sets were considered as key differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (PR-DEGs). The relationships between key PR-DEGs and samples' clinicopathological, therapeutic, and immune patterns were respectively studied. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNS-seq) analyses were conducted to show the expression changes and related mechanisms of key PR-DEGs at a single-cell resolution. RESULTS CASP4 and GPX4 were identified as two key PR-DEGs. These two genes were significantly dysregulated in spermatogenic dysfunctional samples, but with opposite tendency. CASP4 was negatively correlated with Johnsen scores but positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (all p < 0.05), while GPX4 exhibited significant positive correlations with Johnsen scores and negative relevance with FSH. For treatments, both molecules showed a prospective value of being predictors for sperm retrieval surgeries. Moreover, CASP4 and GPX4 were potential immunoregulators in the testicular immune microenvironment and showed significant correlations to testicular macrophages and mast cell infiltration. In scRNA-seq analyses, GPX4 was highly expressed in germ cells, which therefore suffered a sharp reduction with the loss of germ cells in spermatogenic dysfunction. On the other hand, CASP4 were basically somatic cell-derived, and the proportion of CASP4-positive Leydig cells significantly increased in disease testes (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION In all, we revealed two key PRGs of human testes that might be functional in spermatogenic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Dong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiang-Feng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Mukherjee AG, Gopalakrishnan AV. Unlocking the mystery associated with infertility and prostate cancer: an update. Med Oncol 2023; 40:160. [PMID: 37099242 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02028-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Male-specific reproductive disorders and cancers have increased intensely in recent years, making them a significant public health problem. Prostate cancer (PC) is the most often diagnosed cancer in men and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Both genetic and epigenetic modifications contribute to the development and progression of PC, even though the exact underlying processes causing this disease have yet to be identified. Male infertility is also a complex and poorly understood phenomenon believed to afflict a significant portion of the male population. Chromosomal abnormalities, compromised DNA repair systems, and Y chromosome alterations are just a few of the proposed explanations. It is becoming widely accepted that infertility shares a link with PC. Much of the link between infertility and PC is probably attributable to common genetic defects. This article provides an overview of PC and spermatogenic abnormalities. This study also investigates the link between male infertility and PC and uncovers the underlying reasons, risk factors, and biological mechanisms contributing to this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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7
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Song J, Sha Y, Liu X, Zeng X, Zhao X. Novel mutations of TEX11 are associated with non-obstructive azoospermia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1159723. [PMID: 37124723 PMCID: PMC10140331 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1159723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) affects 10% of infertile men worldwide, and genetic studies revealed that there are plenty of monogenic mutations that responsible for a part of idiopathic NOA cases. Testis-expressed gene 11 (TEX11) is an X-linked meiosis-specific gene, many pathogenic variants in TEX11 have been detected in NOA patients, and the deficiency of this gene can cause abnormal meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. However, many NOA-affected cases caused by TEX11 mutation remain largely unknown. This study reported three novel TEX11 mutations (exon 5, c.313C>T: p.R105*), (exon 7, c.427A>C: p.K143Q) and (exon 29, c.2575G>A: p.G859R). Mutations were screened using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and further verified by amplifying and sequencing the specific exon. Histological analysis of testicular biopsy specimens revealed a thicker basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules and poorly developed spermatocytes, and no post-meiotic round spermatids or mature spermatozoa were observed in the seminiferous tubules of patients with TEX11 mutation. Conclusion This study presents three novel variants of TEX11 as potential infertility alleles that have not been previously reported. It expanded the variant spectrum of patients with NOA, which also emphasizes the necessity of this gene screening for the clinical auxiliary diagnosis of patients with azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xuhui Zeng
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Xuhui Zeng, ; Xiuling Zhao,
| | - Xiuling Zhao
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Xuhui Zeng, ; Xiuling Zhao,
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8
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Ying LJ, Yu L, Yang T, Wu YB, Xu JY, Jia YL, Zheng Y, Li F. Semen parameters are seriously affected in acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:20. [PMID: 36028792 PMCID: PMC9413908 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00170-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that some patients with headless spermatozoa have poor semen quality, but there has been no published systematic analysis of semen quality in patients with different proportions of headless spermatozoa in semen. We aimed to explore the association of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and semen quality in men with distinct proportions of headless spermatozoa. MATERIAL AND METHODS Semen parameter values in patients for whom headless spermatozoa were found in the ejaculates was studied and compared to that of 413 age-matched prenatal examination patients. All semen samples were analyzed following the same methodology in a single laboratory. RESULTS All semen parameter values except semen volume were negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with the proportion of headless spermatozoa. The semen samples were divided into four groups on the basis of the proportion of headless spermatozoa (PHS) as follows: 0 < PHS ≤ 5% (n = 172, Group A1); 5 < PHS ≤ 10% (n = 76, Group A2); 10 < PHS ≤ 20% (n = 71, Group B); and PHS > 20% (n = 71, Group C). In Group A1, only one semen parameter value (progressive motility) was lower than those of the control group, but in Group A2, this increased to five (sperm vitality, normal sperm morphology, sperm motility, VCL (curvilinear velocity) and ALH (amplitude of lateral head displacement)). Worse still, all semen parameter values were significantly lower in Group B and Group C than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Semen samples containing headless spermatozoa tend to have lower quality than samples without headless spermatozoa. Increases in the proportion of headless spermatozoa in semen are associated with decreased semen quality. We suggest that headless spermatozoa should be seriously assessed and accurately counted in semen analysis, especially for ejaculate in which the proportion of headless spermatozoa exceeds 5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Ying
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Yu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying-Bi Wu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin-Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Ye-Lin Jia
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, No. 1416, Section 1, Chenglong Avenue, Sichuan, 610066, Chengdu, China.
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9
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Pathway Analysis of Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Data Associated with Male Infertility. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3030018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Infertility is a common condition affecting approximately 10–20% of the reproductive age population. Idiopathic infertility cases are thought to have a genetic basis, but the underlying causes are largely unknown. However, the genetic basis underlying male infertility in humans is only partially understood. The Purpose of the study is to understand the current state of research on the genetics of male infertility and its association with significant biological mechanisms. Results: We performed an Identify Candidate Causal SNPs and Pathway (ICSN Pathway) analysis using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset, and NCBI-PubMed search which included 632 SNPs in GWAS and 451 SNPs from the PubMed server, respectively. The ICSN Pathway analysis produced three hypothetical biological mechanisms associated with male infertility: (1) rs8084 and rs7192→HLA-DRA→inflammatory pathways and cell adhesion; rs7550231 and rs2234167→TNFRSF14→TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 14→T lymphocyte proliferation and activation; rs1105879 and rs2070959→UGT1A6→UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A6→Metabolism of Xenobiotics, androgen, estrogen, retinol, and carbohydrates. Conclusions: We believe that our results may be helpful to study the genetic mechanisms of male infertility. Pathway-based methods have been applied to male infertility GWAS datasets to investigate the biological mechanisms and reported some novel male infertility risk pathways. This pathway analysis using GWAS dataset suggests that the biological process related to inflammation and metabolism might contribute to male infertility susceptibility. Our analysis suggests that genetic contribution to male infertility operates through multiple genes affecting common inflammatory diseases interacting in functional pathways.
