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Priego Espinosa D, Espinal-Enríquez J, Aldana A, Aldana M, Martínez-Mekler G, Carneiro J, Darszon A. Reviewing mathematical models of sperm signaling networks. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23766. [PMID: 39175359 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23766] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Dave Garbers' work significantly contributed to our understanding of sperm's regulated motility, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. These key sperm functions involve complex multistep signaling pathways engaging numerous finely orchestrated elements. Despite significant progress, many parameters and interactions among these elements remain elusive. Mathematical modeling emerges as a potent tool to study sperm physiology, providing a framework to integrate experimental results and capture functional dynamics considering biochemical, biophysical, and cellular elements. Depending on research objectives, different modeling strategies, broadly categorized into continuous and discrete approaches, reveal valuable insights into cell function. These models allow the exploration of hypotheses regarding molecules, conditions, and pathways, whenever they become challenging to evaluate experimentally. This review presents an overview of current theoretical and experimental efforts to understand sperm motility regulation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling strategies and highlight key findings and unresolved questions. Notable discoveries include the importance of specific ion channels, the role of intracellular molecular heterogeneity in capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and the impact of pH changes on acrosomal exocytosis. Ultimately, this review underscores the crucial importance of mathematical frameworks in advancing our understanding of sperm physiology and guiding future experimental investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Espinal-Enríquez
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrés Aldana
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maximino Aldana
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, México
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Gustavo Martínez-Mekler
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, México
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Jorge Carneiro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
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2
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Wang H, Iida-Norita R, Mashiko D, Pham AH, Miyata H, Ikawa M. Golgi associated RAB2 interactor protein family contributes to murine male fertility to various extents by assuring correct morphogenesis of sperm heads. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011337. [PMID: 38935810 PMCID: PMC11236154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011337] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm heads contain not only the nucleus but also the acrosome which is a distinctive cap-like structure located anterior to the nucleus and is derived from the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi Associated RAB2 Interactors (GARINs; also known as FAM71) protein family shows predominant expression in the testis and all possess a RAB2-binding domain which confers binding affinity to RAB2, a small GTPase that is responsible for membrane transport and vesicle trafficking. Our previous study showed that GARIN1A and GARIN1B are important for acrosome biogenesis and that GARIN1B is indispensable for male fertility in mice. Here, we generated KO mice of other Garins, namely Garin2, Garin3, Garin4, Garin5a, and Garin5b (Garin2-5b). Using computer-assisted morphological analysis, we found that the loss of each Garin2-5b resulted in aberrant sperm head morphogenesis. While the fertilities of Garin2-/- and Garin4-/- males are normal, Garin5a-/- and Garin5b-/- males are subfertile, and Garin3-/- males are infertile. Further analysis revealed that Garin3-/- males exhibited abnormal acrosomal morphology, but not as severely as Garin1b-/- males; instead, the amounts of membrane proteins, particularly ADAM family proteins, decreased in Garin3 KO spermatozoa. Moreover, only Garin4 KO mice exhibit vacuoles in the sperm head. These results indicate that GARINs assure correct head morphogenesis and some members of the GARIN family function distinctively in male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoting Wang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rie Iida-Norita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mashiko
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Anh Hoang Pham
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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3
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Nguyen TTT, Tokuhiro K, Shimada K, Wang H, Mashiko D, Tonai S, Kiyozumi D, Ikawa M. Gene-deficient mouse model established by CRISPR/Cas9 system reveals 15 reproductive organ-enriched genes dispensable for male fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1411162. [PMID: 38835510 PMCID: PMC11148293 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1411162] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of gene-targeting technology in embryonic stem cells, mice have become a primary model organism for investigating human gene function due to the striking genomic similarities between the two species. With the introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome editing in mice, the pace of loss-of-function analysis has accelerated significantly. This has led to the identification of numerous genes that play crucial roles in male reproductive processes, including meiosis, chromatin condensation, flagellum formation in the testis, sperm maturation in the epididymis, and fertilization in the oviduct. Despite the advancements, the functions of many genes, particularly those enriched in male reproductive tissues, remain largely unknown. In our study, we focused on 15 genes and generated 13 gene-deficient mice [4933411K16Rik, Adam triple (Adam20, Adam25, and Adam39), BC048671, Cfap68, Gm4846, Gm4984, Gm13570, Nt5c1b, Ppp1r42, Saxo4, Sh3d21, Spz1, and Tektl1] to elucidate their roles in male fertility. Surprisingly, all 13 gene-deficient mice exhibited normal fertility in natural breeding experiments, indicating that these genes are not essential for male fertility. These findings have important implications as they may help prevent other research laboratories from duplicating efforts to generate knockout mice for genes that do not demonstrate an apparent phenotype related to male fertility. By shedding light on the dispensability of these genes, our study contributes to a more efficient allocation of research resources in the exploration of male reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyen Thi Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keizo Tokuhiro
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haoting Wang
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mashiko
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shingo Tonai
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Chávez JC, Carrasquel-Martínez G, Hernández-Garduño S, Matamoros Volante A, Treviño CL, Nishigaki T, Darszon A. Cytosolic and Acrosomal pH Regulation in Mammalian Sperm. Cells 2024; 13:865. [PMID: 38786087 PMCID: PMC11120249 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As in most cells, intracellular pH regulation is fundamental for sperm physiology. Key sperm functions like swimming, maturation, and a unique exocytotic process, the acrosome reaction, necessary for gamete fusion, are deeply influenced by pH. Sperm pH regulation, both intracellularly and within organelles such as the acrosome, requires a coordinated interplay of various transporters and channels, ensuring that this cell is primed for fertilization. Consistent with the pivotal importance of pH regulation in mammalian sperm physiology, several of its unique transporters are dependent on cytosolic pH. Examples include the Ca2+ channel CatSper and the K+ channel Slo3. The absence of these channels leads to male infertility. This review outlines the main transport elements involved in pH regulation, including cytosolic and acrosomal pH, that participate in these complex functions. We present a glimpse of how these transporters are regulated and how distinct sets of them are orchestrated to allow sperm to fertilize the egg. Much research is needed to begin to envision the complete set of players and the choreography of how cytosolic and organellar pH are regulated in each sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C. Chávez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Gabriela Carrasquel-Martínez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
- CITMER, Medicina Reproductiva, México City 11520, Mexico
| | - Sandra Hernández-Garduño
- Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Arturo Matamoros Volante
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Claudia L. Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Takuya Nishigaki
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
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Bianchi E, Jiménez-Movilla M, Cots-Rodríguez P, Viola C, Wright GJ. No evidence for a direct extracellular interaction between human Fc receptor-like 3 (MAIA) and the sperm ligand IZUMO1. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk6352. [PMID: 38381819 PMCID: PMC10881024 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Fertilization involves the recognition and fusion of sperm and egg to form a previously unidentified organism. In mammals, surface molecules on the sperm and egg have central roles, and while adhesion is mediated by the IZUMO1-JUNO sperm-egg ligand-receptor pair, the molecule/s responsible for membrane fusion remain mysterious. Recently, MAIA/FCRL3 was identified as a mammalian egg receptor, which bound IZUMO1 and JUNO and might therefore have a bridging role in gamete recognition and fusion. Here, we use sensitive assays designed to detect extracellular protein binding to investigate the interactions between MAIA and both IZUMO1 and JUNO. Despite using reagents with demonstrable biochemical activity, we did not identify any direct binding between MAIA/FCRL3 and either IZUMO1 or JUNO. We also observed no fusogenic activity of MAIA/FCRL3 in a cell-based membrane fusion assay. Our findings encourage caution in further investigations on the role played by MAIA/FCRL3 in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Maria Jiménez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Paula Cots-Rodríguez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Viola
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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6
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Umezu K, Musina GR, Larina IV. In vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse testis and epididymis with optical coherence tomography†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:365-376. [PMID: 37971359 PMCID: PMC10873499 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad158] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is crucial for studying the physiological dynamics. Sperm transport is a highly dynamic process regulated by tubular contractions and luminal flows within the male reproductive tract. However, due to the lack of imaging techniques to capture these dynamics in vivo, there is little information on the physiological and biomechanical regulation of sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. Here, we present a functional in vivo imaging approach using optical coherence tomography, enabling live, label-free, depth-resolved, three-dimensional, high-resolution visualization of the mouse testis and epididymis. With this approach, we spatiotemporally captured tubular contractility in mouse testis and epididymis, as well as microstructures of these reproductive organs. Our findings demonstrated that the contraction frequency varies significantly depending on the epididymal regions, suggesting the spatial regulation of epididymal contractility. Furthermore, we implemented quantitative measurements of the contraction wave and luminal transport through the epididymal duct, revealing the physiological dynamics within the male reproductive tract. The results show that the contraction wave propagates along the epididymal duct and the wave propagation velocity was estimated in vivo. In conclusion, this is the first study to develop in vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of the male reproductive tract, which allows for quantitative analysis of the dynamics associated with sperm transport. This study sets a platform for various studies investigating normal and abnormal male reproductive physiology as well as the pharmacological and environmental effects on reproductive functions in mouse models, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guzel R Musina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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7
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George BT, Jhancy M, Dube R, Kar SS, Annamma LM. The Molecular Basis of Male Infertility in Obesity: A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:179. [PMID: 38203349 PMCID: PMC10779000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010179] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The rising incidence of obesity has coincided with rising levels of poor reproductive outcomes. The molecular basis for the association of infertility in obese males is now being explained through various mechanisms. Insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and changes in serum and gonadal concentrations of adipokines, like leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and ghrelin have been implicated as causes of male infertility in obese males. The effects of obesity and hypogonadism form a vicious cycle whereby dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis-due to the effect of the release of multiple mediators, thus decreasing GnRH release from the hypothalamus-causes decreases in LH and FSH levels. This leads to lower levels of testosterone, which further increases adiposity because of increased lipogenesis. Cytokines such as TNF-α and interleukins, sirtuins, and other inflammatory mediators like reactive oxygen species are known to affect fertility in obese male adults. There is evidence that parental obesity can be transferred through subsequent generations to offspring through epigenetic marks. Thus, negative expressions like obesity and infertility have been linked to epigenetic marks being altered in previous generations. The interesting aspect is that these epigenetic expressions can be reverted by removing the triggering factors. These positive modifications are also transmitted to subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biji Thomas George
- Department of Surgery, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAKMHSU, Ras al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Malay Jhancy
- Department of Pediatrics, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAKMHSU, Ras al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates; (M.J.); (S.S.K.)
