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Amor H, Juhasz-Böss I, Bibi R, Hammadeh ME, Jankowski PM. H2BFWT Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6048. [PMID: 38892236 PMCID: PMC11172515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116048] [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: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in sperm nuclei and chromatin can interfere with normal fertilization, embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy. We aimed to study the impact of H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA on ICSI outcomes in couples undergoing ART treatment. One hundred and nineteen partners were divided into pregnant (G1) and non-pregnant (G2) groups. After semen analysis, complete DNA was extracted from purified sperm samples. The sequence of the H2BFWT gene was amplified by PCR and then subjected to Sanger sequencing. The results showed that there are three mutations in this gene: rs7885967, rs553509, and rs578953. Significant differences were shown in the distribution of alternative and reference alleles between G1 and G2 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0020, respectively) for rs553509 and rs578953. However, there was no association between these SNPs and the studied parameters. This study is the first to shed light on the connection between H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA and pregnancy after ICSI therapy. This is a pilot study, so further investigations about these gene variants at the transcriptional and translational levels will help to determine its functional consequences and to clarify the mechanism of how pregnancy can be affected by sperm DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Juhasz-Böss
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Riffat Bibi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Michael Jankowski
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
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2
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Wang Y, Tsukioka D, Oda S, Suzuki MG, Suzuki Y, Mitani H, Aoki F. Involvement of H2A variants in DNA damage response of zygotes. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:231. [PMID: 38744857 PMCID: PMC11094039 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01999-0] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylated H2AX, known as γH2AX, forms in response to genotoxic insults in somatic cells. Despite the high abundance of H2AX in zygotes, the level of irradiation-induced γH2AX is low at this stage. Another H2A variant, TH2A, is present at a high level in zygotes and can also be phosphorylated at its carboxyl end. We constructed H2AX- or TH2A-deleted mice using CRISPR Cas9 and investigated the role of these H2A variants in the DNA damage response (DDR) of zygotes exposed to γ-ray irradiation at the G2 phase. Our results showed that compared to irradiated wild-type zygotes, irradiation significantly reduced the developmental rates to the blastocyst stage in H2AX-deleted zygotes but not in TH2A-deleted ones. Furthermore, live cell imaging revealed that the G2 checkpoint was activated in H2AX-deleted zygotes, but the duration of arrest was significantly shorter than in wild-type and TH2A-deleted zygotes. The number of micronuclei was significantly higher in H2AX-deleted embryos after the first cleavage, possibly due to the shortened cell cycle arrest of damaged embryos and, consequently, the insufficient time for DNA repair. Notably, FRAP analysis suggested the involvement of H2AX in chromatin relaxation. Moreover, phosphorylated CHK2 foci were found in irradiated wild-type zygotes but not in H2AX-deleted ones, suggesting a critical role of these foci in maintaining cell cycle arrest for DNA repair. In conclusion, H2AX, but not TH2A, is involved in the DDR of zygotes, likely by creating a relaxed chromatin structure with enhanced accessibility for DNA repair proteins and by facilitating the formation of pCHK2 foci to prevent premature cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
| | - Dai Tsukioka
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Shoji Oda
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Masataka G Suzuki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mitani
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Fugaku Aoki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
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3
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Karam G, Molaro A. Casting histone variants during mammalian reproduction. Chromosoma 2023:10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9. [PMID: 37347315 PMCID: PMC10356639 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian reproduction, germ cell chromatin packaging is key to prepare parental genomes for fertilization and to initiate embryonic development. While chromatin modifications such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications are well known to carry regulatory information, histone variants have received less attention in this context. Histone variants alter the stability, structure and function of nucleosomes and, as such, contribute to chromatin organization in germ cells. Here, we review histone variants expression dynamics during the production of male and female germ cells, and what is currently known about their parent-of-origin effects during reproduction. Finally, we discuss the apparent conundrum behind these important functions and their recent evolutionary diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germaine Karam
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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4
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Gaspa-Toneu L, Peters AH. Nucleosomes in mammalian sperm: conveying paternal epigenetic inheritance or subject to reprogramming between generations? Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 79:102034. [PMID: 36893482 PMCID: PMC10109108 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The genome of mammalian sperm is largely packaged by sperm-specific proteins termed protamines. The presence of some residual nucleosomes has, however, emerged as a potential source of paternal epigenetic inheritance between generations. Sperm nucleosomes bear important regulatory histone marks and locate at gene-regulatory regions, functional elements, and intergenic regions. It is unclear whether sperm nucleosomes are retained at specific genomic locations in a deterministic manner or are randomly preserved due to inefficient exchange of histones by protamines. Recent studies indicate heterogeneity in chromatin packaging within sperm populations and an extensive reprogramming of paternal histone marks post fertilization. Obtaining single-sperm nucleosome distributions is fundamental to estimating the potential of sperm-borne nucleosomes in instructing mammalian embryonic development and in the transmission of acquired phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaspa-Toneu
