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Gan S, Zhou S, Ma J, Xiong M, Xiong W, Fan X, Liu K, Gui Y, Chen B, Zhang B, Wang X, Wang F, Li Z, Yan W, Ma M, Yuan S. BAG5 regulates HSPA8-mediated protein folding required for sperm head-tail coupling apparatus assembly. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:2045-2070. [PMID: 38454159 PMCID: PMC11015022 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00112-x] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Teratozoospermia is a significant cause of male infertility, but the pathogenic mechanism of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), one of the most severe teratozoospermia, remains elusive. We previously reported Spermatogenesis Associated 6 (SPATA6) as the component of the sperm head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) required for normal assembly of the sperm head-tail conjunction, but the underlying molecular mechanism has not been explored. Here, we find that the co-chaperone protein BAG5, expressed in step 9-16 spermatids, is essential for sperm HTCA assembly. BAG5-deficient male mice show abnormal assembly of HTCA, leading to ASS and male infertility, phenocopying SPATA6-deficient mice. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that SPATA6, cargo transport-related myosin proteins (MYO5A and MYL6) and dynein proteins (DYNLT1, DCTN1, and DNAL1) are misfolded upon BAG5 depletion. Mechanistically, we find that BAG5 forms a complex with HSPA8 and promotes the folding of SPATA6 by enhancing HSPA8's affinity for substrate proteins. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel protein-regulated network in sperm formation in which BAG5 governs the assembly of the HTCA by activating the protein-folding function of HSPA8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming Gan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jinzhe Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengneng Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Wenjing Xiong
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xu Fan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kuan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fengli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhean Li
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Meisheng Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Cell Architecture Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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2
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Jin HJ, Ruan T, Dai S, Geng XY, Yang Y, Shen Y, Chen SR. Identification of CFAP52 as a novel diagnostic target of male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development. eLife 2023; 12:RP92769. [PMID: 38126872 PMCID: PMC10735225 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92769] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a worldwide population health concern. Asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. No evidence indicates the relevance of CFAP52 mutations to human male infertility. Our whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations in CFAP52 recessively cosegregating with male infertility status in a non-consanguineous Chinese family. Spermatozoa of CFAP52-mutant patient mainly exhibited abnormal head-tail connection and deformed flagella. Cfap52-knockout mice resembled the human infertile phenotype, showing a mixed acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) phenotype. The ultrastructural analyses further revealed a failure of connecting piece formation and a serious disorder of '9+2' axoneme structure. CFAP52 interacts with a head-tail coupling regulator SPATA6 and is essential for its stability. Expression of microtubule inner proteins and radial spoke proteins were reduced after the CFAP52 deficiency. Moreover, CFAP52-associated male infertility in humans and mice could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study reveals a prominent role for CFAP52 in sperm development, suggesting that CFAP52 might be a novel diagnostic target for male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tiechao Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xin-Yan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of teratospermia has been increasing, and it has become a very important factor leading to male infertility. The research on the molecular mechanism of teratospermia is also progressing rapidly. This article briefly summarizes the clinical incidence of teratozoospermia, and makes a retrospective summary of related studies reported in recent years. Specifically discussing the relationship between gene status and spermatozoa, the review aims to provide the basis for the genetic diagnosis and gene therapy of teratozoospermia.
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4
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Wang X, Jiang C, Dai S, Shen G, Yang Y, Shen Y. Identification of nonfunctional SPATA20 causing acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in humans. Clin Genet 2023; 103:310-319. [PMID: 36415156 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is a rare and severe type of teratozoospermia characterized by the predominance of headless spermatozoa in the ejaculate. However, knowledge about the causative genes associated with ASS in humans is limited. Loss-of-function of SPATA20 has been suggested to result in the separation of the sperm head and flagellum in mice, whereas there have been no cases reporting SPATA20 variants leading to human male infertility. In this study, a nonsense mutation in SPATA20 (c.619C > T, p.Arg207*) was first identified in an ASS patient. Moreover, this variant contributed to the degradation of SPATA20 and was associated with decreased expression of SPATA6, which plays a vital role in the assembly of the sperm head-tail conjunction in humans. In addition, the infertility caused by loss-of-function mutation of SPATA20 might not be rescued by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Collectively, our findings suggested that SPATA20 might be required for sperm head-tail conjunction formation in humans, the nonfunction of which may lead to male infertility related to ASS. The discovery of the loss-of-function mutation in SPATA20 enriches the gene variant spectrum of human ASS, further contributing to improved diagnosis, genetic counseling and prognosis for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyu Dai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gan Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS. Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:7-60. [PMID: 33880962 PMCID: PMC8812575 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon is a highly differentiated and polarized cell, with two main structures: the head, containing a haploid nucleus and the acrosomal exocytotic granule, and the flagellum, which generates energy and propels the cell; both structures are connected by the neck. The sperm's main aim is to participate in fertilization, thus activating development. Despite this common bauplan and function, there is an enormous diversity in structure and performance of sperm cells. For example, mammalian spermatozoa may exhibit several head patterns and overall sperm lengths ranging from ∼30 to 350 µm. Mechanisms of transport in the female tract, preparation for fertilization, and recognition of and interaction with the oocyte also show considerable variation. There has been much interest in understanding the origin of this diversity, both in evolutionary terms and in relation to mechanisms underlying sperm differentiation in the testis. Here, relationships between sperm bauplan and function are examined at two levels: first, by analyzing the selective forces that drive changes in sperm structure and physiology to understand the adaptive values of this variation and impact on male reproductive success and second, by examining cellular and molecular mechanisms of sperm formation in the testis that may explain how differentiation can give rise to such a wide array of sperm forms and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. The Transformation of the Centrosome into the Basal Body: Similarities and Dissimilarities between Somatic and Male Germ Cells and Their Relevance for Male Fertility. Cells 2021; 10:2266. [PMID: 34571916 PMCID: PMC8471410 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm flagellum is essential for the transport of the genetic material toward the oocyte and thus the transmission of the genetic information to the next generation. During the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, i.e., spermiogenesis, a morphological and molecular restructuring of the male germ cell, the round spermatid, takes place that includes the silencing and compaction of the nucleus, the formation of the acrosomal vesicle from the Golgi apparatus, the formation of the sperm tail, and, finally, the shedding of excessive cytoplasm. Sperm tail formation starts in the round spermatid stage when the pair of centrioles moves toward the posterior pole of the nucleus. The sperm tail, eventually, becomes located opposed to the acrosomal vesicle, which develops at the anterior pole of the nucleus. The centriole pair tightly attaches to the nucleus, forming a nuclear membrane indentation. An articular structure is formed around the centriole pair known as the connecting piece, situated in the neck region and linking the sperm head to the tail, also named the head-to-tail coupling apparatus or, in short, HTCA. Finally, the sperm tail grows out from the distal centriole that is now transformed into the basal body of the flagellum. However, a centriole pair is found in nearly all cells of the body. In somatic cells, it accumulates a large mass of proteins, the pericentriolar material (PCM), that together constitute the centrosome, which is the main microtubule-organizing center of the cell, essential not only for the structuring of the cytoskeleton and the overall cellular organization but also for mitotic spindle formation and chromosome segregation. However, in post-mitotic (G1 or G0) cells, the centrosome is transformed into the basal body. In this case, one of the centrioles, which is always the oldest or mother centriole, grows the axoneme of a cilium. Most cells of the body carry a single cilium known as the primary cilium that serves as an antenna sensing the cell's environment. Besides, specialized cells develop multiple motile cilia differing in substructure from the immotile primary cilia that are essential in moving fluids or cargos over the cellular surface. Impairment of cilia formation causes numerous severe syndromes that are collectively subsumed as ciliopathies. This comparative overview serves to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of basal body formation, their similarities, and dissimilarities, in somatic versus male germ cells, by discussing the involved proteins/genes and their expression, localization, and function. The review, thus, aimed to provide a deeper knowledge of the molecular players that is essential for the expansion of clinical diagnostics and treatment of male fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology-Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
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7
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Wu B, Gao H, Liu C, Li W. The coupling apparatus of the sperm head and tail†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:988-998. [PMID: 31995163 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A strong sperm head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) is needed to ensure the integrity of spermatozoa during their fierce competition to fertilize the egg. A lot of HTCA-specific components have evolved to strengthen the attachment of the tail to the implantation fossa at the sperm head. Defects in HTCA formation lead to acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and pathologies of some male infertility. Recent studies have provided insights into the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Here, we summarize the proteins involved in sperm neck development and focus on their roles in the formation of HTCA. In addition, we discuss the fine structures of the sperm neck in different species from an evolutionary view, highlighting the potential conservative mechanism of HTCA formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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8