| | - Rajani Dube
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAKMHSU, Ras al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Subhranshu Sekhar Kar
- Department of Pediatrics, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAKMHSU, Ras al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates; (M.J.); (S.S.K.)
| | - Lovely Muthiah Annamma
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates;
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8
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Ogawa Y, Lu Y, Kiyozumi D, Chang HY, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals seven testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins dispensable for male fertility in mice. Andrology 2023:10.1111/andr.13564. [PMID: 38084666 PMCID: PMC11166886 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian fertilization is mediated by multiple sperm acrosomal proteins, many of which are testis-enriched transmembrane glycoproteins expressed during spermiogenesis (e.g., Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1, Sperm acrosome associated 6, and Transmembrane protein 95). METHODS We hypothesized that proteins with these features might have a role in sperm-egg interaction and thus carried out an in-silico screen based on multiple public databases. We generated knockout mouse lines lacking seven candidate proteins by the CRISPR/Cas9 system and conducted detailed analyses on the fecundity of the knockout males, as well as their testis appearance and weight, testis and epididymis histology, and sperm motility and morphology. RESULTS Through the in-silico screen, we identified 4932438H23Rik, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 29, SAYSvFN domain-containing protein 1, Sel-1 suppressor of lin-12-like 2 (C. elegans), Testis-expressed protein 2, Transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain-containing 3, and Zinc and ring finger 4. Phenotypic analyses unveiled that the knockout males showed normal testis gross appearance, normal testis and epididymis histology, and normal sperm morphology and motility. Fertility tests further indicated that the knockout male mice could sire pups with normal litter sizes when paired with wild-type females. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These findings suggest that these seven proteins are individually dispensable for male reproduction and fertilization. Future studies are warranted to devise advanced in-silico screening approaches that permit effective identification of gamete fusion-required sperm proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Ogawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0805, Japan
| | - Hsin-Yi Chang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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9
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Cerepaka C, Schlupp I. Sperm specificity and potential paternal effects in gynogenesis in the Amazon Molly ( Poecilia formosa). PeerJ 2023; 11:e16118. [PMID: 37941935 PMCID: PMC10629382 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Amazon Molly (Poecilia formosa) reproduces by gynogenesis, a relatively rare form of asexual reproduction where sperm is required to trigger embryogenesis, but male genes are not incorporated into the genome of the embryo. Studying gynogenesis could isolate paternal non-genetic effects on reproduction. This study explored which of eleven related species can produce sperm to trigger gynogenesis through natural mating in P. formosa, and whether sympatry affects reproductive success in P. formosa. Reproductive outcomes measured were relative reproductive output (number of offspring in the first brood divided by female standard length), relative embryo output (number of embryos in the first brood divided by female standard length) and combined relative reproductive output (sum of relative reproductive output and relative embryo output). For large (>4 cm) P. formosa, combined relative reproductive output was higher with sympatric Atlantic Molly (Poecilia mexicana) males than with allopatric P. mexicana males. P. formosa produced live offspring or late-stage embryos with all species tested in the genera Poecilia and Limia but did not produce offspring or embryos with males from the genera Gambusia, Girardinus, Heterandria, Poeciliopsis, or Xiphophorus. This information, as well as the limitations characterized in this study, will set a foundation for use of P. formosa as a model for paternal effects and the species specificity of sperm on fertilization, embryogenesis, and reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Cerepaka
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Lab Animal Resource Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States of America
| | - Ingo Schlupp
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- International Stock Center for Livebearing Fishes, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
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10
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Howard SA, Benhabbour SR. Non-Hormonal Contraception. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4791. [PMID: 37510905 PMCID: PMC10381146 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
While hormonal contraceptives are efficacious and available in several forms for women, perception of safety and concern over side effects are a deterrent for many. Existing non-hormonal contraceptives include permanent sterilization, copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), chemical/physical barriers such as spermicides and condoms, as well as traditional family planning methods including withdrawal and the rhythm method. Individuals who wish to retain their fertility in the future can achieve highest adherence and efficacy with long-acting, reversible contraceptives (LARCs), though there is only one, the copper IUD, that is non-hormonal. As rates of unintended pregnancies remain high with existing contraceptive options, it is becoming increasingly attractive to develop novel pregnancy prevention methods for both women and men. Non-hormonal contraceptives can target a variety of critical reproductive processes discussed here. This review focuses on identified non-hormonal contraceptive targets and subsequent drug candidates in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Anne Howard
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Soumya Rahima Benhabbour
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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11
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Wang S, Larina IV. Dynamics of gametes and embryos in the oviduct: what can in vivo imaging reveal? Reproduction 2023; 165:R25-R37. [PMID: 36318634 PMCID: PMC9827618 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In brief In vivo imaging of gametes and embryos in the oviduct enables new studies of the native processes that lead to fertilization and pregnancy. This review article discusses recent advancements in the in vivo imaging methods and insights which contribute to understanding the oviductal function. Abstract Understanding the physiological dynamics of gametes and embryos in the fallopian tube (oviduct) has significant implications for managing reproductive disorders and improving assisted reproductive technologies. Recent advancements in imaging of the mouse oviduct in vivo uncovered fascinating dynamics of gametes and embryos in their native states. These new imaging approaches and observations are bringing exciting momentum to uncover the otherwise-hidden processes orchestrating fertilization and pregnancy. For mechanistic investigations, in vivo imaging in genetic mouse models enables dynamic phenotyping of gene functions in the reproductive process. Here, we review these imaging methods, discuss insights recently revealed by in vivo imaging, and comment on emerging directions, aiming to stimulate new in vivo studies of reproductive dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, U.S.A
| | - Irina V. Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, U.S.A
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Tian T, Kong F, Yang R, Long X, Chen L, Li M, Li Q, Hao Y, He Y, Zhang Y, Li R, Wang Y, Qiao J. A Bayesian network model for prediction of low or failed fertilization in assisted reproductive technology based on a large clinical real-world data. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:8. [PMID: 36703171 PMCID: PMC9878771 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION To construct prediction models based on the Bayesian network (BN) learning method for the probability of fertilization failure (including low fertilization rate [LRF] and total fertilization failure [TFF]) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. A BN model was developed to predict TFF/LFR. The model showed relatively high calibration in external validation, which could facilitate the identification of risk factors for fertilization disorders and improve the efficiency of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The prediction of TFF/LFR is very complex. Although some studies attempted to construct prediction models for TFF/LRF, most of the reported models were based on limited variables and traditional regression-based models, which are unsuitable for analyzing real-world clinical data. Therefore, none of the reported models have been widely used in routine clinical practice. To date, BN modeling analysis is a prominent and increasingly popular machine learning method that is powerful in dealing with dynamic and complex real-world data. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective study was performed with 106,640 fresh embryo IVF/ICSI cycles from 2009 to 2019 in one of China's largest reproductive health centers. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 106, 640 cycles were included in this study, including 97,102 controls, 4,339 LFR cases, and 5,199 TFF cases. Twenty-four predictors were initially included, including 13 female-related variables, five male-related variables, and six variables related to IVF/ICSI treatment. BN modeling analysis with tenfold cross-validation was performed to construct the predictive model for TFF/LFR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the corresponding area under the curves (AUCs) were used to evaluate the performance of the BN model. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE All twenty-four predictors were first organized into seven hierarchical layers in a theoretical BN model, according to prior knowledge from previous literature and clinical practice. A machine-learning BN model was generated based on real-world clinical data, containing a total of eighteen predictors, of which the infertility type, ART method, and number of retrieved oocytes directly influence the probabilities of LFR/TFF. The prediction accuracy of the BN model was 91.7%. The AUC of the TFF versus control groups was 0.779 (95% CI: 0.766-0.791), with a sensitivity of 71.2% and specificity of 70.1%; the AUC of of TFF versus LFR groups was 0.807 (95% CI: 0.790-0.824), with a sensitivity of 49.0% and specificity of 99.0%. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION First, our study was based on clinical data from a single center, and the results of this study should be further verified by external data. In addition, some critical data (e.g., the detailed IVF laboratory parameters of the sperm and oocytes used for insemination) were not available in this study, which should be given full consideration when further improving the performance of the BN model. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Based on extensive clinical real-world data, we developed a BN model to predict the probabilities of fertilization failures in ART, which provides new clues for clinical decision-making support for clinicians in formulating personalized treatment plans and further improving ART treatment outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Dr. Y. Wang was supported by grants from the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (Z191100006619086). We declare that there are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Fei Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Long
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Lixue Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Qin Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yongxiu Hao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yangbo He
- School of Mathematical Sciences, LMAM, LMEQF, and Center of Statistical Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunjun Zhang
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University, Third Hospital), Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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13
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Umezu K, Larina IV. Optical coherence tomography for dynamic investigation of mammalian reproductive processes. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:3-13. [PMID: 36574640 PMCID: PMC9877170 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The biological events associated with mammalian reproductive processes are highly dynamic and tightly regulated by molecular, genetic, and biomechanical factors. Implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is vital for the advancement of our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and for improving the management of reproductive disorders. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a promising tool for dynamic volumetric imaging of various reproductive processes in mice and other animal models. In this review, we summarize recent studies employing OCT-based approaches toward the investigation of reproductive processes in both, males and females. We describe how OCT can be applied to study structural features of the male reproductive system and sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. We review OCT applications for in vitro and dynamic in vivo imaging of the female reproductive system, staging and tracking of oocytes and embryos, and investigations of the oocyte/embryo transport through the oviduct. We describe how the functional OCT approach can be applied to the analysis of cilia dynamics within the male and female reproductive systems. We also discuss the areas of research, where OCT could find potential applications to progress our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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14
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Abstract
In sexually reproducing organisms, the genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next via the merger of male and female gametes. Gamete fusion is a two-step process involving membrane recognition and apposition through ligand-receptor interactions and lipid mixing mediated by fusion proteins. HAP2 (also known as GCS1) is a bona fide gamete fusogen in flowering plants and protists. In vertebrates, a multitude of surface proteins have been demonstrated to be pivotal for sperm-egg fusion, yet none of them exhibit typical fusogenic features. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we summarize recent advances in the mechanistic understanding of gamete fusion in eukaryotes, with a particular focus on mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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15
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Cordero-Martínez J, Jimenez-Gutierrez GE, Aguirre-Alvarado C, Alacántara-Farfán V, Chamorro-Cevallos G, Roa-Espitia AL, Hernández-González EO, Rodríguez-Páez L. Participation of signaling proteins in sperm hyperactivation. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2022; 68:315-330. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2122761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Cordero-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Charmina Aguirre-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Verónica Alacántara-Farfán
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Germán Chamorro-Cevallos
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Preclínica Departamento de Farmacia Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana L. Roa-Espitia
- Departamento de Biología Celular Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Enrique O. Hernández-González
- Departamento de Biología Celular Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Lorena Rodríguez-Páez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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16
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Sun Z, Xu W, Yuan Y, Song D, Chen H, Luo T, Chen Y. Scutellarein stimulates human sperm function by increasing the levels of intracellular calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14625. [PMID: 36257765 DOI: 10.1111/and.14625] [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: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As a kind of flavonoid, scutellarein is widely used to protect against various human diseases. Although the protective effects of scutellarein have been well studied, its influence on human reproduction remains unknown. In this research, we evaluated the effect of scutellarein on human sperm functions in vitro. Three different concentrations of scutellarein (1, 10, 100 μM) were applied to ejaculated human sperm. Fertilisation-essential functions, as well as the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ) and protein-tyrosine phosphorylation, two factors which are vital for sperm function regulation, were evaluated. The results demonstrated that all concentrations of scutellarein utilised in this study could significantly increase sperm spontaneous capacitation and acrosome reaction through the enhancement of [Ca2+ ]i . Besides, the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm could also be increased by scutellarein. Meanwhile, the sperm motility could be improved by 10 and 100 μM scutellarein, which also make a significant enhancement in sperm penetration ability and hyperactivation. This is one of the limited studies showing the regulation of scutellarein on human spermatozoa functions and is helpful to enrich its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Sun
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Song
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Houyang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Luo
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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17
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Çakır Gündoğdu A, Take Kaplanoğlu G, Ören S, Baykal B, Korkmaz C, Gümüşlü S, Karabacak RO. Impact of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaCs) in human sperm. Tissue Cell 2022; 78:101896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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18
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Hao H, Shi B, Zhang J, Dai A, Li W, Chen H, Ji W, Gong C, Zhang C, Li J, Chen L, Yao B, Hu P, Yang H, Brosius J, Lai S, Shi Q, Deng C. The vertebrate- and testis- specific transmembrane protein C11ORF94 plays a critical role in sperm-oocyte membrane binding. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:27. [PMID: 36050562 PMCID: PMC9437168 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00092-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractSperm-oocyte membrane fusion is necessary for mammalian fertilization. The factors that determine the fusion of sperm with oocytes are largely unknown. So far, spermatozoon factor IZUMO1 and the IZUMO1 counter-receptor JUNO on the oocyte membrane has been identified as a protein requiring fusion. Some sperm membrane proteins such as FIMP, SPACA6 and TEME95, have been proved not to directly regulate fusion, but their knockout will affect the fusion process of sperm and oocytes. Here, we identified a novel gene C11orf94 encoding a testicular-specific small transmembrane protein that emerges in vertebrates likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer from bacteria and plays an indispensable role in sperm-oocyte binding. We demonstrated that the deletion of C11orf94 dramatically decreased male fertility in mice. Sperm from C11orf94-deficient mice could pass through the zona pellucida, but failed to bind to the oocyte membrane, thus accumulating in the perivitelline space. In consistence, when the sperm of C11orf94-deficient mice were microinjected into the oocyte cytoplasm, fertilized oocytes were obtained and developed normally to blastocysts. Proteomics analysis revealed that C11orf94 influenced the expression of multiple gene products known to be indispensable for sperm-oocyte binding and fusion, including IZUMO1, EQTN and CRISP1. Thus, our study indicated that C11ORF94 is a vertebrate- and testis-specific small transmembrane protein that plays a critical role in sperm binding to the oolemma.
