1
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Chen Y, Hasegawa A, Wakimoto Y, Shibahara H. Update on the research on the antigens of anti-sperm antibodies over the last decade. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 164:104292. [PMID: 38964133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104292] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
This review summarizes the advancements over a decade of research on antigens of anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs), which are key to male immune infertility. Despite the progress in assisted reproductive technologies, understanding the roles and mechanisms of ASAs and their antigens remains vital for immune infertility management. We conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed from January 2013 to December 2023 using the following keywords: "anti-sperm antibody," "sperm antigen," and "immune infertility." In this review, we focus on the discoveries in sperm antigen identification and characterization through proteomics, gene disruption technology, and immunoinformatics, along with the development of fertility biomarkers. Here, we discuss the clinical applications of improved ASA detection methods and the progress in the development of immunocontraceptive vaccines. The intersection of advanced diagnostic techniques and vaccine development represents a promising frontier in reproductive health. The findings also highlight the need for standardized ASA detection methods and a comprehensive molecular-level approach to understanding ASA-related infertility. These insights underscore the significance of ongoing reproductive immunology research in enhancing clinical fertility outcomes and contraceptive vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuekun Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Akiko Hasegawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Yu Wakimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Shibahara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
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2
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Martín-Hidalgo D, Izquierdo M, Garrido N, Bartolomé-García P, Macías-García B, González-Fernández L. Induction of acrosome reaction by 4-Br-A23187 alters the glycoproteomic profile of boar spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2024; 223:108-114. [PMID: 38703550 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.04.006] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Protein glycosylation is a post-translational modification involved in wide range of biological processes. In mammalian spermatozoa this modification has been identified in numerous proteins, and membrane glycoproteins are involved in the fertilization process. The objective of the present study was to identify changes in protein glycosylation after acrosome reaction (AR) induction using the 4-Br-A23187 ionophore. Our results showed that treatment with 10 μM of 4-Br-A23187 for 20 min significantly increased the percentage of live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa compared to the control (69.8 ± 0.8 vs. 6.4 ± 0.5; mean % ± SEM, respectively). Also, we observed an increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32) and a decrease in serine/threonine phosphorylation of the protein kinase A substrates (phospho-PKA-substrates) after ionophore treatment. Furthermore, changes in glycosylated proteins following AR induction were analyzed using different HRP-conjugated lectins (GNA, DSA, and SNA), revealing changes in mannose and sialic acid residues. Proteomic analysis of isolated proteins using GNA lectin revealed that 50 proteins exhibited significantly different abundance (q-value < 0.01). Subsequent analysis using Uniprot database identified 39 downregulated and 11 upregulated proteins in the presence of 4-Br-A23187. Notably, six of these proteins were classified as transmembrane proteins, namely LRRC37A/B like protein 1 C-terminal domain-containing protein, Membrane metalloendopeptidase like 1, VWFA domain-containing protein, Syndecan, Membrane spanning 4-domains A14 and Serine protease 54. This study shows a novel protocol to induce acrosome reaction in boar spermatozoa and identifies new transmembrane proteins containing mannose residues. Further work is needed to elucidate the role of these proteins in sperm-oocyte fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Mercedes Izquierdo
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX), Badajoz, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas, Departamento de Ciência Agrárias e Veterinárias, Elvas, Portugal
| | | | - Beatriz Macías-García
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
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3
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Elofsson A, Han L, Bianchi E, Wright GJ, Jovine L. Deep learning insights into the architecture of the mammalian egg-sperm fusion synapse. eLife 2024; 13:RP93131. [PMID: 38666763 PMCID: PMC11052572 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93131] [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: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A crucial event in sexual reproduction is when haploid sperm and egg fuse to form a new diploid organism at fertilization. In mammals, direct interaction between egg JUNO and sperm IZUMO1 mediates gamete membrane adhesion, yet their role in fusion remains enigmatic. We used AlphaFold to predict the structure of other extracellular proteins essential for fertilization to determine if they could form a complex that may mediate fusion. We first identified TMEM81, whose gene is expressed by mouse and human spermatids, as a protein having structural homologies with both IZUMO1 and another sperm molecule essential for gamete fusion, SPACA6. Using a set of proteins known to be important for fertilization and TMEM81, we then systematically searched for predicted binary interactions using an unguided approach and identified a pentameric complex involving sperm IZUMO1, SPACA6, TMEM81 and egg JUNO, CD9. This complex is structurally consistent with both the expected topology on opposing gamete membranes and the location of predicted N-glycans not modeled by AlphaFold-Multimer, suggesting that its components could organize into a synapse-like assembly at the point of fusion. Finally, the structural modeling approach described here could be more generally useful to gain insights into transient protein complexes difficult to detect experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Elofsson
- Science for Life Laboratory and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm UniversitySolnaSweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of YorkYorkUnited Kingdom
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of YorkYorkUnited Kingdom
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
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4
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Higashi T, Hayashi H, Hanamatsu Y, Saigo C, Matsuhashi N, Takeuchi T. Expression of IZUMO2 in colorectal cancer in association with clinicopathological features. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155263. [PMID: 38484656 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155263] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
IZUMO2 belongs to the testis-expressed IZUMO family of proteins, which are characterized by an N-terminal IZUMO domain. Based on integrated analysis of expression profiles and matched DNA methylation data from a public database, IZUMO2 represents a prognosis-related methylation-driven gene in colorectal cancer. However, it remains unclear whether IZUMO2 protein expression is suppressed or overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the expression of the IZUMO2 protein in colorectal cancer, with a focus on the clinicopathological features. Sixty-four colorectal cancer tissue specimens were immunohistochemically stained using specific antibodies against IZUMO2. IZUMO2 immunoreactivity was detected at the invasion front in 30 of the 64 colorectal cancer samples. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with IZUMO2 immunoreactivity had a relatively shorter overall and progression-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.046 and 0.019, respectively). IZUMO2 immunoreactivity served as an independent factor predictive of poor progression-free survival in colorectal cancer (P = 0.025) as determined via the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Moreover, IZUMO2 immunoreactivity represented an independent factor for poor overall survival (P = 0.035) and progression-free survival (P = 0.013) in patients with colon cancer. The present findings suggest that IZUMO2 is expressed in many colorectal cancers, especially at the cancer invasion front, and may represent an indicator of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiya Higashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hirokatsu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuki Hanamatsu
- Department of Pathology and Translational Research, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan; Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research; COMIT, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Chiemi Saigo
- Department of Pathology and Translational Research, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan; Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research; COMIT, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan; The United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Matsuhashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Takeuchi
- Department of Pathology and Translational Research, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan; Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research; COMIT, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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5
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Nishio S, Emori C, Wiseman B, Fahrenkamp D, Dioguardi E, Zamora-Caballero S, Bokhove M, Han L, Stsiapanava A, Algarra B, Lu Y, Kodani M, Bainbridge RE, Komondor KM, Carlson AE, Landreh M, de Sanctis D, Yasumasu S, Ikawa M, Jovine L. ZP2 cleavage blocks polyspermy by modulating the architecture of the egg coat. Cell 2024; 187:1440-1459.e24. [PMID: 38490181 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.013] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Following the fertilization of an egg by a single sperm, the egg coat or zona pellucida (ZP) hardens and polyspermy is irreversibly blocked. These events are associated with the cleavage of the N-terminal region (NTR) of glycoprotein ZP2, a major subunit of ZP filaments. ZP2 processing is thought to inactivate sperm binding to the ZP, but its molecular consequences and connection with ZP hardening are unknown. Biochemical and structural studies show that cleavage of ZP2 triggers its oligomerization. Moreover, the structure of a native vertebrate egg coat filament, combined with AlphaFold predictions of human ZP polymers, reveals that two protofilaments consisting of type I (ZP3) and type II (ZP1/ZP2/ZP4) components interlock into a left-handed double helix from which the NTRs of type II subunits protrude. Together, these data suggest that oligomerization of cleaved ZP2 NTRs extensively cross-links ZP filaments, rigidifying the egg coat and making it physically impenetrable to sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Nishio
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Wiseman
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Dirk Fahrenkamp
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Elisa Dioguardi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Marcel Bokhove
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Alena Stsiapanava
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Blanca Algarra
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - 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
| | - Rachel E Bainbridge
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kayla M Komondor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anne E Carlson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Shigeki Yasumasu
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
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6
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Zhang M, Wang W, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Li Y, Fang F, Zhang Z, Zhang Y. Prothioconazole exposure disrupts oocyte maturation and fertilization by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in mice. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 213:274-284. [PMID: 38244729 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.027] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Prothioconazole (PTC), a novel broad-spectrum triazole fungicide, has attracted widespread concern due to its wide use and toxicological effects on non-target organisms. However, little is known about the impact of PTC on oocyte quality and female fertility, especially on oocyte maturation and fertilization. In the present study, we reported that PTC exposure affects the oocyte developmental competence and oocyte fertilization ability to weaken female fertility. Firstly, PTC compromises oocyte development ability by disrupting spindle morphology and chromosome alignment, as well as decreasing acetylation level of α-tubulin and disrupting kinetochore-microtubule attachments. In addition, PTC compromises oocyte fertilization ability by weakening the sperm binding ability and impairing the dynamics of Juno, Cortical granule and Ovastacin. Finally, single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed that PTC exposure has potentially toxic effects on oocyte development and fertilization, which is caused by the mitochondrial dysfunction and the occurrence of oxidative stress and apoptosis. In summary, our results indicated that PTC exposure had potentially toxic effects on female fertility and led to poor oocyte quality in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of WanBei Coal Group, Suzhou, 234000, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zhaoxian Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China.