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Zhang Y, Liu C, Wu B, Li L, Li W, Yuan L. The missing linker between SUN5 and PMFBP1 in sperm head-tail coupling apparatus. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4926. [PMID: 34389728 PMCID: PMC8363609 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25227-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) ensures sperm head-tail integrity while defective HTCA causes acephalic spermatozoa, rendering males infertile. Here, we show that CENTLEIN is indispensable for HTCA integrity and function, and that inactivation of CENTLEIN in mice leads to sperm decapitation and male sterility. We demonstrate that CENTLEIN directly interacts with both SUN5 and PMFBP1, two proteins localized in the HTCA and related with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. We find that the absence of Centlein sets SUN5 and PMFBP1 apart, the former close to the sperm head and the latter in the decapitated tail. We show that lack of Sun5 results in CENTLEIN and PMFBP1 left in the decapitated tail, while disruption of Pmfbp1 results in SUN5 and CENTLEIN left on the detached sperm head. These results demonstrate that CENTLEIN cooperating with SUN5 and PMFBP1 participates in the HTCA assembly and integration of sperm head to the tail, indicating that impairments of CENTLEIN might be associated with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Liansheng Li
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Li Yuan
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
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Shen YR, Wang HY, Tsai YC, Kuo YC, Wu SR, Wang CY, Kuo PL. The SEPT12 complex is required for the establishment of a functional sperm head-tail junction. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:402-412. [PMID: 32392324 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The connecting pieces of the sperm neck link the flagellum and the sperm head, and they are important for initiating flagellar beating. The connecting pieces are important building blocks for the sperm neck; however, the mechanism of connecting piece assembly is poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the role of septins in sperm motility and found that Sept12D197N knock-in (KI) mice produce acephalic and immotile spermatozoa. Electron microscopy analysis showed defective connecting pieces in sperm from KI mice, indicating that SEPT12 is required for the establishment of connecting pieces. We also found that SEPT12 formed a complex with SEPT1, SEPT2, SEPT10 and SEPT11 at the sperm neck and that the D197N mutation disrupted the complex, suggesting that the SEPT12 complex is involved in the assembly of connecting pieces. Additionally, we found that SEPT12 interacted and colocalized with γ-tubulin in elongating spermatids, implying that SEPT12 and pericentriolar materials jointly contribute to the formation of connecting pieces. Collectively, our findings suggest that SEPT12 is required for the formation of striated columns, and the capitulum and for maintaining the stability of the sperm head-tail junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ru Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chieh Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Sport Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Rung Wu
- Institute of Oral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yih Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
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10
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Qi F, Zhou J. Multifaceted roles of centrosomes in development, health, and disease. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 13:611-621. [PMID: 34264337 PMCID: PMC8648388 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome is a membrane-less organelle consisting of a pair of barrel-shaped centrioles and pericentriolar material and functions as the major microtubule-organizing center and signaling hub in animal cells. The past decades have witnessed the functional complexity and importance of centrosomes in various cellular processes such as cell shaping, division, and migration. In addition, centrosome abnormalities are linked to a wide range of human diseases and pathological states, such as cancer, reproductive disorder, brain disease, and ciliopathies. Herein, we discuss various functions of centrosomes in development and health, with an emphasis on their roles in germ cells, stem cells, and immune responses. We also discuss how centrosome dysfunctions are involved in diseases. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating centrosome functions may lead the way to potential therapeutic targeting of this organelle in disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Qi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
- Correspondence to: Feifei Qi, E-mail: ; Jun Zhou, E-mail:
| | - Jun Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Correspondence to: Feifei Qi, E-mail: ; Jun Zhou, E-mail:
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Zhang Y, Yang L, Huang L, Liu G, Nie X, Zhang X, Xing X. SUN5 Interacting With Nesprin3 Plays an Essential Role in Sperm Head-to-Tail Linkage: Research on Sun5 Gene Knockout Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:684826. [PMID: 34268309 PMCID: PMC8276135 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.684826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare genetic and reproductive disease. Recent studies have shown that approximately 33–47% of patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome have SUN5 mutations, but the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not been elucidated. In this study, we generated Sun5 knockout mice and found that the head-to-tail linkage was broken in Sun5–/– mice, which was similar to human acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Furthermore, ultrastructural imaging revealed that the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the centrosome were distant from the nucleus at steps 9–10 during spermatid elongation. With the manchette disappearing at steps 13–14, the head and the tail segregated. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying this process, bioinformatic analysis was performed and showed that Sun5 may interact with Nesprin3. Further coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that Sun5 and Nesprin3 were indeed bona fide interaction partners that formed the linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex participating in the connection of the head and tail of spermatozoa. Nesprin3 was located posterior and anterior to the nucleus during spermiogenesis in wild-type mice, whereas it lost its localization at the implantation fossa of the posterior region in Sun5–/– mice. Without correct localization of Nesprin3 at the nuclear membrane, the centrosome, which is the originator of the flagellum, was distant from the nucleus, which led to the separation of the head and tail. In addition, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation results showed that 47 proteins were upregulated, and 56 proteins were downregulated, in the testis in Sun5–/– mice, and the downregulation of spermatogenesis-related proteins (Odf1 and Odf2) may also contribute to the damage to the spermatozoa head-to-tail linkage. Our findings suggested that Sun5 is essential for the localization of Nesprin3 at the posterior nuclear membrane, which plays an essential role in the sperm head-tail connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linfei Yang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinmin Nie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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12
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Azhar M, Altaf S, Uddin I, Cheng J, Wu L, Tong X, Qin W, Bao J. Towards Post-Meiotic Sperm Production: Genetic Insight into Human Infertility from Mouse Models. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2487-2503. [PMID: 34326689 PMCID: PMC8315030 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined quality and quantity of sperm is currently the major cause of patients suffering from infertility. Male germ cell development is spatiotemporally regulated throughout the whole developmental process. While it has been known that exogenous factors, such as environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle, et al, play causative roles in male infertility, recent progress has revealed abundant genetic mutations tightly associated with defective male germline development. In mammals, male germ cells undergo dramatic morphological change (i.e., nuclear condensation) and chromatin remodeling during post-meiotic haploid germline development, a process termed spermiogenesis; However, the molecular machinery players and functional mechanisms have yet to be identified. To date, accumulated evidence suggests that disruption in any step of haploid germline development is likely manifested as fertility issues with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, aberrant sperm morphology or combined. With the continually declined cost of next-generation sequencing and recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, growing studies have revealed a vast number of disease-causing genetic variants associated with spermiogenic defects in both mice and humans, along with mechanistic insights partially attained and validated through genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). In this review, we mainly summarize genes that are functional at post-meiotic stage. Identification and characterization of deleterious genetic variants should aid in our understanding of germline development, and thereby further improve the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Saba Altaf
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Islam Uddin
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Jinbao Cheng
- The 901th hospital of Joint logistics support Force of PLA, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
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13
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Meitinger F, Kong D, Ohta M, Desai A, Oegema K, Loncarek J. TRIM37 prevents formation of condensate-organized ectopic spindle poles to ensure mitotic fidelity. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212098. [PMID: 33983387 PMCID: PMC8127006 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202010180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrosomes are composed of a centriolar core surrounded by pericentriolar material that nucleates microtubules. The ubiquitin ligase TRIM37 localizes to centrosomes, but its centrosomal roles are not yet defined. We show that TRIM37 does not control centriole duplication, structure, or the ability of centrioles to form cilia but instead prevents assembly of an ectopic centrobin-scaffolded structured condensate that forms by budding off of centrosomes. In ∼25% of TRIM37-deficient cells, the condensate organizes an ectopic spindle pole, recruiting other centrosomal proteins and acquiring microtubule nucleation capacity during mitotic entry. Ectopic spindle pole-associated transient multipolarity and multipolar segregation in TRIM37-deficient cells are suppressed by removing centrobin, which interacts with and is ubiquitinated by TRIM37. Thus, TRIM37 ensures accurate chromosome segregation by preventing the formation of centrobin-scaffolded condensates that organize ectopic spindle poles. Mutations in TRIM37 cause the disorder mulibrey nanism, and patient-derived cells harbor centrobin condensate-organized ectopic poles, leading us to propose that chromosome missegregation is a pathological mechanism in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Meitinger
