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Yang YT, Yan B, Guo LN, Liu M, Li YH, Shao ZY, Diao H, Liu SY, Yu HG. Scriptaid is a prospective agent for improving human asthenozoospermic sample quality and fertilization rate in vitro. Asian J Androl 2024; 26:490-499. [PMID: 38856299 DOI: 10.4103/aja202416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Male infertility is a global issue caused by poor sperm quality, particularly motility. Enhancement of the sperm quality may improve the fertilization rate in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Scriptaid, with a novel human sperm motility-stimulating activity, has been investigated as a prospective agent for improving sperm quality and fertilization rate in ART. We evaluated the effects of Scriptaid on asthenozoospermic (AZS) semen, including its impact on motility stimulation and protective effects on cryopreservation and duration of motility, by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). Sperm quality improvement by Scriptaid was characterized by increased hyaluronan-binding activity, tyrosine phosphorylation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential, and an ameliorated AZS fertilization rate in clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) experiments. Furthermore, our identification of active Scriptaid analogs and different metabolites induced by Scriptaid in spermatozoa lays a solid foundation for the future biomechanical exploration of sperm function. In summary, Scriptaid is a potential candidate for the treatment of male infertility in vitro as it improves sperm quality, prolongs sperm viability, and increases the fertilization rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Yang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Na Guo
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu-Hua Li
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhi-Yu Shao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Hua Diao
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Su-Ying Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - He-Guo Yu
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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Zhang G, Guo J, Yang H, Li Q, Ye F, Song Y, Xiong D, Zeng J, Zhi W, Yuan S, Lv Y, Li T, Wang Y, Liao L, Deng D, Liu W, Xu W. Metabolic profiling identifies Qrich2 as a novel glutamine sensor that regulates microtubule glutamylation and mitochondrial function in mouse sperm. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:170. [PMID: 38597976 PMCID: PMC11006759 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05177-4] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
In our prior investigation, we discerned loss-of-function variants within the gene encoding glutamine-rich protein 2 (QRICH2) in two consanguineous families, leading to various morphological abnormalities in sperm flagella and male infertility. The Qrich2 knockout (KO) in mice also exhibits multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) phenotype with a significantly decreased sperm motility. However, how ORICH2 regulates the formation of sperm flagella remains unclear. Abnormal glutamylation levels of tubulin cause dysplastic microtubules and flagella, eventually resulting in the decline of sperm motility and male infertility. In the current study, by further analyzing the Qrich2 KO mouse sperm, we found a reduced glutamylation level and instability of tubulin in Qrich2 KO mouse sperm flagella. In addition, we found that the amino acid metabolism was dysregulated in both testes and sperm, leading to the accumulated glutamine (Gln) and reduced glutamate (Glu) concentrations, and disorderly expressed genes responsible for Gln/Glu metabolism. Interestingly, mice fed with diets devoid of Gln/Glu phenocopied the Qrich2 KO mice. Furthermore, we identified several mitochondrial marker proteins that could not be correctly localized in sperm flagella, which might be responsible for the reduced mitochondrial function contributing to the reduced sperm motility in Qrich2 KO mice. Our study reveals a crucial role of a normal Gln/Glu metabolism in maintaining the structural stability of the microtubules in sperm flagella by regulating the glutamylation levels of the tubulin and identifies Qrich2 as a possible novel Gln sensor that regulates microtubule glutamylation and mitochondrial function in mouse sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Juncen Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Haoxuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Yuelin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dongsheng Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Jiuzhi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Weiwei Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yunyun Lv
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Life Sciences, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, 641100, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Liao
- Puhua Bioscience, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Dong Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Weixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China.
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Turner KA, Achinger L, Kong D, Kluczynski DF, Fishman EL, Phillips A, Saltzman B, Loncarek J, Harstine BR, Avidor-Reiss T. Abnormal centriolar biomarker ratios correlate with unexplained bull artificial insemination subfertility: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18338. [PMID: 37884598 PMCID: PMC10603076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45162-8] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying male infertility are poorly understood. Most mammalian spermatozoa have two centrioles: the typical barrel-shaped proximal centriole (PC) and the atypical fan-like distal centriole (DC) connected to the axoneme (Ax). These structures are essential for fertility. However, the relationship between centriole quality and subfertility (reduced fertility) is not well established. Here, we tested the hypothesis that assessing sperm centriole quality can identify cattle subfertility. By comparing sperm from 25 fertile and 6 subfertile bulls, all with normal semen analyses, we found that unexplained subfertility and lower sire conception rates (pregnancy rate from artificial insemination in cattle) correlate with abnormal centriolar biomarker distribution. Fluorescence-based Ratiometric Analysis of Sperm Centrioles (FRAC) found only four fertile bulls (4/25, 16%) had positive FRAC tests (having one or more mean FRAC ratios outside of the distribution range in a group's high-quality sperm population), whereas all of the subfertile bulls (6/6, 100%) had positive FRAC tests (P = 0.00008). The most sensitive biomarker was acetylated tubulin, which had a novel labeling pattern between the DC and Ax. These data suggest that FRAC and acetylated tubulin labeling can identify bull subfertility that remains undetected by current methods and may provide insight into a novel mechanism of subfertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Luke Achinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Dong Kong
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Derek F Kluczynski
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Emily Lillian Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Audrey Phillips
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Barbara Saltzman
- Department of Population Health, College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Jadranka Loncarek
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA.