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Hfm Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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5
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Fukuda Y, Shintomi K, Yamaguchi K, Fujiwara Y, Okada Y. Solubilization of Mouse Sperm Chromatin for Sequencing Analyses Using a Chaperon Protein. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:161-173. [PMID: 36173572 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_11] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sperm chromatin compaction is physiologically essential for sperm to acquire the fertility. However, this unique structure composed of protamines makes us unable to solubilize the chromatin due to its resistance to sonication and enzymes usually used for chromatin fragmentation in somatic cells. Even when intense enzymatic treatment is applied, it appears to solubilize only certain portions of sperm chromatin presumably because of the heterogeneous properties. To overcome this issue, we previously developed a method to treat the sperm with recombinant nucleoplasmin, a protamine remover in fertilized embryos, followed by sonication. The nucleoplasmin treatment dramatically increased the efficiency of sperm chromatin solubilization, while a relatively large amount of recombinant nucleoplasmin was required. Here, we describe an improvement of nucleoplasmin method with a less amount of recombinant protein and a shorter reaction time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Fukuda
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Kosuke Yamaguchi
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fujiwara
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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6
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Arévalo L, Merges GE, Schneider S, Oben FE, Neumann IS, Schorle H. Loss of the cleaved-protamine 2 domain leads to incomplete histone-to-protamine exchange and infertility in mice. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010272. [PMID: 35763544 PMCID: PMC9273070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamines are unique sperm-specific proteins that package and protect paternal chromatin until fertilization. A subset of mammalian species expresses two protamines (PRM1 and PRM2), while in others PRM1 is sufficient for sperm chromatin packaging. Alterations of the species-specific ratio between PRM1 and PRM2 are associated with infertility. Unlike PRM1, PRM2 is generated as a precursor protein consisting of a highly conserved N-terminal domain, termed cleaved PRM2 (cP2), which is consecutively trimmed off during chromatin condensation. The carboxyterminal part, called mature PRM2 (mP2), interacts with DNA and together with PRM1, mediates chromatin-hypercondensation. The removal of the cP2 domain is believed to be imperative for proper chromatin condensation, yet, the role of cP2 is not yet understood. We generated mice lacking the cP2 domain while the mP2 is still expressed. We show that the cP2 domain is indispensable for complete sperm chromatin protamination and male mouse fertility. cP2 deficient sperm show incomplete protamine incorporation and a severely altered protamine ratio, retention of transition proteins and aberrant retention of the testis specific histone variant H2A.L.2. During epididymal transit, cP2 deficient sperm seem to undergo ROS mediated degradation leading to complete DNA fragmentation. The cP2 domain therefore seems to be a key aspect in the complex crosstalk between histones, transition proteins and protamines during sperm chromatin condensation. Overall, we present the first step towards understanding the role of the cP2 domain in paternal chromatin packaging and open up avenues for further research. Protamines are small sperm-specific proteins crucial to packaging and protecting the paternal genome on its way to the fertilization site. Most mammalian species express only protamine 1. However, primates and rodents additionally express protamine 2. Protamine 2 differs mainly in its N-terminal domain (cP2), which is sequentially cleaved off during paternal chromatin packaging. Alteration in this process has been associated with infertility. However, the precise role of cP2 is still a mystery. We generated cP2 deficient mice and demonstrate, that loss of cP2 results in incomplete histone-to-protamine transition, resulting in sperm DNA degradation and infertility. Evidently, cP2 helps in orchestrating the fine-tuned dynamics of DNA-hypercondensation while protecting DNA integrity and aiding removal of DNA-bound transition proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail: (LA); (HS)
| | - Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franka Enow Oben
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Isabelle Sophie Neumann
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail: (LA); (HS)
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7
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Hada M, Miura H, Tanigawa A, Matoba S, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Hirose M, Watanabe N, Nakato R, Fujiki K, Hasegawa A, Sakashita A, Okae H, Miura K, Shikata D, Arima T, Shirahige K, Hiratani I, Ogura A. Highly rigid H3.1/H3.2-H3K9me3 domains set a barrier for cell fate reprogramming in trophoblast stem cells. Genes Dev 2022; 36:84-102. [PMID: 34992147 PMCID: PMC8763053 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348782.121] [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] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Here, Hada et al. comprehensively analyzed epigenomic features of mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). They used genome-wide, high-throughput analyses to show that the TSC genome contains large-scale (>1-Mb) rigid heterochromatin architectures that have a high degree of histone H3.1/3.2–H3K9me3 accumulation, termed TSC-defined highly heterochromatinized domains (THDs), and are uniquely developed in placental lineage cells that serve to protect them from fate reprogramming to stably maintain placental function. The placenta is a highly evolved, specialized organ in mammals. It differs from other organs in that it functions only for fetal maintenance during gestation. Therefore, there must be intrinsic mechanisms that guarantee its unique functions. To address this question, we comprehensively analyzed epigenomic features of mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). Our genome-wide, high-throughput analyses revealed that the TSC genome contains large-scale (>1-Mb) rigid heterochromatin architectures with a high degree of histone H3.1/3.2–H3K9me3 accumulation, which we termed TSC-defined highly heterochromatinized domains (THDs). Importantly, depletion of THDs by knockdown of CAF1, an H3.1/3.2 chaperone, resulted in down-regulation of TSC markers, such as Cdx2 and Elf5, and up-regulation of the pluripotent marker Oct3/4, indicating that THDs maintain the trophoblastic nature of TSCs. Furthermore, our nuclear transfer technique revealed that THDs are highly resistant to genomic reprogramming. However, when H3K9me3 was removed, the TSC genome was fully reprogrammed, giving rise to the first TSC cloned offspring. Interestingly, THD-like domains are also present in mouse and human placental cells in vivo, but not in other cell types. Thus, THDs are genomic architectures uniquely developed in placental lineage cells, which serve to protect them from fate reprogramming to stably maintain placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Hada