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19
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Transglutaminase 2 crosslinks zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 to prevent polyspermy. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1466-1473. [PMID: 35017645 PMCID: PMC9345939 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00933-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Soon after fertilization, the block mechanisms are developed in the zona pellucida (ZP) and plasma membrane of the egg to prevent any additional sperm from binding, penetration, and fusion. However, the molecular basis and underlying mechanism for the post-fertilization block to sperm penetration through ZP has not yet been determined. Here, we find that transglutaminase 2 (Tgm2), an enzyme that catalyzes proteins by the formation of an isopeptide bond within or between polypeptide chains, crosslinks zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) to result in the ZP hardening after fertilization and thus prevents polyspermy. Tgm2 abundantly accumulates in the subcortical region of the oocytes and vanishes upon fertilization. Both inhibition of Tgm2 activity in oocytes by the specific inhibitor in vitro and genetic ablation of Tgm2 in vivo cause the presence of additional sperm in the perivitelline space of fertilized eggs, consequently leading to the polyploid embryos. Biochemically, recombinant Tgm2 binds to and crosslinks ZP3 proteins in vitro, and incubation of oocytes with recombinant Tgm2 protein inhibits the polyspermy. Altogether, our data identify Tgm2 as a participant of zona block to the post-fertilization sperm penetration via hardening ZP surrounding fertilized eggs, extending our current understanding about the molecular basis of block to polyspermy.
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20
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Borgstrøm MB, Grøndahl ML, W. Klausen T, K. Danielsen A, Thomsen T, Bentin-Ley U, B. Knudsen U, Laursen S, R. Petersen M, Haahr K, Petersen K, Lemmen JG, Hindkjær J, Kirk J, Fedder J, J. Almind G, Hnida C, Troest B, B. Povlsen B, Zedeler A, Gabrielsen A, Larsen T, S. Kesmodel U. Is paternal age associated with transfer day, developmental stage, morphology, and initial hCG-rise of the competent blastocyst leading to live birth? A multicenter cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270664. [PMID: 35901038 PMCID: PMC9333207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we investigated whether age of men undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment was associated with day of transfer, stage, morphology, and initial hCG-rise of the competent blastocyst leading to a live birth? The design was a multicenter historical cohort study based on exposure (age) and outcome data (blastocyst stage and morphology and initial hCG-rise) from men whose partner underwent single blastocyst transfer resulting in singleton pregnancy/birth. The ART treatments were carried out at sixteen private and university-based public fertility clinics. We included 7246 men and women, who between 2014 and 2018 underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) or Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer (FET) with a single blastocyst transfer resulting in singleton pregnancy were identified. 4842 men with a partner giving birth were included, by linking data to the Danish Medical Birth Registry. We showed that the adjusted association between paternal age and transfer day in COS treatments was OR 1.06, 95% CI (1.00;1.13). Meaning that for every increase of one year, men had a 6% increased probability that the competent blastocyst was transferred on day 6 compared to day 5. Further we showed that the mean difference in hCG values when comparing paternal age group 30–34, 35–39 and 40–45 with the age group 25–29 in those receiving COS treatment, all showed significantly lower adjusted values for older men. In conclusion we hypothesize that the later transfer (day 6) in female partners of older men may be due to longer time spent by the oocyte to repair fragmented DNA of the sperm cells, which should be a focus of future research in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Buhl Borgstrøm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Marie Louise Grøndahl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Tobias W. Klausen
- Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Anne K. Danielsen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thordis Thomsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Ursula Bentin-Ley
- Danish Fertility Clinic, The Fertility Partnership Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla B. Knudsen
- The Fertility Clinic at Horsens regional hospital, Horsens, Deenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Morten R. Petersen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - John Kirk
- Maigaard Fertility Clinic, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- The Fertility Clinic, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Christina Hnida
- The Fertility Clinic, Zealand University Hospital Køge, Køge, Denmark
| | - Bettina Troest
- Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- The Fertility Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Zedeler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Anette Gabrielsen
- The Fertility Clinic at Horsens regional hospital, Horsens, Deenmark
| | | | - Ulrik S. Kesmodel
- Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- The Fertility Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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21
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Wang N, Yang M, He D, Li X, Zhang X, Han B, Liu C, Hai C, Li G, Zhao Y. TMT-based quantitative N-glycoproteomic analysis reveals glycoprotein protection can improve the quality of frozen bovine sperm. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 218:168-180. [PMID: 35870621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of bovine semen plays a vital role in accelerating genetic improvement and elite breeding, but it has a detrimental effect on sperm quality, resulting in the decline of the reproductive efficiency. The glycosylation modification of protein has irreplaceable roles in spermatozoa. Herein, the effect of cryopreservation on glycoproteins of bovine spermatozoa has been studied for the first time using a tandem mass tag (TMT)-labeled quantitative glycoproteome. A total of 2598 proteins and 492 glycoproteins were identified, including 83 different expression proteins (DEPs) and 44 different expression glycosylated proteins (DEGPs) between fresh and frozen spermatozoa. Thirty-three DEPs are glycoproteins, which demonstrates that glycoproteins of bovine sperm were seriously affected by cryopreservation. Moreover, the effects include glycoprotein expression, glycosylation modification, and substructure localization for proteins such as glycoproteins TEX101, ACRBP, and IZOMU4. The biologic functions of the 115 changed proteins are mainly involved in sperm capacitation, migration in female genitalia, and sperm-egg interaction. Mostly key regulators were identified to be glycoproteins, which confirms that glycosylated proteins played important roles in bovine sperm. This comprehensive study of sperm glycoproteins helps to unravel the cryoinjury mechanisms, thus implying that glycoprotein protection should be an effective way to improve the quality of frozen sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Dingbo He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Biying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Chunli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Chao Hai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Guangpeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Yuefang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China.
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Tian T, Chen L, Yang R, Long X, Li Q, Hao Y, Kong F, Li R, Wang Y, Qiao J. Prediction of Fertilization Disorders in the In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: A Retrospective Study of 106,728 Treatment Cycles. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:870708. [PMID: 35518924 PMCID: PMC9065263 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.870708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to develop a risk prediction of fertilization disorders during the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Methods A retrospective study was performed with 106,728 fresh embryo IVF/ICSI cycles from 2009 to 2019. Basic characteristics of patients, clinical treatment data, and laboratory parameters were involved. The associations between the selected variables and risks for low fertilization rate (LFR) and total fertilization failure (TFF) were investigated. Ordinal logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) were used to construct and evaluate the prediction models. Results A total of 97,181 controls, 4,343 LFR and 5,204 TFF cases were involved in this study. The model based on clinical characteristics (the ages of the couples, women's BMI, types of infertility, ART failure history, the diminished ovarian reserve, sperm quality, insemination method, and the number of oocytes retrieved) had an AUC of 0.743 for TFF. The laboratory model showed that primary infertility, ART failure history, minimal-stimulation cycle/natural cycle, numbers of oocyte retrieved < 5, IVF, and Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level < 1.1ng/ml are predictors of TFF, with an AUC of 0.742. Conclusion We established a clinical and a laboratory prediction model for LFR/TFF. Both of the models showed relatively high AUCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lixue Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Long
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongxiu Hao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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23
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Pavani KC, Meese T, Pascottini OB, Guan X, Lin X, Peelman L, Hamacher J, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Boel A, Heindryckx B, Tilleman K, Van Soom A, Gadella BM, Hendrix A, Smits K. Hatching is modulated by microRNA-378a-3p derived from extracellular vesicles secreted by blastocysts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122708119. [PMID: 35298333 PMCID: PMC8944274 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122708119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceHatching from the zona pellucida is a prerequisite for embryo implantation and is less likely to occur in vitro for reasons unknown. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by the embryo into the culture medium. Yet the role that embryonic EVs and their cargo microRNAs (miRNAs) play in blastocyst hatching has not been elucidated, partially due to the difficulties of isolating them from low amounts of culture medium. Here, we optimized EV-miRNA isolation from medium conditioned by individually cultured bovine embryos and subsequently showed that miR-378a-3p, which was up-regulated in EVs secreted by blastocysts, plays a crucial role in promoting blastocyst hatching. This demonstrates the regulatory effect of miR-378-3p on hatching, which is an established embryo quality parameter linked with implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Chaitanya Pavani
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Tim Meese