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Dong Kong
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD
| | - Midori Ohta
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Arshad Desai
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Karen Oegema
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jadranka Loncarek
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD
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14
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Avidor-Reiss T, Carr A, Fishman EL. The sperm centrioles. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110987. [PMID: 32810575 PMCID: PMC7606549 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Centrioles are eukaryotic subcellular structures that produce and regulate massive cytoskeleton superstructures. They form centrosomes and cilia, regulate new centriole formation, anchor cilia to the cell, and regulate cilia function. These basic centriolar functions are executed in sperm cells during their amplification from spermatogonial stem cells during their differentiation to spermatozoa, and finally, after fertilization, when the sperm fuses with the egg. However, sperm centrioles exhibit many unique characteristics not commonly observed in other cell types, including structural remodeling, centriole-flagellum transition zone migration, and cell membrane association during meiosis. Here, we discuss five roles of sperm centrioles: orchestrating early spermatogenic cell divisions, forming the spermatozoon flagella, linking the spermatozoon head and tail, controlling sperm tail beating, and organizing the cytoskeleton of the zygote post-fertilization. We present the historic discovery of the centriole as a sperm factor that initiates embryogenesis, and recent genetic studies in humans and other mammals evaluating the current evidence for the five functions of sperm centrioles. We also examine information connecting the various sperm centriole functions to distinct clinical phenotypes. The emerging picture is that centrioles are essential sperm components with remarkable functional diversity and specialization that will require extensive and in-depth future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| | - Alexa Carr
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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15
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Jiao SY, Yang YH, Chen SR. Molecular genetics of infertility: loss-of-function mutations in humans and corresponding knockout/mutated mice. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:154-189. [PMID: 33118031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major issue in human reproductive health, affecting an estimated 15% of couples worldwide. Infertility can result from disorders of sex development (DSD) or from reproductive endocrine disorders (REDs) with onset in infancy, early childhood or adolescence. Male infertility, accounting for roughly half of all infertility cases, generally manifests as decreased sperm count (azoospermia or oligozoospermia), attenuated sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Female infertility can be divided into several classical types, including, but not limited to, oocyte maturation arrest, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest. An estimated one half of infertility cases have a genetic component; however, most genetic causes of human infertility are currently uncharacterized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly facilitated the identification of infertility-associated gene mutations in patients over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to conduct a narrative review of the genetic causes of human infertility. Loss-of-function mutation discoveries related to human infertility are summarized and further illustrated in tables. Corresponding knockout/mutated animal models of causative genes for infertility are also introduced. SEARCH METHODS A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term 'mutation' was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: infertility, DSD, REDs, azoospermia or oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), globozoospermia, teratozoospermia, acrosome, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, zona pellucida, fertilization defects and early embryonic arrest. OUTCOMES Our search generated ∼2000 records. Overall, 350 articles were included in the final review. For genetic investigation of human infertility, the traditional candidate gene approach is proceeding slowly, whereas high-throughput sequencing technologies in larger cohorts of individuals is identifying an increasing number of causative genes linked to human infertility. This review provides a wide panel of gene mutations in several typical forms of human infertility, including DSD, REDs, male infertility (oligozoospermia, MMAF, PCD, ASS and globozoospermia) and female infertility (oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest). The causative genes, their identified mutations, mutation rate, studied population and their corresponding knockout/mutated mice of non-obstructive azoospermia, MMAF, ASS, globozoospermia, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest are further illustrated by tables. In this review, we suggest that (i) our current knowledge of infertility is largely obtained from knockout mouse models; (ii) larger cohorts of clinical cases with distinct clinical characteristics need to be recruited in future studies; (iii) the whole picture of genetic causes of human infertility relies on both the identification of more mutations for distinct types of infertility and the integration of known mutation information; (iv) knockout/mutated animal models are needed to show whether the phenotypes of genetically altered animals are consistent with findings in human infertile patients carrying a deleterious mutation of the homologous gene; and (v) the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility caused by pathogenic mutations are largely unclear in most current studies. WILDER IMPLICATIONS It is important to use our current understanding to identify avenues and priorities for future research in the field of genetic causes of infertility as well as to apply mutation knowledge to risk prediction, genetic diagnosis and potential treatment for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ya Jiao
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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16
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Zheng C, Ouyang YC, Jiang B, Lin X, Chen J, Dong MZ, Zhuang X, Yuan S, Sun QY, Han C. Non-canonical RNA polyadenylation polymerase FAM46C is essential for fastening sperm head and flagellum in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:1673-1685. [PMID: 31087039 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Family with sequence similarity 46, member C (FAM46C) is a highly conserved non-canonical RNA polyadenylation polymerase that is abundantly expressed in human and mouse testes and is frequently mutated in patients with multiple myeloma. However, its physiological role remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that FAM46C is specifically localized to the manchette of spermatids in mouse testes, a transient microtubule-based structure mainly involved in nuclear shaping and intra-flagellar protein traffic. Gene knockout of FAM46C in mice resulted in male sterility, characterized by the production of headless spermatozoa in testes. Sperm heads were intermittently found in the epididymides of FAM46C knockout mice, but their fertilization ability was severely compromised based on the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection assays. Interestingly, our RNA-sequencing analyses of FAM46C knockout testes revealed that mRNA levels of only nine genes were significantly altered compared to wild-type ones (q < 0.05). When considering alternate activities for FAM46C, in vitro assays demonstrated that FAM46C does not exhibit protein kinase or AMPylation activity against general substrates. Together, our data show that FAM46C in spermatids is a novel component in fastening the sperm head and flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Savaid Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Chun Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Binjie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Zhe Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjie Zhuang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Savaid Medical School, Beijing, China
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17
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Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
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18
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS, Krapf D, Strauss III JF, Bhagat V, Sapao P. Sperm Differentiation: The Role of Trafficking of Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3702. [PMID: 32456358 PMCID: PMC7279445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm differentiation encompasses a complex sequence of morphological changes that takes place in the seminiferous epithelium. In this process, haploid round spermatids undergo substantial structural and functional alterations, resulting in highly polarized sperm. Hallmark changes during the differentiation process include the formation of new organelles, chromatin condensation and nuclear shaping, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and assembly of the sperm flagella. To achieve these transformations, spermatids have unique mechanisms for protein trafficking that operate in a coordinated fashion. Microtubules and filaments of actin are the main tracks used to facilitate the transport mechanisms, assisted by motor and non-motor proteins, for delivery of vesicular and non-vesicular cargos to specific sites. This review integrates recent findings regarding the role of protein trafficking in sperm differentiation. Although a complete characterization of the interactome of proteins involved in these temporal and spatial processes is not yet known, we propose a model based on the current literature as a framework for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Jerome F. Strauss III
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Virali Bhagat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Paulene Sapao
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298, USA;
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19
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So C, Seres KB, Steyer AM, Mönnich E, Clift D, Pejkovska A, Möbius W, Schuh M. A liquid-like spindle domain promotes acentrosomal spindle assembly in mammalian oocytes. Science 2020; 364:364/6447/eaat9557. [PMID: 31249032 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat9557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes segregate chromosomes with a microtubule spindle that lacks centrosomes, but the mechanisms by which acentrosomal spindles are organized and function are largely unclear. In this study, we identify a conserved subcellular structure in mammalian oocytes that forms by phase separation. This structure, which we term the liquid-like meiotic spindle domain (LISD), permeates the spindle poles and forms dynamic protrusions that extend well beyond the spindle. The LISD selectively concentrates multiple microtubule regulatory factors and allows them to diffuse rapidly within the spindle volume. Disruption of the LISD via different means disperses these factors and leads to severe spindle assembly defects. Our data suggest a model whereby the LISD promotes meiotic spindle assembly by serving as a reservoir that sequesters and mobilizes microtubule regulatory factors in proximity to spindle microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun So