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10
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Dai Y, Kong X, Yao C, Xiong C, Li Z, Li H. Multi-stage screening cell-free seminal mRNAs to diagnose completion of meiosis and predict testicular sperm retrieval in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Andrology 2022; 10:749-757. [PMID: 35266640 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13173] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differential diagnosis of men with subtypes of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is important for their treatment. Many genes are transcripted during meiosis. We hypothesized that some of these genes can be detected in cell-free seminal mRNAs (cfs-mRNA) and be developed as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing NOA subtypes. OBJECTIVE To screen cfs-mRNA to diagnose the completion of meiosis and predict successful sperm retrieval (SR) in men with NOA. MATERIALS AND METHODS NOA patients who visited our institutes from September 2018 to December 2020 for testicular histopathological diagnosis (n = 109) or testicular SR (n = 92) were screened for participation in the study. Microarray and real-time quantitative PCR were used in five stages to obtain candidate cfs-mRNAs for comparisons between patients with early maturation arrest (eMA, meiosis not completed) and late MA or hypospermatogenesis (meiosis completed), and between NOA patients with successful SR and SR failure. RESULTS Twelve cfs-mRNAs were selected based on this comparison between men with eMA and hypospermatogenesis and their gene expression and function information. Of these, AKAP1, BOLL, TCP11, and SETX predominantly derived from testes and germ cells were proposed as candidate cfs-mRNAs. Further quantification in men with NOA demonstrated significantly higher levels of BOLL cfs-mRNA (P < 0.0001) in men with late MA or hypospermatogenesis (n = 23), compared with men with eMA (n = 51); and significantly higher levels (P < 0.0001) in patients with successful SR (n = 44) when compared with patients with SR failure (n = 37). Interestingly, with a similar cutoff value, BOLL cfs-mRNA showed high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing late MA and hypospermatogenesis (>404 copies/mL) and predicting successful SR (>415 copies/mL). Correlation of BOLL mRNA levels was observed in paired semen and testicular tissues. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We propose that BOLL cfs-mRNA is a promising non-invasive marker for diagnosing the completion of meiosis and predicting successful testicular SR in men with NOA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwan Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China
| | - Xiangbin Kong
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, China
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11
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Zhang W, Zhao XY, Wu J, Jin L, Lv J, Gao B, Liu P. Screening and Verification of Molecular Markers and Genes Related to Salt-Alkali Tolerance in Portunus trituberculatus. Front Genet 2022; 13:755004. [PMID: 35211153 PMCID: PMC8861530 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.755004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Salt-alkali tolerance is one of the important breeding traits of Portunus trituberculatus. Identification of molecular markers linked to salt-alkali tolerance is prerequisite to develop such molecular marker-assisted breeding. In this study, Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) was used to screen molecular markers associated with salt-alkali tolerance trait in P. trituberculatus. Two DNA mixing pools with significant difference in salt-alkali tolerance were prepared and 94.83G of high-quality sequencing data was obtained. 855 SNPs and 1051 Indels were firstly selected as candidate markers by BSA analysis, out of which, 20 markers were further selected via △index value (close to 0 or 1) and eight of those were successfully verified. In addition, based on the located information of the markers in genome, eight candidate genes related to salt-alkali tolerance were anchored including ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, aspartate-tRNA ligase, vesicle-trafficking protein, and so on. qPCR results showed that the expression patterns of all these genes changed significantly after salt-alkali stress, suggesting that they play certain roles in salt-alkali adaptation. Our results will provide applicable markers for molecular marker-assisted breeding and help to clarify the mechanisms of salt-alkali adaptation of P. trituberculatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.,College of marine technology and environment, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiao Yan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Ling Jin
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianjian Lv
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Baoquan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, P.R.China, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
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12
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Zhang Z, Wu H, Zheng L, Zhang HT, Yang YZ, Mao JM, Liu DF, Zhao LM, Liang H, Jiang H. Identification and characterization of circular RNAs in the testicular tissue of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Asian J Androl 2022; 24:660-665. [PMID: 35229760 PMCID: PMC9809480 DOI: 10.4103/aja2021131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed noncoding RNAs that participate in multiple reproduction-related diseases. However, the expression pattern and potential functions of circRNAs in the testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remain elusive. In this study, according to a circRNA array, a total of 37 881 circRNAs were identified that were differentially expressed in the testes of NOA patients compared with normal controls, including 19 874 upregulated circRNAs and 18 007 downregulated circRNAs. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, we confirmed that the change tendency of some specific circRNAs, including hsa_circ_0137890, hsa_circ_0136298, and hsa_circ_0007273, was consistent with the microarray data in another larger sample. The structures and characteristics of these circRNAs were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that these circRNAs were primarily expressed in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatics analysis was used to construct the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, and numerous miRNAs that could be paired with circRNAs validated in this study were reported to be vital for spermatogenesis regulation. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses indicated that genes involved in axoneme assembly, microtubule-based processes, and cell proliferation were significantly enriched. Our data suggest that there are aberrantly expressed circRNA profiles in patients with NOA and that these circRNAs may help identify key diagnostic and therapeutic molecular biomarkers for NOA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Han Wu
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lin Zheng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hai-Tao Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yu-Zhuo Yang
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jia-Ming Mao
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - De-Feng Liu
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lian-Ming Zhao
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui Liang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China,
Correspondence: Dr. H Jiang () or Dr. H Liang ()
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,
Correspondence: Dr. H Jiang () or Dr. H Liang ()
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13
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Integration and gene co-expression network analysis of scRNA-seq transcriptomes reveal heterogeneity and key functional genes in human spermatogenesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19089. [PMID: 34580317 PMCID: PMC8476490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98267-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of cellular division and differentiation that begins with spermatogonia stem cells and leads to functional spermatozoa production. However, many of the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used to sequence the entire transcriptome at the single-cell level to assess cell-to-cell variability. In this study, more than 33,000 testicular cells from different scRNA-seq datasets with normal spermatogenesis were integrated to identify single-cell heterogeneity on a more comprehensive scale. Clustering, cell type assignments, differential expressed genes and pseudotime analysis characterized 5 spermatogonia, 4 spermatocyte, and 4 spermatid cell types during the spermatogenesis process. The UTF1 and ID4 genes were introduced as the most specific markers that can differentiate two undifferentiated spermatogonia stem cell sub-cellules. The C7orf61 and TNP can differentiate two round spermatid sub-cellules. The topological analysis of the weighted gene co-expression network along with the integrated scRNA-seq data revealed some bridge genes between spermatogenesis's main stages such as DNAJC5B, C1orf194, HSP90AB1, BST2, EEF1A1, CRISP2, PTMS, NFKBIA, CDKN3, and HLA-DRA. The importance of these key genes is confirmed by their role in male infertility in previous studies. It can be stated that, this integrated scRNA-seq of spermatogenic cells offers novel insights into cell-to-cell heterogeneity and suggests a list of key players with a pivotal role in male infertility from the fertile spermatogenesis datasets. These key functional genes can be introduced as candidates for filtering and prioritizing genotype-to-phenotype association in male infertility.
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14
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Vitrification with microinjection of single seminiferous tubules: an efficient cryopreservation approach for limited testicular tissue. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:687-699. [PMID: 34556414 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is vitrification with microinjection of single seminiferous tubules an efficient cryopreservation approach for limited testicular tissue? DESIGN Testicular tissue from 10 patients with normal spermatogenesis were assigned to a fresh control group or one of the following cryopreservation procedures: uncontrolled slow freezing (USF) using either 1.5 or 2.1 M DMSO combined with sucrose and vitrification with or without single seminiferous tubules microinjection. RESULTS Single seminiferous tubules microinjected with cryoprotective agents (CPA) enhanced the penetration of CPA compared with CPA-treated testicular tissue fragments. Microinjection of seminiferous tubules (VLP) maintained tubule structural integrity and germ cell numbers, and reduced spermatogonial apoptosis after cryopreservation compared with vitrification without microinjection (apoptosis rate: VLP versus vitrification without microinjection, P = 0.047; VLP versus USF, P= 0.049). Freezing of single seminiferous tubules using 0.25-ml straws and traditional sperm freezing methods protected sperm retrieval and recovery rates, and the progressive motility index. CONCLUSIONS Vitrification of single seminiferous tubule with microinjection of low CPA concentration is an effective approach to testicular cryopreservation.
