1
|
Qin J, Wang J, Chen J, Xu J, Liu S, Deng D, Li F. Homozygous variant in DRC3 (LRRC48) gene causes asthenozoospermia and male infertility. J Hum Genet 2024; 69:401-409. [PMID: 38769386 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01253-6] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Human infertility affects 10-15% of couples. Asthenozoospermia accounts for 18% of men with infertility and is a common male infertility phenotype. The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) is a large protein complex in the sperm flagellum that connects adjacent doublets of microtubules. Defects in the N-DRC can disrupt cilia/flagellum movement, resulting in primary ciliary dyskinesia and male infertility. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a pathological homozygous variant of the dynein regulatory complex subunit 3 (DRC3) gene, which expresses leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 48, a component of the N-DRC, in a patient with asthenozoospermia. The variant ENST00000313838.12: c.644dup (p. Glu216GlyfsTer36) causes premature translational arrest of DRC3, resulting in a dysfunctional DRC3 protein. The patient's semen count, color, and pH were normal according to the reference values of the World Health Organization guidelines; however, sperm motility and progressive motility were reduced. DRC3 protein was not detected in the patient's sperm and the ultrastructure of the patient's sperm flagella was destroyed. More importantly, the DRC3 variant reduced its interaction with other components of the N-DRC, including dynein regulatory complex subunits 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Our data not only revealed the essential biological functions of DRC3 in sperm flagellum movement and structure but also provided a new basis for the clinical genetic diagnosis of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Qin
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jianhai Chen
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biological Sciences Division, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Jinyan Xu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Shanling Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Dong Deng
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Fuping Li
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang C, Xie Q, Xia X, Zhang C, Jiang S, Wang S, Zhang X, Hua R, Xue J, Zheng H. ZMYND12 serves as an IDAd subunit that is essential for sperm motility in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:317. [PMID: 39066891 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05344-7] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Inner dynein arms (IDAs) are formed from a protein complex that is essential for appropriate flagellar bending and beating. IDA defects have previously been linked to the incidence of asthenozoospermia (AZS) and male infertility. The testes-enriched ZMYND12 protein is homologous with an IDA component identified in Chlamydomonas. ZMYND12 deficiency has previously been tied to infertility in males, yet the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. Here, a CRISPR/Cas9 approach was employed to generate Zmynd12 knockout (Zmynd12-/-) mice. These Zmynd12-/- mice exhibited significant male subfertility, reduced sperm motile velocity, and impaired capacitation. Through a combination of co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, ZMYND12 was found to interact with TTC29 and PRKACA. Decreases in the levels of PRKACA were evident in the sperm of these Zmynd12-/- mice, suggesting that this change may account for the observed drop in male fertility. Moreover, in a cohort of patients with AZS, one patient carrying a ZMYND12 variant was identified, expanding the known AZS-related variant spectrum. Together, these findings demonstrate that ZMYND12 is essential for flagellar beating, capacitation, and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Qingsong Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Xun Xia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Chuanying Zhang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Sihan Wang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Health and Infertility Clinic, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, 223300, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
| | - Jiangyang Xue
- The Central Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Ningbo Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Embryogenic Diseases, Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, China.
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, 223300, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Miyata H, Shimada K, Kaneda Y, Ikawa M. Development of functional spermatozoa in mammalian spermiogenesis. Development 2024; 151:dev202838. [PMID: 39036999 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202838] [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] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a global health problem affecting one in six couples, with 50% of cases attributed to male infertility. Spermatozoa are male gametes, specialized cells that can be divided into two parts: the head and the flagellum. The head contains a vesicle called the acrosome that undergoes exocytosis and the flagellum is a motility apparatus that propels the spermatozoa forward and can be divided into two components, axonemes and accessory structures. For spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes, the acrosome and flagellum must be formed correctly. In this Review, we describe comprehensively how functional spermatozoa develop in mammals during spermiogenesis, including the formation of acrosomes, axonemes and accessory structures by focusing on analyses of mouse models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaneda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu H, Zhang Y, Li Y, Sun S, Zhang J, Xie Q, Dong Y, Zhou S, Sha X, Li K, Chen J, Zhang X, Gao Y, Shen Q, Wang G, Zha X, Duan Z, Tang D, Xu C, Geng H, Lv M, Xu Y, Zhou P, Wei Z, Hua R, Cao Y, Liu M, He X. Adenylate kinase phosphate energy shuttle underlies energetic communication in flagellar axonemes. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2539-1. [PMID: 38761355 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2539-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The complexities of energy transfer mechanisms in the flagella of mammalian sperm flagella have been intensively investigated and demonstrate significant diversity across species. Enzymatic shuttles, particularly adenylate kinase (AK) and creatine kinase (CK), are pivotal in the efficient transfer of intracellular ATP, showing distinct tissue- and species-specificity. Here, the expression profiles of AK and CK were investigated in mice and found to fall into four subgroups, of which Subgroup III AKs were observed to be unique to the male reproductive system and conserved across chordates. Both AK8 and AK9 were found to be indispensable to male reproduction after analysis of an infertile male cohort. Knockout mouse models showed that AK8 and AK9 were central to promoting sperm motility. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry revealed that AK8 and AK9 interact with the radial spoke (RS) of the axoneme. Examination of various human and mouse sperm samples with substructural damage, including the presence of multiple RS subunits, showed that the head of radial spoke 3 acts as an adapter for AK9 in the flagellar axoneme. Using an ATP probe together with metabolomic analysis, it was found that AK8 and AK9 cooperatively regulated ATP transfer in the axoneme, and were concentrated at sites associated with energy consumption in the flagellum. These findings indicate a novel function for RS beyond its structural role, namely, the regulation of ATP transfer. In conclusion, the results expand the functional spectrum of AK proteins and suggest a fresh model regarding ATP transfer within mammalian flagella.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yanman Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yuqian Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Shuya Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Qingsong Xie
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Shushu Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xuan Sha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jinyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qunshan Shen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Guanxiong Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Xiaomin Zha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zongliu Duan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Olszewska M, Malcher A, Stokowy T, Pollock N, Berman AJ, Budkiewicz S, Kamieniczna M, Jackowiak H, Suszynska-Zajczyk J, Jedrzejczak P, Yatsenko AN, Kurpisz M. Effects of Tcte1 knockout on energy chain transportation and spermatogenesis: implications for male infertility. Hum Reprod Open 2024; 2024:hoae020. [PMID: 38650655 PMCID: PMC11035007 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is the Tcte1 mutation causative for male infertility? SUMMARY ANSWER Our collected data underline the complex and devastating effect of the single-gene mutation on the testicular molecular network, leading to male reproductive failure. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Recent data have revealed mutations in genes related to axonemal dynein arms as causative for morphology and motility abnormalities in spermatozoa of infertile males, including dysplasia of fibrous sheath (DFS) and multiple morphological abnormalities in the sperm flagella (MMAF). The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) coordinates the dynein arm activity and is built from the DRC1-DRC7 proteins. DRC5 (TCTE1), one of the N-DRC elements, has already been reported as a candidate for abnormal sperm flagella beating; however, only in a restricted manner with no clear explanation of respective observations. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, a mouse Tcte1 gene knockout line was created on the basis of the C57Bl/6J strain. The mouse reproductive potential, semen characteristics, testicular gene expression levels, sperm ATP, and testis apoptosis level measurements were then assessed, followed by visualization of N-DRC proteins in sperm, and protein modeling in silico. Also, a pilot genomic sequencing study of samples from human infertile males (n = 248) was applied for screening of TCTE1 variants. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS To check the reproductive potential of KO mice, adult animals were crossed for delivery of three litters per caged pair, but for no longer than for 6 months, in various combinations of zygosity. All experiments were performed for wild-type (WT, control group), heterozygous Tcte1+/- and homozygous Tcte1-/- male mice. Gross anatomy was performed on testis and epididymis samples, followed by semen analysis. Sequencing of RNA (RNAseq; Illumina) was done for mice testis tissues. STRING interactions were checked for protein-protein interactions, based on changed expression levels of corresponding genes identified in the mouse testis RNAseq experiments. Immunofluorescence in situ staining was performed to detect the N-DRC complex proteins: Tcte1 (Drc5), Drc7, Fbxl13 (Drc6), and Eps8l1 (Drc3) in mouse spermatozoa. To determine the amount of ATP in spermatozoa, the luminescence level was measured. In addition, immunofluorescence in situ staining was performed to check the level of apoptosis via caspase 3 visualization on mouse testis samples. DNA from whole blood samples of infertile males (n = 137 with non-obstructive azoospermia or cryptozoospermia, n = 111 samples with a spectrum of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, including n = 47 with asthenozoospermia) was extracted to perform genomic sequencing (WGS, WES, or Sanger). Protein prediction modeling of human-identified variants and the exon 3 structure deleted in the mouse knockout was also performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No progeny at all was found for the homozygous males which were revealed to have oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, while heterozygous animals were fertile but manifested oligozoospermia, suggesting haploinsufficiency. RNA-sequencing of the testicular tissue showed the influence of Tcte1 mutations on the expression pattern of 21 genes responsible for mitochondrial ATP processing or linked with apoptosis or spermatogenesis. In Tcte1-/- males, the protein was revealed in only residual amounts in the sperm head nucleus and was not transported to the sperm flagella, as were other N-DRC components. Decreased ATP levels (2.4-fold lower) were found in the spermatozoa of homozygous mice, together with disturbed tail:midpiece ratios, leading to abnormal sperm tail beating. Casp3-positive signals (indicating apoptosis) were observed in spermatogonia only, at a similar level in all three mouse genotypes. Mutation screening of human infertile males revealed one novel and five ultra-rare heterogeneous variants (predicted as disease-causing) in 6.05% of the patients studied. Protein prediction modeling of identified variants revealed changes in the protein surface charge potential, leading to disruption in helix flexibility or its dynamics, thus suggesting disrupted interactions of TCTE1 with its binding partners located within the axoneme. LARGE SCALE DATA All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files. RNAseq data are available in the GEO database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) under the accession number GSE207805. The results described in the publication are based on whole-genome or exome sequencing data which includes sensitive information in the form of patient-specific germline variants. Information regarding such variants must not be shared publicly following European Union legislation, therefore access to raw data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION In the study, the in vitro fertilization performance of sperm from homozygous male mice was not checked. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study contains novel and comprehensive data concerning the role of TCTE1 in male infertility. The TCTE1 gene is the next one that should be added to the 'male infertility list' because of its crucial role in spermatogenesis and proper sperm functioning. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by National Science Centre in Poland, grants no.: 2015/17/B/NZ2/01157 and 2020/37/B/NZ5/00549 (to M.K.), 2017/26/D/NZ5/00789 (to A.M.), and HD096723, GM127569-03, NIH SAP #4100085736 PA DoH (to A.N.Y.). The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Malcher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Stokowy
