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Zhang X, Zhao G, Yang F, Li C, Lin W, Dai H, Zhai L, Xi X, Yuan Q, Huo J. Transcriptional Regulation Analysis Provides Insight into the Function of GSK3β Gene in Diannan Small-Ear Pig Spermatogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:655. [PMID: 38927591 PMCID: PMC11203124 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060655] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) not only plays a crucial role in regulating sperm maturation but also is pivotal in orchestrating the acrosome reaction. Here, we integrated single-molecule long-read and short-read sequencing to comprehensively examine GSK3β expression patterns in adult Diannan small-ear pig (DSE) testes. We identified the most important transcript ENSSSCT00000039364 of GSK3β, obtaining its full-length coding sequence (CDS) spanning 1263 bp. Gene structure analysis located GSK3β on pig chromosome 13 with 12 exons. Protein structure analysis reflected that GSK3β consisted of 420 amino acids containing PKc-like conserved domains. Phylogenetic analysis underscored the evolutionary conservation and homology of GSK3β across different mammalian species. The evaluation of the protein interaction network, KEGG, and GO pathways implied that GSK3β interacted with 50 proteins, predominantly involved in the Wnt signaling pathway, papillomavirus infection, hippo signaling pathway, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, basal cell carcinoma, and Alzheimer's disease. Functional annotation identified that GSK3β was involved in thirteen GOs, including six molecular functions and seven biological processes. ceRNA network analysis suggested that DSE GSK3β was regulated by 11 miRNA targets. Furthermore, qPCR expression analysis across 15 tissues highlighted that GSK3β was highly expressed in the testis. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that the majority of the GSK3β protein was located in the cytoplasm of ST (swine testis) cells, with a small amount detected in the nucleus. Overall, our findings shed new light on GSK3β's role in DSE reproduction, providing a foundation for further functional studies of GSK3β function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhang
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China;
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Guiying Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Fuhua Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Changyao Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Wan Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Hongmei Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Lan Zhai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Xuemin Xi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Qingting Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Jinlong Huo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (G.Z.); (F.Y.); (C.L.); (W.L.); (H.D.); (L.Z.); (X.X.); (Q.Y.)
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Zhang B, Yan Z, Gao Y, Li J, Wang Z, Wang P, Yang Q, Huang X, Gun S. Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Landrace and Hezuo boars. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:942669. [PMID: 36330159 PMCID: PMC9622794 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.942669] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Precocious puberty is closely related to testicular development and spermatogenesis, and there is increasing evidence that miRNAs are involved in regulation of testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) during precocious maturation in Hezuo (HZ) boars. In this study, serum Testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were detected in HZ and Landrace (LC) boars in the postnatal period at 30, 90, 120, 180, and 240 days, and the testes of HZ and LC boars at 30 and 120 days were used for histological observation. In addition, we performed small RNA-Seq to identify miRNA at sexual immaturity (30-days-old) and maturity (120-days-old) of HZ boar testis (using LC boar as control) to reveal the key miRNA in regulation of precocious puberty. Hormone assay results showed that high levels of T, E2, FSH, and LH may be related to precocious sexual maturity of HZ boars, and that FSH may play an important function before sexual maturity. Histological observation showed that HZ boars developed earlier than LC boars and had reached sexual maturity at 120 days. Small RNA-Seq yielded a total of 359 exist miRNAs, 767 known miRNAs and 322 novel miRNAs in 12 samples; 549, 468, 133, and 247 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified between Ha vs. Hb, La vs. Lb, Ha vs. La, and Hb vs. Lb (log2 fold change >1 and p < 0.05). Enrichment analysis showed that target genes of these DE miRNAs were enriched in many gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways (such as PI3K-Akt, Hippo and Rap1 signaling pathways) were related to testicular development and spermatogenesis. Further screening, some miRNAs (such as ssc-miR-29b, ssc-miR-199b, ssc-miR-383, ssc-miR-149, ssc-miR-615, and ssc-miR-370) were possibly associated with precocious puberty. These results provide new light on miRNA regulatory mechanisms involved in precocious puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yi Gao
- Jilin Rongtai Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., Changchun, China