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15
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Yang C, Yao C, Ji Z, Zhao L, Chen H, Li P, Tian R, Zhi E, Huang Y, Han X, Hong Y, Zhou Z, Li Z. RNA-binding protein ELAVL2 plays post-transcriptional roles in the regulation of spermatogonia proliferation and apoptosis. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13098. [PMID: 34296486 PMCID: PMC8450129 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) play essential post‐transcriptional roles in regulating spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintenance and differentiation. We identified a conserved and SSCs‐enriched RBP ELAVL2 from our single‐cell sequencing data, but its function and mechanism in SSCs were unclear. Materials and methods Expressions of ELAVL2 during human and mouse testis development were validated. Stable C18‐4 and TCam‐2 cell lines with overexpression and knockdown of ELAVL2 were established, which were applied to proliferation and apoptosis analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing were used to identify ELAVL2 targets, and regulatory functions of ELAVL2 on target mRNAs were studied. Proteins interacting with ELAVL2 in human and mouse testes were identified using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric, which were validated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results ELAVL2 was testis‐enriched and preferentially expressed in human and mouse SSCs. ELAVL2 was down‐regulated in NOA patients. ELAVL2 promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of C18‐4 and TCam‐2 cell lines via activating ERK and AKT pathways. ELAVL2 associated with mRNAs encoding essential regulators of SSCs proliferation and survival, and promoted their protein expression at post‐transcriptional level. ELAVL2 interacted with DAZL in vivo and in vitro in both human and mouse testes. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that ELAVL2 is a conserved SSCs‐enriched RBP that down‐regulated in NOA, which regulates spermatogonia proliferation and apoptosis by promoting protein expression of targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huixing Chen
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Han
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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16
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Markantoni M, Sarafidou T, Kyrgiafini MA, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Dafopoulos K, Mamuris Z. Replicating a GWAS: two novel candidate markers for oligospermia in Greek population. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4967-4972. [PMID: 34097203 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have paved the way for the discovery of new markers regarding many diseases, including male infertility. A previous study on Caucasians highlighted 172 polymorphisms for their putative association with male infertility and we attempted to replicate these findings on our dataset comprising of Greek male individuals (n = 360). We retrieved 59 out of 172 polymorphisms and tested for all association models on 278 normospermic men and 82 patients with an abnormal seminogram, later separated into oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups. Our findings indicate that two SNPs (rs2296225 in KIF17, rs7224496 in SMYD4) are associated with male infertility in the Greek population and have not been recorded in literature as of yet. These novel markers need further validation via additional studies and an increased individual number. All in all, replication studies, possess the power to validate existing polymorphisms found across all population and thus increase both statistical significance as well as identify novel potentially diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Markantoni
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Theologia Sarafidou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | | | | | - Konstantinos Dafopoulos
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
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17
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Cerván-Martín M, Bossini-Castillo L, Rivera-Egea R, Garrido N, Luján S, Romeu G, Santos-Ribeiro S, Castilla JA, Gonzalvo MDC, Clavero A, Vicente FJ, Guzmán-Jiménez A, Burgos M, Barrionuevo FJ, Jiménez R, Sánchez-Curbelo J, López-Rodrigo O, Peraza MF, Pereira-Caetano I, Marques PI, Carvalho F, Barros A, Bassas L, Seixas S, Gonçalves J, Larriba S, Lopes AM, Carmona FD, Palomino-Morales RJ. Effect and in silico characterization of genetic variants associated with severe spermatogenic disorders in a large Iberian cohort. Andrology 2021; 9:1151-1165. [PMID: 33784440 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe spermatogenic failure (SpF) represents the most extreme manifestation of male infertility, as it decreases drastically the semen quality leading to either severe oligospermia (SO, <5 million spermatozoa/mL semen) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, complete lack of spermatozoa in the ejaculate without obstructive causes). OBJECTIVES The main objective of the present study is to analyze in the Iberian population the effect of 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with NOA in Han Chinese through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and to establish their possible functional relevance in the development of specific SpF patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS We genotyped 674 Iberian infertile men (including 480 NOA and 194 SO patients) and 1058 matched unaffected controls for the GWAS-associated variants PRMT6-rs12097821, PEX10-rs2477686, CDC42BPA-rs3000811, IL17A-rs13206743, ABLIM1-rs7099208, and SOX5-rs10842262. Their association with SpF, SO, NOA, and different NOA phenotypes was evaluated by logistic regression models, and their functional relevance was defined by comprehensive interrogation of public resources. RESULTS ABLIM1-rs7099208 was associated with SpF under both additive (OR = 0.86, p = 0.036) and dominant models (OR = 0.78, p = 0.026). The CDC42BPA-rs3000811 minor allele frequency was significantly increased in the subgroup of NOA patients showing maturation arrest (MA) of germ cells compared to the remaining NOA cases under the recessive model (OR = 4.45, p = 0.044). The PEX10-rs2477686 SNP was associated with a negative testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcome under the additive model (OR = 1.32, p = 0.034). The analysis of functional annotations suggested that these variants affect the testis-specific expression of nearby genes and that lincRNA may play a role in SpF. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the association of three previously reported NOA risk variants in Asians (ABLIM1-rs7099208, CDC42BPA-rs3000811, and PEX10-rs2477686) with different manifestations of SpF in Iberians of European descent, likely by influencing gene expression and lincRNA deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Lara Bossini-Castillo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Rivera-Egea
- Andrology Laboratory and Sperm Bank, IVIRMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Saturnino Luján
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Gema Romeu
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Santos-Ribeiro
- IVI-RMA Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - José A Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.,UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, Unidad de Reproducción, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.,CEIFER Biobanco - NextClinics, Granada, Spain
| | - María Del Carmen Gonzalvo
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.,UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, Unidad de Reproducción, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Clavero
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.,UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, Unidad de Reproducción, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.,UGC de Urología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Guzmán-Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga López-Rodrigo
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Fernanda Peraza
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iris Pereira-Caetano
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Isabel Marques
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Carvalho
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal.,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alberto Barros
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal.,Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lluís Bassas
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Seixas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.,Nova Medical School, ToxOmics - Centro de Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Larriba
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandra Manuel Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio Jesús Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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18
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Gentiluomo M, Luddi A, Cingolani A, Fornili M, Governini L, Lucenteforte E, Baglietto L, Piomboni P, Campa D. Telomere Length and Male Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083959. [PMID: 33921254 PMCID: PMC8069448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, telomeres have attracted increasing attention due to the role they play in human fertility. However, conflicting results have been reported on the possible association between sperm telomere length (STL) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the quality of the sperm parameters. The aim of this study was to run a comprehensive study to investigate the role of STL and LTL in male spermatogenesis and infertility. Moreover, the association between the sperm parameters and 11 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identified in the literature for their association with telomere length (TL), was investigated. We observed no associations between sperm parameters and STL nor LTL. For the individual SNPs, we observed five statistically significant associations with sperm parameters: considering a p < 0.05. Namely, ACYP2˗rs11125529 and decreased sperm motility (p = 0.03); PXK˗rs6772228 with a lower sperm count (p = 0.02); NAF1˗rs7675998 with increased probability of having abnormal acrosomes (p = 0.03) and abnormal flagellum (p = 0.04); ZNF208˗rs8105767 and reduction of sperms with normal heads (p = 0.009). This study suggests a moderate involvement of telomere length in male fertility; however, in our analyses four SNPs were weakly associated with sperm variables, suggesting the SNPs to be pleiotropic and involved in other regulatory mechanisms independent of telomere homeostasis, but involved in the spermatogenic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gentiluomo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Alice Luddi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Annapaola Cingolani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Marco Fornili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Governini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Baglietto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Paola Piomboni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-057-758-6632
| | - Daniele Campa
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
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19
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Han B, Yan Z, Yu S, Ge W, Li Y, Wang Y, Yang B, Shen W, Jiang H, Sun Z. Infertility network and hub genes for nonobstructive azoospermia utilizing integrative analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:7052-7066. [PMID: 33621950 PMCID: PMC7993690 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility owing to the absence of sperm during ejaculation as a result of failed spermatogenesis. The molecular mechanisms of NOA have not been well studied. Here, we revealed the dysregulated differentially expressed genes in NOA and related signaling pathways or biological processes. Cluster features of biological processes include spermatogenesis, fertilization, cilium movement, penetration of zona pellucida, sperm chromatin condensation, and being significantly enriched metabolic pathways in proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, glycolysis and glycogenesis pathways in NOA using Gene Ontology analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. The NOA gene co-expression network was constructed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify the hub genes (CHD5 and SPTBN2). In addition, we used another Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE45887) to validate these hub genes. Furthermore, we used the Seurat package to classify testicular tissue cells from NOA patients and to characterize the differential expression of hub genes in different cell types from different adult males based on the scRNA-seq dataset (GSE106487). These results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of NOA. Of particular note, CHD5 and SPTBN2 may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoquan Han
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Zihui Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Shuai Yu
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yaqi Li
- Department of Urology, Zaozhuang Hospital of Zaozhuang Mining Group, Zaozhuang 277100, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China.,College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Department of Andrology, Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
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20
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Gunes S, Esteves SC. Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13586. [PMID: 32314821 DOI: 10.1111/and.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y-chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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21
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Cerván-Martín M, Castilla JA, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD. Genetic Landscape of Nonobstructive Azoospermia and New Perspectives for the Clinic. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020300. [PMID: 31973052 PMCID: PMC7074441 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the most severe expression of male infertility, involving around 1% of the male population and 10% of infertile men. This condition is characterised by the inability of the testis to produce sperm cells, and it is considered to have an important genetic component. During the last two decades, different genetic anomalies, including microdeletions of the Y chromosome, karyotype defects, and missense mutations in genes involved in the reproductive function, have been described as the primary cause of NOA in many infertile men. However, these alterations only explain around 25% of azoospermic cases, with the remaining patients showing an idiopathic origin. Recent studies clearly suggest that the so-called idiopathic NOA has a complex aetiology with a polygenic inheritance, which may alter the spermatogenic process. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NOA, the use of the new technologies for genetic analysis has enabled a considerable increase in knowledge during the last years. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the genetic basis of NOA, with a special focus on the possible application of the recent insights in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
- CEIFER Biobanco—NextClinics, Calle Maestro Bretón 1, 18004 Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Av. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-958-241-000 (ext 20170)
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22
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Wen L, Liu Q, Xu J, Liu X, Shi C, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Xu H, Liu J, Yang H, Huang H, Qiao J, Tang F, Chen ZJ. Recent advances in mammalian reproductive biology. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 63:18-58. [PMID: 31813094 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive biology is a uniquely important topic since it is about germ cells, which are central for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in mammalian germ cell development, including preimplantation development, fetal germ cell development and postnatal development of oocytes and sperm. We also discuss the etiologies of female and male infertility and describe the emerging technologies for studying reproductive biology such as gene editing and single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chaoyi Shi
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zuwei Yang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yili Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, 250021, China.