- Scientific Computing Group, IT Division, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nijole Pollock
- Department of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrea J Berman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sylwia Budkiewicz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Hanna Jackowiak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Jedrzejczak
- Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Alexander N Yatsenko
- Department of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang X, Xue J, Jiang S, Zheng H, Wang C. Forkhead-associated phosphopeptide binding domain 1 (FHAD1) deficiency impaired murine sperm motility. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17142. [PMID: 38563001 PMCID: PMC10984166 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic knockout-based studies conducted in mice provide a powerful means of assessing the significance of a gene for fertility. Forkhead-associated phosphopeptide binding domain 1 (FHAD1) contains a conserved FHA domain, that is present in many proteins with phospho-threonine reader activity. How FHAD1 functions in male fertility, however, remains uncertain. Methods Fhad1-/- mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout, after which qPCR was used to evaluate changes in gene expression, with subsequent analyses of spermatogenesis and fertility. The testis phenotypes were also examined using immunofluorescence and histological staining, while sperm concentrations and motility were quantified via computer-aided sperm analysis. Cellular apoptosis was assessed using a TUNEL staining assay. Results The Fhad1-/-mice did not exhibit any abnormal changes in fertility or testicular morphology compared to wild-type littermates. Histological analyses confirmed that the testicular morphology of both Fhad1-/-and Fhad1+/+ mice was normal, with both exhibiting intact seminiferous tubules. Relative to Fhad1+/+ mice, however, Fhad1-/-did exhibit reductions in the total and progressive motility of epididymal sperm. Analyses of meiotic division in Fhad1-/-mice also revealed higher levels of apoptotic death during the first wave of spermatogenesis. Discussion The findings suggest that FHAD1 is involved in both meiosis and the modulation of sperm motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Health and Infertility Clinic, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiangyang Xue
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Central Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Ningbo Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Embryogenic Diseases, Women and Children’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dai P, Chen C, Yu J, Ma C, Zhang X. New insights into sperm physiology regulation: Enlightenment from G-protein-coupled receptors. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38225815 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13593] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-protein-coupled receptors are critical in many physiological and pathological processes in various organs. Serving as the control panel for sensing extracellular stimuli, G-protein-coupled receptors recognise various ligands, including light, temperature, odours, pheromones, hormones, neurotransmitters, chemokines, etc. Most recently, G-protein-coupled receptors residing in spermatozoa have been found to be indispensable for sperm function. OBJECTIVE Here, we have summarised cutting-edge findings on the functional mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptors that are known to be associated with sperm functions and the activation of their downstream effectors, providing new insights into the roles of G-protein-coupled receptors in sperm physiology. RESULTS Emerging studies hint that alterations in G-protein-coupled receptors could affect sperm function, implicating their role in fertility, but solid evidence needs to be continuing excavated with various means. Several members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, including olfactory receptors, opsins, orphan G-protein-coupled receptors, CXC chemokine receptor 4, CC chemokine receptor 5 and CC chemokine receptor 6 as well as their downstream effector β-arrestins, etc., were suggested to be essential for sperm motility, capacitation, thermotaxis, chemotaxis, Ca2+ influx through CatSper channel and fertilisation capacity. CONCLUSION The present review provides a comprehensive overview of studies describing G-protein-coupled receptors and their potential action in sperm function. We also present a critical discussion of these issues, and a possible framework for future investigations on the diverse ligands, biological functions and cell signalling of G-protein-coupled receptors in spermatozoa. Here, the G-protein-coupled receptors and their related G proteins that specifically were identified in spermatozoa were summarised, and provided references valuable for further illumination, despite the evidence that is not overwhelming in most cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengyuan Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chen Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Jingyan Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chaoye Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen Y, Luo M, Tu H, Qi Y, Guo Y, Zhang X, Cui Y, Gao M, Zhou X, Zhu T, Zhu H, Situ C, Li Y, Guo X. STYXL1 regulates CCT complex assembly and flagellar tubulin folding in sperm formation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:44. [PMID: 38168070 PMCID: PMC10761714 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44337-1] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tubulin-based microtubule is a core component of flagella axoneme and essential for sperm motility and male fertility. Structural components of the axoneme have been well explored. However, how tubulin folding is regulated in sperm flagella formation is still largely unknown. Here, we report a germ cell-specific co-factor of CCT complex, STYXL1. Deletion of Styxl1 results in male infertility and microtubule defects of sperm flagella. Proteomic analysis of Styxl1-/- sperm reveals abnormal downregulation of flagella-related proteins including tubulins. The N-terminal rhodanese-like domain of STYXL1 is important for its interactions with CCT complex subunits, CCT1, CCT6 and CCT7. Styxl1 deletion leads to defects in CCT complex assembly and tubulin polymerization. Collectively, our findings reveal the vital roles of germ cell-specific STYXL1 in CCT-facilitated tubulin folding and sperm flagella development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Medical Research Center, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213000, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengmeng Gao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yao Y, Shi B, Zhang X, Wang X, Li S, Yao Y, Guo Y, Chen D, Wang B, Yuan Y, Sha J, Guo X. Germ cell-specific deletion of Pex3 reveals essential roles of PEX3-dependent peroxisomes in spermiogenesis. J Biomed Res 2023; 38:24-36. [PMID: 38062668 PMCID: PMC10818173 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.37.20230055] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes are organelles enclosed by a single membrane and are present in various species. The abruption of peroxisomes is correlated with peroxisome biogenesis disorders and single peroxisomal enzyme deficiencies that induce diverse diseases in different organs. However, little is known about the protein compositions and corresponding roles of heterogeneous peroxisomes in various organs. Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we observed heterogenous peroxisomal components among different organs, as well as between testicular somatic cells and different developmental stages of germ cells. As Pex3 is expressed in both germ cells and Sertoli cells, we generated Pex3 germ cell- and Sertoli cell-specific knockout mice. While Pex3 deletion in Sertoli cells did not affect spermatogenesis, the deletion in germ cells resulted in male sterility, manifested as the destruction of intercellular bridges between spermatids and the formation of multinucleated giant cells. Proteomic analysis of the Pex3-deleted spermatids revealed defective expressions of peroxisomal proteins and spermiogenesis-related proteins. These findings provide new insights that PEX3-dependent peroxisomes are essential for germ cells undergoing spermiogenesis, but not for Sertoli cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Baolu Shi
- Reproductive and Genetic Branch, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Shuangyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Ying Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Dingdong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shimada K, Ikawa M. CCDC183 is essential for cytoplasmic invagination around the flagellum during spermiogenesis and male fertility. Development 2023; 150:dev201724. [PMID: 37882665 PMCID: PMC10629680 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201724] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Sperm flagellum plays a crucial role in male fertility. Here, we generated Ccdc183 knockout mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to reveal the protein function of the testis-specific protein CCDC183 in spermiogenesis. We demonstrated that the absence of CCDC183 causes male infertility with morphological and motility defects in spermatozoa. Owing to the lack of CCDC183, centrioles after elongation of axonemal microtubules do not connect the cell surface and nucleus during spermiogenesis, which causes subsequent loss of cytoplasmic invagination around the flagellum. As a result, the flagellar compartment does not form properly and cytosol-exposed axonemal microtubules collapse during spermiogenesis. In addition, ectopic localization of accessory structures, such as the fibrous sheath and outer dense fibers, and abnormal head shape as a result of abnormal sculpting by the manchette are observed in Ccdc183 knockout spermatids. Our results indicate that CCDC183 plays an essential role in cytoplasmic invagination around the flagellum to form functional spermatozoa during spermiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Regulation of Host Defense Team, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang Z, Fang K, Wan Y, Yin Y, Li M, Xu K, Li T, Cao Y, Lv Y, Lu G, Liu H, Huang T. TTC6-Mediated Stabilization of the Flagellum Annulus Ensures the Rapid and Directed Motion of Sperm. Cells 2023; 12:2091. [PMID: 37626901 PMCID: PMC10453820 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162091] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility and structural integrity are essential for successful fertilization in vivo, and any hindrance of the correct assembly of the axoneme and peri-axonemal structures in the sperm flagellum can lead to fertility problems. While there has been considerable advancement in studying diseases related to the flagellum, the underlying mechanisms that control sperm movement are not yet fully understood. In this study, we reveal that the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 6 (Ttc6) gene, expressed mainly in the testes, plays a crucial role in maintaining male fertility in mice. We further demonstrate that the knockout of Ttc6 in mice results in decreased sperm motility and induces an abnormal circular swimming pattern, consequently leading to male subfertility. Morphological analysis showed an atypical hairpin-like appearance of the spermatozoa, and ultrastructural studies showed unsheathed flagella at the juncture between the midpiece and principal piece. Collectively, these findings suggest that TTC6 plays an essential role in maintaining the stability of the annulus region of the sperm flagellum, thus ensuring the swift and directed motion of sperm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kailun Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
| | - Yanling Wan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Mengjing Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yongzhi Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- The Model Animal Research Centre, Shandong University, Jinan 250010, China
| | - Yue Lv
