1
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Kitaoka M, Yamashita YM. Running the gauntlet: challenges to genome integrity in spermiogenesis. Nucleus 2024; 15:2339220. [PMID: 38594652 PMCID: PMC11005813 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2339220] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Species' continuity depends on gametogenesis to produce the only cell types that can transmit genetic information across generations. Spermiogenesis, which encompasses post-meiotic, haploid stages of male gametogenesis, is a process that leads to the formation of sperm cells well-known for their motility. Spermiogenesis faces three major challenges. First, after two rounds of meiotic divisions, the genome lacks repair templates (no sister chromatids, no homologous chromosomes), making it incredibly vulnerable to any genomic insults over an extended time (typically days-weeks). Second, the sperm genome becomes transcriptionally silent, making it difficult to respond to new perturbations as spermiogenesis progresses. Third, the histone-to-protamine transition, which is essential to package the sperm genome, counterintuitively involves DNA break formation. How spermiogenesis handles these challenges remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss each challenge and their intersection with the biology of protamines. Finally, we discuss the implication of protamines in the process of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Kitaoka
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yukiko M. Yamashita
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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2
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Li C, Ren Y, Chen MY, Wang Q, He Z, Wang YF. CG9920 is necessary for mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. Dev Biol 2024; 512:13-25. [PMID: 38703942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.04.008] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for investigating spermatogenesis due to its powerful genetics, conserved genes and visible morphology of germ cells during sperm production. Our previous work revealed that ocnus (ocn) knockdown resulted in male sterility, and CG9920 was identified as a significantly downregulated protein in fly abdomen after ocn knockdown, suggesting a role of CG9920 in male reproduction. In this study, we found that CG9920 was highly expressed in fly testes. CG9920 knockdown in fly testes caused male infertility with no mature sperms in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that depletion of CG9920 resulted in scattered spermatid nuclear bundles, fewer elongation cones that did not migrate to the anterior region of the testis, and almost no individualization complexes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that CG9920 knockdown severely disrupted mitochondrial morphogenesis during spermatogenesis. Notably, we found that CG9920 might not directly interact with Ocn, but rather was inhibited by STAT92E, which itself was indirectly affected by Ocn. We propose a possible novel pathway essential for spermatogenesis in D. melanogaster, whereby Ocn indirectly induces CG9920 expression, potentially counteracting its inhibition by the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Yue Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Meng-Yan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Qian Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Zhen He
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China.
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3
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Ridges JT, Bladen J, King TD, Brown NC, Large CRL, Cooper JC, Jones AJ, Loppin B, Dubruille R, Phadnis N. Overdrive is essential for targeted sperm elimination by Segregation Distorter. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.597441. [PMID: 38895353 PMCID: PMC11185633 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Intra-genomic conflict driven by selfish chromosomes is a powerful force that shapes the evolution of genomes and species. In the male germline, many selfish chromosomes bias transmission in their own favor by eliminating spermatids bearing the competing homologous chromosomes. However, the mechanisms of targeted gamete elimination remain mysterious. Here, we show that Overdrive (Ovd), a gene required for both segregation distortion and male sterility in Drosophila pseudoobscura hybrids, is broadly conserved in Dipteran insects but dispensable for viability and fertility. In D. melanogaster, Ovd is required for targeted Responder spermatid elimination after the histone-to-protamine transition in the classical Segregation Distorter system. We propose that Ovd functions as a general spermatid quality checkpoint that is hijacked by independent selfish chromosomes to eliminate competing gametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson T. Ridges
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jackson Bladen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Thomas D. King
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nora C. Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | | | - Jacob C. Cooper
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Amanda J. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Raphaëlle Dubruille
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Nitin Phadnis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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4
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Su Q, Xu B, Chen X, Rokita SE. Misregulation of bromotyrosine compromises fertility in male Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322501121. [PMID: 38748578 PMCID: PMC11126969 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322501121] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological regulation often depends on reversible reactions such as phosphorylation, acylation, methylation, and glycosylation, but rarely halogenation. A notable exception is the iodination and deiodination of thyroid hormones. Here, we report detection of bromotyrosine and its subsequent debromination during Drosophila spermatogenesis. Bromotyrosine is not evident when Drosophila express a native flavin-dependent dehalogenase that is homologous to the enzyme responsible for iodide salvage from iodotyrosine in mammals. Deletion or suppression of the dehalogenase-encoding condet (cdt) gene in Drosophila allows bromotyrosine to accumulate with no detectable chloro- or iodotyrosine. The presence of bromotyrosine in the cdt mutant males disrupts sperm individualization and results in decreased fertility. Transgenic expression of the cdt gene in late-staged germ cells rescues this defect and enhances tolerance of male flies to bromotyrosine. These results are consistent with reversible halogenation affecting Drosophila spermatogenesis in a process that had previously eluded metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Xin Chen
- HHMI, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Steven E. Rokita
- Department of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
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5
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Vedelek V, Jankovics F, Zádori J, Sinka R. Mitochondrial Differentiation during Spermatogenesis: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3980. [PMID: 38612789 PMCID: PMC11012351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous diseases can arise as a consequence of mitochondrial malfunction. Hence, there is a significant focus on studying the role of mitochondria in cancer, ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, and the field of developmental biology. Mitochondria could exist as discrete organelles in the cell; however, they have the ability to fuse, resulting in the formation of interconnected reticular structures. The dynamic changes between these forms correlate with mitochondrial function and mitochondrial health, and consequently, there is a significant scientific interest in uncovering the specific molecular constituents that govern these transitions. Moreover, the specialized mitochondria display a wide array of variable morphologies in their cristae formations. These inner mitochondrial structures are closely associated with the specific functions performed by the mitochondria. In multiple cases, the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to male sterility, as it has been observed to cause a range of abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm phenotypes in different species. This review aims to elucidate the dynamic alterations and functions of mitochondria in germ cell development during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Zádori
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6723 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Li C, Shen C, Xiong W, Ge H, Shen Y, Chi J, Zhang H, Tang L, Lu S, Wang J, Fei J, Wang Z. Spem2, a novel testis-enriched gene, is required for spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:108. [PMID: 38421455 PMCID: PMC10904452 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05147-w] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is considered to be crucial for the production of haploid spermatozoa with normal morphology, structure and function, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SPEM family member 2 (Spem2), as a novel testis-enriched gene, is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. Spem2 is predominantly expressed in the haploid male germ cells and is highly conserved across mammals. Mice deficient for Spem2 develop male infertility associated with spermiogenesis impairment. Specifically, the insufficient sperm individualization, failure of excess cytoplasm shedding, and defects in acrosome formation are evident in Spem2-null sperm. Sperm counts and motility are also significantly reduced compared to controls. In vivo fertilization assays have shown that Spem2-null sperm are unable to fertilize oocytes, possibly due to their impaired ability to migrate from the uterus into the oviduct. However, the infertility of Spem2-/- males cannot be rescued by in vitro fertilization, suggesting that defective sperm-egg interaction may also be a contributing factor. Furthermore, SPEM2 is detected to interact with ZPBP, PRSS21, PRSS54, PRSS55, ADAM2 and ADAM3 and is also required for their processing and maturation in epididymal sperm. Our findings establish SPEM2 as an essential regulator of spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice, possibly in mammals including humans. Understanding the molecular role of SPEM2 could provide new insights into future therapeutic treatment of human male infertility and development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haoyang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Chi
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lingyun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shunyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jinjin Wang
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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7
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Liu XP, Liu CY, Feng YJ, Guo XK, Zhang LS, Wang MQ, Li YY, Zeng FR, Nolan T, Mao JJ. Male vitellogenin regulates gametogenesis through a testis-enriched big protein in Chrysopa pallens. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:17-28. [PMID: 37707297 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
