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Li Y, Ran D, Basnet S, Zhang B, Pei H, Dan C, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Lu T, Peng Y, Du C. The expression and clinical significance of CFAP65 in colon cancer. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:222. [PMID: 38992586 PMCID: PMC11238475 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03317-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CFAP65 (cilia and flagella associated protein 65) is a fundamental protein in the development and formation of ciliated flagella, but few studies have focused on its role in cancer. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of CFAP65 in colon cancer. METHODS The functionally enriched genes related to CFAP65 were analyzed through the Gene Ontology (GO) database. Subsequently, CFAP65 expression levels in colon cancer were evaluated by reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunoblotting in 20 pairs of frozen samples, including tumors and their matched paratumor tissue. Furthermore, protein expression of CFAP65 in 189 colon cancer patients were assessed via immunohistochemical staining. The correlations between CFAP65 expression and clinical features as well as long-term survival were statistically analyzed. RESULTS CFAP65-related genes are significantly enriched on cellular processes of cell motility, ion channels, and GTPase-associated signaling. The expression of CFAP65 was significantly higher in colon cancer tissue compared to paratumor tissue. The proportion of high expression and low expression of CFAP65 in the clinical samples of colon cancer were 61.9% and 38.1%, respectively, and its expression level was not associated with the clinical parameters including gender, age, tumor location, histological differentiation, tumor stage, vascular invasion and mismatch repair deficiency. The five-year disease-free survival rate of the patients with CFAP65 low expression tumors was significantly lower than that those with high expression tumors (56.9% vs. 72.6%, P = 0.03), but the overall survival rate has no significant difference (69% vs. 78.6%, P = 0.171). The cox hazard regression analysis model showed that CFAP65 expression, tumor stage and tumor location were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we demonstrate CFAP65 is a potential predictive marker for tumor progression in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunze Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Ran
- Department of Pathology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Digestive Tumor Center, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiva Basnet
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Buzhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Hongjing Pei
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Chenchen Dan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianyu Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Peng
- Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China.
| | - Changzheng Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Unit III & Ostomy Service, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, P.R. China.
- Digestive Tumor Center, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital & Tsinghua University School of Medicine, 168 Litang Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102218, P.R. China.
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Orosz F. The Role of Tubulin Polymerization-Promoting Protein2 (TPPP2) in Spermatogenesis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7017. [PMID: 39000129 PMCID: PMC11241133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tubulin polymerization-promoting protein2 (TPPP2) is one of the three paralogs of mammalian TPPP proteins. Its possible role in spermatogenesis is described in this narrative review. TPPP2 is expressed specifically in the male reproductive system, mainly in testes and sperm, and also in the epididymis. In testes, TPPP2 is exclusively expressed in elongating spermatids; in the epididymis, it is located in the middle piece of the sperm tail. TPPP2 is involved in spermiogenesis, in steps which are determinative for the formation and morphology of spermatids. The inhibition of TPPP2 decreases sperm motility (the curvilinear velocity of sperms), probably due to influencing mitochondrial energy production since TPPP2 knockout mice possess an impaired mitochondrial structure. There are data on the role of TPPP2 in various mammalian species: human, mouse, swine, and various ruminants; there is a significant homology among TPPP2s from different species. Experiments with Tppp2-/--mice show that the absence of TPPP2 results in decreased sperm count and serious dysfunction of sperm, including decreased motility; however, the in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction are not influenced. The symptoms show that Tppp2-/--mice may be considered as a model for oligoasthenozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Orosz
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, HUN-REN, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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Graziani A, Rocca MS, Vinanzi C, Masi G, Grande G, De Toni L, Ferlin A. Genetic Causes of Qualitative Sperm Defects: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:600. [PMID: 38790229 PMCID: PMC11120687 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050600] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Several genes are implicated in spermatogenesis and fertility regulation, and these genes are presently being analysed in clinical practice due to their involvement in male factor infertility (MFI). However, there are still few genetic analyses that are currently recommended for use in clinical practice. In this manuscript, we reviewed the genetic causes of qualitative sperm defects. We distinguished between alterations causing reduced sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) and alterations causing changes in the typical morphology of sperm (teratozoospermia). In detail, the genetic causes of reduced sperm motility may be found in the alteration of genes associated with sperm mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial proteins, ion transport and channels, and flagellar proteins. On the other hand, the genetic causes of changes in typical sperm morphology are related to conditions with a strong genetic basis, such as macrozoospermia, globozoospermia, and acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. We tried to distinguish alterations approved for routine clinical application from those still unsupported by adequate clinical studies. The most important aspect of the study was related to the correct identification of subjects to be tested and the correct application of genetic tests based on clear clinical data. The correct application of available genetic tests in a scenario where reduced sperm motility and changes in sperm morphology have been observed enables the delivery of a defined diagnosis and plays an important role in clinical decision-making. Finally, clarifying the genetic causes of MFI might, in future, contribute to reducing the proportion of so-called idiopathic MFI, which might indeed be defined as a subtype of MFI whose cause has not yet been revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Graziani
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Cinzia Vinanzi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Masi
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (L.D.T.)
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (C.V.); (G.G.)
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Wang Y, Chen J, Huang X, Wu B, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Gene-knockout by iSTOP enables rapid reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1035-1050. [PMID: 38332217 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2408-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine base editing achieves C•G-to-T•A substitutions and can convert four codons (CAA/CAG/CGA/TGG) into STOP-codons (induction of STOP-codons, iSTOP) to knock out genes with reduced mosaicism. iSTOP enables direct phenotyping in founders' somatic cells, but it remains unknown whether this works in founders' germ cells so as to rapidly reveal novel genes for fertility. Here, we initially establish that iSTOP in mouse zygotes enables functional characterization of known genes in founders' germ cells: Cfap43-iSTOP male founders manifest expected sperm features resembling human "multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella" syndrome (i.e., MMAF-like features), while oocytes of Zp3-iSTOP female founders have no zona pellucida. We further illustrate iSTOP's utility for dissecting the functions of unknown genes with Ccdc183, observing MMAF-like features and male infertility in Ccdc183-iSTOP founders, phenotypes concordant with those of Ccdc183-KO offspring. We ultimately establish that CCDC183 is essential for sperm morphogenesis through regulating the assembly of outer dynein arms and participating in the intra-flagellar transport. Our study demonstrates iSTOP as an efficient tool for direct reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation, and rapidly reveals the essentiality of Ccdc183 in fertility, thus providing a time-saving approach for validating genetic defects (like nonsense mutations) for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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Zhao S, Liu Q, Su L, Meng L, Tan C, Wei C, Zhang H, Luo T, Zhang Q, Tan YQ, Tu C, Chen H, Gao X. Identification of novel homozygous asthenoteratospermia-causing ARMC2 mutations associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:1297-1306. [PMID: 38492154 PMCID: PMC11143164 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03087-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the genetic causes of multiple morphological abnormalities in sperm flagella (MMAF) and male infertility in patients from two unrelated Han Chinese families. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was conducted using blood samples from the two individuals with MMAF and male infertility. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy were performed to evaluate sperm morphology. Ultrastructural and immunostaining analyses of the spermatozoa were performed. The HEK293T cells were used to confirm the pathogenicity of the variants. RESULTS We identified two novel homozygous missense ARMC2 variants: c.314C > T: p.P105L and c.2227A > G: p.N743D. Both variants are absent or rare in the human population genome data and are predicted to be deleterious. In vitro experiments indicated that both ARMC2 variants caused a slightly increased protein expression. ARMC2-mutant spermatozoa showed multiple morphological abnormalities (bent, short, coiled, absent, and irregular) in the flagella. In addition, the spermatozoa of the patients revealed a frequent absence of the central pair complex and disrupted axonemal ultrastructure. CONCLUSION We identified two novel ARMC2 variants that caused male infertility and MMAF in Han Chinese patients. These findings expand the mutational spectrum of ARMC2 and provide insights into the complex causes and pathogenesis of MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zhao
- Department of Urology, The First Clinical College of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Lilan Su
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chunjia Wei
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells and Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya and Clinical Research Center For Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.