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gang Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kaneda Y, Miyata H, Shimada K, Oura S, Ikawa M. Testis-specific proteins, TSNAXIP1 and 1700010I14RIK, are important for sperm motility and male fertility in mice. Andrology 2023; 11:799-807. [PMID: 36598146 PMCID: PMC10972718 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13378] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TSN (translin), also called testis brain RNA-binding protein, binds to TSNAX (translin-associated factor X) and is suggested to play diverse roles, such as RNA metabolism and DNA damage response. TSNAXIP1 (Translin-associated factor X-interacting protein 1) was identified as a TSNAX-interacting protein using a yeast two-hybrid system, but its function in vivo was unknown. OBJECTIVE To reveal the function of TSNAXIP1 in vivo in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS We generated Tsnaxip1 knockout mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and analyzed their fertility and sperm motility. Further, we generated 1700010I14Rik knockout mice, because 1700010I14RIK is also predominantly expressed in testes and contains the same Pfam (protein families) domain as TSNAXIP1. RESULTS Reduced male fertility and impaired sperm motility with asymmetric flagellar waveforms were observed in not only Tsnaxip1 but also 1700010I14Rik knockout mice. Unlike Tsn knockout mice, no abnormalities were found in testicular sections of either Tsnaxip1 or 1700010I14Rik knockout mice. Furthermore, TSNAXIP1 was detected in the sperm tail and fractionated with axonemal proteins. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Unlike the TSN-TSNAX complex, whose disruption causes abnormal vacuoles in mouse testes, TSNAXIP1 and 1700010I14RIK may play roles in regulating sperm flagellar beating patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kaneda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen Y, Zhang X, Jiang J, Luo M, Tu H, Xu C, Tan H, Zhou X, Chen H, Han X, Yue Q, Guo Y, Zheng K, Qi Y, Situ C, Cui Y, Guo X. Regulation of Miwi-mediated mRNA stabilization by Ck137956/Tssa is essential for male fertility. BMC Biol 2023; 21:89. [PMID: 37069605 PMCID: PMC10111675 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01589-z] [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: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm is formed through spermiogenesis, a highly complex process involving chromatin condensation that results in cessation of transcription. mRNAs required for spermiogenesis are transcribed at earlier stages and translated in a delayed fashion during spermatid formation. However, it remains unknown that how these repressed mRNAs are stabilized. RESULTS Here we report a Miwi-interacting testis-specific and spermiogenic arrest protein, Ck137956, which we rename Tssa. Deletion of Tssa led to male sterility and absence of sperm formation. The spermiogenesis arrested at the round spermatid stage and numerous spermiogenic mRNAs were down-regulated in Tssa-/- mice. Deletion of Tssa disrupted the localization of Miwi to chromatoid body, a specialized assembly of cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs) foci present in germ cells. We found that Tssa interacted with Miwi in repressed mRNPs and stabilized Miwi-interacting spermiogenesis-essential mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that Tssa is indispensable in male fertility and has critical roles in post-transcriptional regulations by interacting with Miwi during spermiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiayin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Huanhuan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xudong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Clement TM, Geyer CB, Willis WD, Goulding EH, Upadhyay S, Eddy EM. Actin-related protein ACTL7B ablation leads to OAT with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum and male infertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:447-464. [PMID: 36617158 PMCID: PMC10014417 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of fertilisation-competent sperm requires spermatid morphogenesis (spermiogenesis), a poorly understood program that involves complex coordinated restructuring and specialised cytoskeletal structures. A major class of cytoskeletal regulators are the actin-related proteins (ARPs), which include conventional actin variants, and related proteins that play essential roles in complexes regulating actin dynamics, intracellular transport, and chromatin remodeling. Multiple testis-specific ARPs are well conserved among mammals, but their functional roles are unknown. One of these is actin-like 7b (Actl7b) that encodes an orphan ARP highly similar to the ubiquitously expressed beta actin (ACTB). Here we report ACTL7B is expressed in human and mouse spermatids through the elongation phase of spermatid development. In mice, ACTL7B specifically localises to the developing acrosome, within the nucleus of early spermatids, and to the flagellum connecting region. Based on this localisation pattern and high level of sequence conservation in mice, humans, and other mammals, we examined the requirement for ACTL7B in spermiogenesis by generating and characterising the reproductive phenotype of male Actl7b KO mice. KO mice were infertile, with severe and variable oligoteratozoospermia (OAT) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum (MMAF) and sperm head. These defects phenocopy human OAT and MMAF, which are leading causes of idiopathic male infertility. In conclusion, this work identifies ACTL7B as a key regulator of spermiogenesis that is required for male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Clement
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, and East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
| | - William D Willis
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Eugenia H Goulding
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Edward M Eddy
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
DNALI1 deficiency causes male infertility with severe asthenozoospermia in humans and mice by disrupting the assembly of the flagellar inner dynein arms and fibrous sheath. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:127. [PMID: 36792588 PMCID: PMC9932082 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The axonemal dynein arms (outer (ODA) and inner dynein arms (IDAs)) are multiprotein structures organized by light, intermediate, light intermediate (LIC), and heavy chain proteins. They hydrolyze ATP to promote ciliary and flagellar movement. Till now, a variety of dynein protein deficiencies have been linked with asthenospermia (ASZ), highlighting the significance of these structures in human sperm motility. Herein, we detected bi-allelic DNALI1 mutations [c.663_666del (p.Glu221fs)], in an ASZ patient, which resulted in the complete loss of the DNALI1 in the patient's sperm. We identified loss of sperm DNAH1 and DNAH7 rather than DNAH10 in both DNALI1663_666del patient and Dnali1-/- mice, demonstrating that mammalian DNALI1 is a LIC protein of a partial IDA subspecies. More importantly, we revealed that DNALI1 loss contributed to asymmetries in the most fibrous sheath (FS) of the sperm flagellum in both species. Immunoprecipitation revealed that DNALI1 might interact with the cytoplasmic dynein complex proteins in the testes. Furthermore, DNALI1 loss severely disrupted the transport and assembly of the FS proteins, especially AKAP3 and AKAP4, during flagellogenesis. Hence, DNALI1 may possess a non-classical molecular function, whereby it regulates the cytoplasmic dynein complex that assembles the flagella. We conclude that a DNALI deficiency-induced IDAs injury and an asymmetric FS-driven tail rigid structure alteration may simultaneously cause flagellum immotility. Finally, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can effectively resolve patient infertility. Collectively, we demonstrate that DNALI1 is a newly causative gene for AZS in both humans and mice, which possesses multiple crucial roles in modulating flagellar assembly and motility.
Collapse
|
16
|
Meng Z, Meng Q, Gao T, Zhou H, Xue J, Li H, Wu Y, Lv J. Identification of bi-allelic KIF9 loss-of-function variants contributing to asthenospermia and male infertility in two Chinese families. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 13:1091107. [PMID: 36686457 PMCID: PMC9846173 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1091107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a leading cause of male infertility, affecting an estimated 18% of infertile patients. Kinesin proteins function as molecular motors capable of moving along microtubules. The highly conserved kinesin family member 9 (KIF9) localizes to the central microtubule pair in the flagella of Chlamydomonas cells. The loss of KIF9 expression in mice has been linked to AZS phenotypes. Methods Variant screening was performed by whole exome sequencing from 92 Chinese infertile patients with AZS. Western blot was used to was used for analyzing of candidate proteins expression. Patients' sperm samples were stained with immunofluorescent to visualise proteins localization and were visualised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine axoneme structures. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to verify the binding proteins of KIF9. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was used to evaluate the efficiency of clinical treatment. Results Bi-allelic KIF9 loss-of-function variants were identified in two unrelated Chinese males exhibiting atypical sperm motility phenotypes. Both of these men exhibited typical AZS and suffered from infertility together with the complete absence of KIF9 expression. In contrast to these KIF9-deficient patients, positive KIF9 staining was evident throughout the flagella of sperm from normal control individuals. KIF9 was able to interact with the microtubule central pair (CP) component hydrocephalus-inducing protein homolog (HYDIN) in human samples. And KIF9 was undetectable in spermatozoa harboring CP deletions. The morphologicy of KIF9-deficient spermatozoa appeared normal under gross examination and TEM. Like in mice, in vitro fertilization was sufficient to overcome the fertility issues for these two patients. Discussion These findings indicate that KIF9 associates with the central microtubules in human sperm and that it functions to specifically regulate flagellar swinging. Overall, these results offer greater insight into the biological functions of KIF9 in the assembly of the human flagella and its role in male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Meng
- Center for Reproduction, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital (Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University), Suzhou, China
| | - Qingxia Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tingting Gao
- Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiajia Xue
- Center for Reproduction, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital (Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University), Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jinxing Lv
- Center for Reproduction, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital (Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University), Suzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Xu H, Ding H, Zheng H. Murine fertility and spermatogenesis are independent of the testis-specific Spdye4a gene. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114148. [PMID: 36272447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While many testis-enriched genes have been identified as important regulators of the spermatogenic process, the specific roles played by several of these genes and their functional importance has yet to be fully clarified. METHODS We employed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to introduce a 5 bp in-frame deletion within the Spdye4a gene (Exon 2) of C57BL/6 mice (Spdye4a-/-). Fertility and sperm counts were evaluated. Testes tissues and cell suspensions were analyzed via histological and immunofluorescence staining. mRNA and protein levels of candidate genes were assessed through qPCR and Western blotting. In vitro fertilization was used to assess the ability of sperm cells to bind to egg cells. RESULTS Spdye4a-/- mice did not exhibit any reduction in fertility, and exhibited comparable sperm counts, morphology and motility to those of wildtype littermates. Functionally, Spdye4a-/- sperm exhibited normal sperm-egg binding activity in vitro. Furthermore, the testes of Spdye4a-/- mice exhibited a full range of germ cells from spermatogonia to mature spermatozoa. No differences in the progression of meiotic prophase I were observed when comparing Spdye4a-/- and wildtype mice, indicating that the loss of Spdye4a had no adverse effect on spermatogenesis. DISCUSSION Spdye4a is dispensable in the context of mice fertility and spermatogenesis. This study will prevent other laboratories from expending repeated efforts to generate similar knockout mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongge Xu
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Hongyan Ding
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Xu C, Zhu M, Zhao S, Zhang X, Wang Y, Liu M. Mutation of S461, in the GOLGA3 phosphorylation site, does not affect mouse spermatogenesis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15133. [PMID: 37090114 PMCID: PMC10117384 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15133] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Golgin subfamily A member 3 (Golga3), a member of the golgin subfamily A, is highly expressed in mouse testis. The GOLGA3 protein, which contains eight phosphorylation sites, is involved in protein transport, cell apoptosis, Golgi localization, and spermatogenesis. Although it has been previously reported that nonsense mutations in Golga3 cause multiple defects in spermatogenesis, the role of Golga3 in the testis is yet to be clarified. Methods Immunofluorescence co-localization in cells and protein dephosphorylation experiments were performed. Golga3 S461L/S461Lmice were generated using cytosine base editors. Fertility tests as well as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) were then performed to investigate sperm motility within caudal epididymis. Histological and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze testis and epididymis phenotypes and TUNEL assays were used to measure germ cell apoptosis in spermatogenic tubules. Results Immunofluorescence co-localization showed reduced Golgi localization of GOLGA3S465L with some protein scattered in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells .In addition, protein dephosphorylation experiments indicated a reduced band shift of the dephosphorylated GOLGA3S465L, confirming S461 as the phosphorylation site. Golga3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene and Golga3 S461L/S461Lmice were successfully generated using cytosine base editors. These mice had normal fertility and spermatozoa, and did not differ significantly from wild-type mice in terms of spermatogenesis and apoptotic cells in tubules. Conclusions Golga3 was found to be highly conserved in the testis, and GOLGA3 was shown to be involved in spermatogenesis, especially in apoptosis and Golgi complex-mediated effects. Infertility was also observed in Golga3 KO male mice. Although GOLGA3S465Lshowed reduced localization in the Golgi with some expression in the cytoplasm, this abnormal localization did not adversely affect fertility or spermatogenesis in male C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, mutation of the S461 GOLGA3 phosphorylation site did not affect mouse spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changtong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingcong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lv JL, Wu QJ, Wang XB, Du Q, Liu FH, Guo RH, Leng X, Pan BC, Zhao YH. Intake of ultra-processed foods and asthenozoospermia odds: A hospital-based case-control study. Front Nutr 2022; 9:941745. [PMID: 36337657 PMCID: PMC9630735 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.941745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased rapidly in recent years. Evidence has suggested that UPFs has adverse effects on several health outcomes. This study aimed to first evaluate the association between the intake of UPFs and asthenozoospermia odds. Methods A hospital-based case-control study including 549 cases and 581 controls was performed in the infertility clinics of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from June 2020 to December 2020. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Food items were categorized by the NOVA classification system based on the degree of processing. Semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Results The highest tertile of UPFs intake (% of total energy intake) was positively associated with the odds of asthenozoospermia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.10; P for trend < 0.05), compared with the lowest tertile. Similar patterns were also found in subgroup analyses among participants with age ≥32 years (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.40), BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.22), ever cigarette smoking (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.79), and ever alcohol drinking (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.72), and in sensitivity analyses by using absolute amount (g/day) to calculate the intake of UPFs. Conclusion Higher consumption of UPFs was positively associated with the odds of asthenozoospermia. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Le Lv
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Du
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ren-Hao Guo
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xu Leng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo-Chen Pan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo-Chen Pan
| | - Yu-Hong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Yu-Hong Zhao
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kaneda Y, Miyata H, Shimada K, Oyama Y, Iida-Norita R, Ikawa M. IRGC1, a testis-enriched immunity related GTPase, is important for fibrous sheath integrity and sperm motility in mice. Dev Biol 2022; 488:104-113. [PMID: 35618043 PMCID: PMC9232189 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Immunity-related GTPases (IRGs), also known as p47 GTPases, are a family of interferon-inducible proteins that play roles in immunity defense against intracellular pathogens. Although the molecular functions of IRGs have been well studied, the function of the family member, IRGC1, remains unclear. IRGC1 is unique among IRGs because its expression is not induced by interferon and it is expressed predominantly in the testis. Further, IRGC1 is well conserved in mammals unlike other IRGs. Here, we knocked out (KO) Irgc1 in mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the fertility of Irgc1 KO males was severely impaired because of abnormal sperm motility. Further analyses with a transmission electron microscope revealed that the fibrous sheath (FS), an accessory structure of the sperm tail, was disorganized in Irgc1 KO mice. In addition, IRGC1 was detected in the sperm tail and fractionated with FS proteins. These results suggest that IRGC1 is a component of the FS and is involved in the correct formation of the FS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kaneda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Yuki Oyama
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Rie Iida-Norita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan; The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 1088639, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, 2-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhou S, Wu H, Zhang J, He X, Liu S, Zhou P, Hua R, Cao Y, Liu M. Bi-allelic variants in human TCTE1/DRC5 cause asthenospermia and male infertility. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:721-729. [PMID: 35388187 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01095-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a common male infertility phenotype, accounting for 18% of infertile patients. The N-DRC (Nexin-dynein Regulatory Complex) complex is the motor regulating device in the flagellum, which is found in most eukaryotic organisms with flagellum. The deletion of TCTE1 (T-Complex-Associated Testis-Expressed 1), a component of the N-DRC complex also known as DRC5 (Dynein regulatory complex subunit 5), has been shown to cause asthenospermia in mice. This study mainly introduces a clinical case of male infertility with normal sperm count, normal morphological structure, but low motility and weak forward movement. By whole-exome sequencing, we found that TCTE1 became a frameshift mutant, ENST00000371505.5: c.396_397insTC (p.Arg133Serfs*33), resulting in the rapid degradation of TCTE1 protein and male infertility. This phenotype is similar to the Tcte1-/- (Tcte1 knockout) mice, which showed structural integrity but reduced motility. Further, different from mice, in vitro Fertilization (IVF) could successfully solve the patient's problem of infertility. Our data provides a better understanding of the biological functions of TCTE1 in human flagellum assembly and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shushu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella caused by a novel ARMC2 mutation has a favorable pregnancy outcome from intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1673-1681. [PMID: 35543806 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02516-x] [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: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the potential genetic cause in a primary infertility patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF). METHODS The patient's sperm was observed by light and electron microscopy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to identify candidate genes. Then, the mutation found by WES was verified by Sanger sequencing. The proteins interacting with ARMC2 were revealed by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and mass spectrometry. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was carried out to achieve successful pregnancy. RESULTS Typical MMAF phenotype (absent, short, coiled, bent irregular flagella) was shown in the patient's sperm. A novel homozygous mutation in ARMC2 (c.1264C > T) was identified. The proteins interacting with ARMC2 we found were CEP78, PGAM5, RHOA, FXR1, and SKIV2L2. The ICSI therapy was successful, and boy-girl twins were given birth. CONCLUSION We found a novel mutation in ARMC2 which led to MMAF and male infertility. This is the first report of ICSI outcome of patient harboring ARMC2 mutation. The interacting proteins indicated that ARMC2 might be involved in multiple processes of spermatogenesis.
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang H, Situ C, Guo X. Recent progress of proteomic analysis on spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:109-117. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Testis, the only organ responsible for generating sperm, is by far the organ with the largest variety of proteins and tissue-specific proteins in humans. In testis, spermatogenesis is a multi-step complex process well-accepted that protein and mRNA are decoupled in certain stages of spermatogenesis. With the fast development of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, it is possible to systemically study protein abundances and modifications in testis and sperm to help us understand the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis. This review provides an overview of the recent progress of proteomics analysis on spermatogenesis, including protein expression and multiple PTMs, such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitylation, and acetylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Fan H, Liu Z, Zhan P, Jia G. Pericentric inversion of chromosome 6 and male fertility problems. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:191-196. [PMID: 35111972 PMCID: PMC8773013 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As a significant chromosomal structural abnormality, chromosomal inversion is closely related to male infertility. For inversion carriers, the interchromosomal effect explains male infertility, but its specific mechanism remains unclear. Additionally, inversion carriers with different chromosomes have different clinical manifestations. Therefore, genetic counseling is difficult in clinical practice. Herein, four male carriers of pericentric inversion in chromosome 6 have been described. Two patients showed asthenospermia, one showed azoospermia, and the wife of the remaining patient had recurrent miscarriages. Through a literature search, the association between the breakpoint of pericentric inversion in chromosome 6 and male fertility problems are also discussed in this study. Overall, important genes related to asthenospermia in chromosome 6p21 were found, which may be related to the clinical phenotype. These results suggest that physicians should focus on the breakpoints of inversion in genetic counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Fan
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin Province 130041 , China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin Province 130041 , China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin Province 130041 , China
| | - Guoliang Jia
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin Province 130041 , China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
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: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Yogo
- Department of Applied Life Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Shizuoka University Shizuoka Japan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Liu S, Zhang J, Kherraf ZE, Sun S, Zhang X, Cazin C, Coutton C, Zouari R, Zhao S, Hu F, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Liu M. CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in human and mouse. Development 2021; 148:273455. [PMID: 34792097 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in the structure or motility of cilia and flagella may lead to severe diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a multisystemic disorder with heterogeneous manifestations affecting primarily respiratory and reproductive functions. We report that CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia. We find that a CFAP61 splice variant, c.143+5G>A, causes exon skipping/intron retention in human, inducing a multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) phenotype. We generated Cfap61 knockout mice that recapitulate the infertility phenotype of the human CFAP61 mutation, but without other symptoms usually observed in PCD. We find that CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head. During early stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters, and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted. This study reveals an organ-specific mechanism of axoneme stabilization that is related to male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zine Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Shuya Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Fan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | | | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, F-38000, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Improvement of Astragalin on Spermatogenesis in Oligoasthenozoospermia Mouse Induced by Cyclophosphamide. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1738-1748. [PMID: 34846706 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00808-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
More than 40% of infertile men are diagnosed with oligoasthenozoospermia and the incidence is still rising, but the effective treatments are not been found until now. Astragalin, one of the main active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, may be effective in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia. This study investigated the pharmacological effects of astragalin for treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia in male mice, induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). Male mice were intraperitoneally injected by CTX (50 mg/kg), and astragalin (30 mg/kg) was given via oral gavage once daily. RNA-seq analysis highlighted astragalin upregulated gene expression of anti-apoptosis (AKT1and BCL2-XL), cell proliferation (ETV1, MAPKAPK2, and RPS6KA5) and synthesis of testosterone (STAR, CYP11A1, and PRKACB), but downregulated gene expression of cell apoptosis (BAD, BCL-2, CASPASE9, and CASPASE3) in mouse testis. Astragalin also significantly reversed the reduction in body weight, reproductive organs index, and sperm parameters (sperm concentration, viability, and motility) induced by CTX, and restored testicular abnormal histopathologic morphology induced by CTX. Furthermore, astragalin dramatically rescued the gene expression related to spermatogenesis (AKT1, BCL-2, CASPASE9, CASPASE3, MAPKAPK2, RPS6KA5, STAR, and PRKACB), and increased the level of testosterone by improving related proteins (STAR, CYP11A1, PRKACB) for oligoasthenozoospermia induced by CTX. In conclusion, astragalin may be a potential beneficial agent for oligoasthenozoospermia by increasing the testosterone levels in testis.