| | - Jiyou Li
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zike Wang
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shuangbao Gun
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Sahoo B, Choudhary RK, Sharma P, Choudhary S, Gupta MK. Significance and Relevance of Spermatozoal RNAs to Male Fertility in Livestock. Front Genet 2021; 12:768196. [PMID: 34956322 PMCID: PMC8696160 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.768196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock production contributes to a significant part of the economy in developing countries. Although artificial insemination techniques brought substantial improvements in reproductive efficiency, male infertility remains a leading challenge in livestock. Current strategies for the diagnosis of male infertility largely depend on the evaluation of semen parameters and fail to diagnose idiopathic infertility in most cases. Recent evidences show that spermatozoa contains a suit of RNA population whose profile differs between fertile and infertile males. Studies have also demonstrated the crucial roles of spermatozoal RNA (spRNA) in spermatogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Thus, the spRNA profile may serve as unique molecular signatures of fertile sperm and may play pivotal roles in the diagnosis and treatment of male fertility. This manuscript provides an update on various spRNA populations, including protein-coding and non-coding RNAs, in livestock species and their potential role in semen quality, particularly sperm motility, freezability, and fertility. The contribution of seminal plasma to the spRNA population is also discussed. Furthermore, we discussed the significance of rare non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in spermatogenic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijayalaxmi Sahoo
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, India
| | - Ratan K Choudhary
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Paramajeet Sharma
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Shanti Choudhary
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, India
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Zhang B, Yan Z, Wang P, Yang Q, Huang X, Shi H, Tang Y, Ji Y, Zhang J, Gun S. Identification and Characterization of lncRNA and mRNA in Testes of Landrace and Hezuo Boars. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082263. [PMID: 34438721 PMCID: PMC8388364 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Precocious puberty is an excellent reproductive trait in domestic animals, which can generate higher breeding benefits in livestock production. However, regulators associated with this sexual maturation process remain largely unknown. Chinese Hezuo (HZ) boars are known for their early sexual maturity. In this work, the characteristics of precocious puberty in HZ pigs were confirmed by histological analysis, and some important long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA were identified in the testes of immature (30-day-old) and mature (120-day-old) HZ boars, which could play a key role in precocious puberty. These results will provide a theoretical basis for further research on the regulatory mechanism of precocious puberty, which is important for accelerating the breeding process of highly fertile animals. Abstract Chinese HZ boars are typical plateau miniature boars characterized by precocious puberty, which is closely related to testicular development and spermatogenesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that lncRNA is involved in the testicular development and regulation of spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the lncRNA precocious regulation in testicular development and spermatogenesis on early sexual maturity of HZ boars. Thus, we investigated the expression and characterization of lncRNA and mRNA in 30-day-old and 120-day-old HZ boar testes using transcriptome to explore precocious puberty. Landrace (LC) boar was treated as the control. Histological analyses indicated that HZ boar underwent puberty development at an earlier stage than LC boar and had achieved sexual maturity at 120 days old. RNA-Seq yielded a total of 187 lncRNAs and 984 mRNAs; these molecules were identified as possible candidates for precocious puberty. GO terms and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNA and their targeted genes were involved in metabolic pathways regulating testis development and spermatogenesis, such as the PI3K-Akt, TGF-beta and Wnt pathways. Further screening, some lncRNA (such as LOC102166140, LOC110259451, and MSTRG.15011.2), and mRNA (such as PDCL2, HSD17B4, SHCBP1L, CYP21A2, and SPATA3) were found to be possibly associated with precocious puberty, which would add to our understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms of precocious puberty. This study provided valuable information for further study of the role of lncRNA and mRNA in the process of precocious puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Haixia Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yuran Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yanan Ji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Juanli Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (B.Z.); (Z.Y.); (P.W.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (H.S.); (Y.T.); (Y.J.); (J.Z.)
- Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou 730070, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-931-763-1804
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Shang Y, Yan J, Tang W, Liu C, Xiao S, Guo Y, Yuan L, Chen L, Jiang H, Guo X, Qiao J, Li W. Mechanistic insights into acephalic spermatozoa syndrome-associated mutations in the human SUN5 gene. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:2395-2407. [PMID: 29298896 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome has been reported for many decades; it is characterized by very few intact spermatozoa and tailless sperm heads in the semen and causes severe male infertility. The only gene in which mutations have been found to be associated with this syndrome encodes Sad1 and UNC84 domain-containing 5 (SUN5), a testis-specific nuclear envelope protein. The functional role of SUN5 has been well-studied in mouse models, but the molecular basis for the pathogenic effects of mutations in the human SUN5 gene remains elusive. Here, we report a new SUN5 mutation (c.475C→T; p.Arg159*), and explore the pathogenic effects of all known SUN5 mutations on acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Using an artificial splicing system, we found that the intronic mutation affects the splicing of SUN5 mRNA, yielding a premature stop codon that results in a truncated SUN5 protein. We also found that SUN5 interacts with the coupling apparatus protein DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B13 (DNAJB13) during spermatogenesis, and the substitutions in the SUN5 SUN domain impair its interaction with DNAJB13. Furthermore, we observed that many SUN5 mutations affect the secondary structure of the protein and influence its folding and cellular localization. In summary, our findings indicate an interaction of SUN5 with DNAJB13 during spermatogenesis, provide mechanistic insights into the functional role of this interaction in sperm head-tail integration, and elucidate the molecular etiology of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome-associated SUN5 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Shang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Yan
- the Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenhao Tang
- the Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chao Liu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sai Xiao
- From the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 21 0029, China
| | - Li Yuan
- the Savaid School of Medicine, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Chen
- the Medical Center of Reproductive and Genetics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China, and
| | - Hui Jiang
- the Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 21 0029, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- the Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China,
| | - Wei Li
- From the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China, .,the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Heat Shock Protein A2 (HSPA2): Regulatory Roles in Germ Cell Development and Sperm Function. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2017; 222:67-93. [PMID: 28389751 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-51409-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among the numerous families of heat shock protein (HSP) that have been implicated in the regulation of reproductive system development and function, those belonging to the 70 kDa HSP family have emerged as being indispensable for male fertility. In particular, the testis-enriched heat shock 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2) has been shown to be critical for the progression of germ cell differentiation during spermatogenesis in the mouse model. Beyond this developmentally important window, mounting evidence has also implicated HSPA2 in the functional transformation of the human sperm cell during their ascent of the female reproductive tract. Specifically, HSPA2 appears to coordinate the remodelling of specialised sperm domains overlying the anterior region of the sperm head compatible with their principle role in oocyte recognition. The fact that levels of the HSPA2 protein in mature spermatozoa tightly correlate with the efficacy of oocyte binding highlight its utility as a powerful prognostic biomarker of male fertility. In this chapter, we consider the unique structural and biochemical characteristics of HSPA2 that enable this heat shock protein to fulfil its prominent roles in orchestrating the morphological differentiation of male germ cells during spermatogenesis as well as their functional transformation during post-testicular sperm maturation.
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Mutations in DNAJB13, Encoding an HSP40 Family Member, Cause Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Male Infertility. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:489-500. [PMID: 27486783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal-recessive disease due to functional or ultra-structural defects of motile cilia. Affected individuals display recurrent respiratory-tract infections; most males are infertile as a result of sperm flagellar dysfunction. The great majority of the PCD-associated genes identified so far encode either components of dynein arms (DAs), which are multiprotein-ATPase complexes essential for ciliary motility, or proteins involved in DA assembly. To identify the molecular basis of a PCD phenotype characterized by central complex (CC) defects but normal DA structure, a phenotype found in ∼15% of cases, we performed whole-exome sequencing in a male individual with PCD and unexplained CC defects. This analysis, combined with whole-genome SNP genotyping, identified a homozygous mutation in DNAJB13 (c.833T>G), a gene encoding a HSP40 co-chaperone whose ortholog in the flagellated alga Chlamydomonas localizes to the radial spokes. In vitro studies showed that this missense substitution (p.Met278Arg), which involves a highly conserved residue of several HSP40 family members, leads to protein instability and triggers proteasomal degradation, a result confirmed by the absence of endogenous DNAJB13 in cilia and sperm from this individual. Subsequent DNAJB13 analyses identified another homozygous mutation in a second family; the study of DNAJB13 transcripts obtained from airway cells showed that this mutation (c.68+1G>C) results in a splicing defect consistent with a loss-of-function mutation. Overall, this study, which establishes mutations in DNAJB13 as a cause of PCD, unveils the key role played by DNAJB13 in the proper formation and function of ciliary and flagellar axonemes in humans.
