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Yan H, Chen J, Qing E, Li X, Wang W, Ling Z, Chen Z, Jiang S, Yan Y, Deng S, Hu J, Li L, Wang J, Hu S. Developmental variations of the reproductive organs of ganders from different goose breeds and the underlying mechanisms. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104233. [PMID: 39214052 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
A deep understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms of male reproductive tract development is necessary for adoption of either genetic techniques or environmental management practices for improving fertility and hatchability in poultry. However, compared with other poultry such as chickens and ducks, less is known about the age- and breed-related changes in the reproductive tract development of domestic goose ganders exhibiting relatively poor reproductive performance as well as the regulatory mechanisms. In the present study, by taking 2 Chinese domestic goose breeds (Sichuan White goose, SW and Gang goose, GE; Anser cygnoides) and one European goose breed (Landes goose, LD; Anser anser) as the experimental objects, we comprehensive analyzed the morphological, histological, and genome-wide transcriptomic variations in their testicular and external genital development during the period from hatching to sexual maturity. Results from histomorphological analysis demonstrated that the reproductive tract of all goose breeds developed in both age- and breed-dependent manners, and the left and right testis developed asymmetrically throughout posthatch development. The tenth week posthatch was a critical developmental stage for all goose ganders, because both the testicular and external genital histomorphological parameters significantly changed before and after this period. During the first 10 wk posthatch, the weight, organ index, or size of male reproductive organs developed more rapidly in SW than in LD, and so were the testicular parenchymal-to-interstitial ratio and the external genital lymphatic lumen diameter. However, the testicular seminiferous epithelium thickness, seminiferous tubule diameter, and Leydig cell number, as well as the external genital keratinized epithelium thickness were significantly higher in LD than in SW at 10 wk of age. Through comparative transcriptomics analysis and RT-qPCR validation, several pathways related to germ and somatic cell function, organ remodeling, and energy metabolism were thought to be responsible for the developmental variations in the early testicular development between Chinese and European domestic ganders, where 10 hub genes involved in the cell cycle, RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription, and mitotic cell division pathways might play essential roles. These data shed new light on the interbreed differences in the male goose reproductive tract development and the molecular mechanisms regulating male goose testicular functions and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jiasen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Enhua Qing
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Wanxia Wang
- Department of Animal Production, General Station of Animal Husbandry of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zihan Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhengyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shuhan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shilin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Liang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
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2
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Liu M, Wang L, Li Y, Zhi E, Shen G, Jiang X, Li D, Zhao X, Ruan T, Jiang C, Wang X, Zhang X, Zheng Y, Wu B, Ou N, Zhao G, Dai S, Zhou R, Yang L, Yang Y, Liu H, Shen Y. HSF5 Deficiency Causes Male Infertility Involving Spermatogenic Arrest at Meiotic Prophase I in Humans and Mice. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2402412. [PMID: 38958533 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division process that generates gametes for sexual reproduction. However, the factors and underlying mechanisms involving meiotic progression remain largely unknown, especially in humans. Here, it is first showed that HSF5 is associated with human spermatogenesis. Patients with a pathogenic variant of HSF5 are completely infertile. Testicular histologic findings in the patients reveal rare postmeiotic germ cells resulting from meiotic prophase I arrest. Hsf5 knockout (KO) mice confirms that the loss of HSF5 causes defects in meiotic recombination, crossover formation, sex chromosome synapsis, and sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), which may contribute to spermatocyte arrest at the late pachytene stage. Importantly, spermatogenic arrest can be rescued by compensatory HSF5 adeno-associated virus injection into KO mouse testes. Mechanistically, integrated analysis of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data revealed that HSF5 predominantly binds to promoters of key genes involved in crossover formation (e.g., HFM1, MSH5 and MLH3), synapsis (e.g., SYCP1, SYCP2 and SYCE3), recombination (TEX15), and MSCI (MDC1) and further regulates their transcription during meiotic progression. Taken together, the study demonstrates that HSF5 modulates the transcriptome to ensure meiotic progression in humans and mice. These findings will aid in genetic diagnosis of and potential treatments for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Urology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Gan Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaohui Jiang
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dingming Li
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinya Zhao
- West China School of preclinical medicine and forensic medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tiechao Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yanjiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ningjing Ou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Guicheng Zhao
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Siyu Dai
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ruixi Zhou
- West China School of preclinical medicine and forensic medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - 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 University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hanmin Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Zhang Q, Fan X, Fu F, Zhu Y, Luo G, Chen H. Adar Regulates Drosophila melanogaster Spermatogenesis via Modulation of BMP Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5643. [PMID: 38891830 PMCID: PMC11171878 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The dynamic process of Drosophila spermatogenesis involves asymmetric division, mitosis, and meiosis, which ultimately results in the production of mature spermatozoa. Disorders of spermatogenesis can lead to infertility in males. ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) mutations in Drosophila cause male infertility, yet the causative factors remain unclear. In this study, immunofluorescence staining was employed to visualize endogenous ADAR proteins and assess protein levels via fluorescence-intensity analysis. In addition, the early differentiation disorders and homeostatic alterations during early spermatogenesis in the testes were examined through quantification of transit-amplifying region length, counting the number of GSCs (germline stem cells), and fertility experiments. Our findings suggest that deletion of ADAR causes testicular tip transit-amplifying cells to accumulate and become infertile in older male Drosophila. By overexpressing ADAR in early germline cells, male infertility can be partially rescued. Transcriptome analysis showed that ADAR maintained early spermatogenesis homeostasis through the bone-morphogenetic-protein (BMP) signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings have the potential to help explore the role of ADAR in early spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinxin Fan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fang Fu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuedan Zhu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guanzheng Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Haiyang Chen
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Aging Research, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Wu Z, Chen X, Yan T, Yu L, Zhang L, Zheng M, Zhu H. Rreb1 is a key transcription factor in Sertoli cell maturation and function and spermatogenesis in mouse. ZYGOTE 2024; 32:130-138. [PMID: 38248872 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199423000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a developmental process driven by interactions between germ cells and Sertoli cells. This process depends on appropriate gene expression, which might be regulated by transcription factors. This study focused on Rreb1, a zinc finger transcription factor, and explored its function and molecular mechanisms in spermatogenesis in a mouse model. Our results showed that RREB1 was predominantly expressed in the Sertoli cells of the testis. The decreased expression of RREB1 following injection of siRNA caused impaired Sertoli cell development, which was characterized using a defective blood-testis barrier structure and decreased expression of Sertoli cell functional maturity markers; its essential trigger might be SMAD3 destabilization. The decreased expression of RREB1 in mature Sertoli cells influenced the cell structure and function, which resulted in abnormal spermatogenesis, manifested as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and we believe RREB1 plays this role by regulating the transcription of Fshr and Wt1. RREB1 has been reported to activate Fshr transcription, and we demonstrated that the knockdown of Rreb1 caused a reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the testis, which could be the cause of the increased sperm malformation. Furthermore, we confirmed that RREB1 directly activates Wt1 promoter activity, and RREB1 downregulation induced the decreased expression of Wt1 and its downstream polarity-associated genes Par6b and E-cadherin, which caused increased germ-cell death and reduced sperm number and motility. In conclusion, RREB1 is a key transcription factor essential for Sertoli cell development and function and is required for normal spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tong Yan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longsheng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meimei Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center of No. 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Danga AK, Rath PC. Molecular cloning, expression and cellular localization of two long noncoding RNAs (mLINC-RBE and mLINC-RSAS) in the mouse testis. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 255:128106. [PMID: 37979740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcribed in complex, overlapping, sense- and antisense orientations from intronic and intergenic regions of mammalian genomes. Transcription of genome in mammalian testis is more widespread compared to other organs. LncRNAs are involved in gene expression, chromatin regulation, mRNA stability and translation of proteins during diverse cellular functions. We report molecular cloning of two novel lncRNAs (mLINC-RBE and mLINC-RSAS) and their expression by RT-PCR as well as cellular localization by RNA in-situ hybridization in the mouse testes. mLINC-RBE is an intergenic lncRNA from chromosome 4, with 16.96 % repeat sequences, expressed as a sense transcript with piRNA sequences and its expression is localized into primary spermatocytes. mLINC-RSAS is an intergenic lncRNA from chromosome 2, with 49.7 % repeat sequences, expressed as both sense- and antisense transcripts with miRNA sequences and its expression is localized into different cell types, such as Sertoli cells, primary spermatocytes and round spermatids. The lncRNAs also contain sequences for some short peptides (micropeptides). This suggests that these two repeat sequence containing, intergenic genomic sense- and antisense transcripts expressed as lncRNAs with piRNAs, miRNAs, and showing cell-type specific, differential expression may regulate important functions in mammalian testes. Such functions may be regulated by RNA structures, RNA processing and RNA-protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Danga
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pramod C Rath
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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Lu L, Abbott AL. Male gonad-enriched microRNAs function to control sperm production in C. elegans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561762. [PMID: 37873419 PMCID: PMC10592766 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Germ cell development and gamete production in animals require small RNA pathways. While studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are necessary for normal sperm production and function, the specific roles for individual miRNAs are largely unknown. Here, we use small RNA sequencing of dissected gonads and functional analysis of new loss of function alleles to identify functions for miRNAs in the control of fecundity and sperm production in Caenorhabditis elegans males and hermaphrodites. We describe a set of 29 male gonad-enriched miRNAs and identify a set of 3 individual miRNAs (mir-58.1, mir-83, and mir-235) and a miRNA cluster (mir-4807-4810.1) that are required for optimal sperm production at 20°C and 5 additional miRNAs (mir-49, mir-57, mir-261, and mir-357/358) that are required for sperm production at 25°C. We observed defects in meiotic progression in mir-58.1, mir-83, mir-235, and mir-4807-4810.1 mutants that may contribute to the reduced number of sperm. Further, analysis of multiple mutants of these miRNAs suggested complex genetic interactions between these miRNAs for sperm production. This study provides insights on the regulatory roles of miRNAs that promote optimal sperm production and fecundity in males and hermaphrodites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 USA