Collapse
|
28
|
Yang J, Liu Q, Yu B, Han B, Yang B. 4D-quantitative proteomics signature of asthenozoospermia and identification of extracellular matrix protein 1 as a novel biomarker for sperm motility. Mol Omics 2021; 18:83-91. [PMID: 34816866 DOI: 10.1039/d1mo00257k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AZS), diagnosed by reduced sperm motility, is one of the major causes of male infertility. However, AZS has no effective therapeutic treatment and the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unclear. In this study, state-of-the-art 4D-quantitative proteomics analysis was used to compare the protein profiling between 7 normozoospermic and 11 asthenozoospermic sperm samples. Overall, 4718 proteins were identified and 1430 differential abundant proteins were found in the two groups. The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by GO and KEGG. The core deregulated proteins and pathways associated sperm motility dysfunction included energy metabolism and the sperm structure. Integrative analysis further identified extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) as a novel biomarker related to AZS. Our study could provide new insights into the molecular basis of low sperm motility. The mass spectrometric data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027637.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, P. R. China.
| | - Qunlong Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, P. R. China
| | - Bohai Yu
- Medical Laboratory Department, Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, P. R. China
| | - Baoquan Han
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, P. R. China.
| | - Bo Yang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang Y, Feng T, Zhu M, Shi X, Wang Z, Liu S, Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhao S, Zhang J, Ling X, Liu M. PABPN1L assemble into "ring-like" aggregates in the cytoplasm of MII oocytes and is associated with female infertility†. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:83-94. [PMID: 34726234 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab203] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 10% - 15% of families worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of female infertility caused by abnormal early embryonic development is not clear. A resent study showed that PABPN1L recruited BTG4 to mRNA 3'-poly(A) tails and was essential for maternal mRNA degradation. Here, we generated an PABPN1L-antibody and found "ring-like" PABPN1L aggregates in the cytoplasm of MII oocytes. PABPN1L-EGFP proteins spontaneously formed"ring-like" aggregates in vitro. This phenomenon is similar with CCR4-NOT catalytic subunit, CNOT7, when it starts deadenylation process in vitro. We constructed two mouse model (Pabpn1l -/- and Pabpn1l tm1a/tm1a) simulating the intron1-exon2 abnormality of human PABPN1L and found that the female was sterile and the male was fertile. Using RNA-Seq, we observed a large-scale up-regulation of RNA in zygotes derived from Pabpn1l-/- MII oocytes. We found that 9222 genes were up-regulated instead of being degraded in the Pabpn1l-♀/+♂zygote. Both the Btg4 and Cnot61 genes are necessary for the deadenylation process and Pabpn1l -/- resembled both the Btg4 and Cnot6l knockouts, where 71.2% genes stabilized in the Btg4-♀/+♂ zygote and 84.2% genes stabilized in the Cnot6l-♀/+♂zygote were also stabilized in Pabpn1l-♀/+♂ zygote. BTG4/CNOT7/CNOT6L was partially co-located with PABPN1L in MII oocytes. The above results suggest that PABPN1L is widely associated with CCR4-NOT-mediated maternal mRNA degradation and PABPN1L variants on intron1-exon2 could be a genetic marker of female infertility. Summary sentence. "Ring-like" PABPN1L aggregates was found in the cytoplasm of MII oocytes and in vitro; intron1-exon2 abnormality of Pabpn1l leads female sterile in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Tianhao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mingcong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaodan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Zerui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Junqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xiufeng Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhang X, Sun J, Lu Y, Zhang J, Shimada K, Noda T, Zhao S, Koyano T, Matsuyama M, Zhou S, Wu J, Ikawa M, Liu M. LRRC23 is a conserved component of the radial spoke that is necessary for sperm motility and male fertility in mice. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs259381. [PMID: 34585727 PMCID: PMC10658914 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cilia and flagella are ancient structures that achieve controlled motor functions through the coordinated interaction based on microtubules and some attached projections. Radial spokes (RSs) facilitate the beating motion of these organelles by mediating signal transduction between dyneins and a central pair (CP) of singlet microtubules. RS complex isolation from Chlamydomonas axonemes enabled the detection of 23 radial spoke proteins (RSP1-RSP23), although the roles of some radial spoke proteins remain unknown. Recently, RSP15 has been reported to be bound to the stalk of RS2, but its homolog in mammals has not been identified. Herein, we show that Lrrc23 is an evolutionarily conserved testis-enriched gene encoding an RSP15 homolog in mice. We found that LRRC23 localizes to the RS complex within murine sperm flagella and interacts with RSPH3A and RSPH3B. The knockout of Lrrc23 resulted in male infertility due to RS disorganization and impaired motility in murine spermatozoa, whereas the ciliary beating was not significantly affected. These data indicate that LRRC23 is a key regulator that underpins the integrity of the RS complex within the flagella of mammalian spermatozoa, whereas it is dispensable in cilia. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiang Sun
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Takayuki Koyano
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, 701-0202 Okayama, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsuyama
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, 701-0202 Okayama, Japan
| | - Shushu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiayan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871 Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, 108-8639 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Li M, Ren C, Zhou S, He Y, Guo Y, Zhang H, Liu L, Cao Q, Wang C, Huang J, Hu Y, Bai X, Guo X, Shu W, Huo R. Integrative proteome analysis implicates aberrant RNA splicing in impaired developmental potential of aged mouse oocytes. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13482. [PMID: 34582091 PMCID: PMC8520726 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging has many effects on the female reproductive system, among which decreased oocyte quality and impaired embryo developmental potential are the most important factors affecting female fertility. However, the mechanisms underlying oocyte aging are not yet fully understood. Here, we selected normal reproductively aging female mice and constructed a protein expression profile of metaphase II (MII) oocytes from three age groups. A total of 187 differentially expressed (DE) proteins were identified, and bioinformatics analyses showed that these DE proteins were highly enriched in RNA splicing. Next, RNA‐seq was performed on 2‐cell embryos from these three age groups, and splicing analysis showed that a large number of splicing events and genes were discovered at this stage. Differentially spliced genes (DSGs) in the two reproductively aging groups versus the younger group were enriched in biological processes related to DNA damage repair/response. Binding motif analysis suggested that PUF60 might be one of the core splicing factors causing a decline in DNA repair capacity in the subsequent development of oocytes from reproductively aging mice, and changing the splicing pattern of its potential downstream DSG Cdk9 could partially mimic phenotypes in the reproductively aging groups. Taken together, our study suggested that the abnormal expression of splicing regulation proteins in aged MII oocytes would affect the splicing of nascent RNA after zygotic genome activation in 2‐cell embryos, leading to the production of abnormally spliced transcripts of some key genes associated with DNA damage repair/response, thus affecting the developmental potential of aged oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Chao Ren
- Department of Biotechnology Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine Beijing China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yuanlin He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Qiqi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Congjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Jie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xue Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Wenjie Shu
- Department of Biotechnology Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine Beijing China
| | - Ran Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang S, Qiao H, Wang P, Wang Y, Qin D. ZDHHC19 Is Dispensable for Spermatogenesis, but Is Essential for Sperm Functions in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168894. [PMID: 34445597 PMCID: PMC8396176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complicated process involving mitotically proliferating spermatogonial cells, meiotically dividing spermatocytes, and spermatid going through maturation into spermatozoa. The post-translational modifications of proteins play important roles in this biological process. S-palmitoylation is one type of protein modifications catalyzed by zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys (ZDHHC)-family palmitoyl S-acyltransferases. There are 23 mammalian ZDHHCs that have been identified in mouse. Among them, Zdhhc19 is highly expressed in adult testis. However, the in vivo function of Zdhhc19 in mouse spermatogenesis and fertility remains unknown. In this study, we knocked out the Zdhhc19 gene by generating a 2609 bp deletion from exon 3 to exon 6 in mice. No differences were found in testis morphology and testis/body weight ratios upon Zdhhc19 deletion. Spermatogenesis was not disrupted in Zdhhc19 knockout mice, in which properly developed TRA98+ germ cells, SYCP3+ spermatocytes, and TNP1+ spermatids/spermatozoa were detected in seminiferous tubules. Nevertheless, Zdhhc19 knockout mice were male infertile. Zdhhc19 deficient spermatozoa exhibited multiple defects including abnormal morphology of sperm tails and heads, decreased motility, and disturbed acrosome reaction. All of these led to the inability of Zdhhc19 mutant sperm to fertilize oocytes in IVF assays. Taken together, our results support the fact that Zdhhc19 is a testis enriched gene dispensable for spermatogenesis, but is essential for sperm functions in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Hongjie Qiao
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
| | - Pengxiang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China;
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (D.Q.)
| | - Danian Qin
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (S.W.); (H.Q.)
