1
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Yoshimura S, Shimada R, Kikuchi K, Kawagoe S, Abe H, Iisaka S, Fujimura S, Yasunaga KI, Usuki S, Tani N, Ohba T, Kondoh E, Saio T, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Atypical heat shock transcription factor HSF5 is critical for male meiotic prophase under non-stress conditions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3330. [PMID: 38684656 PMCID: PMC11059408 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Meiotic prophase progression is differently regulated in males and females. In males, pachytene transition during meiotic prophase is accompanied by robust alteration in gene expression. However, how gene expression is regulated differently to ensure meiotic prophase completion in males remains elusive. Herein, we identify HSF5 as a male germ cell-specific heat shock transcription factor (HSF) for meiotic prophase progression. Genetic analyzes and single-cell RNA-sequencing demonstrate that HSF5 is essential for progression beyond the pachytene stage under non-stress conditions rather than heat stress. Chromatin binding analysis in vivo and DNA-binding assays in vitro suggest that HSF5 binds to promoters in a subset of genes associated with chromatin organization. HSF5 recognizes a DNA motif different from typical heat shock elements recognized by other canonical HSFs. This study suggests that HSF5 is an atypical HSF that is required for the gene expression program for pachytene transition during meiotic prophase in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saori Yoshimura
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Koji Kikuchi
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kawagoe
- Division of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hironori Abe
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Sakie Iisaka
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Yasunaga
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Eiji Kondoh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tomohide Saio
- Division of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
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Zhou X, Fang K, Liu Y, Li W, Tan Y, Zhang J, Yu X, Wang G, Zhang Y, Shang Y, Zhang L, Chen CD, Wang S. ZFP541 and KCTD19 regulate chromatin organization and transcription programs for male meiotic progression. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13567. [PMID: 37921559 PMCID: PMC10984108 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful progression of meiosis prophase I requires integrating information from the structural and molecular levels. In this study, we show that ZFP541 and KCTD19 work in the same genetic pathway to regulate the progression of male meiosis and thus fertility. The Zfp541 and/or Kctd19 knockout male mice show various structural and recombination defects including detached chromosome ends, aberrant localization of chromosome axis components and recombination proteins, and globally altered histone modifications. Further analyses on RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq data provide molecular evidence for the above defects and reveal that ZFP541/KCTD19 activates the expression of many genes by repressing several major transcription repressors. More importantly, we reveal an unexpected role of ZFP541/KCTD19 in directly modulating chromatin organization. These results suggest that ZFP541/KCTD19 simultaneously regulates the transcription cascade and chromatin organization to ensure the coordinated progression of multiple events at chromosome structural and biochemical levels during meiosis prophase I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Kailun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Yanlei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Weidong Li
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yingjin Tan
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Xiaoxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yanan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yongliang Shang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Liangran Zhang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Charlie Degui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Shunxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive HealthShandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive HealthJinanShandongChina
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3
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Delgado-Bermúdez A, Yeste M, Bonet S, Pinart E. Physiological role of potassium channels in mammalian germ cell differentiation, maturation, and capacitation. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38436215 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ion channels are essential for differentiation and maturation of germ cells, and even for fertilization in mammals. Different types of potassium channels have been identified, which are grouped into voltage-gated channels (Kv), ligand-gated channels (Kligand ), inwardly rectifying channels (Kir ), and tandem pore domain channels (K2P ). MATERIAL-METHODS The present review includes recent findings on the role of potassium channels in sperm physiology of mammals. RESULTS-DISCUSSION While most studies conducted thus far have been focused on the physiological role of voltage- (Kv1, Kv3, and Kv7) and calcium-gated channels (SLO1 and SLO3) during sperm capacitation, especially in humans and rodents, little data about the types of potassium channels present in the plasma membrane of differentiating germ cells exist. In spite of this, recent evidence suggests that the content and regulation mechanisms of these channels vary throughout spermatogenesis. Potassium channels are also essential for the regulation of sperm cell volume during epididymal maturation and for preventing premature membrane hyperpolarization. It is important to highlight that the nature, biochemical properties, localization, and regulation mechanisms of potassium channels are species-specific. In effect, while SLO3 is the main potassium channel involved in the K+ current during sperm capacitation in rodents, different potassium channels are implicated in the K+ outflow and, thus, plasma membrane hyperpolarization during sperm capacitation in other mammalian species, such as humans and pigs. CONCLUSIONS Potassium conductance is essential for male fertility, not only during sperm capacitation but throughout the spermiogenesis and epididymal maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Unit of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Unit of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Unit of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Pinart
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Unit of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Clark AC, Edison R, Esvelt K, Kamau S, Dutoit L, Champer J, Champer SE, Messer PW, Alexander A, Gemmell NJ. A framework for identifying fertility gene targets for mammalian pest control. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13901. [PMID: 38009398 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Fertility-targeted gene drives have been proposed as an ethical genetic approach for managing wild populations of vertebrate pests for public health and conservation benefit. This manuscript introduces a framework to identify and evaluate target gene suitability based on biological gene function, gene expression and results from mouse knockout models. This framework identified 16 genes essential for male fertility and 12 genes important for female fertility that may be feasible targets for mammalian gene drives and other non-drive genetic pest control technology. Further, a comparative genomics analysis demonstrates the conservation of the identified genes across several globally significant invasive mammals. In addition to providing important considerations for identifying candidate genes, our framework and the genes identified in this study may have utility in developing additional pest control tools such as wildlife contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Clark
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Rey Edison
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Kamau
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Potgieter S, Eddy C, Badrinath A, Chukrallah L, Lo T, Mohanty G, Visconti PE, Snyder EM. ADAD1 is required for normal translation of nuclear pore and transport protein transcripts in spermatids of Mus musculus†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:340-355. [PMID: 37399121 PMCID: PMC10502568 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ADAD1 is a testis-specific RNA-binding protein expressed in post-meiotic spermatids whose loss leads to defective sperm and male infertility. However, the drivers of the Adad1 phenotype remain unclear. Morphological and functional analysis of Adad1 mutant sperm showed defective DNA compaction, abnormal head shaping, and reduced motility. Mutant testes demonstrated minimal transcriptome changes; however, ribosome association of many transcripts was reduced, suggesting ADAD1 may be required for their translational activation. Further, immunofluorescence of proteins encoded by select transcripts showed delayed protein accumulation. Additional analyses demonstrated impaired subcellular localization of multiple proteins, suggesting protein transport is also abnormal in Adad1 mutants. To clarify the mechanism giving rise to this, the manchette, a protein transport microtubule network, and the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, which connects the manchette to the nuclear lamin, were assessed across spermatid development. Proteins of both displayed delayed translation and/or localization in mutant spermatids implicating ADAD1 in their regulation, even in the absence of altered ribosome association. Finally, ADAD1's impact on the NPC (nuclear pore complex), a regulator of both the manchette and the LINC complex, was examined. Reduced ribosome association of NPC encoding transcripts and reduced NPC protein abundance along with abnormal localization in Adad1 mutants confirmed ADAD1's impact on translation is required for a NPC in post-meiotic germ cells. Together, these studies lead to a model whereby ADAD1's influence on nuclear transport leads to deregulation of the LINC complex and the manchette, ultimately generating the range of physiological defects observed in the Adad1 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Potgieter
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Eddy
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Aditi Badrinath
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lauren Chukrallah
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Toby Lo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gayatri Mohanty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Snyder
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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6
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Huang X, Liu X, Zhang X, Yang Y, Gao H, Gao J, Bao H, Zhao L, Yang G, Zhang Y, Liu D. The long noncoding RNA CIRBIL is a regulator of steroidogenesis in mice. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100783. [PMID: 37336146 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects roughly 8-12 % of couples worldwide, and in above 50 % of couples, male factors are the primary or contributing cause. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are detected in the testis, but their functions are not well understood. CIRBIL was 862 nucleotides in length and was found to be localized mostly in the cytosol of Leydig cell, a small portion was positioned inside the seminiferous tubules. Loss of CIRBIL in mice resulted in male subfertility, characterized by smaller testis and increased germ cell apoptosis. Deletion of CIRBIL significant decreased the number of sperm and impaired the integrity of sperm head and tail. In CIRBIL KO mice, testosterone levels in serum and expression of testosterone biosynthesis genes (STAR and 3β-HSD) were both reduced. Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway were primarily enriched in steroid synthesis process in CIRBIL-binding proteins. Protein-protein (PPI) interaction networks revealed that both cis- and trans-regulated target genes of CIRBIL were associated with testosterone synthesis. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that CIRBIL is a regulator of steroid hormone synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Huang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Xin Liu
- The Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Haiyu Gao
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Jianjun Gao
- The Department of Hepatopancreatobility, Surgery Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 150086, PR China
| | - Hairong Bao
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Lexin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Guohui Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China; North Translational Medicine Research Cooperation Center, 2019 Research Unit 070, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, PR China.
| | - Donghua Liu
- The Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, PR China.
