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Qureshi S, Hardy JJ, Pombar C, Berman AJ, Malcher A, Gingrich T, Hvasta R, Kuong J, Munyoki S, Hwang K, Orwig KE, Ahmed J, Olszewska M, Kurpisz M, Conrad DF, Jaseem Khan M, Yatsenko AN. Genomic study of TEX15 variants: prevalence and allelic heterogeneity in men with spermatogenic failure. Front Genet 2023; 14:1134849. [PMID: 37234866 PMCID: PMC10206016 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1134849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Human spermatogenesis is a highly intricate process that requires the input of thousands of testis-specific genes. Defects in any of them at any stage of the process can have detrimental effects on sperm production and/or viability. In particular, the function of many meiotic proteins encoded by germ cell specific genes is critical for maturation of haploid spermatids and viable spermatozoa, necessary for fertilization, and is also extremely sensitive to even the slightest change in coding DNA. Methods: Here, using whole exome and genome approaches, we identified and reported novel, clinically significant variants in testis-expressed gene 15 (TEX15), in unrelated men with spermatogenic failure (SPGF). Results: TEX15 mediates double strand break repair during meiosis. Recessive loss-of-function (LOF) TEX15 mutations are associated with SPGF in humans and knockout male mice are infertile. We expand earlier reports documenting heterogeneous allelic pathogenic TEX15 variants that cause a range of SPGF phenotypes from oligozoospermia (low sperm) to nonobstructive azoospermia (no sperm) with meiotic arrest and report the prevalence of 0.6% of TEX15 variants in our patient cohort. Among identified possible LOF variants, one homozygous missense substitution c.6835G>A (p.Ala2279Thr) co-segregated with cryptozoospermia in a family with SPGF. Additionally, we observed numerous cases of inferred in trans compound heterozygous variants in TEX15 among unrelated individuals with varying degrees of SPGF. Variants included splice site, insertions/deletions (indels), and missense substitutions, many of which resulted in LOF effects (i.e., frameshift, premature stop, alternative splicing, or potentially altered posttranslational modification sites). Conclusion: In conclusion, we performed an extensive genomic study of familial and sporadic SPGF and identified potentially damaging TEX15 variants in 7 of 1097 individuals of our combined cohorts. We hypothesize that SPGF phenotype severity is dictated by individual TEX15 variant's impact on structure and function. Resultant LOFs likely have deleterious effects on crossover/recombination in meiosis. Our findings support the notion of increased gene variant frequency in SPGF and its genetic and allelic heterogeneity as it relates to complex disease such as male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Qureshi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Jimmaline J. Hardy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christopher Pombar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrea J. Berman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Agnieszka Malcher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tara Gingrich
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rachel Hvasta
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jannah Kuong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kathleen Hwang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kyle E. Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jawad Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Department of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Muhammad Jaseem Khan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Alexander N. Yatsenko
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Suzuki T. Overview of single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and its application to spermatogenesis research. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12502. [PMID: 36726594 PMCID: PMC9884325 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Single-cell transcriptomics allows parallel analysis of multiple cell types in tissues. Because testes comprise somatic cells and germ cells at various stages of spermatogenesis, single-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for investigating the complex process of spermatogenesis. However, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis needs extensive knowledge of experimental technologies and bioinformatics, making it difficult for many, particularly experimental biologists and clinicians, to use it. Methods Aiming to make single-cell RNA sequencing analysis familiar, this review article presents an overview of experimental and computational methods for single-cell RNA sequencing analysis with a history of transcriptomics. In addition, combining the PubMed search and manual curation, this review also provides a summary of recent novel insights into human and mouse spermatogenesis obtained using single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Main Findings Single-cell RNA sequencing identified mesenchymal cells and type II innate lymphoid cells as novel testicular cell types in the adult mouse testes, as well as detailed subtypes of germ cells. This review outlines recent discoveries into germ cell development and subtypes, somatic cell development, and cell-cell interactions. Conclusion The findings on spermatogenesis obtained using single-cell RNA sequencing may contribute to a deeper understanding of spermatogenesis and provide new directions for male fertility therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Suzuki
- RIKEN Center for Integrated Medical Science (IMS)Yokohama CityKanagawaJapan
- Graduate School of Medical Life ScienceYokohama City UniversityYokohama CityKanagawaJapan
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3
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A male germ-cell-specific ribosome controls male fertility. Nature 2022; 612:725-731. [PMID: 36517592 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05508-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomes are highly sophisticated translation machines that have been demonstrated to be heterogeneous in the regulation of protein synthesis1,2. Male germ cell development involves complex translational regulation during sperm formation3. However, it remains unclear whether translation during sperm formation is performed by a specific ribosome. Here we report a ribosome with a specialized nascent polypeptide exit tunnel, RibosomeST, that is assembled with the male germ-cell-specific protein RPL39L, the paralogue of core ribosome (RibosomeCore) protein RPL39. Deletion of RibosomeST in mice causes defective sperm formation, resulting in substantially reduced fertility. Our comparison of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structures of ribosomes from mouse kidneys and testes indicates that RibosomeST features a ribosomal polypeptide exit tunnel of distinct size and charge states compared with RibosomeCore. RibosomeST predominantly cotranslationally regulates the folding of a subset of male germ-cell-specific proteins that are essential for the formation of sperm. Moreover, we found that specialized functions of RibosomeST were not replaceable by RibosomeCore. Taken together, identification of this sperm-specific ribosome should greatly expand our understanding of ribosome function and tissue-specific regulation of protein expression pattern in mammals.
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4
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Gao H, Cai B, Lu Z, Wang G, Gao Y, Miao Y, Jiang K, Zhang K. Cancer‐testis gene
STK31
is regulated by methylation and promotes the development of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7273-7282. [PMID: 36424885 PMCID: PMC10067059 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUD Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly invasive malignancy with extremely poor prognosis. STK31 has been identified as a cancer-testis (CT) gene, but its function in PC has not been elucidated well. METHODS The effect of STK31 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion was investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments and total RNA sequencing and targeted bisulfite sequencing was applied to explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of STK31 in PC. RESULTS By analysis of tissue samples and the clinicopathologic features, we found that STK31 was reactivated in PC and associated with poor prognosis. In addition, the vitro and vivo studies indicated that STK31 could promote PC progression by facilitating cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and the indication. Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing showed that STK31 was regulated by methylation. Furthermore, the results of total RNA sequencing suggested that STK31 was closely related to signal transduction, metabolism, and the immune system. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that STK31, as a CT gene, can promote the development of PC and is regulated by methylation. STK31 could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Gao
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Baobao Cai
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Zipeng Lu
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Guangfu Wang
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yong Gao
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yi Miao
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Kuirong Jiang
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Pancreas Center the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Pancreas Institution of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
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5
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Xiong Y, Yu C, Zhang Q. Ubiquitin-Proteasome System-Regulated Protein Degradation in Spermatogenesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061058. [PMID: 35326509 PMCID: PMC8947704 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a prolonged and highly ordered physiological process that produces haploid male germ cells through more than 40 steps and experiences dramatic morphological and cellular transformations. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays central roles in the precise control of protein homeostasis to ensure the effectiveness of certain protein groups at a given stage and the inactivation of them after this stage. Many UPS components have been demonstrated to regulate the progression of spermatogenesis at different levels. Especially in recent years, novel testis-specific proteasome isoforms have been identified to be essential and unique for spermatogenesis. In this review, we set out to discuss our current knowledge in functions of diverse USP components in mammalian spermatogenesis through: (1) the composition of proteasome isoforms at each stage of spermatogenesis; (2) the specificity of each proteasome isoform and the associated degradation events; (3) the E3 ubiquitin ligases mediating protein ubiquitination in male germ cells; and (4) the deubiquitinases involved in spermatogenesis and male fertility. Exploring the functions of UPS machineries in spermatogenesis provides a global picture of the proteome dynamics during male germ cell production and shed light on the etiology and pathogenesis of human male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xiong
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd, Haining 314400, China;
| | - Chao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, 3 East Qing Chun Rd, Hangzhou 310020, China;
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qianting Zhang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd, Haining 314400, China;
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-13789821134
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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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7
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Subrini J, Turner J. Y chromosome functions in mammalian spermatogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:67345. [PMID: 34606444 PMCID: PMC8489898 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome is critical for male sex determination and spermatogenesis. However, linking each Y gene to specific aspects of male reproduction has been challenging. As the Y chromosome is notoriously hard to sequence and target, functional studies have mostly relied on transgene-rescue approaches using mouse models with large multi-gene deletions. These experimental limitations have oriented the field toward the search for a minimum set of Y genes necessary for male reproduction. Here, considering Y-chromosome evolutionary history and decades of discoveries, we review the current state of research on its function in spermatogenesis and reassess the view that many Y genes are disposable for male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremie Subrini
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Kalwar Q, Chu M, Ahmad AA, Xiong L, Zhang Y, Ding X, Yan P. Expressional Profiling of TEX11, ESRα and BOLL Genes in Yak under Different Feeding Conditions. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080731. [PMID: 34439962 PMCID: PMC8389634 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The yak (Bos grunniens) is regarded as one of the most magnificent domestic animals in the mountains of Asia, and it is well-adapted to the harsh environment of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Slow growth rate and low production and reproductive potential are the main limitations of yaks. It has been suggested that enhanced nutrition can improve reproductive efficiency in animals; however, this is still unclear for yaks. Hence, this study was designed to observe the effect of supplementary feeding on transcription and expression profiles of different genes related to reproduction. Such characterization under different feeding conditions can provide potential guidance for enhancement of the reproductive efficacy of yaks. Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that nutrition plays a crucial part in improving the reproductive potential of farm animals; however, there is currently no research on the transcription and expression profiling of genes in yaks under different feeding conditions. Therefore, this research was planned to compare the transcription and expression profiles of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL in yaks under natural grazing with concentrate supplementation (NG + CS) and NG without concentrate supplementation. The transcription and expressional levels of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL mRNA were explored from the testes of yaks using qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunochemistry. The results of the qPCR illustrated that the transcription levels of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL were upregulated in the NG + CS group compared to those in the NG group. Moreover, the results of the immunochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the expression of TEX11, ESRα, and BOLL proteins increased after concentrate supplementation. Meanwhile, ESRα protein levels were lower in the testes and epididymides of yaks in the NG group than in those in the NG + CS group. Similarly, BOLL protein expression was higher in the testes and epididymides of the NG + CS group, but its expression was lower in the epididymides of the NG group. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that the molecular weights of ESRα and BOLL proteins were 64 kDa and 31 kDa, respectively. Finally, in the conclusion we summarize how a proper level of dietary energy supplementation can improve the reproductive potential of yaks by upregulating genes related to reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qudratullah Kalwar
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand 67210, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (Q.K.); (P.Y.); Tel.: +86-15-60-060-4684 (Q.K.); +86-931-211-5288 (P.Y.); Fax: +86-931-211-5191 (P.Y.)