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
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Turner KA, Kluczynski DF, Hefner RJ, Moussa RB, Slogar JN, Thekkethottiyil JB, Prine HD, Crossley ER, Flanagan LJ, LaBoy MM, Moran MB, Boyd TG, Kujawski BA, Ruble K, Pap JM, Jaiswal A, Shah TA, Sindhwani P, Avidor-Reiss T. Tubulin posttranslational modifications modify the atypical spermatozoon centriole. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2022; 2022:10.17912/micropub.biology.000678. [PMID: 36444375 PMCID: PMC9700210 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sperm cells are transcriptionally and translationally silent. Therefore, they may use one of the remaining mechanisms to respond to stimuli in their environment, the post-translational modification of their proteins. Here we examined three post-translational modifications, acetylation, glutamylation, and glycylation of the protein tubulin in human and cattle sperm. Tubulin is the monomer that makes up microtubules, and microtubules constitute the core component of both the sperm centrioles and the axoneme. We found that the sperm of both species were labeled by antibodies against acetylated tubulin and glutamylated tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
,
Correspondence to: Tomer Avidor-Reiss (
)
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Wang H, Montague HR, Hess HN, Zhang Y, Aguilar GL, Dunham RA, Butts IAE, Wang X. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Gene Expression Changes in Blue Catfish Sperm in Response to Cryopreservation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147618. [PMID: 35886966 PMCID: PMC9316979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hybrids of female channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and male blue catfish (I. furcatus) account for >50% of US catfish production due to superior growth, feed conversion, and disease resistance compared to both parental species. However, these hybrids can rarely be naturally spawned. Sperm collection is a lethal procedure, and sperm samples are now cryopreserved for fertilization needs. Previous studies showed that variation in sperm quality causes variable embryo hatch rates, which is the limiting factor in hybrid catfish breeding. Biomarkers as indicators for sperm quality and reproductive success are currently lacking. To address this, we investigated expression changes caused by cryopreservation using transcriptome profiles of fresh and cryopreserved sperm. Sperm quality measurements revealed that cryopreservation significantly increased oxidative stress levels and DNA fragmentation, and reduced sperm kinematic parameters. The present RNA-seq study identified 849 upregulated genes after cryopreservation, including members of all five complexes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, suggesting a boost in oxidative phosphorylation activities, which often lead to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with cell death. Interestingly, functional enrichment analyses revealed compensatory changes in gene expression after cryopreservation to offset detrimental effects of ultra-cold storage: MnSOD was induced to control ROS production; chaperones and ubiquitin ligases were upregulated to correct misfolded proteins or direct them to degradation; negative regulators of apoptosis, amide biosynthesis, and cilium-related functions were also enriched. Our study provides insight into underlying molecular mechanisms of sperm cryoinjury and lays a foundation to further explore molecular biomarkers on cryo-survival and gamete quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolong Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
| | - Helen R. Montague
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Hana N. Hess
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
| | - Gavin L. Aguilar
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Rex A. Dunham
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Ian A. E. Butts
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Correspondence: (I.A.E.B.); (X.W.); Tel.: +1-344-728-7745 (I.A.E.B.); +1-344-844-7511 (X.W.)
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.W.); (Y.Z.)
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (H.R.M.); (H.N.H.); (G.L.A.); (R.A.D.)
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
- Correspondence: (I.A.E.B.); (X.W.); Tel.: +1-344-728-7745 (I.A.E.B.); +1-344-844-7511 (X.W.)