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Sánchez-Jasso DE, López-Guzmán SF, Bermúdez-Cruz RM, Oviedo N. Novel Aspects of cAMP-Response Element Modulator (CREM) Role in Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12558. [PMID: 37628737 PMCID: PMC10454534 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a very complex process with an intricate transcriptional regulation. The transition from the diploid to the haploid state requires the involvement of specialized genes in meiosis, among other specific functions for the formation of the spermatozoon. The transcription factor cAMP-response element modulator (CREM) is a key modulator that triggers the differentiation of the germ cell into the spermatozoon through the modification of gene expression. CREM has multiple repressor and activator isoforms whose expression is tissue-cell-type specific and tightly regulated by various factors at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational level. The activator isoform CREMτ controls the expression of several relevant genes in post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In addition, exposure to xenobiotics negatively affects CREMτ expression, which is linked to male infertility. On the other hand, antioxidants could have a positive effect on CREMτ expression and improve sperm parameters in idiopathically infertile men. Therefore, CREM expression could be used as a biomarker to detect and even counteract male infertility. This review examines the importance of CREM as a transcription factor for sperm production and its relevance in male fertility, infertility and the response to environmental xenobiotics that may affect CREMτ expression and the downstream regulation that alters male fertility. Also, some health disorders in which CREM expression is altered are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Eduardo Sánchez-Jasso
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Sergio Federico López-Guzmán
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Rosa Maria Bermúdez-Cruz
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (D.E.S.-J.); (S.F.L.-G.); (R.M.B.-C.)
| | - Norma Oviedo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Immunología e Infectología, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City 02990, Mexico
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8
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Adashev VE, Kotov AA, Olenina LV. RNA Helicase Vasa as a Multifunctional Conservative Regulator of Gametogenesis in Eukaryotes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5677-5705. [PMID: 37504274 PMCID: PMC10378496 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Being a conservative marker of germ cells across metazoan species, DEAD box RNA helicase Vasa (DDX4) remains the subject of worldwide investigations thanks to its multiple functional manifestations. Vasa takes part in the preformation of primordial germ cells in a group of organisms and contributes to the maintenance of germline stem cells. Vasa is an essential player in the piRNA-mediated silencing of harmful genomic elements and in the translational regulation of selected mRNAs. Vasa is the top hierarchical protein of germ granules, liquid droplet organelles that compartmentalize RNA processing factors. Here, we survey current advances and problems in the understanding of the multifaceted functions of Vasa proteins in the gametogenesis of different eukaryotic organisms, from nematodes to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir E Adashev
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei A Kotov
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila V Olenina
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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9
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Clark AC, Alexander A, Edison R, Esvelt K, Kamau S, Dutoit L, Champer J, Champer SE, Messer PW, Gemmell NJ. A framework for identifying fertility gene targets for mammalian pest control. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542751. [PMID: 37398071 PMCID: PMC10312551 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Fertility-targeted gene drives have been proposed as an ethical genetic approach for managing wild populations of vertebrate pests for public health and conservation benefit.This manuscript introduces a framework to identify and evaluate target gene suitability based on biological gene function, gene expression, and results from mouse knockout models.This framework identified 16 genes essential for male fertility and 12 genes important for female fertility that may be feasible targets for mammalian gene drives and other non-drive genetic pest control technology. Further, a comparative genomics analysis demonstrates the conservation of the identified genes across several globally significant invasive mammals.In addition to providing important considerations for identifying candidate genes, our framework and the genes identified in this study may have utility in developing additional pest control tools such as wildlife contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Clark
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Rey Edison
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Sebastian Kamau
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Liu Z, Dai H, Huo H, Li W, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Huo J. Molecular characteristics and transcriptional regulatory of spermatogenesis-related gene RFX2 in adult Banna mini-pig inbred line (BMI). Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220090. [PMID: 36922987 PMCID: PMC10010159 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RFX2 plays critical roles in mammalian spermatogenesis and cilium maturation. Here, the testes of 12-month-old adult boars of Banna mini-pig inbred line (BMI) were subjected to whole-transcriptome sequencing. The results indicated that the average expression (raw count) of RFX2 gene in BMI testes was 16138.25, and the average expression value of the corresponding transcript ENSSSCT00000043271.2 was 123.1898. The CDS of RFX2 obtained from BMI testes was 2,817 bp (GenBank accession number: OL362242). Gene structure analysis showed that RFX2 was located on chromosome 2 of the pig genome with 19 exons. Protein structure analysis indicated that RFX2 contains 728 amino acids with two conserved domains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RFX2 was highly conserved with evolutionary homologies among mammalian species. Other analyses, including PPI networks, KEGG, and GO, indicated that BMI RFX2 had interactions with 43 proteins involving various functions, such as in cell cycle, spermatid development, spermatid differentiation, cilium assembly, and cilium organization, etc. Correlation analysis between these proteins and the transcriptome data implied that RFX2 was significantly associated with FOXJ1, DNAH9, TMEM138, E2F7, and ATR, and particularly showed the highest correlation with ATR, demonstrating the importance of RFX2 and ART in spermatogenesis. Functional annotation implied that RFX2 was involved in 17 GO terms, including three cellular components (CC), six molecular functions (MF), and eight biological processes (BP). The analysis of miRNA-gene targeting indicated that BMI RFX2 was mainly regulated by two miRNAs, among which four lncRNAs and five lncRNAs competitively bound ssc-miR-365-5p and ssc-miR-744 with RFX2, respectively. Further, the dual-luciferase report assay indicated that the ssc-miR-365-5p and ssc-miR-744 significantly reduced luciferase activity of RFX2 3'UTR in the 293T cells, suggesting that these two miRNAs regulated the expression of RFX2. Our results revealed the important role of RFX2 in BMI spermatogenesis, making it an intriguing candidate for follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hongmei Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hailong Huo
- Yunnan Vocational and Technical College of Agriculture, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Weizhen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yun Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- College of Life Science, Lyuliang University, Lvliang, Shanxi, China
| | - Jinlong Huo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
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11
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Sultana T, Iwamori T, Iwamori N. TSNAXIP1 is required for sperm head formation and male fertility. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12520. [PMID: 37389156 PMCID: PMC10304756 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose TRANSLIN (TSN) and its binding partner TSNAX have been reported to contribute to a wide spectrum of biological activities including spermatogenesis. TSN accompanies specific mRNA transport in male germ cells through intercellular bridges. A testis-expressed protein TSNAXIP1 was reported to interact with TSNAX. However the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis remained unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice. Methods TSNAXIP1 knockout (KO) mice were generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The fertility, spermatogenesis, and sperm of TSNAXIP1 KO males were analyzed. Results TSNAXIP1, and especially its domains, are highly conserved between mouse and human. Tsnaxip1 was expressed in testis, but not in ovary. TSNAXIP1 KO mice were generated, and TSNAXIP1 KO males were found to be sub-fertile with smaller testis and lower sperm count. Although no overt abnormalities were observed during spermatogenesis, lack of TSNAXIP1 induced sperm head malformation, resulting in a unique flower-shaped sperm head. Moreover, abnormal anchorage of the sperm neck was frequently observed in TSNAXIP1 null sperm. Conclusion A testis-expressed gene TSNAXIP1 has important roles in sperm head morphogenesis and male fertility. Moreover, TSNAXIP1 could be a causative gene for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasrin Sultana
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Tokuko Iwamori
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of AgricultureKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Naoki Iwamori
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of AgricultureKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
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12
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Dumont L, Lopez Maestre H, Chalmel F, Huber L, Rives-Feraille A, Moutard L, Bateux F, Rondanino C, Rives N. Throughout in vitro first spermatogenic wave: Next-generation sequencing gene expression patterns of fresh and cryopreserved prepubertal mice testicular tissue explants. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1112834. [PMID: 37008933 PMCID: PMC10063980 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1112834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suitable cryopreservation procedures of pre-pubertal testicular tissue associated with efficient culture conditions are crucial in the fields of fertility preservation and restoration. In vitro spermatogenesis remains a challenging technical procedure to undergo a complete spermatogenesis.The number of haploid cells and more specifically the spermatic yield produced in vitro in mice is still extremely low compared to age-matched in vivo controls and this procedure has never yet been successfully transferred to humans. METHODS To evaluate the impact of in vitro culture and freezing procedure, pre-pubertal testicular mice testes were directly cultured until day 4 (D4), D16 and D30 or cryopreserved by controlled slow freezing then cultured until D30. Testes composed of a panel of 6.5 dpp (days postpartum), 10.5 dpp, 22.5 dpp, and 36.5 dpp mice were used as in vivo controls. Testicular tissues were assessed by histological (HES) and immunofluorescence (stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8, STRA8) analyses. Moreover, a detailed transcriptome evaluation study has been carried out to study the gene expression patterns throughout the first in vitro spermatogenic wave. RESULTS Transcriptomic analyses reveal that cultured tissues expression profiles are almost comparable between D16 and D30; highlighting an abnormal kinetic throughout the second half of the first spermatogenesis during in vitro cultures. In addition, testicular explants have shown dysregulation of their transcriptomic profile compared to controls with genes related to inflammation response, insulin-like growth factor and genes involved in steroidogenesis. DISCUSSION The present work first shows that cryopreservation had very little impact on gene expression in testicular tissue, either directly after thawing or after 30 days in culture. Transcriptomic analysis of testis tissue samples is highly informative due to the large number of expressed genes and identified isoforms. This study provides a very valuable basis for future studies concerning in vitro spermatogenesis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Dumont
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
- *Correspondence: Ludovic Dumont,