| | - Allison L. Abbott
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 USA
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Chi RPA, Xu X, Li JL, Xu X, Hu G, Brown P, Willson C, Kirsanov O, Geyer C, Huang CL, Morgan M, DeMayo F. WNK1 is required during male pachynema to sustain fertility. iScience 2023; 26:107616. [PMID: 37694147 PMCID: PMC10485039 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
WNK1 is an important regulator in many physiological functions, yet its role in male reproduction is unexplored. In the male germline, WNK1 is upregulated in preleptotene spermatocytes indicating possible function(s) in spermatogenic meiosis. Indeed, deletion of Wnk1 in mid-pachytene spermatocytes using the Wnt7a-Cre mouse led to male sterility which resembled non-obstructive azoospermia in humans, where germ cells failed to complete spermatogenesis and produced no sperm. Mechanistically, we found elevated MTOR expression and signaling in the Wnk1-depleted spermatocytes. As MTOR is a central mediator of translation, we speculated that translation may be accelerated in these spermatocytes. Supporting this, we found the acrosome protein, ACRBP to be prematurely expressed in the spermatocytes with Wnk1 deletion. Our study uncovered an MTOR-regulating factor in the male germline with potential implications in translation, and future studies will aim to understand how WNK1 regulates MTOR activity and impact translation on a broader spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-pin Alicia Chi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Guang Hu
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Paula Brown
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Cynthia Willson
- Integrated Laboratory Systems LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Christopher Geyer
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Chou-Long Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Marcos Morgan
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Francesco DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
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8
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Liu Z, Chen X, Zhang P, Li F, Zhang L, Li X, Huang T, Zheng Y, Yu T, Zhang T, Zeng W, Lu H, Lv Y. Transcriptome-wide Dynamics of m 6A mRNA Methylation During Porcine Spermatogenesis. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:729-741. [PMID: 34543723 PMCID: PMC10787014 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a continual process that occurs in the testes, in which diploid spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) differentiate and generate haploid spermatozoa. This highly efficient and intricate process is orchestrated at multiple levels. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), an epigenetic modification prevalent in mRNAs, is implicated in the transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis. However, the dynamics of m6A modification in non-rodent mammalian species remains unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the profile and role of m6A during spermatogenesis in pigs. By analyzing the transcriptomic distribution of m6A in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids, we identified a globally conserved m6A pattern between porcine and murine genes with spermatogenic function. We found that m6A was enriched in a group of genes that specifically encode the metabolic enzymes and regulators. In addition, transcriptomes in porcine male germ cells could be subjected to the m6A modification. Our data show that m6A plays the regulatory roles during spermatogenesis in pigs, which is similar to that in mice. Illustrations of this point are three genes (SETDB1, FOXO1, and FOXO3) that are crucial to the determination of the fate of SSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time uncovers the expression profile and role of m6A during spermatogenesis in large animals and provides insights into the intricate transcriptional regulation underlying the lifelong male fertility in non-rodent mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Fuyuan Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Lingkai Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xueliang Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Taiyong Yu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, China
| | - Wenxian Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Hongzhao Lu
- School of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, China.
| | - Yinghua Lv
- College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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9
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Wang P, Wang Q, Chen L, Cao Z, Zhao H, Su R, Wang N, Ma X, Shan J, Chen X, Zhang Q, Du B, Yuan Z, Zhao Y, Zhang X, Guo X, Xue Y, Miao L. RNA-binding protein complex AMG-1/SLRP-1 mediates germline development and spermatogenesis by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:1399-1412. [PMID: 37355389 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs)-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of pre-existing mRNAs, which is essential for spermatogenesis, remain poorly understood. In this study, we identify that a germline-specific mitochondrial RBP AMG-1(abnormal mitochondria in germline 1), a homolog of mammalian leucine-rich PPR motif-containing protein (LRPPRC), is required for spermatogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. The amg-1 mutation hinders germline development without affecting somatic development and leads to the aberrant mitochondrial morphology and structure associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions specifically in the germline. We demonstrate that AMG-1 is most frequently bound to mtDNA-encoded 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA, the essential components of mitochondrial ribosomes, and that 12S rRNA expression mediated by AMG-1 is crucial for germline mitochondrial protein homeostasis. Furthermore, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA) stem loop interacting RNA binding protein (SLRP-1), a homolog of mammalian SRA stem loop interacting RNA binding protein (SLIRP) in C. elegans, interacts with AMG-1 genetically to regulate germline development and reproductive success in C. elegans. Overall, these findings reveal the novel function of mtRBP, specifically in regulating germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qiushi Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Lianwan Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hailian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Ruibao Su
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Jin Shan
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Xinyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China; Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Baochen Du
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Zhiheng Yuan
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China
| | - Yanmei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Xiaorong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Yuanchao Xue
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China.
| | - Long Miao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100059, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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10
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Ozturk S. Genetic variants underlying spermatogenic arrests in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1021-1061. [PMID: 36740861 PMCID: PMC10081088 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2171544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenic arrest is a severe form of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), which occurs in 10-15% of infertile men. Interruption in spermatogenic progression at premeiotic, meiotic, or postmeiotic stage can lead to arrest in men with NOA. Recent studies have intensively focused on defining genetic variants underlying these spermatogenic arrests by making genome/exome sequencing. A number of variants were discovered in the genes involving in mitosis, meiosis, germline differentiation and other basic cellular events. Herein, defined variants in NOA cases with spermatogenic arrests and created knockout mouse models for the related genes are comprehensively reviewed. Also, importance of gene panel-based screening for NOA cases was discussed. Screening common variants in these infertile men with spermatogenic arrests may contribute to elucidating the molecular background and designing novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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11
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Chen Y, Zhang X, Jiang J, Luo M, Tu H, Xu C, Tan H, Zhou X, Chen H, Han X, Yue Q, Guo Y, Zheng K, Qi Y, Situ C, Cui Y, Guo X. Regulation of Miwi-mediated mRNA stabilization by Ck137956/Tssa is essential for male fertility. BMC Biol 2023; 21:89. [PMID: 37069605 PMCID: PMC10111675 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm is formed through spermiogenesis, a highly complex process involving chromatin condensation that results in cessation of transcription. mRNAs required for spermiogenesis are transcribed at earlier stages and translated in a delayed fashion during spermatid formation. However, it remains unknown that how these repressed mRNAs are stabilized. RESULTS Here we report a Miwi-interacting testis-specific and spermiogenic arrest protein, Ck137956, which we rename Tssa. Deletion of Tssa led to male sterility and absence of sperm formation. The spermiogenesis arrested at the round spermatid stage and numerous spermiogenic mRNAs were down-regulated in Tssa-/- mice. Deletion of Tssa disrupted the localization of Miwi to chromatoid body, a specialized assembly of cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs) foci present in germ cells. We found that Tssa interacted with Miwi in repressed mRNPs and stabilized Miwi-interacting spermiogenesis-essential mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that Tssa is indispensable in male fertility and has critical roles in post-transcriptional regulations by interacting with Miwi during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiayin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Huanhuan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xudong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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12
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Extracellular vesicles-encapsulated microRNA in mammalian reproduction: A review. Theriogenology 2023; 196:174-185. [PMID: 36423512 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale cell-derived lipid vesicles that participate in cell-cell communication by delivering cargo, including mRNAs, proteins and non-coding RNAs, to recipient cells. MicroRNA (miRNA), a non-coding RNA typically 22 nucleotides long, is crucial for nearly all developmental and pathophysiological processes in mammals by regulating recipient cells gene expression. Infertility is a worldwide health issue that affects 10-15% of couples during their reproductive years. Although assisted reproductive technology (ART) gives infertility couples hope, the failure of ART is mainly unknown. It is well accepted that EVs-encapsulated miRNAs have a role in different reproductive processes, implying that these EVs-encapsulated miRNAs could optimize ART, improve reproductive rate, and treat infertility. As a result, in this review, we describe the present understanding of EVs-encapsulated miRNAs in reproduction regulation.
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13
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Wang M, Wang Q, Jiang H, Du Y, Zhang X. Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Shengjing capsule on male infertility by a network pharmacology approach. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:299. [DOI: 10.1186/s12906-022-03774-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Shengjing capsule (SJC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has gained widespread clinical application for the treatment of male infertility (MI). However, the pharmacological mechanism of SJC against MI remains vague to date.
Method
The active ingredients of SJC and their targets were identified from the database, and MI-related genes were retrieved from several databases. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) data were obtained to construct the PPI networks. The candidate targets of SJC against MI were identified through topological analysis of the PPI network. Functional enrichment analysis of candidate targets was performed, and the key target genes were identified from the gene-pathway network.
Results
We identified 154 active ingredients and 314 human targets of SJC, as well as 564 MI-related genes. Eight pharmacological network diagrams illustrating the interactions among herbs, active ingredients, targets, and pathways, were constructed. The four dominating network maps included a compound-target network of SJC, a compound-anti-MI targets network, a candidate targets PPI network, a pathway-gene network, and a drug-key compounds-hub targets-pathways network. Systematic analysis indicated that the targets of SJC in the treatment of MI mainly involved RPS6, MAPK1, MAPK3, MDM2, and DDX5. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that SJC had the potential to impact multiple biological pathways, such as cancer-related pathways, viral/bacterial infection-related pathways, and signal transduction-related pathways.