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Yogo K. Molecular basis of the morphogenesis of sperm head and tail in mice. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12466. [PMID: 35619659 PMCID: PMC9126569 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The spermatozoon has a complex molecular apparatus necessary for fertilization in its head and flagellum. Recently, numerous genes that are needed to construct the molecular apparatus of spermatozoa have been identified through the analysis of genetically modified mice. Methods Based on the literature information, the molecular basis of the morphogenesis of sperm heads and flagella in mice was summarized. Main findings (Results) The molecular mechanisms of vesicular trafficking and intraflagellar transport in acrosome and flagellum formation were listed. With the development of cryo‐electron tomography and mass spectrometry techniques, the details of the axonemal structure are becoming clearer. The fine structure and the proteins needed to form the central apparatus, outer and inner dynein arms, nexin‐dynein regulatory complex, and radial spokes were described. The important components of the formation of the mitochondrial sheath, fibrous sheath, outer dense fiber, and the annulus were also described. The similarities and differences between sperm flagella and Chlamydomonas flagella/somatic cell cilia were also discussed. Conclusion The molecular mechanism of formation of the sperm head and flagellum has been clarified using the mouse as a model. These studies will help to better understand the diversity of sperm morphology and the causes of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Yogo
- Department of Applied Life Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Shizuoka University Shizuoka Japan
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Sun Z, Ma Y, Liu Y, Lv J, Wang D, You Z, Jiang C, Sheng Q, Nie Z. The Acetylation Modification of SP1 Regulates the Protein Stability in Silkworm. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 194:1621-1635. [PMID: 34826090 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03757-9] [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: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Acetylation is a highly conservative and reversible post-translational modification. Acetylation modification can regulate gene expression by altering protein function and is widely identified in an increasing number of species. Previously, the acetylated proteome of silkworm was identified by combining acetylated polypeptide enrichment with nano-HPLC/MS/MS; the identification revealed that the SP proteins (SPs) were high acetylated. In this study, the acetylation of SP1, one of the SPs, was further confirmed using immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blotting. Then, we found the acetylation could upregulate SP1 protein expression by enhancing the protein stability. Further research found that the acetylation of SP1 protein can competitively inhibit its ubiquitination and thus improve the stability and cell accumulation of SP1 protein by inhibiting the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome degradation pathway. This result provides a basis for acetylation to regulate the nutrient storage and utilization of silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Sun
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Yafei Ma
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Zhejiang Economic & Trade Polytechnic, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Jiao Lv
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Dan Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Zhengying You
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Caiying Jiang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Qing Sheng
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Zuoming Nie
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
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CRISP2, CATSPER1 and PATE1 Expression in Human Asthenozoospermic Semen. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081956. [PMID: 34440724 PMCID: PMC8391270 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiology of human asthenozoospermia is multifactorial. The need to unveil molecular mechanisms underlying this state of infertility is, thus, impelling. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in microRNA (miRNA) inhibition by a sponge activity to protect mRNA targets. All together they form the competitive endogenous RNA network (ceRNET). Recently, we have identified differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients, associated with high-quality (A-spermatozoa) and low-quality (B-spermatozoa) sperm. Here, we carried out a differential analysis of CRISP2, CATSPER1 and PATE1 mRNA expression in good quality (A-spermatozoa) and low quality (B-spermatozoa) sperm fractions collected from both normozoospermic volunteers and asthenozoospermic patients. These sperm fractions are usually separated on the basis of morphology and motility parameters by a density gradient centrifugation. B-spermatozoa showed low levels of mRNAs. Thus, we identified the possible ceRNET responsible for regulating their expression by focusing on circTRIM2, circEPS15 and circRERE. With the idea that motility perturbations could be rooted in quantitative changes of transcripts in sperm, we evaluated circRNA and mRNA modulation in A-spermatozoa and B-spermatozoa after an oral amino acid supplementation known to improve sperm motility. The profiles of CRISP2, CATSPER1 and PATE1 proteins in the same fractions of sperm well matched with the transcript levels. Our data may strengthen the role of circRNAs in asthenozoospermia and shed light on the molecular pathways linked to sperm motility regulation.
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Patankar A, Gajbhiye R, Surve S, Parte P. Epigenetic landscape of testis specific histone H2B variant and its influence on sperm function. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:101. [PMID: 33933143 PMCID: PMC8088685 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01088-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological relevance of the major testis specific histone H2B variant (TH2B) in sperm is not fully understood. Studies in TH2A/TH2B double knockout male mice indicate its role in chromatin compaction and male fertility. Additionally, the presence of TH2B and TH2A reportedly generates more dynamic nucleosomes, leading to an open chromatin structure characteristic of transcriptionally active genome. Given that mature human sperm are transcriptionally and translationally inactive, the presence of TH2B in mature sperm is intriguing. To address its role in sperm, we investigated the genome-wide localization of TH2B in sperm of fertile men. RESULTS We have identified the genomic loci associated with TH2B in fertile human sperm by ChIP-seq analysis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed ~ 5% sperm genome and 5527 genes to be associated with TH2B. Out of these 105 (1.9%) and 144 (2.6%) genes showed direct involvement in sperm function and early embryogenesis, respectively. Chromosome wide analysis for TH2B distribution indicated its least distribution on X and Y chromosomes and varied distribution on autosomes. TH2B showed relatively higher percentage of gene association on chromosome 4, 18, 3 and 2. TH2B enrichment was more in promoter and gene body region. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed signal transduction and associated kinase activity as the most enriched biological and molecular function, respectively. We also observed the enrichment of TH2B at developmentally important loci, such as HOXA and HOXD and on genes required for normal sperm function, few of which were validated by ChIP-qPCR. The relative expression of these genes was altered in particular subgroup of infertile men showing abnormal chromatin packaging. Chromatin compaction positively correlated with sperm- motility, concentration, viability and with transcript levels of PRKAG2 and CATSPER B. CONCLUSION ChIP-seq analysis of TH2B revealed a putative role of TH2B in sperm function and embryo development. Altered expression of TH2B associated genes in infertile individuals with sperm chromatin compaction defects indicates involvement of TH2B in transcriptional regulation of these genes in post meiotic male germ cells. This altered transcriptome may be a consequence or cause of abnormal nuclear remodeling during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Patankar
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Rahul Gajbhiye
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Suchitra Surve
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Priyanka Parte
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
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