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - K Bianka Seres
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.,Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge CB23 2TN, UK
| | - Anna M Steyer
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eike Mönnich
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dean Clift
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Anastasija Pejkovska
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. .,Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
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20
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Galletta BJ, Ortega JM, Smith SL, Fagerstrom CJ, Fear JM, Mahadevaraju S, Oliver B, Rusan NM. Sperm Head-Tail Linkage Requires Restriction of Pericentriolar Material to the Proximal Centriole End. Dev Cell 2020; 53:86-101.e7. [PMID: 32169161 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The centriole, or basal body, is the center of attachment between the sperm head and tail. While the distal end of the centriole templates the cilia, the proximal end associates with the nucleus. Using Drosophila, we identify a centriole-centric mechanism that ensures proper proximal end docking to the nucleus. This mechanism relies on the restriction of pericentrin-like protein (PLP) and the pericentriolar material (PCM) to the proximal end of the centriole. PLP is restricted proximally by limiting its mRNA and protein to the earliest stages of centriole elongation. Ectopic positioning of PLP to more distal portions of the centriole is sufficient to redistribute PCM and microtubules along the entire centriole length. This results in erroneous, lateral centriole docking to the nucleus, leading to spermatid decapitation as a result of a failure to form a stable head-tail linkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Galletta
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Jacob M Ortega
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Samantha L Smith
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carey J Fagerstrom
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Justin M Fear
- Developmental Genomics Section, Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sharvani Mahadevaraju
- Developmental Genomics Section, Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian Oliver
- Developmental Genomics Section, Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nasser M Rusan
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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21
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Sha Y, Wang X, Yuan J, Zhu X, Su Z, Zhang X, Xu X, Wei X. Loss-of-function mutations in centrosomal protein 112 is associated with human acephalic spermatozoa phenotype. Clin Genet 2019; 97:321-328. [PMID: 31654588 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa, characterized by the headless sperm in the ejaculate, is a rare type of teratozoospermia. Here, we recruited two infertile patients with an acephalic spermatozoa phenotype to investigate the genetic pathology of acephalic spermatozoa. Whole-exome sequencing analysis was performed and found mutations in CEP112 in the two patients: homozygous mutation c.496C > T:p.(Arg166X) in exon 5 from P1; and the biallelic mutations c.2074C > T:p.(Arg692Trp) in exon 20 and c.2104C > T:p.(Arg702Cys) in exon 20 from P2. Sanger sequencing confirmed the CEP112 mutations in the two patients. In silico analysis revealed that these CEP112 mutations are deleterious and rare, and all the mutations impact the coiled-coil domain of CEP112, which may affect the protein function. The c.496C > T:p.Arg166X resulted in a truncated CEP112, which was verified by the mutation expression plasmid. The CEP112 expression was significantly reduced in the P2, suggesting the biallelic mutations c.2074C > T and c.2104C > T may affect the function and stability of CEP112. Therefore, we speculate that the loss-of-function mutations in CEP112 may be account for the human acephalic spermatozoa phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health and Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - JinTing Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingshen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhiying Su
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health and Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xuequan Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Xiamen Children's Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaohui Xu
- Laboratory of genetics and cell biology, Medical college, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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22
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Ito C, Akutsu H, Yao R, Yoshida K, Yamatoya K, Mutoh T, Makino T, Aoyama K, Ishikawa H, Kunimoto K, Tsukita S, Noda T, Kikkawa M, Toshimori K. Odf2 haploinsufficiency causes a new type of decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa, Odf2-DDS, in mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14249. [PMID: 31582806 PMCID: PMC6776547 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer dense fibre 2 (Odf2 or ODF2) is a cytoskeletal protein required for flagella (tail)-beating and stability to transport sperm cells from testes to the eggs. There are infertile males, including human patients, who have a high percentage of decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa (DDS), whose semen contains abnormal spermatozoa with tailless heads and headless tails due to head-neck separation. DDS is untreatable in reproductive medicine. We report for the first time a new type of Odf2-DDS in heterozygous mutant Odf2+/- mice. Odf2+/- males were infertile due to haploinsufficiency caused by heterozygous deletion of the Odf2 gene, encoding the Odf2 proteins. Odf2 haploinsufficiency induced sperm neck-midpiece separation, a new type of head-tail separation, leading to the generation of headneck sperm cells or headnecks composed of heads with necks and neckless tails composed of only the main parts of tails. The headnecks were immotile but alive and capable of producing offspring by intracytoplasmic headneck sperm injection (ICSI). The neckless tails were motile and could induce capacitation but had no significant forward motility. Further studies are necessary to show that ICSI in humans, using headneck sperm cells, is viable and could be an alternative for infertile patients suffering from Odf2-DDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizuru Ito
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Akutsu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) Cancer Institute, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Keiichi Yoshida
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
- Next-generation Development Center for Cancer Treatment, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Kenji Yamatoya
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
- Institute for Environmental & Gender-specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, 279-0021, Japan
| | - Tohru Mutoh
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Makino
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Aoyama
- Materials and Structural Analysis (ex FEI), Thermo Ficher Scientific, Shinagawa Seaside West Tower 1F, 4-12-2 HigashiSinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0002, Japan
- Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, 7-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ishikawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco 600 16th St., San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Koshi Kunimoto
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sachiko Tsukita
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences and Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Noda
- Director's Room, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) Cancer Institute, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Masahide Kikkawa
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
- Future Medicine Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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23
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Avidor-Reiss T, Mazur M, Fishman EL, Sindhwani P. The Role of Sperm Centrioles in Human Reproduction - The Known and the Unknown. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:188. [PMID: 31632960 PMCID: PMC6781795 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Each human spermatozoon contains two remodeled centrioles that it contributes to the zygote. There, the centrioles reconstitute a centrosome that assembles the sperm aster and participate in pronuclei migration and cleavage. Thus, centriole abnormalities may be a cause of male factor infertility and failure to carry pregnancy to term. However, the precise mechanisms by which sperm centrioles contribute to embryonic development in humans are still unclear, making the search for a link between centriole abnormalities and impaired male fecundity particularly difficult. Most previous investigations into the role of mammalian centrioles during fertilization have been completed in murine models; however, because mouse sperm and zygotes appear to lack centrioles, these studies provide information that is limited in its applicability to humans. Here, we review studies that examine the role of the sperm centrioles in the early embryo, with particular emphasis on humans. Available literature includes case studies and case-control studies, with a few retrospective studies and no prospective studies reported. This literature has provided some insight into the morphological characteristics of sperm centrioles in the zygote and has allowed identification of some centriole abnormalities in rare cases. Many of these studies suggest centriole involvement in early embryogenesis based on phenotypes of the embryo with only indirect evidence for centriole abnormality. Overall, these studies suggest that centriole abnormalities are present in some cases of sperm with asthenoteratozoospermia and unexplained infertility. Yet, most previously published studies have been restricted by the laborious techniques (like electron microscopy) and the limited availability of centriolar markers, resulting in small-scale studies and the lack of solid causational evidence. With recent progress in sperm centriole biology, such as the identification of the unique composition of sperm centrioles and the discovery of the atypical centriole, it is now possible to begin to fill the gaps in sperm centriole epidemiology and to identify the etiology of sperm centriole dysfunction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States.,Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Matthew Mazur
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States.,Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Emily L Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Puneet Sindhwani
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States.,Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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24