Conclusion
Our results preliminarily revealed the pharmacological basis and molecular mechanism SJC in treating MI, but further experimental research is required to verify these findings.
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14
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Ragle JM, Morrison KN, Vo AA, Johnson ZE, Hernandez Lopez J, Rechtsteiner A, Shakes DC, Ward JD. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes during Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac256. [PMID: 36135804 PMCID: PMC9635660 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the process through which mature male gametes are formed and is necessary for the transmission of genetic information. While much work has established how sperm fate is promoted and maintained, less is known about how the sperm morphogenesis program is executed. We previously identified a novel role for the nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor, NHR-23, in promoting Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. The depletion of NHR-23 along with SPE-44, another transcription factor that promotes spermatogenesis, caused additive phenotypes. Through RNA-seq, we determined that NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes. The depletion of both NHR-23 and SPE-44 produced yet another set of differentially regulated genes. NHR-23-regulated genes are enriched in phosphatases, consistent with the switch from genome quiescence to post-translational regulation in spermatids. In the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum, MFP1 and MFP2 control the polymerization of Major Sperm Protein, the molecule that drives sperm motility and serves as a signal to promote ovulation. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate several MFP2 paralogs, and NHR-23 depletion from the male germline caused defective localization of MSD/MFP1 and NSPH-2/MFP2. Although NHR-23 and SPE-44 do not transcriptionally regulate the casein kinase gene spe-6, a key regulator of sperm development, SPE-6 protein is lost following NHR-23+SPE-44 depletion. Together, these experiments provide the first mechanistic insight into how NHR-23 promotes spermatogenesis and an entry point to understanding the synthetic genetic interaction between nhr-23 and spe-44.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | | | - An A Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Zoe E Johnson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Javier Hernandez Lopez
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
| | - Jordan D Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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15
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Tzur YB. lncRNAs in fertility: redefining the gene expression paradigm? Trends Genet 2022; 38:1170-1179. [PMID: 35728988 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Comparative transcriptome approaches assume that highly or dynamically expressed genes are important. This has led to the identification of many genes critical for cellular activity and organism development. However, while testes express the highest levels of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), there is scarcely any evidence for lncRNAs with significant roles in fertility. This was explained by changes in chromatin structure during spermatogenesis that lead to 'promiscuous transcription' with no functional roles for the transcripts. Recent discoveries offer novel and surprising alternatives. Here, I review the current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in fertility, why I find gametogenesis different from other developmental processes, offer models to explain why the experimental evidence did not meet theoretical predictions, and suggest possible approaches to test the models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan B Tzur
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
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16
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Xie Y, Xu Z, Wu C, Zhou C, Zhang X, Gu T, Yang J, Yang H, Zheng E, Xu Z, Cai G, Li Z, Liu D, Wu Z, Hong L. Extracellular vesicle-encapsulated miR-21-5p in seminal plasma prevents sperm capacitation via Vinculin inhibition. Theriogenology 2022; 193:103-113. [PMID: 36156422 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
To penetrate the zona pellucida before sperm-egg binding, sperm must undergo highly time-controlled capacitation and acrosome reaction in the female reproductive tract. Our previous study demonstrated that miR-21-5p is the most abundant miRNA in boar seminal plasma (SP)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and can target Vinculin (VCL) gene, which may participate in boar sperm capacitation. Thus, this study aims to explore the potential role of miR-21-5p from SP-derived EVs in preventing sperm capacitation and its underlying mechanism. We observed that sperm could incorporate miR-21-5p from SP-derived EVs. The roles of SP-derived EVs miR-21-5p in sperm capacitation were then determined using gain- and loss-of-function analyses. In addition, the expression levels of miR-21-5p, VCL, and VCL protein in liquid-preserved boar sperm following transfection were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Our results revealed that miR-21-5p overexpression inhibited sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. Similarly, miR-21-5p expression was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in capacitated sperm than un-capacitated sperm. However, the protein level of VCL was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in capacitated sperm than un-capacitated sperm. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis showed that VCL protein mainly located in sperm head and sperm capacitation was inhibited after treating with VCL protein inhibitor (Chrysin). In conclusion, our study provides reasonable evidence that miR-21-5p expression in SP-derived EVs could prevent sperm capacitation via VCL inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqian Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changhua Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Ting Gu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Enqin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Dewu Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China.
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17
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Ghadirkhomi E, Abdolhamid Angaji S, Beikzadeh B, Mashayekhi MR, Ghadirkhomi A. Correlation of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of PRM1, PRM2, PYGO2, and DAZL Genes with Male Infertility in North West of Iran. Turk J Urol 2022; 48:315-321. [PMID: 36197138 PMCID: PMC9623339 DOI: 10.5152/tud.2022.22032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Almost half of infertility is related to male factors. Although the effect of genetic factors on male infertility is identified, about 30%-50% still has no proven cause and is classified as idiopathic infertility. This study was performed to investigate the correlation of some single nucleotide polymorphisms of PYGO2, DAZL, PRM1, and PRM2 genes with male infertility in idiopathic cases among the Iranian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this case-control study, 120 idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligospermia patients in the range of 25-45 years and 120 fertile men in the same age range were recruited as case and control groups, respectively. Eight different single nucleotide polymorphisms including PRM1 rs737008, PRM1 rs423668, PRM2 rs1646022, PRM2 rs11645592, PYGO2 rs141722381, PYGO2rs61758741, DAZL rs75931701, and DAZL rs188506466 were genotyped by using ampli ficat ion-r efrac tory mutation system polymerase chain reaction methods. Hardy-Weinberg was calculated by using online website. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was applied for statistical analysis. P value <.05 was considered significant. Thirty percent of the samples were regenotyped to confirm the obtained results. RESULTS The obtained results showed a significant correlation between PYGO2 rs141722381 in the heterozygote form (odds ratio: 2.803, 95% CI: 1.397-5.626). Heterozygote over-dominance was also observed in this variant (odds ratio: 2.637, 95%CI: 1.321-5.264). There was no significant association between other studied single nucleotide polymorphisms and male infertility. CONCLUSION This study proposed a novel single nucleotide polymorphism as a predisposition of male infertility among the Iranian population, but more studies in larger populations are needed to confirm the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ghadirkhomi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdolhamid Angaji
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Kharazmi University Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnaz Beikzadeh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Tarbiat Modares University Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Mashayekhi
- Department of Genetics, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University Faculty of Biological Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Akram Ghadirkhomi
- Food and Drug Administrator, University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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18
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Guo M, Luo C, Wang Z, Chen S, Morris D, Ruan F, Chen Z, Yang L, Wei X, Wu C, Luo B, Lv Z, Huang J, Zhang D, Yu C, Gao Q, Wang H, Zhang Y, Sun F, Yan W, Tang C. Uncoupling transcription and translation through miRNA-dependent poly(A) length control in haploid male germ cells. Development 2022; 149:275470. [PMID: 35588208 PMCID: PMC9270972 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
As one of the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, uncoupling of transcription and translation plays an essential role in development and adulthood physiology. However, it remains elusive how thousands of mRNAs get translationally silenced while stability is maintained for hours or even days before translation. In addition to oocytes and neurons, developing spermatids display significant uncoupling of transcription and translation for delayed translation. Therefore, spermiogenesis represents an excellent in vivo model for investigating the mechanism underlying uncoupled transcription and translation. Through full-length poly(A) deep sequencing, we discovered dynamic changes in poly(A) length through deadenylation and re-polyadenylation. Deadenylation appeared to be mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs), and transcripts with shorter poly(A) tails tend to be sequestered into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules for translational repression and stabilization. In contrast, re-polyadenylation might allow for translocation of the translationally repressed transcripts from RNP granules to polysomes. Overall, our data suggest that miRNA-dependent poly(A) length control represents a previously unreported mechanism underlying uncoupled translation and transcription in haploid male mouse germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Guo
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Chunhai Luo
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuqing Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS575, Reno, NV 89557, USA,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Sheng Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA,China Medical University, Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Dayton Morris
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Fengying Ruan
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Zhichao Chen
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Linfeng Yang
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiongyi Wei
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanwen Wu
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Bei Luo
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Zhou Lv
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Jin Huang
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Cong Yu
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Hongqi Wang
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China,Authors for correspondence (; ; ; )
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China,Authors for correspondence (; ; ; )
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS575, Reno, NV 89557, USA,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Authors for correspondence (; ; ; )
| | - Chong Tang
- R&D Department, BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China,Authors for correspondence (; ; ; )
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19
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Salahshouri S, Akbarian F, Tavalaee M, Seifati SM, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Expression of TRPV1 as A Heat Sensitive Voltage-Dependent Ion Channel and Oxidative Stress in Sperm Samples of Infertile Men with Varicocele: A Case-Control Study. CELL JOURNAL 2022; 24:323-329. [PMID: 35892235 PMCID: PMC9315213 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.8038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a heat-activated nonselective cation channel that plays important role in the spermatogenesis, capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm/oocyte fusion. Considering the high testicular temperature and oxidative stress in varicocele condition, we aimed to assess expression of TRPV1 in sperm of infertile men. Materials and Methods In this case-control study, twenty-five men with varicocele (grade II and III) as well as twentyfive fertile were recruited. Sperm parameters, protamine deficiency (Chromomycin A3), DNA damage (TUNEL), lipid peroxidation (BODIPY), TRPV1 gene expression (real time polymerase chain reaction), TRPV1 protein (flowcytometry and immunocytochemical techniques), and acrosome reaction were assessed between fertile and varicocele groups. Results We observed a significant decrease in the sperm parameters, and also, an increased DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protamine deficiency in varicocele group. Although, the mRNA expression of TRPV1 was similar between varicocele and fertile groups, its expression at the protein level was significantly decreased in the varicocele group in comparison with fertile group. Additionally, the TRPV1 localization was changed from the equatorial region to the acrosomal region of the head, especially in the acrosomal region, which was more significant in the fertile group than the varicocele group after inducing acrosome reaction. Conclusion In addition to the quality of sperm parameters, and chromatin integrity that were lower significantly in varicocele group, the expression of TRPV1 protein was also lower in varicocele condition that could be associated with reduced capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm/oocyte fusion and thereby infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Salahshouri