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23
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Geng D, Zhang H, Liu X, Fei J, Jiang Y, Liu R, Wang R, Zhang G. Identification of KISS1R gene mutations in disorders of non-obstructive azoospermia in the northeast population of China. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 34:e23139. [PMID: 31821609 PMCID: PMC7171332 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA), a serious phenotype of male spermatogenesis failure, is a multifactorial disease which is regulated by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Some gene structural variants have been demonstrated to be related to NOA. Loss‐of‐function mutations of KISS1R cause normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) which result in azoospermia at the pre‐testicular level. The objective of this research was to investigate genetic variants of KISS1R in NOA patients. Methods The entire coding region of 52 spermatogenesis‐associated genes (KISS1R included) was sequenced from 200 NOA patients. Mutation screening was performed to identify genetic variations of these genes by targeted exome sequencing. Sequencing data analysis was carried out by a series of bioinformatics tools. Candidate variants confirmation was performed by Sanger sequencing. Functional analysis of candidate variants was evaluated using SIFT and PolyPhen‐2. Results Three heterozygous missense variants in KISS1R were identified in three patients, respectively. No deleterious variations in other candidate genes were found in the three patients. Two of these three variants, p.A211T and p.G186E, had been reported in the ExAC and dbSNP database, respectively, while the other variant p.A301D was novel. These variants were all predicted to be likely pathogenic by in silico analysis. Conclusion Our study revealed three heterozygous missense variants in KISS1R which expanded the mutation spectrum of KISS1R in infertile men with NOA in the northeast of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Geng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Hongguo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiangyin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jia Fei
- Peking Medriv Academy of Genetics and Reproduction, Beijing, China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Guirong Zhang
- Peking Medriv Academy of Genetics and Reproduction, Beijing, China
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Zhang H, Jia H, Duan X, Li L, Wang H, Wu J, Hu J, Cao K, Zhao A, Liang J, Song J, Qiao C, Wang N. The Chinese Glaucoma Study Consortium for Patients With Glaucoma: Design, Rationale and Baseline Patient Characteristics. J Glaucoma 2019; 28:974-978. [PMID: 31567910 PMCID: PMC7028307 DOI: 10.1097/ijg.0000000000001378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PRECIS Chinese Glaucoma Study Consortium (CGSC) as the first nationwide glaucoma registry in China, we describe its design, rationale, the geographic distribution of the hospitals, and baseline patient characteristics. AIM As a leading cause of blindness in China, glaucoma affects 2% to 4% of adults over the age of 40 and will become increasingly prevalent as the population ages. At the national level, there are few reports on the current medical practice for glaucoma patients. CGSC will be considered as the first nationwide glaucoma registry in China. Here we describe its design, rationale, the geographic distribution of the hospitals, and baseline patient characteristics. METHODS From December 21, 2015 to September 9, 2018, CGSC recruited patients with the diagnoses of primary angle-closure suspect, primary angle-closure, primary angle-closure glaucoma, acute primary angle closure, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) from 111 hospitals covering 67 cities from 22 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 5 autonomous regions in mainland China. Clinical data were collected using an Electronic Data Capture System designed by Tongren hospital and Gauss informed Ltd. Blood samples were collected from every patient for further genetic analysis. RESULTS Medical records of 10,892 patients were collected, of which 5762 patients have complete information. The average age of those with complete information (n=5762) was 62.05±11.26 years old, and 35.25% were males. Primary angle-closure disease, including primary angle-closure suspect/primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma/acute primary angle closure, was predominant (4588, 79.63%), and the distribution for others is as follows: POAG (1116, 19.37%), PXG (41, 0.71%) and PG (17, 0.30%). A total of 16,684 blood samples were collected, of which 9917 (82.68%) were primary angle-closure disease, 1987 (16.57%) were POAG, 69 (0.58%) were PXG, 22 (0.18%) were PG, and 4689 were normal controls. CONCLUSIONS The CGSC is the first national-level glaucoma registry study in China. Clinical data and blood samples will provide the opportunity to study the epidemiology of glaucoma in Chinese hospitals, to evaluate the level of medical diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in China, and to identify the susceptibility loci for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Hongyan Jia
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Xiaoming Duan
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Liang Li
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Hui Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Jian Wu
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | | | - Kai Cao
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology
| | - Aiping Zhao
- Beijing Clinical Service Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Jing Song
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Chunyan Qiao
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology
- Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab
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25
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Precursor RNA processing 3 is required for male fertility, and germline stem cell self-renewal and differentiation via regulating spliceosome function in Drosophila testes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9988. [PMID: 31292463 PMCID: PMC6620278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46419-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pre-mRNA spliceosome is a large complex containing five small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) and many splicing factors. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are generated from pre-mRNAs by the process of RNA splicing, which is conserved in eukaryotes. Precursor RNA processing 3 (Prp3) is a U4/U6-associated snRNP whose function remains largely unknown. In the present study, using genetic manipulation of a Drosophila melanogaster testis model, we demonstrated that Prp3 is essential for male fertility in Drosophila. Prp3 deficiency in germline stem cells (GSCs) and early cyst cells resulted in abnormal structure of testes and maintenance defects of GSCs and cyst stem cells. Knockdown of Prp3 in spermatogonia and early cyst cells mediated tumor formation caused by differentiation defects. Using an in vitro assay, knockdown of Prp3 decreased proliferation and increased cell death, and controlled the spliceosome function via regulating spliceosome subunits expression in Drosophila S2 cells. We also identified two other splicing factors in the Prp complex (Prp19 and Prp8), which mimicked the phenotype of Prp3 in the Drosophila stem cell niche. Our results revealed a significant role of precursor RNA processing factors in male testes, indicating that Prp3, a key spliceosome component in the Prp complex, is essential for male fertility, and germline stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, via regulating the spliceosome function in Drosophila testes.