In insects, vitellogenin (Vg) is generally viewed as a female-specific protein. Its primary function is to supply nutrition to developing embryos. Here, we reported Vg from the male adults of a natural predator, Chrysopa pallens. The male Vg was depleted by RNAi. Mating with Vg-deficient male downregulated female Vg expression, suppressed ovarian development and decreased reproductive output. Whole-organism transcriptome analysis after male Vg knockdown showed no differential expression of the known spermatogenesis-related regulators and seminal fluid protein genes, but a sharp downregulation of an unknown gene, which encodes a testis-enriched big protein (Vcsoo). Separate knockdown of male Vg and Vcsoo disturbed the assembly of spermatid cytoplasmic organelles in males and suppressed the expansion of ovary germarium in mated females. These results demonstrated that C. pallens male Vg signals through the downstream Vcsoo and regulates male and female reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Yan Liu
- Institute of Food Crops, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jiao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Kai Guo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan-Rong Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tony Nolan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jian-Jun Mao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Enemy Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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8
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He Z, Fang Y, Zhang F, Liu Y, Cheng X, Wang J, Li D, Chen D, Wu F. Adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (Ant2) is required for individualization of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 38112480 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Successful completion of spermatogenesis is crucial for the perpetuation of the species. In Drosophila, spermatid individualization, a process involving changes in mitochondrial structure and function is critical to produce functional mature sperm. Ant2, encoding a mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase, is highly expressed in male testes and plays a role in energy metabolism in the mitochondria. However, its molecular function remains unclear. Here, we identified an important role of Ant2 in spermatid individualization. In Ant2 knockdown testes, spermatid individualization complexes composed of F-actin cones exhibited a diffuse distribution, and mature sperms were absent in the seminal vesicle, thus leading to male sterility. The most striking effects in Ant2-knockdown spermatids were decrease in tubulin polyglycylation and disruption of proper mitochondria derivatives function. Excessive apoptotic cells were also observed in Ant2-knockdown testes. To further investigate the phenotype of Ant2 knockdown in testes at the molecular level, complementary transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed. At the mRNA level, 868 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 229 genes were upregulated and 639 were downregulated induced via Ant2 knockdown. iTRAQ-labeling proteome analysis revealed 350 differentially expressed proteins, of which 117 proteins were upregulated and 233 were downregulated. The expression of glutathione transferase (GstD5, GstE5, GstE8, and GstD3), proteins involved in reproduction were significantly regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results indicate that Ant2 is crucial for spermatid maturation by affecting mitochondrial morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen He
- Industrial Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Fang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fengchao Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinkai Cheng
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dechen Li
- Industrial Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Dengsong Chen
- Industrial Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Industrial Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Wuhan, China
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9
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Stromberg KA, Spain T, Tomlin SA, Powell J, Amarillo KD, Schroeder CM. Evolutionary diversification reveals distinct somatic versus germline cytoskeletal functions of the Arp2 branched actin nucleator protein. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5326-5339.e7. [PMID: 37977138 PMCID: PMC10785674 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.055] [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] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Branched actin networks are critical in many cellular processes, including cell motility and division. Arp2, a protein within the seven-membered Arp2/3 complex, is responsible for generating branched actin. Given its essential roles, Arp2 evolves under stringent sequence conservation throughout eukaryotic evolution. We unexpectedly discovered recurrent evolutionary diversification of Arp2 in Drosophila, yielding independently arising paralogs Arp2D in obscura species and Arp2D2 in montium species. Both paralogs are unusually testis-enriched in expression relative to Arp2. We investigated whether their sequence divergence from canonical Arp2 led to functional specialization by replacing Arp2 in D. melanogaster with either Arp2D or Arp2D2. Despite their divergence, we surprisingly found that both complement Arp2's essential function in somatic tissue, suggesting they have preserved the ability to polymerize branched actin even in a non-native species. However, we found that Arp2D- and Arp2D2-expressing males display defects throughout sperm development, with Arp2D resulting in more pronounced deficiencies and subfertility, suggesting the Arp2 paralogs are cross-species incompatible in the testis. We focused on Arp2D and pinpointed two highly diverged structural regions-the D-loop and C terminus-and found that they contribute to germline defects in D. melanogaster sperm development. However, while the Arp2D C terminus is suboptimal in the D. melanogaster testis, it is essential for Arp2D somatic function. Testis cytology of the paralogs' native species revealed striking differences in germline actin structures, indicating unique cytoskeletal requirements. Our findings suggest canonical Arp2 function differs between somatic versus germline contexts, and Arp2 paralogs may have recurrently evolved for species-specialized actin branching in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin A Stromberg
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tristan Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sarah A Tomlin
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jordan Powell
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kristen Dominique Amarillo
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Courtney M Schroeder
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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10
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Courret C, Wei X, Larracuente AM. New perspectives on the causes and consequences of male meiotic drive. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102111. [PMID: 37704518 PMCID: PMC10842977 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102111] [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] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Gametogenesis is vulnerable to selfish genetic elements that bias their transmission to the next generation by cheating meiosis. These so-called meiotic drivers are widespread in plants, animals, and fungi and can impact genome evolution. Here, we summarize recent progress on the causes and consequences of meiotic drive in males, where selfish elements attack vulnerabilities in spermatogenesis. Advances in genomics provide new insights into the organization and dynamics of driving chromosomes in natural populations. Common themes, including small RNAs, gene duplications, and heterochromatin, emerged from these studies. Interdisciplinary approaches combining evolutionary genomics with molecular and cell biology are beginning to unravel the mysteries of drive and suppression mechanisms. These approaches also provide insights into fundamental processes in spermatogenesis and chromatin regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Courret
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. https://twitter.com/@CecileCourret
| | - Xiaolu Wei
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. https://twitter.com/@xiaolu_wei
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11
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Vedelek V, Vedelek B, Lőrincz P, Juhász G, Sinka R. A comparative analysis of fruit fly and human glutamate dehydrogenases in Drosophila melanogaster sperm development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1281487. [PMID: 38020911 PMCID: PMC10652781 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1281487] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenases are enzymes that take part in both amino acid and energy metabolism. Their role is clear in many biological processes, from neuronal function to cancer development. The putative testis-specific Drosophila glutamate dehydrogenase, Bb8, is required for male fertility and the development of mitochondrial derivatives in spermatids. Testis-specific genes are less conserved and could gain new functions, thus raising a question whether Bb8 has retained its original enzymatic activity. We show that while Bb8 displays glutamate dehydrogenase activity, there are significant functional differences between the housekeeping Gdh and the testis-specific Bb8. Both human GLUD1 and GLUD2 can rescue the bb8 ms mutant phenotype, with superior performance by GLUD2. We also tested the role of three conserved amino acids observed in both Bb8 and GLUD2 in Gdh mutants, which showed their importance in the glutamate dehydrogenase function. The findings of our study indicate that Drosophila Bb8 and human GLUD2 could be novel examples of convergent molecular evolution. Furthermore, we investigated the importance of glutamate levels in mitochondrial homeostasis during spermatogenesis by ectopic expression of the mitochondrial glutamate transporter Aralar1, which caused mitochondrial abnormalities in fly spermatids. The data presented in our study offer evidence supporting the significant involvement of glutamate metabolism in sperm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Biological Research Centre, Developmental Genetics Unit, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Lőrincz
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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12