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,
Iran,Department of Biology , Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Akbarian
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,
Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,
Iran,P.O.Box: 8165131378Department of Animal BiotechnologyReproductive Biomedicine Research CenterRoyan Institute
for BiotechnologyACECRIsfahanIran
Emails:,
| | - Seyed Morteza Seifati
- Department of Biology , Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan,
Iran,P.O.Box: 8165131378Department of Animal BiotechnologyReproductive Biomedicine Research CenterRoyan Institute
for BiotechnologyACECRIsfahanIran
Emails:,
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20
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Tang XJ, Xiao QH, Wang XL, He Y, Tian YN, Xia BT, Guo Y, Huang JL, Duan P, Tan Y. Single-Cell Transcriptomics-Based Study of Transcriptional Regulatory Features in the Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Testis. Front Genet 2022; 13:875762. [PMID: 35669193 PMCID: PMC9163961 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.875762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Although many congenital factors have been identified, the aetiology in the majority of idiopathic NOA (iNOA) cases remains unknown. Herein, using single-cell RNA-Seq data sets (GSE149512) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we constructed transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) to explain the mutual regulatory relationship and the causal relationship between transcription factors (TFs). We defined 10 testicular cell types by their marker genes and found that the proportion of Leydig cells (LCs) and macrophages (tMΦ) was significantly increased in iNOA testis. We identified specific TFs including LHX9, KLF8, KLF4, ARID5B and RXRG in iNOA LCs. In addition, we found specific TFs in iNOA tMΦ such as POU2F2, SPIB IRF5, CEBPA, ELK4 and KLF6. All these identified TFs are strongly engaged in cellular fate, function and homeostasis of the microenvironment. Changes in the activity of the above-mentioned TFs might affect the function of LCs and tMΦ and ultimately cause spermatogenesis failure. This study illustrate that these TFs play important regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-juan Tang
- Department of Andrology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Qiao-hong Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Xue-lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
- Postgraduate Training Basement of Jinzhou Medicical University, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Ya-nan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
- Postgraduate Training Basement of Jinzhou Medicical University, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Bin-tong Xia
- Department of Urology Surgery, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Jiao-long Huang
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Peng Duan
- Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases of Xiangyang City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yan Tan
- Department of Andrology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Biomedical Engineering College, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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21
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Aluru N, Engelhardt J. OUP accepted manuscript. Toxicol Sci 2022; 188:75-87. [PMID: 35477799 PMCID: PMC9237993 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxicants during preconception has been shown to affect offspring health and epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are hypothesized to be involved in adverse outcomes. However, studies addressing the effects of exposure to environmental toxicants during preconception on epigenetic changes in gametes are limited. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of preconceptional exposure to a dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl [PCB126]) on DNA methylation and gene expression in testis. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 for 24 h and testis tissue was sampled at 7 days postexposure for histology, DNA methylation, and gene expression profiling. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed 37 and 92 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in response to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 exposures, respectively. Among them, 19 DMRs were found to be common between both PCB126 treatment groups. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of DMRs revealed that enrichment of terms such as RNA processing, iron-sulfur cluster assembly, and gluconeogenesis. Gene expression profiling showed differential expression of 40 and 1621 genes in response to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 exposures, respectively. GO analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment of terms related to xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune function. There is no overlap in the GO terms or individual genes between DNA methylation and RNA sequencing results, but functionally many of the altered pathways have been shown to cause spermatogenic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Engelhardt
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig D-04107, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna A-1030, Austria
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22
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Sahoo B, Choudhary RK, Sharma P, Choudhary S, Gupta MK. Significance and Relevance of Spermatozoal RNAs to Male Fertility in Livestock. Front Genet 2021; 12:768196. [PMID: 34956322 PMCID: PMC8696160 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.768196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock production contributes to a significant part of the economy in developing countries. Although artificial insemination techniques brought substantial improvements in reproductive efficiency, male infertility remains a leading challenge in livestock. Current strategies for the diagnosis of male infertility largely depend on the evaluation of semen parameters and fail to diagnose idiopathic infertility in most cases. Recent evidences show that spermatozoa contains a suit of RNA population whose profile differs between fertile and infertile males. Studies have also demonstrated the crucial roles of spermatozoal RNA (spRNA) in spermatogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Thus, the spRNA profile may serve as unique molecular signatures of fertile sperm and may play pivotal roles in the diagnosis and treatment of male fertility. This manuscript provides an update on various spRNA populations, including protein-coding and non-coding RNAs, in livestock species and their potential role in semen quality, particularly sperm motility, freezability, and fertility. The contribution of seminal plasma to the spRNA population is also discussed. Furthermore, we discussed the significance of rare non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in spermatogenic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijayalaxmi Sahoo
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, India
| | - Ratan K Choudhary
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Paramajeet Sharma
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Shanti Choudhary
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, India
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23
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Xu W, Zhang Y, Qin D, Gui Y, Wang S, Du G, Yang F, Li L, Yuan S, Wang M, Wu X. Transcription factor-like 5 is a potential DNA/RNA-binding protein essential for maintaining male fertility in mice. J Cell Sci 2021; 135:273810. [PMID: 34931239 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor-like 5 (TCFL5) is a testis-specific protein that contains the basic helix-loop-helix domain, but the in vivo functions of TCFL5 remain unknown. Herein, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout mice to dissect the function of TCFL5 in mouse testes. Surprisingly, we found that it was difficult to generate homozygous mice with the Tcfl5 deletion since the heterozygous males (Tcfl5+/-) were infertile. We did; however, observe markedly abnormal phenotypes of spermatids and spermatozoa in the testes and epididymides of Tcfl5+/- mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TCFL5 transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated a set of genes participating in male germ cell development via TCFL5 ChIP-DNA and eCLIP-RNA high-throughput sequencing. We also identified a known RBP, FXR1 as an interacting partner of TCFL5 that may coordinate the transition and localization of TCFL5 in the nucleus. Collectively, we herein report for the first time that Tcfl5 is haploinsufficient in vivo and acts as a dual-function protein that mediates DNA and RNA to regulate spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiya Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yiyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Dongdong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Guihua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lufan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222000, China
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
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24
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Talebi-Yazdabadi Z, Jahanbakhsh N, Dormiani K, Forouzanfar M, Lachinani L, Zohrabi D, Tavalaee M, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Assessment of MUSASHI 1 and MUSASHI 2 expression in spermatozoa and testicular tissue. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14187. [PMID: 34309875 DOI: 10.1111/and.14187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
MUSASHI (MSI) family plays the main role in the spermatogenesis process. The purpose of this study was the assessment of sperm MSI1 and MSI2, and sperm functional tests in infertile men (n = 30) with varicocele and fertile men (n = 30). Furthermore, MSI1 and MSI2 proteins were assessed in testicular tissue of azoospermic men (n = 9) as well as epididymal spermatozoa and testis of mice. Expression of MSI1 and MSI2 was assessed at RNA and protein levels in human spermatozoa. Sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower, while abnormal sperm morphology, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were significantly higher in men with varicocele compared to fertile individuals. Any significant difference was not observed in the expression of MSI1 and MSI2 mRNA between the two groups. Unlike MSI1 protein that was not detectable in humans, the relative expression of MSI2 protein was similar in varicocele and fertile individuals. The expression level of both Msi1 and Msi2 proteins was also observable in mouse spermatozoa. No significant relationship was observed between sperm functional parameters with expression of these genes. The data of this study demonstrated that although MSI1 and MSI2 play important roles during spermatogenesis, their relative expression in spermatozoa was not affected by varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Talebi-Yazdabadi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,ACECR Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Neda Jahanbakhsh
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, NourDanesh Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kianoush Dormiani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Forouzanfar
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Liana Lachinani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Dina Zohrabi
- ACECR Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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25