| | - Houyang Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Xingcheng Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Clinical College of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Long R, Wang M, Zhou J, Mao R, Wang C, Gu L, Chen Y, Jin L, Zhu L. Decreased embryo developmental potential and lower cumulative pregnancy rate in men with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1377780. [PMID: 38745955 PMCID: PMC11091255 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1377780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is characterized by abnormal flagellar phenotypes, which is a particular kind of asthenoteratozoospermia. Previous studies have reported a comparable intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome in terms of fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate in patients with MMAF compared with those with no MMAF; however, others have conflicting opinions. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in individuals with MMAF are still controversial and open to debate. Methods A total of 38 patients with MMAF treated at an academic reproductive center between January 2014 and July 2022 were evaluated in the current retrospective cohort study and followed up until January 2023. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for the baseline clinical characteristics of the patients and to create a comparable control group. The genetic pathogenesis of MMAF was confirmed by whole exome sequencing. The main outcomes were the embryo developmental potential, the cumulative pregnancy rate (CLPR), and the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR). Results Pathogenic variants in known genes of DNAH1, DNAH11, CFAP43, FSIP2, and SPEF2 were identified in patients with MMAF. Laboratory outcomes, including the fertilization rate, 2PN cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst rate, followed a trend of decline in the MMAF group (p < 0.05). Moreover, according to the embryo transfer times and complete cycles, the CLPR in the cohort of MMAF was lower compared with the oligoasthenospermia pool (p = 0.033 and p = 0.020, respectively), while no statistical differences were observed in the neonatal outcomes. Conclusion The current study presented decreased embryo developmental potential and compromised clinical outcomes in the MMAF cohort. These findings may provide clinicians with evidence to support genetic counseling and clinical guidance in specific patients with MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Wang Y, Huang X, Sun G, Chen J, Wu B, Luo J, Tang S, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Coiled-coil domain-containing 38 is required for acrosome biogenesis and fibrous sheath assembly in mice. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:407-418. [PMID: 37709195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.002] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes to form slender sperm flagella and cap-like acrosomes, which are required for successful fertilization. Severe deformities in flagella cause a male infertility syndrome, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), while acrosomal hypoplasia in some cases leads to sub-optimal embryonic developmental potential. However, evidence regarding the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF is limited. Here, we report the generation of base-edited mice knocked out for coiled-coil domain-containing 38 (Ccdc38) via inducing a nonsense mutation and find that the males are infertile. The Ccdc38-KO sperm display acrosomal hypoplasia and typical MMAF phenotypes. We find that the acrosomal membrane is loosely anchored to the nucleus and fibrous sheaths are disorganized in Ccdc38-KO sperm. Further analyses reveal that Ccdc38 knockout causes a decreased level of TEKT3, a protein associated with acrosome biogenesis, in testes and an aberrant distribution of TEKT3 in sperm. We finally show that intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes Ccdc38-related infertility. Our study thus reveals a previously unknown role for CCDC38 in acrosome biogenesis and provides additional evidence for the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guoying Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jiahui Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
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8
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Yi S, Wang W, Su L, Meng L, Li Y, Tan C, Liu Q, Zhang H, Fan L, Lu G, Hu L, Du J, Lin G, Tan YQ, Tu C, Zhang Q. Deleterious variants in X-linked RHOXF1 cause male infertility with oligo- and azoospermia. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae002. [PMID: 38258527 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Oligozoospermia and azoospermia are two common phenotypes of male infertility characterized by massive sperm defects owing to failure of spermatogenesis. The deleterious impact of candidate variants with male infertility is to be explored. In our study, we identified three hemizygous missense variants (c.388G>A: p.V130M, c.272C>T: p.A91V, and c.467C>T: p.A156V) and one hemizygous nonsense variant (c.478C>T: p.R160X) in the Rhox homeobox family member 1 gene (RHOXF1) in four unrelated cases from a cohort of 1201 infertile Chinese men with oligo- and azoospermia using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. RHOXF1 was absent in the testicular biopsy of one patient (c.388G>A: p.V130M) whose histological analysis showed a phenotype of Sertoli cell-only syndrome. In vitro experiments indicated that RHOXF1 mutations significantly reduced the content of RHOXF1 protein in HEK293T cells. Specifically, the p.V130M, p.A156V, and p.R160X mutants of RHOXF1 also led to increased RHOXF1 accumulation in cytoplasmic particles. Luciferase assays revealed that p.V130M and p.R160X mutants may disrupt downstream spermatogenesis by perturbing the regulation of doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) promoter activity. Furthermore, ICSI treatment could be beneficial in the context of oligozoospermia caused by RHOXF1 mutations. In conclusion, our findings collectively identified mutated RHOXF1 to be a disease-causing X-linked gene in human oligo- and azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibing Yi
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center for Biology Post-Doctoral studies, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lilan Su
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liqing Fan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center for Biology Post-Doctoral studies, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center for Biology Post-Doctoral studies, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center for Biology Post-Doctoral studies, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center for Biology Post-Doctoral studies, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproduction Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
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9
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Meng GQ, Wang Y, Luo C, Tan YM, Li Y, Tan C, Tu C, Zhang QJ, Hu L, Zhang H, Meng LL, Liu CY, Deng L, Lu GX, Lin G, Du J, Tan YQ, Sha Y, Wang L, He WB. Bi-allelic variants in DNAH3 cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice. Hum Reprod Open 2024; 2024:hoae003. [PMID: 38312775 PMCID: PMC10834362 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are there other pathogenic genes for asthenoteratozoospermia (AT)? SUMMARY ANSWER DNAH3 is a novel candidate gene for AT in humans and mice. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY AT is a major cause of male infertility. Several genes underlying AT have been reported; however, the genetic aetiology remains unknown in a majority of affected men. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION A total of 432 patients with AT were recruited in this study. DNAH3 mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Dnah3 knockout mice were generated using the genome editing tool. The morphology and motility of sperm from Dnah3 knockout mice were investigated. The entire study was conducted over 3 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS WES was performed on 432 infertile patients with AT. In addition, two lines of Dnah3 knockout mice were generated. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunostaining, and computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) were performed to investigate the morphology and motility of the spermatozoa. ICSI was used to overcome the infertility of one patient and of the Dnah3 knockout mice. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE DNAH3 biallelic variants were identified in three patients from three unrelated families. H&E staining revealed various morphological abnormalities in the flagella of sperm from the patients, and TEM and immunostaining further showed the loss of the central pair of microtubules, a dislocated mitochondrial sheath and fibrous sheath, as well as a partial absence of the inner dynein arms. In addition, the two Dnah3 knockout mouse lines demonstrated AT. One patient and the Dnah3 knockout mice showed good treatment outcomes after ICSI. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a preliminary report suggesting that defects in DNAH3 can lead to asthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice. The pathogenic mechanism needs to be further examined in a future study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings show that DNAH3 is a novel candidate gene for AT in humans and mice and provide crucial insights into the biological underpinnings of this disorder. The findings may also be beneficial for counselling affected individuals. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (82201773, 82101961, 82171608, 32322017, 82071697, and 81971447), National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2702604), Scientific Research Foundation of the Health Committee of Hunan Province (B202301039323, B202301039518), Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2023JJ30716), the Medical Innovation Project of Fujian Province (2020-CXB-051), the Science and Technology Project of Fujian Province (2023D017), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M711119), and Guilin technology project for people's benefit (20180106-4-7). The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Quan Meng
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yaling 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, China
| | - Chen Luo
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu-Mei Tan
- GuangDong Provincial Fertility Hospital (GuangDong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Li
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qian-Jun Zhang
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Hu
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lan-Lan Meng