| | - Hélène Lopez Maestre
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, PANTHER UMR 1234, Rouen, France
- Institut Pasteur, Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique – Département Biologie Computationnelle, USR 3756, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Louise Huber
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Aurélie Rives-Feraille
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Laura Moutard
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Frédérique Bateux
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Christine Rondanino
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Nathalie Rives
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSERM, NORDIC UMR 1239 – Team Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology (AGoPath), Rouen, France
- Normandie, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
- Rouen University Hospital, Biology of Reproduction-CECOS laboratory, Rouen, France
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13
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Singh A, Hermann BP. Bulk and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analyses for Studies of Spermatogonia. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2656:37-70. [PMID: 37249866 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3139-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Robust methods have been developed that leverage next-generation sequencing (NGS) to measure abundance of all mRNAs (RNA-seq) in samples as small as individual cells in order to study the testicular transcriptome in mammals. In this chapter, we present robust options for implementing bioinformatics workflows for the analysis of bulk RNA-seq from aggregate samples of hundreds to millions of cells and single-cell RNA-seq from individual cells. We also provide detailed protocols for using the R packages DESeq2 and Seurat, important parameters for successful implementation, and considerations for drawing conclusions from the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anukriti Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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14
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Zhou C, Zhang L, Xu D, Ding H, Zheng S, Liu M. MeDIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis during porcine testis development reveals functional DMRs at the promoter of LDHC. Genomics 2022; 114:110467. [PMID: 36041633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Testis development requires tight regulation of gene expression programmed by epigenetic modifiers. However, their mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation landscape in the Duroc and Meishan boar testes using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-seq). We identified over 1100 promoter differential methylation genes (DMGs) before and after puberty, most of which are associated with testis development. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression of lactate dehydrogenase C (LDHC) gene during testis development is regulated by DNA methylation. The promoter of LDHC in pre-pubertal testes is substantially methylated, whereas considerably demethylated in post-pubertal testes. Artificial demethylation with the demethylating agent 5-Aza-CdR induced LDHC expression in immature Sertoli cells (SCs). Mechanistically, we confirmed the transcription factor SP1 was recruited to bind in hypomethylated differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in LDHC promoter, which upregulated the expression of LDHC. Functionally, we demonstrated that LDHC gene was activated in mature SCs (mSCs) and its overexpression significantly increases lactate secretion in SCs. In conclusion, our results highlight the function and regulation of dynamic DNA methylation in testis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changfan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dequan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haisheng Ding
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Product Safety Engineering, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Shuailong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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15
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R-Loop Formation in Meiosis: Roles in Meiotic Transcription-Associated DNA Damage. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6030026. [PMID: 36135313 PMCID: PMC9498298 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is specialized cell division during gametogenesis that produces genetically unique gametes via homologous recombination. Meiotic homologous recombination entails repairing programmed 200–300 DNA double-strand breaks generated during the early prophase. To avoid interference between meiotic gene transcription and homologous recombination, mammalian meiosis is thought to employ a strategy of exclusively transcribing meiotic or post-meiotic genes before their use. Recent studies have shown that R-loops, three-stranded DNA/RNA hybrid nucleotide structures formed during transcription, play a crucial role in transcription and genome integrity. Although our knowledge about the function of R-loops during meiosis is limited, recent findings in mouse models have suggested that they play crucial roles in meiosis. Given that defective formation of an R-loop can cause abnormal transcription and transcription-coupled DNA damage, the precise regulatory network of R-loops may be essential in vivo for the faithful progression of mammalian meiosis and gametogenesis.
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16
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Hiradate Y, Harima R, Yanai R, Hara K, Nagasawa K, Osada M, Kobayashi T, Matsuyama M, Kanno S, Yasui A, Tanemura K. Loss of
Axdnd1
causes sterility due to impaired spermatid differentiation in mice. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12452. [PMID: 35386379 PMCID: PMC8968163 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Spermiogenesis, the process of deformation of sperm head morphology and flagella formation, is a phenomenon unique to sperm. Axonemal dynein light chain proteins are localized to sperm flagella and are known to be involved in sperm motility. Here, we focused on the gene axonemal dynein light chain domain containing 1 (Axdnd1) with the aim to determine the function of its protein product AXDND1. Methods To elucidate the role of AXDND1 in spermatogenesis, we generated Axdnd1 knockout (KO) mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The generated mice were subjected to fertility tests and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Result The Axdnd1 KO mouse exhibited sterility caused by impaired spermiogenesis during the elongation step as well as abnormal nuclear shaping and manchette, which are essential for spermiogenesis. Moreover, AXDND1 showed enriched testicular expression and was localized from the mid‐pachytene spermatocytes to the early spermatids. Conclusion Axdnd1 is essential for spermatogenesis in the mouse testes. These findings improve our understanding of spermiogenesis and related defects. According to a recent report, deleterious heterozygous mutations in AXDND1 were found in non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Therefore, Axdnd1 KO mice could be used as a model system for NOA, which will greatly contribute to future NOA treatment studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hiradate
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Ryua Harima
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Rin Yanai
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Kenshiro Hara
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Kazue Nagasawa
- Laboratory of Aquacultural Biology Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Makoto Osada
- Laboratory of Aquacultural Biology Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Tomoe Kobayashi
- Division of Molecular Genetics Shigei Medical Research Institute Okayama Japan
| | - Makoto Matsuyama
- Division of Molecular Genetics Shigei Medical Research Institute Okayama Japan
| | - Shin‐ichiro Kanno
- Division of Dynamic Proteome and IDAC Fellow Research Group for DNA Repair and Dynamic Proteome Institute of Development Aging and Cancer (IDAC) Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Akira Yasui
- Division of Dynamic Proteome and IDAC Fellow Research Group for DNA Repair and Dynamic Proteome Institute of Development Aging and Cancer (IDAC) Tohoku University Sendai Japan
| | - Kentaro Tanemura
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan
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17
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Mikec Š, Kolenc Ž, Peterlin B, Horvat S, Pogorevc N, Kunej T. Syndromic male subfertility: a network view of genome-phenome associations. Andrology 2022; 10:720-732. [PMID: 35218153 PMCID: PMC9314622 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Male infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system with a highly complex genetic landscape. In most cases, the reason for male infertility remains unknown; however, the importance of genetic abnormalities in the diagnosis of subfertility/infertility is becoming increasingly recognized. Several syndromes include impaired male fertility in the clinical picture, although a comprehensive analysis of genetic causes of the syndromology perspective of male reproduction is not yet available. Objectives (1) To develop a catalog of syndromes and corresponding genes associated with impaired male fertility and (2) to visualize an up‐to‐date genome–phenome network of syndromic male subfertility. Materials and methods Published literature was retrieved from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Orphanet, Human Phenotype Ontology and PubMed databases using keywords “male infertility,” “syndrome,” “gene,” and “case report”; time period from 1980 to September, 2021. Retrieved data were organized as a catalog and complemented with identification numbers of syndromes (MIM ID) and genes (Gene ID). The genome–phenome network and the phenome network were visualized using Cytoscape and Gephi software platforms. Protein–protein interaction analysis was performed using STRING tool. Results Retrieved syndromes were presented as (1) a catalog containing 63 syndromes and 93 associated genes, (2) a genome–phenome network including CHD7 and WT1 genes and Noonan and Kartagener syndromes, and (3) a phenome network including 63 syndromes, and 25 categories of clinical features. Discussion The developed catalog will contribute to the advances and translational impact toward understanding the factors of syndromic male infertility. Visualized networks provide simple, flexible tools for clinicians and researchers to quickly generate hypotheses and gain a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms affecting male reproduction. Conclusion Recognition of the significance of genome–phenome visualization as part of network medicine can help expedite efforts toward unravelling molecular mechanisms and enable advances personal/precision medicine of male reproduction and other complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Špela Mikec
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Živa Kolenc
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Borut Peterlin
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Neža Pogorevc
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Domžale, Slovenia
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18
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Chromatoid Bodies in the Regulation of Spermatogenesis: Novel Role of GRTH. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040613. [PMID: 35203264 PMCID: PMC8870266 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional and translational control of specialized genes play a critical role in the progression of spermatogenesis. During the early stages, mRNAs are actively transcribed and stored, temporarily bound to RNA binding proteins in chromatoid bodies (CBs). CBs are membrane-less dynamic organelles which serve as storehouses and processing centers of mRNAs awaiting translation during later stages of spermatogenesis. These CBs can also regulate the stability of mRNAs to secure the correct timing of protein expression at different stages of sperm formation. Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/DDX25) is an essential regulator of spermatogenesis. GRTH transports mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and phospho-GRTH transports mRNAs from the cytoplasm to the CBs. During spermiogenesis, there is precise control of mRNAs transported by GRTH from and to the CBs, directing the timing of translation of critical proteins which are involved in spermatid elongation and acrosomal development, resulting in functional sperm formation. This chapter presents our current knowledge on the role of GRTH, phospho-GRTH and CBs in the control of spermiogenesis. In addition, it covers the components of CBs compared to those of stress granules and P-bodies.