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Wang C, Luo X, Qin H, Zhao C, Yang L, Yu T, Zhang Y, Huang X, Xu X, Qin Q, Liu S. Formation of autotriploid Carassius auratus and its fertility-related genes analysis. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:435. [PMID: 34107878 PMCID: PMC8191051 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07753-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Formation of triploid organism is useful in genetics and breeding. In this study, autotriploid Carassius auratus (3nRR, 3n = 150) was generated from Carassius auratus red var. (RCC, 2n = 100) (♀) and autotetraploid Carassius auratus (4nRR, 4n = 200) (♂). The female 3nRR produced haploid, diploid and triploid eggs, whereas the male 3nRR was infertile. The aim of the present study was to explore fertility of potential candidate genes of 3nRR. Results Gonadal transcriptome profiling of four groups (3 females RCC (FRCC), 3 males 4nRR (M4nRR), 3 males 3nRR (M3nRR) and 3 females 3nRR (F3nRR)) was performed using RNA-SEq. A total of 78.90 Gb of clean short reads and 24,262 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs), including 20,155 in F3nRR vs. FRCC and 4,107 in M3nRR vs. M4nRR were identified. A total of 106 enriched pathways were identified through KEGG enrichment analysis. Out of the enriched pathways, 44 and 62 signalling pathways were identified in F3nRR vs. FRCC and M3nRR vs. M4nRR, respectively. A total of 80 and 25 potential candidate genes for fertility-related in F3nRR and M3nRR were identified, respectively, through GO, KEGG analyses and the published literature. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction of these fertility-associated genes were performed. Analysis of the PPI networks showed that 6 hub genes (MYC, SOX2, BMP4, GATA4, PTEN and BMP2) were involved in female fertility of F3nRR, and 2 hub genes (TP53 and FGF2) were involved in male sterility of M3nRR. Conclusions Establishment of autotriploid fish offers an ideal model to study reproductive traits of triploid fish. RNA-Seq data revealed 6 genes, namely, MYC, SOX2, BMP4, GATA4, PTEN and BMP2, involved in the female fertility of the F3nRR. Moreover, 2 genes, namely, TP53 and FGF2, were related to the male sterility of the M3nRR. These findings provide information on reproduction and breeding in triploid fish. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07753-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xidan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinbo Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Engineering Research Center of Polyploid Fish Reproduction and Breeding of the State Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, 410081, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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Ke S, Zhang R, He Y, Mu H, Sun F, Liu W, Li J, Song X. Human adenylate kinase 6 regulates WNK1 (with no lysine kinase-1) phosphorylation states and affects ion homeostasis in NT2 cells. Exp Cell Res 2021; 402:112565. [PMID: 33744230 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Adenylate kinase 6 (AK6), a nucleus localized phosphotransferase in mammalians, shows ubiquitously expression and broad substrate activity in different tissues and cell types. Although the function of AK6 has been extensively studied in different cancer cell lines, its role in mammalian germline is still unknown. Here we showed that knockdown of AK6 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis in human testicular carcinoma (NT2 cells). Co-immunoprecipitation experiment and in vitro pull down assay identified WNK1 (with no lysine kinase-1) as one of the AK6 interacting proteins in NT2 cells. Moreover, we found that AK6 regulates the phosphorylation states of WNK1 (Thr60) and affects phosphorylation level of Akt (Ser473) upon hypotonic condition, probably affecting chloride channel and regulating ion transport and homeostasis in NT2 cells and consequently contributing to the decreased cell proliferation rate. In conclusion, AK6 regulates WNK1 phosphorylation states and affects ion homeostasis in NT2 cells. These findings provide new insights into the function of AK6 and WNK1 in human testicular carcinoma. This work also provides foundation for further mechanism study of AK6 in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Ke
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Yaohui He
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Huawei Mu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China
| | - Wen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Jianyuan Li
- Yu Huang Ding Medical Research Centre, Yan Tai University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Song
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
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Barbu MG, Thompson DC, Suciu N, Voinea SC, Cretoiu D, Predescu DV. The Roles of MicroRNAs in Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062910. [PMID: 33805594 PMCID: PMC7998158 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs applications were vastly studied throughout the years, spanning from potential cancer biomarkers to targeted therapies for various diseases. Out of these utilizations, this paper focuses on their role in male infertility. Approximately 10–15% of worldwide couples are affected by infertility. Out of these, 50% are due to male determinants. The majority of cases still have an undetermined cause. Previous studies have found that the aberrant expression of microRNAs could be linked to certain reproductive dysfunctions in males. Further on, this study looked into the most recent literature published on this subject in order to assess the connection between the up-/down-regulation of various microRNAs and the roles they play in male infertility. MicroRNAs were found to be abundant and stable in the seminal liquid, which led to a facile identification using regular RNA detection methods. It was observed that the concentration of microRNAs in semen was modified in the case of patients suffering from asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. Moreover, idiopathic male infertility was associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism of the microRNA binding site. Future studies should focus their attention on discovering future treatments against male infertility targeting specific microRNAs and also on developing new and improved contraceptive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Gabriela Barbu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dana Claudia Thompson
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Suciu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Polizu Clinical Hospital, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Silviu Cristian Voinea
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Dragos Cretoiu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Cell, Molecular Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Valentin Predescu
- Department of General Surgery, Sf. Maria Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 011172 Bucharest, Romania;
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Brym P, Wasilewska-Sakowska K, Mogielnicka-Brzozowska M, Mańkowska A, Paukszto Ł, Pareek CS, Kordan W, Kondracki S, Fraser L. Gene promoter polymorphisms in boar spermatozoa differing in freezability. Theriogenology 2021; 166:112-123. [PMID: 33735665 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of genes could affect their expression levels. This is a follow-up study aimed to identify polymorphic variants in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of genes expressed in boar spermatozoa, and to predict the interactions of such variants with transcription factors (TFs) on the gene promoter activity, using bioinformatics. Five and six boars were classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively) according to post-thaw (PT) assessment of sperm motility and membrane integrity characteristics. The 5'-flanking region sequences of the 14 genes (FOS, NFATC3, EAF2, FGF-14, BAMBI, RAB33B, CKS2, LARS2, SLC25A16, ACADM, CPT2, CCT3, DTD2 and CCDC85A) were PCR amplified and analyzed by Sanger sequencing method. A total of 32 polymorphic variants were identified in the 5'-flanking regions of the genes, including 4 insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms, and 8 unknown (novel) SNPs. Multiple sequence alignment analysis revealed a 26-bp indel variant in the 5'-flanking region of the LARS2 gene, which showed greater protein expression in spermatozoa from boars of the PSF group. It was found that 17 polymorphic variants, observed in the differentially expressed (DE) genes, showed significant allele frequency differences between the GSF and PSF groups. Polymorphic variants in the 5'-flanking regulatory regions of the genes contributed to the decrease or increase in the binding affinity for different testis-specific TFs, such as SMAD1, NF-1, FOXMI, RXRA, STAT4 and C/EBPβ. This study provides more insights into the mechanisms responsible for variations in transcriptional activity in promoters of genes expressed in boar spermatozoa. The allelic variants are promising genetic markers for predicting the freezability of boar spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Brym
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | | | - Marzena Mogielnicka-Brzozowska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Mańkowska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Chandra S Pareek
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Władysław Kordan
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Stanisław Kondracki
- Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, 08-110, Siedlce, Poland
| | - Leyland Fraser
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
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Li JY, Ying YY, Qian YL, Chen JP, Huang Y, Liu J, Lv PP, Liu YF, Hu XL, Schilit SLP, Sheng JZ, Huang HF, Zhang D. BNC1 Promotes Spermatogenesis by Regulating Transcription of Ybx2 and Papolb via Direct Binding to Their Promotor Elements. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:785-793. [PMID: 33211273 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00342-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BNC1 is a transcription factor that is crucial for spermatogenesis and male fertility, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To study BNC1's specific role in spermatogenesis, we characterized a previously developed mouse model carrying a truncating mutation in Bnc1 (termed Bnc1+/tr for heterozygotes and Bnc1tr/tr for homozygotes) and found that the mutation decreased BNC1 protein levels and resulted in germ cell loss by apoptosis. Given that loss of functional Bnc1 is known to result in decreased expression of the spermatogenesis genes Ybx2 and Papolb, we aimed to explore whether and how BNC1 promotes transcription of Ybx2 and Papolb to mediate its role in spermatogenesis. We confirmed significant reduction in YBX2 and PAPOLB protein levels in testis tissue from Bnc1+/tr and Bnc1tr/tr males compared with wild-type mice (Bnc1+/+). Consistently, knockdown of Bnc1 led to downregulation of Ybx2 and Papolb in CRL-2196 cells in vitro. To investigate if BNC1 directly induces Ybx2 and Papolb gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation using mouse testicular tissue and luciferase reporter assays in HEK293 cells were used to identify functional binding of BNC1 to the Ybx2 and Papolb promoters at defined BNC1 binding sites. Taken together, this study reveals a mechanism for BNC1's role in spermatogenesis by directly binding to BNC1 binding elements in the promoter regions of both Ybx2 and Papolb and inducing transcription of these important spermatogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yun Ying
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Li Qian
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Peng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping-Ping Lv
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ling Hu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Samantha L P Schilit
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Mass General Brigham Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jian-Zhong Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pathology & Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Feng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
- International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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30
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Martins MC, Gonçalves LM, Nonato A, Nassif Travençolo BA, Alves BG, Beletti ME. Sperm head morphometry and chromatin condensation are in constant change at seminiferous tubules, epididymis, and ductus deferens in bulls. Theriogenology 2020; 161:200-209. [PMID: 33340753 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm head morphometry and chromatin condensation at different regions of the reproductive tract in bulls. Sperm smears of seminiferous tubules (ST), epididymis head (EH), body (EB), and tail (ET), and ductus deferens (DD) were stained with toluidine blue. Afterwards, the sperm head morphometry and chromatin alteration types were evaluated by a computational image analysis. Overall, spermatozoa of ST had lower (P < 0.05) area (A), perimeter (P), width (W), length (L), ellipticity (E), and Fourier harmonics (F0, F1, and F2). The chromatin decondensation (CD) and heterogeneity (CH) were higher (P < 0.05) in the ST region and decreased (P < 0.0001) during the migration along the reproductive tract (ST - DD direction). Considering the factors extracted (Factors 1 and 2) by the principal component analysis, the parameters A, P, W, L, and F0 were responsible for ∼36% of the Factor 1, while the E, F0, F1, and anterior-posterior symmetry (APS) contributed ∼27% to Factor 2. Both, CD and CH were associated with Factor 1 in the EH and ET regions and Factor 2 in the ST. Also, a well-defined difference between sperm heads collected from the ST and DD regions was observed by canonical analysis. The distribution of each chromatin alteration type was recorded. The proportion of normal sperm was lower (P < 0.05) in ST compared to other regions. Moreover, the chromatin influenced the morphometry and sperm heads with whole chromatin alteration type showed a smaller (P < 0.05) A, P, W, L, and E. In summary, the epididymal maturation is important for chromatin compaction and final morphometry of the sperm head. Also, the identification and quantification of the sperm chromatin condensation in different regions of reproductive tract can be used as potential biomarkers to predict the fertility in bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Melo Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Amanda Nonato
- Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Benner Geraldo Alves
- Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Federal University of Goiás, Jataí, GO, Brazil