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Pan D, Feng D, Ding H, Zheng X, Ma Z, Yang B, Xie M. Effects of bisphenol A exposure on DNA integrity and protamination of mouse spermatozoa. Andrology 2019; 8:486-496. [PMID: 31489793 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisphenol A is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and has caused increasing concern over its potential adverse impacts on spermatogenesis. However, the effect of bisphenol A on spermiogenesis is yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether bisphenol A has adverse effects on DNA integrity and protamination of spermatogenic cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS Newborn male mice were subcutaneously injected with bisphenol A (0.1, 5 mg/kg body weight, n = 15) or coin oil (control group, n = 20) daily from post-natal day 1 until 35. At post-natal day 70, epididymis caudal spermatozoa and testes were collected. Sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were analyzed. The sperm chromatin structure assay was performed to examine the sperm DNA fragmentation. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to assess apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. The ultrastructural features of testicular sections were examined under a transmission electron microscope. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of transition protein (Tnp) 1 and Tnp2, protamine (Prm) 1 and Prm2 protein, and mRNA in mice testes. RESULTS Bisphenol A significantly reduced sperm counts, impaired sperm motility, and increased the percentage of malformed spermatozoa. Poor sperm chromatin integrity and increased TUNEL-positive spermatogenic cells were also observed in mice exposed to bisphenol A. Ultrastructural analysis of testes showed that bisphenol A exposure caused incomplete chromatin condensation, retention of residual cytoplasm, and abnormal acrosome formation. In addition, the relative expression levels of Tnp2 and Prm2 in mice testes decreased significantly in bisphenol A groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our findings identified that neonatal bisphenol A exposure may negatively contribute to the sperm quality in adult mice. Mechanistically, we showed that bisphenol A reduced sperm chromatin integrity along with increased DNA damage, which may be due to poor protamination of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pan
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - D Feng
- Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - H Ding
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - X Zheng
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Z Ma
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - B Yang
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - M Xie
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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25
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Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. CCDC42 Localizes to Manchette, HTCA and Tail and Interacts With ODF1 and ODF2 in the Formation of the Male Germ Cell Cytoskeleton. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:151. [PMID: 31475146 PMCID: PMC6702985 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terminal differentiation of male germ cells into functional spermatozoa requires shaping and condensation of the nucleus as well as the formation of sperm-specific structures. A transient microtubular structure, the manchette, is mandatory for sperm head shaping and the development of the connecting piece and the sperm tail. The connecting piece or head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) mediates the tight linkage of sperm head and tail causing decapitation and infertility when faulty. Using mice as the experimental model, several proteins have already been identified affecting the linkage complex, manchette or tail formation when missing. However, our current knowledge is far too rudimentary to even draft an interacting protein network. Depletion of the major outer dense fiber protein 1 (ODF1) mainly caused decapitation and male infertility but validated binding partners collaborating in the formation of sperm-specific structures are largely unknown. Amongst all candidate proteins affecting the HTCA when missing, the structural protein CCDC42 attracted our attention. The coiled-coil domain containing 42 (CCDC42) is important for HTCA and sperm tail formation but is otherwise largely uncharacterized. We show here that CCDC42 is expressed in spermatids and localizes to the manchette, the connecting piece and the tail. Beyond that, we show that CCDC42 is not restricted to male germ cells but is also expressed in somatic cells in which it localizes to the centrosome. Although centrosomal and sperm tail location seems to be irrespective of ODF1 we asked whether both proteins may form an interacting network in the male germ cell. We additionally considered ODF2, a prevalent protein involved in the formation of spermatid-specific cytoskeletal structures, as a putative binding partner. Our data depict for the first time the subcellular location of CCDC42 in spermatids and deepen our knowledge about the composition of the spermatid/sperm-specific structures. The presence of CCDC42 in the centrosome of somatic cells together with the obvious restricted male-specific phenotype when missing strongly argues for a compensatory function by other still unknown proteins most likely of the same family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology – Developmental Biology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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26
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Avidor-Reiss T, Fishman EL. It takes two (centrioles) to tango. Reproduction 2019; 157:R33-R51. [PMID: 30496124 PMCID: PMC6494718 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cells that divide during embryo development require precisely two centrioles during interphase and four centrioles during mitosis. This precise number is maintained by allowing each centriole to nucleate only one centriole per cell cycle (i.e. centriole duplication). Yet, how the first cell of the embryo, the zygote, obtains two centrioles has remained a mystery in most mammals and insects. The mystery arose because the female gamete (oocyte) is thought to have no functional centrioles and the male gamete (spermatozoon) is thought to have only one functional centriole, resulting in a zygote with a single centriole. However, recent studies in fruit flies, beetles and mammals, including humans, suggest an alternative explanation: spermatozoa have a typical centriole and an atypical centriole. The sperm typical centriole has a normal structure but distinct protein composition, whereas the sperm atypical centriole is distinct in both. During fertilization, the atypical centriole is released into the zygote, nucleates a new centriole and participates in spindle pole formation. Thus, the spermatozoa's atypical centriole acts as a second centriole in the zygote. Here, we review centriole biology in general and especially in reproduction, we describe the discovery of the spermatozoon atypical centriole, and we provide an updated model for centriole inherence during sexual reproduction. While we focus on humans and other non-rodent mammals, we also provide a broader evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Rd., Wolfe Hall 4259, Toledo, OH 43606
| | - Emily L. Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Rd., Wolfe Hall 4259, Toledo, OH 43606
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27
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Gunes S, Sengupta P, Henkel R, Alguraigari A, Sinigaglia MM, Kayal M, Joumah A, Agarwal A. Microtubular Dysfunction and Male Infertility. World J Mens Health 2018; 38:9-23. [PMID: 30350487 PMCID: PMC6920067 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.180066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are the prime component of the cytoskeleton along with microfilaments. Being vital for organelle transport and cellular divisions during spermatogenesis and sperm motility process, microtubules ascertain functional capacity of sperm. Also, microtubule based structures such as axoneme and manchette are crucial for sperm head and tail formation. This review (a) presents a concise, yet detailed structural overview of the microtubules, (b) analyses the role of microtubule structures in various male reproductive functions, and (c) presents the association of microtubular dysfunctions with male infertility. Considering the immense importance of microtubule structures in the formation and maintenance of physiological functions of sperm cells, this review serves as a scientific trigger in stimulating further male infertility research in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Selangor, Malaysia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Aabed Alguraigari
- Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mariana Marques Sinigaglia
- University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Malik Kayal
- Alfaisal University Medical School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahmad Joumah
- Alfaisal University Medical School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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28
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Mutations in PMFBP1 Cause Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:188-199. [PMID: 30032984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a severe teratozoospermia that leads to male infertility. Our previous work showed that biallelic SUN5 mutations are responsible for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in about half of affected individuals, while pathogenic mechanisms in the other individuals remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified a homozygous nonsense mutation in the testis-specific gene PMFBP1 using whole-exome sequencing in a consanguineous family with two infertile brothers with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Sanger sequencing of PMFBP1 in ten additional infertile men with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and without SUN5 mutations revealed two homozygous variants and one compound heterozygous variant. The disruption of Pmfbp1 in male mice led to infertility due to the production of acephalic spermatozoa and the disruption of PMFBP1's cooperation with SUN5 and SPATA6, which plays a role in connecting sperm head to the tail. PMFBP1 mutation-associated male infertility could be successfully overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in both mouse and human. Thus, mutations in PMFBP1 are an important cause of infertility in men with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.
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29
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Rapid Evolution of Sperm Produces Diverse Centriole Structures that Reveal the Most Rudimentary Structure Needed for Function. Cells 2018; 7:cells7070067. [PMID: 29949922 PMCID: PMC6071034 DOI: 10.3390/cells7070067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrioles are ancient subcellular protein-based organelles that maintain a conserved number and structure across many groups of eukaryotes. Centriole number (two per cells) is tightly regulated; each pre-existing centriole nucleates only one centriole as the cell prepares for division. The structure of centrioles is barrel-shaped, with a nine-fold symmetry of microtubules. This organization of microtubules is essential for the ancestral function of centriole–cilium nucleation. In animal cells, centrioles have gained an additional role: recruiting pericentriolar material (PCM) to form a centrosome. Therefore, it is striking that in animal spermatozoa, the centrioles have a remarkable diversity of structures, where some are so anomalous that they are referred to as atypical centrioles and are barely recognizable. The atypical centriole maintains the ability to form a centrosome and nucleate a new centriole, and therefore reveals the most rudimentary structure that is needed for centriole function. However, the atypical centriole appears to be incapable of forming a cilium. Here, we propose that the diversity in sperm centriole structure is due to rapid evolution in the shape of the spermatozoa head and neck. The enhanced diversity may be driven by a combination of direct selection for novel centriole functions and pleiotropy, which eliminates centriole properties that are dispensable in the spermatozoa function.
