1
|
Nguyen TTT, Tokuhiro K, Shimada K, Wang H, Mashiko D, Tonai S, Kiyozumi D, Ikawa M. Gene-deficient mouse model established by CRISPR/Cas9 system reveals 15 reproductive organ-enriched genes dispensable for male fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1411162. [PMID: 38835510 PMCID: PMC11148293 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1411162] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of gene-targeting technology in embryonic stem cells, mice have become a primary model organism for investigating human gene function due to the striking genomic similarities between the two species. With the introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome editing in mice, the pace of loss-of-function analysis has accelerated significantly. This has led to the identification of numerous genes that play crucial roles in male reproductive processes, including meiosis, chromatin condensation, flagellum formation in the testis, sperm maturation in the epididymis, and fertilization in the oviduct. Despite the advancements, the functions of many genes, particularly those enriched in male reproductive tissues, remain largely unknown. In our study, we focused on 15 genes and generated 13 gene-deficient mice [4933411K16Rik, Adam triple (Adam20, Adam25, and Adam39), BC048671, Cfap68, Gm4846, Gm4984, Gm13570, Nt5c1b, Ppp1r42, Saxo4, Sh3d21, Spz1, and Tektl1] to elucidate their roles in male fertility. Surprisingly, all 13 gene-deficient mice exhibited normal fertility in natural breeding experiments, indicating that these genes are not essential for male fertility. These findings have important implications as they may help prevent other research laboratories from duplicating efforts to generate knockout mice for genes that do not demonstrate an apparent phenotype related to male fertility. By shedding light on the dispensability of these genes, our study contributes to a more efficient allocation of research resources in the exploration of male reproductive biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuyen Thi Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keizo Tokuhiro
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haoting Wang
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mashiko
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shingo Tonai
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang H, Zhou XP. The Effect of Neutral Alpha-Glucosidase on Semen Parameters. Urol Int 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38735284 DOI: 10.1159/000539218] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the activity of neutral α-glucosidase in seminal plasma and semen quality and to explore the effect of secretory capability of the epididymis on male fertility. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 542 men treated in the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility from February to December 2022, the semen parameters and neutral α-glucosidase were tested and compared among different groups. These 542 men included normozoospermia, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratozoospermia. RESULTS There was statistical difference in neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) level among different groups with different sperm concentration, motility, and morphology (p < 0.001). The NAG activity in seminal plasma was positively correlated with ejaculate volume and sperm concentration; meanwhile, a very weak positive correlation was found between NAG level and sperm motility, sperm morphology, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that the secretion of NAG affected the volume, concentration, motility, and morphology of sperm to a certain extent. Given that NAG is a specific and marker enzyme in epididymis, where is the site of sperm maturation, we can conclude that there is a close relationship between NAG and sperm quality. Therefore, seminal plasma NAG has a definite clinical value in helping diagnosis of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiao-Pu Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang J, Zhuang H, Li J, Nunez-Nescolarde AB, Luo N, Chen H, Li A, Qu X, Wang Q, Fan J, Bai X, Ye Z, Gu B, Meng Y, Zhang X, Wu D, Sia Y, Jiang X, Chen W, Combes AN, Nikolic-Paterson DJ, Yu X. The secreted micropeptide C4orf48 enhances renal fibrosis via an RNA-binding mechanism. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e178392. [PMID: 38625739 PMCID: PMC11093611 DOI: 10.1172/jci178392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Renal interstitial fibrosis is an important mechanism in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage kidney disease. However, we lack specific treatments to slow or halt renal fibrosis. Ribosome profiling identified upregulation of a secreted micropeptide, C4orf48 (Cf48), in mouse diabetic nephropathy. Cf48 RNA and protein levels were upregulated in tubular epithelial cells in human and experimental CKD. Serum Cf48 levels were increased in human CKD and correlated with loss of kidney function, increasing CKD stage, and the degree of active interstitial fibrosis. Cf48 overexpression in mice accelerated renal fibrosis, while Cf48 gene deletion or knockdown by antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced renal fibrosis in CKD models. In vitro, recombinant Cf48 (rCf48) enhanced TGF-β1-induced fibrotic responses in renal fibroblasts and epithelial cells independently of Smad3 phosphorylation. Cellular uptake of Cf48 and its profibrotic response in fibroblasts operated via the transferrin receptor. RNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing identified Cf48 binding to mRNA of genes involved in the fibrotic response, including Serpine1, Acta2, Ccn2, and Col4a1. rCf48 binds to the 3'UTR of Serpine1 and increases mRNA half-life. We identify the secreted Cf48 micropeptide as a potential enhancer of renal fibrosis that operates as an RNA-binding peptide to promote the production of extracellular matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Nephrology, National Health Commission and Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongjie Zhuang