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19
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Hunnicutt KE, Good JM, Larson EL. Unraveling patterns of disrupted gene expression across a complex tissue. Evolution 2022; 76:275-291. [PMID: 34882778 PMCID: PMC9355168 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Whole tissue RNASeq is the standard approach for studying gene expression divergence in evolutionary biology and provides a snapshot of the comprehensive transcriptome for a given tissue. However, whole tissues consist of diverse cell types differing in expression profiles, and the cellular composition of these tissues can evolve across species. Here, we investigate the effects of different cellular composition on whole tissue expression profiles. We compared gene expression from whole testes and enriched spermatogenesis populations in two species of house mice, Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus, and their sterile and fertile F1 hybrids, which differ in both cellular composition and regulatory dynamics. We found that cellular composition differences skewed expression profiles and differential gene expression in whole testes samples. Importantly, both approaches were able to detect large-scale patterns such as disrupted X chromosome expression, although whole testes sampling resulted in decreased power to detect differentially expressed genes. We encourage researchers to account for histology in RNASeq and consider methods that reduce sample complexity whenever feasible. Ultimately, we show that differences in cellular composition between tissues can modify expression profiles, potentially altering inferred gene ontological processes, insights into gene network evolution, and processes governing gene expression evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey M. Good
- University of Montana, Division of Biological Sciences, Missoula, MO, 59812
| | - Erica L. Larson
- University of Denver, Department of Biological Sciences, Denver, CO, 80208
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20
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Xu H, Sun W, Pei S, Li W, Li F, Yue X. Identification of Key Genes Related to Postnatal Testicular Development Based on Transcriptomic Data of Testis in Hu Sheep. Front Genet 2022; 12:773695. [PMID: 35145544 PMCID: PMC8822165 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.773695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection of testis size can improve the reproductive capacity of livestock used for artificial insemination and has been considered as an important strategy for accelerating the breeding process. Although much work has been done to investigate the mechanisms of testis development in various species, there is little information available in regard to the differences in transcriptomic profiling of sheep testes at different developmental stages. In this work, we aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA-Seq in sheep during different growth stages, including 0 month old (infant, M0), 3 months old (puberty, M3), 6 months old (sexual maturity, M6) and 12 months old (body maturity, M12). A total of 4,606 (2,381 up and 2,225 down), 7,500 (4,368 up and 3,132 down), 15 (8 up and seven down) DEGs were identified in M3_vs_M0, M6_vs_M3, and M12_vs_M6 comparison, respectively. Of which, a number of genes were continuously up-regulated and down-regulated with testicular development, including ODF3, ZPBP1, PKDREJ, MYBL1, PDGFA, IGF1, LH, INSL3, VIM, AMH, INHBA, COL1A1, COL1A2, and INHA. GO analysis illustrated that DEGs were mainly involved in testis development and spermatogenesis. KEGG analysis identified several important pathways and verified several reproduction-associated DEGs such as COL1A1, COL1A2, PDGFA, and IGF1. In addition, two gene modules highly associated with testis development and core genes with testis size were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), including hub genes positively associated with testis size such as RANBP9, DNAH17, SPATA4, CIB4 and SPEM1, and those negatively associated with testis size such as CD81, CSK, PDGFA, VIM, and INHBA. This study comprehensively identified key genes related to sheep testicular development, which may provide potential insights for understanding male fertility and better guide in animal breeding.
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21
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Yogo K. Molecular basis of the morphogenesis of sperm head and tail in mice. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12466. [PMID: 35619659 PMCID: PMC9126569 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The spermatozoon has a complex molecular apparatus necessary for fertilization in its head and flagellum. Recently, numerous genes that are needed to construct the molecular apparatus of spermatozoa have been identified through the analysis of genetically modified mice. Methods Based on the literature information, the molecular basis of the morphogenesis of sperm heads and flagella in mice was summarized. Main findings (Results) The molecular mechanisms of vesicular trafficking and intraflagellar transport in acrosome and flagellum formation were listed. With the development of cryo‐electron tomography and mass spectrometry techniques, the details of the axonemal structure are becoming clearer. The fine structure and the proteins needed to form the central apparatus, outer and inner dynein arms, nexin‐dynein regulatory complex, and radial spokes were described. The important components of the formation of the mitochondrial sheath, fibrous sheath, outer dense fiber, and the annulus were also described. The similarities and differences between sperm flagella and Chlamydomonas flagella/somatic cell cilia were also discussed. Conclusion The molecular mechanism of formation of the sperm head and flagellum has been clarified using the mouse as a model. These studies will help to better understand the diversity of sperm morphology and the causes of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Yogo
- Department of Applied Life Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Shizuoka University Shizuoka Japan
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22
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Hofmann MC, McBeath E. Sertoli Cell-Germ Cell Interactions Within the Niche: Paracrine and Juxtacrine Molecular Communications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:897062. [PMID: 35757413 PMCID: PMC9226676 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.897062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cell development depends on multiple biological events that combine epigenetic reprogramming, cell cycle regulation, and cell migration in a spatio-temporal manner. Sertoli cells are a crucial component of the spermatogonial stem cell niche and provide essential growth factors and chemokines to developing germ cells. This review focuses mainly on the activation of master regulators of the niche in Sertoli cells and their targets, as well as on novel molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of growth and differentiation factors such as GDNF and retinoic acid by NOTCH signaling and other pathways.
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23
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Ishiguro KI, Shimada R. MEIOSIN directs initiation of meiosis and subsequent meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Genes Genet Syst 2021; 97:27-39. [PMID: 34955498 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a crucial process for spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Initiation of meiosis coincides with spermatocyte differentiation and is followed by meiotic prophase, a prolonged G2 phase that ensures the completion of numerous meiosis-specific chromosome events. During meiotic prophase, chromosomes are organized into axis-loop structures, which underlie meiosis-specific events such as meiotic recombination and homolog synapsis. In spermatocytes, meiotic prophase is accompanied by robust alterations of gene expression programs and chromatin status for subsequent sperm production. The mechanisms regulating meiotic initiation and subsequent meiotic prophase programs are enigmatic. Recently, we discovered MEIOSIN (Meiosis initiator), a DNA-binding protein that directs the switch from mitosis to meiosis. This review mainly focuses on how MEIOSIN is involved in meiotic initiation and the meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Further, we discuss the downstream genes activated by MEIOSIN, which are crucial for meiotic prophase-specific events, from the viewpoint of chromosome dynamics and the gene expression program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
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24
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X Chromosome Inactivation during Grasshopper Spermatogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121844. [PMID: 34946793 PMCID: PMC8700825 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of transcriptional activity during meiosis depends on the interrelated processes of recombination and synapsis. In eutherian mammal spermatocytes, transcription levels change during prophase-I, being low at the onset of meiosis but highly increased from pachytene up to the end of diplotene. However, X and Y chromosomes, which usually present unsynapsed regions throughout prophase-I in male meiosis, undergo a specific pattern of transcriptional inactivation. The interdependence of synapsis and transcription has mainly been studied in mammals, basically in mouse, but our knowledge in other unrelated phylogenetically species is more limited. To gain new insights on this issue, here we analyzed the relationship between synapsis and transcription in spermatocytes of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans. Autosomal chromosomes of this species achieve complete synapsis; however, the single X sex chromosome remains always unsynapsed and behaves as a univalent. We studied transcription in meiosis by immunolabeling with RNA polymerase II phosphorylated at serine 2 and found that whereas autosomes are active from leptotene up to diakinesis, the X chromosome is inactive throughout meiosis. This inactivation is accompanied by the accumulation of, at least, two repressive epigenetic modifications: H3 methylated at lysine 9 and H2AX phosphorylated at serine 139. Furthermore, we identified that X chromosome inactivation occurs in premeiotic spermatogonia. Overall, our results indicate: (i) transcription regulation in E. plorans spermatogenesis differs from the canonical pattern found in mammals and (ii) X chromosome inactivation is likely preceded by a process of heterochromatinization before the initiation of meiosis.