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Anum Ali Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Yongfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Xuezhi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
| | - Ping Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730050, China; (M.C.); (A.A.A.); (L.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.D.)
- Correspondence: (Q.K.); (P.Y.); Tel.: +86-15-60-060-4684 (Q.K.); +86-931-211-5288 (P.Y.); Fax: +86-931-211-5191 (P.Y.)
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9
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Novel Mutations in X-Linked, USP26-Induced Asthenoteratozoospermia and Male Infertility. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071594. [PMID: 34202084 PMCID: PMC8307012 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic background. Abnormal sperm morphologies have been found to be closely related to male infertility. Here, we conducted whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of 150 Han Chinese men with asthenoteratozoospermia. Two novel hemizygous mutations were identified in USP26, an X-linked gene preferentially expressed in the testis and encoding a deubiquitinating enzyme. These USP26 variants are extremely rare in human population genome databases and have been predicted to be deleterious by multiple bioinformatics tools. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and electron microscopy analyses of the spermatozoa from men harboring hemizygous USP26 variants showed a highly aberrant morphology and ultrastructure of the sperm heads and flagella. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting assays revealed obviously reduced levels of USP26 mRNA and protein in the spermatozoa from men harboring hemizygous deleterious variants of USP26. Furthermore, intracytoplasmic sperm injections performed on infertile men harboring hemizygous USP26 variants achieved satisfactory outcomes. Overall, our study demonstrates that USP26 is essential for normal sperm morphogenesis, and hemizygous USP26 mutations can induce X-linked asthenoteratozoospermia. These findings will provide effective guidance for the genetic and reproductive counseling of infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia.
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A novel frameshift mutation in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 gene in a patient with severe oligozoospermia. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222437. [PMID: 32202304 PMCID: PMC7198038 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20191902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) encodes a predicted protein containing his- and cys- domains that are conserved among deubiquitinating enzymes. USP26 is specifically expressed in testis tissue and is a potential infertility gene. In the present study, we performed genetic testing related to spermatogenesis impairment in a patient with idiopathic severe oligozoospermia to identify the cause. The patient underwent clinical examination and reproductive hormone testing. Genes associated with male infertility, including USP26, were assessed by targeted exome sequencing. A novel frameshift mutation, c.2195delT (p.Phe732Serfs*14), was identified in USP26. This frameshift mutation was located in residue 732 of USP26 gene, leading to loss of the conserved deubiquitinating enzyme His-domain and producing a truncated protein of 744 amino acids. Bioinformatics analysis revealed this mutation to be pathogenic. A novel framshift mutation c.2195delT (p.Phe732Serfs*14) in USP26 gene was reported to be associated with male infertility in a Chinese patient with severe oligozoospermia.
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11
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Li JY, Liu YF, Xu HY, Zhang JY, Lv PP, Liu ME, Ying YY, Qian YQ, Li K, Li C, Huang Y, Xu GF, Ding GL, Mao YC, Xu CM, Liu XM, Sheng JZ, Zhang D, Huang HF. Basonuclin 1 deficiency causes testicular premature aging: BNC1 cooperates with TAF7L to regulate spermatogenesis. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 12:71-83. [PMID: 31065688 PMCID: PMC7052986 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Basonuclin (BNC1) is expressed primarily in proliferative keratinocytes and gametogenic cells. However, its roles in spermatogenesis and testicular aging were not clear. Previously we discovered a heterozygous BNC1 truncation mutation in a premature ovarian insufficiency pedigree. In this study, we found that male mice carrying the truncation mutation exhibited progressively fertility loss and testicular premature aging. Genome-wide expression profiling and direct binding studies (by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing) with BNC1 in mouse testis identified several spermatogenesis-specific gene promoters targeted by BNC1 including kelch-like family member 10 (Klhl10), testis expressed 14 (Tex14), and spermatogenesis and centriole associated 1 (Spatc1). Moreover, biochemical analysis showed that BNC1 was associated with TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 7 like (TAF7L), a germ cell-specific paralogue of the transcription factor IID subunit TAF7, both in vitro and in testis, suggesting that BNC1 might directly cooperate with TAF7L to regulate spermatogenesis. The truncation mutation disabled nuclear translocation of the BNC1/TAF7L complex, thus, disturbing expression of related genes and leading to testicular premature aging. Similarly, expressions of BNC1, TAF7L, Y-box-binding protein 2 (YBX2), outer dense fiber of sperm tails 1 (ODF1), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogenic (GAPDHS) were significantly decreased in the testis of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. The present study adds to the understanding of the physiology of male reproductive aging and the mechanism of spermatogenic failure in infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Yi-Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Hai-Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Jun-Yu Zhang
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ping-Ping Lv
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Miao-E Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Yan-Yun Ying
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ye-Qing Qian
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Kun Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Cheng Li
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Gu-Feng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Guo-Lian Ding
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yu-Chan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Chen-Ming Xu
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xin-Mei Liu
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - He-Feng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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12
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Lu C, Zhang Y, Qin Y, Xu Q, Zhou R, Cui Y, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Wei X, Wang M, Hang B, Mao JH, Snijders AM, Liu M, Hu Z, Shen H, Zhou Z, Guo X, Wu X, Wang X, Xia Y. Human X chromosome exome sequencing identifies BCORL1 as contributor to spermatogenesis. J Med Genet 2020; 58:56-65. [PMID: 32376790 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide with male infertility being responsible for approximately 50% of cases. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the critical role of the X chromosome in spermatogenesis during the last few decades, the expression patterns and potential impact of the X chromosome, together with X linked genes, on male infertility are less well understood. METHODS We performed X chromosome exome sequencing followed by a two-stage independent population validation in 1333 non-obstructive azoospermia cases and 1141 healthy controls to identify variant classes with high likelihood of pathogenicity. To explore the functions of these candidate genes in spermatogenesis, we first knocked down these candidate genes individually in mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) using short interfering RNA oligonucleotides and then generated candidate genes knockout mice by CRISPR-Cas9 system. RESULTS Four low-frequency variants were identified in four genes (BCORL1, MAP7D3, ARMCX4 and H2BFWT) associated with male infertility. Functional studies of the mouse SSCs revealed that knocking down Bcorl1 or Mtap7d3 could inhibit SSCs self-renewal and knocking down Armcx4 could repress SSCs differentiation in vitro. Using CRISPR-Cas9 system, Bcorl1 and Mtap7d3 knockout mice were generated. Excitingly, Bcorl1 knockout mice were infertile with impaired spermatogenesis. Moreover, Bcorl1 knockout mice exhibited impaired sperm motility and sperm cells displayed abnormal mitochondrial structure. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the X-linked genes are associated with male infertility and involved in regulating SSCs, which provides a new insight into the role of X-linked genes in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Zhou
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Hang
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Antoine M Snijders
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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13
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Loss of Cx43 in Murine Sertoli Cells Leads to Altered Prepubertal Sertoli Cell Maturation and Impairment of the Mitosis-Meiosis Switch. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030676. [PMID: 32164318 PMCID: PMC7140672 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Male factor infertility is a problem in today’s society but many underlying causes are still unknown. The generation of a conditional Sertoli cell (SC)-specific connexin 43 (Cx43) knockout mouse line (SCCx43KO) has provided a translational model. Expression of the gap junction protein Cx43 between adjacent SCs as well as between SCs and germ cells (GCs) is known to be essential for the initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis in different species and men. Adult SCCx43KO males show altered spermatogenesis and are infertile. Thus, the present study aims to identify molecular mechanisms leading to testicular alterations in prepubertal SCCx43KO mice. Transcriptome analysis of 8-, 10- and 12-day-old mice was performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Additionally, candidate genes were examined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. NGS revealed many significantly differentially expressed genes in the SCCx43KO mice. For example, GC-specific genes were mostly downregulated and found to be involved in meiosis and spermatogonial differentiation (e.g., Dmrtb1, Sohlh1). In contrast, SC-specific genes implicated in SC maturation and proliferation were mostly upregulated (e.g., Amh, Fshr). In conclusion, Cx43 in SCs appears to be required for normal progression of the first wave of spermatogenesis, especially for the mitosis-meiosis switch, and also for the regulation of prepubertal SC maturation.