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Institute of Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Hisashi Miura
- Laboratory for Developmental Epigenetics, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Akie Tanigawa
- Laboratory for Developmental Epigenetics, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Shogo Matoba
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Graduate school of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Narumi Ogonuki
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Michiko Hirose
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Naomi Watanabe
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Institute of Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Katsunori Fujiki
- Institute of Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kento Miura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Department of Disease Model, Research Institute of Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Daiki Shikata
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Shirahige
- Institute of Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Ichiro Hiratani
- Laboratory for Developmental Epigenetics, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.,RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Graduate school of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.,RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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8
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Singh I, Parte P. Heterogeneity in the Epigenetic Landscape of Murine Testis-Specific Histone Variants TH2A and TH2B Sharing the Same Bi-Directional Promoter. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:755751. [PMID: 34938732 PMCID: PMC8685415 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.755751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Testis-specific histone variants are crucial to promote open chromatin structure to enable nucleosome disassembly in the final stages of spermiogenesis. However, even after histone replacement, mature sperm retain a proportion of these variants, the function of which is unknown. The present study aimed to understand the functional relevance of the retained H2B and H2A variants, TH2B and TH2A. While no literature is available on the phenotype of TH2A knockouts, TH2B/TH2A double knockout male mice are reported to be infertile. In this study, ChIP-seq analysis was done for TH2B and TH2A to understand the epigenomics of the retained TH2B and TH2A, using murine caudal sperm. Distribution across genomic partitions revealed ∼35% of the TH2B peaks within ±5 kb of TSS whereas TH2A peaks distribution was sparse at TSS. Gene Ontology revealed embryo development as the most significant term associated with TH2B. Also, based on genomic regions, TH2B was observed to be associated with spindle assembly and various meiosis-specific genes, which is an important finding as TH2A/TH2B DKO mice have been reported to have defective cohesin release. A comparison of mouse and human TH2B-linked chromatin revealed 26% overlap between murine and human TH2B-associated genes. This overlap included genes crucial for embryogenesis. Most importantly, heterogeneity in the epigenetic landscape of TH2A and TH2B was seen, which is intriguing as TH2B and TH2A are well reported to be present in the same nucleosomes to promote open chromatin. Additionally, unlike TH2B, TH2A was enriched on the mitochondrial chromosome. TH2A was found to be associated with Nuclear insertion of Mitochondrial DNA sequences (NUMTs) in sperm. A comprehensive analysis of these observations indicates novel functions for the sperm-retained TH2B and TH2A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Singh
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Priyanka Parte
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
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9
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Wang T, Gao H, Li W, Liu C. Essential Role of Histone Replacement and Modifications in Male Fertility. Front Genet 2019; 10:962. [PMID: 31649732 PMCID: PMC6792021 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a complex cellular differentiation process that the germ cells undergo a distinct morphological change, and the protamines replace the core histones to facilitate chromatin compaction in the sperm head. Recent studies show the essential roles of epigenetic events during the histone-to-protamine transition. Defects in either the replacement or the modification of histones might cause male infertility with azoospermia, oligospermia or teratozoospermia. Here, we summarize recent advances in our knowledge of how epigenetic regulators, such as histone variants, histone modification and their related chromatin remodelers, facilitate the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the modification and replacement of histones during spermiogenesis will enable the identification of epigenetic biomarkers of male infertility, and shed light on potential therapies for these patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Germ cell-mediated mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 97:116-122. [PMID: 31404658 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that lifestyle and other environmental factors have the potential to shape our own health and future. Research from the last two decades, however, provides mounting evidence that parental exposures or experiences such as dietary challenges, toxin exposure, or stress can impact the health and future of our offspring. There are indications that both the paternal and maternal germline are able to store information of the parental environment and pass certain information on to their progeny. These intergenerational effects are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. This review summarizes and discusses insights into germline epigenetic plasticity caused by environmental stimuli and how such alterations are transmitted to induce a stable phenotype in the offspring.