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Gamete Research Center, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - XueFeng Guan
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xiaoyuan Lin
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joachim Hamacher
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Plant Pathology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annekatrien Boel
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team, Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team, Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kelly Tilleman
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart M. Gadella
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - An Hendrix
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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24
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Karuthadurai T, Das DN, Kumaresan A, Sinha MK, Kamaraj E, Nag P, Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Datta TK, Manimaran A, Jeyakumar S, Ramesha K. Sperm Transcripts Associated With Odorant Binding and Olfactory Transduction Pathways Are Altered in Breeding Bulls Producing Poor-Quality Semen. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:799386. [PMID: 35274020 PMCID: PMC8902071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.799386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa carries a reservoir of mRNAs regulating sperm functions and fertilizing potential. Although it is well recognized that a considerable proportion of high genetic merit breeding bulls produce poor-quality semen, the transcriptomic alterations in spermatozoa from such bulls are not understood. In the present study, comparative high-throughput transcriptomic profiling of spermatozoa from good and poor-quality semen-producing bulls was carried out to identify the transcripts associated with semen quality. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified 11,632 transcripts in Holstein Friesian bull spermatozoa; after total hit normalization, a total of 544 transcripts were detected, of which 185 transcripts were common to both good and poor-quality semen, while 181 sperm transcripts were unique to good quality semen, and 178 transcripts were unique to poor-quality semen. Among the co-expressed transcripts, 31 were upregulated, while 108 were downregulated, and 46 were neutrally expressed in poor-quality semen. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the dysregulated transcripts were predominantly involved in molecular function, such as olfactory receptor activity and odor binding, and in biological process, such as detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception, sensory perception of smell, signal transduction, and signal synaptic transmission. Since a majority of the dysregulated transcripts were involved in the olfactory pathway (85% of enriched dysregulated genes were involved in this pathway), the expression of selected five transcripts associated with this pathway (OR2T11, OR10S1, ORIL3, OR5M11, and PRRX1) were validated using real-time qPCR, and it was found that their transcriptional abundance followed the same trend as observed in NGS; the sperm transcriptional abundance of OR2T11 and OR10S1 differed significantly (p < 0.05) between good and poor-quality semen. It is concluded that poor-quality semen showed altered expression of transcripts associated with olfactory receptors and pathways indicating the relationship between olfactory pathway and semen quality in bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumalaisamy Karuthadurai
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Dayal Nitai Das
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
- *Correspondence: Arumugam Kumaresan ;
| | - Manish Kumar Sinha
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elango Kamaraj
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - John Peter Ebenezer Samuel King
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Ayyasamy Manimaran
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sakthivel Jeyakumar
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kerekoppa Ramesha
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
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Saito T, Sawada H. Fertilization of Ascidians: Gamete Interaction, Self/Nonself Recognition and Sperm Penetration of Egg Coat. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:827214. [PMID: 35186958 PMCID: PMC8849226 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.827214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is one of the most important events in living organisms to generate a new life with a mixed genetic background. To achieve successful fertilization, sperm and eggs must undergo complex processes in a sequential order. Fertilization of marine invertebrate Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta) has been studied for more than a hundred years. Ascidian sperm are attracted by chemoattractants from eggs and bind to the vitelline coat. Subsequently, sperm penetrate through the vitelline coat proteolytically and finally fuse with the egg plasma membrane. Here, we summarize the fertilization mechanisms of ascidians, particularly from sperm-egg interactions to sperm penetration of the egg coat. Since ascidians are hermaphrodites, inbreeding depression is a serious problem. To avoid self-fertilization, ascidians possess a self-incompatibility system. In this review, we also describe the molecular mechanisms of the self-incompatibility system in C. intestinalis type A governed by three allelic gene pairs of s-Themis and v-Themis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture Department of Applied Life Sciences, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sawada
- Depatment of Food and Nutritional Environment, College of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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26
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Matsumura T, Noda T, Satouh Y, Morohoshi A, Yuri S, Ogawa M, Lu Y, Isotani A, Ikawa M. Sperm IZUMO1 Is Required for Binding Preceding Fusion With Oolemma in Mice and Rats. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:810118. [PMID: 35096839 PMCID: PMC8790511 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.810118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization occurs as the culmination of multi-step complex processes. First, mammalian spermatozoa undergo the acrosome reaction to become fusion-competent. Then, the acrosome-reacted spermatozoa penetrate the zona pellucida and adhere to and finally fuse with the egg plasma membrane. IZUMO1 is the first sperm protein proven to be essential for sperm-egg fusion in mammals, as Izumo1 knockout mouse spermatozoa adhere to but fail to fuse with the oolemma. However, the IZUMO1 function in other species remains largely unknown. Here, we generated Izumo1 knockout rats by CRISPR/Cas9 and found the male rats were infertile. Unlike in mice, Izumo1 knockout rat spermatozoa failed to bind to the oolemma. Further investigation revealed that the acrosome-intact sperm binding conceals a decreased number of the acrosome-reacted sperm bound to the oolemma in Izumo1 knockout mice. Of note, we could not see any apparent defects in the binding of the acrosome-reacted sperm to the oolemma in the mice lacking recently found fusion-indispensable genes, Fimp, Sof1, Spaca6, or Tmem95. Collectively, our data suggest that IZUMO1 is required for the sperm-oolemma binding prior to fusion at least in rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Matsumura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuhkoh Satouh
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Yuri
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Masaki Ogawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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27
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Ohta T, Uto T, Shoyama Y, Sakyiamah MM, Appiah AA, Tanaka H. In vitro fertilization using sperm activated by ML-2-3 isolated from Morinda lucida Bentham leaves. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12455. [PMID: 35414765 PMCID: PMC8986972 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose ML-2-3 is a novel tetracyclic iridoid derived from Morinda lucida Bentham leaves. This compound has anti-trypanosomal and anti-leishmanial effects. In this study, the authors investigated effects of ML-2-3 on in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates, motility, and acrosome reaction of the mouse sperm. Methods IVF was performed using sperm from BALB/cByJJcl mice treated with ML-2-3. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was performed on the sperm of C57BL/6J mice to investigate sperm motility. The effect of ML-2-3 on the acrosome reaction was examined by observing the fluorescence of sperm labeled with the acrosin-EGFP transgene. Results ML-2-3 improved IVF in BALB/cByJJcl mice with low fertilization rates. The optimum concentration of ML-2-3 in sperm pre-culture medium was 20 µM, and no significant toxicity of ML-2-3 was observed in developing embryos at this concentration. ML-2-3 affected sperm motility but not the acrosome reaction. ML-2-3 increased the IVF rate of mouse sperm that had been refrigerated for 3 days. Conclusions ML-2-3 can improve the outcome of IVF and motility without inducing the acrosome reaction in mice. These effects of ML-2-3 on sperm behaviors are different from those of the similar drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoe Ohta
- Department of PharmacognosyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagasaki International UniversityNagasakiJapan
| | - Takuhiro Uto
- Department of PharmacognosyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagasaki International UniversityNagasakiJapan
| | - Yukihiro Shoyama
- Department of PharmacognosyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagasaki International UniversityNagasakiJapan
| | | | | | - Hiromitsu Tanaka
- Lab of Molecular BiologyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagasaki International UniversityNagasakiJapan
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28
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N-Methyl-d-aspartic Acid (NMDA) Receptor Is Involved in the Inhibitory Effect of Ketamine on Human Sperm Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212370. [PMID: 34830255 PMCID: PMC8622018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, which used to be widely applied in human and animal medicine as a dissociative anesthetic, has become a popular recreational drug because of its hallucinogenic effect. Our previous study preliminarily proved that ketamine could inhibit human sperm function by affecting intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). However, the specific signaling pathway of [Ca2+]i induced by ketamine in human sperm is still not clear yet. Here, the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor was detected in the tail region of human sperm. Its physiological ligand, NMDA (50 μM), could reverse ketamine's inhibitory effect on human sperm function, and its antagonist, MK801 (100 μM), could restrain the effect of NMDA. The inhibitory effect caused by 4 mM ketamine or 100 μM MK801 on [Ca2+]i, which is a central factor in the regulation of human sperm function, could also be recovered by 50 μM NMDA. The results suggest that the NMDA receptor is probably involved in the inhibitory effect of ketamine on human sperm functions.
