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Sutovsky P, Hamilton LE, Zigo M, Ortiz D’Avila Assumpção ME, Jones A, Tirpak F, Agca Y, Kerns K, Sutovsky M. Biomarker-based human and animal sperm phenotyping: the good, the bad and the ugly†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1135-1156. [PMID: 38640912 PMCID: PMC11180624 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae061] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional, brightfield-microscopic semen analysis provides important baseline information about sperm quality of an individual; however, it falls short of identifying subtle subcellular and molecular defects in cohorts of "bad," defective human and animal spermatozoa with seemingly normal phenotypes. To bridge this gap, it is desirable to increase the precision of andrological evaluation in humans and livestock animals by pursuing advanced biomarker-based imaging methods. This review, spiced up with occasional classic movie references but seriously scholastic at the same time, focuses mainly on the biomarkers of altered male germ cell proteostasis resulting in post-testicular carryovers of proteins associated with ubiquitin-proteasome system. Also addressed are sperm redox homeostasis, epididymal sperm maturation, sperm-seminal plasma interactions, and sperm surface glycosylation. Zinc ion homeostasis-associated biomarkers and sperm-borne components, including the elements of neurodegenerative pathways such as Huntington and Alzheimer disease, are discussed. Such spectrum of biomarkers, imaged by highly specific vital fluorescent molecular probes, lectins, and antibodies, reveals both obvious and subtle defects of sperm chromatin, deoxyribonucleic acid, and accessory structures of the sperm head and tail. Introduction of next-generation image-based flow cytometry into research and clinical andrology will soon enable the incorporation of machine and deep learning algorithms with the end point of developing simple, label-free methods for clinical diagnostics and high-throughput phenotyping of spermatozoa in humans and economically important livestock animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Lauren E Hamilton
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Mayra E Ortiz D’Avila Assumpção
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexis Jones
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Filip Tirpak
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Yuksel Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Karl Kerns
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Miriam Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia MO, USA
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Zhao G, Dong H, Dai L, Xie H, Sun H, Zhang J, Wang Q, Xu C, Yin K. Proteomics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii merozoites reveals regulatory proteins involved in sexual reproduction. Microb Pathog 2024; 186:106484. [PMID: 38052278 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106484] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction plays a crucial role in the transmission and life cycle of toxoplasmosis. The merozoites are the only developmental stage capable of differentiation into male and female gametes, thereby initiating sexual reproduction to form oocysts that are excreted into the environment. Hence, our study aimed to perform proteomic analyses of T. gondii Pru strain merozoites, a pre-sexual developmental stage in cat IECs, and tachyzoites, an asexual developmental stage, using the tandem mass tag (TMT) method in order to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of merozoites. Proteins functions were subjected to cluster analysis, and DEPs were validated through the qPCR method. The results showed that a total of 106 proteins were identified, out of which 85 proteins had quantitative data. Among these, 15 proteins were differentially expressed within merozoites, with four exhibiting up-regulation and being closely associated with the material and energy metabolism as well as the cell division of T. gondii. Two novel DEPs, namely S8GHL5 and A0A125YP41, were identified, and their homologous family members have been demonstrated to play regulatory roles in oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis in other species. Therefore, they may potentially exhibit regulatory functions during the differentiation of micro- and macro-gametophytes at the initiation stage of sexual reproduction in T. gondii. In conclusion, our results showed that the metabolic and divisional activities in the merozoites surpass those in the tachyzoites, thereby providing structural, material, and energetic support for gametophytes development. The discovery of two novel DEPs associated with sexual reproduction represents a significant advancement in understanding Toxoplasma sexual reproduction initiation and oocyst formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Zhao
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Hongjie Dong
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Lisha Dai
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Huanhuan Xie
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Hang Sun
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Junmei Zhang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Chao Xu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
| | - Kun Yin
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China.