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30
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Wei YL, Yang WX. The acroframosome-acroplaxome-manchette axis may function in sperm head shaping and male fertility. Gene 2018; 660:28-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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31
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Ogungbenro YA, Tena TC, Gaboriau D, Lalor P, Dockery P, Philipp M, Morrison CG. Centrobin controls primary ciliogenesis in vertebrates. J Cell Biol 2018; 217:1205-1215. [PMID: 29440264 PMCID: PMC5881496 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201706095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The BRCA2 interactor, centrobin, is a centrosomal protein that has been implicated in centriole duplication and microtubule stability. We used genome editing to ablate CNTROB in hTERT-RPE1 cells and observed an increased frequency of monocentriolar and acentriolar cells. Using a novel monoclonal antibody, we found that centrobin primarily localizes to daughter centrioles but also associates with mother centrioles upon serum starvation. Strikingly, centrobin loss abrogated primary ciliation upon serum starvation. Ultrastructural analysis of centrobin nulls revealed defective axonemal extension after mother centriole docking. Ciliogenesis required a C-terminal portion of centrobin that interacts with CP110 and tubulin. We also depleted centrobin in zebrafish embryos to explore its roles in an entire organism. Centrobin-depleted embryos showed microcephaly, with curved and shorter bodies, along with marked defects in laterality control, morphological features that indicate ciliary dysfunction. Our data identify new roles for centrobin as a positive regulator of vertebrate ciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetunde Adesanya Ogungbenro
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Teresa Casar Tena
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - David Gaboriau
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Facility for Imaging by Light Microscopy, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Pierce Lalor
- Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Peter Dockery
- Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Melanie Philipp
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ciaran G Morrison
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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32
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Chen H, Zhu Y, Zhu Z, Zhi E, Lu K, Wang X, Liu F, Li Z, Xia W. Detection of heterozygous mutation in hook microtubule-tethering protein 1 in three patients with decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa syndrome. J Med Genet 2018; 55:150-157. [PMID: 29330334 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of intramanchette transport is crucial to the transformation of sperm tail and the nuclear condensation during spermiogenesis. Although few dysfunctional proteins could result in abnormal junction between the head and tail of spermatozoon, little is known about the genetic cues in this process. OBJECTIVE Based on patients with severe decapitated and decaudated spermatozoa (DDS) syndrome, the study aimed to validate whether new mutation exists on their Hook microtubule-tethering protein 1 (HOOK1) genes and follow their results of assisted reproduction treatment (ART). METHODS 7 severe teratozoospermia patients with DDS (proportion >95%) and three relative members in one pedigree were collected to sequence the whole genomic DNA. The fertilisation rates (FRs) of these patients were followed. Morphological observation and interspecies intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) assays were applied. RESULTS A novel missense mutation of A to G (p.Q286R) in patients with DDS (n=3/7) was found in the HOOK1 gene, which was inherited from the mother in one patient. This variant was absent in 160 fertile population-matched control individuals. Morphological observation showed that almost all the DDS broke into decaudated heads and headless tails at the implantation fossa or the basal plate. The clinical studies indicated that the mutation might cause reduced FRs on both ART (FR=18.07%) and interspecies ICSI (FR=16.98%). CONCLUSIONS An unreported mutation in HOOK1 gene was identified, which might be responsible to some patients with DDS. Further studies need to uncover the molecular mechanism of spermiogenesis for genomic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixing Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijue Zhu
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Keming Lu
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China.,Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiliang Xia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai, China
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33
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Liu M, Ru Y, Gu Y, Tang J, Zhang T, Wu J, Yu F, Yuan Y, Xu C, Wang J, Shi H. Disruption of Ssp411 causes impaired sperm head formation and male sterility in mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1862:660-668. [PMID: 29247744 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously cloned the Ssp411 gene. We found that the Ssp411 protein is predominantly expressed in elongated spermatids in the rat testis in a stage-dependent manner. Although our findings strongly suggested that Ssp411 might play an important role in mammalian spermatogenesis, this hypothesis has not been studied. METHODS We first used real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to confirm that the expression pattern of Ssp411 in several murine tissues is similar to its expression pattern in corresponding rat tissues. To better understand the roles of Ssp411 in male reproduction in vivo, we identified and characterized an Ssp411 expression-disrupted murine strain (Ssp411PB/PB) that was generated by piggyBac (PB) transposon insertion. We studied Ssp411-interacting proteins using proteome microarray, co-IP and GST pull-down assay. RESULTS Both Ssp411 mRNA and protein were detected exclusively in spermatids after step 9 during spermiogenesis in testis. Phenotypic analysis suggested that only Ssp411PB/PB males are sterile. These males have smaller testes, reduced sperm counts, decreased sperm motility and deformed spermatozoa. Microscopy analysis indicated that the manchette, a structurally reshaped sperm head, is aberrant in Ssp411PB/PB spermatids. The results of proteome microarray analysis and GST pull-down assays suggested that Ssp411 participates the ubiquitin-proteasome system by interacting with PSMC3. This has been reported to be manchette-associated and important for the head shaping of spermatids. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that Ssp411 is required for spermiogenesis. It seems to play a role in sperm head shaping. The lack of Ssp411 causes sperm deformation and results in male infertility. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Ssp411PB/PB mouse strain is an animal model of idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT), and the gene may represent a therapeutic target for iOAT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Liu
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Yanfei Ru
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Yihua Gu
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Jianan Tang
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Tiancheng Zhang
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Jun Wu
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Fudong Yu
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Yao Yuan
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Jian Wang
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China.
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHFPC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, SIPPR, Pharmacy School, Fudan University, China.
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Identification of Candidate Genes for Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures in Noda Epileptic Rat. Behav Genet 2017; 47:609-619. [PMID: 28936718 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9870-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Noda epileptic rat (NER) exhibits generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). A genetic linkage analysis identified two GTCS-associated loci, Ner1 on Chr 1 and Ner3 on Chr 5. The wild-type Ner1 and Ner3 alleles suppressed GTCS when combined in double-locus congenic lines, but not when present in single-locus congenic lines. Global expression analysis revealed that cholecystokinin B receptor (Cckbr) and suppressor of tumorigenicity 5 (St5), which map within Ner1, and PHD finger protein 24 (Phf24), which maps within Ner3, were significantly downregulated in NER. De novo BAC sequencing detected an insertion of an endogenous retrovirus sequence in intron 2 of the Phf24 gene in the NER genome, and PHF24 protein was almost absent in the NER brain. Phf24 encodes a Gαi-interacting protein involved in GABAB receptor signaling pathway. Based on these findings, we conclude that Cckbr, St5, and Phf24 are strong candidate genes for GTCS in NER.
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Lehti MS, Sironen A. Formation and function of sperm tail structures in association with sperm motility defects†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:522-536. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Zhu F, Wang F, Yang X, Zhang J, Wu H, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, He X, Zhou P, Wei Z, Gecz J, Cao Y. Biallelic SUN5 Mutations Cause Autosomal-Recessive Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:942-949. [PMID: 27640305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare and severe form of teratozoospermia characterized by a predominance of headless spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Family clustering and consanguinity suggest a genetic origin; however, causative mutations have yet to be identified. We performed whole-exome sequencing in two unrelated infertile men and subsequent variant filtering identified one homozygous (c.824C>T [p.Thr275Met]) and one compound heterozygous (c.1006C>T [p.Arg356Cys] and c.485T>A [p.Met162Lys]) SUN5 (also named TSARG4) variants. Sanger sequencing of SUN5 in 15 additional unrelated infertile men revealed four compound heterozygous (c.381delA [p.Val128Serfs∗7] and c.824C>T [p.Thr275Met]; c.381delA [p.Val128Serfs∗7] and c.781G>A [p.Val261Met]; c.216G>A [p.Trp72∗] and c.1043A>T [p.Asn348Ile]; c.425+1G>A/c.1043A>T [p.Asn348Ile]) and two homozygous (c.851C>G [p.Ser284∗]; c.350G>A [p.Gly114Arg]) variants in six individuals. These 10 SUN5 variants were found in 8 of 17 unrelated men, explaining the genetic defect in 47.06% of the affected individuals in our cohort. These variants were absent in 100 fertile population-matched control individuals. SUN5 variants lead to absent, significantly reduced, or truncated SUN5, and certain variants altered SUN5 distribution in the head-tail junction of the sperm. In summary, these results demonstrate that biallelic SUN5 mutations cause male infertility due to autosomal-recessive acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Fengsong Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China.