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7
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Bianchi E, Jiménez-Movilla M, Cots-Rodríguez P, Viola C, Wright GJ. No evidence for a direct extracellular interaction between human Fc receptor-like 3 (MAIA) and the sperm ligand IZUMO1. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk6352. [PMID: 38381819 PMCID: PMC10881024 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Fertilization involves the recognition and fusion of sperm and egg to form a previously unidentified organism. In mammals, surface molecules on the sperm and egg have central roles, and while adhesion is mediated by the IZUMO1-JUNO sperm-egg ligand-receptor pair, the molecule/s responsible for membrane fusion remain mysterious. Recently, MAIA/FCRL3 was identified as a mammalian egg receptor, which bound IZUMO1 and JUNO and might therefore have a bridging role in gamete recognition and fusion. Here, we use sensitive assays designed to detect extracellular protein binding to investigate the interactions between MAIA and both IZUMO1 and JUNO. Despite using reagents with demonstrable biochemical activity, we did not identify any direct binding between MAIA/FCRL3 and either IZUMO1 or JUNO. We also observed no fusogenic activity of MAIA/FCRL3 in a cell-based membrane fusion assay. Our findings encourage caution in further investigations on the role played by MAIA/FCRL3 in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Maria Jiménez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Paula Cots-Rodríguez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Viola
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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8
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Brukman NG, Valansi C, Podbilewicz B. Sperm induction of somatic cell-cell fusion as a novel functional test. eLife 2024; 13:e94228. [PMID: 38265078 PMCID: PMC10883674 DOI: 10.7554/elife.94228] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The fusion of mammalian gametes requires the interaction between IZUMO1 on the sperm and JUNO on the oocyte. We have recently shown that ectopic expression of mouse IZUMO1 induces cell-cell fusion and that sperm can fuse to fibroblasts expressing JUNO. Here, we found that the incubation of mouse sperm with hamster fibroblasts or human epithelial cells in culture induces the fusion between these somatic cells and the formation of syncytia, a pattern previously observed with some animal viruses. This sperm-induced cell-cell fusion requires a species-matching JUNO on both fusing cells, can be blocked by an antibody against IZUMO1, and does not rely on the synthesis of new proteins. The fusion is dependent on the sperm's fusogenic capacity, making this a reliable, fast, and simple method for predicting sperm function during the diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas G Brukman
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Clari Valansi
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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9
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Ogawa Y, Lu Y, Kiyozumi D, Chang HY, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals seven testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins dispensable for male fertility in mice. Andrology 2023:10.1111/andr.13564. [PMID: 38084666 PMCID: PMC11166886 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian fertilization is mediated by multiple sperm acrosomal proteins, many of which are testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins expressed during spermiogenesis (e.g., Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1, Sperm acrosome associated 6, and Transmembrane protein 95). METHODS We hypothesized that proteins with these features might have a role in sperm-egg interaction and thus carried out an in-silico screen based on multiple public databases. We generated knockout mouse lines lacking seven candidate proteins by the CRISPR/Cas9 system and conducted detailed analyses on the fecundity of the knockout males, as well as their testis appearance and weight, testis and epididymis histology, and sperm motility and morphology. RESULTS Through the in-silico screen, we identified 4932438H23Rik, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 29, SAYSvFN domain-containing protein 1, Sel-1 suppressor of lin-12-like 2 (C. elegans), Testis-expressed protein 2, Transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain-containing 3, and Zinc and ring finger 4. Phenotypic analyses unveiled that the knockout males showed normal testis gross appearance, normal testis and epididymis histology, and normal sperm morphology and motility. Fertility tests further indicated that the knockout male mice could sire pups with normal litter sizes when paired with wild-type females. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These findings suggest that these seven proteins are individually dispensable for male reproduction and fertilization. Future studies are warranted to devise advanced in-silico screening approaches that permit effective identification of gamete fusion-required sperm proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Ogawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0805, Japan
| | - Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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10
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Pacak P, Kluger C, Vogel V. Molecular dynamics of JUNO-IZUMO1 complexation suggests biologically relevant mechanisms in fertilization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20342. [PMID: 37990051 PMCID: PMC10663542 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46835-0] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
JUNO-IZUMO1 binding is the first known physical link created between the sperm and egg membranes in fertilization, however, how this initiates sperm-egg fusion remains elusive. As advanced structural insights will help to combat the infertility crisis, or advance fertility control, we employed all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) to derive dynamic structural insights that are difficult to obtain experimentally. We found that the hydrated JUNO-IZUMO1 interface is composed of a large set of short-lived non-covalent interactions. The contact interface is destabilized by strategically located point mutations, as well as by Zn2+ ions, which shift IZUMO1 into the non-binding "boomerang" conformation. We hypothesize that the latter might explain how the transient zinc spark, as released after sperm entry into the oocyte, might contribute to block polyspermy. To address a second mystery, we performed another set of simulations, as it was previously suggested that JUNO in solution is unable to bind to folate despite it belonging to the folate receptor family. MD now suggests that JUNO complexation with IZUMO1 opens up the binding pocket thereby enabling folate insertion. Our MD simulations thus provide crucial new hypotheses how the dynamics of the JUNO-IZUMO1 complex upon solvation might regulate fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Pacak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carleen Kluger
- Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Physik and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Munich, Germany
- Evotec München GmbH, Neuried, Germany
| | - Viola Vogel
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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11
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Zhang Y, Sun L, Zhang D, Gao Y, Ma H, Xue Y, Zhang M. Butylparaben weakens female fertility via causing oocyte meiotic arrest and fertilization failure in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115561. [PMID: 37837697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Butylparaben is an ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor, that is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care product due to its anti-microbial properties. Butylparaben has been shown to cause developmental toxicity, endocrine and metabolic disorders and immune diseases. However, little is known about the impact on female fertility, especially oocyte quality. In the present study, we reported that butylparaben influenced female fertility by showing the disturbed oocyte meiotic capacity and fertilization potential. Specifically, butylparaben results in the oocyte maturation arrest by impairing spindle/chromosome structure and microtubule stability. Besides, butylparaben results in fertilization failure by impairing the dynamics of Juno and ovastacin and the sperm binding ability. Last, single-cell transcriptome analysis showed that butylparaben-induced oocyte deterioration was caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which led to the accumulation of ROS and occurrence of apoptosis. Collectively, our study indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and redox perturbation is the major cause of the weakened female fertility expoesd to butylparaben.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Lei Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of WanBei Coal Group, Suzhou 234000, China
| | - Yang Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230036, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
| | - Huijie Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yanfeng Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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12
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O’Callaghan E, Navarrete-Lopez P, Štiavnická M, Sánchez JM, Maroto M, Pericuesta E, Fernández-González R, O’Meara C, Eivers B, Kelleher MM, Evans RD, Mapel XM, Lloret-Villas A, Pausch H, Balastegui-Alarcón M, Avilés M, Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Roldan ERS, McDonald M, Kenny DA, Fair S, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Lonergan P. Adenylate kinase 9 is essential for sperm function and male fertility in mammals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305712120. [PMID: 37812723 PMCID: PMC10589668 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305712120] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite passing routine laboratory tests for semen quality, bulls used in artificial insemination exhibit significant variation in fertility. Routine analysis of fertility data identified a dairy bull with extreme subfertility (10% pregnancy rate). To characterize the subfertility phenotype, a range of in vitro, in vivo, and molecular assays were carried out. Sperm from the subfertile bull exhibited reduced motility and severely reduced caffeine-induced hyperactivation compared to controls. Ability to penetrate the zona pellucida, cleavage rate, cleavage kinetics, and blastocyst yield after IVF or AI were significantly lower than in control bulls. Whole-genome sequencing from semen and RNA sequencing of testis tissue revealed a critical mutation in adenylate kinase 9 (AK9) that impaired splicing, leading to a premature termination codon and a severely truncated protein. Mice deficient in AK9 were generated to further investigate the function of the gene; knockout males were phenotypically indistinguishable from their wild-type littermates but produced immotile sperm that were incapable of normal fertilization. These sperm exhibited numerous abnormalities, including a low ATP concentration and reduced motility. RNA-seq analysis of their testis revealed differential gene expression of components of the axoneme and sperm flagellum as well as steroid metabolic processes. Sperm ultrastructural analysis showed a high percentage of sperm with abnormal flagella. Combined bovine and murine data indicate the essential metabolic role of AK9 in sperm motility and/or hyperactivation, which in turn affects sperm binding and penetration of the zona pellucida. Thus, AK9 has been found to be directly implicated in impaired male fertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena O’Callaghan
- Animal and Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, DublinD04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Paula Navarrete-Lopez
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Miriama Štiavnická
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, LimerickV94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - José M. Sánchez
- Animal and Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, DublinD04 V1W8, Ireland
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Maria Maroto
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Raul Fernández-González
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Ciara O’Meara
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, County KildareW91 WF59, Ireland
| | - Bernard Eivers
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, County KildareW91 WF59, Ireland
| | - Margaret M. Kelleher
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Link Road, Ballincollig, County CorkP31 D452, Ireland
| | - Ross D. Evans
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Link Road, Ballincollig, County CorkP31 D452, Ireland
| | - Xena M. Mapel
- Animal Genomics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich8092, Switzerland
| | - Audald Lloret-Villas
- Animal Genomics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich8092, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Pausch