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Molecular chaperones, cochaperones, and ubiquitination/deubiquitination system: involvement in the production of high quality spermatozoa. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:561426. [PMID: 25045686 PMCID: PMC4089148 DOI: 10.1155/2014/561426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process in which mitosis, meiosis, and cell differentiation events coexist. The need to guarantee the production of qualitatively functional spermatozoa has evolved into several control systems that check spermatogenesis progression/sperm maturation and tag aberrant gametes for degradation. In this review, we will focus on the importance of the evolutionarily conserved molecular pathways involving molecular chaperones belonging to the superfamily of heat shock proteins (HSPs), their cochaperones, and ubiquitination/deubiquitination system all over the spermatogenetic process. In this respect, we will discuss the conserved role played by the DNAJ protein Msj-1 (mouse sperm cell-specific DNAJ first homologue) and the deubiquitinating enzyme Ubpy (ubiquitin-specific processing protease-y) during the spermiogenesis in both mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates.
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Potential biomarkers of nonobstructive azoospermia identified in microarray gene expression analysis. Fertil Steril 2013; 100:1686-94.e1-7. [PMID: 24012201 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.07.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify potential biomarkers of azoospermia to determine a particular stage of spermatogenetic differentiation. DESIGN GeneChip Human Gene 1.0 ST microarray with validation at mRNA and protein levels. SETTING Basic research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Men with various types of nonobstructive azoospermia (n = 18) and with normal spermatogenesis (n = 4). INTERVENTION(S) Obtaining 31 testicular biopsy samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Gene expression analysis using the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST microarrays on 14 selected genes according to the highest fold change, verified with quantitative polymerase chain reaction and on independent set of microarray samples. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were additionally performed. RESULT(S) The comparative analysis of gene expression profiles in the infertile and control groups resulted in the selection of 4,946 differentially expressed genes. AKAP4, UBQLN3, CAPN11, GGN, SPACA4, SPATA3, and FAM71F1 were the most significantly down-regulated genes in infertile patients. Global analysis also led to identification of up-regulated genes-WBSCR28, ADCY10, TMEM225, SPATS1, FSCN3, GTSF1L, and GSG1-in men with late maturation arrest. Moreover, the results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot largely confirmed the microarray data. CONCLUSION(S) The set of selected genes can be used to create a molecular diagnostic tool to determine the degree of spermatogenic impairment for men with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia.