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Meyberg R, Perroud PF, Haas FB, Schneider L, Heimerl T, Renzaglia KS, Rensing SA. Characterisation of evolutionarily conserved key players affecting eukaryotic flagellar motility and fertility using a moss model. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:440-454. [PMID: 32064607 PMCID: PMC8224819 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Defects in flagella/cilia are often associated with infertility and disease. Motile male gametes (sperm cells) are an ancestral eukaryotic trait that has been lost in several lineages like flowering plants. Here, we made use of a phenotypic male fertility difference between two moss (Physcomitrella patens) ecotypes to explore spermatozoid function. We compare genetic and epigenetic variation as well as expression profiles between the Gransden and Reute ecotype to identify a set of candidate genes associated with moss male infertility. We generated a loss-of-function mutant of a coiled-coil domain containing 39 (ccdc39) gene that is part of the flagellar hydin network. Defects in mammal and algal homologues of this gene coincide with a loss of fertility, demonstrating the evolutionary conservation of flagellar function related to male fertility across kingdoms. The Ppccdc39 mutant resembles the Gransden phenotype in terms of male fertility. Potentially, several somatic (epi-)mutations occurred during prolonged vegetative propagation of Gransden, causing regulatory differences of for example the homeodomain transcription factor BELL1. Probably these somatic changes are causative for the observed male fertility defect. We propose that moss spermatozoids might be employed as an easily accessible system to study male infertility of humans and animals in terms of flagellar structure and movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Meyberg
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Pierre-François Perroud
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Fabian B. Haas
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lucas Schneider
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Karen S. Renzaglia
- Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Mail Code 6509, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Stefan A. Rensing
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Cito G, Coccia ME, Salvianti F, Fucci R, Picone R, Giachini C, Cocci A, Falcone P, Micelli E, Verrienti P, Minervini A, Carini M, Pinzani P, Natali A. Blood plasma miR-20a-5p expression as a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility: A pilot study. Andrology 2020; 8:1256-1264. [PMID: 32406197 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, alterations in miRNAs expression profile in semen have been linked to damaged spermatogenesis, suggesting miRNAs could be used as potential infertility biomarkers. In previous animal studies, miR-20a-5p was found to be down-expressed in low motile spermatozoa, implying its potential target of genes associated with cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE To investigate miR-20a-5p expression in blood plasma of patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), compared to normozoospermic controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2018 and December 2019, from 52 infertile couples eligible for the study, 24 couples were finally enrolled in this monocentric observational prospective pilot study. Patients were included into two groups: Group 1 comprised men with NOA (n = 14) and Group 2 fertile men partners of women with female tubal factor infertility (n = 10). All NOA patients underwent testicular sperm extraction. The expression of circulating miR-20a-5p in plasma samples was assessed by RT-qPCR. A relative quantification strategy was adopted using the 2-ΔCq method to calculate the target miR-20a-5p expression with respect to miR-16-5p as endogenous control. RESULTS Median blood plasma miR-20a-5p was significantly higher in patients affected by NOA (0.16 2-ΔCt , range: 0.05-0.79 2-ΔCt ) than in fertile controls (0.06 2-ΔCt , range: 0.04-0.10 2-ΔCt ), P < .001. MiR-20a-5p was positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rrho = -0.490, P = .015) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (rrho = -0.462, P = .023), and negatively correlated with serum total testosterone (TT) (rrho = -0.534, P = .007) and right and left testicular size (rrho = -0.473, P = .020 and rrho = -0.471, P = .020, respectively). Successful sperm retrieval (SR) rate was 50.0%. Median value of miR-20a-5p did not differ significantly among patients with successful SR and those with negative SR. Testicular histological examination showed: hypospermatogenesis in 6/14 (42.8%), maturation arrest in 4/14 (28.6%), sertoli cell-only syndrome in 4/14 (28.6%). No significant differences in miR-20a-5p were found between histopathological patterns (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS MiR-20a-5p could represent a novel non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmartin Cito
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Coccia
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Salvianti
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rossella Fucci
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Picone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Giachini
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Cocci
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Falcone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Micelli
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Verrienti
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Minervini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Carini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pamela Pinzani
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Natali
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Begik O, Lucas MC, Liu H, Ramirez JM, Mattick JS, Novoa EM. Integrative analyses of the RNA modification machinery reveal tissue- and cancer-specific signatures. Genome Biol 2020; 21:97. [PMID: 32375858 PMCID: PMC7204298 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02009-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA modifications play central roles in cellular fate and differentiation. However, the machinery responsible for placing, removing, and recognizing more than 170 RNA modifications remains largely uncharacterized and poorly annotated, and we currently lack integrative studies that identify which RNA modification-related proteins (RMPs) may be dysregulated in each cancer type. RESULTS Here, we perform a comprehensive annotation and evolutionary analysis of human RMPs, as well as an integrative analysis of their expression patterns across 32 tissues, 10 species, and 13,358 paired tumor-normal human samples. Our analysis reveals an unanticipated heterogeneity of RMP expression patterns across mammalian tissues, with a vast proportion of duplicated enzymes displaying testis-specific expression, suggesting a key role for RNA modifications in sperm formation and possibly intergenerational inheritance. We uncover many RMPs that are dysregulated in various types of cancer, and whose expression levels are predictive of cancer progression. Surprisingly, we find that several commonly studied RNA modification enzymes such as METTL3 or FTO are not significantly upregulated in most cancer types, whereas several less-characterized RMPs, such as LAGE3 and HENMT1, are dysregulated in many cancers. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses reveal an unanticipated heterogeneity in the expression patterns of RMPs across mammalian tissues and uncover a large proportion of dysregulated RMPs in multiple cancer types. We provide novel targets for future cancer research studies targeting the human epitranscriptome, as well as foundations to understand cell type-specific behaviors that are orchestrated by RNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oguzhan Begik
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- UNSW, Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Morghan C Lucas
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Huanle Liu
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Ramirez
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - John S Mattick
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- UNSW, Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Eva Maria Novoa
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- UNSW, Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
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34
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Sahlu BW, Zhao S, Wang X, Umer S, Zou H, Huang J, Zhu H. Long noncoding RNAs: new insights in modulating mammalian spermatogenesis. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2020; 11:16. [PMID: 32128162 PMCID: PMC7047388 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiating developmental process in which undifferentiated spermatogonial germ cells differentiate into spermatocytes, spermatids, and finally, to mature spermatozoa. This multistage developmental process of spermatogenesis involves the expression of many male germ cell-specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and highly regulated and specific gene expression. LncRNAs are a recently discovered large class of noncoding cellular transcripts that are still relatively unexplored. Only a few of them have post-meiotic; however, lncRNAs are involved in many cellular biological processes. The expression of lncRNAs is biologically relevant in the highly dynamic and complex program of spermatogenesis and has become a research focus in recent genome studies. This review considers the important roles and novel regulatory functions whereby lncRNAs modulate mammalian spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahlibi Weldegebriall Sahlu
- 1Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People's Republic of China.,Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle Agricultural Research Center, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Shanjiang Zhao
- 1Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuge Wang
- 3Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250131 People's Republic of China
| | - Saqib Umer
- 1Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People's Republic of China
| | - Huiying Zou
- 1Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People's Republic of China
| | - Jinming Huang
- 3Dairy Cattle Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250131 People's Republic of China
| | - Huabin Zhu
- 1Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People's Republic of China
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Lu C, Yang M, Rossi RM, Wang A, Feitosa WB, Diaz FJ, Liu WS. Deletion of the mouse X-linked Prame gene causes germ cell reduction in spermatogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:666-679. [PMID: 32017313 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is cancer/testis antigen and a transcriptional repressor, inhibiting the signaling of retinoic acid through the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) for promoting cell proliferation and preventing cell apoptosis in cancer cells. The role of PRAME in testis and germline is unknown. We report here the generation and characterization of an X-linked Prame conditional knockout (cKO) mouse. Although fertile, the testis size (p < .01) and sperm count (p < .05) of the Prame cKO mice were significantly reduced by 12% at 4 months of age compared with the Prame floxed mice. Histological, immunofluorescence with germ cell-specific markers and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analyses of testis cross-sections at postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, P21, P35, P120, and P365 indicated a significant increase in apoptotic germ cells at P7 and P14 and an increase in abnormal seminiferous tubules at P21 and P35. Germ cells were gradually lost resulting in two different phenotypes in the Prame cKO testes: Sertoli-cell-only for some of the affected tubules in young mice (at P35) and germ cell arrest at spermatogonia stage for other affected tubules in mature mice. Both phenotypes were a consequence of disruption in RAR signaling pathway by the depletion of Prame at a different time point during the first and subsequent rounds of spermatogenesis. The results suggest that Prame plays a minor, but important role in spermatogenesis and different paralogs in the Prame gene family may be functionally and partially redundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Lu
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingyao Yang
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Randall M Rossi
- Transgenic Mouse Facility, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Aihua Wang
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Weber B Feitosa
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Francisco J Diaz
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Wan-Sheng Liu
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health (CRBH), College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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36