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14
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Hermann BP, Cheng K, Singh A, Roa-De La Cruz L, Mutoji KN, Chen IC, Gildersleeve H, Lehle JD, Mayo M, Westernströer B, Law NC, Oatley MJ, Velte EK, Niedenberger BA, Fritze D, Silber S, Geyer CB, Oatley JM, McCarrey JR. The Mammalian Spermatogenesis Single-Cell Transcriptome, from Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Spermatids. Cell Rep 2019; 25:1650-1667.e8. [PMID: 30404016 PMCID: PMC6384825 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 330] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic cellular differentiation process critical to male reproduction and sustained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Although patterns of gene expression have been described for aggregates of certain spermatogenic cell types, the full continuum of gene expression patterns underlying ongoing spermatogenesis in steady state was previously unclear. Here, we catalog single-cell transcriptomes for >62,000 individual spermatogenic cells from immature (postnatal day 6) and adult male mice and adult men. This allowed us to resolve SSC and progenitor spermatogonia, elucidate the full range of gene expression changes during male meiosis and spermiogenesis, and derive unique gene expression signatures for multiple mouse and human spermatogenic cell types and/or subtypes. These transcriptome datasets provide an information-rich resource for studies of SSCs, male meiosis, testicular cancer, male infertility, or contraceptive development, as well as a gene expression roadmap to be emulated in efforts to achieve spermatogenesis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; Genomics Core, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
| | - Keren Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Anukriti Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Lorena Roa-De La Cruz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Kazadi N Mutoji
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - I-Chung Chen
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Heidi Gildersleeve
- Genomics Core, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Jake D Lehle
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Max Mayo
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Birgit Westernströer
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Nathan C Law
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Ellen K Velte
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Bryan A Niedenberger
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Danielle Fritze
- The UT Transplant Center, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- The Infertility Center of St. Louis, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
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15
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Usp26 mutation in mice leads to defective spermatogenesis depending on genetic background. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13757. [PMID: 31551464 PMCID: PMC6760205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a reproductive system process that produces sperm. Ubiquitin specific peptidase 26 (USP26) is an X chromosome-linked deubiquitinase that is specifically expressed in the testes. It has long been controversial whether USP26 variants are associated with human male infertility. Thus, in the present study, we introduced a mutation into the Usp26 gene in mice and found that Usp26 mutant males backcrossed to a DBA/2 background, but not a C57BL/6 background, were sterile or subfertile and had atrophic testes. These findings indicate that the effects of the Usp26 mutation on male reproductive capacity were influenced by genetic background. Sperm in the cauda epididymis of Usp26 mutant mice backcrossed to a DBA/2 background were decreased in number and showed a malformed head morphology compared to those of wild-type mice. Additionally, histological examinations of the testes revealed that the number of round and elongated spermatids were dramatically reduced in Usp26 mutant mice. The mutant mice exhibited unsynapsed chromosomes in pachynema and defective chiasma formation in diplonema, which presumably resulted in apoptosis of metaphase spermatocytes and subsequent decrease of spermatids. Taken together, these results indicate that the deficiencies in fertility and spermatogenesis caused by mutation of Usp26 were dependent on genetic background.
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16
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The global male-bias in sex ratio at birth is sustained by the sex ratio genotypes of replacement offspring. Genetica 2019; 147:249-258. [DOI: 10.1007/s10709-019-00074-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Gholamitabar Tabari M, Jorsaraei SGA, Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei M, Ahmadi AA, Ghasemi M. Comparison of Germ Cell Gene Expressions in Spontaneous Monolayer versus Embryoid Body Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells toward Germ Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2019; 13:139-147. [PMID: 31037925 PMCID: PMC6500080 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Genetic and morphologic similarities between mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and primordial
germ cells (PGCs) make it difficult to distinguish differentiation of these two cell types in vitro. Using specific GC
markers expressed in low level or even not expressed in ESCs- can help recognize differentiated cells in vitro. We
attempted to differentiate the mouse ESCs into Gc-like cells spontaneously in monolayer and EB culture method. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, we attempted to differentiate ESCs, Oct4-GFP OG2, into GC-like cells
(GCLCs) spontaneously in two different ways, including: i. Spontaneous differentiation of ESCs in monolayer culture as
(SP) and ii. Spontaneous differentiation of ESCs using embryoid body (EB) culture method as (EB+SP). During culture,
expression level of four GC specific genes (Fkbp6, Mov10l1, Riken and Tex13) and Mvh, Scp3, Stra8, Oct4 were evaluated. Results In both groups, Mov10l1 was down-regulated (P=0.3), while Tex13 and Riken were up-regulated (P=0.3 and
P=0.04, respectively). Fkbp6 and Stra8 were decreased in EB+SP and they were increased in SP group, while no significant
difference was determined between them (P=0.1, P=0.07). Additionally, in SP group, gene expression of Mvh and Scp3
were up-regulated and they had significant differences compared to EB+SP group (P=0.00 and P=0.01, respectively). Oct4
was down-regulated in the both groups. Flow-cytometry analysis showed that mean number of Mvh-positive cells in the
SP group was significantly greater compared to ESCs, EB+SP and EB7 groups (P=0.00, P=0.01, and P=0.3, respectively). Conclusion These findings showed that ESCs were differentiated into GCLCs in both group. But spontaneous dif-
ferentiation of ESCs into GCLCs in SP group (monolayer culture) compared to EB+SP (EB culture methods) has more
ability to express GCs markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Gholamitabar Tabari
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Health Reproductive Research Center, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Gholam Ali Jorsaraei
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.Electronic Address:
| | - Mohammad Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Ahmadi
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Ghasemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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18
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Felipe-Medina N, Gómez-H L, Condezo YB, Sanchez-Martín M, Barbero JL, Ramos I, Llano E, Pendás AM. Ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) is not essential for mouse gametogenesis and fertility. Chromosoma 2019; 128:237-247. [PMID: 30887115 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00697-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) is a deubiquitylating enzyme belonging to the USPs family with a transcription pattern restricted to the male germline. Since protein ubiquitination is an essential regulatory mechanism during meiosis, many efforts have been focused on elucidating the function of USP26 and its relationship with fertility. During the last decade, several studies have reported the presence of different polymorphisms in USP26 in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) or severe oligozoospermia suggesting that this gene may be associated with human infertility. However, other studies have revealed the presence of these and novel polymorphisms, including nonsense mutations, in men with normal spermatogenesis as well. Thus, the results remain controversial and its function is unknown. In the present study, we describe the in vivo functional analysis of mice lacking USP26. The phenotypic analysis of two different Usp26-null mutants showed no overt-phenotype with both males and females being fertile. Cytological analysis of spermatocytes showed no defects in synapsis, chromosome dynamics, DNA repair, or recombination. Histopathological analysis revealed a normal distribution and number of the different cell types in both male and female mice. Finally, normal counts were observed in fertility assessments. These results represent the first in vivo evidence showing that USP26 is not essential for mouse gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Felipe-Medina
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura Gómez-H
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Yazmine B Condezo
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Sanchez-Martín
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Transgenic Facility, Nucleus platform, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - José Luis Barbero
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Isabel Ramos
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Llano
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - Alberto M Pendás
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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19
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Boroujeni PB, Sabbaghian M, Totonchi M, Sodeifi N, Sarkardeh H, Samadian A, Sadighi-Gilani MA, Gourabi H. Expression analysis of genes encoding TEX11, TEX12, TEX14 and TEX15 in testis tissues of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. JBRA Assist Reprod 2018; 22:185-192. [PMID: 29932616 PMCID: PMC6106636 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20180030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Spermatogenesis is a complex process controlled by a plethora of genes.