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Fujihara Y, Herberg S, Blaha A, Panser K, Kobayashi K, Larasati T, Novatchkova M, Theussl HC, Olszanska O, Ikawa M, Pauli A. The conserved fertility factor SPACA4/Bouncer has divergent modes of action in vertebrate fertilization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2108777118. [PMID: 34556579 PMCID: PMC8488580 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108777118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is the fundamental process that initiates the development of a new individual in all sexually reproducing species. Despite its importance, our understanding of the molecular players that govern mammalian sperm-egg interaction is incomplete, partly because many of the essential factors found in nonmammalian species do not have obvious mammalian homologs. We have recently identified the lymphocyte antigen-6 (Ly6)/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) protein Bouncer as an essential fertilization factor in zebrafish [S. Herberg, K. R. Gert, A. Schleiffer, A. Pauli, Science 361, 1029-1033 (2018)]. Here, we show that Bouncer's homolog in mammals, Sperm Acrosome Associated 4 (SPACA4), is also required for efficient fertilization in mice. In contrast to fish, in which Bouncer is expressed specifically in the egg, SPACA4 is expressed exclusively in the sperm. Male knockout mice are severely subfertile, and sperm lacking SPACA4 fail to fertilize wild-type eggs in vitro. Interestingly, removal of the zona pellucida rescues the fertilization defect of Spaca4-deficient sperm in vitro, indicating that SPACA4 is not required for the interaction of sperm and the oolemma but rather of sperm and the zona pellucida. Our work identifies SPACA4 as an important sperm protein necessary for zona pellucida penetration during mammalian fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita 564-8565, Japan
| | - Sarah Herberg
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Blaha
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Panser
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans-Christian Theussl
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olga Olszanska
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan;
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
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30
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Abstract
Fertilization is a multistep process that culminates in the fusion of sperm and egg, thus marking the beginning of a new organism in sexually reproducing species. Despite its importance for reproduction, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this singular event, particularly sperm-egg fusion, have remained mysterious for many decades. Here, we summarize our current molecular understanding of sperm-egg interaction, focusing mainly on mammalian fertilization. Given the fundamental importance of sperm-egg fusion yet the lack of knowledge of this process in vertebrates, we discuss hallmarks and emerging themes of cell fusion by drawing from well-studied examples such as viral entry, placenta formation, and muscle development. We conclude by identifying open questions and exciting avenues for future studies in gamete fusion. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Deneke
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; ,
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; ,
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31
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Kamath MS, Vogiatzi P, Sunkara SK, Woodward B. Oocyte activation for women following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Hippokratia 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohan S Kamath
- Department of Reproductive Medicine; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | - Paraskevi Vogiatzi
- Fertility Diagnostics Laboratory; Andromed Health and Reproduction; Athens Greece
| | - Sesh Kamal Sunkara
- Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine; King's College London; London UK
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32
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Wang HF, Xiang W, Xue BZ, Wang YH, Yi DY, Jiang XB, Zhao HY, Fu P. Cell fusion in cancer hallmarks: Current research status and future indications. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:530. [PMID: 34055095 PMCID: PMC8138896 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is involved in several physiological processes, such as reproduction, development and immunity. Although cell fusion in tumors was reported 130 years ago, it has recently attracted great interest, with recent progress in tumorigenesis research. However, the role of cell fusion in tumor progression remains unclear. The pattern of cell fusion and its role under physiological conditions are the basis for our understanding of the pathological role of cell fusion. However, the role of cell fusion in tumors and its functions are complicated. Cell fusion can directly increase tumor heterogeneity by forming polyploids or aneuploidies. Several studies have reported that cell fusion is associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence, drug resistance and the formation of cancer stem cells. Given the diverse roles cell fusion plays in different tumor phenotypes, methods based on targeted cell fusion have been designed to treat tumors. Research on cell fusion in tumors may provide novel ideas for further treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Bing-Zhou Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Hao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Ye Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Bing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Yang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Peng Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
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33
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Wen Z, Lei Z, Tian E, Wang Y, Zhong Y, Ge RS. Inhibition of human sperm motility and capacitation by ziram is mediated by decreasing tyrosine protein kinase. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 218:112281. [PMID: 33984659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Many endocrine disruptors may interfere with sperm motility, hyperactivation, and capacitation, thereby leading to male infertility. In the current study, we screened 14 endocrine disruptors, including plant ingredients, cigarette ingredients, minerals, insecticides and fungicides, plastics, and plasticizers, to inhibit human sperm motility and forward motility. Only ziram, a dithiocarbamate fungicide, can effectively inhibit sperm motility, forward motility, hyperactivation, capacitation, and spontaneous acrosome reaction of normal human spermatozoa. Its half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were less than 4 μM. Ziram also inhibited sperm motility and forward motility of asthenozoospermia spermatozoa and IC50 values were about 6-8 μM. In addition, ziram inhibited normal sperm motility, calcium influx, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial membrane potential at 2.5 and/or 5 μM, with IC50 values exceeding 100 μM, although it did not affect sperm DNA fragmentation up to 5 μM. Ziram-mediated inhibition of sperm motility and forward motility was irreversible. Forskolin, 8Br-cAMP, pentoxifylline, progesterone, vitamin E, and A23187 cannot prevent ziram-mediated inhibition of sperm motility and forward motility. Further studies have shown that ziram inhibited the level of tyrosine protein kinase with an IC50 value of about 10 μM, without affecting p21-activated kinase 4, and it caused damage to the mitochondrial structure of normal spermatozoa at 2.5 and 5 μM. In conclusion, ziram irreversibly inhibits human sperm motility, forward motility, and capacitation by reducing the level of tyrosine protein kinase and damaging the ultrastructure of mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zina Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 109 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Zhen Lei
- Department of Andrology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital and Chengdu Jinjiang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Erpo Tian
- Department of Andrology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital and Chengdu Jinjiang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 109 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Department of Andrology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital and Chengdu Jinjiang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 109 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
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34
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Flagging fusion: Phosphatidylserine signaling in cell-cell fusion. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100411. [PMID: 33581114 PMCID: PMC8005811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Formations of myofibers, osteoclasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and fertilized zygotes share a common step, cell–cell fusion. Recent years have brought about considerable progress in identifying some of the proteins involved in these and other cell-fusion processes. However, even for the best-characterized cell fusions, we still do not know the mechanisms that regulate the timing of cell-fusion events. Are they fully controlled by the expression of fusogenic proteins or do they also depend on some triggering signal that activates these proteins? The latter scenario would be analogous to the mechanisms that control the timing of exocytosis initiated by Ca2+ influx and virus-cell fusion initiated by low pH- or receptor interaction. Diverse cell fusions are accompanied by the nonapoptotic exposure of phosphatidylserine at the surface of fusing cells. Here we review data on the dependence of membrane remodeling in cell fusion on phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylserine-recognizing proteins and discuss the hypothesis that cell surface phosphatidylserine serves as a conserved “fuse me” signal regulating the time and place of cell-fusion processes.
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35
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Ligands and Receptors Involved in the Sperm-Zona Pellucida Interactions in Mammals. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010133. [PMID: 33445482 PMCID: PMC7827414 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction, involving the binding of sperm surface ligands to complementary carbohydrates of ZP, is the first direct gamete contact event crucial for subsequent gamete fusion and successful fertilization in mammals. It is a complex process mediated by the coordinated engagement of multiple ZP receptors forming high-molecular-weight (HMW) protein complexes at the acrosomal region of the sperm surface. The present article aims to review the current understanding of sperm-ZP binding in the four most studied mammalian models, i.e., murine, porcine, bovine, and human, and summarizes the candidate ZP receptors with established ZP affinity, including their origins and the mechanisms of ZP binding. Further, it compares and contrasts the ZP structure and carbohydrate composition in the aforementioned model organisms. The comprehensive understanding of sperm-ZP interaction mechanisms is critical for the diagnosis of infertility and thus becomes an integral part of assisted reproductive therapies/technologies.