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25
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Emad M, Omar HED, Khalifa AR, Ahmed EA, Taha EAR. Predicting the testicular function in non-obstructive azoospermia via targeted gene panel. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43043-021-00087-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Men with non-obstructive azoospermia constitute a challenging subgroup of male infertility patients in whom a genetic cause of defective spermatogenesis may be a contributing factor. The aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to determine whether assessment of meiotic nuclear division 1 (MND1) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression (MND1/GAPDH) in testicular tissue could be a prognostic indicator for sperm retrieval and ICSI outcome in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. The study participants underwent clinical evaluation, conventional semen analysis, serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone assay, scrotal ultrasound examination, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (mTESE), and assessment of MND1/GAPDH gene expression levels in testicular tissue via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques.
Results
The MND1/GAPDH level was associated with the likelihood of identifying sperm in testicular biopsies (odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.14 to 1.34, p < 0.0001), which was confirmed by the pairwise comparison of high vs. low levels of MND1/GAPDH (OR 5.34, 95% CI 1.97 to 13.16, p = 0.0006). The level of FSH was inversely associated with a lower chance of finding sperm (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.65, p = 0.001). Compared with small testicular volume, normal volume was inversely associated with the chance of sperm presence (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.47, p = 0.0002). However, there was no correlation between MND1/GAPDH levels and ICSI outcome.
Conclusion
Gene expression analysis to predict the likelihood of sperm retrieval following mTESE in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia provides a new avenue for future research, diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility. Before its wider clinical application, however, this proof-of-concept should be tested in a large multinational, multicenter observational study.
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26
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Liu N, Qadri F, Busch H, Huegel S, Sihn G, Chuykin I, Hartmann E, Bader M, Rother F. Kpna6 deficiency causes infertility in male mice by disrupting spermatogenesis. Development 2021; 148:272018. [PMID: 34473250 PMCID: PMC8513612 DOI: 10.1242/dev.198374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is driven by an ordered series of events, which rely on trafficking of specific proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm. The karyopherin α family of proteins mediates movement of specific cargo proteins when bound to karyopherin β. Karyopherin α genes have distinct expression patterns in mouse testis, implying they may have unique roles during mammalian spermatogenesis. Here, we use a loss-of-function approach to determine specifically the role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and male fertility. We show that ablation of Kpna6 in male mice leads to infertility and has multiple cumulative effects on both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Kpna6-deficient mice exhibit impaired Sertoli cell function, including loss of Sertoli cells and a compromised nuclear localization of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, our data demonstrate devastating defects on spermiogenesis, including incomplete sperm maturation and a massive reduction in sperm number, accompanied by disturbed histone-protamine exchange, differential localization of the transcriptional regulator BRWD1 and altered expression of RFX2 target genes. Our work uncovers an essential role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and, hence, in male fertility. Summary: Two different mouse models delineate the morphological and functional impact of Kpna6 on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function and show that this protein is crucial for fertility in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | | | - Hauke Busch
- Medical Systems Biology Division, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Stefanie Huegel
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Gabin Sihn
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Ilya Chuykin
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Department of Cell Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Enno Hartmann
- Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Franziska Rother
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Center for Structural and Cellular Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck 23562, Germany
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27
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Integration and gene co-expression network analysis of scRNA-seq transcriptomes reveal heterogeneity and key functional genes in human spermatogenesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19089. [PMID: 34580317 PMCID: PMC8476490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98267-3] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of cellular division and differentiation that begins with spermatogonia stem cells and leads to functional spermatozoa production. However, many of the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used to sequence the entire transcriptome at the single-cell level to assess cell-to-cell variability. In this study, more than 33,000 testicular cells from different scRNA-seq datasets with normal spermatogenesis were integrated to identify single-cell heterogeneity on a more comprehensive scale. Clustering, cell type assignments, differential expressed genes and pseudotime analysis characterized 5 spermatogonia, 4 spermatocyte, and 4 spermatid cell types during the spermatogenesis process. The UTF1 and ID4 genes were introduced as the most specific markers that can differentiate two undifferentiated spermatogonia stem cell sub-cellules. The C7orf61 and TNP can differentiate two round spermatid sub-cellules. The topological analysis of the weighted gene co-expression network along with the integrated scRNA-seq data revealed some bridge genes between spermatogenesis's main stages such as DNAJC5B, C1orf194, HSP90AB1, BST2, EEF1A1, CRISP2, PTMS, NFKBIA, CDKN3, and HLA-DRA. The importance of these key genes is confirmed by their role in male infertility in previous studies. It can be stated that, this integrated scRNA-seq of spermatogenic cells offers novel insights into cell-to-cell heterogeneity and suggests a list of key players with a pivotal role in male infertility from the fertile spermatogenesis datasets. These key functional genes can be introduced as candidates for filtering and prioritizing genotype-to-phenotype association in male infertility.
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28
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Pachernegg S, Georges E, Ayers K. The Desert Hedgehog Signalling Pathway in Human Gonadal Development and Differences of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2021; 16:98-111. [PMID: 34518472 DOI: 10.1159/000518308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While the Hedgehog signalling pathway is implicated in numerous developmental processes and maladies, variants in the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) ligand underlie a condition characterised by 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis with or without peripheral neuropathy. We discuss here the role and regulation of DHH and its signalling pathway in the developing gonads and examine the current understanding of how disruption to this pathway causes this difference of sex development (DSD) in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Pachernegg
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Georges
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie Ayers
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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29
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Epigenetic Dysregulation of Mammalian Male Meiosis Caused by Interference of Recombination and Synapsis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092311. [PMID: 34571960 PMCID: PMC8467405 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Meiosis involves a series of specific chromosome events, namely homologous synapsis, recombination, and segregation. Disruption of either recombination or synapsis in mammals results in the interruption of meiosis progression during the first meiotic prophase. This is usually accompanied by a defective transcriptional inactivation of the X and Y chromosomes, which triggers a meiosis breakdown in many mutant models. However, epigenetic changes and transcriptional regulation are also expected to affect autosomes. In this work, we studied the dynamics of epigenetic markers related to chromatin silencing, transcriptional regulation, and meiotic sex chromosome inactivation throughout meiosis in knockout mice for genes encoding for recombination proteins SPO11, DMC1, HOP2 and MLH1, and the synaptonemal complex proteins SYCP1 and SYCP3. These models are defective in recombination and/or synapsis and promote apoptosis at different stages of progression. Our results indicate that impairment of recombination and synapsis alter the dynamics and localization pattern of epigenetic marks, as well as the transcriptional regulation of both autosomes and sex chromosomes throughout prophase-I progression. We also observed that the morphological progression of spermatocytes throughout meiosis and the dynamics of epigenetic marks are processes that can be desynchronized upon synapsis or recombination alteration. Moreover, we detected an overlap of early and late epigenetic signatures in most mutants, indicating that the normal epigenetic transitions are disrupted. This can alter the transcriptional shift that occurs in spermatocytes in mid prophase-I and suggest that the epigenetic regulation of sex chromosomes, but also of autosomes, is an important factor in the impairment of meiosis progression in mammals.
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30
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Cheng Y, Lai F, Wang X, Shang D, Zou J, Luo M, Xia X, Cheng H, Zhou R. Srag Regulates Autophagy via Integrating into a Preexisting Autophagy Pathway in Testis. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:128-141. [PMID: 32722765 PMCID: PMC7782868 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is an essential process for producing sperm cells. Reproductive strategy is successfully evolved for a species to adapt to a certain ecological system. However, roles of newly evolved genes in testis autophagy remain unclear. In this study, we found that a newly evolved gene srag (Sox9-regulated autophagy gene) plays an important role in promoting autophagy in testis in the lineage of the teleost Monopterus albus. The gene integrated into an interaction network through a two-way strategy of evolution, via Sox9-binding in its promoter and interaction with Becn1 in the coding region. Its promoter region evolved a cis element for binding of Sox9, a transcription factor for male sex determination. Both in vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated that transcription factor Sox9 could bind to and activate the srag promoter. Its coding region acquired ability to interact with key autophagy initiation factor Becn1 via the conserved C-terminal, indicating that srag integrated into preexisting autophagy network. Moreover, we determined that Srag enhanced autophagy by interacting with Becn1. Notably, srag transgenic zebrafish revealed that Srag exerted the same function by enhancing autophagy through the Srag–Becn1 pathway. Thus, the new gene srag regulated autophagy in testis by integrated into preexisting autophagy network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Cheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengling Lai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dantong Shang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Zou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Majing Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xizhong Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanhua Cheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rongjia Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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31
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Horisawa-Takada Y, Kodera C, Takemoto K, Sakashita A, Horisawa K, Maeda R, Shimada R, Usuki S, Fujimura S, Tani N, Matsuura K, Akiyama T, Suzuki A, Niwa H, Tachibana M, Ohba T, Katabuchi H, Namekawa SH, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Meiosis-specific ZFP541 repressor complex promotes developmental progression of meiotic prophase towards completion during mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3184. [PMID: 34075040 PMCID: PMC8169937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, meiosis is accompanied by a robust alteration in gene expression and chromatin status. However, it remains elusive how the meiotic transcriptional program is established to ensure completion of meiotic prophase. Here, we identify a protein complex that consists of germ-cell-specific zinc-finger protein ZFP541 and its interactor KCTD19 as the key transcriptional regulators in mouse meiotic prophase progression. Our genetic study shows that ZFP541 and KCTD19 are co-expressed from pachytene onward and play an essential role in the completion of the meiotic prophase program in the testis. Furthermore, our ChIP-seq and transcriptome analyses identify that ZFP541 binds to and suppresses a broad range of genes whose function is associated with biological processes of transcriptional regulation and covalent chromatin modification. The present study demonstrates that a germ-cell specific complex that contains ZFP541 and KCTD19 promotes the progression of meiotic prophase towards completion in male mice, and triggers the reconstruction of the transcriptional network and chromatin organization leading to post-meiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Horisawa-Takada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chisato Kodera
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Takemoto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kumi Matsuura
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Niwa
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, and Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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32
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SPATS1 (spermatogenesis-associated, serine-rich 1) is not essential for spermatogenesis and fertility in mouse. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251028. [PMID: 33945571 PMCID: PMC8096103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SPATS1 (spermatogenesis-associated, serine-rich 1) is an evolutionarily conserved, testis-specific protein that is differentially expressed during rat male meiotic prophase. Some reports have suggested a link between SPATS1 underexpression/mutation and human pathologies such as male infertility and testicular cancer. Given the absence of functional studies, we generated a Spats1 loss-of-function mouse model using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The phenotypic analysis showed no overt phenotype in Spats1-/- mice, with both males and females being fertile. Flow cytometry and histological analyses did not show differences in the testicular content and histology between WT and knockout mice. Moreover, no significant differences in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, were observed between WT and KO mice. These results were obtained both for young adults and for aged animals. Besides, although an involvement of SPATS1 in the Wnt signaling pathway has been suggested, we did not detect changes in the expression levels of typical Wnt pathway-target genes in mutant individuals. Thus, albeit Spats1 alteration might be a risk factor for male testicular health, we hereby show that this gene is not individually essential for male fertility and spermatogenesis in mouse.