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Ryniawec JM, Hannaford MR, Zibrat ME, Fagerstrom CJ, Galletta BJ, Aguirre SE, Guice BA, Dean SM, Rusan NM, Rogers GC. Cep104 is a component of the centriole distal tip complex that regulates centriole growth and contributes to Drosophila spermiogenesis. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4202-4216.e9. [PMID: 37729913 PMCID: PMC10591971 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.075] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Proper centrosome number and function relies on the accurate assembly of centrioles, barrel-shaped structures that form the core duplicating elements of the organelle. The growth of centrioles is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner; while new daughter centrioles elongate during the S/G2/M phase, mature mother centrioles maintain their length throughout the cell cycle. Centriole length is controlled by the synchronized growth of the microtubules that ensheathe the centriole barrel. Although proteins exist that target the growing distal tips of centrioles, such as CP110 and Cep97, these proteins are generally thought to suppress centriolar microtubule growth, suggesting that distal tips may also contain unidentified counteracting factors that facilitate microtubule polymerization. Currently, a mechanistic understanding of how distal tip proteins balance microtubule growth and shrinkage to either promote daughter centriole elongation or maintain centriole length is lacking. Using a proximity-labeling screen in Drosophila cells, we identified Cep104 as a novel component of a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins that we collectively refer to as the distal tip complex (DTC). We found that Cep104 regulates centriole growth and promotes centriole elongation through its microtubule-binding TOG domain. Furthermore, analysis of Cep104 null flies revealed that Cep104 and Cep97 cooperate during spermiogenesis to align spermatids and coordinate individualization. Lastly, we mapped the complete DTC interactome and showed that Cep97 is the central scaffolding unit required to recruit DTC components to the distal tip of centrioles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Ryniawec
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Matthew R Hannaford
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Melanie E Zibrat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Carey J Fagerstrom
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian J Galletta
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sophia E Aguirre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Bethany A Guice
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Spencer M Dean
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Nasser M Rusan
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Gregory C Rogers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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13
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Riparbelli MG, Pratelli A, Callaini G. Wolbachia Induces Structural Defects Harmful to Drosophila simulans Riverside Spermiogenesis. Cells 2023; 12:2337. [PMID: 37830551 PMCID: PMC10571642 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192337] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between cytoplasmic incompatibility and the obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia has for a long time been reported. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this reproductive alteration are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on germ cell structure and dynamics have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that the presence of Wolbachia in infected cysts of elongating spermatids is associated with major structural defects that become more evident in mature sperm. We find mitochondrial defects, an improper axoneme structure, reduced sperm numbers, and individualization failures. The large heterogeneous variety of the ultrastructural defects found in elongating spermatids and mature sperm provide the first cytological evidence for the reduced fertility associated with Wolbachia infection in Drosophila simulans males. The observed abnormalities could be the result of the mechanical stress induced by the high bacteria numbers during the process of spermatid elongation, rather than the result of the released factors affecting the proper morphogenesis of the germ cells. Moreover, high Wolbachia densities in male germ cells may not be appropriate for causing cytoplasmic incompatibility as the bacteria are harmful for spermatid differentiation, leading to abnormal sperm that is unlikely to be functional.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giuliano Callaini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (A.P.)
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14
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Zhang X, Peng J, Wu M, Sun A, Wu X, Zheng J, Shi W, Gao G. Broad phosphorylation mediated by testis-specific serine/threonine kinases contributes to spermiogenesis and male fertility. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2629. [PMID: 37149634 PMCID: PMC10164148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38357-0] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies elucidate a link between testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) and male infertility in mammals, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify a TSSK homolog in Drosophila, CG14305 (termed dTSSK), whose mutation impairs the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis and causes multiple phenotypic defects in nuclear shaping, DNA condensation, and flagellar organization in spermatids. Genetic analysis demonstrates that kinase catalytic activity of dTSSK, which is functionally conserved with human TSSKs, is essential for male fertility. Phosphoproteomics identify 828 phosphopeptides/449 proteins as potential substrates of dTSSK enriched primarily in microtubule-based processes, flagellar organization and mobility, and spermatid differentiation and development, suggesting that dTSSK phosphorylates various proteins to orchestrate postmeiotic spermiogenesis. Among them, the two substrates, protamine-like protein Mst77F/Ser9 and transition protein Mst33A/Ser237, are biochemically validated to be phosphorylated by dTSSK in vitro, and are genetically demonstrated to be involved in spermiogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that broad phosphorylation mediated by TSSKs plays an indispensable role in spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedi Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghua Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Angyang Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangfei Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanjun Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Yap YT, Li W, Huang Q, Zhou Q, Zhang D, Sheng Y, Mladenovic-Lucas L, Yee SP, Orwig KE, Granneman JG, Williams DC, Hess RA, Toure A, Zhang Z. DNALI1 interacts with the MEIG1/PACRG complex within the manchette and is required for proper sperm flagellum assembly in mice. eLife 2023; 12:e79620. [PMID: 37083624 PMCID: PMC10185345 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The manchette is a transient and unique structure present in elongating spermatids and required for proper differentiation of the germ cells during spermatogenesis. Previous work indicated that the MEIG1/PACRG complex locates in the manchette and is involved in the transport of cargos, such as SPAG16L, to build the sperm flagellum. Here, using co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down approaches in various cell systems, we established that DNALI1, an axonemal component originally cloned from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, recruits and stabilizes PACRG and we confirm in vivo, the co-localization of DNALI1 and PACRG in the manchette by immunofluorescence of elongating murine spermatids. We next generated mice with a specific deficiency of DNALI1 in male germ cells, and observed a dramatic reduction of the sperm cells, which results in male infertility. In addition, we observed that the majority of the sperm cells exhibited abnormal morphology including misshapen heads, bent tails, enlarged midpiece, discontinuous accessory structure, emphasizing the importance of DNALI1 in sperm differentiation. Examination of testis histology confirmed impaired spermiogenesis in the mutant mice. Importantly, while testicular levels of MEIG1, PACRG, and SPAG16L proteins were unchanged in the Dnali1 mutant mice, their localization within the manchette was greatly affected, indicating that DNALI1 is required for the formation of the MEIG1/PACRG complex within the manchette. Interestingly, in contrast to MEIG1 and PACRG-deficient mice, the DNALI1-deficient mice also showed impaired sperm spermiation/individualization, suggesting additional functions beyond its involvement in the manchette structure. Overall, our work identifies DNALI1 as a protein required for sperm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tian Yap
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - David Zhang
- College of William and MaryWilliamsburgUnited States
| | - Yi Sheng
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - Ljljiana Mladenovic-Lucas
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
| | - Siu-Pok Yee
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health CenterFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - James G Granneman
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
| | - David C Williams
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of IllinoisUrbanaUnited States
| | - Aminata Toure
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sperm cells, Institute for Advanced BiosciencesGrenobleFrance
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitUnited States
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State UniversityDetroitUnited States
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16
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Stromberg KA, Spain T, Tomlin SA, Amarillo KD, Schroeder CM. Evolutionary diversification reveals distinct somatic versus germline cytoskeletal functions of the Arp2 branched actin nucleator protein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530036. [PMID: 36909544 PMCID: PMC10002617 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Branched actin networks are critical in many cellular processes, including cell motility and division. Arp2, a protein within the 7-membered Arp2/3 complex, is responsible for generating branched actin. Given its essential roles, Arp2 evolves under stringent sequence conservation throughout eukaryotic evolution. We unexpectedly discovered recurrent evolutionary diversification of Arp2 in Drosophila, yielding independently arising paralogs Arp2D in obscura species and Arp2D2 in montium species. Both paralogs are unusually testis-enriched in expression relative to Arp2. We investigated whether their sequence divergence from canonical Arp2 led to functional specialization by replacing Arp2 in D. melanogaster with either Arp2D or Arp2D2. Despite their divergence, we surprisingly found both complement Arp2's essential function in the soma, suggesting they have preserved the ability to polymerize branched actin even in a non-native species. However, we found that Arp2D-expressing males are subfertile and display many defects throughout sperm development. We pinpointed two highly diverged structural regions in Arp2D that contribute to these defects: subdomain 2 and the C-terminus. We expected that germline function would be rescued by replacing Arp2D's long and charged C-terminus with Arp2's short C-terminus, yet surprisingly, the essential somatic function of Arp2D was lost. Therefore, while Arp2D's structural divergence is incompatible with D. melanogaster sperm development, its unique C-terminus has evolved a critical role in actin polymerization. Our findings suggest canonical Arp2's function differs between somatic versus germline contexts, and Arp2 paralogs have recurrently evolved and specialized for actin branching in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tristan Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Sarah A. Tomlin
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
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17