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Yang D, Lu Q, Peng S, Hua J. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), a double-edged sword in mammalian oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis. Cell Prolif 2022; 56:e13347. [PMID: 36218038 PMCID: PMC9890544 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that ubiquitin-mediated cell apoptosis can modulate protein interaction and involve in the progress of oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis. As one of the key regulators involved in ubiquitin signal, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is considered a molecular marker associated with spermatogonia stem cells. However, the function of UCHL1 was wildly reported to regulate various bioecological processes, such as Parkinson's disease, lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer, how UCHL1 affects the mammalian reproductive system remains an open question. METHODS We identified papers through electronic searches of PubMed database from inception to July 2022. RESULTS Here, we summarize the important function of UCHL1 in controlling mammalian oocyte development, regulating spermatogenesis and inhibiting polyspermy, and we posit the balance of UCHL1 was essential to maintaining reproductive cellular and tissue homeostasis. CONCLUSION This study considers the 'double-edged sword' role of UCHL1 during gametogenesis and presents new insights into UCHL1 in germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Qizhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & TechnologyNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
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Wang J, Zhou Q, Ding J, Yin T, Ye P, Zhang Y. The Conceivable Functions of Protein Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination in Reproduction. Front Physiol 2022; 13:886261. [PMID: 35910557 PMCID: PMC9326170 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.886261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination with general existence in virtually all eukaryotic cells serves as a significant post-translational modification of cellular proteins, which leads to the degradation of proteins via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) can reverse the ubiquitination effect by removing the ubiquitin chain from the target protein. Together, these two processes participate in regulating protein stability, function, and localization, thus modulating cell cycle, DNA repair, autophagy, and transcription regulation. Accumulating evidence indicates that the ubiquitination/deubiquitination system regulates reproductive processes, including the cell cycle, oocyte maturation, oocyte-sperm binding, and early embryonic development, primarily by regulating protein stability. This review summarizes the extensive research concerning the role of ubiquitin and DUBs in gametogenesis and early embryonic development, which helps us to understand human pregnancy further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinli Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Tailang Yin, ; Peng Ye, ; Yan Zhang,
| | - Peng Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Tailang Yin, ; Peng Ye, ; Yan Zhang,
| | - Yan Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Tailang Yin, ; Peng Ye, ; Yan Zhang,
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Rodríguez-García ME, Cotrina-Vinagre FJ, Bellusci M, Hernández-Sánchez L, de Aragón AM, López-Laso E, Martín-Hernández E, Martínez-Azorín F. First splicing variant in HECW2 with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance and associated with NDHSAL. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1361-1367. [PMID: 35753050 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We report the clinical and genetic features of a Caucasian girl who presented a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with drug-resistant epilepsy, hypotonia, severe gastro-esophageal reflux and brain MRI anomalies. WES uncovered a novel variant in homozygosis (g.197092814_197092824delinsC) in HECW2 gene that encodes the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase HECW2. This protein induces ubiquitination and is implicated in the regulation of several important pathways involved in neurodevelopment and neurogenesis. Furthermore, de novo heterozygous missense variants in this gene have been associated with NDHSAL. The homozygous variant of our patient disrupts the splice donor site of intron 22 and causes the elimination of exon 22 (r.3766_3917+1del) leading to an in-frame deletion of the protein (p.Leu1256_Trp1306del). Functional studies showed a two-fold increase of its RNA expression, while the protein expression level was reduced by 60%, suggesting a partial LOF mechanism of pathogenesis. Thus, this is the first patient with NDHSAL caused by an autosomal recessive splicing variant in HECW2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elena Rodríguez-García
- Grupo de Enfermedades Raras, Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares (ERMN) Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), E-28041, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), E-28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cotrina-Vinagre
- Grupo de Enfermedades Raras, Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares (ERMN) Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), E-28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcello Bellusci
- Unidad Pediátrica de Enfermedades Raras, Enfermedades Mitocondriales y Metabólicas Hereditarias, Hospital 12 de Octubre, E-28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Hernández-Sánchez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Raras, Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares (ERMN) Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), E-28041, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo López-Laso
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), E-28041, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Neurología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia IMIBIC, E-14004, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-Hernández
- Grupo de Enfermedades Raras, Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares (ERMN) Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), E-28041, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), E-28041, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad Pediátrica de Enfermedades Raras, Enfermedades Mitocondriales y Metabólicas Hereditarias, Hospital 12 de Octubre, E-28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Martínez-Azorín
- Grupo de Enfermedades Raras, Mitocondriales y Neuromusculares (ERMN) Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), E-28041, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), E-28041, Madrid, Spain
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An interview with Dr. Peter Sutovsky. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:823-825. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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7
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de Macedo MP, Glanzner WG, Gutierrez K, Bordignon V. Chromatin role in early programming of embryos. Anim Front 2021; 11:57-65. [PMID: 34934530 PMCID: PMC8683133 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfab054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Werner Giehl Glanzner
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Karina Gutierrez
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Vilceu Bordignon
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
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Siraj A, Lim DY, Tayara H, Chong KT. UbiComb: A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Predicting Plant-Specific Protein Ubiquitylation Sites. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050717. [PMID: 34064731 PMCID: PMC8151217 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitylation is an essential post-translational modification process that performs a critical role in a wide range of biological functions, even a degenerative role in certain diseases, and is consequently used as a promising target for the treatment of various diseases. Owing to the significant role of protein ubiquitylation, these sites can be identified by enzymatic approaches, mass spectrometry analysis, and combinations of multidimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. However, these large-scale experimental screening techniques are time consuming, expensive, and laborious. To overcome the drawbacks of experimental methods, machine learning and deep learning-based predictors were considered for prediction in a timely and cost-effective manner. In the literature, several computational predictors have been published across species; however, predictors are species-specific because of the unclear patterns in different species. In this study, we proposed a novel approach for predicting plant ubiquitylation sites using a hybrid deep learning model by utilizing convolutional neural network and long short-term memory. The proposed method uses the actual protein sequence and physicochemical properties as inputs to the model and provides more robust predictions. The proposed predictor achieved the best result with accuracy values of 80% and 81% and F-scores of 79% and 82% on the 10-fold cross-validation and an independent dataset, respectively. Moreover, we also compared the testing of the independent dataset with popular ubiquitylation predictors; the results demonstrate that our model significantly outperforms the other methods in prediction classification results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arslan Siraj
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (A.S.); (D.Y.L.)
| | - Dae Yeong Lim
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (A.S.); (D.Y.L.)
| | - Hilal Tayara
- School of International Engineering and Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (K.T.C.)
| | - Kil To Chong
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea; (A.S.); (D.Y.L.)
- Advanced Electronics and Information Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (K.T.C.)
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