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Ma Y, Xie N, Xie D, Sun L, Li S, Li P, Li Y, Li J, Dong Z, Xie X. A novel homozygous FBXO43 mutation associated with male infertility and teratozoospermia in a consanguineous Chinese family. Fertil Steril 2019; 111:909-917.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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27
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Marques PI, Gonçalves JC, Monteiro C, Cavadas B, Nagirnaja L, Barros N, Barros A, Carvalho F, Lopes AM, Seixas S. Semen quality is affected by HLA class I alleles together with sexually transmitted diseases. Andrology 2019; 7:867-877. [PMID: 31002754 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) locus includes several genes with key roles in antigen presentation and immune response, some of them inclusively found to be associated with non-obstructive azoospermia. Still, HLA connections to other infertility phenotypes such as semen hyperviscosity (SHV), asthenozoospermia (AST), and oligozoospermia (OLI) have been often neglected. OBJECTIVES In this work, we aimed to evaluate the association of HLA class I and II genes with SHV, AST, and OLI phenotypes while exploring a possible role in an adaptive immune response to sexually transmitted diseases (STD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a Portuguese cohort of 71 infertility cases and 68 controls, followed by HLA typing using a specific software-HLA*PRG:LA tool. Molecular screenings of seven STD were carried out in a subset of 72 samples (30 cases and 42 controls). RESULTS Statistical tests uncovered three protective alleles: HLA-A*11:01, associated with all forms of male infertility (p = 0.0006); HLA-DQB1*03:02 with SHV and OLI (PSHV = 0.0303, POLI = 0.0153); and HLA-A*29:02 with OLI (p = 0.0355), which was found to interfere in sperm number together with HPV (p = 0.0313). Five risk alleles were also identified: two linked with SHV (HLA-B*50:01, p = 0.0278; and HLA-C*06:02, p = 0.0461), another one with both SHV and OLI (HLA-DQA1*05:01, PSHV = 0.0444 and POLI =0.0265), and two with OLI (HLA-C*03:03, p = 0.0480; and HLA-DQB1*03:01, p = 0.0499). Here, HLA-C*03:03 carriers tend to be HPV infected. CONCLUSIONS The application of HLA*PRG:LA tool to the study of male infertility provided novel insights for an HLA correlation with semen quality, namely among SHV and OLI phenotypes. The discovery of an HLA-A*29:02/HPV crosstalk, together with former reports of HLA alleles conferring resistance-susceptibility to diverse human pathogens, raises the hypothesis of a mechanistic link between male infertility, HLA polymorphism, and host response to STD.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Marques
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal
| | - J C Gonçalves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal
| | - C Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal
| | - B Cavadas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Nagirnaja
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - N Barros
- Center for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Barros
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Center for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, Porto, Portugal.,Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Carvalho
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal
| | - S Seixas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (i3S), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), Porto, Portugal
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ATP synthase is required for male fertility and germ cell maturation in Drosophila testes. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:1561-1570. [PMID: 30628672 PMCID: PMC6390039 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Germ cell maturation is essential for spermatogenesis and testis homeostasis. ATP synthase serves significant roles in energy storage in germ cell survival and is catalyzed by alterations in the mitochondrial membrane proton concentration. The intrinsic cellular mechanisms governing stem cell maturation remain largely unknown. In the present study, in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) screening of major ATP synthase subunits was performed, and the function of ATP synthase for male fertility and spermatogenesis in Drosophila was explored. A Upstream Activation Sequence/Gal4 transcription factor system was used to knock down gene expression in specific cell types, and immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the roles of ATP synthase subunits in Drosophila testes. It was identified that knockdown of ATP synthase resulted in male infertility and abnormal spermatogenesis in Drosophila testes. In addition, knockdown of the ATP synthase β subunit in germ cells resulted in defects in male infertility and germ cell maturation, while the hub and cyst cell populations were maintained. Other major ATP synthase subunits were also examined and similar phenotypes in Drosophila testes were identified. Taken together, the data from the present study revealed that ATP synthase serves important roles for male fertility during spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell maturation in Drosophila testes.
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Nagirnaja L, Aston KI, Conrad DF. Genetic intersection of male infertility and cancer. Fertil Steril 2018; 109:20-26. [PMID: 29307395 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent epidemiological studies have identified an association between male factor infertility and increased cancer risk, however, the underlying etiology for the shared risk has not been investigated. It is likely that much of the association between the two disease states can be attributed to underlying genetic lesions. In this article we review the reported associations between cancer and spermatogenic defects, and through database searches we identify candidate genes and gene classes that could explain some of the observed shared genetic risk. We discuss the importance of fully characterizing the genetic basis for the relationship between cancer and male factor infertility and propose future studies to that end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liina Nagirnaja
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
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Huang M, Zhu M, Jiang T, Wang Y, Wang C, Jin G, Guo X, Sha J, Dai J, Wang X, Hu Z. Fine mapping the MHC region identified rs4997052 as a new variant associated with nonobstructive azoospermia in Han Chinese males. Fertil Steril 2018; 111:61-68. [PMID: 30502936 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between genetic variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) susceptibility. DESIGN MHC region fine-mapping analysis based on previous NOA genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. SETTING Medical university. PATIENT(S) Nine hundred and eighty-one men with NOA and 1,657 normal fertile male controls. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The MHC region imputation assessed with SNP2HLA software, taking the specific Han-MHC database as a reference panel; statistical significance of the MHC variants calculated using logistic regression models; functional annotation based on online public databases; and phenotypic variances explained by specific groups of genetic variants estimated using the fixed effects model from individual associations. RESULT(S) Two independent risk loci, rs7194 (odds ratio [OR] 1.37) at MHC class II molecules and rs4997052 (OR 1.30) at MHC class I molecules, were identified. Functional annotation showed rs7194 may tag the effect of multiple amino acid residues and the expression of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1; while rs4997052 showed the effect of amino acid changes of HLA-B at position 116 as well as the expression of HLA-B and CCHCR1, which coexpressed with genes enriched in pathways of spermatogenesis and male gamete generation. The novel variant rs4997052 identified in our study can explain another approximately 0.66% of the phenotypic variances of NOA. CONCLUSION(S) We fine-mapped the MHC region and identified two loci that independently drove NOA susceptibility. These results provide a deeper understanding of the association mechanisms of MHC and NOA risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangfu Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juncheng Dai
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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Geng D, Yang X, Wang R, Deng S, Li L, Hu X, Jiang Y, Liu R. A novel stopgain mutation c.G992A (p.W331X) in TACR3 gene was identified in nonobstructive azoospermia by targeted next-generation sequencing. J Clin Lab Anal 2018; 33:e22700. [PMID: 30390321 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.22700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most severe forms of male infertility because of impaired spermatogenesis with the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. The causes of this disease can be partly attributed to genetic factors. Some common structural variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were reported to be associated with NOA. However, the underlying etiology and genetic mechanism(s) remain largely unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the associated mutations of spermatogenic genes in Chinese infertile men with NOA. METHODS The entire coding region of 25 genes associated with spermatogenesis was sequenced from 200 infertile men with NOA. Screening was carried out using the targeted exome sequencing to identify genetic variations and SNPs of the entire coding region of these genes. RESULTS After the targeted exome sequencing data were filtered through several currently existing variation databases, a series of variations were found. In this paper, we report one novel stopgain variation c.G992A (p.W331X) in the exon 4 of TACR3 gene. The variant was heterozygous and categorized as pathogenic. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our study revealed a novel stopgain mutation c.G992A (p.W331X) in TACR3 which expanded the mutation spectrum of TACR3 in Chinese NOA infertile men and advanced our understanding of the genetic susceptibility to NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Geng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shu Deng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Leilei Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaonan Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Yang C, Yao C, Tian R, Zhu Z, Zhao L, Li P, Chen H, Huang Y, Zhi E, Gong Y, Xue Y, Wang H, Yuan Q, He Z, Li Z. miR-202-3p Regulates Sertoli Cell Proliferation, Synthesis Function, and Apoptosis by Targeting LRP6 and Cyclin D1 of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 14:1-19. [PMID: 30513418 PMCID: PMC6280020 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in mammalian spermatogenesis, which is highly dependent on Sertoli cells. However, the functions and mechanisms of miRNAs in regulating human Sertoli cells remain largely unknown. Here, we report that hsa-miR-202-3p mediates the proliferation, apoptosis, and synthesis function of human Sertoli cells. miR-202-3p was upregulated in Sertoli cells of Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) patients compared with obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients with normal spermatogenesis. Overexpression of miR-202-3p induced Sertoli cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation and synthesis, and the effects were opposite when miR-202-3p was knocked down. Lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) and Cyclin D1 of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were identified as direct targets of miR-202-3p in Sertoli cells, which were validated by bioinformatics tools and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Differentially expressed LRP6 and Cyclin D1 between OA and SCOS Sertoli cells were also verified. LRP6 small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference not only mimicked the effects of miR-202-3p overexpression, but also antagonized the effects of miR-202-3p inhibition on Sertoli cells. Collectively, miR-202-3p controls the proliferation, apoptosis, and synthesis function of human Sertoli cells via targeting LRP6 and Cyclin D1 of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study thus provides a novel insight into fate determinations of human Sertoli cells and niche of human testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Dadao, Jiangning District, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Zijue Zhu