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33
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Zhang X, Gunewardena S, Wang N. Nutrient restriction synergizes with retinoic acid to induce mammalian meiotic initiation in vitro. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1758. [PMID: 33741948 PMCID: PMC7979727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22021-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular machinery and chromosome structures carrying out meiosis are frequently conserved from yeast to mammals. However, signals initiating meiosis appear divergent: while nutrient restriction induces meiosis in the yeast system, retinoic acid (RA) and its target Stra8 have been shown to be necessary but not sufficient to induce meiotic initiation in mammalian germ cells. Here, we use primary culture of mouse undifferentiated spermatogonia without the support of gonadal somatic cells to show that nutrient restriction in combination with RA is sufficient to induce Stra8- and Spo11-dependent meiotic gene and chromosome programs that recapitulate the transcriptomic and cytologic features of in vivo meiosis. We demonstrate that neither nutrient restriction nor RA alone exerts these effects. Moreover, we identify a distinctive network of 11 nutrient restriction-upregulated transcription factor genes, which are associated with early meiosis in vivo and whose expression does not require RA. Our study proposes a conserved model, in which nutrient restriction induces meiotic initiation by upregulating key transcription factor genes for the meiotic gene program and provides an in vitro platform for meiotic induction that could facilitate research and haploid gamete production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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34
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Geisinger A, Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Benavente R. Transcriptomics of Meiosis in the Male Mouse. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:626020. [PMID: 33748111 PMCID: PMC7973102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.626020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular studies of meiosis in mammals have been long relegated due to some intrinsic obstacles, namely the impossibility to reproduce the process in vitro, and the difficulty to obtain highly pure isolated cells of the different meiotic stages. In the recent years, some technical advances, from the improvement of flow cytometry sorting protocols to single-cell RNAseq, are enabling to profile the transcriptome and its fluctuations along the meiotic process. In this mini-review we will outline the diverse methodological approaches that have been employed, and some of the main findings that have started to arise from these studies. As for practical reasons most studies have been carried out in males, and mostly using mouse as a model, our focus will be on murine male meiosis, although also including specific comments about humans. Particularly, we will center on the controversy about gene expression during early meiotic prophase; the widespread existing gap between transcription and translation in meiotic cells; the expression patterns and potential roles of meiotic long non-coding RNAs; and the visualization of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation from the RNAseq perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Geisinger
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricardo Benavente
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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35
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Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Geisinger A. Contributions of Flow Cytometry to the Molecular Study of Spermatogenesis in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1151. [PMID: 33503798 PMCID: PMC7865295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian testes are very heterogeneous organs, with a high number of different cell types. Testicular heterogeneity, together with the lack of reliable in vitro culture systems of spermatogenic cells, have been an obstacle for the characterization of the molecular bases of the unique events that take place along the different spermatogenic stages. In this context, flow cytometry has become an invaluable tool for the analysis of testicular heterogeneity, and for the purification of stage-specific spermatogenic cell populations, both for basic research and for clinical applications. In this review, we highlight the importance of flow cytometry for the advances on the knowledge of the molecular groundwork of spermatogenesis in mammals. Moreover, we provide examples of different approaches to the study of spermatogenesis that have benefited from flow cytometry, including the characterization of mutant phenotypes, transcriptomics, epigenetic and genome-wide chromatin studies, and the attempts to establish cell culture systems for research and/or clinical aims such as infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Geisinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
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36
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Yang G, He Y, Yang H. The involvement of bioactive factors in the self-renewal and stemness maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:1813-1823. [PMID: 33459979 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-04028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is usually accompanied throughout mammalian lifetime, transmitting genetic information to the next generation, which is mainly dependent on the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). With further investigation on profiles of SSCs, the previous prevailing orthodoxy that SSCs are unipotent stem cells to differentiate into spermatids only, has been challenged. More notably, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that SSCs are capable of giving rise to cell lineages of the three germ layers, highlighting potential important applications of SSCs for regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, it is unknown how the proliferation and stemness maintenance of SSCs are regulated intrinsically and strictly controlled in a special niche microenvironment in the seminiferous tubules. Based on the special niche microenvironment for SSCs, it is of vital interest to summarize the recent knowledge regarding several critical bioactive molecules in the self-renewal and stemness maintenance of SSCs. In this review, we discuss most recent findings about these critical bioactive factors and further address the new advances on the self-renewal and stemness maintenance of SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuqing He
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, China. .,School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China. .,Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
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Anbazhagan R, Kavarthapu R, Coon SL, Dufau ML. Role of Phosphorylated Gonadotropin-Regulated Testicular RNA Helicase (GRTH/DDX25) in the Regulation of Germ Cell Specific mRNAs in Chromatoid Bodies During Spermatogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:580019. [PMID: 33425888 PMCID: PMC7786181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.580019] [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: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GRTH/DDX25 is a member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases that play an essential role in spermatogenesis. GRTH knock-in (KI) mice with the human mutant GRTH gene (R242H) show loss of the phospho-species from cytoplasm with preservation of the non-phospho form in the cytoplasm and nucleus. GRTH KI mice are sterile and lack elongated spermatids and spermatozoa, with spermatogenic arrest at step 8 of round spermatids which contain chromatoid body (CB) markedly reduced in size. We observed an absence of phospho-GRTH in CB of GRTH KI mice. RNA-Seq analysis of mRNA isolated from CB revealed that 1,421 genes show differential abundance, of which 947 genes showed a decrease in abundance and 474 genes showed an increase in abundance in GRTH KI mice. The transcripts related to spermatid development, differentiation, and chromatin remodeling (Tnp1/2, Prm1/2/3, Spem1/2, Tssk 2/3/6, Grth, tAce, and Upf2) were reduced, and the transcripts encoding for factors involved in RNA transport, regulation, and surveillance and transcriptional and translational regulation (Eef1a1, Ppp1cc, Pabpc1, Ybx3, Tent5b, H2al1m, Dctn2, and Dync1h1) were increased in the CB of KI mice and were further validated by qPCR. In the round spermatids of wild-type mice, mRNAs of Tnp2, Prm2, and Grth were abundantly co-localized with MVH protein in the CB, while in GRTH KI mice these were minimally present. In addition, GRTH binding to Tnp1/2, Prm1/2, Grth, and Tssk6 mRNAs was found to be markedly decreased in KI. These results demonstrate the importance of phospho-GRTH in the maintenance of the structure of CB and its role in the storage and stability of germ cell-specific mRNAs during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Steven L Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Maria L Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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38
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Abdyyev VK, Sant DW, Kiseleva EV, Spangenberg VE, Kolomiets OL, Andrade NS, Dashinimaev EB, Vorotelyak EA, Vasiliev AV. In vitro derived female hPGCLCs are unable to complete meiosis in embryoid bodies. Exp Cell Res 2020; 397:112358. [PMID: 33160998 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental question about the functionality of in vitro derived human primordial germ cell-like cells remains unanswered, despite ongoing research in this area. Attempts have been made to imitate the differentiation of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) and meiocytes in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). A defined system for developing human haploid cells in vitro is the challenge that scientists face to advance the knowledge of human germ cell development. To develop human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that are capable of giving rise to haploid cells, we applied a sequential induction protocol via the early mesodermal push of female human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. BMP4-induced early mesoderm-like cells showed significant alterations in their expression profiles toward early (PRDM1 and NANOS3) and late (VASA and DAZL) germ cell markers. Furthermore, using retinoic acid (RA), we induced hPGCLCs in embryoid bodies and identified positive staining for the meiotic initiation marker STRA8. Efforts to find the cells exhibiting progression to meiosis were unsuccessful. The validation by the expression of SCP3 did not correspond to the natural pattern. Regarding the 20-day meiotic induction, the derived hPGCLCs containing two X-chromosomes were unable to complete the meiotic division. We observed the expression of the oocyte marker PIWIL1 and PIWIL4. RNAseq analysis and cluster dendrogram showed a similar clustering of hPGCLC groups and meiotic like cell groups as compared to previously published data. This reproducible in vitro model for deriving hPGCLCs provides opportunities for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the specification of hPGCs. Moreover, our results will support a further elucidation of gametogenesis and meiosis of female hPGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vepa K Abdyyev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - David W Sant