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11
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Yamaguchi K, Hada M, Fukuda Y, Inoue E, Makino Y, Katou Y, Shirahige K, Okada Y. Re-evaluating the Localization of Sperm-Retained Histones Revealed the Modification-Dependent Accumulation in Specific Genome Regions. Cell Rep 2018; 23:3920-3932. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.05.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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12
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Champroux A, Cocquet J, Henry-Berger J, Drevet JR, Kocer A. A Decade of Exploring the Mammalian Sperm Epigenome: Paternal Epigenetic and Transgenerational Inheritance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:50. [PMID: 29868581 PMCID: PMC5962689 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade has seen a tremendous increase in interest and progress in the field of sperm epigenetics. Studies have shown that chromatin regulation during male germline development is multiple and complex, and that the spermatozoon possesses a unique epigenome. Its DNA methylation profile, DNA-associated proteins, nucleo-protamine distribution pattern and non-coding RNA set up a unique epigenetic landscape which is delivered, along with its haploid genome, to the oocyte upon fertilization, and therefore can contribute to embryogenesis and to the offspring health. An emerging body of compelling data demonstrates that environmental exposures and paternal lifestyle can change the sperm epigenome and, consequently, may affect both the embryonic developmental program and the health of future generations. This short review will attempt to provide an overview of what is currently known about sperm epigenome and the existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of paternally acquired traits that may contribute to the offspring phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Champroux
- GReD, Laboratoire “Génétique, Reproduction and Développement,” UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Julie Cocquet
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Henry-Berger
- GReD, Laboratoire “Génétique, Reproduction and Développement,” UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Joël R. Drevet
- GReD, Laboratoire “Génétique, Reproduction and Développement,” UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ayhan Kocer
- GReD, Laboratoire “Génétique, Reproduction and Développement,” UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Hoghoughi N, Barral S, Vargas A, Rousseaux S, Khochbin S. Histone variants: essential actors in male genome programming. J Biochem 2018; 163:97-103. [PMID: 29165574 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvx079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior to its transmission to the offspring, the male genome has to be tightly compacted. A genome-scale histone eviction and the subsequent repackaging of DNA by protamines (Prms) direct this essential genome condensation step. The requirement for male germ cells to undergo such a dramatic and unique genome reorganization explains why these cells express the largest number of histone variants, including many testis-specific ones. Indeed, an open chromatin, nucleosome instability and a facilitated process of histone disassembly are direct consequences of the presence of these histone variants in the chromatin of male germ cells. These histone-induced changes in chromatin first control a stage-specific gene expression program and then directly mediate the histone-to-Prm transition process. This review aims at summarizing and discussing a series of recent functional studies of male germ cell histone variants with a focus on their impact on the process of histone eviction and male genome compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh Hoghoughi
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble F-38700, France
| | - Sophie Barral
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble F-38700, France
| | - Alexandra Vargas
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble F-38700, France
| | - Sophie Rousseaux
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble F-38700, France
| | - Saadi Khochbin
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble F-38700, France
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TH2A is phosphorylated at meiotic centromere by Haspin. Chromosoma 2017; 126:769-780. [PMID: 28803373 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-017-0638-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Histone phosphorylation is sometimes associated with mitosis and meiosis. We have recently identified a phosphorylation of the 127th threonine on TH2A (pTH2A), a germ cell-specific H2A variant, in condensed spermatids and mitotic early preimplantation embryos of mice. Here, we further report the existence of pTH2A at the centromeres in metaphase I spermatocytes and oocytes. Moreover, we identified Haspin, a known kinase for the 3rd threonine on H3, is responsible for pTH2A in vivo. In contrast to the severe meiotic defect in oocytes treated with a Haspin inhibitor, pTH2A-deficient mice, in which the 127th threonine was replaced by alanine, maintained the fertility and exhibited no obvious defect in both oocytes and spermatogenesis. Interestingly, pTH2A was significantly decreased in aged oocytes, suggesting that its accumulation is regulated by centromeric cohesins. Collectively, our study proposes a new set of kinase-histone pair at meiotic centromere, which is highly coordinated during meiosis.
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