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Li
- Department of Nephrology and
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
- Department of Nephrology, Monash Health and Department of Medicine and
| | - Ana B. Nunez-Nescolarde
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ning Luo
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Nephrology, National Health Commission and Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiting Chen
- The Second Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Andy Li
- Department of Nephrology, Monash Health and Department of Medicine and
| | - Xinli Qu
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Nephrology and
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinjin Fan
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Nephrology, National Health Commission and Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Bai
- Department of Nephrology and
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Ye
- Department of Nephrology and
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Meng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingyuan Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Youyang Sia
- School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Jiang
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Nephrology, National Health Commission and Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Alexander N. Combes
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Xueqing Yu
- Department of Nephrology and
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kiyozumi D. Distinct actions of testicular endocrine and lumicrine signaling on the proximal epididymal transcriptome. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:40. [PMID: 38600586 PMCID: PMC11005294 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01213-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The epididymal function and gene expression in mammals are under the control of the testis. Sex steroids are secreted from the testis and act on the epididymis in an endocrine manner. There is another, non-sex steroidal secreted signaling, named lumicrine signaling, in which testis-derived secreted proteins go through the male reproductive tract and act on the epididymis. The effects of such multiple regulations on the epididymis by the testis have been investigated for many genes. The recent development of high-throughput next-generation sequencing now enables us a further comparative survey of endocrine and lumicrine action-dependent gene expression. In the present study, testis-derived endocrine and lumicrine actions on epididymal gene expression were comparatively investigated by RNA-seq transcriptomic analyses. This investigation utilized experimental animal models in which testis-derived endocrine and/or lumicrine actions were interfered with, such as unilateral or bilateral orchidectomy. By bilateral orchidectomy, which interferes with both endocrine and lumicrine actions, 431 genes were downregulated. By unilateral orchidectomy, which also interferes with endocrine and lumicrine actions by the unilateral testis, but the endocrine action was compensated by the contralateral testis, 283 genes were downregulated. The content of such genes downregulated by unilateral orchidectomy was like those of lumicrine action-interfered efferent duct-ligation, W/Wv, and Nell2-/- mice. When genes affected by unilateral and bilateral orchidectomy were compared, 154 genes were commonly downregulated, whereas 217 genes were specifically downregulated only by bilateral orchidectomy, indicating the distinction between endocrine and lumicrine actions on the proximal epididymal transcriptome. Comparative transcriptome analyses also showed that the expressions of genes emerging since Amniota were notably impacted by bilateral orchidectomy, unilateral orchidectomy, and lumicrine action-interfering treatments; the degree of influence from these treatments varied based on the evolutionary stage beyond Amniota. These findings unveil an evolutional transition of regulated gene expression in the proximal epididymis by two different testis-derived signaling mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, 7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kiyozumi D. Busulfan administration replicated the characteristics of the epididymal initial segment observed in mice lacking testis-epididymis lumicrine signaling. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:104-114. [PMID: 38346723 PMCID: PMC11017096 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The physiological functions of the mammalian epididymis are typically regulated by the testes. In addition to sex steroids secreted by testicular Leydig cells, which act on the epididymis in an endocrine manner, there is a non-sex-steroidal signaling pathway known as the lumicrine pathway. This lumicrine signaling pathway involves ligand proteins secreted from germ cells within the testicular seminiferous tubules traversing the male reproductive tract, which induce epithelial differentiation in the epididymis. These findings prompted an inquiry into whether treatments influencing testis physiology can disrupt epididymal function by interfering with testis-epididymis communication. Busulfan, an alkylating agent commonly used to deplete testicular germ cells in reproductive biology, has not been sufficiently explored because of its effects on the epididymis. This study investigated the effects of busulfan administration on the proximal epididymis using histological