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Canal Domenech B, Fricke C. Recovery from heat‐induced infertility—A study of reproductive tissue responses and fitness consequences in male Drosophila melanogaster. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9563. [PMCID: PMC9712812 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The predicted temperature increase caused by climate change is a threat to biodiversity. Across animal taxa, male reproduction is often sensitive to elevated temperatures leading to fertility loss, and in more adverse scenarios, this can result in sterility when males reach their upper thermal fertility limit. Here, we investigate temperature‐induced changes in reproductive tissues, fertility reduction, sterility, and the associated fitness loss during the subsequent recovery phase in male Drosophila melanogaster. We heat‐stressed males during development and either allowed them to recover or not in early adulthood while measuring several determinants of male reproductive success. We found significant differences in recovery rate, organ sizes, sperm production, and other key reproductive traits among males from our different temperature treatments. Sperm maturation was impaired before reaching the upper thermal sterility threshold. While some effects were reversible, this did not compensate for the fitness loss due to damage imposed during development. Surprisingly, developmental heat stress was damaging to accessory gland growth, and female post‐mating responses mediated by seminal fluid proteins were impaired regardless of the possibility of recovery. We suggest that sub‐lethal thermal sterility and the subsequent fertility reduction are caused by a combination of inefficient functionality of both the accessory gland and testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Canal Domenech
- Institute for Evolution and BiodiversityUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany,Muenster Graduate School of EvolutionUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany
| | - Claudia Fricke
- Institute for Evolution and BiodiversityUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany,Institute for ZoologyHalle‐Wittenberg UniversityHalle (Saale)Germany
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18
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Al-Yazeedi T, Xu EL, Kaur J, Shakes DC, Pires-daSilva A. Lagging X chromatids specify the orientation of asymmetric organelle partitioning in XX spermatocytes of Auanema rhodensis. Genetics 2022; 222:6762860. [PMID: 36255260 PMCID: PMC9713428 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The unequal partitioning of molecules and organelles during cell division results in daughter cells with different fates. An extreme example is female meiosis, in which consecutive asymmetric cell divisions give rise to 1 large oocyte and 2 small polar bodies with DNA and minimal cytoplasm. Here, we test the hypothesis that during an asymmetric cell division during spermatogenesis of the nematode Auanema rhodensis, the late segregating X chromatids orient the asymmetric partitioning of cytoplasmic components. In previous studies, the secondary spermatocytes of wild-type XO males were found to divide asymmetrically to generate functional spermatids that inherit components necessary for sperm viability and DNA-containing residual bodies that inherit components to be discarded. Here we extend that analysis to 2 novel contexts. First, the isolation and analysis of a strain of mutant XX pseudomales revealed that such animals have highly variable patterns of X-chromatid segregation. The pattern of late segregating X chromatids nevertheless predicted the orientation of organelle partitioning. Second, while wild-type XX hermaphrodites were known to produce both 1X and 2X sperm, here, we show that spermatocytes within specific spermatogonial clusters exhibit 2 different patterns of X-chromatid segregation that correlate with distinct patterns of organelle partitioning. Together this analysis suggests that A. rhodensis has coopted lagging X chromosomes during anaphase II as a mechanism for determining the orientation of organelle partitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jasmin Kaur
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Corresponding author: Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA. (DCS)
| | - Andre Pires-daSilva
- Corresponding author: School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK (AP-dS)
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19
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Kunduri G, Le SH, Baena V, Vijaykrishna N, Harned A, Nagashima K, Blankenberg D, Yoshihiro I, Narayan K, Bamba T, Acharya U, Acharya JK. Delivery of ceramide phosphoethanolamine lipids to the cleavage furrow through the endocytic pathway is essential for male meiotic cytokinesis. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001599. [PMID: 36170207 PMCID: PMC9550178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell division, wherein 1 cell divides into 2 daughter cells, is fundamental to all living organisms. Cytokinesis, the final step in cell division, begins with the formation of an actomyosin contractile ring, positioned midway between the segregated chromosomes. Constriction of the ring with concomitant membrane deposition in a specified spatiotemporal manner generates a cleavage furrow that physically separates the cytoplasm. Unique lipids with specific biophysical properties have been shown to localize to intercellular bridges (also called midbody) connecting the 2 dividing cells; however, their biological roles and delivery mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), the structural analog of sphingomyelin, has unique acyl chain anchors in Drosophila spermatocytes and is essential for meiotic cytokinesis. The head group of CPE is also important for spermatogenesis. We find that aberrant central spindle and contractile ring behavior but not mislocalization of phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) at the plasma membrane is responsible for the male meiotic cytokinesis defect in CPE-deficient animals. Further, we demonstrate the enrichment of CPE in multivesicular bodies marked by Rab7, which in turn localize to cleavage furrow. Volume electron microscopy analysis using correlative light and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy shows that CPE-enriched Rab7 positive endosomes are juxtaposed on contractile ring material. Correlative light and transmission electron microscopy reveal Rab7 positive endosomes as a multivesicular body-like organelle that releases its intraluminal vesicles in the vicinity of ingressing furrows. Genetic ablation of Rab7 or Rab35 or expression of dominant negative Rab11 results in significant meiotic cytokinesis defects. Further, we show that Rab11 function is required for localization of CPE positive endosomes to the cleavage furrow. Our results imply that endosomal delivery of CPE to ingressing membranes is crucial for meiotic cytokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govind Kunduri
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Si-Hung Le
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Valentina Baena
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nagampalli Vijaykrishna
- Genomic Medicine Institute and Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Adam Harned
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kunio Nagashima
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel Blankenberg
- Genomic Medicine Institute and Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Izumi Yoshihiro
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kedar Narayan
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Takeshi Bamba
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Usha Acharya
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jairaj K. Acharya
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
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20
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Maaroufi HO, Pauchova L, Lin YH, Wu BCH, Rouhova L, Kucerova L, Vieira LC, Renner M, Sehadova H, Hradilova M, Zurovec M. Mutation in Drosophila concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 alters spermatid maturation and mating behavior. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:945572. [PMID: 36105362 PMCID: PMC9467524 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.945572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrative nucleoside transporters (Cnts) are unidirectional carriers that mediate the energy-costly influx of nucleosides driven by the transmembrane sodium gradient. Cnts are transmembrane proteins that share a common structural organization and are found in all phyla. Although there have been studies on Cnts from a biochemical perspective, no deep research has examined their role at the organismal level. Here, we investigated the role of the Drosophila melanogaster cnt1 gene, which is specifically expressed in the testes. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate a mutation in the cnt1 gene. The cnt1 mutants exhibited defects in the duration of copulation and spermatid maturation, which significantly impaired male fertility. The most striking effect of the cnt1 mutation in spermatid maturation was an abnormal structure of the sperm tail, in which the formation of major and minor mitochondrial derivatives was disrupted. Our results demonstrate the importance of cnt1 in male fertility and suggest that the observed defects in mating behavior and spermatogenesis are due to alterations in nucleoside transport and associated metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Ouns Maaroufi
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Lucie Pauchova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Yu-Hsien Lin
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Lenka Rouhova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Ligia Cota Vieira
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Marek Renner
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Miluse Hradilova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Michal Zurovec,
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21
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From primordial germ cells to spermatids in Caenorhabditis elegans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:110-120. [PMID: 34930663 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Development of a syncytial germline for gamete formation requires complex regulation of cytokinesis and cytoplasmic remodeling. Recently, several uncovered cellular events have been investigated in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) germline. In these cellular processes, the factors involved in contractility are highly conserved with those of mitosis and meiosis. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are far more complicated than previously thought, likely due to the single syncytial germline structure. In this review, we highlight how the proteins involved in contractility ensure faithful cell division in different cellular contexts and how they contribute to maintaining intercellular bridge stability. In addition, we discuss the current understanding of the cellular events of cytokinesis and cytoplasmic remodeling during the development of the C. elegans germline, including progenitor germ cells, germ cells, and spermatocytes. Comparisons are made with relevant systems in Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) and other animal models.