- Animal Genomics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich8092, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Balastegui-Alarcón
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Universidad de Murcia-Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Pascual Parrilla, Murcia30120, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Universidad de Murcia-Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Pascual Parrilla, Murcia30120, Spain
| | - Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid28006, Spain
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid28006, Spain
| | - Michael McDonald
- Animal and Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, DublinD04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County MeathC15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, LimerickV94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Nacional integrado en la Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- Animal and Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, DublinD04 V1W8, Ireland
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13
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Mei X, Maniates KA, Looper A, Krauchunas AR, Druzhinina M, Dharia S, Ni J, Singaravelu G, Gu SG, Shakes DC, Grant BD, Singson AW. SPE-51, a sperm-secreted protein with an immunoglobulin-like domain, is required for fertilization in C. elegans. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3048-3055.e6. [PMID: 37453427 PMCID: PMC10528068 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.029] [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: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization is a fundamental process in sexual reproduction during which gametes fuse to combine their genetic material and start the next generation in their life cycle. Fertilization involves species-specific recognition, adhesion, and fusion between the gametes.1,2 In mammals and other model species, some proteins are known to be required for gamete interactions and have been validated with loss-of-function fertility phenotypes.3,4 Yet, the molecular basis of sperm-egg interaction is not well understood. In a forward genetic screen for fertility mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans, we identified spe-51. Mutant worms make sperm that are unable to fertilize the oocyte but otherwise normal by all available measurements. The spe-51 gene encodes a secreted protein that includes an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain and a hydrophobic sequence of amino acids. The SPE-51 protein acts cell autonomously and localizes to the surface of the spermatozoa. We further show that the gene product of the mammalian sperm function gene Sof1 is likewise secreted. This is the first example of a secreted protein required for the interactions between the sperm and egg with genetic validation for a specific function in fertilization in C. elegans (also see spe-365). This is also the first experimental evidence that mammalian SOF1 is secreted. Our analyses of these genes begin to build a paradigm for sperm-secreted or reproductive-tract-secreted proteins that coat the sperm surface and influence their survival, motility, and/or the ability to fertilize the egg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Mei
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
| | - Katherine A Maniates
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - A'maya Looper
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Amber R Krauchunas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Marina Druzhinina
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Sunny Dharia
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Julie Ni
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Sam Guoping Gu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | - Barth D Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Andrew W Singson
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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14
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Krauchunas AR, Marcello MR, Looper A, Mei X, Putiri E, Singaravelu G, Ahmed II, Singson A. The EGF-motif-containing protein SPE-36 is a secreted sperm protein required for fertilization in C. elegans. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3056-3064.e5. [PMID: 37453426 PMCID: PMC10529607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.051] [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: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Identified through forward genetics, spe-9 was the first gene to be identified in C. elegans as necessary for fertilization.1 Since then, genetic screens in C. elegans have led to the identification of nine additional sperm genes necessary for fertilization (including spe-51 reported by Mei et al.2 and the spe-36 gene reported here).3,4,5,6,7,8,9 This includes spe-45, which encodes an immunoglobulin-containing protein similar to the mammalian protein IZUMO1, and spe-42 and spe-49, which are homologous to vertebrate DCST2 and DCST1, respectively.4,7,8,10,11,12,13 Mutations in any one of these genes result in healthy adult animals that are sterile. Sperm from these mutants have normal morphology, migrate to and maintain their position at the site of fertilization in the reproductive tract, and make contact with eggs but fail to fertilize the eggs. This same phenotype is observed in mammals lacking Izumo1, Spaca6, Tmem95, Sof1, FIMP, or Dcst1 and Dcst2.10,14,15,16,17,18,19 Here we report the discovery of SPE-36 as a sperm-derived secreted protein that is necessary for fertilization. Mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans spe-36 gene result in a sperm-specific fertilization defect. Sperm from spe-36 mutants look phenotypically normal, are motile, and can migrate to the site of fertilization. However, sperm that do not produce SPE-36 protein cannot fertilize. Surprisingly, spe-36 encodes a secreted EGF-motif-containing protein that functions cell autonomously. The genetic requirement for secreted sperm-derived proteins for fertilization sheds new light on the complex nature of fertilization and represents a paradigm-shifting discovery in the molecular understanding of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R Krauchunas
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | | | - A'Maya Looper
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Xue Mei
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Emily Putiri
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Iqra I Ahmed
- Department of Biology, Pace University, New York, NY 11231, USA
| | - Andrew Singson
- Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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15
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Azimi FC, Dean TT, Minari K, Basso LGM, Vance TDR, Serrão VHB. A Frame-by-Frame Glance at Membrane Fusion Mechanisms: From Viral Infections to Fertilization. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1130. [PMID: 37509166 PMCID: PMC10377500 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral entry and fertilization are distinct biological processes that share a common mechanism: membrane fusion. In viral entry, enveloped viruses attach to the host cell membrane, triggering a series of conformational changes in the viral fusion proteins. This results in the exposure of a hydrophobic fusion peptide, which inserts into the host membrane and brings the viral and host membranes into close proximity. Subsequent structural rearrangements in opposing membranes lead to their fusion. Similarly, membrane fusion occurs when gametes merge during the fertilization process, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. Structural biology has played a pivotal role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane fusion. High-resolution structures of the viral and fertilization fusion-related proteins have provided valuable insights into the conformational changes that occur during this process. Understanding these mechanisms at a molecular level is essential for the development of antiviral therapeutics and tools to influence fertility. In this review, we will highlight the biological importance of membrane fusion and how protein structures have helped visualize both common elements and subtle divergences in the mechanisms behind fusion; in addition, we will examine the new tools that recent advances in structural biology provide researchers interested in a frame-by-frame understanding of membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad C. Azimi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
| | - Trevor T. Dean
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Karine Minari
- Biomolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA;
| | - Luis G. M. Basso
- Laboratório de Ciências Físicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil;
| | - Tyler D. R. Vance
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
| | - Vitor Hugo B. Serrão
- Biomolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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16
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Gert KRB, Panser K, Surm J, Steinmetz BS, Schleiffer A, Jovine L, Moran Y, Kondrashov F, Pauli A. Divergent molecular signatures in fish Bouncer proteins define cross-fertilization boundaries. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3506. [PMID: 37316475 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular compatibility between gametes is a prerequisite for successful fertilization. As long as a sperm and egg can recognize and bind each other via their surface proteins, gamete fusion may occur even between members of separate species, resulting in hybrids that can impact speciation. The egg membrane protein Bouncer confers species specificity to gamete interactions between medaka and zebrafish, preventing their cross-fertilization. Here, we leverage this specificity to uncover distinct amino acid residues and N-glycosylation patterns that differentially influence the function of medaka and zebrafish Bouncer and contribute to cross-species incompatibility. Curiously, in contrast to the specificity observed for medaka and zebrafish Bouncer, seahorse and fugu Bouncer are compatible with both zebrafish and medaka sperm, in line with the pervasive purifying selection that dominates Bouncer's evolution. The Bouncer-sperm interaction is therefore the product of seemingly opposing evolutionary forces that, for some species, restrict fertilization to closely related fish, and for others, allow broad gamete compatibility that enables hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista R B Gert
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Panser
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joachim Surm
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin S Steinmetz
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Schleiffer
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Fyodor Kondrashov
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
- Evolutionary and Synthetic Biology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
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17
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He X, Mu W, Wang Z, Xu K, Yin Y, Lu G, Chan WY, Liu H, Lv Y, Liu S. Deficiency of the Tmem232 Gene Causes Male Infertility with Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagellum in Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1614. [PMID: 37371084 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121614] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The axoneme and accessory structures of flagella are critical for sperm motility and male fertilization. Sperm production needs precise and highly ordered gene expression to initiate and sustain the many cellular processes that result in mature spermatozoa. Here, we identified a testis enriched gene transmembrane protein 232 (Tmem232), which is essential for the structural integrity of the spermatozoa flagella axoneme. Tmem232 knockout mice were generated for in vivo analyses of its functions in spermatogenesis. Phenotypic analysis showed that deletion of Tmem232 in mice causes male-specific infertility. Transmission electron microscopy together with scanning electron microscopy were applied to analyze the spermatozoa flagella and it was observed that the lack of TMEM232 caused failure of the cytoplasm removal and the absence of the 7th outer microtubule doublet with its corresponding outer dense fiber (ODF). Co-IP assays further identified that TMEM232 interacts with ODF family protein ODF1, which is essential to maintain sperm motility. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TMEM232 is a critical protein for male fertility and sperm motility by regulating sperm cytoplasm removal and maintaining axoneme integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuqing He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wenyu Mu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gang Lu
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- 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
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, 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
| | - 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 250117, China