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Jiang X, Li D, Yang J, Wen J, Chen H, Xiao X, Dai Y, Yang J, Tang Y. Characterization of a novel human testis-specific gene: testis developmental related gene 1 (TDRG1). TOHOKU J EXP MED 2012; 225:311-8. [PMID: 22123530 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.225.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated physiological process that requires the correct expression and functions of thousands of developmentally regulated genes. The regulation of spermatogenesis is not well defined, since majority of the related genes have neither been identified nor fully characterized. Hence, it is meaningful to identify and characterize these genes to reveal the mechanism underlying spermatogenesis. In this study, using digital differential display, we identified a novel human testis-specific gene, testis developmental related gene 1 (TDRG1, GenBank DQ168992), via electronic subtraction of human testis UniGene databases from those of non-reproductive tissues. The transcript of the TDRG1 gene has an open-reading frame that encodes 100 amino acids. We next prepared the anti-TDRG1 monoclonal antibody 10B6 and confirmed that it specifically recognizes an 11-kDa protein in the tissue extracts from an adult human testicular sample (age 31 years) by Western blot analysis. RT-PCR coupled with immunohistochemistry of human tissues demonstrated that TDRG1 is exclusively expressed in the testis but not in any other non-reproductive tissues. TDRG1 is mainly located in spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubules of adult testis. Furthermore, TDRG1 shows the highest expression level in human post-puberty testis, with the expression levels decreasing afterwards with aging. Importantly, TDRG1 mRNA is undetectable in the fetal testis, as judged by RT-PCR. In conclusion, TDRG1 is a developmentally regulated testicular-specific gene. We suggest that TDRG1, a newly identified testis-specific gene, may play important roles in human spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhen Jiang
- Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
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Spade DJ, Griffitt RJ, Liu L, Brown-Peterson NJ, Kroll KJ, Feswick A, Glazer RA, Barber DS, Denslow ND. Queen conch (Strombus gigas) testis regresses during the reproductive season at nearshore sites in the Florida Keys. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12737. [PMID: 20856805 PMCID: PMC2939879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Queen conch (Strombus gigas) reproduction is inhibited in nearshore areas of the Florida Keys, relative to the offshore environment where conchs reproduce successfully. Nearshore reproductive failure is possibly a result of exposure to environmental factors, including heavy metals, which are likely to accumulate close to shore. Metals such as Cu and Zn are detrimental to reproduction in many mollusks. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Histology shows gonadal atrophy in nearshore conchs as compared to reproductively healthy offshore conchs. In order to determine molecular mechanisms leading to tissue changes and reproductive failure, a microarray was developed. A normalized cDNA library for queen conch was constructed and sequenced using the 454 Life Sciences GS-FLX pyrosequencer, producing 27,723 assembled contigs and 7,740 annotated transcript sequences. The resulting sequences were used to design the microarray. Microarray analysis of conch testis indicated differential regulation of 255 genes (p<0.01) in nearshore conch, relative to offshore. Changes in expression for three of four transcripts of interest were confirmed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated changes in biological processes: respiratory chain (GO:0015992), spermatogenesis (GO:0007283), small GTPase-mediated signal transduction (GO:0007264), and others. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis indicated that Zn and possibly Cu were elevated in some nearshore conch tissues. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Congruence between testis histology and microarray data suggests that nearshore conch testes regress during the reproductive season, while offshore conch testes develop normally. Possible mechanisms underlying the testis regression observed in queen conch in the nearshore Florida Keys include a disruption of small GTPase (Ras)-mediated signaling in testis development. Additionally, elevated tissue levels of Cu (34.77 ng/mg in testis) and Zn (831.85 ng/mg in digestive gland, 83.96 ng/mg in testis) nearshore are similar to reported levels resulting in reproductive inhibition in other gastropods, indicating that these metals possibly contribute to NS conch reproductive failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Spade
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Griffitt
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Li Liu
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nancy J. Brown-Peterson
- Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Kevin J. Kroll
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - April Feswick
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Glazer
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marathon, Florida, United States of America
| | - David S. Barber
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nancy D. Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hermo L, Pelletier RM, Cyr DG, Smith CE. Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells. Part 4: intercellular bridges, mitochondria, nuclear envelope, apoptosis, ubiquitination, membrane/voltage-gated channels, methylation/acetylation, and transcription factors. Microsc Res Tech 2010; 73:364-408. [PMID: 19941288 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
As germ cells divide and differentiate from spermatogonia to spermatozoa, they share a number of structural and functional features that are common to all generations of germ cells and these features are discussed herein. Germ cells are linked to one another by large intercellular bridges which serve to move molecules and even large organelles from the cytoplasm of one cell to another. Mitochondria take on different shapes and features and topographical arrangements to accommodate their specific needs during spermatogenesis. The nuclear envelope and pore complex also undergo extensive modifications concomitant with the development of germ cell generations. Apoptosis is an event that is normally triggered by germ cells and involves many proteins. It occurs to limit the germ cell pool and acts as a quality control mechanism. The ubiquitin pathway comprises enzymes that ubiquitinate as well as deubiquitinate target proteins and this pathway is present and functional in germ cells. Germ cells express many proteins involved in water balance and pH control as well as voltage-gated ion channel movement. In the nucleus, proteins undergo epigenetic modifications which include methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation, with each of these modifications signaling changes in chromatin structure. Germ cells contain specialized transcription complexes that coordinate the differentiation program of spermatogenesis, and there are many male germ cell-specific differences in the components of this machinery. All of the above features of germ cells will be discussed along with the specific proteins/genes and abnormalities to fertility related to each topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Hermo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, QC Canada H3A 2B2.