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22
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Rivard EL, Ludwig AG, Patel PH, Grandchamp A, Arnold SE, Berger A, Scott EM, Kelly BJ, Mascha GC, Bornberg-Bauer E, Findlay GD. A putative de novo evolved gene required for spermatid chromatin condensation in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009787. [PMID: 34478447 PMCID: PMC8445463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative genomics has enabled the identification of genes that potentially evolved de novo from non-coding sequences. Many such genes are expressed in male reproductive tissues, but their functions remain poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a functional genetic screen of over 40 putative de novo genes with testis-enriched expression in Drosophila melanogaster and identified one gene, atlas, required for male fertility. Detailed genetic and cytological analyses showed that atlas is required for proper chromatin condensation during the final stages of spermatogenesis. Atlas protein is expressed in spermatid nuclei and facilitates the transition from histone- to protamine-based chromatin packaging. Complementary evolutionary analyses revealed the complex evolutionary history of atlas. The protein-coding portion of the gene likely arose at the base of the Drosophila genus on the X chromosome but was unlikely to be essential, as it was then lost in several independent lineages. Within the last ~15 million years, however, the gene moved to an autosome, where it fused with a conserved non-coding RNA and evolved a non-redundant role in male fertility. Altogether, this study provides insight into the integration of novel genes into biological processes, the links between genomic innovation and functional evolution, and the genetic control of a fundamental developmental process, gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Rivard
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew G. Ludwig
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Prajal H. Patel
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Sarah E. Arnold
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Emilie M. Scott
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brendan J. Kelly
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Grace C. Mascha
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Geoffrey D. Findlay
- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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23
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Herbette M, Wei X, Chang CH, Larracuente AM, Loppin B, Dubruille R. Distinct spermiogenic phenotypes underlie sperm elimination in the Segregation Distorter meiotic drive system. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009662. [PMID: 34228705 PMCID: PMC8284685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Segregation Distorter (SD) is a male meiotic drive system in Drosophila melanogaster. Males heterozygous for a selfish SD chromosome rarely transmit the homologous SD+ chromosome. It is well established that distortion results from an interaction between Sd, the primary distorting locus on the SD chromosome and its target, a satellite DNA called Rsp, on the SD+ chromosome. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to post-meiotic SD+ sperm elimination remain unclear. Here we show that SD/SD+ males of different genotypes but with similarly strong degrees of distortion have distinct spermiogenic phenotypes. In some genotypes, SD+ spermatids fail to fully incorporate protamines after the removal of histones, and degenerate during the individualization stage of spermiogenesis. In contrast, in other SD/SD+ genotypes, protamine incorporation appears less disturbed, yet spermatid nuclei are abnormally compacted, and mature sperm nuclei are eventually released in the seminal vesicle. Our analyses of different SD+ chromosomes suggest that the severity of the spermiogenic defects associates with the copy number of the Rsp satellite. We propose that when Rsp copy number is very high (> 2000), spermatid nuclear compaction defects reach a threshold that triggers a checkpoint controlling sperm chromatin quality to eliminate abnormal spermatids during individualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Herbette
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR 5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Xiaolu Wei
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Biomedical Genetics, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Ching-Ho Chang
- University of Rochester Department of Biology, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Amanda M. Larracuente
- University of Rochester Department of Biology, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR 5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Raphaëlle Dubruille
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR 5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
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24
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Bouska MJ, Bai H. Long noncoding RNA regulation of spermatogenesis via the spectrin cytoskeleton in Drosophila. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab080. [PMID: 33720346 PMCID: PMC8104941 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The spectrin cytoskeleton has been shown to be critical in diverse processes such as axon development and degeneration, myoblast fusion, and spermatogenesis. Spectrin can be modulated in a tissue specific manner through junctional protein complexes, however, it has not been shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with and modulate spectrin. Here, we provide evidence of a lncRNA CR45362 that interacts with α-Spectrin, is required for spermatid nuclear bundling during Drosophila spermatogenesis. We observed that CR45362 showed high expression in the cyst cells at the basal testis, and CRISPR-mediated knockout of CR45362 led to sterile male, unbundled spermatid nuclei, and disrupted actin cones. Through chromatin isolation by RNA precipitation-mass spectrometry (ChIRP-MS), we identified actin-spectrin cytoskeletal components physically interact with the lncRNA CR45362. Genetic screening on identified cytoskeletal factors revealed that cyst cell-specific knockdown of α-Spectrin phenocopied CR45362 mutants and resulted in spermatid nuclear bundle defects. Consistently, CR45362 knockout disrupted the co-localization of α-Spectrin and spermatid nuclear bundles in the head cyst cells at the basal testis. Thus, we uncovered a novel lncRNA CR45362 that interacts with α-Spectrin to stabilize spermatid nuclear bundles during spermatid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Bouska
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1079, USA
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1079, USA
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25
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Drosophila melanogaster Mitochondrial Carriers: Similarities and Differences with the Human Carriers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176052. [PMID: 32842667 PMCID: PMC7504413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial carriers are a family of structurally related proteins responsible for the exchange of metabolites, cofactors and nucleotides between the cytoplasm and mitochondrial matrix. The in silico analysis of the Drosophila melanogaster genome has highlighted the presence of 48 genes encoding putative mitochondrial carriers, but only 20 have been functionally characterized. Despite most Drosophila mitochondrial carrier genes having human homologs and sharing with them 50% or higher sequence identity, D. melanogaster genes display peculiar differences from their human counterparts: (1) in the fruit fly, many genes encode more transcript isoforms or are duplicated, resulting in the presence of numerous subfamilies in the genome; (2) the expression of the energy-producing genes in D. melanogaster is coordinated from a motif known as Nuclear Respiratory Gene (NRG), a palindromic 8-bp sequence; (3) fruit-fly duplicated genes encoding mitochondrial carriers show a testis-biased expression pattern, probably in order to keep a duplicate copy in the genome. Here, we review the main features, biological activities and role in the metabolism of the D. melanogaster mitochondrial carriers characterized to date, highlighting similarities and differences with their human counterparts. Such knowledge is very important for obtaining an integrated view of mitochondrial function in D. melanogaster metabolism.