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (D.Q.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang J, He X, Wu H, Zhang X, Yang S, Liu C, Liu S, Hua R, Zhou S, Zhao S, Hu F, Zhang J, Liu W, Cheng H, Gao Y, Zhang F, Cao Y, Liu M. Loss of DRC1 function leads to multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella and male infertility in human and mouse. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1996-2011. [PMID: 34169321 PMCID: PMC8522639 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Motile cilia and flagellar defects can result in primary ciliary dyskinesia, which is a
multisystemic genetic disorder that affects roughly 1:10 000 individuals. The nexin-dynein
regulatory complex (N-DRC) links neighboring doublet microtubules within flagella, serving
as a central regulatory hub for motility in Chlamydomonas. Herein, we identified two
homozygous DRC1 variants in human patients that were associated with
multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) and male infertility.
Drc1−/−, Drc1R554X/R554X and
Drc1W244X/W244X mice on the C57BL/6 background suffered from
pre-pubertal mortality. However, when the ICR background was introduced, some of these
mice were able to survive and recapitulate the MMAF phenotypes detected in human patients.
By analyzing these animals, we determined that DRC1 is an essential regulator of N-DRC
assembly in cilia and flagella. When DRC1 is absent, this results in the shortening of
cilia and consequent impairment of their motility. Damage associated with DRC1 deficiency
in sperm flagella was more pronounced than in cilia, as manifested by complete axoneme
structural disorder in addition to the loss of the DRC structure. Altogether, these
findings suggest that DRC1 is required for the structural stability of flagella but not
cilia, emphasizing the key role of this protein in mammalian species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shenmin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215002, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Rong Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shushu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Fan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Junqiang Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wangjie Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Huiru Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Yang P, Tang W, Li H, Hua R, Yuan Y, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Cui Y, Sha J. T-complex protein 1 subunit zeta-2 (CCT6B) deficiency induces murine teratospermia. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11545. [PMID: 34141486 PMCID: PMC8176918 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11545] [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: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The CCT complex is an important mediator of microtubule assembly and intracellular protein folding. Owing to its high expression in spermatids, CCT knockdown can disrupt spermatogenesis. In the present report, we therefore evaluated the in vivo functionality of the testis-specific CCT complex component CCT6B using a murine knockout model system. Methods A CRISPR/Cas9 approach was used to generate Cct6b−/− mice, after which candidate gene expression in these animals was evaluated via qPCR and Western blotting. Testicular and epididymal phenotypes were assessed through histological and immunofluorescent staining assays, while a computer-assisted sperm analyzer was employed to assess semen quality. Results Cct6b−/− mice were successfully generated, and exhibited no differences in development, fertility, appearance, testis weight, or sperm counts relative to control littermates. In addition, no differences in spermatogenesis were detected when comparingCct6b+/+ and Cct6b−/− testes. However, when progressive motility was analyzed, the ratio of normal sperm was significantly decreased in Cct6b−/− male mice, with nuclear base bending being the primary detected abnormality. In addition, slight decreases in Cct4 and Cct7 expression were detected. Conclusion These data indicated that CCT6B is an important regulator of murine spermatogenesis, with the loss of this protein resulting in CCT complex dysfunction, providing a foundation for further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peiyin Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjing Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiling Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfei Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Shah B, Khan R, Shah W, Aftab A, Khan M, Dil S, Shi Q. Inactivation of testis-specific gene C4orf46 is dispensable for spermatogenesis and fertility in mouse. Mamm Genome 2021; 32:364-370. [PMID: 34076717 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09879-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several genes have been reported to be involved in spermatogenesis but their functional importance in male fertility is yet needed to be elucidated. Therefore, in current research, we focused to explore the in vivo role of evolutionary conserved and testis-specifically expressed, C4orf46, gene in male mouse fertility and spermatogenesis. The expression profile of C4orf46 is specific to testes and expressed in testes from 7 days of postpartum to onward. Thus, we generated the C4orf46 knockout mice by utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and examined gene function in spermatogenesis and fertility. Surprisingly, C4orf46 knockout mice were completely fertile, displayed normal testes morphology, however, higher sperm contents were observed in knockout mice compared to wild type (WT) littermates. Subsequently, intact testis histology and architecture of seminiferous tubules were observed in C4orf46 knockout and WT mice. Similarly, sperm morphology and swimming velocity of C4orf46 knockout mice were comparable with the WT littermates. Furthermore, all type of germ cells ranging from spermatogonia to mature spermatozoa were observed in the testes and epididymis sections of C4orf46 knockout mice suggesting that disruption of C4orf46 did not impact spermatogenesis. Moreover, meiotic prophase I progression was normal, and each type of cell population was comparable between knockout and WT mice. Overall, finding from this research indicates that C4orf46 is not an essential gene for fertility in mice. This study will help researchers to avoid the repetition and duplication of efforts, and to explore the genes that are indispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basit Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Wasim Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ayesha Aftab
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Sector H10, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Manan Khan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University, Dhodial, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Dil
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Feng T, Zhou S, Shi X, Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhao S, Yang X, Meng X, Liu M. Eef2k is not required for fertility in male mice. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1988-1999. [PMID: 34159079 PMCID: PMC8185658 DOI: 10.21037/tau-21-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (Eef2k) is a protein kinase associated with the calmodulin-induced signaling pathway and an atypical alpha-kinase family member. Eef2k-mediated phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (Eef2) can inhibit the functionality of this protein, altering protein translation. Prior work suggests Eef2k to be overexpressed in breast, pancreatic, brain, and lung cancers wherein it may control key processes associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle progression. The functional importance of Eef2k in the testes of male mice, however, has yet to be clarified. Methods A CRISPR/Cas9 approach was used to generate male Eef2k-knockout mice, which were evaluated for phenotypic changes in epididymal or testicular tissues through histological and immunofluorescent staining assays. In addition, TUNEL staining was conducted to assess the apoptotic death of cells in the testis. Fertility, sperm counts, and sperm motility were further assessed. Results Male Eef2k-knockout mice were successfully generated, and exhibited normal fertility and development. No apparent differences were observed with respect to spermatogenesis, sperm counts, or germ cell apoptosis when comparing male Eef2k -/- and Eef2k +/+ mice. Conclusions Male Eef2k-knockout mice remained fertile and were free of any evident developmental or spermatogenic abnormalities, suggesting Eef2k to be dispensable in the context of male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shushu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaodan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuhui Meng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Dannemann M. The Population-Specific Impact of Neandertal Introgression on Human Disease. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6008690. [PMID: 33247712 PMCID: PMC7851588 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of admixture between modern humans and Neandertals, multiple studies investigated the effect of Neandertal-derived DNA on human disease and nondisease phenotypes. These studies have linked Neandertal ancestry to skin- and hair-related phenotypes, immunity, neurological, and behavioral traits. However, these inferences have so far been limited to cohorts with participants of European ancestry. Here, I analyze summary statistics from 40 disease GWAS (genome-wide association study) cohorts of ∼212,000 individuals provided by the Biobank Japan Project for phenotypic effects of Neandertal DNA. I show that Neandertal DNA is associated with autoimmune diseases, prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes. Many of these disease associations are linked to population-specific Neandertal DNA, highlighting the importance of studying a wider range of ancestries to characterize the phenotypic legacy of Neandertals in people today.
