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Luo C, Chen Z, Meng L, Tan C, He W, Tu C, Du J, Lu GX, Lin G, Tan YQ, Hu TY. A hemizygous loss-of-function variant in BCORL1 is associated with male infertility and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Clin Genet 2024; 106:27-36. [PMID: 38342987 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14500] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is a common type of male infertility; however, its genetic causes remain largely unknown. Some of the genetic determinants of OAT are gene defects affecting spermatogenesis. BCORL1 (BCL6 corepressor like 1) is a transcriptional corepressor that exhibits the OAT phenotype in a knockout mouse model. A hemizygous missense variant of BCORL1 (c.2615T > G:p.Val872Gly) was reported in an infertile male patient with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Nevertheless, the correlation between BCORL1 variants and OAT in humans remains unknown. In this study, we used whole-exome sequencing to identify a novel hemizygous nonsense variant of BCORL1 (c.1564G > T:p.Glu522*) in a male patient with OAT from a Han Chinese family. Functional analysis showed that the variant produced a truncated protein with altered cellular localization and a dysfunctional interaction with SKP1 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 1). Further population screening identified four BCORL1 missense variants in subjects with both OAT (1 of 325, 0.31%) and NOA (4 of 355, 1.13%), but no pathogenic BCORL1 variants among 362 fertile subjects. In conclusion, our findings indicate that BCORL1 is a potential candidate gene in the pathogenesis of OAT and NOA, expanded its disease spectrum and suggested that BCORL1 may play a role in spermatogenesis by interacting with SKP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Luo
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zixu Chen
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenbin He
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tong-Yao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Buranaamnuay K. Male reproductive phenotypes of genetically altered laboratory mice ( Mus musculus): a review based on pertinent literature from the last three decades. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1272757. [PMID: 38500604 PMCID: PMC10944935 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1272757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are preferred animals for biomedical research due to the close relationship with humans in several aspects. Therefore, mice with diverse genetic traits have been generated to mimic human characteristics of interest. Some genetically altered mouse strains, on purpose or by accident, have reproductive phenotypes and/or fertility deviating from wild-type mice. The distinct reproductive phenotypes of genetically altered male mice mentioned in this paper are grouped based on reproductive organs, beginning with the brain (i.e., the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary) that regulates sexual maturity and development, the testis where male gametes and sex steroid hormones are produced, the epididymis, the accessory sex glands, and the penis which involve in sperm maturation, storage, and ejaculation. Also, distinct characteristics of mature sperm from genetically altered mice are described here. This repository will hopefully be a valuable resource for both humans, in terms of future biomedical research, and mice, in the aspect of the establishment of optimal sperm preservation protocols for individual mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kakanang Buranaamnuay
- Molecular Agricultural Biosciences Cluster, Institute of Molecular Biosciences (MB), Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Ferrer P, Upadhyay S, Cai JJ, Clement TM. Novel Nuclear Roles for Testis-Specific ACTL7A and ACTL7B Supported by In Vivo Characterizations and AI Facilitated In Silico Mechanistic Modeling with Implications for Epigenetic Regulation in Spermiogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582797. [PMID: 38464253 PMCID: PMC10925299 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A mechanistic role for nuclear function of testis-specific actin related proteins (ARPs) is proposed here through contributions of ARP subunit swapping in canonical chromatin regulatory complexes. This is significant to our understanding of both mechanisms controlling regulation of spermiogenesis, and the expanding functional roles of the ARPs in cell biology. Among these roles, actins and ARPs are pivotal not only in cytoskeletal regulation, but also in intranuclear chromatin organization, influencing gene regulation and nucleosome remodeling. This study focuses on two testis-specific ARPs, ACTL7A and ACTL7B, exploring their intranuclear activities and broader implications utilizing combined in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. ACTL7A and ACTL7B, previously associated with structural roles, are hypothesized here to serve in chromatin regulation during germline development. This study confirms the intranuclear presence of ACTL7B in spermatocytes and round spermatids, revealing a potential role in intranuclear processes, and identifies a putative nuclear localization sequence conserved across mammalian ACTL7B, indicating a potentially unique mode of nuclear transport which differs from conventional actin. Ablation of ACTL7B leads to varied transcriptional changes reported here. Additionally, in the absence of ACTL7A or ACTL7B there is a loss of intranuclear localization of HDAC1 and HDAC3, which are known regulators of epigenetic associated acetylation changes that in turn regulate gene expression. Thus, these HDACs are implicated as contributors to the aberrant gene expression observed in the KO mouse testis transcriptomic analysis. Furthermore, this study employed and confirmed the accuracy of in silico models to predict ARP interactions with Helicase-SANT-associated (HSA) domains, uncovering putative roles for testis-specific ARPs in nucleosome remodeling complexes. In these models, ACTL7A and ACTL7B