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36
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Curci L, Brukman NG, Weigel Muñoz M, Rojo D, Carvajal G, Sulzyk V, Gonzalez SN, Rubinstein M, Da Ros VG, Cuasnicú PS. Functional redundancy and compensation: Deletion of multiple murine Crisp genes reveals their essential role for male fertility. FASEB J 2020; 34:15718-15733. [PMID: 33037689 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001406r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian Cysteine-RIch Secretory Protein (CRISP) family includes four members present in sperm and reported to regulate Ca2+ channels and fertilization. Based on our previous observations using single knockouts models and suggesting the existence of functional compensation among CRISP proteins, we investigated their relevance for male fertility by generating multiple Crisp gene mutants by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Whereas targeting of Crisp1 and Crisp3 yielded subfertile males with early embryo developmental defects, the same deletion in zygotes from fertile Crisp2-/- .Crisp4-/- mice led to the generation of both triple and quadruple knockout mice exhibiting a complete or severe disruption of male fertility due to a combination of sperm transport, fertilization, and embryo developmental defects linked to intracellular Ca2+ dysregulation. These observations reveal that CRISP proteins are essential for male fertility and organize in functional modules that contribute distinctly to fertility success, bringing insights into the mechanisms underlying functional redundancy/compensation in protein families and emphasizing the importance of generating multiple and not just single knockout which might be masking the true functional relevance of family genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Curci
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N G Brukman
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Weigel Muñoz
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D Rojo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Carvajal
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - V Sulzyk
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S N Gonzalez
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Rubinstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - V G Da Ros
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - P S Cuasnicú
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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37
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Sperm proteins SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 are required for sperm-oocyte fusion in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:11493-11502. [PMID: 32393636 PMCID: PMC7261011 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922650117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm-oocyte membrane fusion is one of the most important events for fertilization. So far, IZUMO1 and Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP) on the sperm membrane and CD9 and JUNO (IZUMO1R/FOLR4) on the oocyte membrane have been identified as fusion-required proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms for sperm-oocyte fusion are still unclear. Here, we show that testis-enriched genes, sperm-oocyte fusion required 1 (Sof1/Llcfc1/1700034O15Rik), transmembrane protein 95 (Tmem95), and sperm acrosome associated 6 (Spaca6), encode sperm proteins required for sperm-oocyte fusion in mice. These knockout (KO) spermatozoa carry IZUMO1 but cannot fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane, leading to male sterility. Transgenic mice which expressed mouse Sof1, Tmem95, and Spaca6 rescued the sterility of Sof1, Tmem95, and Spaca6 KO males, respectively. SOF1 and SPACA6 remain in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, and SPACA6 translocates to the equatorial segment of these spermatozoa. The coexpression of SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 in IZUMO1-expressing cultured cells did not enhance their ability to adhere to the oocyte membrane or allow them to fuse with oocytes. SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 may function cooperatively with IZUMO1 and/or unknown fusogens in sperm-oocyte fusion.
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38
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Spermatozoa lacking Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP) fail to fuse with oocytes in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:9393-9400. [PMID: 32295885 PMCID: PMC7196805 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917060117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As the human body is composed of 60 trillion cells that originate from a fertilized egg, sperm–oocyte fusion is the initial event of our life. Few sperm–oocyte fusion factors have been unveiled to date, and only IZUMO1 has been identified as a sperm-specific fusion-mediating protein. Here, we identified the testis-specific 4930451I11Rik gene important for male fertility, playing a role in sperm–oocyte fusion during fertilization. Based on its functional role, we renamed this gene fertilization influencing membrane protein (Fimp). We discovered a factor responsible for sperm–oocyte fusion in mammals, and this knowledge could be used to develop in vitro and in vivo infertility treatments as well as male contraceptives. Sperm–oocyte fusion is a critical event in mammalian fertilization, categorized by three indispensable proteins. Sperm membrane protein IZUMO1 and its counterpart oocyte membrane protein JUNO make a protein complex allowing sperm to interact with the oocyte, and subsequent sperm–oocyte fusion. Oocyte tetraspanin protein CD9 also contributes to sperm–oocyte fusion. However, the fusion process cannot be explained solely by these three essential factors. In this study, we focused on analyzing a testis-specific gene 4930451I11Rik and generated mutant mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Although IZUMO1 remained in 4930451I11Rik knockout (KO) spermatozoa, the KO spermatozoa were unable to fuse with oocytes and the KO males were severely subfertile. 4930451I11Rik encodes two isoforms: a transmembrane (TM) form and a secreted form. Both CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TM deletion and transgenic (Tg) rescue with the TM form revealed that only the TM form plays a critical role in sperm–oocyte fusion. Thus, we renamed this TM form Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP). The mCherry-tagged FIMP TM form was localized to the sperm equatorial segment where the sperm–oocyte fusion event occurs. Thus, FIMP is a sperm-specific transmembrane protein that is necessary for the sperm–oocyte fusion process.
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39
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Sato K, Tokmakov AA. Toward the understanding of biology of oocyte life cycle in Xenopus Laevis: No oocytes left behind. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:114-119. [PMID: 32273815 PMCID: PMC7138939 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For the past more than 25 years, we have been focusing on the developmental and reproductive biology of the female gametes, oocytes, and eggs, of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. METHODS The events associated with the life cycle of these cells can be classified into the four main categories: first, oogenesis and cell growth in the ovary during the first meiotic arrest; second, maturation and ovulation that occur simultaneously and result in the acquisition of fertilization competence and the second meiotic arrest; third, fertilization, that is sperm-induced transition from egg to zygote; and fourth, egg death after spontaneous activation in the absence of fertilizing sperm. MAIN FINDINGS Our studies have demonstrated that signal transduction system involving tyrosine kinase Src and other oocyte/egg membrane-associated molecules such as uroplakin III and some other cytoplasmic proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) play important roles for successful ovulation, maturation, fertilization, and initiation of embryonic development. CONCLUSION We summarize recent advances in understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying life cycle events of the oocytes and eggs. Our further intention is to discuss and predict potentially promising impact of the recent findings on the challenges facing reproductive biology and medicine, as well as societal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken‐ichi Sato
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling and DevelopmentDepartment of Industrial Life SciencesFaculty of Life SciencesKyoto Sangyo UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Alexander A. Tokmakov
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling and DevelopmentDepartment of Industrial Life SciencesFaculty of Life SciencesKyoto Sangyo UniversityKyotoJapan
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40
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Abstract
Significance: Spermatozoa are very sensitive to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the limited antioxidant systems present in these terminal cells. However, tight regulation of ROS levels must be ensured to accomplish the unique goal of the spermatozoon, that is, the transfer of the paternal genome into the mature oocyte during the fertilization process. Thus, it is essential that the restricted antioxidant enzymatic systems are active for sperm function. Recent Advances: Oxidative stress is associated with low sperm quality. High levels of ROS in spermatozoa produce oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA that lead to lipid peroxidation, oxidation of essential structural proteins and enzymes, and mutations due to oxidation of DNA. Critical Issues: In this study, we described the available knockout mouse models that helped to better understand the role of different antioxidant enzymes in male fertility. We focused mainly on those studies that directly explore the effects of the lack of these enzymes in male fertility and included information when existing knockout mouse models produced for other purposes were used. Special attention was given in this review to the consequences of the absence of antioxidant enzymes on sperm quality and fertility of aging males from the knockout models. Future Directions: Further studies using novel mouse models lacking different antioxidants and their combinations are essential to understand the consequences of high levels of ROS in aging testes, epididymes, spermatozoa, and embryo development to produce a healthy baby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Scarlata
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,The Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cristian O'Flaherty
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,The Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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41
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Wang D, Cheng L, Xia W, Liu X, Guo Y, Yang X, Guo X, Xu EY. LYPD4, mouse homolog of a human acrosome protein, is essential for sperm fertilizing ability and male fertility†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1033-1044. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Fertilization is one of the fundamental biological processes, but so far, we still do not have a full understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism. We have identified a human acrosome protein, LY6/PLAUR domain containing 4 (LYPD4), expressed specifically in human testes and sperm, and conserved within mammals. Mouse Lypd4, also specific to the testis and sperm, is essential for male fertility. LYPD4 protein first appeared in round spermatids during acrosome biogenesis and became part of acrosomes during spermatogenesis and in mature sperm. Lypd4 knockout mice are infertile with normal sperm number and motility. Mutant sperm, however, failed to reach oviduct during sperm migration inside the female reproductive tract, leading to fertilization failure and infertility. In addition, Lypd4 mutant sperms were unable to fertilize denuded egg via IVF (in vitro fertilization) but could fertilize eggs within intact Cumulus-Oocyte Complex, supporting an additional role in sperm-zona interaction. Out of more than five thousand spermatozoa proteins identified by mass spectrometry analysis, only a small subset of proteins (26 proteins) was changed in the absence of LYPD4, revealing a whole proteome picture of mutant sperm defective in sperm migration and sperm-zona binding. ADAM3, a key component of fertilization complex, as well as other sperm ADAM proteins are significantly reduced. We hence propose that LYPD4 plays an essential role in mammalian fertilization, and further investigation of its function and its interaction with other sperm membrane complexes may yield insights into human fertilization and novel strategy to improve IVF success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Eugene Yujun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, and Center for Reproductive Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