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Huixing Chen
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yuehua Gong
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yunjing Xue
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Qingqing Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Zuping He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, 371 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Tüttelmann F, Ruckert C, Röpke A. Disorders of spermatogenesis: Perspectives for novel genetic diagnostics after 20 years of unchanged routine. MED GENET-BERLIN 2018; 30:12-20. [PMID: 29527098 PMCID: PMC5838132 DOI: 10.1007/s11825-018-0181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is a common condition estimated to affect 10-15% of couples. The clinical causes are attributed in equal parts to the male and female partners. Diagnosing male infertility mostly relies on semen (and hormone) analysis, which results in classification into the two major phenotypes of oligo- and azoospermia. The clinical routine analyses have not changed over the last 20 years and comprise screening for chromosomal aberrations and Y‑chromosomal azoospermia factor deletions. These tests establish a causal genetic diagnosis in about 4% of unselected men in infertile couples and 20% of azoospermic men. Gene sequencing is currently only performed in very rare cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and the CFTR gene is routinely analysed in men with obstructive azoospermia. Still, a large number of genes have been proposed to be associated with male infertility by, for example, knock-out mouse models. In particular, those that are exclusively expressed in the testes are potential candidates for further analyses. However, the genome-wide analyses (a few array-CGH, six GWAS, and some small exome sequencing studies) performed so far have not lead to improved clinical diagnostic testing. In 2017, we started to routinely analyse the three validated male infertility genes: NR5A1, DMRT1, and TEX11. Preliminary analyses demonstrated highly likely pathogenic mutations in these genes as a cause of azoospermia in 4 men, equalling 5% of the 80 patients analysed so far, and increasing the diagnostic yield in this group to 25%. Over the past few years, we have observed a steep increase in publications on novel candidate genes for male infertility, especially in men with azoospermia. In addition, concerted efforts to achieve progress in elucidating genetic causes of male infertility and to introduce novel testing strategies into clinical routine have been made recently. Thus, we are confident that major breakthroughs concerning the genetics of male infertility will be achieved in the near future and will translate into clinical routine to improve patient/couple care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Ruckert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12–14, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Ji J, Qin Y, Wang R, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Zhou R, Song L, Ling X, Hu Z, Miao D, Shen H, Xia Y, Wang X, Lu C. Copy number gain of VCX, X-linked multi-copy gene, leads to cell proliferation and apoptosis during spermatogenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:78532-78540. [PMID: 27705943 PMCID: PMC5340235 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects one-sixth of couples worldwide, and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most severe forms. In recent years there has been increasing evidence to implicate the participation of X chromosome in the process of spermatogenesis. To uncover the roles of X-linked multi-copy genes in spermatogenesis, we performed systematic analysis of X-linked gene copy number variations (CNVs) and Y chromosome haplogrouping in 447 idiopathic NOA patients and 485 healthy controls. Interestingly, the frequency of individuals with abnormal level copy of Variable charge, X-linked (VCX) was significantly different between cases and controls after multiple test correction (p = 5.10 × 10−5). To discriminate the effect of gain/loss copies in these genes, we analyzed the frequency of X-linked multi-copy genes in subjects among subdivided groups. Our results demonstrated that individuals with increased copy numbers of Nuclear RNA export factor 2 (NXF2) (p = 9.21 × 10−8) and VCX (p = 1.97 × 10−4) conferred the risk of NOA. In vitro analysis demonstrated that increasing copy number of VCX could upregulate the gene expression and regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our study establishes a robust association between the VCX CNVs and NOA risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Children Health Care, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenyao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Song
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiufeng Ling
- Department of Children Health Care, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Liu W, Gao X, Yan L, Liu H, Yu R, Zhao S, Ma J. Analysis of CDK2 mutations in Chinese men with non-obstructive azoospermia who underwent testis biopsy. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 36:356-360. [PMID: 29373224 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
To examine whether mutations of the CDK2 gene exist in Chinese men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with different histopathology, we recruited 175 Chinese men with idiopathic NOA who underwent testis biopsy, including hypospermatogenesis, germ cell maturation arrest and Sertoli cell only syndrome. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Subsequently, the seven exons of the CDK2 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction with specific primers, respectively. The polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced on an automated sequencer. We identified four known single nucleotide polymorphisms: c.324G>A in exon 1; c.363T>C in exon 2; c.*570G>A; and c.*1160G>C in the 3' UTR of the CDK2 gene. Comparison of the genotype and allele frequencies showed no significant differences between NOA cases and controls for the four single nucleotide polymorphisms. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between each pathological group and control group, respectively. The results indicate that mutations in the coding sequence of the CDK2 gene may not be responsible for idiopathic NOA in Chinese men. Future studies in large cohorts of different ethnic populations are warranted to establish whether associations exist between the CDK2 gene and NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Ruimei Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Shidou Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Jinlong Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, 250021, China.
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Chen H, Zhu Y, Zhu Z, Zhi E, Lu K, Wang X, Liu F, Li Z, Xia W. Detection of heterozygous mutation in hook microtubule-tethering protein 1 in three patients with decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa syndrome. J Med Genet 2018; 55:150-157. [PMID: 29330334 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of intramanchette transport is crucial to the transformation of sperm tail and the nuclear condensation during spermiogenesis. Although few dysfunctional proteins could result in abnormal junction between the head and tail of spermatozoon, little is known about the genetic cues in this process. OBJECTIVE Based on patients with severe decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa (DDS) syndrome, the study aimed to validate whether new mutation exists on their Hook microtubule-tethering protein 1 (HOOK1) genes and follow their results of assisted reproduction treatment (ART). METHODS 7 severe teratozoospermia patients with DDS (proportion >95%) and three relative members in one pedigree were collected to sequence the whole genomic DNA. The fertilisation rates (FRs) of these patients were followed. Morphological observation and interspecies intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) assays were applied. RESULTS A novel missense mutation of A to G (p.Q286R) in patients with DDS (n=3/7) was found in the HOOK1 gene, which was inherited from the mother in one patient. This variant was absent in 160 fertile population-matched control individuals. Morphological observation showed that almost all the DDS broke into decaudated heads and headless tails at the implantation fossa or the basal plate. The clinical studies indicated that the mutation might cause reduced FRs on both ART (FR=18.07%) and interspecies ICSI (FR=16.98%). CONCLUSIONS An unreported mutation in HOOK1 gene was identified, which might be responsible to some patients with DDS. Further studies need to uncover the molecular mechanism of spermiogenesis for genomic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixing Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijue Zhu
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Keming Lu
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiliang Xia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China
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Efficient generation of functional haploid spermatids from human germline stem cells by three-dimensional-induced system. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:749-766. [PMID: 29305586 PMCID: PMC5864226 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-017-0015-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of functional spermatids from human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro is of utmost importance for uncovering mechanisms underlying human germ cell development and treating infertility. Here we report a three-dimensional-induced (3D-I) system by which human SSCs were efficiently differentiated into functional haploid spermatids. Human SSCs were isolated and identified phenotypically. Meiotic chromatin spreads and DNA content assays revealed that spermatocytes and haploid cells were effectively generated from human SSCs by 3D-I system. Haploid cells derived from human SSCs harbored normal chromosomes and excluded Y chromosome microdeletions. RNA sequencing and bisulfite sequencing analyses reflected similarities in global gene profiles and DNA methylation in human SSCs-derived spermatids and normal round spermatids. Significantly, haploid spermatids generated from human SSCs via 3D-I system were capable of fertilizing mouse oocytes, which subsequently enabled the development of hybrid embryos. This study thus provides invaluable human male gametes for treating male infertility.