| | - Shangming Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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18
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Chen L, Song J, Zhang J, Luo Z, Chen X, Zhou C, Shen X. Spermatogenic cell-specific SPACA4 is essential for efficient sperm-zona pellucida binding in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1204017. [PMID: 37377732 PMCID: PMC10291262 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1204017] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a complex and highly regulated process that involves a series of molecular interactions between sperm and oocytes. However, the mechanisms of proteins involved in human fertilization, such as that of testis-specific SPACA4, remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrated that SPACA4 is a spermatogenic cell-specific protein. SPACA4 is expressed during spermatogenesis, upregulated in early-stage spermatids, and downregulated in elongating spermatids. SPACA4 is an intracellular protein that locates in the acrosome and is lost during the acrosome reaction. Incubation with antibodies against SPACA4 inhibited the binding of spermatozoa to zona pellucida. SPACA4 protein expression levels across different semen parameters were similar but varied significantly among patients. A prospective clinical study found no association between SPACA4 protein levels and fertilization or cleavage rates. Thus, the study suggests a novel function for SPACA4 in human fertilization in a non-dose-dependent manner. However, a larger clinical trial is required to evaluate the potential use of sperm SPACA4 protein levels to predict fertilization potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junli Song
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinglei Zhang
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zicong Luo
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuren Chen
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Shen
- Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Pausch H, Mapel XM. Review: Genetic mutations affecting bull fertility. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100742. [PMID: 37567657 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cattle are a well-suited "model organism" to study the genetic underpinnings of variation in male reproductive performance. The adoption of artificial insemination and genomic prediction in many cattle breeds provide access to microarray-derived genotypes and repeated measurements for semen quality and insemination success in several thousand bulls. Similar-sized mapping cohorts with phenotypes for male fertility are not available for most other species precluding powerful association testing. The repeated measurements of the artificial insemination bulls' semen quality enable the differentiation between transient and biologically relevant trait fluctuations, and thus, are an ideal source of phenotypes for variance components estimation and genome-wide association testing. Genome-wide case-control association testing involving bulls with either aberrant sperm quality or low insemination success revealed several causal recessive loss-of-function alleles underpinning monogenic reproductive disorders. These variants are routinely monitored with customised genotyping arrays in the male selection candidates to avoid the use of subfertile or infertile bulls for artificial insemination and natural service. Genome-wide association studies with quantitative measurements of semen quality and insemination success revealed quantitative trait loci for male fertility, but the underlying causal variants remain largely unknown. Moreover, these loci explain only a small part of the heritability of male fertility. Integrating genome-wide association studies with gene expression and other omics data from male reproductive tissues is required for the fine-mapping of candidate causal variants underlying variation in male reproductive performance in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Pausch
- Animal Genomics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Xena Marie Mapel
- Animal Genomics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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20
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Lu Y, Nagamori I, Kobayashi H, Kojima-Kita K, Shirane K, Chang HY, Nishimura T, Koyano T, Yu Z, Castañeda JM, Matsuyama M, Kuramochi-Miyagawa S, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. ADAD2 functions in spermiogenesis and piRNA biogenesis in mice. Andrology 2023; 11:698-709. [PMID: 36698249 PMCID: PMC10073342 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13400] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adenosine deaminase domain containing 2 (ADAD2) is a testis-specific protein composed of a double-stranded RNA binding domain and a non-catalytic adenosine deaminase domain. A recent study showed that ADAD2 is indispensable for the male reproduction in mice. However, the detailed functions of ADAD2 remain elusive. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the cause of male sterility in Adad2 mutant mice and to understand the molecular functions of ADAD2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adad2 homozygous mutant mouse lines, Adad2-/- and Adad2Δ/Δ , were generated by CRISPR/Cas9. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to reveal the expression and subcellular localization of ADAD2. Co-immunoprecipitation tandem mass spectrometry was employed to determine the ADAD2-interacting proteins in mouse testes. RNA-sequencing analyses were carried out to analyze the transcriptome and PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) populations in wildtype and Adad2 mutant testes. RESULTS Adad2-/- and Adad2Δ/Δ mice exhibit male-specific sterility because of abnormal spermiogenesis. ADAD2 interacts with multiple RNA-binding proteins involved in piRNA biogenesis, including MILI, MIWI, RNF17, and YTHDC2. ADAD2 co-localizes and forms novel granules with RNF17 in spermatocytes. Ablation of ADAD2 impairs the formation of RNF17 granules, decreases the number of cluster-derived pachytene piRNAs, and increases expression of ping-pong-derived piRNAs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION In collaboration with RNF17 and other RNA-binding proteins in spermatocytes, ADAD2 directly or indirectly functions in piRNA biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ippei Nagamori
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hisato Kobayashi
- Department of Embryology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-0813, Japan
| | - Kanako Kojima-Kita
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toru Nishimura
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takayuki Koyano
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, Okayama 701-0202, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Julio M. Castañeda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsuyama
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Shigei Medical Research Institute, Okayama 701-0202, Japan
| | - Satomi Kuramochi-Miyagawa
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Martin M. Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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21
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Sahoo B, Mishra B, Bhaskar R, Vikas YNV, Umesh A, Guttula PK, Gupta MK. Analyzing the effect of heparin on in vitro capacitation and spermatozoal RNA population in goats. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124502. [PMID: 37080410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124502] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan polymer that is commonly used as an anticoagulant. Heparin also induces in vitro capacitation in spermatozoa, although its molecular mechanism is elusive. This study investigated the effect of heparin on in vitro capacitation and spermatozoal RNA (spRNA) population in goats. Goat spermatozoa were treated with 20 μM heparin for 0-6 h and evaluated for motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and spRNA population by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). It was observed that heparin enhanced sperm motility up to 6 h of incubation (p < 0.05). Heparin also induced capacitation and acrosome reaction within 4 h. RNA-seq identified 1254 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between heparin-treated and control spermatozoa. Most DEGs (1251 nos.) were upregulated and included 1090 protein-coding genes. A few genes (PRND, ITPR1, LLCFC1, and CHRM2) showed >5-fold increased expression in heparin-treated spermatozoa compared to the control. The upregulated genes were found to be involved in cAMP-PKA, PI3-Akt, calcium, MAPK signaling, and oxidative stress pathways. DCFDA staining confirmed the increased oxidative stress in heparin-treated spermatozoa compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that heparin enhances sperm motility and induces capacitation by upregulation of the spRNA population and oxidative stress pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijayalaxmi Sahoo
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Balaram Mishra
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Y N V Vikas
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Anushri Umesh
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Guttula
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Gene Manipulation Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769 008, India.
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22
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Aisha J, Yenugu S. Characterization of SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2: Effect of immunization on fecundity, sperm function and testicular transcriptome. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100711. [PMID: 36462395 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100711] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Testicular factors play a vital role in spermatogenesis. We characterized the functional role of rat Spink2, Spaca7 and Pdcl2 genes. Their primary, secondary and tertiary structure were deduced in silico. The genes of rat Spink2, Spaca7 and Pdcl2 mRNA were predominantly expressed in the testis. SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2 protein expression was evident in all the cell types of testis and on spermatozoa. Ablation of each of these proteins by active immunization resulted in reduced fecundity and sperm count. Damage to the anatomical architecture of testis and epididymis was evident. In SPINK2 immunized rats, 283 genes were differentially regulated while it was 434 and 872 genes for SPACA7 and PDCL2 respectively. Genes that were differentially regulated in the testis of SPINK2 immunized rats primarily belonged to extracellular exosome formation, extracellular space and response to drugs. SPACA7 ablation affected genes related to extracellular space, oxidation-reduction processes, endoplasmic reticulum membrane and response to drugs. Differential gene expression was observed for nuclear function, protein binding and positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter in testis of PDCL2 immunized rats. Results of our study demonstrate the role of SPINK2, SPACA7 and PDCL2 in spermatogenesis and in important molecular processes that may dictate testicular function and other physiological responses as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Aisha
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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23
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1700029I15Rik orchestrates the biosynthesis of acrosomal membrane proteins required for sperm-egg interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2207263120. [PMID: 36787362 PMCID: PMC9974436 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207263120] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm acrosomal membrane proteins, such as Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1 (IZUMO1) and sperm acrosome-associated 6 (SPACA6), play essential roles in mammalian gamete binding or fusion. How their biosynthesis is regulated during spermiogenesis has largely remained elusive. Here, we show that 1700029I15Rik knockout male mice are severely subfertile and their spermatozoa do not fuse with eggs. 1700029I15Rik is a type-II transmembrane protein expressed in early round spermatids but not in mature spermatozoa. It interacts with proteins involved in N-linked glycosylation, disulfide isomerization, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi trafficking, suggesting a potential role in nascent protein processing. The ablation of 1700029I15Rik destabilizes non-catalytic subunits of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex that are pivotal for N-glycosylation. The knockout testes exhibit normal expression of sperm plasma membrane proteins, but decreased abundance of multiple acrosomal membrane proteins involved in fertilization. The knockout sperm show upregulated chaperones related to ER-associated degradation (ERAD) and elevated protein ubiquitination; strikingly, SPACA6 becomes undetectable. Our results support for a specific, 1700029I15Rik-mediated pathway underpinning the biosynthesis of acrosomal membrane proteins during spermiogenesis.