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chun-Yu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leiyu Deng
- Reproductive Center of No.924 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Guilin, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Du
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 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, China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Genetic Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells & Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Genetic Department, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya & Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Lu Y, Ran L, Liu S, Wang J, Li T, Li H, Wang B. The compound heterozygous mutations of CFAP65 cause multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella in infertile men. QJM 2023; 116:1020-1022. [PMID: 37672023 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Y Lu
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng, Beijing 100730, China
| | - L Ran
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 9 Dongdan Santiao, Dongcheng, Beijing 100730, China
| | - S Liu
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 9 Dongdan Santiao, Dongcheng, Beijing 100730, China
| | - J Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, No. 10 right outside the Western headlines, Fengtai, Beijing 100069, China
| | - T Li
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
| | - H Li
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng, Beijing 100730, China
| | - B Wang
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 9 Dongdan Santiao, Dongcheng, Beijing 100730, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research (NRIFP), 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
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Jin HJ, Ruan T, Dai S, Geng XY, Yang Y, Shen Y, Chen SR. Identification of CFAP52 as a novel diagnostic target of male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development. eLife 2023; 12:RP92769. [PMID: 38126872 PMCID: PMC10735225 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a worldwide population health concern. Asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. No evidence indicates the relevance of CFAP52 mutations to human male infertility. Our whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations in CFAP52 recessively cosegregating with male infertility status in a non-consanguineous Chinese family. Spermatozoa of CFAP52-mutant patient mainly exhibited abnormal head-tail connection and deformed flagella. Cfap52-knockout mice resembled the human infertile phenotype, showing a mixed acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) phenotype. The ultrastructural analyses further revealed a failure of connecting piece formation and a serious disorder of '9+2' axoneme structure. CFAP52 interacts with a head-tail coupling regulator SPATA6 and is essential for its stability. Expression of microtubule inner proteins and radial spoke proteins were reduced after the CFAP52 deficiency. Moreover, CFAP52-associated male infertility in humans and mice could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study reveals a prominent role for CFAP52 in sperm development, suggesting that CFAP52 might be a novel diagnostic target for male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tiechao Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xin-Yan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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12
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Huang F, Zeng J, Liu D, Zhang J, Liang B, Gao J, Yan R, Shi X, Chen J, Song W, Huang HL. A novel frameshift mutation in DNAH6 associated with male infertility and asthenoteratozoospermia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1122004. [PMID: 37424858 PMCID: PMC10324608 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1122004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Asthenoteratozoospermia is one of the most common causes of male infertility. Several genes have been identified as genetic causative factors, but there is a considerable genetic heterogeneity underlying asthenoteratozoospermia. In this study, we performed a genetic analysis of two brothers from a consanguineous Uighur family in China to identify gene mutations causative for asthenoteratozoospermia-related male infertility. Methods Two related patients with asthenoteratozoospermia from a large consanguineous family were sequenced by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing to identify disease-causing genes. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed ultrastructural abnormalities of spermatozoa. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis were used to assess the expression of the mutant messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. Results A novel homozygous frameshift mutation (c.2823dupT, p.Val942Cysfs*21) in DNAH6 was identified in both affected individuals and was predicted to be pathogenic. Papanicolaou staining and electron microscopy revealed multiple morphological and ultrastructural abnormalities of affected spermatozoa. qRT-PCR and IF analysis showed abnormal expression of DNAH6 in affected sperm, probably due to premature termination code and decay of abnormal 3' untranslated region (UTR) region of mRNA. Furthermore, intracytoplasmic sperm injection could achieve successful fertilization in infertile men with DNAH6 mutations. Discussion The novel frameshift mutation identified in DNAH6 may contribute to asthenoteratozoospermia. These findings expand the spectrum of genetic mutations and phenotypes associated with asthenoteratozoospermia and may be useful for genetic and reproductive counseling in male infertility.
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Meng L, Liu Q, Tan C, Xu X, He W, Hu T, Tu C, Li Y, Du J, Zhang Q, Lu G, Fan LQ, Lin G, Nie H, Zhang H, Tan YQ. Novel homozygous variants in TTC12 cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia owing to dynein arm complex and mitochondrial sheath defects in flagella. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1184331. [PMID: 37325566 PMCID: PMC10267457 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1184331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Tracing the genetic causes for male infertility due to asthenoteratozoospermia has revealed at least 40 causative genes, which provides valuable reference for the genetic testing of asthenoteratozoospermia in clinical practice. To identify deleterious variants in the human tetratricopeptide repeat domain 12 (TTC12) gene in a large cohort of infertile Chinese males with asthenoteratozoospermia. Methods: A total of 314 unrelated asthenoteratozoospermia-affected men were recruited for whole exome sequencing. The effects of the identified variants were evaluated by in silico analysis, and confirmed by in vitro experiments. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used to evaluate the efficiency of assisted reproduction technique therapy. Results and Discussion: Novel homozygous TTC12 variants (c.1467_1467delG (p.Asp490Thrfs*14), c.1139_1139delA (p.His380Profs*4), and c.1117G>A (p.Gly373Arg)) were identified in three (0.96%) of the 314 cases. Three mutants were indicated to be damaging using in silico prediction tools, and were further confirmed by in vitro functional analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and ultrastructural observation of the spermatozoa revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of flagella, with the absence of outer and inner dynein arms. Notably, significant mitochondrial sheath malformations were also observed in the sperm flagella. Immunostaining assays indicated that TTC12 is present throughout the flagella, and was strongly concentrated in the mid-piece in control spermatozoa. However, spermatozoa from TTC12-mutated individuals exhibited almost no staining intensity of TTC12 and outer and inner dynein arms components. The three men accepted ICSI treatment using their ejaculated spermatozoa, and two female partners successfully delivered healthy babies. Our findings provide direct genetic evidence that homozygous variants in TTC12 cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia by causing dynein arm complex defects and mitochondrial sheath malformations in the flagellar. We also demonstrated that TTC12 deficiency-mediated infertility could be overcome by ICSI technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Meng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Tan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xilin Xu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenbin He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tongyao Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Du
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li-Qing Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ge Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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14
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Wu B, Li R, Ma S, Ma Y, Fan L, Gong C, Liu C, Sun L, Yuan L. The cilia and flagella associated protein CFAP52 orchestrated with CFAP45 is required for sperm motility in mice. J Biol Chem 2023:104858. [PMID: 37236356 PMCID: PMC10319328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia characterized by decreased sperm motility is a major cause of male infertility, but the majority of their etiology remains unknown. Here, we showed that the cilia and flagella associated protein 52 (Cfap52) gene was predominantly expressed in testis and its deletion in a Cfap52 knockout mouse model resulted in decreased sperm motility and male infertility. Cfap52 knockout also led to the disorganization of midpiece-principal piece junction of the sperm tail, but had no effect on the axoneme ultrastructure in spermatozoa. Furthermore, we found that CFAP52 interacted with the cilia and flagella associated protein 45 (CFAP45), and knockout of Cfap52 decreased the expression level of CFAP45 in sperm flagellum, which further disrupted the microtubule sliding produced by dynein ATPase. Together, our studies demonstrate that CFAP52 plays an essential role in sperm motility by interacting with CFAP45 in sperm flagellum, providing insights into the potential pathogenesis of the infertility of the human CFAP52 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Wu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rachel Li
- Beijing Academy International Division, Beijing, 100018, China
| | - Shuang Ma
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanjie Ma
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lijun Fan
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, Metabolism, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Chunxiu Gong
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, Metabolism, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Li Yuan