were found capable of binding to INO80 and SWI/SNF nucleosome remodeler family members in a manner akin to nuclear actin and ACTL6A. These models thus implicate germline-specific ARP subunit swapping within chromatin regulatory complexes as a potential regulatory mechanism for chromatin and associated molecular machinery adaptations in nuclear reorganizations required during spermiogenesis. These results hold implications for male fertility and epigenetic programing in the male-germline that warrant significant future investigation. In summary, this study reveals that ACTL7A and ACTL7B play intranuclear gene regulation roles in male gametogenesis, adding to the multifaceted roles identified also spanning structural, acrosomal, and flagellar stability. ACTL7A and ACTL7B unique nuclear transport, impact on HDAC nuclear associations, impact on transcriptional processes, and proposed mechanism for involvement in nucleosome remodeling complexes supported by AI facilitated in silico modeling contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the indispensable functions of ARPs broadly in cell biology, and specifically in male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Ferrer
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - James J Cai
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Tracy M Clement
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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Merges GE, Arévalo L, Kovacevic A, Lohanadan K, de Rooij DG, Simon C, Jokwitz M, Witke W, Schorle H. Actl7b deficiency leads to mislocalization of LC8 type dynein light chains and disruption of murine spermatogenesis. Development 2023; 150:dev201593. [PMID: 37800308 PMCID: PMC10652042 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201593] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Actin-related proteins (Arps) are classified according to their similarity to actin and are involved in diverse cellular processes. ACTL7B is a testis-specific Arp, and is highly conserved in rodents and primates. ACTL7B is specifically expressed in round and elongating spermatids during spermiogenesis. Here, we have generated an Actl7b-null allele in mice to unravel the role of ACTL7B in sperm formation. Male mice homozygous for the Actl7b-null allele (Actl7b-/-) were infertile, whereas heterozygous males (Actl7b+/-) were fertile. Severe spermatid defects, such as detached acrosomes, disrupted membranes and flagella malformations start to appear after spermiogenesis step 9 in Actl7b-/- mice, finally resulting in spermatogenic arrest. Abnormal spermatids were degraded and levels of autophagy markers were increased. Co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry experiments identified an interaction between ACTL7B and the LC8 dynein light chains DYNLL1 and DYNLL2, which are first detected in step 9 spermatids and mislocalized when ACTL7B is absent. Our data unequivocally establish that mutations in ACTL7B are directly related to male infertility, pressing for additional research in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina E. Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andjela Kovacevic
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Keerthika Lohanadan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dirk G. de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla Simon
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Melanie Jokwitz
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Walter Witke
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Ferrer P, Upadhyay S, Ikawa M, Clement TM. Testis-specific actin-like 7A (ACTL7A) is an indispensable protein for subacrosomal-associated F-actin formation, acrosomal anchoring, and male fertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad005. [PMID: 36734600 PMCID: PMC9976968 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad005] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Formation of the acrosome during spermiogenesis is an essential process for creating fertilization-competent sperm. Of the numerous aspects required for acrosome biogenesis, adherence of the acrosomal outer membrane to the nuclear surface is mediated by the subacrosomal perinuclear theca. However, the cellular dynamics and congruent functions pertaining to these acrosomal anchoring factors are not well understood despite many of them being implicated as potential causes for human male infertility. Actin-like 7A (ACTL7A) is one such factor for which deleterious polymorphisms have recently been shown to cause human male infertility. It is thought that acrosomal attachment is coordinated by cytoskeletal associations between the acrosome and nucleus via the acroplaxome. To further illuminate the mechanistic underpinnings of ACTL7A for essential acrosome associations, in this study, we investigated its dynamic localization in the developing germline, molecular associations with other cytoskeletal components, and the cellular consequences of ablation. Our intracellular localization data show ACTL7A to be dynamically present within the nucleus and subacrosomal space and later associated with postacrosomal regions of developing spermatids. Through the generation of an Actl7a knock-out mouse model, we consistently observed disruption of acrosomal biogenesis with abnormal migration of the acrosomal granule and peeling acrosomes during spermatid elongation. Significantly, we found a complete loss of subacrosomal filamentous actin (F-actin) structures in knock-out spermatids suggesting a regulatory role for subacrosomal F-actin. Considering our reported data together with existing literature, we propose a mechanistic model explaining the essential role of ACTL7A for acroplaxome-associated F-actin, acrosomal attachment integrity, and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ferrer
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - S Upadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - M Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - T M Clement
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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