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24
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Lu Y, Shimada K, Tang S, Zhang J, Ogawa Y, Noda T, Shibuya H, Ikawa M. 1700029I15Rik orchestrates the biosynthesis of acrosomal membrane proteins required for sperm-egg interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023. [PMID: 36787362 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.15.488448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm acrosomal membrane proteins, such as Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1 (IZUMO1) and sperm acrosome-associated 6 (SPACA6), play essential roles in mammalian gamete binding or fusion. How their biosynthesis is regulated during spermiogenesis has largely remained elusive. Here, we show that 1700029I15Rik knockout male mice are severely subfertile and their spermatozoa do not fuse with eggs. 1700029I15Rik is a type-II transmembrane protein expressed in early round spermatids but not in mature spermatozoa. It interacts with proteins involved in N-linked glycosylation, disulfide isomerization, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi trafficking, suggesting a potential role in nascent protein processing. The ablation of 1700029I15Rik destabilizes non-catalytic subunits of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex that are pivotal for N-glycosylation. The knockout testes exhibit normal expression of sperm plasma membrane proteins, but decreased abundance of multiple acrosomal membrane proteins involved in fertilization. The knockout sperm show upregulated chaperones related to ER-associated degradation (ERAD) and elevated protein ubiquitination; strikingly, SPACA6 becomes undetectable. Our results support for a specific, 1700029I15Rik-mediated pathway underpinning the biosynthesis of acrosomal membrane proteins during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shaogeng Tang
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg SE-41390, Sweden
| | - Yo Ogawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shibuya
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg SE-41390, Sweden
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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25
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Garretson A, Dumont BL, Handel MA. Reproductive genomics of the mouse: implications for human fertility and infertility. Development 2023; 150:dev201313. [PMID: 36779988 PMCID: PMC10836652 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201313] [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: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of mammalian gametogenesis and fertility have the potential to inform about two important and interrelated clinical areas: infertility and contraception. Here, we address the genetics and genomics underlying gamete formation, productivity and function in the context of reproductive success in mammalian systems, primarily mouse and human. Although much is known about the specific genes and proteins required for meiotic processes and sperm function, we know relatively little about other gametic determinants of overall fertility, such as regulation of gamete numbers, duration of gamete production, and gamete selection and function in fertilization. As fertility is not a binary trait, attention is now appropriately focused on the oligogenic, quantitative aspects of reproduction. Multiparent mouse populations, created by complex crossing strategies, exhibit genetic diversity similar to human populations and will be valuable resources for genetic discovery, helping to overcome current limitations to our knowledge of mammalian reproductive genetics. Finally, we discuss how what we know about the genomics of reproduction can ultimately be brought to the clinic, informing our concepts of human fertility and infertility, and improving assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Garretson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Beth L. Dumont
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Mary Ann Handel
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Tufts University, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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26
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Wang X, Liu Q, Li J, Zhou L, Wang T, Zhao N. Dynamic cellular and molecular characteristics of spermatogenesis in the viviparous marine teleost Sebastes schlegelii†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:338-352. [PMID: 36401879 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac203] [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: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a dynamic cell developmental process that is essential for reproductive success. Vertebrates utilize a variety of reproductive strategies, including sperm diversity, and internal and external fertilization. Research on the cellular and molecular dynamic changes involved in viviparous teleost spermatogenesis, however, is currently lacking. Here, we combined cytohistology, 10 × genomic single-cell RNA-seq, and transcriptome technology to determine the dynamic development characteristics of the spermatogenesis of Sebastes schlegelii. The expressions of lhcgr (Luteinizing hormone/Choriogonadotropin receptor), fshr (follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), ar (androgen receptor), pgr (progesterone receptor), and cox (cyclo-oxygen-ase), as well as the prostaglandin E and F levels peaked during the maturation period, indicating that they were important for sperm maturation and mating. Fifteen clusters were identified based on the 10 × genomic single-cell results. The cell markers of the sub-cluster were identified by their upregulation; piwil, dazl, and dmrt1 were upregulated and identified as spermatogonium markers, and sycp1/3 and spo11 were identified as spermatocyte markers. For S. schlegelii, the sperm head nucleus was elongated (spherical to streamlined in shape), which is a typical characteristic for sperm involved in internal fertilization. We also identified a series of crucial genes associated with spermiogenesis, such as spata6, spag16, kif20a, trip10, and klf10, while kif2c, kifap3, fez2, and spaca6 were found to be involved in nucleus elongation. The results of this study will enrich our cellular and molecular knowledge of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in fish that undergo internal fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Li Zhou
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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27
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Bianchi E, Wright GJ. Mammalian fertilization: Does sperm IZUMO1 mediate fusion as well as adhesion? J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202301035. [PMID: 36656648 PMCID: PMC9856796 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202301035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of sperm-egg fusion is a long-standing mystery in reproduction. Brukman and colleagues (2022. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202207147) now provide evidence that the sperm surface protein IZUMO1, which is essential for mammalian fertilization, can induce membrane fusion in cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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28
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Morohoshi A, Miyata H, Tokuhiro K, Iida-Norita R, Noda T, Fujihara Y, Ikawa M. Testis-enriched ferlin, FER1L5, is required for Ca 2+-activated acrosome reaction and male fertility. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade7607. [PMID: 36696506 PMCID: PMC9876558 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Spermatozoa need to undergo an exocytotic event called the acrosome reaction before fusing with eggs. Although calcium ion (Ca2+) is essential for the acrosome reaction, its molecular mechanism remains unknown. Ferlin is a single transmembrane protein with multiple Ca2+-binding C2 domains, and there are six ferlins, dysferlin (DYSF), otoferlin (OTOF), myoferlin (MYOF), fer-1-like 4 (FER1L4), FER1L5, and FER1L6, in mammals. Dysf, Otof, and Myof knockout mice have been generated, and each knockout mouse line exhibited membrane fusion disorders such as muscular dystrophy in Dysf, deafness in Otof, and abnormal myogenesis in Myof. Here, by generating mutant mice of Fer1l4, Fer1l5, and Fer1l6, we found that only Fer1l5 is required for male fertility. Fer1l5 mutant spermatozoa could migrate in the female reproductive tract and reach eggs, but no acrosome reaction took place. Even a Ca2+ ionophore cannot induce the acrosome reaction in Fer1l5 mutant spermatozoa. These results suggest that FER1L5 is the missing link between Ca2+ and the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akane Morohoshi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
| | - Keizo Tokuhiro
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 5731191 Japan
| | - Rie Iida-Norita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 8600811 Japan
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto 8608555 Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 5648565, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639 Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871 Japan
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29
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A comprehensive investigation of human endogenous retroviral syncytin proteins and their receptors in men with normozoospermia and impaired semen quality. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:97-111. [PMID: 36469256 PMCID: PMC9734899 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aims to investigate first the presence of Syncytin 2 and its receptor, MFSD2, in human sperm, and second whether the expressions of Syncytin 1, Syncytin 2, and their receptors, SLC1A5 and MFSD2, differ between normozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligozoospermic, and oligoasthenozoospermic human sperm samples. METHODS The localization patterns and expression levels of syncytins and their receptors were evaluated in normozoospermic (concentration = 88.9 ± 5.5 × 106, motility = 79.2 ± 3.15%, n = 30), asthenozoospermic (concentration = 51.7 ± 7.18 × 106, motility = 24.0 ± 3.12%, n = 15), mild oligozoospermic (concentration = 13.5 ± 2.17 × 106, motility = 72.1 ± 6.5%, n = 15), moderate oligozoospermic (concentration = 8.4 ± 3.21 × 106, motility = 65.1 ± 8.9%, n = 15), severe oligozoospermic (concentration = 2.1 ± 1.01 × 106, motility = 67.5 ± 3.2%, n = 15), and oligoasthenozoospermic (concentration = 5.5 ± 3.21 × 106, motility = 18.5 ± 1.2%, n = 15) samples by immunofluorescence staining and western blot. RESULTS Syncytins and their receptors visualized by immunofluorescence showed similar staining patterns with slight staining of the tail in all spermatozoa regardless of normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or oligoasthenozoospermia. The localization patterns were categorized as equatorial segment, midpiece region, acrosome, and post-acrosomal areas. The combined staining patterns were also detected as acrosomal cap plus post acrosomal region, the midpiece plus equatorial segment, and midpiece plus acrosomal region. However, some sperm cells were categorized as non-stained. Both syncytin proteins were most intensely localized in the midpiece region, while their receptors were predominantly present in the midpiece plus acrosomal region. Conspicuously, syncytins and their receptors showed decreased expression in asthenozospermic, oligozoospermic, and oligoasthenozoospermic samples compared to normozoospermic samples. CONCLUSION The expression patterns of HERV-derived syncytins and their receptors were identical regardless of the spermatozoa in men with normozoospermia versus impaired semen quality. Further, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia as male fertility issues are associated with decreased expression of both syncytins and their receptors.