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Lehti MS, Sironen A. Formation and function of the manchette and flagellum during spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2016; 151:R43-54. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The last phase of spermatogenesis involves spermatid elongation (spermiogenesis), where the nucleus is remodeled by chromatin condensation, the excess cytoplasm is removed and the acrosome and sperm tail are formed. Protein transport during spermatid elongation is required for correct formation of the sperm tail and acrosome and shaping of the head. Two microtubular-based protein delivery platforms transport proteins to the developing head and tail: the manchette and the sperm tail axoneme. The manchette is a transient skirt-like structure surrounding the elongating spermatid head and is only present during spermatid elongation. In this review, we consider current understanding of the assembly, disassembly and function of the manchette and the roles of these processes in spermatid head shaping and sperm tail formation. Recent studies have shown that at least some of the structural proteins of the sperm tail are transported through the intra-manchette transport to the basal body at the base of the developing sperm tail and through the intra-flagellar transport to the construction site in the flagellum. This review focuses on the microtubule-based mechanisms involved and the consequences of their disruption in spermatid elongation.
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Pasek RC, Malarkey E, Berbari NF, Sharma N, Kesterson RA, Tres LL, Kierszenbaum AL, Yoder BK. Coiled-coil domain containing 42 (Ccdc42) is necessary for proper sperm development and male fertility in the mouse. Dev Biol 2016; 412:208-18. [PMID: 26945718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the differentiation of spermatids into motile sperm consisting of a head and a tail. The head harbors a condensed elongated nucleus partially covered by the acrosome-acroplaxome complex. Defects in the acrosome-acroplaxome complex are associated with abnormalities in sperm head shaping. The head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA), a complex structure consisting of two cylindrical microtubule-based centrioles and associated components, connects the tail or flagellum to the sperm head. Defects in the development of the HTCA cause sperm decapitation and disrupt sperm motility, two major contributors to male infertility. Here, we provide data indicating that mutations in the gene Coiled-coil domain containing 42 (Ccdc42) is associated with malformation of the mouse sperm flagella. In contrast to many other flagella and motile cilia genes, Ccdc42 expression is only observed in the brain and developing sperm. Male mice homozygous for a loss-of-function Ccdc42 allele (Ccdc42(KO)) display defects in the number and location of the HTCA, lack flagellated sperm, and are sterile. The testes enriched expression of Ccdc42 and lack of other phenotypes in mutant mice make it an ideal candidate for screening cases of azoospermia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond C Pasek
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Erik Malarkey
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nicolas F Berbari
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Laura L Tres
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abraham L Kierszenbaum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bradley K Yoder
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Soley JT. A comparative overview of the sperm centriolar complex in mammals and birds: Variations on a theme. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 169:14-23. [PMID: 26907939 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the structure, function and anomalies of the sperm centriolar complex (CC) on a comparative basis between mammals and birds. The information is based on selected references from the literature supplemented by original observations on spermiogenesis and sperm structure in disparate mammalian (cheetah and cane rat) and avian (ostrich, rhea and emu) species. Whereas the basic structure of the CC (a diplosome surrounded by pericentriolar material) is similar in Aves and Mammalia, certain differences are apparent. Centriole reduction does not generally occur in birds, but when present as in oscines, involves the loss of the proximal centriole. In ratites, the distal centriole forms the core of the entire midpiece and incorporates the outer dense fibres in addition to initiating axoneme formation. The elements of the connecting piece are not segmented in birds and less complex in basic design than in mammals. The functions of the various components of the CC appear to be similar in birds and mammals. Despite obvious differences in sperm head shape, the centrosomal anomalies afflicting both vertebrate groups demonstrate structural uniformity across species and display a similar range of defects. Most abnormalities result from defective migration and alignment of the CC relative to the nucleus. The most severe manifestation is that of acephalic sperm, while angled tail attachment, abaxial and multiflagellate sperm reflect additional defective forms. The stump-tail defect is not observed in birds. A comparison of defective sperm formation and centrosomal dysfunction at the molecular level is currently difficult owing to the paucity of relevant information on avian sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Soley
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
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40
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Moretti E, Collodel G, Mazzi L, Russo I, Giurisato E. Ultrastructural study of spermatogenesis in KSR2 deficient mice. Transgenic Res 2015; 24:741-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-015-9886-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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41
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Rondanino C, Duchesne V, Escalier D, Jumeau F, Verhaeghe F, Peers MC, Mitchell V, Rives N. Evaluation of sperm nuclear integrity in patients with different percentages of decapitated sperm in ejaculates. Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 31:89-99. [PMID: 26001636 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The decapitated sperm defect is a rare type of teratozoospermia responsible for male infertility. Spermatozoa from patients affected by this syndrome are used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) although little is known about their DNA integrity. This study evaluated sperm nuclear alterations in four patients and ten fertile men (control group). Sperm samples were examined by light, transmission electron and high-magnification contrast microscopy and analysed after terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling, aniline blue staining and fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Spermatozoa from patients presented varying degrees of decapitation, along with morphological and ultrastructural head abnormalities. Whereas the proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA and numerical chromosome abnormalities was similar in patients 1-3 and controls, the percentage of spermatozoa with hypocondensed chromatin was higher in patients 1-3 than in fertile men. Patient 4 presented a distinct phenotype, with an increased proportion of flagellated spermatozoa with DNA strand breaks as well as increased aneuploidy and diploidy rates compared with controls and with patients 1-3. No successful pregnancy resulted from ICSI although embryos were obtained for three patients. The morphological defects and the nuclear alterations observed in spermatozoa of patients with the decapitated sperm syndrome may have contributed to ICSI failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Rondanino
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France.
| | - Véronique Duchesne
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Denise Escalier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U933, Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6 and Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Jumeau
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - France Verhaeghe
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Marie-Claire Peers
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction - Spermiologie - CECOS, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Valérie Mitchell
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction - Spermiologie - CECOS, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Rives
- EA 4308 'Gamétogenèse et qualité du gamète', Rouen, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France
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Meyer-Ficca ML, Ihara M, Bader JJ, Leu NA, Beneke S, Meyer RG. Spermatid head elongation with normal nuclear shaping requires ADP-ribosyltransferase PARP11 (ARTD11) in mice. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:80. [PMID: 25673562 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.123661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm are highly differentiated cells characterized by their species-specific nuclear shapes and extremely condensed chromatin. Abnormal head shapes represent a form of teratozoospermia that can impair fertilization capacity. This study shows that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-11 (ARTD11/PARP11), a member of the ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARTD) family, is expressed preferentially in spermatids undergoing nuclear condensation and differentiation. Deletion of the Parp11 gene results in teratozoospermia and male infertility in mice due to the formation of abnormally shaped fertilization-incompetent sperm, despite normal testis weights and sperm counts. At the subcellular level, PARP11-deficient elongating spermatids reveal structural defects in the nuclear envelope and chromatin detachment associated with abnormal nuclear shaping, suggesting functional relevance of PARP11 for nuclear envelope stability and nuclear reorganization during spermiogenesis. In vitro, PARP11 exhibits mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity with the ability to ADP-ribosylate itself. In transfected somatic cells, PARP11 colocalizes with nuclear pore components, such as NUP153. Amino acids Y77, Q86, and R95 in the N-terminal WWE domain, as well as presence of the catalytic domain, are essential for colocalization of PARP11 with the nuclear envelope, but catalytic activity of the protein is not required for colocalization with NUP153. This study demonstrates that PARP11 is a novel enzyme important for proper sperm head shaping and identifies it as a potential factor involved in idiopathic mammalian teratozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella L Meyer-Ficca
- Department of Animal Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah Agricultural Experimental Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Motomasa Ihara
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica J Bader
- Department of Animal Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah Agricultural Experimental Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sascha Beneke
- Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ralph G Meyer