Collapse
|
38
|
Zhang B, Khan I, Liu C, Ma A, Khan A, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Kakakhel MBS, Zhou J, Zhang W, Li Y, Ali A, Jiang X, Murtaza G, Khan R, Zubair M, Yuan L, Khan M, Wang L, Zhang F, Wang X, Ma H, Shi Q. Novel loss-of-function variants in DNAH17 cause multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in humans and mice. Clin Genet 2020; 99:176-186. [PMID: 33070343 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder leading to male infertility. Recent studies have revealed that DNAH17 variants are associated with MMAF, yet there is no functional evidence in support of their pathnogenicity. Here, we recruited two consanguineous families of Pakistani and Chinese origins, respectively, diagnosed with MMAF. Whole-exome sequencing identified novel homozygous DNAH17 variants, which led to loss of DNAH17 proteins, in the patients. Transmission electron microscope analyses revealed completely disorganized axonemal structure as the predominant anomaly and increased frequencies of missings of microtubule doublet(s) 4-7 in sperm flagella of patients. Similar to those found in patients, Dnah17-/- mice also displayed MMAF phenotype along with completely disorganized axonemal structures. Clusters of disorganized microtubules and outer dense fibers were observed in developing spermatids, indicating impaired sperm flagellar assembly. Besides, we also noticed many elongating spermatids with a deformed nuclear shape and abnormal step 16 spermatids that failed to spermiate, which subsequently underwent apoptosis in Dnah17-null mice. These findings present direct evidence establishing that DNAH17 is a MMAF-related gene in humans and mice, extend the clinical interpretations of DNAH17 variants, and highlight an essential and complex role of DNAH17 in spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ihsan Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Ao Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Asad Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Mian Basit Shah Kakakhel
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, The Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Asim Ali
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Limin Yuan
- Analysis and test center, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Mazhar Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Li Wang
- The Center of Cryo-Electron Microscopy (CCEM), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Hui Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Li L, Zhu S, Shu W, Guo Y, Guan Y, Zeng J, Wang H, Han L, Zhang J, Liu X, Li C, Hou X, Gao M, Ge J, Ren C, Zhang H, Schedl T, Guo X, Chen M, Wang Q. Characterization of Metabolic Patterns in Mouse Oocytes during Meiotic Maturation. Mol Cell 2020; 80:525-540.e9. [PMID: 33068521 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Well-balanced and timed metabolism is essential for making a high-quality egg. However, the metabolic framework that supports oocyte development remains poorly understood. Here, we obtained the temporal metabolome profiles of mouse oocytes during in vivo maturation by isolating large number of cells at key stages. In parallel, quantitative proteomic analyses were conducted to bolster the metabolomic data, synergistically depicting the global metabolic patterns in oocytes. In particular, we discovered the metabolic features during meiotic maturation, such as the fall in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) level and the active serine-glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) pathway. Using functional approaches, we further identified the key targets mediating the action of PUFA arachidonic acid (ARA) on meiotic maturation and demonstrated the control of epigenetic marks in maturing oocytes by SGOC network. Our data serve as a broad resource on the dynamics occurring in metabolome and proteome during oocyte maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Shuai Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Wenjie Shu
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yusheng Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Juan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Haichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Longsen Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chunling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaojing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Min Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Juan Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chao Ren
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Tim Schedl
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Minjian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lu Y, Oura S, Matsumura T, Oji A, Sakurai N, Fujihara Y, Shimada K, Miyata H, Tobita T, Noda T, Castaneda JM, Kiyozumi D, Zhang Q, Larasati T, Young SAM, Kodani M, Huddleston CA, Robertson MJ, Coarfa C, Isotani A, Aitken RJ, Okabe M, Matzuk MM, Garcia TX, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals 30 testis-enriched genes dispensable for male fertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:501-511. [PMID: 31201419 PMCID: PMC6735960 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1000 genes are predicted to be predominantly expressed in mouse testis, yet many of them remain unstudied in terms of their roles in spermatogenesis and sperm function and their essentiality in male reproduction. Since individually indispensable factors can provide important implications for the diagnosis of genetically related idiopathic male infertility and may serve as candidate targets for the development of nonhormonal male contraceptives, our laboratories continuously analyze the functions of testis-enriched genes in vivo by generating knockout mouse lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The dispensability of genes in male reproduction is easily determined by examining the fecundity of knockout males. During our large-scale screening of essential factors, we knocked out 30 genes that have a strong bias of expression in the testis and are mostly conserved in mammalian species including human. Fertility tests reveal that the mutant males exhibited normal fecundity, suggesting these genes are individually dispensable for male reproduction. Since such functionally redundant genes are of diminished biological and clinical significance, we believe that it is crucial to disseminate this list of genes, along with their phenotypic information, to the scientific community to avoid unnecessary expenditure of time and research funds and duplication of efforts by other laboratories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asami Oji
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Sakurai
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tobita
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julio M Castaneda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Samantha A M Young
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Caitlin A Huddleston
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew J Robertson
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhang B, Ma H, Khan T, Ma A, Li T, Zhang H, Gao J, Zhou J, Li Y, Yu C, Bao J, Ali A, Murtaza G, Yin H, Gao Q, Jiang X, Zhang F, Liu C, Khan I, Zubair M, Hussain HMJ, Khan R, Yousaf A, Yuan L, Lu Y, Xu X, Wang Y, Tao Q, Hao Q, Fang H, Cheng H, Zhang Y, Shi Q. A DNAH17 missense variant causes flagella destabilization and asthenozoospermia. J Exp Med 2020; 217:jem.20182365. [PMID: 31658987 PMCID: PMC7041708 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20182365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Using mice modelling patients’ variant, this study demonstrates that a homozygous DNAH17 missense variant causes asthenozoospermia and specifically destabilizes microtubule doublets 4–7 in flagella, which could be largely due to the storage of sperm in epididymis. Asthenozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. We recruited three Pakistani infertile brothers, born to first-cousin parents, displaying idiopathic asthenozoospermia but no ciliary-related symptoms. Whole-exome sequencing identified a missense variant (c.G5408A, p.C1803Y) in DNAH17, a functionally uncharacterized gene, recessively cosegregating with asthenozoospermia in the family. DNAH17, specifically expressed in testes, was localized to sperm flagella, and the mutation did not alter its localization. However, spermatozoa of all three patients showed higher frequencies of microtubule doublet(s) 4–7 missing at principal piece and end piece than in controls. Mice carrying a homozygous mutation (Dnah17M/M) equivalent to that in patients recapitulated the defects in patients’ sperm tails. Further examinations revealed that the doublets 4–7 were destabilized largely due to the storage of sperm in epididymis. Altogether, we first report that a homozygous DNAH17 missense variant specifically induces doublets 4–7 destabilization and consequently causes asthenozoospermia, providing a novel marker for genetic counseling and diagnosis of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Teka Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ao Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jianing Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Changping Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Asim Ali
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qian Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ihsan Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Jafar Hussain
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ayesha Yousaf
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Limin Yuan
- Analysis and test center, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Analysis and test center, Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qizhao Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qiaomei Hao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hongtao Cheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China-Shenyang Jinghua Hospital Joint Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Park S, Shimada K, Fujihara Y, Xu Z, Shimada K, Larasati T, Pratiwi P, Matzuk RM, Devlin DJ, Yu Z, Garcia TX, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-edited mice reveal 10 testis-enriched genes are dispensable for male fecundity. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:195-204. [PMID: 32561905 PMCID: PMC7401030 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As the world population continues to increase to unsustainable levels, the importance of birth control and the development of new contraceptives are emerging. To date, male contraceptive options have been lagging behind those available to women, and those few options available are not satisfactory to everyone. To solve this problem, we have been searching for new candidate target proteins for non-hormonal contraceptives. Testis-specific proteins are appealing targets for male contraceptives because they are more likely to be involved in male reproduction and their targeting by small molecules is predicted to have no on-target harmful effects on other organs. Using in silico analysis, we identified Erich2, Glt6d1, Prss58, Slfnl1, Sppl2c, Stpg3, Tex33, and Tex36 as testis-abundant genes in both mouse and human. The genes, 4930402F06Rik and 4930568D16Rik, are testis-abundant paralogs of Glt6d1 that we also discovered in mice but not in human, and were also included in our studies to eliminate the potential compensation. We generated knockout (KO) mouse lines of all listed genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Analysis of all of the individual KO mouse lines as well as Glt6d1/4930402F06Rik/4930568D16Rik TKO mouse lines revealed that they are male fertile with no observable defects in reproductive organs, suggesting that these 10 genes are not required for male fertility nor play redundant roles in the case of the 3 Glt6D1 paralogs. Further studies are needed to uncover protein function(s), but in vivo functional screening using the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a fast and accurate way to find genes essential for male fertility, which may apply to studies of genes expressed elsewhere. In this study, although we could not find any potential protein targets for non-hormonal male contraceptives, our findings help to streamline efforts to find and focus on only the essential genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Park
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zoulan Xu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Putri Pratiwi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryan M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Darius J Devlin
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Devlin DJ, Nozawa K, Ikawa M, Matzuk MM. Knockout of family with sequence similarity 170 member A (Fam170a) causes male subfertility, while Fam170b is dispensable in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:205-222. [PMID: 32588889 PMCID: PMC7401401 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Families with sequence similarity 170 members A and B (FAM170A and FAM170B) are testis-specific, paralogous proteins that share 31% amino acid identity and are conserved throughout mammals. While previous in vitro experiments suggested that FAM170B, an acrosome-localized protein, plays a role in the mouse sperm acrosome reaction and fertilization, the role of FAM170A in the testis has not been explored. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate null alleles for each gene, and homozygous null (-/-) male mice were mated to wild-type females for 6 months to assess fertility. Fam170b-/- males were found to produce normal litter sizes and had normal sperm counts, motility, and sperm morphology. In contrast, mating experiments revealed significantly reduced litter sizes and a reduced pregnancy rate from Fam170a-/- males compared with controls. Fam170a-/-;Fam170b-/- double knockout males also produced markedly reduced litter sizes, although not significantly different from Fam170a-/- alone, suggesting that Fam170b does not compensate for the absence of Fam170a. Fam170a-/- males exhibited abnormal spermiation, abnormal head morphology, and reduced progressive sperm motility. Thus, FAM170A has an important role in male fertility, as the loss of the protein leads to subfertility, while FAM170B is expendable. The molecular functions of FAM170A in spermatogenesis are as yet unknown; however, the protein localizes to the nucleus of elongating spermatids and may mediate its effects on spermatid head shaping and spermiation by regulating the expression of other genes. This work provides the first described role of FAM170A in reproduction and has implications for improving human male infertility diagnoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darius J Devlin