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Yunaini L, Ari Pujianto D. Various gene modification techniques to discover molecular targets for nonhormonal male contraceptives: A review. Int J Reprod Biomed 2023; 21:17-32. [PMID: 36875503 PMCID: PMC9982321 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v21i1.12662] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification and characterization of relevant targets are necessary for developing nonhormonal male contraceptives. The molecules must demonstrate that they are necessary for reproduction. As a result, a sophisticated technique is required to identify the molecular targets for nonhormonal male contraceptives. Genetic modification (GM) techniques are one method that can be applied. This technique has been widely used to study gene function that effected male fertility and has resulted in the discovery of numerous nonhormonal male contraceptive target molecules. We examined GM techniques and approaches used to investigate genes involved in male fertility as potential targets for nonhormonal contraceptives. The discovery of nonhormonal contraceptive candidate molecules was increased by using GM techniques, especially the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 method. The discovery of candidate nonhormonal contraceptive molecules can be a wide-open research for the development of nonhormonal male contraceptives. Therefore, we are believing that one day nonhormonal male contraceptives will be released.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luluk Yunaini
- Doctoral Program of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia.,Department of Medicine Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Ari Pujianto
- Department of Medicine Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
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Chen R, Ma T, Du S, Luo J, Zhang H, Xu X, Cao Z, Yuan Z, Sun H, Liu M, Xiong B, Shi Q, Liu JY. Impaired fertility in 4930590J08Rik mutant male mice is associated with defective sperm energy metabolism. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22634. [PMID: 36331537 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200805rr] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Testis-specifically expressed genes are important for male reproduction according to their unique expression patterns. However, the functions of most of these genes in reproduction are unclear. Here, we showed that mouse 4930590J08Rik was a testis-specifically expressed gene. 4930590J08Rik knockout mice exhibited a delay in the first wave of spermatogenesis and a reduction of cauda epididymal sperm. Furthermore, knockout spermatozoa exhibited defective acrosome reactions and decreased progressive motility, which led to impaired in vivo fertilization. Transcriptome analysis of testes revealed that most of the differentially expressed genes in knockout testes were associated with metabolic processes. 4930590J08Rik knockout sperm exhibited oxidative phosphorylation deficiency and were highly dependent on increased anaerobic glycolysis to compensate for ATP demands. Taken together, the 4930590J08Rik-disrupted mouse partially mimics the phenotypes of human asthenospermia and oligozoospermia, which provides a new model for further understanding the pathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Tingbin Ma
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyue Du
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xuan Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Zhangqi Yuan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Sun
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Mugen Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Yu Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Brukman NG, Nakajima KP, Valansi C, Flyak K, Li X, Higashiyama T, Podbilewicz B. A novel function for the sperm adhesion protein IZUMO1 in cell-cell fusion. J Cell Biol 2022; 222:213693. [PMID: 36394541 PMCID: PMC9671554 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202207147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm-egg adhesion depends on the trans-interaction between the sperm-specific type I glycoprotein IZUMO1 and its oocyte-specific GPI-anchored receptor JUNO. However, the mechanisms and proteins (fusogens) that mediate the following step of gamete fusion remain unknown. Using live imaging and content mixing assays in a heterologous system and structure-guided mutagenesis, we unveil an unexpected function for IZUMO1 in cell-to-cell fusion. We show that IZUMO1 alone is sufficient to induce fusion, and that this ability is retained in a mutant unable to bind JUNO. On the other hand, a triple mutation in exposed aromatic residues prevents this fusogenic activity without impairing JUNO interaction. Our findings suggest a second function for IZUMO1 as a unilateral mouse gamete fusogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas G. Brukman
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kohdai P. Nakajima
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Clari Valansi
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kateryna Flyak
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan,Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Lu Y, Ikawa M. Eukaryotic fertilization and gamete fusion at a glance. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs260296. [PMID: 36416181 PMCID: PMC10658792 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260296] [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: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In sexually reproducing organisms, the genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next via the merger of male and female gametes. Gamete fusion is a two-step process involving membrane recognition and apposition through ligand-receptor interactions and lipid mixing mediated by fusion proteins. HAP2 (also known as GCS1) is a bona fide gamete fusogen in flowering plants and protists. In vertebrates, a multitude of surface proteins have been demonstrated to be pivotal for sperm-egg fusion, yet none of them exhibit typical fusogenic features. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we summarize recent advances in the mechanistic understanding of gamete fusion in eukaryotes, with a particular focus on mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Fertilization, but Not Post-Implantation Development, Can Occur in the Absence of Sperm and Oocyte Beta1 Integrin in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213812. [PMID: 36430291 PMCID: PMC9694253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a complex process that requires successive stages and culminates in the adhesion/fusion of gamete membranes. If the question of the involvement of oocyte integrins has been swept away by deletion experiments, that of the involvement of sperm integrins remains to be further characterized. In the present study, we addressed the question of the feasibility of sperm-oocyte adhesion/fusion and early implantation in the absence of sperm β1 integrin. Males and females with β1 integrin-depleted sperm and oocytes were mated, and fertilization outcome was monitored by a gestational ultrasound analysis. Results suggest that although the sperm β1 integrin participates in gamete adhesion/fusion, it is dispensable for fertilization in mice. However, sperm- and/or oocyte-originated integrin β1 is essential for post-implantation development. Redundancy phenomena could be at the origin of a compensatory expression or alternative dimerization pattern.
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DMP8 and 9 regulate HAP2/GCS1 trafficking for the timely acquisition of sperm fusion competence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207608119. [PMID: 36322734 PMCID: PMC9659367 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207608119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes of opposite sex. Although the sperm-expressed fusogen HAPLESS 2 (HAP2) or GENERATIVE CELL SPECIFIC 1 (GCS1) plays a vital role in this process in many eukaryotic organisms and an understanding of its regulation is emerging in unicellular systems [J. Zhang et al., Nat. Commun. 12, 4380 (2021); J. F. Pinello et al. Dev. Cell 56, 3380-3392.e9 (2021)], neither HAP2/GCS1 interactors nor mechanisms for delivery and activation at the fusion site are known in multicellular plants. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana HAP2/GCS1 interacts with two sperm DUF679 membrane proteins (DMP8 and DMP9), which are required for the EGG CELL 1 (EC1)-induced translocation of HAP2/GCS1 from internal storage vesicle to the sperm plasma membrane to ensure successful fertilization. Our studies in Arabidopsis and tobacco provide evidence for a conserved function of DMP8/9-like proteins as HAP2/GCS1 partner in seed plants. Our data suggest that seed plants evolved a DMP8/9-dependent fusogen translocation process to achieve timely acquisition of sperm fusion competence in response to egg cell-derived signals, revealing a previously unknown critical step for successful fertilization.
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Abstract
Membrane fusion of sperm and eggs is pivotal in sexual reproduction. Tmem95 knockout mice produce sperm that can bind to, but do not fuse with, eggs. How TMEM95 facilitates membrane fusion was unknown. We show here that human TMEM95 binds eggs. Our crystal structure of TMEM95 suggests a region where this binding may occur. We develop monoclonal antibodies against TMEM95 that impair sperm-egg fusion but do not block sperm-egg binding. Thus, we propose that there is a receptor-mediated interaction of sperm TMEM95 with eggs, and that this interaction may have a direct role in membrane fusion. Our work suggests avenues for the identification of the TMEM95 egg receptor and the development of infertility treatments and contraceptives for humans. Tmem95 encodes a sperm acrosomal membrane protein, whose knockout has a male-specific sterility phenotype in mice. Tmem95 knockout murine sperm can bind to, but do not fuse with, eggs. How TMEM95 plays a role in membrane fusion of sperm and eggs has remained elusive. Here, we utilize a sperm penetration assay as a model system to investigate the function of human TMEM95. We show that human TMEM95 binds to hamster egg membranes, providing evidence for a TMEM95 receptor on eggs. Using X-ray crystallography, we reveal an evolutionarily conserved, positively charged region of TMEM95 as a putative receptor-binding surface. Amino acid substitutions within this region of TMEM95 ablate egg-binding activity. We identify monoclonal antibodies against TMEM95 that reduce the number of human sperm fused with hamster eggs in sperm penetration assays. Strikingly, these antibodies do not block binding of sperm to eggs. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence for a specific, receptor-mediated interaction of sperm TMEM95 with eggs and suggest that this interaction may have a role in facilitating membrane fusion during fertilization.