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Jiang T, Wang Y, Zhu M, Wang Y, Huang M, Jin G, Guo X, Sha J, Dai J, Hu Z. Transcriptome-wide association study revealed two novel genes associated with nonobstructive azoospermia in a Chinese population. Fertil Steril 2017; 108:1056-1062.e4. [PMID: 29202958 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between genetically cis-regulated gene expression levels and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) susceptibility. DESIGN Transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). SETTING Medical university. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The cis-hg2 values for each gene were estimated with GCTA software. The effect sizes of cis-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on gene expression were measured using GEMMA software. Gene expression levels were entered into our existing NOA GWAS cohort using GEMMA software. The TWAS P-values were calculated using logistic regression models. RESULT(S) Expression levels of 1,296 cis-heritable genes were entered into our existing NOA GWAS data. The TWAS results identified two novel genes as statistically significantly associated with NOA susceptibility: PILRA and ZNF676. In addition, 6p21.32, previously reported in NOA GWAS, was further validated to be a susceptible region to NOA risk. CONCLUSION(S) Analysis with TWAS provides fruitful targets for follow-up functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingtao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangfu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juncheng Dai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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Ma X, Kuete M, Gu X, Zhou H, Xiong C, Li H. Recurrent deletions of the X chromosome linked CNV64, CNV67, and CNV69 shows geographic differences across China and no association with idiopathic infertility in men. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185084. [PMID: 28934280 PMCID: PMC5608304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study found that three recurrent deletions of X chromosome linked copy number variations (CNVs), CNV64, CNV67 and CNV69 were associated with idiopathic male infertility in Spanish and Italian populations, especially CNV67 resembling the azoospermia factor deletions. That merits further investigations among different populations. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of the three CNVs deletions and their associations with idiopathic male infertility in Chinese Han population. The present study included a large population of 1550 Chinese Han subjects recruited between 2014 and 2016. In total, 714 infertile participants were diagnosed as idiopathic infertility with different conditions (288 with non-obstructive azoospermia, 210 oligozoospermia and 216 asthenospermia) and 836 fertile participants (vasectomized men). The fertile participants were recruited from the representative areas: the north (Hebei and Shanxi), center (Hubei and Jiangsu), and south (Guangdong) of China. All patients were recruited from Hubei province. A multiplex PCR system was established to screen the deletion of the three CNVs, and deletion was confirmed by general PCR. Similar rates of these deletions were observed in infertile men and fertile participants (Hubei), and among the different conditions of infertility. Moreover, CNV64 and CNV67 map distribution geographically differed across China. The three CNVs in fertile groups of other regions were similar, except for Guangdong. No association between the three CNVs deletions and idiopathic male infertility was observed. CNV67 is rare in central China, albeit large sample size study for confirmation is warranted. It seems that the association between these CNVs deletions and idiopathic male infertility is ethnic dependent. There is still need to screen the CNVs deletions in other ethnicities. We suggested to consider the stratification patterns and geographic differences when prescribing CNVs deletions screening as a test in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulan Ma
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Martin Kuete
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Montagnes, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bangante, Cameroon
| | - Xiuli Gu
- Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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Xu J, Jiang L, Yu W, Guo H, Zhang H, Wei D, Liang L, Feng K, Song X, Liu Q, Song B, Hao H, Zhang Y, Zhang C. A novel functional variant in Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1) is associated with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:222-228. [PMID: 27990711 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia (INOA) is one of the most severe forms of male infertility, yet its pathophysiology remains unclear. WT1 (Wilms' tumor 1) regulates the polarity of Sertoli cells, thereby playing a critical, indirect role in spermatogenesis. Here, we evaluated WT1 gene variation associates with INOA by assessing its promoter and coding regions in 200 patients diagnosed with INOA and 200 proven-fertile men. Three novel variants in the WT1 coding region were detected only in INOA patients, including two synonymous variants and one missense variant, p.Phe435Leu (p.F435L), which was predicted to be deleterious to protein function. The results of dual luciferase reporter showed that the WT1 p.F435L variant decreases transcription of COL4A1 and WNT4 promoters through a dominant-negative effect. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that COL4A1 and WNT4 promoter is directly bound by wild-type WT1 protein, but not the p.F435L WT1 variant. Thus, we identified a novel functional variant of WT1 functionally associated with INOA. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 222-228, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lile Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenzhu Yu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haibin Guo
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Helong Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Duo Wei
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingling Liang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ke Feng
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaobing Song
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Song
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haoying Hao
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Wangler MF, Hu Y, Shulman JM. Drosophila and genome-wide association studies: a review and resource for the functional dissection of human complex traits. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:77-88. [PMID: 28151408 PMCID: PMC5312009 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified thousands of susceptibility loci for common diseases with complex genetic etiologies. Although the susceptibility variants identified by GWAS usually have only modest effects on individual disease risk, they contribute to a substantial burden of trait variation in the overall population. GWAS also offer valuable clues to disease mechanisms that have long proven to be elusive. These insights could lead the way to breakthrough treatments; however, several challenges hinder progress, making innovative approaches to accelerate the follow-up of results from GWAS an urgent priority. Here, we discuss the largely untapped potential of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for functional investigation of findings from human GWAS. We highlight selected examples where strong genomic conservation with humans along with the rapid and powerful genetic tools available for flies have already facilitated fine mapping of association signals, elucidated gene mechanisms, and revealed novel disease-relevant biology. We emphasize current research opportunities in this rapidly advancing field, and present bioinformatic analyses that systematically explore the applicability of Drosophila for interrogation of susceptibility signals implicated in more than 1000 human traits, based on all GWAS completed to date. Thus, our discussion is targeted at both human geneticists seeking innovative strategies for experimental validation of findings from GWAS, as well as the Drosophila research community, by whom ongoing investigations of the implicated genes will powerfully inform our understanding of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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42
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Lu C, Wen Y, Hu W, Lu F, Qin Y, Wang Y, Li S, Yang S, Lin Y, Wang C, Jin L, Shen H, Sha J, Wang X, Hu Z, Xia Y. Y chromosome haplogroups based genome-wide association study pinpoints revelation for interactions on non-obstructive azoospermia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33363. [PMID: 27628680 PMCID: PMC5024297 DOI: 10.1038/srep33363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome has high genetic variability with low rates of parallel and back mutations, which make up the most informative haplotyping system. To examine whether Y chromosome haplogroups (Y-hgs) could modify the effects of autosomal variants on non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), based on our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS), we conducted a genetic interaction analysis in GWAS subjects. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a protective effect of Y-hg O3e* on NOA. Then, we explored the potential interaction between Y-hg O3e* and autosomal variants. Our results demonstrated that there was a suggestively significant interaction between Y-hg O3e* and rs11135484 on NOA (Pinter = 9.89 × 10−5). Bioinformatic analysis revealed that genes annotated by significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were mainly enriched in immunological pathways. This is the first study of interactions between Y-hgs and autosomal variants on a genome-wide scale, which addresses the missing heritability in spermatogenic impairment and sheds new light on the pathogenesis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yang Wen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiyue Hu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Shilin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shuping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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43
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Zou S, Song P, Meng H, Chen T, Chen J, Wen Z, Li Z, Li Z, Shi Y, Hu H. Association and meta-analysis of HLA and non-obstructive azoospermia in the Han Chinese population. Andrologia 2016; 49. [PMID: 27597543 DOI: 10.1111/and.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of most non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) are still unknown. The previous two genomewide association studies (GWASs) have identified three different loci within the HLA region for NOA in the Han Chinese population, including rs3129878, rs498422 and rs7194. To further validate the risk of three GWAS-linked loci for NOA, we conducted a case-control study of these three risk loci in an independent Han Chinese male population, with 603 NOA patients and 610 controls. Furthermore, we also performed a meta-analysis of five studies on these three NOA-risk loci. The case-control study strongly suggested a significant association between loci rs3129878, rs498422 and rs7194 and NOA (P = 6.75 × 10-21 (OR = 2.2586), P = 0.0060 (OR = 1.4013) and P = 0.0128 (OR = 1.2626) respectively). Our meta-analyses also supported the susceptibility of these three risk loci to NOA (P < 0.01). The risk variants within the HLA region potentially have a strong effect on males at risk of NOA, and may serve as diagnostic markers for male infertility. However, considering genetic difference between different populations, future validating studies in larger independent samples and animal experiments are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - P Song
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - H Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - T Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - J Chen
- BIO-X Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Wen
- BIO-X Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Li
- BIO-X Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Y Shi
- BIO-X Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - H Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
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44
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Krausz C, Escamilla AR, Chianese C. Genetics of male infertility: from research to clinic. Reproduction 2016; 150:R159-74. [PMID: 26447148 DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial complex disease with highly heterogeneous phenotypic representation and in at least 15% of cases, this condition is related to known genetic disorders, including both chromosomal and single-gene alterations. In about 40% of primary testicular failure, the etiology remains unknown and a portion of them is likely to be caused by not yet identified genetic anomalies. During the last 10 years, the search for 'hidden' genetic factors was largely unsuccessful in identifying recurrent genetic factors with potential clinical application. The armamentarium of diagnostic tests has been implemented only by the screening for Y chromosome-linked gr/gr deletion in those populations for which consistent data with risk estimate are available. On the other hand, it is clearly demonstrated by both single nucleotide polymorphisms and comparative genomic hybridization arrays, that there is a rare variant burden (especially relevant concerning deletions) in men with impaired spermatogenesis. In the era of next generation sequencing (NGS), we expect to expand our diagnostic skills, since mutations in several hundred genes can potentially lead to infertility and each of them is likely responsible for only a small fraction of cases. In this regard, system biology, which allows revealing possible gene interactions and common biological pathways, will provide an informative tool for NGS data interpretation. Although these novel approaches will certainly help in discovering 'hidden' genetic factors, a more comprehensive picture of the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility will only be achieved by a parallel investigation of the complex world of gene environmental interaction and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesCentre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy and Andrology ServiceFundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesCentre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy and Andrology ServiceFundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Riera Escamilla