and transcriptomic analyses. Notably, busulfan, as opposed to the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), altered the morphology of the initial segment of the epididymis, leading to a reduction in the cell height of the luminal epithelium. RNA sequencing identified 185 significantly downregulated genes in the proximal epididymis of busulfan-administered mice compared to DMSO-administered mice. Comparative transcriptome analyses revealed similarities between the epididymal transcriptome of busulfan-administered mice and lumicrine-deficient mice, such as efferent-duct-ligated W/Wv and Nell2-/- mice. However, this differed from that of bilaterally orchidectomized mice, in which both the endocrine and lumicrine signaling pathways were simultaneously ablated. Collectively, these results suggested that the harmful effects of busulfan on the proximal epididymis are secondary consequences of the ablation of testis-epididymis lumicrine signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kiyozumi D. Expression of NELL2/NICOL-ROS1 lumicrine signaling-related molecules in the human male reproductive tract. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:3. [PMID: 38169386 PMCID: PMC10759339 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The maturation of spermatozoa is a regulated process, influenced by genes expressing essential secreted proteins in the proximal epididymis. Recent genetic studies in rodents have identified the non-sex steroidal molecular signals that regulate gene expression in the proximal epididymis. Germ cells in the testis secrete ligand proteins into the seminiferous tubule lumen The ligand proteins travel through the male reproductive tract lumen to the epididymis, where they bind to receptors, triggering the differentiation of the luminal epithelium for sperm maturation. It is, however, not fully unveiled if such a testis-epididymis trans-luminal signaling mechanism exists in other species, especially humans. In the present study, the rodent-type testis-epididymis trans-luminal signaling in the human male reproductive tract was evaluated in a step-by-step manner by analyzing testis and epididymis gene expression and signaling mediator protein function. There was a significant correlation between the epididymal expressions of mouse genes upregulated by the trans-luminal signaling and those of their human orthologs, as evaluated by the correlation coefficient of 0.604. The transcript expression of NELL2 and NICOL encoding putative ligand proteins was also observed in human testicular cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that purified recombinant human NELL2 and NICOL formed a molecular complex with similar properties to rodent proteins, which was evaluated by a dissociation equilibrium constant of 110 nM. Recombinant human NELL2 also specifically bound to its putative receptor human ROS1 in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that the rodent-type testis-epididymis secreted signaling mechanism is also possible in the human male reproductive tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, 7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ogawa Y, Lu Y, Kiyozumi D, Chang HY, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals seven testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins dispensable for male fertility in mice. Andrology 2023:10.1111/andr.13564. [PMID: 38084666 PMCID: PMC11166886 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian fertilization is mediated by multiple sperm acrosomal proteins, many of which are testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins expressed during spermiogenesis (e.g., Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1, Sperm acrosome associated 6, and Transmembrane protein 95). METHODS We hypothesized that proteins with these features might have a role in sperm-egg interaction and thus carried out an in-silico screen based on multiple public databases. We generated knockout mouse lines lacking seven candidate proteins by the CRISPR/Cas9 system and conducted detailed analyses on the fecundity of the knockout males, as well as their testis appearance and weight, testis and epididymis histology, and sperm motility and morphology. RESULTS Through the in-silico screen, we identified 4932438H23Rik, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 29, SAYSvFN domain-containing protein 1, Sel-1 suppressor of lin-12-like 2 (C. elegans), Testis-expressed protein 2, Transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain-containing 3, and Zinc and ring finger 4. Phenotypic analyses unveiled that the knockout males showed normal testis gross appearance, normal testis and epididymis histology, and normal sperm morphology and motility. Fertility tests further indicated that the knockout male mice could sire pups with normal litter sizes when paired with wild-type females. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These findings suggest that these seven proteins are individually dispensable for male reproduction and fertilization. Future studies are warranted to devise advanced in-silico screening approaches that permit effective identification of gamete fusion-required sperm proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yo Ogawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0805, Japan
| | - Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rahmawati M, Stadler KM, Lopez-Biladeau B, Hoisington TM, Law NC. Core binding factor subunit β plays diverse and essential roles in the male germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1284184. [PMID: 38020932 PMCID: PMC10653448 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1284184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of the foundation for lifelong spermatogenesis is established prior to puberty, and disruptions during this developmental window negatively impact fertility long into adulthood. However, the factors that coordinate prepubertal germline development are incompletely understood. Here, we report that core-binding factor subunit-β (CBFβ) plays critical roles in prepubertal development and the onset of spermatogenesis. Using a mouse conditional knockout (cKO) approach, inactivation of Cbfb in the male germline resulted in rapid degeneration of the germline during the onset of spermatogenesis, impaired overall sperm production, and adult infertility. Utilizing a different Cre driver to generate another Cbfb cKO model, we determined that the function of CBFβ in the male germline is likely limited to undifferentiated spermatogonia despite expression in other germ cell types. Within undifferentiated spermatogonia, CBFβ regulates proliferation, survival, and overall maintenance of the undifferentiated spermatogonia population. Paradoxically, we discovered that CBFβ also distally regulates meiotic progression and spermatid formation but only with Cbfb cKO within undifferentiated spermatogonia. Spatial transcriptomics revealed that CBFβ modulates cell cycle checkpoint control genes associated with both proliferation and meiosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that core programs established within the prepubertal undifferentiated spermatogonia population are necessary for both germline maintenance and sperm production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mustika Rahmawati
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Kassie M. Stadler
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Blanca Lopez-Biladeau
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Tia M. Hoisington
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Nathan C. Law
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kiyozumi D. Lumicrine signaling: Extracellular regulation of sperm maturation in the male reproductive tract lumen. Genes Cells 2023; 28:757-763. [PMID: 37696504 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The behaviors of cells, tissues, and organs are controlled by the extracellular environment in addition to their autonomous regulatory system. Dysfunction of extracellular regulatory mechanisms affects not only the development and survival of organisms but also successful reproduction. In this review article, a novel extracellular regulatory mechanism regulating the mammalian male reproductive ability will be briefly summarized. In terrestrial vertebrates, spermatozoa generated in the testis are transported through the lumen of the male reproductive tract and become functionally mature during the transport. Recent studies with gene-modified animals are unveiling the luminal extracellular environment of the reproductive tract to function not only as the pathway of sperm transport and the site of sperm maturation but also as the channel for cellular communication to regulate sperm maturation. Of special interest is the molecular mechanism of lumicrine signaling, a transluminal secreted signal transduction in the male reproductive tract lumen as a master regulator of sperm maturation and male reproductive ability. The general significance of such transluminal signaling in the context of cell biology will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kiyozumi D. New insights into lumicrine secreted signalling that regulates the function of the mammalian male reproductive tract. Dev Biol 2023; 503:111-112. [PMID: 37659466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, 7Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kiyozumi D, Ikawa M. Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 is dispensable for lumicrine signaling regulating epididymal initial segment differentiation and gene expression†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:474-481. [PMID: 37531264 PMCID: PMC10577274 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian epididymis is the organ for functional sperm maturation. In rodents, the initial segment, the most proximal region of the epididymis, plays a critical role in sperm maturation. The luminal epithelial differentiation and the following gene expression of the initial segment are regulated by the lumicrine signaling, a testis-epididymis transluminal secreted signaling. Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) is expressed in the efferent duct and the initial segment epididymis. In the preceding study, Adgrg2 ablation decreased the expression of several genes expressed in the initial segment. Such downregulated genes include those known to be regulated by lumicrine signaling, suggesting the involvement of ADGRG2 in lumicrine signaling. The present study examined whether ADGRG2 is associated with the lumicrine signaling regulating epididymal initial segment differentiation and gene expression. Adgrg2-null mice were generated by CRISPR/CAS9-mediated genome editing. The postnatal differentiation of the Adgrg2-null male epididymal initial segment was histologically comparable with that of control wild-type animals. The RNA-seq of Adgrg2-null mice was performed together with those of efferent duct-ligated and W/Wv mice in both of which lumicrine signaling is defective. The comparative transcriptome analyses clarified that the expressions of genes expressed in the initial segment and regulated by lumicrine signaling were decreased by Adgrg2 nullification. However, the extent of such downregulations observed in Adgrg2-null epididymis was not so prominent compared with those of lumicrine signaling deficient Nell2-/-, efferent duct-ligated, or W/Wv mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that ADGRG2 is dispensable for the lumicrine regulation of epididymal initial segment differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi
, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|