- Department of Animal Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah Agricultural Experimental Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Yang K, Grzmil P, Meinhardt A, Hoyer-Fender S. Haplo-deficiency of ODF1/HSPB10 in mouse sperm causes relaxation of head-to-tail linkage. Reproduction 2014; 148:499-506. [PMID: 25118300 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The small heat shock protein ODF1/HSPB10 is essential for male fertility in mice. Targeted deletion of Odf1 resulted in acephalic sperm in homozygous mice of mixed background (C57BL/6J//129/Sv), whereas heterozygous animals are fully fertile. To further elucidate the function of ODF1, we generated incipient congenic mice with targeted deletion of Odf1 by successive backcrossing on the 129/Sv background. We observed that fecundity of heterozygous Odf1(+/-) male mice was severely reduced over backcross generations. However, neither aberrant sperm parameters nor sperm anomalies could be observed. Ultra-structural analyses of sperm from incipient congenic heterozygous Odf1(+/-) males of backcross generation N7 revealed no obvious pathological findings. However, we observed an enlargement of the distance between nuclear membrane and capitulum, indicating a weakening of the sperm head-to-tail coupling. Severe male subfertility provoked by haplo-deficiency of ODF1 is therefore most probably caused by impaired head-to-tail coupling that eventually might induce sperm decapitation on the specific conditions of in vivo fertilisation. As subfertility in haplo-deficient ODF1 male mice could not be diagnosed by semen analysis, it seems to be a paradigm for unexplained infertility that is a frequent diagnosis for male fertility impairment in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefei Yang
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental BiologyGZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medicine, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyDepartment of Genetics and EvolutionInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland andDepartment of Anatomy and Cell BiologyAulweg 123, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Pawel Grzmil
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental BiologyGZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medicine, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyDepartment of Genetics and EvolutionInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland andDepartment of Anatomy and Cell BiologyAulweg 123, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental BiologyGZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medicine, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyDepartment of Genetics and EvolutionInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland andDepartment of Anatomy and Cell BiologyAulweg 123, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental BiologyGZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medicine, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyDepartment of Genetics and EvolutionInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland andDepartment of Anatomy and Cell BiologyAulweg 123, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental BiologyGZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medicine, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyDepartment of Genetics and EvolutionInstitute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland andDepartment of Anatomy and Cell BiologyAulweg 123, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
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Liška F, Gosele C, Popova E, Chylíková B, Křenová D, Křen V, Bader M, Tres LL, Hubner N, Kierszenbaum AL. Overexpression of full-length centrobin rescues limb malformation but not male fertility of the hypodactylous (hd) rats. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60859. [PMID: 23577170 PMCID: PMC3620055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat hypodactyly (hd) mutation is characterized by abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm decapitation, limb malformation (missing digits II and III) and growth retardation. We have previously reported centrobin (centrosome BRCA2-interacting protein) truncation at the C-terminus in the hd mutant. Here, we report data from a transgenic rescue experiment carried out to determine a role of centrobin in pathogenesis of hd. The transgenic construct, consisting of full-length-coding cDNA linked to a ubiquitous strong promoter/enhancer combination, was inserted to chromosome 16 into a LINE repeat. No known gene is present in the vicinity of the insertion site. Transgenic centrobin was expressed in all tissues tested, including testis. Transgenic animals show normal body weight and limb morphology as well as average weight of testis and epididymis. Yet, abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm decapitation persisted in the transgenic animals. Western blotting showed the coexistence of full-length and truncated or partially degraded centrobin in sperm of the rescued transgenic animals. Immunocytochemistry showed a buildup of centrobin and ODF2 (outer dense fiber 2) at the sperm decapitation site in the hd mutant and rescued transgenic rats. Additional findings included bulge-like formations and thread-like focal dissociations along the sperm flagellum and the organization of multiple whorls of truncated sperm flagella in the epididymal lumen. We conclude that centrobin is essential for normal patterning of the limb autopod. Centrobin may be required for stabilizing the attachment of the sperm head to flagellum and for maintaining the structural integrity of the sperm flagellum. We postulate that the presence of truncated centrobin, coexisting with full-length centrobin, together with incorrect timing of transgenic centrobin expression may hamper the rescue of fertility in hd male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Liška
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic.
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Tales of the tail and sperm head aches: changing concepts on the prognostic significance of sperm pathologies affecting the head, neck and tail. Asian J Androl 2011; 14:14-23. [PMID: 22198630 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents an update on the variable prognostic significance of different sperm pathologies in patients with severe male factor infertility due to morphology and motility disorders. Severe asthenozoospermia is one of the leading causes of male infertility as spermatozoa cannot reach the oocyte and/or penetrate normally. Identifying structural causes of sperm immotility was of great concern before the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), because immotility was the limiting factor in the treatment of these patients. In these cases, in vitro methods are used to identify live spermatozoa or stimulate sperm motility to avoid selection of non-viable cells. With these advances, fertilization and pregnancy results have improved dramatically. The identification of genetic phenotypes in asthenozoospermia is important to adequately inform patients of treatment outcomes and risks. The one sperm characteristic that seriously affects fertility prognosis is teratozoospermia, primarily sperm head and neck anomalies. Defects of chromatin condensation and acrosomal hypoplasia are the two most common abnormalities in severe teratozoospermia. The introduction of microscopic methods to select spermatozoa and the development of new ones to evaluate sperm quality before ICSI will assure that ultrastructural identification of sperm pathologies will not only be of academic interest, but will also be an essential tool to inform treatment choice. Herein, we review the differential roles played by sperm components in normal fertilization and early embryo development and explore how assisted reproductive technologies have modified our concepts on the prognostic significance of sperm pathologies affecting the head, neck, mid-piece and tail.
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Schatten H, Rawe VY, Sun QY. The Sperm Centrosome: Its Role and Significance in Nature and Human Assisted Reproduction. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/205891581100200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In humans and other non-rodent mammalian species, the sperm's centriole-centrosome complex is an essential component for successful fertilization and serves as template for all centrioles during subsequent cell divisions, embryo development, divisions of most adult somatic cells, as well as in primary cilia formation and functions. Dysfunctions of this complex can be causes for infertility, developmental disorders, and play a role in various adulthood diseases. While assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been able to overcome sperm motility dysfunctions by employing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), we currently do not yet have therapies to overcome dysfunctions of the centriole-centrosome complex although several lines of investigations have addressed the causes for centriole-centrosome dysfunctions and implications for sperm aster formation and union of the parental genomes. The present review highlights the importance of the centriole-centrosome complex and its significance for fertilization and embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Vanesa Y. Rawe
- REPROTEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CREA, Medicina de la Reproducción, Valencia, Spain
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
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Abstract
Limited knowledge of the genetic causes of male infertility has resulted in few treatment and targeted therapeutic options. Although the ideal approach to identify infertility causing mutations is to conduct studies in the human population, this approach has progressed slowly due to the limitations described herein. Given the complexity of male fertility, the entire process cannot be modeled in vitro. As such, animal models, in particular mouse models, provide a valuable alternative for gene identification and experimentation. Since the introduction of molecular biology and recent advances in animal model production, there has been a substantial acceleration in the identification and characterization of genes associated with many diseases, including infertility. Three major types of mouse models are commonly used in biomedical research, including knockout/knockin/gene-trapped, transgenic and chemical-induced point mutant mice. Using these mouse models, over 400 genes essential for male fertility have been revealed. It has, however, been estimated that thousands of genes are involved in the regulation of the complex process of male fertility, as many such genes remain to be characterized. The current review is by no means a comprehensive list of these mouse models, rather it contains examples of how mouse models have advanced our knowledge of post-natal germ cell development and male fertility regulation.
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Wang Y, Liska F, Gosele C, Sedová L, Kren V, Krenová D, Ivics Z, Hubner N, Izsvák Z. A novel active endogenous retrovirus family contributes to genome variability in rat inbred strains. Genome Res 2009; 20:19-27. [PMID: 19887576 DOI: 10.1101/gr.100073.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) contribute to a range of germline, as well as somatic mutations in mammals. However, autonomous retrotransposition of potentially active elements has not been demonstrated in the rat genome. We cloned an insertion that disrupted the normal splicing of the Cntrob gene that was subsequently identified as a nonautonomous, novel endogenous retrovirus of the RnERV-K8e family. The RnERV-K8e family is closely related to the recently reported MmERV-K10c elements, but differs from the autonomous mouse MusD or IAP families. In addition, we identified a novel, unexpectedly close relative of RnERV-K8e in the mouse, suggesting ERV-K cross-species transmission between mice and rats. We cloned a potentially autonomous RnERV-K8e element identified by in silico analysis and, using an in vitro retrotransposition assay, demonstrated that it is capable of retrotransposition. This particular element (named Rat-rho, pronounced "retro") encodes a retroviral envelope gene (env); however, env is not required for de novo retrotransposition events. Significant levels of RnERV-K8e-associated genetic polymorphisms were detected among inbred rat strains, suggesting ongoing retrotransposition in the rat genome. This study identifies an ERV-K-type family in rats that shows obvious signs of recent activity. Ongoing retrotranspositional activity may significantly add to genomic variability among inbred rat strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Wang
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany
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