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ekaterina V Kiseleva
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor E Spangenberg
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oksana L Kolomiets
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadja S Andrade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Studies, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Erdem B Dashinimaev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU), Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Vorotelyak
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei V Vasiliev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Dlec1 is required for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18883. [PMID: 33144677 PMCID: PMC7642295 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1 (DLEC1) is a tumour suppressor gene that is downregulated in various cancers in humans; however, the physiological and molecular functions of DLEC1 are still unclear. This study investigated the critical role of Dlec1 in spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice. Dlec1 was significantly expressed in testes, with dominant expression in germ cells. We disrupted Dlec1 in mice and analysed its function in spermatogenesis and male fertility. Dlec1 deletion caused male infertility due to impaired spermatogenesis. Spermatogenesis progressed normally to step 8 spermatids in Dlec1−/− mice, but in elongating spermatids, we observed head deformation, a shortened tail, and abnormal manchette organization. These phenotypes were similar to those of various intraflagellar transport (IFT)-associated gene-deficient sperm. In addition, DLEC1 interacted with tailless complex polypeptide 1 ring complex (TRiC) and Bardet–Biedl Syndrome (BBS) protein complex subunits, as well as α- and β-tubulin. DLEC1 expression also enhanced primary cilia formation and cilia length in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. These findings suggest that DLEC1 is a possible regulator of IFT and plays an essential role in sperm head and tail formation in mice.
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40
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Gamble J, Chick J, Seltzer K, Graber JH, Gygi S, Braun RE, Snyder EM. An expanded mouse testis transcriptome and mass spectrometry defines novel proteins. Reproduction 2020; 159:15-26. [PMID: 31677600 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The testis transcriptome is exceptionally complex. Despite its complexity, previous testis transcriptome analyses relied on a reductive method for transcript identification, thus underestimating transcriptome complexity. We describe here a more complete testis transcriptome generated by combining Tuxedo, a reductive method, and spliced-RUM, a combinatorial transcript-building approach. Forty-two percent of the expanded testis transcriptome is composed of unannotated RNAs with novel isoforms of known genes and novel genes constituting 78 and 9.8% of the newly discovered transcripts, respectively. Across tissues, novel transcripts were predominantly expressed in the testis with the exception of novel isoforms which were also highly expressed in the adult ovary. Within the testis, novel isoform expression was distributed equally across all cell types while novel genes were predominantly expressed in meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells. The majority of novel isoforms retained their protein-coding potential while most novel genes had low protein-coding potential. However, a subset of novel genes had protein-coding potentials equivalent to known protein-coding genes. Shotgun mass spectrometry of round spermatid total protein identified unique peptides from four novel genes along with seven annotated non-coding RNAs. These analyses demonstrate the testis expresses a wide range of novel transcripts that give rise to novel proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Gamble
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Joel Chick
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelly Seltzer
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Steven Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth M Snyder
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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41
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Qiu J, Nechaev D, Rost B. Protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid binding residues important for common and rare sequence variants in human. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:452. [PMID: 33050876 PMCID: PMC7557062 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Any two unrelated people differ by about 20,000 missense mutations (also referred to as SAVs: Single Amino acid Variants or missense SNV). Many SAVs have been predicted to strongly affect molecular protein function. Common SAVs (> 5% of population) were predicted to have, on average, more effect on molecular protein function than rare SAVs (< 1% of population). We hypothesized that the prevalence of effect in common over rare SAVs might partially be caused by common SAVs more often occurring at interfaces of proteins with other proteins, DNA, or RNA, thereby creating subgroup-specific phenotypes. We analyzed SAVs from 60,706 people through the lens of two prediction methods, one (SNAP2) predicting the effects of SAVs on molecular protein function, the other (ProNA2020) predicting residues in DNA-, RNA- and protein-binding interfaces. RESULTS Three results stood out. Firstly, SAVs predicted to occur at binding interfaces were predicted to more likely affect molecular function than those predicted as not binding (p value < 2.2 × 10-16). Secondly, for SAVs predicted to occur at binding interfaces, common SAVs were predicted more strongly with effect on protein function than rare SAVs (p value < 2.2 × 10-16). Restriction to SAVs with experimental annotations confirmed all results, although the resulting subsets were too small to establish statistical significance for any result. Thirdly, the fraction of SAVs predicted at binding interfaces differed significantly between tissues, e.g. urinary bladder tissue was found abundant in SAVs predicted at protein-binding interfaces, and reproductive tissues (ovary, testis, vagina, seminal vesicle and endometrium) in SAVs predicted at DNA-binding interfaces. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results suggested that residues at protein-, DNA-, and RNA-binding interfaces contributed toward predicting that common SAVs more likely affect molecular function than rare SAVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Qiu
- Department of Informatics, I12-Chair of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Boltzmannstrasse 3, 85748, Garching, Munich, Germany. .,TUM Graduate School, Center of Doctoral Studies in Informatics and Its Applications (CeDoSIA), 85748, Garching, Germany. .,Biobank of Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, China.
| | - Dmitrii Nechaev
- Department of Informatics, I12-Chair of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Boltzmannstrasse 3, 85748, Garching, Munich, Germany.,TUM Graduate School, Center of Doctoral Studies in Informatics and Its Applications (CeDoSIA), 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Burkhard Rost
- Department of Informatics, I12-Chair of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Boltzmannstrasse 3, 85748, Garching, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Advanced Study (TUM-IAS), Lichtenbergstr. 2a, 85748, Garching, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Food and Plant Sciences (WZW) Weihenstephan, Alte Akademie 8, 85354, Freising, Germany
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42
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Suzuki S, Diaz VD, Hermann BP. What has single-cell RNA-seq taught us about mammalian spermatogenesis? Biol Reprod 2020; 101:617-634. [PMID: 31077285 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex developmental program that transforms mitotic testicular germ cells (spermatogonia) into mature male gametes (sperm) for production of offspring. For decades, it has been known that this several-weeks-long process involves a series of highly ordered and morphologically recognizable cellular changes as spermatogonia proliferate, spermatocytes undertake meiosis, and spermatids develop condensed nuclei, acrosomes, and flagella. Yet, much of the underlying molecular logic driving these processes has remained opaque because conventional characterization strategies often aggregated groups of cells to meet technical requirements or due to limited capability for cell selection. Recently, a cornucopia of single-cell transcriptome studies has begun to lift the veil on the full compendium of gene expression phenotypes and changes underlying spermatogenic development. These datasets have revealed the previously obscured molecular heterogeneity among and between varied spermatogenic cell types and are reinvigorating investigation of testicular biology. This review describes the extent of available single-cell RNA-seq profiles of spermatogenic and testicular somatic cells, how those data were produced and evaluated, their present value for advancing knowledge of spermatogenesis, and their potential future utility at both the benchtop and bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Victoria D Diaz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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43
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Endogenous retroviruses drive species-specific germline transcriptomes in mammals. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:967-977. [PMID: 32895553 PMCID: PMC8246630 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Gene regulation in the germline ensures the production of high-quality gametes, long-term maintenance of the species, and speciation. Male germline transcriptomes undergo dynamic changes after the mitosis-to-meiosis transition and have been subject to evolutionary divergence among mammals. However, the mechanisms underlying germline regulatory divergence remain undetermined. Here, we show that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) influence species-specific germline transcriptomes. After the mitosis-to-meiosis transition in male mice, specific ERVs function as active enhancers to drive germline genes, including a mouse-specific gene set, and bear binding motifs for critical regulators of spermatogenesis such as A-MYB. This raises the possibility that a genome-wide transposition of ERVs rewired germline gene expression in a species-specific manner. Of note, independently evolved ERVs are associated with the expression of human-specific germline genes, demonstrating the prevalence of ERV-driven mechanisms in mammals. Together, we propose that ERVs fine-tune species-specific transcriptomes in the mammalian germline.