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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15
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Cao H, Xu H, Zhou Y, Xu W, Lu Q, Jiang L, Rong Y, Zhang Q, Yu C. BBOF1 is required for sperm motility and male fertility by stabilizing the flagellar axoneme in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:152. [PMID: 37198331 PMCID: PMC11072524 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04800-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The sperm flagellum is a specialized type of motile cilium composed of a typical "9 + 2" axonemal structure with peri-axonemal structures, such as outer dense fibers (ODFs). This flagellar arrangement is crucial for sperm movement and fertilization. However, the association of axonemal integrity with ODFs remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that mouse BBOF1 could interact with both MNS1, an axonemal component, and ODF2, an ODF protein, and is required for sperm flagellar axoneme maintenance and male fertility. BBOF1 is expressed exclusively in male germ cells from the pachytene stage onwards and is detected in sperm axoneme fraction. Spermatozoa derived from Bbof1-knockout mice exhibit a normal morphology, however, reduced motility due to the absence of certain microtubule doublets, resulting in the failure to fertilize mature oocytes. Furthermore, BBOF1 is found to interact with ODF2 and MNS1 and is also required for their stability. Our findings in mice suggest that Bbof1 could also be essential for human sperm motility and male fertility, thus is a novel potential candidate gene for asthenozoospermia diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Haomang Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yiqing Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qinglin Lu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Road, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Lingying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yan Rong
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qianting Zhang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Road, Haining, 314400, China.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Chao Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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16
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He J, Su L, Wang W, Li Y, Meng L, Tan C, Lin G, Tan YQ, Zhang Q, Tu C. C9orf131 and C10orf120 are not essential for male fertility in humans or mice. Dev Biol 2023; 497:11-17. [PMID: 36871790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 7% of childbearing couples and is a major health issue. Although nearly 50% idiopathic infertile men are assumed to have a genetic basis, the underlying causes remain largely unknown in most infertility cases. Here, we report two rare homozygous variants in two previously uncharacterized genes, C9orf131 and C10orf120, identified in two unrelated men with asthenozoospermia. Both genes were predominantly expressed in the testes. Furthermore, C9orf131 and C10orf120 knockout mice were successfully generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. However, both C9orf131-/- and C10orf120-/- adult male mice were fertile, with testis-to-body weight ratios comparable to those of wild-type mice. No overt differences were found between wild-type, C9orf131-/-, and C10orf120-/- mice regarding testicular/epididymal tissue morphology, sperm count, sperm motility, or sperm morphology. Moreover, TUNEL assays indicated that the number of apoptotic germ cells in testes was not significantly different between the three groups. In summary, these findings suggest that C9orf131 and C10orf120 are redundant genes in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin He
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lilan Su
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China.
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China.
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17
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Zheng R, Wang Y, Li Y, Guo J, Wen Y, Jiang C, Yang Y, Shen Y. FSIP2 plays a role in the acrosome development during spermiogenesis. J Med Genet 2023; 60:254-264. [PMID: 35654582 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss-of-function mutations in FSIP2 result in multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella in humans and mice. Intriguingly, a recent study found that FSIP2 might regulate the expression of acrosomal proteins, indicating that Fsip2 might be involved in acrosome development in mice. However, whether FSIP2 also function in acrosome biogenesis in humans is largely unknown, and the underlying mechanism of which is unexplored. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to reveal potential function of FSIP2 in regulating sperm acrosome formation. METHODS We performed whole exome sequencing on four asthenoteratozoospermic patients. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to assess the protein expression of FSIP2. Proteomics approach, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation were implemented to clarify the molecules in acrosome biogenesis regulated by FSIP2. RESULTS Biallelic FSIP2 variants were identified in four asthenoteratozoospermic individuals. The protein expression of MUT-FSIP2 was sharply decreased or absent in vitro or in vivo. Interestingly, aside from the sperm flagellar defects, the acrosomal hypoplasia was detected in numerous sperm from the four patients. FSIP2 co-localised with peanut agglutinin in the acrosome during spermatogenesis. Moreover, FSIP2 interacted with proteins (DPY19L2, SPACA1, HSP90B1, KIAA1210, HSPA2 and CLTC) involved in acrosome biogenesis. In addition, spermatozoa from patients carrying FSIP2 mutations showed downregulated expression of DPY19L2, ZPBP, SPACA1, CCDC62, CCIN, SPINK2 and CSNK2A2. CONCLUSION Our findings unveil that FSIP2 might involve in sperm acrosome development, and consequently, its mutations might contribute to globozoospermia or acrosomal aplasia. We meanwhile first uncover the potential molecular mechanism of FSIP2 regulating acrosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- 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, Sichuan, China
| | - Yaqian Li
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juncen Guo
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Wen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 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, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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18
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Hu T, Meng L, Tan C, Luo C, He WB, Tu C, Zhang H, Du J, Nie H, Lu GX, Lin G, Tan YQ. Biallelic CFAP61 variants cause male infertility in humans and mice with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. J Med Genet 2023; 60:144-153. [PMID: 35387802 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic causes for most male infertility due to severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To identify the genetic cause of male infertility characterised by OAT. METHODS Variant screening was performed by whole-exome sequencing from 325 infertile patients with OAT and 392 fertile individuals. In silico and in vitro analyses were performed to evaluate the impacts of candidate disease-causing variants. A knockout mouse model was generated to confirm the candidate disease-causing gene, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used to evaluate the efficiency of clinical treatment. RESULTS We identified biallelic CFAP61 variants (NM_015585.4: c.1654C>T (p.R552C) and c.2911G>A (p.D971N), c.144-2A>G and c.1666G>A (p.G556R)) in two (0.62%) of the 325 OAT-affected men. In silico bioinformatics analysis predicted that all four variants were deleterious, and in vitro functional analysis confirmed the deleterious effects of the mutants. Notably, H&E staining and electron microscopy analyses of the spermatozoa revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella, the absence of central pair microtubules and mitochondrial sheath malformation in sperm flagella from man with CFAP61 variants. Further immunofluorescence assays revealed markedly reduced CFAP61 staining in the sperm flagella. In addition, Cfap61-deficient mice showed the OAT phenotype, suggesting that loss of function of CFAP61 was the cause of OAT. Two individuals accepted ICSI therapy using their own ejaculated sperm, and one of them succeeded in fathering a healthy baby. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that CFAP61 is essential for spermatogenesis and that biallelic CFAP61 variants lead to male infertility in humans and mice with OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyao Hu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Luo
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science,Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China .,Genetic Center, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,NHC key laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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19
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New Mutations in DNHD1 Cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032559. [PMID: 36768883 PMCID: PMC9916431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a common and complex disease and presents as a wide range of heterogeneous phenotypes. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum (MMAF) phenotype is a peculiar condition of extreme morphological sperm defects characterized by a mosaic of sperm flagellum defects to a total asthenozoospermia. At this time, about 40 genes were associated with the MMAF phenotype. However, mutation prevalence for most genes remains individually low and about half of individuals remain without diagnosis, encouraging us to pursue the effort to identify new mutations and genes. In the present study, an a cohort of 167 MMAF patients was analyzed using whole-exome sequencing, and we identified three unrelated patients with new pathogenic mutations in DNHD1, a new gene recently associated with MMAF. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that DNHD1 was totally absent from sperm cells from DNHD1 patients, supporting the deleterious effect of the identified mutations. Transmission electron microscopy reveals severe flagellum abnormalities of sperm cells from one mutated patient, which appeared completely disorganized with the absence of the central pair and midpiece defects with a shortened and misshapen mitochondrial sheath. Immunostaining of IFT20 was not altered in mutated patients, suggesting that IFT may be not affected by DNHD1 mutations. Our data confirmed the importance of DNHD1 for the function and structural integrity of the sperm flagellum. Overall, this study definitively consolidated its involvement in MMAF phenotype on a second independent cohort and enriched the mutational spectrum of the DNHD1 gene.