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26
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Huang Q, Liu Y, Zhang S, Yap YT, Li W, Zhang D, Gardner A, Zhang L, Song S, Hess RA, Zhang Z. Autophagy core protein ATG5 is required for elongating spermatid development, sperm individualization and normal fertility in male mice. Autophagy 2020; 17:1753-1767. [PMID: 32677505 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1783822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the longest phase of spermatogenesis, with dramatic morphological changes and a final step of spermiation, which involves protein degradation and the removal of excess cytoplasm; therefore, we hypothesized that macroautophagy/autophagy might be involved in the process. To test this hypothesis, we examined the function of ATG5, a core autophagy protein in male germ cell development. Floxed Atg5 and Stra8- iCre mice were crossed to conditionally inactivate Atg5 in male germ cells. In Atg5flox/flox; Stra8- iCre mutant mice, testicular expression of the autophagosome marker LC3A/B-II was significantly reduced, and expression of autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62 was significantly increased, indicating a decrease in testicular autophagy activity. The fertility of mutant mice was dramatically reduced with about 70% being infertile. Sperm counts and motility were also significantly reduced compared to controls. Histological examination of the mutant testes revealed numerous, large residual bodies in the lumen of stages after their normal resorption within the seminiferous epithelium. The cauda epididymal lumen was filled with sloughed germ cells, large cytoplasmic bodies, and spermatozoa with disorganized heads and tails. Examination of cauda epididymal sperm by electron microscopy revealed misshapen sperm heads, a discontinuous accessory structure in the mid-piece and abnormal acrosome formation and loss of sperm individualization. Immunofluorescence staining of epididymal sperm showed abnormal mitochondria and acrosome distribution in the mutant mice. ATG5 was shown to induce autophagy by mediating multiple signals to maintain normal developmental processes. Our study demonstrated ATG5 is essential for male fertility and is involved in various aspects of spermiogenesis.Abbreviations: AKAP4: a-kinase anchoring protein 4; ATG5: autophagy-related 5; ATG7: autophagy-related 7; ATG10: autophagy-related 10; ATG12: autophagy-related 12; cKO: conditional knockout; DDX4: DEAD-box helicase 4; MAP1LC3/LC3/tg8: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PIWIL2/MILI: piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2; RT-PCR: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBC: tubulobulbar complexes; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yunhao Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiyang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yi Tian Yap
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David Zhang
- School of Arts and Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
| | - Ahmad Gardner
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit High School, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shizheng Song
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rex A Hess
- Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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27
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Bauerly E, Yi K, Gibson MC. Wampa is a dynein subunit required for axonemal assembly and male fertility in Drosophila. Dev Biol 2020; 463:158-168. [PMID: 32387369 PMCID: PMC8451153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In cilia and flagella, dyneins form complexes which give rise to the inner and outer axonemal arms. Defects in the dynein arms are the leading cause of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which is characterized by chronic respiratory infections, situs inversus, and sterility. While the pathological features associated with PCD are increasingly well characterized, many of the causative genetic lesions remain elusive. Using Drosophila, here we analyze genetic requirements for wampa (wam), a previously uncharacterized component of the outer dynein arm. While homozygous mutant animals are viable and display no morphological defects, loss of wam results in complete male sterility. Ultrastructural analysis further reveals that wam mutant spermatids lack the axonemal outer dynein arms, which leads to a complete loss of flagellar motility. In addition to a role in outer dynein arm formation, we also uncover other novel microtubule-associated requirements for wam during spermatogenesis, including the regulation of mitochondrial localization and the shaping of the nuclear head. Due to the conserved nature of dyneins, this study advances our understanding of the pathology of PCD and the functional role of dyneins in axoneme formation and other aspects of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kexi Yi
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Matthew C Gibson
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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28
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Dissecting Fertility Functions of Drosophila Y Chromosome Genes with CRISPR. Genetics 2020; 214:977-990. [PMID: 32098759 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.302672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene-poor, repeat-rich regions of the genome are poorly understood and have been understudied due to technical challenges and the misconception that they are degenerating "junk." Yet multiple lines of evidence indicate these regions may be an important source of variation that could drive adaptation and species divergence, particularly through regulation of fertility. The ∼40 Mb Y chromosome of Drosophila melanoga st er contains only 16 known protein-coding genes, and is highly repetitive and entirely heterochromatic. Most of the genes originated from duplication of autosomal genes and have reduced nonsynonymous substitution rates, suggesting functional constraint. We devised a genetic strategy for recovering and retaining stocks with sterile Y-linked mutations and combined it with CRISPR to create mutants with deletions that disrupt three Y-linked genes. Two genes, PRY and FDY, had no previously identified functions. We found that PRY mutant males are subfertile, but FDY mutant males had no detectable fertility defects. FDY, the newest known gene on the Y chromosome, may have fertility effects that are conditional or too subtle to detect. The third gene, CCY, had been predicted but never formally shown to be required for male fertility. CRISPR targeting and RNA interference of CCY caused male sterility. Surprisingly, however, our CCY mutants were sterile even in the presence of an extra wild-type Y chromosome, suggesting that perturbation of the Y chromosome can lead to dominant sterility. Our approach provides an important step toward understanding the complex functions of the Y chromosome and parsing which functions are accomplished by genes vs. repeat elements.