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Vance TDR, Yip P, Jiménez E, Li S, Gawol D, Byrnes J, Usón I, Ziyyat A, Lee JE. SPACA6 ectodomain structure reveals a conserved superfamily of gamete fusion-associated proteins. Commun Biol 2022; 5:984. [PMID: 36115925 PMCID: PMC9482655 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03883-y] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
SPACA6 is a sperm-expressed surface protein that is critical for gamete fusion during mammalian sexual reproduction. Despite this fundamental role, little is known about how SPACA6 specifically functions. We elucidated the crystal structure of the SPACA6 ectodomain at 2.2-Å resolution, revealing a two-domain protein containing a four-helix bundle and Ig-like β-sandwich connected via a quasi-flexible linker. This structure is reminiscent of IZUMO1, another gamete fusion-associated protein, making SPACA6 and IZUMO1 founding members of a superfamily of fertilization-associated proteins, herein dubbed the IST superfamily. The IST superfamily is defined structurally by its distorted four-helix bundle and a pair of disulfide-bonded CXXC motifs. A structure-based search of the AlphaFold human proteome identified more protein members to this superfamily; remarkably, many of these proteins are linked to gamete fusion. The SPACA6 structure and its connection to other IST-superfamily members provide a missing link in our knowledge of mammalian gamete fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D R Vance
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Yip
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elisabet Jiménez
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Diana Gawol
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Byrnes
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, USA
| | - Isabel Usón
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ahmed Ziyyat
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
- Service d'Histologie, d'Embryologie, Biologie de la Reproduction, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey E Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Vondrakova J, Frolikova M, Ded L, Cerny J, Postlerova P, Palenikova V, Simonik O, Nahacka Z, Basus K, Valaskova E, Machan R, Pacey A, Holubcova Z, Koubek P, Ezrova Z, Park S, Liu R, Partha R, Clark N, Neuzil J, Ikawa M, Erickson K, Lam KS, Moore H, Komrskova K. MAIA, Fc receptor-like 3, supersedes JUNO as IZUMO1 receptor during human fertilization. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0047. [PMID: 36070373 PMCID: PMC9451160 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Gamete fusion is a critical event of mammalian fertilization. A random one-bead one-compound combinatorial peptide library represented synthetic human egg mimics and identified a previously unidentified ligand as Fc receptor-like 3, named MAIA after the mythological goddess intertwined with JUNO. This immunoglobulin super family receptor was expressed on human oolemma and played a major role during sperm-egg adhesion and fusion. MAIA forms a highly stable interaction with the known IZUMO1/JUNO sperm-egg complex, permitting specific gamete fusion. The complexity of the MAIA isotype may offer a cryptic sexual selection mechanism to avoid genetic incompatibility and achieve favorable fitness outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Vondrakova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Frolikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Ded
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Laboratory of Structural Bioinformatics of Proteins, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Postlerova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Palenikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Simonik
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Nahacka
- Laboratory of Molecular Therapy, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Krystof Basus
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Valaskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Machan
- Imaging Methods Core Facility at BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Allan Pacey
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Medical School, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Zuzana Holubcova
- Reprofit International, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Koubek
- ProCrea Swiss IVF Center, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Ezrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Therapy, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Soojin Park
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ruiwu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Raghavendran Partha
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nathan Clark
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jiri Neuzil
- Laboratory of Molecular Therapy, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Parklands Avenue, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kent Erickson
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kit S. Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Harry Moore
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Katerina Komrskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
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Bianchi E, Jimenez-Movilla M, Krauchunas AR. Editorial: Fertilization in the spotlight: Dynamics and mechanisms of sperm-egg interaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:993865. [PMID: 36158186 PMCID: PMC9493349 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.993865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Enrica Bianchi, ; Maria Jimenez-Movilla, ; Amber R. Krauchunas,
| | - Maria Jimenez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Enrica Bianchi, ; Maria Jimenez-Movilla, ; Amber R. Krauchunas,
| | - Amber R. Krauchunas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- *Correspondence: Enrica Bianchi, ; Maria Jimenez-Movilla, ; Amber R. Krauchunas,
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Hao H, Shi B, Zhang J, Dai A, Li W, Chen H, Ji W, Gong C, Zhang C, Li J, Chen L, Yao B, Hu P, Yang H, Brosius J, Lai S, Shi Q, Deng C. The vertebrate- and testis- specific transmembrane protein C11ORF94 plays a critical role in sperm-oocyte membrane binding. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:27. [PMID: 36050562 PMCID: PMC9437168 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00092-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractSperm-oocyte membrane fusion is necessary for mammalian fertilization. The factors that determine the fusion of sperm with oocytes are largely unknown. So far, spermatozoon factor IZUMO1 and the IZUMO1 counter-receptor JUNO on the oocyte membrane has been identified as a protein requiring fusion. Some sperm membrane proteins such as FIMP, SPACA6 and TEME95, have been proved not to directly regulate fusion, but their knockout will affect the fusion process of sperm and oocytes. Here, we identified a novel gene C11orf94 encoding a testicular-specific small transmembrane protein that emerges in vertebrates likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer from bacteria and plays an indispensable role in sperm-oocyte binding. We demonstrated that the deletion of C11orf94 dramatically decreased male fertility in mice. Sperm from C11orf94-deficient mice could pass through the zona pellucida, but failed to bind to the oocyte membrane, thus accumulating in the perivitelline space. In consistence, when the sperm of C11orf94-deficient mice were microinjected into the oocyte cytoplasm, fertilized oocytes were obtained and developed normally to blastocysts. Proteomics analysis revealed that C11orf94 influenced the expression of multiple gene products known to be indispensable for sperm-oocyte binding and fusion, including IZUMO1, EQTN and CRISP1. Thus, our study indicated that C11ORF94 is a vertebrate- and testis-specific small transmembrane protein that plays a critical role in sperm binding to the oolemma.
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Contreras W, Wiesehöfer C, Schreier D, Leinung N, Peche P, Wennemuth G, Gentzel M, Schröder B, Mentrup T. C11orf94/Frey is a key regulator for male fertility by controlling Izumo1 complex assembly. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo6049. [PMID: 35960805 PMCID: PMC9374335 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Although gamete fusion represents the central event in sexual reproduction, the required protein machinery is poorly defined. In sperm cells, Izumo1 and several Izumo1-associated proteins play an essential role for this process. However, so far, the mechanisms underlying transport and maturation of Izumo1 and its incorporation into high molecular weight complexes are incompletely defined. Here, we provide a detailed characterization of the C11orf94 protein, which we rename Frey, which provides a platform for the assembly of Izumo1 complexes. By retaining Izumo1 in the endoplasmic reticulum, Frey facilitates its incorporation into high molecular weight complexes. To fulfill its function, the unstable Frey protein is stabilized within the catalytic center of an intramembrane protease. Loss of Frey results in reduced assembly of Izumo1 complexes and male infertility due to impaired gamete fusion. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insights into the early biogenesis and functional relevance of Izumo1 complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whendy Contreras
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Caroline Wiesehöfer
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dora Schreier
- CRISPR-Cas9 Facility, Experimental Center of the Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nadja Leinung
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Peche
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gunther Wennemuth
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marc Gentzel
- Core Facility Molecular Analysis–Mass Spectrometry, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Schröder
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Torben Mentrup
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Mechanisms of Sperm–Egg Interactions: What Ascidian Fertilization Research Has Taught Us. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132096. [PMID: 35805180 PMCID: PMC9265791 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is an essential process in terrestrial organisms for creating a new organism with genetic diversity. Before gamete fusion, several steps are required to achieve successful fertilization. Animal spermatozoa are first activated and attracted to the eggs by egg-derived chemoattractants. During the sperm passage of the egg’s extracellular matrix or upon the sperm binding to the proteinaceous egg coat, the sperm undergoes an acrosome reaction, an exocytosis of acrosome. In hermaphrodites such as ascidians, the self/nonself recognition process occurs when the sperm binds to the egg coat. The activated or acrosome-reacted spermatozoa penetrate through the proteinaceous egg coat. The extracellular ubiquitin–proteasome system, the astacin-like metalloproteases, and the trypsin-like proteases play key roles in this process in ascidians. In the present review, we summarize our current understanding and perspectives on gamete recognition and egg coat lysins in ascidians and consider the general mechanisms of fertilization in animals and plants.
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Enoiu SI, Nygaard MB, Bungum M, Ziebe S, Petersen MR, Almstrup K. Expression of membrane fusion proteins in spermatozoa and total fertilisation failure during in vitro fertilisation. Andrology 2022; 10:1317-1327. [PMID: 35727923 PMCID: PMC9540887 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Couples increasingly experience infertility and seek help from assisted reproductive techniques to become pregnant. However, 5%–15% of the couples that are selected for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) experience a total fertilisation failure (TFF), where no zygotes develop despite oocytes and semen parameters appear to be normal. We hypothesise that TFF during IVF could be related to improper membrane fusion of gametes. Objective To investigate the membrane integrity and fusion proteins in spermatozoa from men in couples experiencing TFF. Materials and methods A total of 33 infertile couples, 17 of which experienced TFF during IVF and 16 matched control couples with normal IVF fertilisation rates, were selected and the men re‐called to deliver an additional semen sample. Proteins involved in gamete membrane fusion on spermatozoa (IZUMO1, SPESP1 and Syncytin‐1) as well as O‐glycosylation patterns (Tn and GALNT3), were investigated by immunofluorescence. The DNA fragmentation index, acrosomal integrity and viability of spermatozoa were determined by flow and image cytometry. Results No significant changes in the expression of GALNT3, Tn and Syncytin‐1 were observed between the TFF and control groups. The fraction of spermatozoa expressing SPESP1, the median IZUMO1 staining intensity, and the percentage of viable acrosome‐intact spermatozoa were significantly lower in the TFF group compared to controls. Furthermore, following progesterone‐induced acrosomal exocytosis, a significant difference in the fraction of spermatozoa expressing SPESP1 and the median IZUMO1 staining intensity were observed between the control and TFF group. Discussion and conclusion Our results indicate that acrosomal exocytosis, IZUMO1 and SPESP1 expression in spermatozoa could play a crucial role in achieving fertilisation during IVF. However, the size of our cohort was quite small, and our results need to be validated with quantitative methods in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Ioana Enoiu
- The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark.,Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Marie Berg Nygaard
- The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark.,Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Mona Bungum
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden
| | - Søren Ziebe
- The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Morten R Petersen
- The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Live imaging-based assay for visualising species-specific interactions in gamete adhesion molecules. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9609. [PMID: 35688940 PMCID: PMC9187738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13547-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful gamete fusion requires species-specific membrane adhesion. However, the interaction of adhesion molecules in gametes is difficult to study in real time through low-throughput microscopic observation. Therefore, we developed a live imaging-based adhesion molecule (LIAM) assay to study gamete adhesion molecule interactions in cultured cells. First, we modified a fusion assay previously established for fusogens introduced into cultured cells, and confirmed that our live imaging technique could visualise cell-cell fusion in the modified fusion assay. Next, instead of fusogen, we introduced adhesion molecules including a mammalian gamete adhesion molecule pair, IZUMO1 and JUNO, and detected their temporal accumulation at the contact interfaces of adjacent cells. Accumulated IZUMO1 or JUNO was partly translocated to the opposite cells as discrete spots; the mutation in amino acids required for their interaction impaired accumulation and translocation. By using the LIAM assay, we investigated the species specificity of IZUMO1 and JUNO of mouse, human, hamster, and pig in all combinations. IZUMO1 and JUNO accumulation and translocation were observed in conspecific, and some interspecific, combinations, suggesting potentially interchangeable combinations of IZUMO1 and JUNO from different species.