Changes in expression and function of these genes may thus lead to
spermatogenic deficiency and male infertility. TEX11, TEX12,
TEX14 and TEX15 are germ cell-specific genes
expressed in the testis. TEX11, involved in the initiation
and maintenance of chromosome synapses in meiotic chromosomes, has been
shown to be essential for meiosis and fertility in males.
TEX14, a component of intercellular bridges in germ
cells, is required for spermatogenesis and fertility. TEX12
and TEX15 are essential for correct assembly of the
synaptonemal complex and thus meiosis progression. Methods In order to examine whether changes in expression of these genes is
associated with impaired spermatogenesis, expression levels of these genes
were quantified by RT-qPCR on samples retrieved from infertile patients
submitted to diagnostic testicular biopsy at Royan institute. Samples were
divided into two groups of 18 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia
considered as case; nine patients with obstructive azoospermia were included
in the control group. Results A significant down-regulation of these genes was observed in the SCOS group
when compared to the control group. Conclusion This result suggests that regular expression of TEX11, TEX12,
TEX14 and TEX15 is essential for the early
stages of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parnaz Borjian Boroujeni
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Sabbaghian
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Sodeifi
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Sarkardeh
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Samadian
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi-Gilani
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Urology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Gholamitabar Tabari M, Jorsaraei SGA, Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei M, Ahmadi AA, Amirikia M. Evaluation of Novel Mouse-Specific Germ Cell Gene Expression in Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Germ Cell-Like CellsIn Vitrowith Retinoic Acid Treatment. Cell Reprogram 2018; 20:245-255. [DOI: 10.1089/cell.2017.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Gholamitabar Tabari
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Seyed Gholam Ali Jorsaraei
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Ahmadi
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Mehdi Amirikia
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
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21
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Gholamitabar Tabari M, Jorsaraei SGA, Ghasemzadeh-Hasankolaei M, Ahmadi AA, Mahdinezhad Gorji N. Evaluation of specific germ cell genes expression in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived germ cell like cells treated with bone morphogenetic protein 4 in vitro. Int J Reprod Biomed 2018; 16:507-518. [PMID: 30288485 PMCID: PMC6163050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a significant signaling molecule that involves in initiating of differentiation and performs multifunctional effects on embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and embryos. OBJECTIVE The goal of the present study was to evaluate an in vitro differentiation model of mouse embryonic stem cells into germ cells, using BMP4. MATERIALS AND METHODS in this experimental study, we used Oct4-GFP mouse ESCs to form embryoid body (EB) aggregations for two days. Then, single cells from EB were cultured for four days with BMP4. Using MTT assay and gene expression levels for evaluation of Mvh and Riken by real-time RT-PCR of six concentrations, 12.5 ng/ ml BMP4 was determined as an optimized dose. Then, the expression level of Fkbp6, Mov10l1, 4930432K21Rik, Tex13, Mvh, Scp3, Stra8, Oct4 were evaluated. Flow cytometry and immunostaning were used to confirm the findings of the real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS In the +BMP4 group, the genes encoding Riken (p≤0.001) and Mvh (p≤0.001) were found to be increased with significant differences compared with the control group. Mov10l1 (p=0.22), Tex13 (p=0.10), Fkbp6 (p=0.90), Scp3 (p=0.61) and Stra8 (p=0.08) were up-regulated without significance differences compared with control group. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the mean number of Mvh-positive cells in the +BMP4 group was greater when compared with ESCs, -BMP4 and EB groups (p=0.03, p≤0.001, p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION Down-regulation of Oct4, expression of germ cells genes and meiosis markers expression raise this hypothesis that ESCs were differentiated by BMP4, and may be introduced into the first meiosis as germ cell-like cells.
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22
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Chen Y, Zheng Y, Gao Y, Lin Z, Yang S, Wang T, Wang Q, Xie N, Hua R, Liu M, Sha J, Griswold MD, Li J, Tang F, Tong MH. Single-cell RNA-seq uncovers dynamic processes and critical regulators in mouse spermatogenesis. Cell Res 2018; 28:879-896. [PMID: 30061742 PMCID: PMC6123400 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-018-0074-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic interrogation of male germ cells is key to complete understanding of molecular mechanisms governing spermatogenesis and the development of new strategies for infertility therapies and male contraception. Here we develop an approach to purify all types of homogeneous spermatogenic cells by combining transgenic labeling and synchronization of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, and subsequent single-cell RNA-sequencing. We reveal extensive and previously uncharacterized dynamic processes and molecular signatures in gene expression, as well as specific patterns of alternative splicing, and novel regulators for specific stages of male germ cell development. Our transcriptomics analyses led us to discover discriminative markers for isolating round spermatids at specific stages, and different embryo developmental potentials between early and late stage spermatids, providing evidence that maturation of round spermatids impacts on embryo development. This work provides valuable insights into mammalian spermatogenesis, and a comprehensive resource for future studies towards the complete elucidation of gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuxuan Zheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Biomedical Institute for Pioneering Investigation via Convergence, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yun Gao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Biomedical Institute for Pioneering Investigation via Convergence, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Suming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Tongtong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Qiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Nannan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Rong Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Biomedical Institute for Pioneering Investigation via Convergence, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Ming-Han Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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23
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STK31 as novel biomarker of metastatic potential and tumorigenicity of colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24354-24361. [PMID: 28412729 PMCID: PMC5421852 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in China and fourth worldwide. Metastatic dissemination of primary tumors is considered main cause for CRC related mortality. The serine–threonine kinase 31 (STK31) gene is a novel cancer testis (CT) antigen. It was found significantly highly expressed in gastrointestinal cancers. In our study we aimed to analyze the correlation between STK31 expression patterns and metastasization, tumor stage and grade in CRC patients. RESULTS Relative STK31 expression level was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis. STK31 expression levels in primary tumorous tissues of metastatic patients were significantly higher than in ANCTs and in lymph nodes samples, both at the RNA level and the protein level. Materials and Methods Surgical specimens of cancerous tissues, paired with adjacent noncancerous tissues, and lymph nodes from 44 CRC cases with different clinicopathological features were collected. Expression of STK31 was detected and measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Conclusions Our data suggest that STK31 might be a potential biomarker in detecting, monitoring and predicting the metastatic risk of colorectal cancer.