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Seasonal effect on sperm messenger RNA profile of domestic swine (Sus Scrofa). Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 119:76-84. [PMID: 20056359 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal infertility is a well-known problem in the modern swine (Sus scrofa) industry. The molecular mechanisms responsible for thermal effects on spermatogenesis are, however, just beginning to be elucidated. The existence of specific messenger RNA (mRNA) remnants contained within freshly ejaculated sperm has been identified in several species. Investigators have obtained differential RNA profiles of infertile men compared with fertile individuals; however, there are limited to the probes, which are mostly derived from nucleic acids of testicular tissues of either human or mice. The objective of this study was to investigate mRNA remnants from ejaculated sperm of the domestic swine and uncover important clues regarding the molecular regulation of spermatogenesis under environmental thermo-impacts. We utilized the remnant mRNA collected from swine ejaculated sperm as the target source to detect the global gene expression in summer and in winter by swine sperm-specific oligonucleotide microarray. Sixty-seven transcripts were differentially expressed with statistical differences between seasons of sperm samples collected, including forty-nine in winter (49/67) and eighteen in summer (18/67). There were only 33 of these transcripts that could be annotated to gene ontology hierarchy with the database of Homo sapiens and their functions mostly were involved in variety of metabolic processes. Moreover, these studies also confirmed that significant differences of gene expression profiles were found in swine sperm when comparisons were made between ejaculates collected during the winter and the summer season under the subtropical area such as Taiwan. Even though most of the genes found in our experiments are still poorly understood in terms of their true functions in spermatogenesis, bioinformatics analysis suggested that they are involved in a broad spectrum of biochemical processes including gamete generation. These concordant profiles should permit the development of a non-invasive testing protocol to assess the functional capacity of sperm as well as a new molecular selection scheme for fine breeding swine.
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Guan J, Yuan L. A heat-shock protein 40, DNAJB13, is an axoneme-associated component in mouse spermatozoa. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:1379-86. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Rossi P, Lolicato F, Grimaldi P, Dolci S, Di Sauro A, Filipponi D, Geremia R. Transcriptome analysis of differentiating spermatogonia stimulated with kit ligand. Gene Expr Patterns 2007; 8:58-70. [PMID: 18036996 DOI: 10.1016/j.modgep.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2007] [Revised: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Kit ligand (KL) is a survival factor and a mitogenic stimulus for differentiating spermatogonia. However, it is not known whether KL also plays a role in the differentiative events that lead to meiotic entry of these cells. We performed a wide genome analysis of difference in gene expression induced by treatment with KL of spermatogonia from 7-day-old mice, using gene chips spanning the whole mouse genome. The analysis revealed that the pattern of RNA expression induced by KL is compatible with the qualitative changes of the cell cycle that occur during the subsequent cell divisions in type A and B spermatogonia, i.e. the progressive lengthening of the S phase and the shortening of the G2/M transition. Moreover, KL up-regulates in differentiating spermatogonia the expression of early meiotic genes (for instance: Lhx8, Nek1, Rnf141, Xrcc3, Tpo1, Tbca, Xrcc2, Mesp1, Phf7, Rtel1), whereas it down-regulates typical spermatogonial markers (for instance: Pole, Ptgs2, Zfpm2, Egr2, Egr3, Gsk3b, Hnrpa1, Fst, Ptch2). Since KL modifies the expression of several genes known to be up-regulated or down-regulated in spermatogonia during the transition from the mitotic to the meiotic cell cycle, these results are consistent with a role of the KL/kit interaction in the induction of their meiotic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pellegrino Rossi
- Dipartimento di Sanita' Pubblica e Biologia Cellulare, Universita' degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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