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Li W, Tan H, Liu J, Hu J, Cui J, Wang S, Liu Q, Hu F, Ren L, Tao M, Zhao R, Yang C, Qin Q, Liu S. Comparative analysis of testis transcriptomes associated with male infertility in triploid cyprinid fish. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:248-260. [PMID: 30086823 DOI: 10.1071/rd18034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis involves a series of cellular transformations and thousands of regulated genes. Previously, we showed that the triploid fish (3nBY) cannot produce mature spermatozoa. In the present study, evaluation of the testis microstructure revealed that germ cells of 3nBY could develop into round spermatids, but then degenerated, resulting in male infertility. In this study we comparatively analysed the testis transcriptomes from 3nBY and its diploid parent YB and identified a series of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were enriched in the Wnt signalling pathway and the apoptotic and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis processes in 3nBY. Gene ontology functional analyses revealed that some DEGs in 3nBY were directly associated with the process of gamete generation, development and sperm flagellum assembly. In addition, the expression of a number of genes related to meiosis (Inhibitor Of DNA Binding 2 (ID2), Ovo Like Transcriptional Repressor 1 (OVOL1)), mitochondria (ATP1b (ATPase Na+/K+ Transporting Subunit Beta 1), ATP2a (ATPase, Ca++ Transporting, Cardiac Muscle, Slow Twitch 2), ATP5a (ATP Synthase F1 Subunit Alpha), Mitochondrially Encoded Cytochrome C Oxidase I (COX1), NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 (ND4)) and chromatin structure (Histone 1 (H1), Histone 2a (H2A), Histone 2b (H2B), Histone 3 (H3), Histone 4 (H4)) was lower in the testes of 3nBY, whereas the expression of genes encoding ubiquitin (Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzymes (UBEs), Ring Finger Proteins (RNFs)) and apoptosis (CASPs (Caspase 3, Caspase 7,Caspase 8), BCLs (B-Cell Lymphoma 3, B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2, B Cell CLL/Lymphoma 10)) proteins involved in spermatid degeneration was higher. These data suggest that the disrupted expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis and the increased expression of mitochondrial ubiquitin, which initiates cell apoptosis, may result in spermatid degeneration in male 3nBY. This study provides information regarding the potential molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying male infertility in polyploid fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuhui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Hui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Junmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jie Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jialin Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Shi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Qingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Fangzhou Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Li Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Rurong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Conghui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Qinbo Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
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Sun J, Niu L, Gao S, Yi X, Chen J. miR-509-5p Downregulation Is Associated With Male Infertility And Acts As A Suppressor In Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Cells Through Targeting MDM2. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10515-10522. [PMID: 31819532 PMCID: PMC6897070 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s215998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked with male infertility. miR-509-5p is highly expressed in testis and exerts suppressive effects on multiple types of human cancers. Objectives Yet, whether miR-509-5p is connected with male infertility and plays a role in testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) have not been explored. Materials and methods This study detected miR-509-5p expression in germ cells from MA patients, and further characterize its functional roles in the proliferation and apoptosis of TGCT cells in vitro. Results We report that miR-509-5p is downregulated in germ cells from infertile men with maturation arrest (MA), which implies an inverse association between miR-509-5p level and male infertility. In addition, miR-509-5p suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of TGCT cells in vitro, suggesting that it exhibits tumor-suppressive effects on TGCT. Mechanistically, miR-509-5p targets the mouse double minute 2 (MDM2), an oncogenic factor in TGCT, and moreover, restored expression of MDM2 rescues miR-509-5p suppressive effects on TGCT cells, demonstrating that miR-509-5p suppresses TGCT cells through targeting MDM2. Conclusion Collectively, these results implicate that miR-509-5p may participate in the pathogenesis of male infertility and TGCT through regulating proliferation and apoptosis, two critical cellular activities for spermatogenesis and TGCT tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276400, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Niu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276400, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanxia Gao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276400, People's Republic of China
| | - Xijuan Yi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276400, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxia Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276400, People's Republic of China
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38
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Suliman Y, Becker F, Wimmers K. Implication of transcriptome profiling of spermatozoa for stallion fertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019. [PMID: 29534788 DOI: 10.1071/rd17188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor fertility of breeding stallions is a recognised problem in the equine industry. The aim of the present study was to detect molecular pathways using two groups of stallions that differed in pregnancy rates as well as in the proportion of normal and motile spermatozoa. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa of each stallion and microarray data were analysed to obtain a list of genes for which transcript abundance differed between the groups (P ≤0.05, fold change ≥1.2). In all, there were 437 differentially expressed (DE) genes between the two groups (P ≤ 0.05, fold change ≥1.2). Next, the DE genes were analysed using Database for Annotation, Visualisation, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Finally, ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA) was used to identify top biological functions and significant canonical pathways associated with the DE genes. Analysis using the DAVID database showed significant enrichment in the gene ontology (GO) term 'RNA binding' (P=0.05) and in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (P=0.02). Furthermore, IPA analysis showed interconnected biological functions and canonical pathways involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and male fertility. In addition, significantly enriched metabolic pathways were identified. In conclusion, the present study has identified, for the first time, molecular processes in stallion spermatozoa that could be associated with stallion fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Suliman
- Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhem-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
| | - Frank Becker
- Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhem-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
| | - Klaus Wimmers
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
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Donnio LM, Miquel C, Vermeulen W, Giglia-Mari G, Mari PO. Cell-type specific concentration regulation of the basal transcription factor TFIIH in XPB y/y mice model. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:237. [PMID: 31516394 PMCID: PMC6734240 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The basal transcription/repair factor TFIIH is a ten sub-unit complex essential for RNA polymerase II (RNAP2) transcription initiation and DNA repair. In both these processes TFIIH acts as a DNA helix opener, required for promoter escape of RNAP2 in transcription initiation, and to set the stage for strand incision within the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Methods We used a knock-in mouse model that we generated and that endogenously expresses a fluorescent version of XPB (XPB-YFP). Using different microscopy, cellular biology and biochemistry approaches we quantified the steady state levels of this protein in different cells, and cells imbedded in tissues. Results Here we demonstrate, via confocal imaging of ex vivo tissues and cells derived from this mouse model, that TFIIH steady state levels are tightly regulated at the single cell level, thus keeping nuclear TFIIH concentrations remarkably constant in a cell type dependent manner. Moreover, we show that individual cellular TFIIH levels are proportional to the speed of mRNA production, hence to a cell’s transcriptional activity, which we can correlate to proliferation status. Importantly, cancer tissue presents a higher TFIIH than normal healthy tissues. Conclusion This study shows that TFIIH cellular concentration can be used as a bona-fide quantitative marker of transcriptional activity and cellular proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise-Marie Donnio
- 1Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), CNRS, UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 LYON, France
| | - Catherine Miquel
- 2Pathology Department, Saint-Louis Hospital, Université de Paris, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Wim Vermeulen
- 3Department of Genetics, Erasmus MC, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppina Giglia-Mari
- 1Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), CNRS, UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 LYON, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Mari
- 1Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), CNRS, UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 LYON, France
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40
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Li Y, Qi W, Liu G, Du B, Sun Q, Zhang X, Jin M, Dong W, Liu J, Zheng Z. Sohlh1 is required for synaptonemal complex formation by transcriptionally regulating meiotic genes during spermatogenesis in mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:252-264. [PMID: 30614095 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Gonad-specific transcription factor spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (SOHLH1) plays a key role in the transcriptional regulation of the expression of differentiating spermatogonial genes. However, its role in spermatocytes (meiotic male germ cells) remains largely unknown. In this study, Sohlh1 knockout (KO) male mice displayed meiotic defects at the zygotene stage during spermatogenesis. Microarray analyses identified 66 upregulated genes and 139 downregulated genes in Sohlh1 KO testes compared with those in wild-type testes at postnatal Day 7.5. Among many of the downregulated genes, Sycp1 and Sycp3, which encode synaptonemal complex proteins 1 and 3 (SYCP1 and SYCP3), respectively, were significantly reduced in Sohlh1 knockout mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no formation of the synaptonemal complex in Sohlh1 KO spermatocytes. Luciferase reporter and chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that SOHLH1 enhanced the expression of the Sycp1 and Sycp3 genes by binding the -1276, -708, and -94 basepairs (bp) E-boxes upstream of the Sycp1 promoter and the -64 and -43 bp E-boxes upstream of the Sycp3 promoter. Our data suggest that SOHLH1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of many target genes critical for the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjing Qi
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Gongqing Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Department of Police Dog Technology, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Police Dog Technical School of the Ministry of Public Security of P.R. China, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Du
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiyu Jin
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanwei Dong
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal Research, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal Research, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal Research, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
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He Y, Lin Y, Zhu Y, Ping P, Wang G, Sun F. Murine PAIP1 stimulates translation of spermiogenic mRNAs stored by YBX2 via its interaction with YBX2†. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:561-572. [PMID: 30295753 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yue He
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200030 Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Lin
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200030 Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200030 Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ping
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200030 Shanghai, China
| | - Guishuan Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 226021 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200030 Shanghai, China
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42
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Romer KA, de Rooij DG, Kojima ML, Page DC. Isolating mitotic and meiotic germ cells from male mice by developmental synchronization, staging, and sorting. Dev Biol 2018; 443:19-34. [PMID: 30149006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.08.009] [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: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Isolating discrete populations of germ cells from the mouse testis is challenging, because the adult testis contains germ cells at every step of spermatogenesis, in addition to somatic cells. We present a novel method for isolating precise, high-purity populations of male germ cells. We first synchronize germ cell development in vivo by manipulating retinoic acid metabolism, and perform histological staging to verify synchronization. We use fluorescence-activated cell sorting to separate the synchronized differentiating germ cells from contaminating somatic cells and undifferentiated spermatogonia. We achieve ~90% purity at each step of development from undifferentiated spermatogonia through late meiotic prophase. Utilizing this "3 S" method (synchronize, stage, and sort), we can separate germ cell types that were previously challenging or impossible to distinguish, with sufficient yield for epigenetic and biochemical studies. 3 S expands the toolkit of germ cell sorting methods, and should facilitate detailed characterization of molecular and biochemical changes that occur during the mitotic and meiotic phases of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Romer