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20
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Li Y, Li Y, Wang Y, Meng L, Tan C, Du J, Tan YQ, Nie H, Zhang Q, Lu G, Lin G, Li H, Zhang H, Tu C. Identification of novel biallelic LRRC6 variants in male Chinese patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia and infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:41-51. [PMID: 36515799 PMCID: PMC9840726 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02681-z] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to identify the genetic cause of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and male infertility in two unrelated Han Chinese families. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing in two unrelated male Han Chinese patients suffering from infertility and PCD to identify the pathogenic variants. Ultrastructural and immunostaining analyses of patient's spermatozoa were performed to characterize the effect of the variants. The pathogenicity of the variants was validated using patient's spermatozoa by western blotting and immunostaining analysis. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was conducted in the affected families. RESULTS Three variants in leucine-rich repeat containing 6 (LRRC6) [patient 1(compound heterozygote): NM_012472: c.538C > T, (p.R180*) and c.64dupT, (p.S22Ffs*19); patient 2 (homozygote): c.863C > A, (p.P288H)] were identified in two unrelated patients with PCD and male infertility. These variants were predicated deleterious and were absent or rare in human population genome data. LRRC6-mutant spermatozoa showed a highly aberrant morphology and ultrastructure with lacked inner and outer dynein arms. The LRRC6 protein was present along the normal sperm flagella, and was significantly decreased in the mutated spermatozoa. Interestingly, both patients were able to conceive through ICSI and birthed a healthy baby. CONCLUSION Our results extend the LRRC6 variant spectrum and provide reproductive guidance to families suffering from PCD-linked infertility caused by LRRC6 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Li
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Hunan Guangxiu Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Huanzhu Li
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410008, China.
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21
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Lv M, Tang D, Yu H, Geng H, Zhou Y, Shao Z, Li K, Gao Y, Guo S, Xu C, Tan Q, Liu C, Guo R, Wu H, Duan Z, Zhang J, Wang G, Hua R, Fu F, Wang K, Xu Y, Zhou P, Wei Z, Zhang F, Cao Y, He X. Novel FSIP2 Variants Induce Super-Length Mitochondrial Sheath and Asthenoteratozoospermia in Humans. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:393-411. [PMID: 36632462 PMCID: PMC9830513 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratozoospermia is one of the major factors for male infertility, whereas the causes of large numbers of cases are still unknown. We identified compound heterozygous variants of FSIP2 in three unrelated individuals from a cohort of 105 patients with asthenoteratozoospermia by exome sequencing. Deleterious FSIP2 variations caused severe disassembly of the fibrous sheath and axonemal defects. Intriguingly, spermatozoa in our study manifested "super-length" mitochondrial sheaths, increased levels of the mitochondrial sheath outer membrane protein TOMM20 and decreased mitochondrial ATP consumption. Dislocation or deletion of the annulus and reduction or dislocation of the annulus protein SEPT4 were also observed. While the lengthened mitochondrial sheaths were not presented in men harboring SEPT4 variants. Furthermore, female partners of two of three men achieved successful pregnancies following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Overall, we presume that FSIP2 may not only serve as a structural protein of the fibrous sheath but also as an intra-flagellar transporter involving in the axonemal assembly, mitochondrial selection and the termination of mitochondrial sheath extension during spermatogenesis, and ICSI is an effective treatment for individuals with FSIP2-associated asthenoteratozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang 236112, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yiling Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Zhongmei Shao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang 236112, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yang Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Senchao Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qing Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Rui Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zongliu Duan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Guanxiong Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rong Hua
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Feifei Fu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Xiaojin He, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Yunxia Cao, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Feng Zhang, PhD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China. E-mail:
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Xiaojin He, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Yunxia Cao, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Feng Zhang, PhD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China. E-mail:
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei 230032, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Xiaojin He, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Yunxia Cao, MD, PhD, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China. E-mail: ; Feng Zhang, PhD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China. E-mail:
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22
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Wang J, Wang W, Shen L, Zheng A, Meng Q, Li H, Yang S. Clinical detection, diagnosis and treatment of morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella: A review of literature. Front Genet 2022; 13:1034951. [PMID: 36425067 PMCID: PMC9679630 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1034951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm carries male genetic information, and flagella help move the sperm to reach oocytes. When the ultrastructure of the flagella is abnormal, the sperm is unable to reach the oocyte and achieve insemination. Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF) is a relatively rare idiopathic condition that is mainly characterized by multiple defects in sperm flagella. In the last decade, with the development of high-throughput DNA sequencing approaches, many genes have been revealed to be related to MMAF. However, the differences in sperm phenotypes and reproductive outcomes in many cases are attributed to different pathogenic genes or different pathogenic mutations in the same gene. Here, we will review information about the various phenotypes resulting from different pathogenic genes, including sperm ultrastructure and encoding proteins with their location and functions as well as assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. We will share our clinical detection and diagnosis experience to provide additional clinical views and broaden the understanding of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shenmin Yang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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23
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Lv JL, Wu QJ, Wang XB, Du Q, Liu FH, Guo RH, Leng X, Pan BC, Zhao YH. Intake of ultra-processed foods and asthenozoospermia odds: A hospital-based case-control study. Front Nutr 2022; 9:941745. [PMID: 36337657 PMCID: PMC9630735 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.941745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased rapidly in recent years. Evidence has suggested that UPFs has adverse effects on several health outcomes. This study aimed to first evaluate the association between the intake of UPFs and asthenozoospermia odds. Methods A hospital-based case-control study including 549 cases and 581 controls was performed in the infertility clinics of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from June 2020 to December 2020. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Food items were categorized by the NOVA classification system based on the degree of processing. Semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Results The highest tertile of UPFs intake (% of total energy intake) was positively associated with the odds of asthenozoospermia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.10; P for trend < 0.05), compared with the lowest tertile. Similar patterns were also found in subgroup analyses among participants with age ≥32 years (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.40), BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.22), ever cigarette smoking (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.79), and ever alcohol drinking (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.72), and in sensitivity analyses by using absolute amount (g/day) to calculate the intake of UPFs. Conclusion Higher consumption of UPFs was positively associated with the odds of asthenozoospermia. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Le Lv
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Du
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ren-Hao Guo
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xu Leng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo-Chen Pan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo-Chen Pan
| | - Yu-Hong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Yu-Hong Zhao
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24
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Wu X, Zhou L, Shi J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Multiomics analysis of male infertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:118-134. [PMID: 35639635 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8-12% of couples globally, and the male factor is a primary cause in approximately 50% of couples. Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder, which can be caused by paracrine and autocrine factors, hormones, genes, and epigenetic changes. Recent studies in rodents and most notably in humans using multiomics approach have yielded important insights into understanding the biology of spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility are still largely unknown. In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated findings based on the use of advanced technologies to compare normal and obstructive azoospermia (OA) versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men, including whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), whole exome sequencing (WES), and ATAC-seq. It is obvious that the multiomics approach is the method of choice for basic research and clinical studies including clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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25
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Patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella caused by a novel ARMC2 mutation has a favorable pregnancy outcome from intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1673-1681. [PMID: 35543806 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02516-x] [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: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the potential genetic cause in a primary infertility patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF). METHODS The patient's sperm was observed by light and electron microscopy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to identify candidate genes. Then, the mutation found by WES was verified by Sanger sequencing. The proteins interacting with ARMC2 were revealed by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and mass spectrometry. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was carried out to achieve successful pregnancy. RESULTS Typical MMAF phenotype (absent, short, coiled, bent irregular flagella) was shown in the patient's sperm. A novel homozygous mutation in ARMC2 (c.1264C > T) was identified. The proteins interacting with ARMC2 we found were CEP78, PGAM5, RHOA, FXR1, and SKIV2L2. The ICSI therapy was successful, and boy-girl twins were given birth. CONCLUSION We found a novel mutation in ARMC2 which led to MMAF and male infertility. This is the first report of ICSI outcome of patient harboring ARMC2 mutation. The interacting proteins indicated that ARMC2 might be involved in multiple processes of spermatogenesis.