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24
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Lee WY, Park HJ, Lee R, Lee JH, Jhun H, Hur TY, Song H. Analysis of putative biomarkers of undifferentiated spermatogonia in dog testis. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 185:174-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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25
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Xiong M, Zhu Z, Tian S, Zhu R, Bai S, Fu K, Davis JG, Sun Z, Baur JA, Zheng K, Ye L. Conditional ablation of
Raptor
in the male germline causes infertility due to meiotic arrest and impaired inactivation of sex chromosomes. FASEB J 2017; 31:3934-3949. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700251r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mengneng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Suwen Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ruping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shun Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Kaiqiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - James G. Davis
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and MetabolismDepartment of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Zheng Sun
- Baylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Joseph A. Baur
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and MetabolismDepartment of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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26
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Wichman L, Somasundaram S, Breindel C, Valerio DM, McCarrey JR, Hodges CA, Khalil AM. Dynamic expression of long noncoding RNAs reveals their potential roles in spermatogenesis and fertility†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:313-323. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Mammalian reproduction requires that males and females produce functional haploid germ cells through complex cellular differentiation processes known as spermatogenesis and oogenesis, respectively. While numerous studies have functionally characterized protein-coding genes and small noncoding RNAs (microRNAs and piRNAs) that are essential for gametogenesis, the roles of regulatory long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are yet to be fully characterized. Previously, we and others have demonstrated that intergenic regions of the mammalian genome encode thousands of long noncoding RNAs, and many studies have now demonstrated their critical roles in key biological processes. Thus, we postulated that some lncRNAs may also impact mammalian spermatogenesis and fertility. In this study, we identified a dynamic expression pattern of lncRNAs during murine spermatogenesis. Importantly, we identified a subset of lncRNAs and very few mRNAs that appear to escape meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, an epigenetic process that leads to the silencing of the X- and Y-chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. Further, some of these lncRNAs and mRNAs show a strong testis expression pattern suggesting that they may play key roles in spermatogenesis. Lastly, we generated a mouse knockout of one X-linked lncRNA, Tslrn1 (testis-specific long noncoding RNA 1), and found that males carrying a Tslrn1 deletion displayed normal fertility but a significant reduction in spermatozoa. Our findings demonstrate that dysregulation of specific mammalian lncRNAs is a novel mechanism of low sperm count or infertility, thus potentially providing new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wichman
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Saigopal Somasundaram
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Christine Breindel
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dana M. Valerio
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - John R. McCarrey
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Craig A. Hodges
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ahmad M. Khalil
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Center for Multimodal Evaluation of Engineered Cartilage, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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27
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Jiang L, Li T, Zhang X, Zhang B, Yu C, Li Y, Fan S, Jiang X, Khan T, Hao Q, Xu P, Nadano D, Huleihel M, Lunenfeld E, Wang PJ, Zhang Y, Shi Q. RPL10L Is Required for Male Meiotic Division by Compensating for RPL10 during Meiotic Sex Chromosome Inactivation in Mice. Curr Biol 2017; 27:1498-1505.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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An Orchestrated Intron Retention Program in Meiosis Controls Timely Usage of Transcripts during Germ Cell Differentiation. Dev Cell 2017; 41:82-93.e4. [PMID: 28366282 PMCID: PMC5392497 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Global transcriptome reprogramming during spermatogenesis ensures timely expression of factors in each phase of male germ cell differentiation. Spermatocytes and spermatids require particularly extensive reprogramming of gene expression to switch from mitosis to meiosis and to support gamete morphogenesis. Here, we uncovered an extensive alternative splicing program during this transmeiotic differentiation. Notably, intron retention was largely the most enriched pattern, with spermatocytes showing generally higher levels of retention compared with spermatids. Retained introns are characterized by weak splice sites and are enriched in genes with strong relevance for gamete function. Meiotic intron-retaining transcripts (IRTs) were exclusively localized in the nucleus. However, differently from other developmentally regulated IRTs, they are stable RNAs, showing longer half-life than properly spliced transcripts. Strikingly, fate-mapping experiments revealed that IRTs are recruited onto polyribosomes days after synthesis. These studies reveal an unexpected function for regulated intron retention in modulation of the timely expression of select transcripts during spermatogenesis.
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29
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Yang T, Yildirim E. Epigenetic and LncRNA-Mediated Regulation of X Chromosome Inactivation and Its Impact on Pathogenesis. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40139-017-0120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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30
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Transcriptomic Variation during Spermiogenesis in Mouse Germ Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164874. [PMID: 27835637 PMCID: PMC5105947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore variations in the transcription activity during spermiogenesis, round and elongated spermatids were collected from ICR/CD1 model mice using laser capture microdissection (LCM) and cauda epididymal sperm samples. The transcripts were sequenced using RNA-seq, and the reads were mapped to mm9. The majority of the reads (70%) in the round and elongated spermatids were mappable to known and predicted exons, but that in sperm was only 9%. The results of the distribution of reads suggested that alternative splicing was more complicated in sperm than in round and elongated spermatids. In the 19,127 genes, we detected the expression of 5,104 de novo genes and 91,112 alternative splicing events, and 12,105 were differentially expressed. Gene ontology (GO), InterPro domains, and KEGG revealed changes in gene transcription, mitochondrial protein translation, cellular components, and energy metabolism during spermiogenesis. The results provided considerable information about alternative splicing events, differentiallly expressed genes (DEGs), and novel transcriptions during spermiogenesis in mice.
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31
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Moretti C, Vaiman D, Tores F, Cocquet J. Expression and epigenomic landscape of the sex chromosomes in mouse post-meiotic male germ cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2016; 9:47. [PMID: 27795737 PMCID: PMC5081929 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-016-0099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During meiosis, the X and Y chromosomes are transcriptionally silenced. The persistence of repressive chromatin marks on the sex chromatin after meiosis initially led to the assumption that XY gene silencing persists to some extent in spermatids. Considering the many reports of XY-linked genes expressed and needed in the post-meiotic phase of mouse spermatogenesis, it is still unclear whether or not the mouse sex chromatin is a repressive or permissive environment, after meiosis. RESULTS To determine the transcriptional and chromatin state of the sex chromosomes after meiosis, we re-analyzed ten ChIP-Seq datasets performed on mouse round spermatids and four RNA-seq datasets from male germ cells purified at different stages of spermatogenesis. For this, we used the last version of the genome (mm10/GRCm38) and included reads that map to several genomic locations in order to properly interpret the high proportion of sex chromosome-encoded multicopy genes. Our study shows that coverage of active epigenetic marks H3K4me3 and Kcr is similar on the sex chromosomes and on autosomes. The post-meiotic sex chromatin nevertheless differs from autosomal chromatin in its enrichment in H3K9me3 and its depletion in H3K27me3 and H4 acetylation. We also identified a posttranslational modification, H3K27ac, which specifically accumulates on the Y chromosome. In parallel, we found that the X and Y chromosomes are enriched in genes expressed post-meiotically and display a higher proportion of spermatid-specific genes compared to autosomes. Finally, we observed that portions of chromosome 14 and of the sex chromosomes share specific features, such as enrichment in H3K9me3 and the presence of multicopy genes that are specifically expressed in round spermatids, suggesting that parts of chromosome 14 are under the same evolutionary constraints than the sex chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS Based on our expression and epigenomic studies, we conclude that, after meiosis, the mouse sex chromosomes are no longer silenced but are nevertheless regulated differently than autosomes and accumulate different chromatin marks. We propose that post-meiotic selective constraints are at the basis of the enrichment of spermatid-specific genes and of the peculiar chromatin composition of the sex chromosomes and of parts of chromosome 14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Moretti
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR8104, Paris, France ; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR8104, Paris, France ; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Frederic Tores
- INSERM U1163, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, 24 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Julie Cocquet
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR8104, Paris, France ; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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32
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Have humans lost control: The elusive X-controlling element. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 56:71-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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33
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Untangling the Contributions of Sex-Specific Gene Regulation and X-Chromosome Dosage to Sex-Biased Gene Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2016; 204:355-69. [PMID: 27356611 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.190298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dosage compensation mechanisms equalize the level of X chromosome expression between sexes. Yet the X chromosome is often enriched for genes exhibiting sex-biased, i.e., imbalanced expression. The relationship between X chromosome dosage compensation and sex-biased gene expression remains largely unexplored. Most studies determine sex-biased gene expression without distinguishing between contributions from X chromosome copy number (dose) and the animal's sex. Here, we uncoupled X chromosome dose from sex-specific gene regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the effect of each on X expression. In early embryogenesis, when dosage compensation is not yet fully active, X chromosome dose drives the hermaphrodite-biased expression of many X-linked genes, including several genes that were shown to be responsible for hermaphrodite fate. A similar effect is seen in the C. elegans germline, where X chromosome dose contributes to higher hermaphrodite X expression, suggesting that lack of dosage compensation in the germline may have a role in supporting higher expression of X chromosomal genes with female-biased functions in the gonad. In the soma, dosage compensation effectively balances X expression between the sexes. As a result, somatic sex-biased expression is almost entirely due to sex-specific gene regulation. These results suggest that lack of dosage compensation in different tissues and developmental stages allow X chromosome copy number to contribute to sex-biased gene expression and function.