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Toyko, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Oura S, Kazi S, Savolainen A, Nozawa K, Castañeda J, Yu Z, Miyata H, Matzuk RM, Hansen JN, Wachten D, Matzuk MM, Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen R. Cfap97d1 is important for flagellar axoneme maintenance and male mouse fertility. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008954. [PMID: 32785227 PMCID: PMC7444823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The flagellum is essential for sperm motility and fertilization in vivo. The axoneme is the main component of the flagella, extending through its entire length. An axoneme is comprised of two central microtubules surrounded by nine doublets, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex, radial spokes, and dynein arms. Failure to properly assemble components of the axoneme in a sperm flagellum, leads to fertility alterations. To understand this process in detail, we have defined the function of an uncharacterized gene, Cfap97 domain containing 1 (Cfap97d1). This gene is evolutionarily conserved in mammals and multiple other species, including Chlamydomonas. We have used two independently generated Cfap97d1 knockout mouse models to study the gene function in vivo. Cfap97d1 is exclusively expressed in testes starting from post-natal day 20 and continuing throughout adulthood. Deletion of the Cfap97d1 gene in both mouse models leads to sperm motility defects (asthenozoospermia) and male subfertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) of cumulus-intact oocytes with Cfap97d1 deficient sperm yielded few embryos whereas IVF with zona pellucida-free oocytes resulted in embryo numbers comparable to that of the control. Knockout spermatozoa showed abnormal motility characterized by frequent stalling in the anti-hook position. Uniquely, Cfap97d1 loss caused a phenotype associated with axonemal doublet heterogeneity linked with frequent loss of the fourth doublet in the sperm stored in the epididymis. This study demonstrates that Cfap97d1 is required for sperm flagellum ultra-structure maintenance, thereby playing a critical role in sperm function and male fertility in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seiya Oura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Samina Kazi
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Audrey Savolainen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julio Castañeda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryan M. Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jan N. Hansen
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin M. Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zhu Z, Zhang X, Zeng W, Zhao S, Zhou J, Zhou Z, Liu M. Spermatogenesis is normal in Tex33 knockout mice. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9629. [PMID: 32821546 PMCID: PMC7395601 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Testis expressed gene 33 (Tex33) is a recently reported testis-specific gene and it is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates. The Tex33 expression is found in cytoplasm of round spermatids in Mus musculus. However, the in vivo function of Tex33 remains unknown. In this study, we made a 62bp in frame deletion on Exon2 of Tex33 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 in C57B/L6 mouse, which cause frame shift mutation of Tex33 gene. Tex33-/-adult male were fertile, and there is no significant change on litter size compared with male wildtype (Tex33+/+) adult. Besides, no overt differences were found in testis/body weight ratios, testicular/epididymal tissue morphology, sperm counts, sperm morphology and spermatozoa motility in adult Tex33-/-male mice (N = 3), in comparison with Tex33+/+ adult (N = 3). TUNEL assay also indicates the germ cells apoptosis ratio was not significantly changed in adult Tex33-/- adult male mouse testis (N = 3), compared with adult Tex33+/+ male (N = 3). Importantly, the first wave of elongating spermatids formation happens in 5w old mice. We find that the first wave of spermiogenesis is not disrupted in both 5-week-old Tex33+/+ and Tex33-/-male mouse testes and three hallmarks of spermatogenesis, PLZF,γ-H2AX and TNP1, are all detectable in seminiferous tubule. All results indicate that Tex33 is a redundant gene to spermatogenesis. This study can help other researchers avoid repetitive works on redundant genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wentao Zeng
- Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianli Zhou
- Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cruz A, Sullivan DB, Doty KF, Hess RA, Canisso IF, Reddi PP. Acrosomal marker SP-10 (gene name Acrv1) for staging of the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the stallion. Theriogenology 2020; 156:214-221. [PMID: 32758798 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The acrosome plays a critical role in sperm-oocyte interactions during fertilization. SP-10 is an acrosomal matrix protein, which is evolutionarily conserved among mammals. The SP-10 antibody has been shown to be useful for staging the seminiferous cycle in the mouse and human. A canonical acrosomal marker; however, has never been used for staging in the horse. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the presence of SP-10 within the horse acrosome using an anti-mouse SP-10 antibody, to classify spermatids based on the shape of the acrosome, and then to use that information to assign stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Testes from mature stallions with history of normospermic ejaculates were used for immunohistochemistry. We found that the mouse SP-10 antibody stained the horse acrosome vividly in testis cross-sections, indicating evolutionary conservation. Previous methods based on morphology alone without the aid of an antibody marker showed 8 stages in the horse seminiferous epithelium. Morphological detail of the acrosome afforded by the SP-10 marker in this study identified 16 steps of spermatids. This, in turn, led to the identification of 12 distinct stages in the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of the horse wherein stage I shows recently formed round spermatids and stage XII includes meiotic divisions; a classification that is consistent with other animal models. The SP-10 antibody marks the acrosome in a way that enables researchers in the field to identify stages of spermatogenesis in the horse easily. In conclusion, we demonstrated that immunolabeling for SP-10 can be an objective approach to stage the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in normospermic stallions; future studies will determine if SP-10 could be used to assess testicular dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Cruz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA
| | - Derek B Sullivan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA
| | - Karen F Doty
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA
| | - Igor F Canisso
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA
| | - Prabhakara P Reddi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Khan R, Ye J, Yousaf A, Shah W, Aftab A, Shah B, Zaman Q, Zubair M, Shi Q, Jiang X. Evolutionarily conserved and testis-specific gene, 4930524B15Rik, is not essential for mouse spermatogenesis and fertility. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:5207-5213. [PMID: 32592116 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05595-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thousands of genes are involved in spermatogenesis, however, the functional roles of most these genes for male fertility remain to be discovered. This research focused to explore the function of evolutionarily conserved and testis-specific expressed gene 4930524B15Rik, which is known as C5orf47 in human. We generated 4930524B15Rik knockout mice by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and found 4930524B15Rik-/- mice were fertile. Furthermore, no averted abnormalities were observed in testis morphology, epididymal sperm contents and sperm morphology in 4930524B15Rik knockout mice. Subsequently, histological analysis of testicular tissue revealed intact structure of seminiferous tubules along with the presence of all types of germ cells in 4930524B15Rik-/- mice similar to wild type. Additionally, cytological analysis of spermatocytes displayed no significant differences in the prophase I progression of meiosis, further indicating that 4930524B15Rik have no essential function in mammalian spermatogenesis. Altogether, these results indicated that 4930524B15Rik is dispensable for fertility of male mice and these findings will help researchers to avoid future research overlap and to focus on genes that are crucial for spermatogenesis and reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjha Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Jingwei Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ayesha Yousaf
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Wasim Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ayesha Aftab
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Sector H10, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Basit Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Qamar Zaman
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences At Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Miyata H, Morohoshi A, Ikawa M. Analysis of the sperm flagellar axoneme using gene-modified mice. Exp Anim 2020; 69:374-381. [PMID: 32554934 PMCID: PMC7677079 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.20-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a global health issue that affects 1 in 6 couples, with male factors contributing to 50% of cases. The flagellar axoneme is a motility apparatus of spermatozoa, and disruption of its structure or function could lead to male infertility. The axoneme consists of a "9+2" structure that contains a central pair of two singlet microtubules surrounded by nine doublet microtubules, in addition to several macromolecular complexes such as dynein arms, radial spokes, and nexin-dynein regulatory complexes. Molecular components of the flagellar axoneme are evolutionally conserved from unicellular flagellates to mammals, including mice. Although knockout (KO) mice have been generated to understand their function in the formation and motility regulation of sperm flagella, the majority of KO mice die before sexual maturation due to impaired ciliary motility, which makes it challenging to analyze mature spermatozoa. In this review, we introduce methods that have been used to overcome premature lethality, focusing on KO mouse lines of central pair components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Nozawa K, Zhang Q, Miyata H, Devlin DJ, Yu Z, Oura S, Koyano T, Matsuyama M, Ikawa M, Matzuk MM. Knockout of serine-rich single-pass membrane protein 1 (Ssmem1) causes globozoospermia and sterility in male mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:244-253. [PMID: 32301969 PMCID: PMC7401026 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Globozoospermia (sperm with an abnormally round head shape) and asthenozoospermia (defective sperm motility) are known causes of male infertility in human patients. Despite many studies, the molecular details of the globozoospermia etiology are still poorly understood. Serine-rich single-pass membrane protein 1 (Ssmem1) is a conserved testis-specific gene in mammals. In this study, we generated Ssmem1 knockout (KO) mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, demonstrated that Ssmem1 is essential for male fertility in mice, and found that SSMEM1 protein is expressed during spermatogenesis but not in mature sperm. The sterility of the Ssmem1 KO (null) mice is associated with globozoospermia and loss of sperm motility. To decipher the mechanism causing the phenotype, we analyzed testes with transmission electron microscopy and discovered that Ssmem1-disrupted spermatids have abnormal localization of Golgi at steps eight and nine of spermatid development. Immunofluorescence analysis with anti-Golgin-97 to label the trans-Golgi network, also showed delayed movement of the Golgi to the spermatid posterior region, which causes failure of sperm head shaping, disorganization of the cell organelles, and entrapped tails in the cytoplasmic droplet. In summary, SSMEM1 is crucial for intracellular Golgi movement to ensure proper spatiotemporal formation of the sperm head that is required for fertilization. These studies and the pathway in which SSMEM1 functions have implications for human male infertility and identifying potential targets for nonhormonal contraception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Nozawa
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Darius J Devlin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology & Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Koyano
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, Okayama, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsuyama
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Spermatozoa lacking Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP) fail to fuse with oocytes in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:9393-9400. [PMID: 32295885 PMCID: PMC7196805 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917060117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As the human body is composed of 60 trillion cells that originate from a fertilized egg, sperm–oocyte fusion is the initial event of our life. Few sperm–oocyte fusion factors have been unveiled to date, and only IZUMO1 has been identified as a sperm-specific fusion-mediating protein. Here, we identified the testis-specific 4930451I11Rik gene important for male fertility, playing a role in sperm–oocyte fusion during fertilization. Based on its functional role, we renamed this gene fertilization influencing membrane protein (Fimp). We discovered a factor responsible for sperm–oocyte fusion in mammals, and this knowledge could be used to develop in vitro and in vivo infertility treatments as well as male contraceptives. Sperm–oocyte fusion is a critical event in mammalian fertilization, categorized by three indispensable proteins. Sperm membrane protein IZUMO1 and its counterpart oocyte membrane protein JUNO make a protein complex allowing sperm to interact with the oocyte, and subsequent sperm–oocyte fusion. Oocyte tetraspanin protein CD9 also contributes to sperm–oocyte fusion. However, the fusion process cannot be explained solely by these three essential factors. In this study, we focused on analyzing a testis-specific gene 4930451I11Rik and generated mutant mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Although IZUMO1 remained in 4930451I11Rik knockout (KO) spermatozoa, the KO spermatozoa were unable to fuse with oocytes and the KO males were severely subfertile. 4930451I11Rik encodes two isoforms: a transmembrane (TM) form and a secreted form. Both CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TM deletion and transgenic (Tg) rescue with the TM form revealed that only the TM form plays a critical role in sperm–oocyte fusion. Thus, we renamed this TM form Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP). The mCherry-tagged FIMP TM form was localized to the sperm equatorial segment where the sperm–oocyte fusion event occurs. Thus, FIMP is a sperm-specific transmembrane protein that is necessary for the sperm–oocyte fusion process.
Collapse
|