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L GB, JG H, I LT, M JM, P BÁ. The Sperm Olfactory Receptor OLFR601 is Dispensable for Mouse Fertilization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:854115. [PMID: 35721474 PMCID: PMC9204177 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.854115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization involves the fusion of two gametes by means of yet unknown membrane binding and fusion events. Over the last years, many sperm proteins have been uncovered to play essential roles in sperm-egg fusion in mammals, but their precise role in fertilization remains unknown, being unclear how these proteins interact with each other or with other yet unknown sperm proteins. The aim of this study has been to identify possible sperm proteins interacting with TMEM95, a protein essential for fertilization located in the sperm membrane. A list of 41 sperm proteins that were pulled down with TMEM95 and identified by mass spectrometry did not include other sperm proteins known to play a role in fertilization, suggesting an independent role of TMEM95 in fertilization. Between these lists, OLFR601 is allocated to the acrosomal region and may mediate affinity for an odorant involved in fertilization. However, Olfr601 disruption did not impair the sperm fertilization ability, suggesting that its function may be redundant with that of other sperm proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamzé JG
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Jiménez-Movilla M
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jiménez-Movilla M, ; Bermejo-Álvarez P,
| | - Bermejo-Álvarez P
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jiménez-Movilla M, ; Bermejo-Álvarez P,
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Noda T, Blaha A, Fujihara Y, Gert KR, Emori C, Deneke VE, Oura S, Panser K, Lu Y, Berent S, Kodani M, Cabrera-Quio LE, Pauli A, Ikawa M. Sperm membrane proteins DCST1 and DCST2 are required for sperm-egg interaction in mice and fish. Commun Biol 2022; 5:332. [PMID: 35393517 PMCID: PMC8989947 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03289-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of sperm-egg fusion is critical for successful fertilization, yet the underlying mechanisms that regulate these steps have remained unclear in vertebrates. Here, we show that both mouse and zebrafish DCST1 and DCST2 are necessary in sperm to fertilize the egg, similar to their orthologs SPE-42 and SPE-49 in C. elegans and Sneaky in D. melanogaster. Mouse Dcst1 and Dcst2 single knockout (KO) sperm are able to undergo the acrosome reaction and show normal relocalization of IZUMO1, an essential factor for sperm-egg fusion, to the equatorial segment. While both single KO sperm can bind to the oolemma, they show the fusion defect, resulting that Dcst1 KO males become almost sterile and Dcst2 KO males become sterile. Similar to mice, zebrafish dcst1 KO males are subfertile and dcst2 and dcst1/2 double KO males are sterile. Zebrafish dcst1/2 KO sperm are motile and can approach the egg, but are defective in binding to the oolemma. Furthermore, we find that DCST1 and DCST2 interact with each other and are interdependent. These data demonstrate that DCST1/2 are essential for male fertility in two vertebrate species, highlighting their crucial role as conserved factors in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Noda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan
| | - Andreas Blaha
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Krista R Gert
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Victoria E Deneke
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Seiya Oura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Karin Panser
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Sara Berent
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Luis Enrique Cabrera-Quio
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 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.
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Xu X, Chen J, Du X, Yao L, Wang Y. CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Disruption of Seminal Fluid Protein Sfp62 Induces Male Sterility in Bombyx mori. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040561. [PMID: 35453761 PMCID: PMC9024854 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In gamogenetic animals, seminal fluid proteins are essential for male fertility. In this study, we investigated the function of the seminal fluid protein Sfp62 by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in lepidopteran model insect Bombyx mori. Sfp62 mutation led to male sterility and can be inherited stably. The mutation did not affect growth and developmental nor female fertility. These data indicate that Sfp62 is an ideal target for sterile insect technology (SIT), in which genetically modified insects are released on a large scale to mate with wild-type insects in order to reduce or even eradicate the target pests. The determining factors for the effective implementation of SIT include the strong competitiveness of the modified individuals and multi-generational effects resulting from the mutation. Sfp62 meets these criteria and is therefore a promising target for biological pest control. Abstract Seminal fluid proteins provide factors necessary for development, storage, and activation of sperm. Altered expression of seminal fluid proteins can lead to defect in male infertility. We investigated the function of seminal fluid protein Sfp62 in the model lepidopteran insect Bombyx mori using CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutagenesis. The knockout of BmSfp62 gene led to male sterility but has no effect on female fertility. The mutation did not affect growth and development of the silkworm of both sexes. Motility of sperm in male mutants was decreased and the mRNA expression levels of other genes encoding seminal fluid proteins were altered in BmSfp62 mutants compared to the wild-type controls. The male sterility caused by mutation of BmSfp62 was stably inherited. As the proteins encoded by Sfp62 genes are conserved among lepidopteran species, Sfp62 is a potential target for the biological management of lepidopteran pests.
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The Role of Sperm Proteins IZUMO1 and TMEM95 in Mammalian Fertilization: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073929. [PMID: 35409288 PMCID: PMC8999778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamete membrane fusion is a critical cellular event in sexual reproduction. In addition, the generation of knockout models has provided a powerful tool for testing the functional relevance of proteins thought to be involved in mammalian fertilization, suggesting IZUMO1 and TMEM95 (transmembrane protein 95) as essential proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the current knowledge about IZUMO1 and TMEM95 during mammalian fertilization. Hence, three distinct databases were consulted—PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—using single keywords. As a result, a total of 429 articles were identified. Based on both inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final number of articles included in this study was 103. The results showed that IZUMO1 is mostly studied in rodents whereas TMEM95 is studied primarily in bovines. Despite the research, the topological localization of IZUMO1 remains controversial. IZUMO1 may be involved in organizing or stabilizing a multiprotein complex essential for the membrane fusion in which TMEM95 could act as a fusogen due to its possible interaction with IZUMO1. Overall, the expression of these two proteins is not sufficient for sperm–oocyte fusion; therefore, other molecules must be involved in the membrane fusion process.
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Satouh Y, Inoue N. Involvement of cellular protrusions in gamete interactions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 129:93-102. [PMID: 35370088 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gamete fusion is of considerable importance in reproductive events, as it determines the gamete pairs or chromosomes that the next generation will inherit. To preserve species specificity with an appropriate karyotype, the fusion between gametes requires regulatory mechanisms to ensure limited fusion competency. In many organisms, gamete surfaces are not smooth, but present constitutive or transient cellular protrusions suggested to be involved in gamete fusion. However, the molecular mechanisms and the factors essential for the membrane-membrane fusion process and cellular protrusion involvement have remained unclear. Recent advances in the identification and functional analysis of the essential factors for gamete interaction have revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity regulation and dynamics. In homogametic fertilization, dynamic regulation of the fusion core machinery on cellular protrusions was precisely uncovered. In heterogametic fertilization, oocyte fusion competency was suggested to correlate with the compartmentalization of the fusion essential factor and protrusion formation. These findings shed light on the significance of cellular protrusions in gamete fusion as a physically and functionally specialized site for cellular fusion. In this review, we consider the developments in gamete interaction research in various species with different fertilization modes, highlighting the commonalities in the relationship between gamete fusion and cellular protrusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhkoh Satouh
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
| | - Naokazu Inoue
- Department of Cell Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.
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Yanagimachi R. Mysteries and unsolved problems of mammalian fertilization and related topics. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:644-675. [PMID: 35292804 PMCID: PMC9040664 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization is a fascinating process that leads to the formation of a new individual. Eggs and sperm are complex cells that must meet at the appropriate time and position within the female reproductive tract for successful fertilization. I have been studying various aspects of mammalian fertilization over 60 years. In this review, I discuss many different aspects of mammalian fertilization, some of my laboratory's contribution to the field, and discuss enigmas and mysteries that remain to be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuzo Yanagimachi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii Medical School, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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