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42
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Rival CM, Xu W, Shankman LS, Morioka S, Arandjelovic S, Lee CS, Wheeler KM, Smith RP, Haney LB, Isakson BE, Purcell S, Lysiak JJ, Ravichandran KS. Phosphatidylserine on viable sperm and phagocytic machinery in oocytes regulate mammalian fertilization. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4456. [PMID: 31575859 PMCID: PMC6773685 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12406-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is essential for species survival. Although Izumo1 and Juno are critical for initial interaction between gametes, additional molecules necessary for sperm:egg fusion on both the sperm and the oocyte remain to be defined. Here, we show that phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is exposed on the head region of viable and motile sperm, with PtdSer exposure progressively increasing during sperm transit through the epididymis. Functionally, masking phosphatidylserine on sperm via three different approaches inhibits fertilization. On the oocyte, phosphatidylserine recognition receptors BAI1, CD36, Tim-4, and Mer-TK contribute to fertilization. Further, oocytes lacking the cytoplasmic ELMO1, or functional disruption of RAC1 (both of which signal downstream of BAI1/BAI3), also affect sperm entry into oocytes. Intriguingly, mammalian sperm could fuse with skeletal myoblasts, requiring PtdSer on sperm and BAI1/3, ELMO2, RAC1 in myoblasts. Collectively, these data identify phosphatidylserine on viable sperm and PtdSer recognition receptors on oocytes as key players in sperm:egg fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Rival
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Wenhao Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Laura S Shankman
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Sho Morioka
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Sanja Arandjelovic
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Chang Sup Lee
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Karen M Wheeler
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Ryan P Smith
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Lisa B Haney
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Brant E Isakson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Scott Purcell
- Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Center of Virginia, 595 Martha Jefferson Dr., Charlottesville, VA, 22911, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Lysiak
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| | - Kodi S Ravichandran
- The Center for Cell Clearance, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Park Avenue, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, and the UGent-VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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Morgan CC, Hart MW. Molecular evolution of mammalian genes with epistatic interactions in fertilization. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:154. [PMID: 31345177 PMCID: PMC6659299 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1480-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genes that encode proteins associated with sperm competition, fertilization, and sexual conflicts of interest are often among the most rapidly evolving parts of animal genomes. One family of sperm-expressed genes (Zp3r, C4bpa) in the mammalian gene cluster called the regulator of complement activation (RCA) encodes proteins that bind eggs and mediate reproductive success, and are therefore expected to show high relative rates of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution in response to sexual selection in comparison to other genes not involved in gamete binding at fertilization. We tested that working hypothesis by using phylogenetic models of codon evolution to identify episodes of diversifying positive selection. We used a comparative approach to quantify the evidence for episodic diversifying selection acting on RCA genes with known functions in fertilization (and sensitivity to sexual selection), and contrast them with other RCA genes in the same gene family that function in innate immunity (and are not sensitive to sexual selection). RESULTS We expected but did not find evidence for more episodes of positive selection on Zp3r in Glires (the rodents and lagomorphs) or on C4BPA in Primates, in comparison to other paralogous RCA genes in the same taxon, or in comparison to the same orthologous RCA gene in the other taxon. That result was not unique to RCA genes: we also found little evidence for more episodes of diversifying selection on genes that encode selective sperm-binding molecules in the egg coat or zona pellucida (Zp2, Zp3) in comparison to members of the same gene family that encode structural elements of the egg coat (Zp1, Zp4). Similarly, we found little evidence for episodic diversifying selection acting on two other recently discovered genes (Juno, Izumo1) that encode essential molecules for sperm-egg fusion. CONCLUSIONS These negative results help to illustrate the importance of a comparative context for this type of codon model analysis. The results may also point to other phylogenetic contexts in which the effects of selection acting on these fertilization proteins might be more readily discovered and documented in mammals and other taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C. Morgan
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN UK
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael W. Hart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6 Canada
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Kanamori M, Oikawa K, Tanemura K, Hara K. Mammalian germ cell migration during development, growth, and homeostasis. Reprod Med Biol 2019; 18:247-255. [PMID: 31312103 PMCID: PMC6613016 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germ cells represent one of the typical cell types that moves over a long period of time and large distance within the animal body. To continue its life cycle, germ cells must migrate to spatially distinct locations for proper development. Defects in such migration processes can result in infertility. Thus, for more than a century, the principles of germ cell migration have been a focus of interest in the field of reproductive biology. METHODS Based on published reports (mainly from rodents), investigations of germ cell migration before releasing from the body, including primordial germ cells (PGCs), gonocytes, spermatogonia, and immature spermatozoon, were summarized. MAIN FINDINGS Germ cells migrate with various patterns, with each migration step regulated by distinct mechanisms. During development, PGCs actively and passively migrate from the extraembryonic region toward genital ridges through the hindgut epithelium. After sex determination, male germline cells migrate heterogeneously in a developmental stage-dependent manner within the testis. CONCLUSION During migration, there are multiple gates that disallow germ cells from re-entering the proper developmental pathway after wandering off the original migration path. The presence of gates may ensure the robustness of germ cell development during development, growth, and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuho Kanamori
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Kenta Oikawa
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Kentaro Tanemura
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Kenshiro Hara
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
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Xiong W, Wang Z, Shen C. An update of the regulatory factors of sperm migration from the uterus into the oviduct by genetically manipulated mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:935-955. [PMID: 31131960 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- School of Life Sciences and BiochemistryShanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
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Hu J, Lessard C, Longstaff C, O'Brien M, Palmer K, Reinholdt L, Eppig J, Schimenti J, Handel MA. ENU-induced mutant allele of Dnah1, ferf1, causes abnormal sperm behavior and fertilization failure in mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:416-425. [PMID: 30734403 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Given attention to both contraception and treatment of infertility, there is a need to identify genes and sequence variants required for mammalian fertility. Recent unbiased mutagenesis strategies have expanded horizons of genetic control of reproduction. Here we show that male mice homozygous for the ethyl-nitroso-urea-induced ferf1 (fertilization failure 1) mutation are infertile, producing apparently normal sperm that does not fertilize oocytes in standard fertilization in vitro fertilization assays. The ferf1 mutation is a single-base change in the Dnah1 gene, encoding an axoneme-associated dynein heavy chain, and previously associated with male infertility in both mice and humans. This missense mutation causes a single-amino-acid change in the DNAH1 protein in ferf1 mutant mice that leads to abnormal sperm clumping, aberrant sperm motility, and the inability of sperm to penetrate the oocyte's zona pellucida; however, the ferf1 mutant sperm is competent to fertilize zona-free oocytes. Taken together, the various mutations affecting the DNAH1 protein in both mouse and human produce a diversity of phenotypes with both subtle and considerable differences. Thus, future identification of the interacting partners of DNAH1 might lead to understanding its unique function among the sperm dyneins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Hu
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Carl Lessard
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.,Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Development Centre, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - John Eppig
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - John Schimenti
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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Fujihara Y, Oji A, Kojima-Kita K, Larasati T, Ikawa M. Co-expression of sperm membrane proteins CMTM2A and CMTM2B is essential for ADAM3 localization and male fertility in mice. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.221481. [PMID: 30209135 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.221481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are signaling proteins that are secreted to induce chemotaxis during an immunological response. However, the functions of transmembrane-type chemokine-like factor (CKLF) and the CMTM (CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing) protein family remain to be determined. In this study, we focused on the testis-specific mouse CMTM gene cluster (Cmtm1, Cmtm2a and Cmtm2b) and generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutant mice to examine their physiological functions. Although Cmtm1 mutant mice were fertile, Cmtm2a and Cmtm2b double mutant mice had defects in male fertility due to impaired sperm function. We found that co-expression of sperm membrane proteins CMTM2A and CMTM2B is required for male fertility and affects the localization of the sperm membrane protein ADAM3 in regulating sperm fertilizing ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Asami Oji
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuou-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kanako Kojima-Kita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan .,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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Okabe M. Beware of memes in the interpretation of your results – lessons from gene‐disrupted mice in fertilization research. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2673-2679. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Okabe
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases Osaka University Suita Osaka Japan
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