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesCentre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy and Andrology ServiceFundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Chiara Chianese
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesCentre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy and Andrology ServiceFundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesCentre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy and Andrology ServiceFundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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45
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Yu J, Liu Y, Lan X, Wu H, Wen Y, Zhou Z, Hu Z, Sha J, Guo X, Tong C. CHES-1-like, the ortholog of a non-obstructive azoospermia-associated gene, blocks germline stem cell differentiation by upregulating Dpp expression in Drosophila testis. Oncotarget 2016; 7:42303-42313. [PMID: 27281616 PMCID: PMC5173136 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia is a high risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, whose underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In a genome-wide association study to identify novel loci associated with human non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), we uncovered a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1887102, P=2.60 ×10-7) in a human gene FOXN3. FOXN3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene. We used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to test whether CHES-1-like, the Drosophila FOXN3 ortholog, is required for male fertility. CHES-1-like knockout flies are viable and fertile, and show no defects in spermatogenesis. However, ectopic expression of CHES-1-like in germ cells significantly reduced male fertility. With CHES-1-like overexpression, spermatogonia fail to differentiate after four rounds of mitotic division, but continue to divide to form tumor like structures. In these testes, expression levels of differentiation factor, Bam, were reduced, but the expression region of Bam was expanded. Further reduced Bam expression in CHES-1-like expressing testes exhibited enhanced tumor-like structure formation. The expression of daughters against dpp (dad), a downstream gene of dpp signaling, was upregulated by CHES-1-like expression in testes. We found that CHES-1-like could directly bind to the dpp promoter. We propose a model that CHES-1-like overexpression in germ cells activates dpp expression, inhibits spermatocyte differentiation, and finally leads to germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yujuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiang Lan
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yang Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Animal Core Facility, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chao Tong
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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46
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Yang F, Silber S, Leu NA, Oates RD, Marszalek JD, Skaletsky H, Brown LG, Rozen S, Page DC, Wang PJ. TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with azoospermia and regulates genome-wide recombination rates in mouse. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1198-210. [PMID: 26136358 PMCID: PMC4568952 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide recombination is essential for genome stability, evolution, and speciation. Mouse Tex11, an X-linked meiosis-specific gene, promotes meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. Here, we report that TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and that an analogous mutation in the mouse impairs meiosis. Genetic screening of a large cohort of idiopathic infertile men reveals that TEX11 mutations, including frameshift and splicing acceptor site mutations, cause infertility in 1% of azoospermic men. Functional evaluation of three analogous human TEX11 missense mutations in transgenic mouse models identified one mutation (V748A) as a potential infertility allele and found two mutations non-causative. In the mouse model, an intronless autosomal Tex11 transgene functionally substitutes for the X-linked Tex11 gene, providing genetic evidence for the X-to-autosomal retrotransposition evolution phenomenon. Furthermore, we find that TEX11 protein levels modulate genome-wide recombination rates in both sexes. These studies indicate that TEX11 alleles affecting expression level or substituting single amino acids may contribute to variations in recombination rates between sexes and among individuals in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert D Oates
- Department of Urology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet D Marszalek
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura G Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steve Rozen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Duke-Nus Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - David C Page
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - P Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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47
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Hu W, Chen M, Wu W, Lu J, Zhao D, Pan F, Lu C, Xia Y, Hu L, Chen D, Sha J, Wang X. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on risk of male infertility: Focus on the metabolites. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 91:188-95. [PMID: 26970590 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects about 17% couples, and males contribute to half of the cases. Compared with independent effects of genetic and environmental factors, interactions between them help in the understanding of the susceptibility to male infertility. Thus, we genotyped 25 polymorphisms, measured 16 urinary chemical concentrations and explored interactions between gene-gene and gene-environment in 1039 Han Chinese using metabolomic analysis. We first observed that GSTT1 might interact with GSTM1 (Pinter=6.33×10(-8)). Furthermore, an interaction between GSTM1 and 4-n-octylphenol (4-n-OP) was identified (Pinter=7.00×10(-3)), as well as a 2-order interaction among GSTT1, GSTM1 and 4-n-OP (Pinter=0.04). Subjects with GSTT1-present and GSTM1-null genotypes were susceptible to male infertility when exposed to 4-n-OP (OR=14.05, 95% CI=4.78-60.20, P=2.34×10(-5)). Most metabolites identified were involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In conclusion, it is a novel study of the interaction on male infertility from the aspect of metabolomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Minjian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China.
| | - Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Andrology, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Feng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Andrology, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Lingqing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China
| | - Daozhen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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48
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Major spliceosome defects cause male infertility and are associated with nonobstructive azoospermia in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:4134-9. [PMID: 27035939 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1513682113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Processing of pre-mRNA into mRNA is an important regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes that is mediated by the spliceosome, a huge and dynamic ribonucleoprotein complex. Splicing defects are implicated in a spectrum of human disease, but the underlying mechanistic links remain largely unresolved. Using a genome-wide association approach, we have recently identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in humans that associate with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), a common cause of male infertility. Here, using genetic manipulation of corresponding candidate loci in Drosophila, we show that the spliceosome component SNRPA1/U2A is essential for male fertility. Loss of U2A in germ cells of the Drosophila testis does not affect germline stem cells, but does result in the accumulation of mitotic spermatogonia that fail to differentiate into spermatocytes and mature sperm. Lack of U2A causes insufficient splicing of mRNAs required for the transition of germ cells from proliferation to differentiation. We show that germ cell-specific disruption of other components of the major spliceosome manifests with the same phenotype, demonstrating that mRNA processing is required for the differentiation of spermatogonia. This requirement is conserved, and expression of human SNRPA1 fully restores spermatogenesis in U2A mutant flies. We further report that several missense mutations in human SNRPA1 that inhibit the assembly of the major spliceosome dominantly disrupt spermatogonial differentiation in Drosophila. Collectively, our findings uncover a conserved and specific requirement for the major spliceosome during the transition from spermatogonial proliferation to differentiation in the male testis, suggesting that spliceosome defects affecting the differentiation of human spermatogonia contribute to NOA.
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49
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Skakkebaek NE, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Buck Louis GM, Toppari J, Andersson AM, Eisenberg ML, Jensen TK, Jørgensen N, Swan SH, Sapra KJ, Ziebe S, Priskorn L, Juul A. Male Reproductive Disorders and Fertility Trends: Influences of Environment and Genetic Susceptibility. Physiol Rev 2016; 96:55-97. [PMID: 26582516 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00017.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 580] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It is predicted that Japan and European Union will soon experience appreciable decreases in their populations due to persistently low total fertility rates (TFR) below replacement level (2.1 child per woman). In the United States, where TFR has also declined, there are ethnic differences. Caucasians have rates below replacement, while TFRs among African-Americans and Hispanics are higher. We review possible links between TFR and trends in a range of male reproductive problems, including testicular cancer, disorders of sex development, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, low testosterone levels, poor semen quality, childlessness, changed sex ratio, and increasing demand for assisted reproductive techniques. We present evidence that several adult male reproductive problems arise in utero and are signs of testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). Although TDS might result from genetic mutations, recent evidence suggests that it most often is related to environmental exposures of the fetal testis. However, environmental factors can also affect the adult endocrine system. Based on our review of genetic and environmental factors, we conclude that environmental exposures arising from modern lifestyle, rather than genetics, are the most important factors in the observed trends. These environmental factors might act either directly or via epigenetic mechanisms. In the latter case, the effects of exposures might have an impact for several generations post-exposure. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to prioritize research in reproductive physiology and pathophysiology, particularly in highly industrialized countries facing decreasing populations. We highlight a number of topics that need attention by researchers in human physiology, pathophysiology, environmental health sciences, and demography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Skakkebaek
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Germaine M Buck Louis
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shanna H Swan
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katherine J Sapra
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Ziebe
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth & Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Physiology & Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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50
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Yu J, Lan X, Chen X, Yu C, Xu Y, Liu Y, Xu L, Fan HY, Tong C. Protein synthesis and degradation are critical to regulate germline stem cell homeostasis in Drosophila testes. Development 2016; 143:2930-45. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.134247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The homeostasis of self-renewal and differentiation in stem cells is strictly controlled by intrinsic signals and their niche. We conducted a large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila testes and identified 221 genes required for germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance or differentiation. Knockdown of these genes in transit-amplifying spermatogonia and cyst cells further revealed various phenotypes. Complex analysis uncovered that many of the identified genes are involved in key steps of protein synthesis and degradation. A group of genes that are required for mRNA splicing and protein translation contributes to both GSC self-renewal and early germ cell differentiation. Loss of genes in protein degradation pathway in cyst cells leads to testis tumor with overproliferated germ cells. Importantly, in the Cullin 4-Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL4) complex, we identified multiple proteins that are critical to GSC self-renewal. pic/DDB1, the linker protein of CRL4, is not only required for GSC self-renewal in flies but also for maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiang Lan
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yiwen Xu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yujuan Liu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Lingna Xu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chao Tong
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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