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29
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Mills WK, Lee YCG, Kochendoerfer AM, Dunleavy EM, Karpen GH. RNA from a simple-tandem repeat is required for sperm maturation and male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. eLife 2019; 8:48940. [PMID: 31687931 PMCID: PMC6879302 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandemly-repeated DNAs, or satellites, are enriched in heterochromatic regions of eukaryotic genomes and contribute to nuclear structure and function. Some satellites are transcribed, but we lack direct evidence that specific satellite RNAs are required for normal organismal functions. Here, we show satellite RNAs derived from AAGAG tandem repeats are transcribed in many cells throughout Drosophila melanogaster development, enriched in neurons and testes, often localized within heterochromatic regions, and important for viability. Strikingly, we find AAGAG transcripts are necessary for male fertility, and that AAGAG RNA depletion results in defective histone-protamine exchange, sperm maturation and chromatin organization. Since these events happen late in spermatogenesis when the transcripts are not detected, we speculate that AAGAG RNA in primary spermatocytes ‘primes’ post-meiosis steps for sperm maturation. In addition to demonstrating essential functions for AAGAG RNAs, comparisons between closely related Drosophila species suggest that satellites and their transcription evolve quickly to generate new functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilbur Kyle Mills
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, United States
| | - Yuh Chwen G Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, United States.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | | | - Elaine M Dunleavy
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Gary H Karpen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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30
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Steinhauer J, Statman B, Fagan JK, Borck J, Surabhi S, Yarikipati P, Edelman D, Jenny A. Combover interacts with the axonemal component Rsp3 and is required for Drosophila sperm individualization. Development 2019; 146:dev179275. [PMID: 31391193 PMCID: PMC6765124 DOI: 10.1242/dev.179275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gamete formation is key to survival of higher organisms. In male animals, spermatogenesis gives rise to interconnected spermatids that differentiate and individualize into mature sperm, each tightly enclosed by a plasma membrane. In Drosophila melanogaster, individualization of sister spermatids requires the formation of specialized actin cones that synchronously move along the sperm tails, removing inter-spermatid bridges and most of the cytoplasm. Here, we show that Combover (Cmb), originally identified as an effector of planar cell polarity (PCP) under control of Rho kinase, is essential for sperm individualization. cmb mutants are male sterile, with actin cones that fail to move in a synchronized manner along the flagella, despite being correctly formed and polarized initially. These defects are germline autonomous, independent of PCP genes, and can be rescued by wild-type Cmb, but not by a version of Cmb in which known Rho kinase phosphorylation sites are mutated. Furthermore, Cmb binds to the axonemal component Radial spoke protein 3, knockdown of which causes similar individualization defects, suggesting that Cmb coordinates the individualization machinery with the microtubular axonemes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Statman
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY 10033, USA
| | - Jeremy K Fagan
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jacob Borck
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY 10033, USA
| | - Satya Surabhi
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Prathibha Yarikipati
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Daniel Edelman
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY 10033, USA
| | - Andreas Jenny
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
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31
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Hu J, Cheng S, Wang H, Li X, Liu S, Wu M, Liu Y, Wang X. Distinct roles of two myosins in C. elegans spermatid differentiation. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000211. [PMID: 30990821 PMCID: PMC6485759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, interconnected haploid spermatids segregate undesired cellular contents into residual bodies (RBs) before detaching from RBs. It is unclear how this differentiation process is controlled to produce individual spermatids or motile spermatozoa. Here, we developed a live imaging system to visualize and investigate this process in C. elegans. We found that non-muscle myosin 2 (NMY-2)/myosin II drives incomplete cytokinesis to generate connected haploid spermatids, which are then polarized to segregate undesired cellular contents into RBs under the control of myosin II and myosin VI. NMY-2/myosin II extends from the pseudo-cleavage furrow formed between two haploid spermatids to the spermatid poles, thus promoting RB expansion. In the meantime, defective spermatogenesis 15 (SPE-15)/myosin VI migrates from spermatids towards the expanding RB to promote spermatid budding. Loss of myosin II or myosin VI causes distinct cytoplasm segregation defects, while loss of both myosins completely blocks RB formation. We found that the final separation of spermatids from RBs is achieved through myosin VI-mediated cytokinesis, while myosin II is dispensable at this step. SPE-15/myosin VI and F-actin form a detergent-resistant actomyosin VI ring that undergoes continuous contraction to promote membrane constriction between spermatid and RB. We further identified that RGS-GAIP-interacting protein C terminus (GIPC)-1 and GIPC-2 cooperate with myosin VI to regulate contractile ring formation and spermatid release. Our study reveals distinct roles of myosin II and myosin VI in spermatid differentiation and uncovers a novel myosin VI-mediated cytokinesis process that controls spermatid release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Hu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiya Cheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sun Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yubing Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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32
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Drosophila Pif1A is essential for spermatogenesis and is the homolog of human CCDC157, a gene associated with idiopathic NOA. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:125. [PMID: 30741974 PMCID: PMC6370830 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1398-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic process of spermatogenesis shows little variation between invertebrate models such as Drosophila, and vertebrate models such as mice and rats. In each case, germ stem cells undergo mitotic division to proliferate and then continue, via meiosis, through various stages of elongation and individualization from spermatogonia to spermatid to finally to form mature sperm. Mature sperm are then stored in the seminal vesicles for fertilization. Errors in any of these stages can lead to male infertility. Here, we identify that Drosophila Pif1A acts as a key regulator for sperm individualization. Loss of Pif1A leads to male sterility associated with irregular individualization complex and empty seminal vesicles without mature sperm. Pif1A is highly expressed in the testes of mated male adult flies and the Pif1A protein is expressed at a higher level in male than in female flies. Pif1A is homologous to mammalian coiled-coil domain-containing protein 157 (CCDC157), which is also enriched in the testes of humans and mice. Human CCDC157, with unknown function, was identified to be downregulated in men with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). We map the function of Drosophila Pif1A during spermatogenesis, showing that Pif1A is essential for spermatide individualization and involved in the regulation of the lipid metabolism genes. Our findings might be applicable for studying the function of CCDC157 in spermatogenesis and other aspects of human male fertility.
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33
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Augière C, Lapart JA, Duteyrat JL, Cortier E, Maire C, Thomas J, Durand B. salto/CG13164 is required for sperm head morphogenesis in Drosophila. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:636-645. [PMID: 30601696 PMCID: PMC6589691 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-07-0429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Producing mature spermatozoa is essential for sexual reproduction in metazoans. Spermiogenesis involves dramatic cell morphological changes going from sperm tail elongation and nuclear reshaping to cell membrane remodeling during sperm individualization and release. The sperm manchette plays a critical scaffolding function during nuclear remodeling by linking the nuclear lamina to the cytoskeleton. Here, we describe the role of an uncharacterized protein in Drosophila, salto/CG13164, involved in nuclear shaping and spermatid individualization. Salto has dynamic localization during spermatid differentiation, being progressively relocated from the sperm-nuclear dense body, which is equivalent to the mammalian sperm manchette, to the centriolar adjunct and acrosomal cap during spermiogenesis. salto-null male flies are sterile and exhibit complete spermatid individualization defects. salto-deficient spermatids show coiled spermatid nuclei at late maturation stages and stalled individualization complexes. Our work sheds light on a novel component involved in cytoskeleton-based cell-morphological changes during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Augière
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jean-André Lapart
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Luc Duteyrat
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Elisabeth Cortier
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Charline Maire
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Joëlle Thomas
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Bénédicte Durand
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR-5310, INSERM U-1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène, F-69008 Lyon, France
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Zheng Y, Bi J, Hou MY, Shen W, Zhang W, Ai H, Yu XQ, Wang YF. Ocnus is essential for male germ cell development in Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:545-555. [PMID: 29732657 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The ocnus (ocn) gene encodes a protein abundant in the testes, implying its role in testis development. When Drosophila melanogaster is infected with the endosymbiont wMel Wolbachia, which affects the spermatogenesis of its hosts, ocn is downregulated in the third-instar larval testes, suggesting a role of ocn in spermatogenesis. In this study, we knocked down ocn in the testes and found that the hatch rates of embryos derived from ocn-knockdown males were significantly decreased, and 84.38% of the testes were much smaller in comparison to controls. Analysis of the smaller testes showed no germ cells but they had an extended hub. Using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified 69 genes with at least a twofold change (q-value < 5%) in their expression after ocn knockdown; of these, eight testes-specific and three reproduction-related genes were verified to be significantly downregulated using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Three genes (orientation disruptor, p24-2 and CG13541) were also significantly downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. Furthermore, 98 genes were not expressed when ocn was knocked down in testes. These results suggest that ocn plays a crucial role in male germ cell development in Drosophila, possibly by regulating the expression of multiple spermatogenesis-related genes. Our data provide important information to help understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - J Bi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - M-Y Hou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - W Shen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - W Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - H Ai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - X-Q Yu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Y-F Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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Disruption of INOS, a Gene Encoding myo-Inositol Phosphate Synthase, Causes Male Sterility in Drosophila melanogaster. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:2913-2922. [PMID: 29991509 PMCID: PMC6118315 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Inositol is a precursor for the phospholipid membrane component phosphatidylinositol (PI), involved in signal transduction pathways, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and osmoregulation. Alterations of inositol metabolism have been implicated in human reproductive issues, the therapeutic effects of drugs used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, spinal cord defects, and diseases including diabetes and Alzheimer’s. The sole known inositol synthetic enzyme is myo-inositol synthase (MIPS), and the homolog in Drosophilia melanogaster is encoded by the Inos gene. Three identical deletion strains (inosΔDF/CyO) were constructed, confirmed by PCR and sequencing, and homozygotes (inosΔDF/inosΔDF) were shown to lack the transcript encoding the MIPS enzyme. Without inositol, homozygous inosΔDF deletion fertilized eggs develop only to the first-instar larval stage. When transferred as pupae to food without inositol, however, inosΔDF homozygotes die significantly sooner than wild-type flies. Even with dietary inositol the homozygous inosΔDF males are sterile. An inos allele, with a P-element inserted into the first intron, fails to complement this male sterile phenotype. An additional copy of the Inos gene inserted into another chromosome rescues all the phenotypes. These genetic and phenotypic analyses establish D. melanogaster as an excellent model organism in which to examine the role of inositol synthesis in development and reproduction.