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34
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Yang F, Silber S, Leu NA, Oates RD, Marszalek JD, Skaletsky H, Brown LG, Rozen S, Page DC, Wang PJ. TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with azoospermia and regulates genome-wide recombination rates in mouse. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1198-210. [PMID: 26136358 PMCID: PMC4568952 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide recombination is essential for genome stability, evolution, and speciation. Mouse Tex11, an X-linked meiosis-specific gene, promotes meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. Here, we report that TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and that an analogous mutation in the mouse impairs meiosis. Genetic screening of a large cohort of idiopathic infertile men reveals that TEX11 mutations, including frameshift and splicing acceptor site mutations, cause infertility in 1% of azoospermic men. Functional evaluation of three analogous human TEX11 missense mutations in transgenic mouse models identified one mutation (V748A) as a potential infertility allele and found two mutations non-causative. In the mouse model, an intronless autosomal Tex11 transgene functionally substitutes for the X-linked Tex11 gene, providing genetic evidence for the X-to-autosomal retrotransposition evolution phenomenon. Furthermore, we find that TEX11 protein levels modulate genome-wide recombination rates in both sexes. These studies indicate that TEX11 alleles affecting expression level or substituting single amino acids may contribute to variations in recombination rates between sexes and among individuals in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert D Oates
- Department of Urology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet D Marszalek
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura G Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steve Rozen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Duke-Nus Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - David C Page
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - P Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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35
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Yoneda R, Satoh Y, Yoshida I, Kawamura S, Kotani T, Kimura AP. A genomic region transcribed into a long noncoding RNA interacts with thePrss42/Tessp-2promoter in spermatocytes during mouse spermatogenesis, and its flanking sequences can function as enhancers. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:541-57. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Yoneda
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
| | - Yui Satoh
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
| | - Ikuya Yoshida
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
- Faculty of Science; Department of Biological Sciences; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
| | - Shohei Kawamura
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
| | - Tomoya Kotani
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
- Faculty of Science; Department of Biological Sciences; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
| | - Atsushi P. Kimura
- Graduate School of Life Science; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
- Faculty of Science; Department of Biological Sciences; Hokkaido University; Sapporo Japan
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36
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Sosa E, Flores L, Yan W, McCarrey JR. Escape of X-linked miRNA genes from meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Development 2015; 142:3791-800. [PMID: 26395485 DOI: 10.1242/dev.127191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Past studies have indicated that transcription of all X-linked genes is repressed by meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) during the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis in mammals. However, more recent studies have shown an increase in steady-state levels of certain X-linked miRNAs in pachytene spermatocytes, suggesting that either synthesis of these miRNAs increases or that degradation of these miRNAs decreases dramatically in these cells. To distinguish between these possibilities, we performed RNA-FISH to detect nascent transcripts from multiple miRNA genes in various spermatogenic cell types. Our results show definitively that Type I X-linked miRNA genes are subject to MSCI, as are all or most X-linked mRNA genes, whereas Type II and III X-linked miRNA genes escape MSCI by continuing ongoing, active transcription in primary spermatocytes. We corroborated these results by co-localization of RNA-FISH signals with both a corresponding DNA-FISH signal and an immunofluorescence signal for RNA polymerase II. We also found that X-linked miRNA genes that escape MSCI locate non-randomly to the periphery of the XY body, whereas genes that are subject to MSCI remain located within the XY body in pachytene spermatocytes, suggesting that the mechanism of escape of X-linked miRNA genes from MSCI involves their relocation to a position outside of the repressive chromatin domain associated with the XY body. The fact that Type II and III X-linked miRNA genes escape MSCI suggests an immediacy of function of the encoded miRNAs specifically required during the meiotic stages of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Sosa
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Luis Flores
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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Yatsenko AN, Georgiadis AP, Röpke A, Berman AJ, Jaffe T, Olszewska M, Westernströer B, Sanfilippo J, Kurpisz M, Rajkovic A, Yatsenko SA, Kliesch S, Schlatt S, Tüttelmann F. X-linked TEX11 mutations, meiotic arrest, and azoospermia in infertile men. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:2097-107. [PMID: 25970010 PMCID: PMC4470617 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1406192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic basis of nonobstructive azoospermia is unknown in the majority of infertile men. METHODS We performed array comparative genomic hybridization testing in blood samples obtained from 15 patients with azoospermia, and we performed mutation screening by means of direct Sanger sequencing of the testis-expressed 11 gene (TEX11) open reading frame in blood and semen samples obtained from 289 patients with azoospermia and 384 controls. RESULTS We identified a 99-kb hemizygous loss on chromosome Xq13.2 that involved three TEX11 exons. This loss, which was identical in 2 patients with azoospermia, predicts a deletion of 79 amino acids within the meiosis-specific sporulation domain SPO22. Our subsequent mutation screening showed five novel TEX11 mutations: three splicing mutations and two missense mutations. These mutations, which occurred in 7 of 289 men with azoospermia (2.4%), were absent in 384 controls with normal sperm concentrations (P=0.003). Notably, five of those TEX11 mutations were detected in 33 patients (15%) with azoospermia who received a diagnosis of azoospermia with meiotic arrest. Meiotic arrest in these patients resembled the phenotype of Tex11-deficient male mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed specific cytoplasmic TEX11 expression in late spermatocytes, as well as in round and elongated spermatids, in normal human testes. In contrast, testes of patients who had azoospermia with TEX11 mutations had meiotic arrest and lacked TEX11 expression. CONCLUSIONS In our study, hemizygous TEX11 mutations were a common cause of meiotic arrest and azoospermia in infertile men. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Yatsenko
- From the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences (A.N.Y., A.P.G., J.S., A. Rajkovic, S.A.Y.) and Urology (T.J.), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (A.J.B.) - all in Pittsburgh; the Institute of Human Genetics (A. Röpke, F.T.) and Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology (B.W., S.K., S.S.), University of Münster, Münster, Germany; and the Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań (M.O., M.K.)
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38
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Tang L, Zeng W, Clark RK, Dobrinski I. Characterization of the porcine testis-expressed gene 11 (Tex11). SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 1:147-151. [PMID: 22319663 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.1.2.16680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Testis expressed gene 11 (Tex11) is essential for meiosis and male fertility in the mouse. Currently, little is known about the control of spermatogenesis in non-rodent animal models such as pigs. Here, we characterized the sequence and expression profile of the porcine Tex11 gene. We showed that the porcine Tex11 is an X-linked gene that is exclusively expressed in germ cells in the adult pig testis. The expression of porcine Tex11 is correlated with the onset of meiosis and the expression pattern is highly conserved between the Tex11 homologs in pig and mouse. The DNA sequence analysis and the estimated molecular weight also suggested a high level of homology across species. As the mouse Tex11 proved to be essential for male fertility, the important biological function during meiosis is likely conserved in the porcine Tex11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tang
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Wenxian Zeng
- College of Animal Science & Technology; Northwest A & F University; Shaanxi, China
| | - Robert K Clark
- Health Division; Cumberland County STEM and College; Vineland, NJ USA
| | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary, AB Canada
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39
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Rettie EC, Dorus S. Drosophila sperm proteome evolution: Insights from comparative genomic approaches. SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 2:213-223. [PMID: 23087838 PMCID: PMC3469443 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.21748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite their conserved functional role in sexually reproducing organisms, spermatozoa are a diverse and rapidly evolving cell type. This phenomenon is largely attributed to sexual selection in polygamous species where sperm from multiple males compete to fertilize a limited number of oocytes. Drosophila have proven to be a particularly informative model system for the study of spermatogenesis and in this review we discuss how the characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster sperm proteome has advanced our understanding of the evolutionary genomics of sperm form and function. We summarize the molecular evolutionary characteristics of sperm genes and highlight recent evidence demonstrating the importance of novel gene creation in the evolution of sperm function and competitive ability. Comparative proteomic evidence is also provided, supporting an overall functional conservation between the Drosophila and mouse sperm proteomes. This analysis reveals a diverse repertoire of proteins functioning in proteolytic pathways, as well as the presence of proteins of the complement and innate immunity systems. We propose that these pathways may have functional relevance to post-mating female immunological responses as well as coevolved interactions with pathways expressed in the female reproductive tract, including those involved in sperm-oocyte recognition and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine C Rettie
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry; University of Bath; Bath, UK
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40
