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Castro-Arnau J, Chauvigné F, Gómez-Garrido J, Esteve-Codina A, Dabad M, Alioto T, Finn RN, Cerdà J. Developmental RNA-Seq transcriptomics of haploid germ cells and spermatozoa uncovers novel pathways associated with teleost spermiogenesis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14162. [PMID: 35986060 PMCID: PMC9391476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18422-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn non-mammalian vertebrates, the molecular mechanisms involved in the transformation of haploid germ cells (HGCs) into spermatozoa (spermiogenesis) are largely unknown. Here, we investigated this process in the marine teleost gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) through the examination of the changes in the transcriptome between cell-sorted HGCs and ejaculated sperm (SPZEJ). Samples were collected under strict quality controls employing immunofluorescence microscopy as well as by determining the sperm motion kinematic parameters by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Deep sequencing by RNA-seq identified a total of 7286 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (p-value < 0.01) between both cell types, of which nearly half were upregulated in SPZEJ compared to HCGs. In addition, approximately 9000 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were found, of which 56% were accumulated or emerged de novo in SPZEJ. The upregulated transcripts are involved in transcriptional and translational regulation, chromatin and cytoskeleton organization, metabolic processes such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and also include a number of ion and water channels, exchangers, transporters and receptors. Pathway analysis conducted on DEGs identified 37 different signaling pathways enriched in SPZEJ, including 13 receptor pathways, from which the most predominant correspond to the chemokine and cytokine, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor and platelet derived growth factor signaling pathways. Our data provide new insight into the mRNA and lncRNA cargos of teleost spermatozoa and uncover the possible involvement of novel endocrine mechanisms during the differentiation and maturation of spermatozoa.
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Liu Z, Wang C, Ni F, Yang F, Wei H, Li T, Wang J, Wang B. Novel compound heterozygous variants of DNAH17 in a Chinese infertile man with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14553. [PMID: 35932098 DOI: 10.1111/and.14553] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum (MMAF) have been reported to be an important cause of male infertility and reflect a heterogeneous genetic disorder. Previous studies have identified dozens of candidate pathogenic genes for MMAF, but the aetiology in approximately 50% of cases remains unexplained. The present study aimed to identify novel potentially pathogenic gene variants of MMAF. A Chinese family with a 32-year-old infertile proband presenting with MMAF was recruited, and sperm morphology of the patient was examined by Papanicolaou staining. Whole exome sequencing was performed on the proband and Sanger sequencing was used to identify genetic variants in the family. The frequencies of variants were assessed using public databases and the effects on protein structure and function were predicted by online bioinformatics tools. The patient exhibited asthenozoospermia and a MMAF phenotype. Novel compound heterozygous variants (c.5368C > T, p.R1790C and c.13183C > T, p.R4395W) of the DNAH17 gene were identified in the patient, and showed autosomal recessive inheritance in this family. These variants were very rare in the GnomAD database. The two mutated amino acids were located in a highly conserved region of the DNAH17 protein. In silico analysis revealed that the compound heterozygous variants may compromise the function of DNAH17. Our findings expand upon the spectrum of pathogenic DNAH17 variants that are responsible for MMAF, and provide new knowledge for genetic counselling of male infertility due to MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Liu
- Center of Reproductive medicine, Affiliated hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, China.,The Second Children & Women's Healthcare of Jinan City, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Ni
- Medicine Centre, 901st hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenglian Yang
- Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health Industry, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Han Wei
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Tengyan Li
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Junli Wang
- Center of Reproductive medicine, Affiliated hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China.,Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health Industry, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Binbin Wang
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute of Family Planning, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research (NRIFP), Beijing, China
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Zhang R, Wu B, Liu C, Zhang Z, Wang X, Wang L, Xiao S, Chen Y, Wei H, Jiang H, Gao F, Yuan L, Li W. CCDC38 is required for sperm flagellum biogenesis and male fertility in mice. Development 2022; 149:275684. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The sperm flagellum is essential for male fertility, and defects in flagellum biogenesis are associated with male infertility. Deficiency of coiled-coil domain-containing (CCDC) 42 (CCDC42) is specifically associated with malformation of mouse sperm flagella. Here, we find that the testis-specific protein CCDC38 interacts with CCDC42, localizing on the manchette and sperm tail during spermiogenesis. Inactivation of CCDC38 in male mice results in a distorted manchette, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella of spermatozoa and eventually male sterility. Furthermore, we find that CCDC38 interacts with intraflagellar transport protein 88 (IFT88), as well as outer dense fibrous 2 (ODF2), and the knockout of Ccdc38 reduces transport of ODF2 to the flagellum. Altogether, our results uncover the essential role of CCDC38 in sperm flagellum biogenesis, and suggest that some mutations of these genes might be associated with male infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruidan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Peking University Third Hospital 4 Department of Urology , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 5 Department of Andrology , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 6 Department of Reproductive Medicine Center , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 7 Department of Human Sperm Bank , , Beijing 100191 , China
| | - Xiuge Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Liying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
| | - Sai Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Yinghong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Huafang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Peking University Third Hospital 4 Department of Urology , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 5 Department of Andrology , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 6 Department of Reproductive Medicine Center , , Beijing 100191 , China
- Peking University Third Hospital 7 Department of Human Sperm Bank , , Beijing 100191 , China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Li Yuan
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 8 , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Beijing 100101 , China
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University 2 , Guangzhou 510623 , China
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Aitken RJ, Baker MA. The Role of Genetics and Oxidative Stress in the Etiology of Male Infertility-A Unifying Hypothesis? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:581838. [PMID: 33101214 PMCID: PMC7554587 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.581838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of male infertility, very little is known about its etiology. In recent years however, advances in gene sequencing technology have enabled us to identify a large number of rare single point mutations responsible for impeding all aspects of male reproduction from its embryonic origins, through the endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis to germ cell differentiation and sperm function. Such monogenic mutations aside, the most common genetic causes of male infertility are aneuploidies such as Klinefelter syndrome and Y-chromosome mutations which together account for around 20-25% of all cases of non-obstructive azoospermia. Oxidative stress has also emerged as a major cause of male fertility with at least 40% of patients exhibiting some evidence of redox attack, resulting in high levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). The latter is highly mutagenic and may contribute to de novo mutations in our species, 75% of which are known to occur in the male germ line. An examination of 8OHdG lesions in the human sperm genome has revealed ~9,000 genomic regions vulnerable to oxidative attack in spermatozoa. While these oxidized bases are generally spread widely across the genome, a particular region on chromosome 15 appears to be a hot spot for oxidative attack. This locus maps to a genetic location which has linkages to male infertility, cancer, imprinting disorders and a variety of behavioral conditions (autism, bipolar disease, spontaneous schizophrenia) which have been linked to the age of the father at the moment of conception. We present a hypothesis whereby a number of environmental, lifestyle and clinical factors conspire to induce oxidative DNA damage in the male germ line which then triggers the formation de novo mutations which can have a major impact on the health of the offspring including their subsequent fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Robert John Aitken
| | - Mark A. Baker
- Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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