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Kimura S, Loppin B. The Drosophila chromosomal protein Mst77F is processed to generate an essential component of mature sperm chromatin. Open Biol 2017; 6:rsob.160207. [PMID: 27810970 PMCID: PMC5133442 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In most animals, the bulk of sperm DNA is packaged with sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs), a diverse group of highly basic chromosomal proteins notably comprising mammalian protamines. The replacement of histones with SNBPs during spermiogenesis allows sperm DNA to reach an extreme level of compaction, but little is known about how SNBPs actually function in vivo. Mst77F is a Drosophila SNBP with unique DNA condensation properties in vitro, but its role during spermiogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that Mst77F is required for the compaction of sperm DNA and the production of mature sperm, through its cooperation with protamine-like proteins Mst35Ba/b. We demonstrate that Mst77F is incorporated in spermatid chromatin as a precursor protein, which is subsequently processed through the proteolysis of its N-terminus. The cleavage of Mst77F is very similar to the processing of protamine P2 during human spermiogenesis and notably leaves the cysteine residues in the mature protein intact, suggesting that they participate in the formation of disulfide cross-links. Despite the rapid evolution of SNBPs, sperm chromatin condensation thus involves remarkably convergent mechanisms in distantly related animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Kimura
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR5558, University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR5558, University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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Winter ES, Schwarz A, Fabig G, Feldman JL, Pires-daSilva A, Müller-Reichert T, Sadler PL, Shakes DC. Cytoskeletal variations in an asymmetric cell division support diversity in nematode sperm size and sex ratios. Development 2017; 144:3253-3263. [PMID: 28827395 DOI: 10.1242/dev.153841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Asymmetric partitioning is an essential component of many developmental processes. As spermatogenesis concludes, sperm are streamlined by discarding unnecessary cellular components into cellular wastebags called residual bodies (RBs). During nematode spermatogenesis, this asymmetric partitioning event occurs shortly after anaphase II, and both microtubules and actin partition into a central RB. Here, we use fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy to elucidate and compare the intermediate steps of RB formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, Rhabditis sp. SB347 (recently named Auanema rhodensis) and related nematodes. In all cases, intact microtubules reorganize and move from centrosomal to non-centrosomal sites at the RB-sperm boundary whereas actin reorganizes through cortical ring expansion and clearance from the poles. However, in species with tiny spermatocytes, these cytoskeletal changes are restricted to one pole. Consequently, partitioning yields one functional sperm with the X-bearing chromosome complement and an RB with the other chromosome set. Unipolar partitioning may not require an unpaired X, as it also occurs in XX spermatocytes. Instead, constraints related to spermatocyte downsizing may have contributed to the evolution of a sperm cell equivalent to female polar bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan S Winter
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | - Anna Schwarz
- Experimental Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Gunar Fabig
- Experimental Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Jessica L Feldman
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Thomas Müller-Reichert
- Experimental Center, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Penny L Sadler
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA.,Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
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Drosophila LKB1 is required for the assembly of the polarized actin structure that allows spermatid individualization. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182279. [PMID: 28767695 PMCID: PMC5540607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, a testis-specific isoform of the protein kinase LKB1 is required for spermiogenesis, but its exact function and specificity are not known. Human LKB1 rescues the functions of Drosophila Lkb1 essential for viability, but these males are sterile, revealing a new function for this genes in fly. We also identified a testis-specific transcript generated by an alternative promoter and that only differs by a longer 5'UTR. We show that dLKB1 is required in the germline for the formation of the actin cone, the polarized structure that allows spermatid individualization and cytoplasm excess extrusion during spermiogenesis. Three of the nine LKB1 classical targets in the Drosophila genome (AMPK, NUAK and KP78b) are required for proper spermiogenesis, but later than dLKB1. dLkb1 mutant phenotype is reminiscent of that of myosin V mutants, and both proteins show a dynamic localization profile before actin cone formation. Together, these data highlight a new dLKB1 function and suggest that dLKB1 posttranscriptional regulation in testis and involvement in spermatid morphogenesis are evolutionarily conserved features.
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Mukherjee A, Williams DW. More alive than dead: non-apoptotic roles for caspases in neuronal development, plasticity and disease. Cell Death Differ 2017. [PMID: 28644437 PMCID: PMC5520460 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2017.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous systems are arguably the most fascinating and complex structures in the known universe. How they are built, changed by experience and then degenerate are some of the biggest questions in biology. Regressive phenomena, such as neuron pruning and programmed cell death, have a key role in the building and maintenance of the nervous systems. Both of these cellular mechanisms deploy the caspase family of protease enzymes. In this review, we highlight the non-apoptotic function of caspases during nervous system development, plasticity and disease, particularly focussing on their role in structural remodelling. We have classified pruning as either macropruning, where complete branches are removed, or micropruning, where individual synapses or dendritic spines are eliminated. Finally we discuss open questions and possible future directions within the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Mukherjee
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Darren W Williams
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
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Economou K, Kotsiliti E, Mintzas AC. Stage and cell-specific expression and intracellular localization of the small heat shock protein Hsp27 during oogenesis and spermatogenesis in the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 96:64-72. [PMID: 27756555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The cell-specific expression and intracellular distribution of the small heat protein Hsp27 was investigated in the ovaries and testes of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (medfly), under both normal and heat shock conditions. For this study, a gfp-hsp27 strain was used to detect the chimeric protein by confocal microscopy. In unstressed ovaries, the protein was expressed throughout egg development in a stage and cell-specific pattern. In germarium, the protein was detected in the cytoplasm of the somatic cells in both unstressed and heat-shocked ovaries. In the early stages of oogenesis of unstressed ovaries, the protein was mainly located in the perinuclear region of the germ cells and in the cytoplasm of the follicle cells, while in later stages (9-10) it was distributed in the cytoplasm of the germ cells. In late stages (12-14), the protein changed localization pattern and was exclusively associated with the nuclei of the somatic cells. In heat shocked ovaries, the protein was mainly located in the nuclei of the somatic cells throughout egg chamber's development. In unstressed testes, the chimeric protein was detected in the nuclei of primary spermatocytes and in the filamentous structures of spermatid bundles, called actin cones. Interestingly, after a heat shock, the protein presented the same cell-specific localization pattern as in unstressed testes. Furthermore, the protein was also detected in the nuclei of the epithelial cells of the deferent duct, the accessory glands and the ejaculatory bulb. Our data suggest that medfly Hsp27 may have cell-specific functions, especially in the nucleus. Moreover, the association of this protein to actin cones during spermatid individualization, suggests a possible role of the protein in the formation and stabilization of actin cones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Economou
- University of Patras, Department of Biology, University Campus, 26504 Rio, Greece.
| | - Elena Kotsiliti
- University of Patras, Department of Biology, University Campus, 26504 Rio, Greece.
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Wu CH, Zong Q, Du AL, Zhang W, Yao HC, Yu XQ, Wang YF. Knockdown of Dynamitin in testes significantly decreased male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Dev Biol 2016; 420:79-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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