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Computational and Systems Biology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mina L Kojima
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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43
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Bai S, Fu K, Yin H, Cui Y, Yue Q, Li W, Cheng L, Tan H, Liu X, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Xie J, He W, Wang Y, Feng H, Xin C, Zhang J, Lin M, Shen B, Sun Z, Guo X, Zheng K, Ye L. Sox30 initiates transcription of haploid genes during late meiosis and spermiogenesis in mouse testes. Development 2018; 145:dev.164855. [PMID: 29866902 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors of the Sox protein family contain a DNA-binding HMG box and are key regulators of progenitor cell fate. Here, we report that expression of Sox30 is restricted to meiotic spermatocytes and postmeiotic haploids. Sox30 mutant males are sterile owing to spermiogenic arrest at the early round spermatid stage. Specifically, in the absence of Sox30, proacrosomic vesicles fail to form a single acrosomal organelle, and spermatids arrest at step 2-3. Although most Sox30 mutant spermatocytes progress through meiosis, accumulation of diplotene spermatocytes indicates a delayed or impaired transition from meiotic to postmeiotic stages. Transcriptome analysis of isolated stage-specific spermatogenic cells reveals that Sox30 controls a core postmeiotic gene expression program that initiates as early as the late meiotic cell stage. ChIP-seq analysis shows that Sox30 binds to specific DNA sequences in mouse testes, and its genomic occupancy correlates positively with expression of many postmeiotic genes including Tnp1, Hils1, Ccdc54 and Tsks These results define Sox30 as a crucial transcription factor that controls the transition from a late meiotic to a postmeiotic gene expression program and subsequent round spermatid development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiqiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiqi Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Le Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanhuan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxiu He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Feng
- Omics Core of Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Changpeng Xin
- Omics Core of Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyan Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
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44
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Lecluze E, Jégou B, Rolland AD, Chalmel F. New transcriptomic tools to understand testis development and functions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 468:47-59. [PMID: 29501799 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The testis plays a central role in the male reproductive system - secreting several hormones including male steroids and producing male gametes. A complex and coordinated molecular program is required for the proper differentiation of testicular cell types and maintenance of their functions in adulthood. The testicular transcriptome displays the highest levels of complexity and specificity across all tissues in a wide range of species. Many studies have used high-throughput sequencing technologies to define the molecular dynamics and regulatory networks in the testis as well as to identify novel genes or gene isoforms expressed in this organ. This review intends to highlight the complementarity of these transcriptomic studies and to show how the use of different sequencing protocols contribute to improve our global understanding of testicular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Lecluze
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Antoine D Rolland
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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45
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Souza ET, Silva CV, Travençolo BAN, Alves BG, Beletti ME. Sperm chromatin alterations in fertile and subfertile bulls. Reprod Biol 2018; 18:177-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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46
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Ozturk S, Uysal F. Potential roles of the poly(A)-binding proteins in translational regulation during spermatogenesis. J Reprod Dev 2018; 64:289-296. [PMID: 29780056 PMCID: PMC6105736 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2018-026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is briefly defined as the production of mature spermatozoa from spermatogonial stem cells at the end of a strictly regulated process. It is well known that, to a large
extent, transcriptional activity ceases at mid-spermiogenesis. Several mRNAs transcribed during early stages of spermatogenesis are stored as ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). During the later
stages, translational control of these mRNAs is mainly carried out in a time dependent-manner by poly(A)-binding proteins (PABPs) in cooperation with other RNA-binding proteins and
translation-related factors. Conserved PABPs specifically bind to poly(A) tails at the 3′ ends of mRNAs to regulate their translational activity in spermatogenic cells. Studies in this field
have revealed that PABPs, particularly poly(A)-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (Pabpc1), Pabpc2, and the embryonic poly(A)-binding protein (Epab), play roles in the translational regulation of
mRNAs required at later stages of spermatogenesis. In this review article, we evaluated the spatial and temporal expression patterns and potential functions of these PABPs in spermatogenic
cells during spermatogenesis. The probable relationship between alterations in PABP expression and the development of male infertility is also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Fatma Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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47
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Zhang X, Yu S, Yang Q, Wang K, Zhang S, Pan C, Yan H, Dang R, Lei C, Chen H, Lan X. Goat Boule: Isoforms identification, mRNA expression in testis and functional study and promoter methylation profiles. Theriogenology 2018; 116:53-63. [PMID: 29778921 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
A conserved gene in meiosis, the Boule gene is involved in meiosis and spermatogenesis. The deletion of this gene in males blocks meiosis and results in infertility. Alternative splicing variants of the Boule gene have been identified in humans, bovines, and bats, but in dairy goats remains unknown. This study was therefore to detect splicing variants of the goat Boule gene and explore their potential roles in meiosis. Three isoforms, denoted as Boule-a, Boule-b, and Boule-c, were identified in the testes of goats using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and cloning sequencing. Compared to the normal Boule gene, Boule-a was found to lack exons 7 and 8, which corresponds to a predicted variant, X4, on the NCBI database. Boule-b lacked exon 8, and Boule-c only retained exons 1 and 2. Of these three variants, two were novel isoforms of the Boule gene. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the Boule-a and Boule-b expression patterns were significantly different between the adult goat testes and the postnatal testes of 42 and 56 days. Overexpression of Boule-a and Boule-c in GC-1 spg cells of model mice significantly repressed CDC2 expression. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) results showed that the promoter region of the Boule gene was hypermethylated in goat testes. A negative correlation between the methylation levels of the Boule gene promoter and total mRNA expression of its transcripts was found. Our data showed alternative splicing and promoter methylation in the goat Boule gene, suggesting that this gene may play an important role in the regulation of Boule expression and in meiosis processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China.
| | - Shuai Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Qing Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Ke Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Sihuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Chuanying Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Hailong Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin University, Yulin 719000, China
| | - Ruihua Dang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China.
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1700108J01Rik and 1700101O22Rik are mouse testis-specific long non-coding RNAs. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 149:517-527. [PMID: 29411102 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1642-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs; > 200 nucleotides in length) have attracted attention as fine-tuners of gene expression. However, little is known about the cell- and stage-specific expression pattern and function of lncRNAs in spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify mouse testis-associated lncRNAs using a combination of computational and experimental approaches. We first used the FANTOM5 database to survey lncRNA expression in the mouse testis and performed reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses. In silico analysis showed that most of the highly expressed lncRNAs in the adult mouse testis were testis-specific lncRNAs and were expressed at and following the initiation of spermatogenesis. We selected the antisense lncRNA 1700108J01Rik and long intergenic non-coding RNA 1700101O22Rik from the most highly expressed lncRNAs in the adult testis for further analysis. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that 1700108J01Rik and 1700101O22Rik were specifically expressed in the testis. ISH analysis revealed that the two mouse-testis-specific lncRNAs were expressed exclusively in testicular germ cells in meiotic prophase and the round spermatid stage, which coincide with the period of transcriptional reactivation during spermatogenesis. The cytoplasmic distribution of these lncRNAs revealed by ISH suggests their involvement in post-transcriptional gene regulation rather than in epigenetic or transcriptional regulation. Our data provide new insight into testis-associated lncRNAs that will be useful in expression and functional studies of spermatogenesis.
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49
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Quan G, Li J. Circular RNAs: biogenesis, expression and their potential roles in reproduction. J Ovarian Res 2018; 11:9. [PMID: 29343298 PMCID: PMC5773157 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0381-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike other non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), circular RNA (circRNA) is generally presented as a covalently linked circle lacking both a 5' cap and a 3' tail. circRNAs were thought to be spliced intermediates, byproducts, or products of abnormal RNA splicing events. However, the high-throughput sequencing technology coupled with bioinformatics has recently uncovered thousands of endogenous circRNAs in cells of many different species. These circRNAs show various features, such as abundant expression, evolutionary conservation, cell- or tissue-specific expression, and a higher resistance to degradation caused by exonuclease or ribonuclease (RNase), suggesting their potentially biological significance. However, the function of these circRNAs, their mechanism of action, and the regulation of their biogenesis and degradation remains largely unclear. The current research and findings of circRNA in the context of reproduction will be reviewed. Additionally, the perspectives of circRNAs in the field will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobo Quan
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong county, Kunming, Yunnan province 650224 China
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Building #70, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Julang Li
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Building #70, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Canada
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong province China
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50
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Esrp1 is a marker of mouse fetal germ cells and differentially expressed during spermatogenesis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190925. [PMID: 29324788 PMCID: PMC5764326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ESRP1 regulates alternative splicing, producing multiple transcripts from its target genes in epithelial tissues. It is upregulated during mesenchymal to epithelial transition associated with reprogramming of fibroblasts to iPS cells and has been linked to pluripotency. Mouse fetal germ cells are the founders of the adult gonadal lineages and we found that Esrp1 mRNA was expressed in both male and female germ cells but not in gonadal somatic cells at various stages of gonadal development (E12.5-E15.5). In the postnatal testis, Esrp1 mRNA was highly expressed in isolated cell preparations enriched for spermatogonia but expressed at lower levels in those enriched for pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Co-labelling experiments with PLZF and c-KIT showed that ESRP1 was localized to nuclei of both Type A and B spermatogonia in a speckled pattern, but was not detected in SOX9+ somatic Sertoli cells. No co-localization with the nuclear speckle marker, SC35, which has been associated with post-transcriptional splicing, was observed, suggesting that ESRP1 may be associated with co-transcriptional splicing or have other functions. RNA interference mediated knockdown of Esrp1 expression in the seminoma-derived Tcam-2 cell line demonstrated that ESRP1 regulates alternative splicing of mRNAs in a non-epithelial cell germ cell tumour cell line.
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