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Maezawa S, Sakashita A, Yukawa M, Chen X, Takahashi K, Alavattam KG, Nakata I, Weirauch MT, Barski A, Namekawa SH. Super-enhancer switching drives a burst in gene expression at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:978-988. [PMID: 32895557 PMCID: PMC8690596 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0488-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to bursts in the expression of thousands of germline-specific genes, the testis has the most diverse and complex transcriptome of all organs. By analyzing the male germline of mice, we demonstrate that the genome-wide reorganization of super-enhancers (SEs) drives bursts in germline gene expression after the mitosis-to-meiosis transition. SE reorganization is regulated by two molecular events: the establishment of meiosis-specific SEs via A-MYB (MYBL1), a key transcription factor for germline genes, and the resolution of SEs in mitotically proliferating cells via SCML2, a germline-specific Polycomb protein required for spermatogenesis-specific gene expression. Prior to entry into meiosis, meiotic SEs are preprogrammed in mitotic spermatogonia to ensure the unidirectional differentiation of spermatogenesis. We identify key regulatory factors for both mitotic and meiotic enhancers, revealing a molecular logic for the concurrent activation of mitotic enhancers and suppression of meiotic enhancers in the somatic and/or mitotic proliferation phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Maezawa
- 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. .,Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. .,Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- 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.,Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Yukawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- 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
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- 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
| | - Ippo Nakata
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Artem Barski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- 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. .,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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45
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Devlin DJ, Nozawa K, Ikawa M, Matzuk MM. Knockout of family with sequence similarity 170 member A (Fam170a) causes male subfertility, while Fam170b is dispensable in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:205-222. [PMID: 32588889 PMCID: PMC7401401 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Families with sequence similarity 170 members A and B (FAM170A and FAM170B) are testis-specific, paralogous proteins that share 31% amino acid identity and are conserved throughout mammals. While previous in vitro experiments suggested that FAM170B, an acrosome-localized protein, plays a role in the mouse sperm acrosome reaction and fertilization, the role of FAM170A in the testis has not been explored. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate null alleles for each gene, and homozygous null (-/-) male mice were mated to wild-type females for 6 months to assess fertility. Fam170b-/- males were found to produce normal litter sizes and had normal sperm counts, motility, and sperm morphology. In contrast, mating experiments revealed significantly reduced litter sizes and a reduced pregnancy rate from Fam170a-/- males compared with controls. Fam170a-/-;Fam170b-/- double knockout males also produced markedly reduced litter sizes, although not significantly different from Fam170a-/- alone, suggesting that Fam170b does not compensate for the absence of Fam170a. Fam170a-/- males exhibited abnormal spermiation, abnormal head morphology, and reduced progressive sperm motility. Thus, FAM170A has an important role in male fertility, as the loss of the protein leads to subfertility, while FAM170B is expendable. The molecular functions of FAM170A in spermatogenesis are as yet unknown; however, the protein localizes to the nucleus of elongating spermatids and may mediate its effects on spermatid head shaping and spermiation by regulating the expression of other genes. This work provides the first described role of FAM170A in reproduction and has implications for improving human male infertility diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius J Devlin
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Toyko, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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46
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Zomer HD, Reddi PP. Characterization of rodent Sertoli cell primary cultures. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:857-870. [PMID: 32743879 PMCID: PMC7685524 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells play a vital role in spermatogenesis by offering physical and nutritional support to the differentiating male germ cells. They form the blood-testis barrier and secrete growth factors essential for germ cell differentiation. Sertoli cell primary cultures are critical for understanding the regulation of spermatogenesis; however, obtaining pure cultures has been a challenge. Rodent Sertoli cell isolation protocols do not rule out contamination by the interstitial or connective tissue cells. Sertoli cell-specific markers could be helpful, but there is no consensus. Vimentin, the most commonly used marker, is not specific for Sertoli cells since its expression has been reported in peritubular myoid cells, mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, and endothelial cells, which contaminate Sertoli cell preparations. Markers based on transcription and growth factors also have limitations. Thus, the impediment to obtaining pure Sertoli cell cultures pertains to both the method of isolation and marker usage. The aim of this review is to discuss improvements to current methods of rodent Sertoli cell primary cultures, assess the properties of prepubertal versus mature Sertoli cell cultures, and propose steps to improve cellular characterization. Potential benefits of using contemporary approaches, including lineage tracing, specific cell ablation, and RNA-seq for obtaining Sertoli-specific transcript markers are discussed. Evaluating the specificity and applicability of these markers at the protein level to characterize Sertoli cells in culture would be critical. This review is expected to positively impact future work using primary cultures of rodent Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena D Zomer
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Prabhakara P Reddi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
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Global changes in epigenomes during mouse spermatogenesis: possible relation to germ cell apoptosis. Histochem Cell Biol 2020; 154:123-134. [PMID: 32653936 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is characterized by disproportionate germ cell apoptosis. The high frequency of apoptosis is considered a safety mechanism that serves to avoid unfavorable transmission of paternal aberrant genetic information to the offspring as well as elimination mechanism for removal of overproduced immature or damaged spermatogenic cells. The molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of germ cell apoptosis include both intrinsic mitochondrial Bcl-2/Bax and extrinsic Fas/FasL pathways. However, little is known about the nuclear trigger of those systems. Recent studies indicate that epigenomes are essential in the regulation of gene expression through remodeling of the chromatin structure, and are genome-like transmission materials that reflect the effects of various environmental factors. In spermatogenesis, epigenetic errors can act as the trigger for elimination of germ cells with abnormal chromatin structure, abnormal gene expression and/or morphological defects (disordered differentiation). In this review, we focus on the relationship between global changes in epigenetic parameters and germ cell apoptosis in mice and other mammals.
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Gross N, Peñagaricano F, Khatib H. Integration of whole-genome DNA methylation data with RNA sequencing data to identify markers for bull fertility. Anim Genet 2020; 51:502-510. [PMID: 32323873 DOI: 10.1111/age.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Predicting bull fertility prior to breeding is a current challenge for the dairy industry. The use of molecular biomarkers has been previously assessed. However, the integration of this information has not been performed to extract biologically relevant markers. The goal of this study was to integrate DNA methylation data with previously published RNA-sequencing results in order to identify candidate markers for sire fertility. A total of 1765 differentially methylated cytosines were found between high- and low-fertility sires. Ten genes associated with 11 differentially methylated cytosines were found in a previous study of gene expression between high- and low-fertility sires. Additionally, two of these genes code for proteins found exclusively in bull seminal plasma. Collectively, our results reveal 10 genes that could be used in the future as a panel for predicting bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gross
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | | | - Hasan Khatib
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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Ing NH, Konganti K, Ghaffari N, Johnson CD, Forrest DW, Love CC, Varner DD. Identification and quantification of coding and long non-coding RNAs in stallion spermatozoa separated by density. Andrology 2020; 8:1409-1418. [PMID: 32243084 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not unusual for stallions to have fertility problems. For many, artificial insemination with more dense spermatozoa (isolated by density gradient centrifugation) results in greater pregnancy rates compared with the rates when using unfractionated spermatozoa. RNAs in spermatozoa delivered to the oocyte at conception are required for embryo development. Novel molecular assays of spermatozoa that reflect function are needed to predict the fertility of stallions. OBJECTIVES To describe and compare the RNA populations in more dense and less dense spermatozoa from stallions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Spermatozoa from five stallions were separated into more dense and less dense populations by density gradient centrifugation. Complementary DNA libraries were made from each of the ten total RNA samples after ribosomal RNA removal. Next-generation sequencing characterized the RNA populations in more and less dense spermatozoa. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to confirm differential expression of selected RNAs. RESULTS Stallion spermatozoa contain 11 215 RNAs, with the most prevalent RNA being a 1492 base long non-coding RNA. The levels of 159 RNAs were greater in more dense spermatozoa, while levels of seven other RNAs were greater in less dense spermatozoa. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR confirmed the threefold greater levels of solute carrier family 26 member 8 (SLC26A8) mRNA in less dense spermatozoa, and sixfold and threefold greater expression levels of the SCP2 sterol binding domain containing 1 (SCP2D1) and spermatogenesis-associated protein 31D1 (SPATA31D1) mRNAs in more dense spermatozoa, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We identified 11 215 RNAs in stallion spermatozoa and 166 with differential expression between more dense and less dense fractions. Many prevalent RNAs were also found in bull, boar, and human spermatozoa. Many differentially expressed RNAs are known to be testis- or spermatozoa-specific. Our results may lead to identification of an RNA population in spermatozoa that is optimal for establishing successful pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy H Ing
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kranti Konganti
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Noushin Ghaffari
- AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
| | - Charles D Johnson
- AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - David W Forrest
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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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: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.4] [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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