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Wosnitzer MS, Mielnik A, Dabaja A, Robinson B, Schlegel PN, Paduch DA. Ubiquitin Specific Protease 26 (USP26) expression analysis in human testicular and extragonadal tissues indicates diverse action of USP26 in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98638. [PMID: 24922532 PMCID: PMC4055479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin specific protease 26 (USP26), a deubiquitinating enzyme, is highly expressed early during murine spermatogenesis, in round spermatids, and at the blood-testis barrier. USP26 has also been recognized as a regulator of androgen receptor (AR) hormone-induced action involved in spermatogenesis and steroid production in in vitro studies. Prior mutation screening of USP26 demonstrated an association with human male infertility and low testosterone production, but protein localization and expression in the human testis has not been characterized previously. USP26 expression analysis of mRNA and protein was completed using murine and human testis tissue and human tissue arrays. USP26 and AR mRNA levels in human testis were quantitated using multiplex qRT-PCR. Immunofluorescence colocalization studies were performed with formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues using primary and secondary antibodies to detect USP26 and AR protein expression. Human microarray dot blots were used to identify protein expression in extra-gonadal tissues. For the first time, expression of USP26 and colocalization of USP26 with androgen receptor in human testis has been confirmed predominantly in Leydig cell nuclei, with less in Leydig cell cytoplasm, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, round spermatids, and Sertoli cells. USP26 likely affects regulatory proteins of early spermatogenesis, including androgen receptor with additional activity in round spermatids. This X-linked gene is not testis-specific, with USP26 mRNA and protein expression identified in multiple other human organ tissues (benign and malignant) including androgen-dependent tissues such as breast (myoepithelial cells and secretory luminal cells) and thyroid tissue (follicular cells). USP26/AR expression and interaction in spermatogenesis and androgen-dependent cancer warrants additional study and may prove useful in diagnosis and management of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Wosnitzer
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Mielnik
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ali Dabaja
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Brian Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Peter N. Schlegel
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Darius A. Paduch
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
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41
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Abstract
In several different taxa, there is indubitable evidence of transcriptional silencing of the X and Y chromosomes in male meiotic cells of spermatogenesis. However, the so called meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) has been recently a hot bed for debate in Drosophila melanogaster. This review covers cytological and genetic observations, data from transgenic constructs with testis-specific promoters, global expression profiles obtained from mutant, wild-type, larvae and adult testes as well as from cells of different stages of spermatogenesis. There is no dispute on that D. melanogaster spermatogenesis presents a down-regulation of X chromosome that does not result from the lack of dosage compensation. However, the issue is currently focused on the level of reduction of X-linked expression, the precise time it occurs and how many genes are affected. The deep examination of data and experiments in this review exposes the limitations intrinsic to the methods of studying MSCI in D. melanogaster. The current methods do not allow us to affirm anything else than the X chromosome down-regulation in meiosis (MSCI). Therefore, conclusion about level, degree or precise timing is inadequate until new approaches are implemented to know the details of MSCI or other processes involved for D. melanogaster model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D Vibranovski
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil 05508
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42
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Comptour A, Moretti C, Serrentino ME, Auer J, Ialy-Radio C, Ward MA, Touré A, Vaiman D, Cocquet J. SSTY proteins co-localize with the post-meiotic sex chromatin and interact with regulators of its expression. FEBS J 2014; 281:1571-84. [PMID: 24456183 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, X- and Y-encoded genes are transcriptionally shut down during male meiosis, but expression of many of them is (re)activated in spermatids after meiosis. Post-meiotic XY gene expression is regulated by active epigenetic marks, which are de novo incorporated in the sex chromatin of spermatids, and by repressive epigenetic marks inherited during meiosis; alterations in this process lead to male infertility. In the mouse, post-meiotic XY gene expression is known to depend on genetic information carried by the male-specific region of the Y chromosome long arm (MSYq). The MSYq gene Sly has been shown to be a key regulator of post-meiotic sex chromosome gene expression and is necessary for the maintenance/recruitment of repressive epigenetic marks on the sex chromatin, but studies suggest that another MSYq gene may also be required. The best candidate to date is Ssty, an MSYq multi-copy gene of unknown function. Here, we show that SSTY proteins are specifically expressed in round and elongating spermatids, and co-localize with post-meiotic sex chromatin. Moreover, SSTY proteins interact with SLY protein and its X-linked homolog SLX/SLXL1, and may be required for localization of SLX/SLY proteins in the spermatid nucleus and sex chromatin. Our data suggest that SSTY is a second MSYq factor involved in the control of XY gene expression during sperm differentiation. As Slx/Slxl1 and Sly genes have been shown to be involved in the XY intra-genomic conflict, which affects the offspring sex ratio, Ssty may constitute another player in this conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Comptour
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR8104, Paris, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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43
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Gao G, Vibranovski MD, Zhang L, Li Z, Liu M, Zhang YE, Li X, Zhang W, Fan Q, VanKuren NW, Long M, Wei L. A long-term demasculinization of X-linked intergenic noncoding RNAs in Drosophila melanogaster. Genome Res 2014; 24:629-38. [PMID: 24407956 PMCID: PMC3975062 DOI: 10.1101/gr.165837.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed key roles of noncoding RNAs in sex-related pathways, but little is known about the evolutionary forces acting on these noncoding RNAs. Profiling the transcriptome of Drosophila melanogaster with whole-genome tiling arrays found that 15% of male-biased transcribed fragments are intergenic noncoding RNAs (incRNAs), suggesting a potentially important role for incRNAs in sex-related biological processes. Statistical analysis revealed a paucity of male-biased incRNAs and coding genes on the X chromosome, suggesting that similar evolutionary forces could be affecting the genomic organization of both coding and noncoding genes. Expression profiling across germline and somatic tissues further suggested that both male meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) and sexual antagonism could contribute to the chromosomal distribution of male-biased incRNAs. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the evolutionary age of male-biased incRNAs is a significant predictor of their chromosomal locations. In addition to identifying abundant sex-biased incRNAs in the fly genome, our work unveils a global picture of the complex interplay between noncoding RNAs and sexual chromosome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, College of Life Sciences and Center for Bioinformatics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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44
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Yoneda R, Kimura AP. A testis-specific serine protease, Prss41/Tessp-1, is necessary for the progression of meiosis during murine in vitro spermatogenesis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 441:120-5. [PMID: 24129193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The function of protease during male meiosis has not been well studied. We previously cloned and characterized four testis-specific serine proteases in the mouse testis. One of the proteases, Prss41/Tessp-1, was expressed in the germ and Sertoli cell. This time, to examine the involvement of Prss41/Tessp-1 in spermatogenesis, we conducted the organ culture of testis fragments in the presence of the anti-Prss41/Tessp-1 antibody. Because in the Sertoli cell, the Prss41/Tessp-1 protein was mostly associated with the membrane of intracellular organelles by glycosylphosphatidylinositol, the antibody was expected to affect Prss41/Tessp-1 at the plasma membrane of spermatogonia. By adding the antibody, the number of germ cells was decreased in some seminiferous tubules. The marker genes expression strongly suggested that meiosis was arrested at spermatogonia, and the number of apoptotic germ cells increased by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. These data indicated that Prss41/Tessp-1 was necessary for the progression of meiosis at the stage of spermatogonia during in vitro spermatogenesis. Together with our previous study, the current results suggest that the Prss/Tessp proteases are important for the progression of meiosis at each stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Yoneda
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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45
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Yang Z, Yoshioka H, McCarrey JR. Sequence-specific promoter elements regulate temporal-specific changes in chromatin required for testis-specific activation of the Pgk2 gene. Reproduction 2013; 146:501-16. [PMID: 24000349 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoglycerate kinase-2 (Pgk2) gene is regulated in a tissue-, cell type-, and developmental stage-specific manner during spermatogenesis and is required for normal sperm motility and fertility in mammals. Activation of Pgk2 transcription is regulated by testis-specific demethylation of DNA and binding of testis-specific transcription factors to enhancer and core promoter elements. Here, we show that chromatin remodeling including reconfiguration of nucleosomes and changes in histone modifications is also associated with transcriptional activation of the Pgk2 gene during spermatogenesis. Developmental studies indicate that the order of events involved in transcriptional activation of the Pgk2 gene includes demethylation of DNA in T₁- and T₂-prospermatogonia, binding of a factor to the CAAT box in type A and B spermatogonia, followed by recruitment of chromatin remodeling factors, displacement of a nucleosome from the Pgk2 promoter region, binding of factors to the Pgk2 core promoter and enhancer regions, and, finally, initiation of transcription in primary spermatocytes. Transgene studies show that Pgk2 core promoter elements are required to direct demethylation of DNA and reconfiguration of nucleosomes, whereas both enhancer and core promoter elements are required to direct changes in histone modifications and initiation of transcription. These results provide novel insight into the developmental order of molecular events required to activate tissue-specific transcription of the Pgk2 gene, the distinct elements in the 5'-regulatory region of the Pgk2 gene that regulate each of these events, and the relationship among these events in that each step in this process appears to be a necessary prerequisite for the subsequent step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangsheng Yang
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, USA
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46
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Abstract
TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 7l (Taf7l; a paralogue of Taf7) and TBP-related factor 2 (Trf2) are components of the core promoter complex required for gene/tissue-specific transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II. Previous studies reported that Taf7l knockout (KO) mice exhibit structurally abnormal sperm, reduced sperm count, weakened motility, and compromised fertility. Here we find that continued backcrossing of Taf7l(-/Y) mice from N5 to N9 produced KO males that are essentially sterile. Genome-wide expression profiling by mRNA-sequencing analysis of wild-type (WT) and Taf7l(-/Y) (KO) testes revealed that Taf7l ablation impairs the expression of many postmeiotic spermatogenic-specific as well as metabolic genes. Importantly, histological analysis of testes revealed that Taf7l(-/Y) mice develop postmeiotic arrest at the first stage of spermiogenesis, phenotypically similar to Trf2(-/-) mice, but distinct from Taf4b(-/-) mice. Indeed, we find that Taf7l and Trf2 coregulate postmeiotic genes, but none of Taf4b-regulated germ stem cell genes in testes. Genome-wide ChIP-sequencing studies indicate that TAF7L binds to promoters of activated postmeiotic genes in testis. Moreover, biochemical studies show that TAF7L associates with TRF2 both in vitro and in testis, suggesting that TAF7L likely cooperates directly with TRF2 at promoters of a subset of postmeiotic genes to regulate spermiogenesis. Our findings thus provide a previously undescribed mechanism for cell-type-specific transcriptional control involving an interaction between a "nonprototypic" core promoter recognition factor (Trf2) and an orphan TAF subunit (Taf7l) in mammalian testis-specific gene transcription.