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26
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Wang W, Meng L, He J, Su L, Li Y, Tan C, Xu X, Nie H, Zhang H, Du J, Lu G, Luo M, Lin G, Tu C, Tan YQ. Bi-allelic variants in SHOC1 cause non-obstructive azoospermia with meiosis arrest in humans and mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6575911. [PMID: 35485979 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is pivotal to gametogenesis and fertility. Meiotic recombination is a mandatory process that ensures faithful chromosome segregation and generates genetic diversity in gametes. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) caused by meiotic arrest is a common cause of male infertility and has many genetic origins, including chromosome abnormalities, Y chromosome microdeletion and monogenic mutations. However, the genetic causes of the majority of NOA cases remain to be elucidated. Here, we report our findings of three Shortage in chiasmata 1 (SHOC1) bi-allelic variants in three NOA patients, of which two are homozygous for the same loss-of-function variant (c.231_232del: p. L78Sfs*9), and one is heterozygous for two different missense variants (c.1978G>A: p.A660T; c.4274G>A: p.R1425H). Testicular biopsy of one patient revealed impairment of spermatocyte maturation. Both germ-cell-specific and general Shoc1-knockout mice exhibited similar male infertility phenotypes. Subsequent analysis revealed comprehensive defects in homologous pairing and synapsis along with abnormal expression of DMC1, RAD51 and RPA2 in Shoc1-defective spermatocyte spreads. These findings imply that SHOC1 may have a presynaptic function during meiotic recombination apart from its previously identified role in crossover formation. Overall, our results provide strong evidence for the clinical relevance of SHOC1 mutations in patients with NOA and contribute to a deeper mechanistic understanding of the role of SHOC1 during meiotic recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Jiaxin He
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lilan Su
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xilin Xu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
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27
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Ureña I, González C, Ramón M, Gòdia M, Clop A, Calvo JH, Carabaño MJ, Serrano M. Exploring the ovine sperm transcriptome by RNAseq techniques. I Effect of seasonal conditions on transcripts abundance. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264978. [PMID: 35286314 PMCID: PMC8920283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the cell molecular changes occurring as a results of climatic circumstances is crucial in the current days in which climate change and global warming are one of the most serious challenges that living organisms have to face. Sperm are one of the mammals’ cells most sensitive to heat, therefore evaluating the impact of seasonal changes in terms of its transcriptional activity can contribute to elucidate how these cells cope with heat stress events. We sequenced the total sperm RNA from 64 ejaculates, 28 collected in summer and 36 collected in autumn, from 40 Manchega rams. A highly rich transcriptome (11,896 different transcripts) with 90 protein coding genes that exceed an average number of 5000 counts were found. Comparing transcriptome in the summer and autumn ejaculates, 236 significant differential abundance genes were assessed, most of them (228) downregulated. The main functions that these genes are related to sexual reproduction and negative regulation of protein metabolic processes and kinase activity. Sperm response to heat stress supposes a drastic decrease of the transcriptional activity, and the upregulation of only a few genes related with the basic functions to maintain the organisms’ homeostasis and surviving. Rams’ spermatozoids carry remnant mRNAs which are retrospectively indicators of events occurring along the spermatogenesis process, including abiotic factors such as environmental temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ureña
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen González
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Gòdia
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alex Clop
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jorge H. Calvo
- Unidad de Tecnología en Producción Animal, CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Magdalena Serrano
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Kamel A, Saberiyan M, Mirfakhraie R, Teimori H. Reduced expression of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 may affect sperm motility and morphology. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14447. [PMID: 35470451 DOI: 10.1111/and.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Motility and morphology are two important characteristics of a fertile spermatozoon. CFAP44 gene encodes flagellar protein 44 involved in the formation and function of the flagella and cilia. Long non-coding RNAs are regulatory elements involved in several processes, including reproduction. We aimed to study the alterations in the expressions of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 genes in infertile men with asthenozoospermia and terato-asthenozoospermia. In this case-control study, a total of 105 subjects, including 35 TAZ patients, 34 AZ patients and 35 normozoospermic men, were enrolled. After RNA extraction from spermatozoa samples, quantitative real-time PCR was performed to compare the expression of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 between the studied groups. A meaningful reduction in CFAP44 expression and a significant reduction in the expression of CFAP44-AS1 were observed. Moreover, a positive correlation between both genes' expressions and normal sperm morphology was detected in NZ, AZ and TAZ groups. Also, there was a positive relation between CFAP44 gene expression and sperm motility in AZ and TAZ groups. The expression of CFAP44-AS1 was positively correlated with sperm motility and morphology. Present results confirm the role of CFAP44 and CFAP44-AS1 in the motility and morphology of spermatozoon, and deregulation of these genes may contribute to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Kamel
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Saberiyan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Teimori
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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Zhao H, Sun J, Insinna C, Lu Q, Wang Z, Nagashima K, Stauffer J, Andresson T, Specht S, Perera S, Daar IO, Westlake CJ. Male infertility-associated Ccdc108 regulates multiciliogenesis via the intraflagellar transport machinery. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e52775. [PMID: 35201641 PMCID: PMC8982597 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motile cilia on the cell surface generate movement and directional fluid flow that is crucial for various biological processes. Dysfunction of these cilia causes human diseases such as sinopulmonary disease and infertility. Here, we show that Ccdc108, a protein linked to male infertility, has an evolutionarily conserved requirement in motile multiciliation. Using Xenopus laevis embryos, Ccdc108 is shown to be required for the migration and docking of basal bodies to the apical membrane in epidermal multiciliated cells (MCCs). We demonstrate that Ccdc108 interacts with the IFT‐B complex, and the ciliation requirement for Ift74 overlaps with Ccdc108 in MCCs. Both Ccdc108 and IFT‐B proteins localize to migrating centrioles, basal bodies, and cilia in MCCs. Importantly, Ccdc108 governs the centriolar recruitment of IFT while IFT licenses the targeting of Ccdc108 to the cilium. Moreover, Ccdc108 is required for the centriolar recruitment of Drg1 and activated RhoA, factors that help establish the apical actin network in MCCs. Together, our studies indicate that Ccdc108 and IFT‐B complex components cooperate in multiciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijie Zhao
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jian Sun
- Cancer & Developmental Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Christine Insinna
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Quanlong Lu
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ziqiu Wang
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Kunio Nagashima
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jimmy Stauffer
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Characterization Laboratory (PCL) Mass Spectrometry Center, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Suzanne Specht
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sumeth Perera
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ira O Daar
- Cancer & Developmental Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher J Westlake
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
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Wang X, Yin L, Wen Y, Yuan S. Mitochondrial regulation during male germ cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:91. [PMID: 35072818 PMCID: PMC11072027 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria tailor their morphology to execute their specialized functions in different cell types and/or different environments. During spermatogenesis, mitochondria undergo continuous morphological and distributional changes with germ cell development. Deficiencies in these processes lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal spermatogenesis, thereby causing male infertility. In recent years, mitochondria have attracted considerable attention because of their unique role in the regulation of piRNA biogenesis in male germ cells. In this review, we describe the varied characters of mitochondria and focus on key mitochondrial factors that play pivotal roles in the regulation of spermatogenesis, from primordial germ cells to spermatozoa, especially concerning metabolic shift, stemness and reprogramming, mitochondrial transformation and rearrangement, and mitochondrial defects in human sperm. Further, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lisha Yin