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47
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Sin HS, Namekawa SH. The great escape: Active genes on inactive sex chromosomes and their evolutionary implications. Epigenetics 2013; 8:887-92. [PMID: 23880818 DOI: 10.4161/epi.25672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms precisely regulate sex chromosome inactivation as well as genes that escape the silencing process. In male germ cells, DNA damage response factor RNF8 establishes active epigenetic modifications on the silent sex chromosomes during meiosis, and activates escape genes during a state of sex chromosome-wide silencing in postmeiotic spermatids. During the course of evolution, the gene content of escape genes in postmeiotic spermatids recently diverged on the sex chromosomes. This evolutionary feature mirrors the epigenetic processes of sex chromosomes in germ cells. In this article, we describe how epigenetic processes have helped to shape the evolution of sex chromosome-linked genes. Furthermore, we compare features of escape genes on sex chromosomes in male germ cells to escape genes located on the single X chromosome silenced during X-inactivation in females, clarifying the distinct evolutionary implications between male and female escape genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Su Sin
- Division of Reproductive Sciences; Division of Developmental Biology; Perinatal Institute; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, OH USA; Department of Pediatrics; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati, OH USA
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48
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Zhou J, McCarrey JR, Wang PJ. A 1.1-Mb segmental deletion on the X chromosome causes meiotic failure in male mice. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:159. [PMID: 23677977 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.106963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian X chromosome contains a large number of multicopy genes that are expressed during spermatogenesis. The roles of these genes during germ cell development and the functional significance of gene multiplication remain mostly unexplored, as the presence of multicopy gene families poses a challenge for genetic studies. Here we report the deletion of a 1.1-Mb segment of the mouse X chromosome that is syntenic with the human Xq22.1 region and contains 20 genes that are expressed predominantly in testis and brain, including three members of the nuclear export factor gene family (Nxf2, Nxf3, and Nxf7) and five copies of preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma-like 3 (Pramel3). We have shown that germline-specific Cre/loxP-mediated deletion of this 1.1-Mb segment is efficient and causes defective chromosomal synapsis, meiotic arrest, and sterility in male mice. Our results demonstrate that this 1.1-Mb region contains one or more novel X-linked factors that are essential for male meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhou
- Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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49
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Yoneda R, Takahashi T, Matsui H, Takano N, Hasebe Y, Ogiwara K, Kimura AP. Three testis-specific paralogous serine proteases play different roles in murine spermatogenesis and are involved in germ cell survival during meiosis. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:118. [PMID: 23536369 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that generates spermatozoa; its molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Here we focused on the functions of three testis-specific serine proteases: Prss42/Tessp-2, Prss43/Tessp-3, and Prss44/Tessp-4. These protease genes, which constitute a gene cluster on chromosome 9F2-F3, were presumed to be paralogs and were expressed only in the testis. By investigating their mRNA distribution, we found that all three genes were expressed in primary and secondary spermatocytes. However, interestingly, the translated proteins were produced at different locations. Prss42/Tessp-2 was found in the membranes and cytoplasm of secondary spermatocytes and spermatids, whereas Prss43/Tessp-3 was present only in the membranes of spermatocytes and spermatids. Prss44/Tessp-4 was detected in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and spermatids. To assess the roles of these proteases in spermatogenesis, we used organ culture of mouse testis fragments. Adding antibodies against Prss42/Tessp-2 and Prss43/Tessp-3 resulted in meiotic arrest at the stage when each protease was beginning to be translated. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells dramatically increased after the addition of these antibodies. These results strongly suggest that the three paralogous Prss/Tessp proteases play different roles in spermatogenesis and that Prss42/Tessp-2 and Prss43/Tessp-3 are required for germ cell survival during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Yoneda
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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50
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Becherel OJ, Yeo AJ, Stellati A, Heng EYH, Luff J, Suraweera AM, Woods R, Fleming J, Carrie D, McKinney K, Xu X, Deng C, Lavin MF. Senataxin plays an essential role with DNA damage response proteins in meiotic recombination and gene silencing. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003435. [PMID: 23593030 PMCID: PMC3623790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Senataxin, mutated in the human genetic disorder ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2), plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity by coordination of transcription, DNA replication, and the DNA damage response. We demonstrate that senataxin is essential for spermatogenesis and that it functions at two stages in meiosis during crossing-over in homologous recombination and in meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Disruption of the Setx gene caused persistence of DNA double-strand breaks, a defect in disassembly of Rad51 filaments, accumulation of DNA:RNA hybrids (R-loops), and ultimately a failure of crossing-over. Senataxin localised to the XY body in a Brca1-dependent manner, and in its absence there was incomplete localisation of DNA damage response proteins to the XY chromosomes and ATR was retained on the axial elements of these chromosomes, failing to diffuse out into chromatin. Furthermore persistence of RNA polymerase II activity, altered ubH2A distribution, and abnormal XY-linked gene expression in Setx−/− revealed an essential role for senataxin in MSCI. These data support key roles for senataxin in coordinating meiotic crossing-over with transcription and in gene silencing to protect the integrity of the genome. Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) caused by a defect in the gene Setx (coding for senataxin) is part of a subgroup of autosomal recessive ataxias characterized by defects in genes responsible for the recognition and/or repair of damage in DNA. Cells from these patients are characterized by oxidative stress and are defective in RNA processing and termination of transcription. Recent data suggest that senataxin is involved in coordinating events between DNA replication forks and ongoing transcription. To further understand the role of senataxin, we disrupted the Setx gene in mice and demonstrated its essential role in spermatogenesis during meiotic recombination and in meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). In the absence of senataxin, DNA double-strand breaks persist, RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) accumulate, and homologous recombination is disrupted. Senataxin localised to the XY chromosomes during pachytene. This was dependent on Brca1, which functions early in MSCI to recruit DNA damage response proteins to the XY body. In the absence of senataxin, there was incomplete accumulation of DNA damage response proteins on the XY chromosomes and no MDC1-dependent diffusion of ATR to the broader XY chromatin. The end result was a defect in MSCI, apoptosis, and a failure to complete meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier J. Becherel
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Abrey J. Yeo
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alissa Stellati
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Evelyn Y. H. Heng
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John Luff
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amila M. Suraweera
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rick Woods
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Dianne Carrie
- QCF Transgenics Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kristine McKinney
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Mammalian Genetics Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chuxia Deng
- Mammalian Genetics Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Martin F. Lavin
- Radiation Biology and Oncology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail:
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