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yujiao Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Laboratory Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Bi-allelic variants in DNHD1 cause flagellar axoneme defects and asthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:157-171. [PMID: 34932939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratozoospermia, defined as reduced sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology, is a disorder with considerable genetic heterogeneity. Although previous studies have identified several asthenoteratozoospermia-associated genes, the etiology remains unknown for the majority of affected men. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing on 497 unrelated men with asthenoteratozoospermia and identified DNHD1 bi-allelic variants from eight families (1.6%). All detected variants were predicted to be deleterious via multiple bioinformatics tools. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed that individuals with bi-allelic DNHD1 variants presented striking abnormalities of the flagella; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further showed flagellar axoneme defects, including central pair microtubule (CP) deficiency and mitochondrial sheath (MS) malformations. In sperm from fertile men, DNHD1 was localized to the entire flagella of the normal sperm; however, it was nearly absent in the flagella of men with bi-allelic DNHD1 variants. Moreover, abundance of the CP markers SPAG6 and SPEF2 was significantly reduced in spermatozoa from men harboring bi-allelic DNHD1 variants. In addition, Dnhd1 knockout male mice (Dnhd1‒/‒) exhibited asthenoteratozoospermia and infertility, a finding consistent with the sperm phenotypes present in human subjects with DNHD1 variants. The female partners of four out of seven men who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection therapy subsequently became pregnant. In conclusion, our study showed that bi-allelic DNHD1 variants cause asthenoteratozoospermia, a finding that provides crucial insights into the biological underpinnings of this disorder and should assist with counseling of affected individuals.
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Khan I, Dil S, Zhang H, Zhang B, Khan T, Zeb A, Zhou J, Nawaz S, Zubair M, Khan K, Ma H, Shi Q. A novel stop-gain mutation in ARMC2 is associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:913-919. [PMID: 34493464 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.07.021] [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: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Male infertility is a global issue worldwide and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is one of the most severe forms of the qualitative sperm defects with a heterogeneous genetic cause that has not been completely understood. Can whole-exome sequencing (WES) reveal novel genetic causes contributing to MMAF in a consanguineous Pakistani family, comprising three infertile brothers? DESIGN WES and bioinformatic analysis were conducted to screen potential pathogenic variants. The identified variant was validated by Sanger sequencing in all available family members Transmission electron microscopy analyses was carried out to examine the flagella ultrastructure of spermatozoa from patient. RESULTS WES and Sanger sequencing identified a novel homozygous stop-gain mutation (ENST00000392644.4, c.182C>G, p.S61X) in ARMC2, which is expected to lead to loss of protein functions. Transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the flagellar ultrastructure of the patient's spermatozoa was disorganized along with a complete absence of central pair complex (CPC), suggesting that ARMC2 is involved in the assembly, stability of the axonemal complex, or both, particularly the CPC. CONCLUSION We report that a familial stop-gain mutation in ARMC2 is associated with male infertility in humans caused by MMAF accompanied with loss of CPCs and axonemal disorganization. We provide genetic evidence that ARMC2 is essential for human spermatogenesis and its mutation may be pathogenic for MMAF. These findings will improve the knowledge about the genetic basis of MMAF and provide information for genetic counselling of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihsan Khan
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Sobia Dil
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Teka Khan
- Bond life sciences Center, University of Missouri 65211, Columbia Missouri, USA
| | - Aurang Zeb
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zubair
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Khalid Khan
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hui Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Qinghua Shi
- First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
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Zhang G, Li D, Tu C, Meng L, Tan Y, Ji Z, Cheng J, Lu G, Lin G, Zhang H, Sun J, Wang M, Du J, Xu W. Loss-of-function missense variant of AKAP4 induced male infertility through reduced interaction with QRICH2 during sperm flagella development. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:219-231. [PMID: 34415320 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm fibrous sheath is closely related to sperm maturation, capacitation and motility, and A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is the most abundant protein in sperm fibrous sheath. Previous studies found incomplete sperm fibrous sheaths and abnormal flagella in Akap4 knockout (KO) mice. Meanwhile, it was reported that the partial deletion in AKAP4 is highly relevant to the dysplasia of the fibrous sheath in an infertile man, and so far, there is no report about male infertility caused by hemizygous AKAP4 variant. Furthermore, the specific mechanisms of how the variant is relevant to the phenotype remain elusive. In this study, we investigated three multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF)-affected men from three independent families (including one consanguine family) carried hemizygous c.C1285T variant in AKAP4. The patients carried thisvariant showed dysplastic sperm fibrous sheath and the protein expression of AKAP4 was decreased in flagella which was further confirmed in HEK-293 T cells in vitro. In addition, the co-localization and interaction between AKAP4 and glutamine-rich protein 2 (QRICH2) on the molecular level were identified by immunofluorescence and Co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP). The hemizygous c.1285C > T variant in AKAP4 induced decreased protein expression of QRICH2 in spermatozoa. These results suggested that the normal expression of AKAP4 is required for maintaining the expression of QRICH2 and the decreased protein expression of AKAP4 and QRICH2,as well as the interaction between them induced by the hemizygous variant of AKAP4 caused dysplastic fibrous sheath, which eventually led to reduced sperm motility and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Yueqiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Zhiliang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jiao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Jinpeng Sun
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Mingwei Wang
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Oud MS, Houston BJ, Volozonoka L, Mastrorosa FK, Holt GS, Alobaidi BKS, deVries PF, Astuti G, Ramos L, Mclachlan RI, O’Bryan MK, Veltman JA, Chemes HE, Sheth H. Exome sequencing reveals variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2597-2611. [PMID: 34089056 PMCID: PMC8373475 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 10 out of 21 patients (48%) and variants in novel candidate genes in seven additional patients (33%). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum that do not affect viability. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 22 genes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We performed exome sequencing in 21 patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n = 9) and one from Australia (n = 12), with clinically defined severe sperm motility disorders (motility <5%) and normal morphology values of 0-4%, were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on light and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm ultrastructural information was not available for the Australian cohort. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE In 10 of 21 patients (48%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm assembly genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), CFAP58 (1 patient), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (55% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel human candidate sperm motility genes: DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In this study, we described patients with either a homozygous or two heterozygous candidate pathogenic variants in genes linked to sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed the frequency of de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not determine the parental origin of the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations are present on both alleles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our results confirm the likely causal role of variants in six known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility disorders (10/21 diagnosed; 48%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed six novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was supported in part by funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1120356) to M.K.O.B., J.A.V. and R.I.M.L., The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (918-15-667) to J.A.V., the Royal Society and Wolfson Foundation (WM160091) to J.A.V., as well as an Investigator Award in Science from the Wellcome Trust (209451) to J.A.V. and Grants from the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 0900 and 4584) and ANPCyT (PICT 9591) to H.E.C. and a UUKi Rutherford Fund Fellowship awarded to B.J.H.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Monash, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - L Volozonoka
- Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - F K Mastrorosa
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - G S Holt
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - B K S Alobaidi
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - P F deVries
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - G Astuti
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - L Ramos
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R I Mclachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M K O’Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Monash, Australia
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - J A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - H E Chemes
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” CEDIE-CONICET-FEI, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - H Sheth
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology, Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, India
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35
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Tu C, Cong J, Zhang Q, He X, Zheng R, Yang X, Gao Y, Wu H, Lv M, Gu Y, Lu S, Liu C, Tian S, Meng L, Wang W, Tan C, Nie H, Li D, Zhang H, Gong F, Hu L, Lu G, Xu W, Lin G, Zhang F, Cao Y, Tan YQ. Bi-allelic mutations of DNAH10 cause primary male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:1466-1477. [PMID: 34237282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF)-induced asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility. Previous studies have identified several MMAF-associated genes, highlighting the condition's genetic heterogeneity. To further define the genetic causes underlying MMAF, we performed whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of 643 Chinese MMAF-affected men. Bi-allelic DNAH10 variants were identified in five individuals with MMAF from four unrelated families. These variants were either rare or absent in public population genome databases and were predicted to be deleterious by multiple bioinformatics tools. Morphological and ultrastructural analyses of the spermatozoa obtained from men harboring bi-allelic DNAH10 variants revealed striking flagellar defects with the absence of inner dynein arms (IDAs). DNAH10 encodes an axonemal IDA heavy chain component that is predominantly expressed in the testes. Immunostaining analysis indicated that DNAH10 localized to the entire sperm flagellum of control spermatozoa. In contrast, spermatozoa from the men harboring bi-allelic DNAH10 variants exhibited an absence or markedly reduced staining intensity of DNAH10 and other IDA components, including DNAH2 and DNAH6. Furthermore, the phenotypes were recapitulated in mouse models lacking Dnah10 or expressing a disease-associated variant, confirming the involvement of DNAH10 in human MMAF. Altogether, our findings in humans and mice demonstrate that DNAH10 is essential for sperm flagellar assembly and that deleterious bi-allelic DNAH10 variants can cause male infertility with MMAF. These findings will provide guidance for genetic counseling and insights into the diagnosis of MMAF-associated asthenoteratozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Jiangshan Cong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yayun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Shuai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Shixiong Tian
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China.
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Wang W, Tian S, Nie H, Tu C, Liu C, Li Y, Li D, Yang X, Meng L, Hu T, Zhang Q, Du J, Fan L, Lu G, Lin G, Zhang F, Tan YQ. CFAP65 is required in the acrosome biogenesis and mitochondrial sheath assembly during spermiogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:2240-2254. [PMID: 34231842 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratospermia is a common cause of male infertility. Recent studies have revealed that CFAP65 mutations lead to severe asthenoteratospermia due to acrosome hypoplasia and flagellum malformations. However, the molecular mechanism underlying CFAP65-associated sperm malformation is largely unclear. Here, we initially examined the role of CFAP65 during spermiogenesis using Cfap65 knockout (Cfap65-/-) mice. The results showed that Cfap65-/- male mice exhibited severe asthenoteratospermia characterized by morphologically defective sperm heads and flagella. In Cfap65-/- mouse testes, hyper-constricted sperm heads were apparent in step 9 spermatids accompanied by abnormal manchette development, and acrosome biogenesis was abnormal in the maturation phase. Moreover, subsequent flagellar elongation was also severely affected and characterized by disrupted assembly of the mitochondrial sheath (MS) in Cfap65-/- male mice. Furthermore, the proteomic analysis revealed that the proteostatic system during acrosome formation, manchette organization, and MS assembly was disrupted when CFAP65 was lost. Importantly, endogenous immunoprecipitation and immunostaining experiments revealed that CFAP65 may form a cytoplasmic protein network comprising MNS1, RSPH1, TPPP2, ZPBP1, and SPACA1. Overall, these findings provide insights into the complex molecular mechanisms of spermiogenesis by uncovering the essential roles of CFAP65 during sperm head shaping, acrosome biogenesis, and MS assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Shixong Tian
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Tongyao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Qianjun Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Liqing Fan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
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37
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Hou Y, Zhao L, Kubo T, Cheng X, McNeill N, Oda T, Witman GB. Chlamydomonas FAP70 is a component of the previously uncharacterized ciliary central apparatus projection C2a. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258540. [PMID: 33988244 PMCID: PMC8272932 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are essential organelles required for cell signaling and motility. Nearly all motile cilia have a '9+2' axoneme composed of nine outer doublet microtubules plus two central microtubules; the central microtubules together with their projections are termed the central apparatus (CA). In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a model organism for studying cilia, 30 proteins are known CA components, and ∼36 more are predicted to be CA proteins. Among the candidate CA proteins is the highly conserved FAP70 (CFAP70 in humans), which also has been reported to be associated with the doublet microtubules. Here, we determined by super-resolution structured illumination microscopy that FAP70 is located exclusively in the CA, and show by cryo-electron microscopy that its N-terminus is located at the base of the C2a projection of the CA. We also found that fap70-1 mutant axonemes lack most of the C2a projection. Mass spectrometry revealed that fap70-1 axonemes lack not only FAP70 but two other conserved candidate CA proteins, FAP65 (CFAP65 in humans) and FAP147 (MYCBPAP in humans). Finally, FAP65 and FAP147 co-immunoprecipitated with HA-tagged FAP70. Taken together, these data identify FAP70, FAP65 and FAP147 as the first defining components of the C2a projection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Hou
- Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, USA
| | - Lei Zhao
- Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, USA
| | - Tomohiro Kubo
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Xi Cheng
- Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, USA
| | - Nathan McNeill
- Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, USA
| | - Toshiyuki Oda
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - George B. Witman
- Division of Cell Biology and Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, USA
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38
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Variants in GCNA, X-linked germ-cell genome integrity gene, identified in men with primary spermatogenic failure. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1169-1182. [PMID: 33963445 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility impacts millions of couples yet, the etiology of primary infertility remains largely unknown. A critical element of successful spermatogenesis is maintenance of genome integrity. Here, we present a genomic study of spermatogenic failure (SPGF). Our initial analysis (n = 176) did not reveal known gene-candidates but identified a potentially significant single-nucleotide variant (SNV) in X-linked germ-cell nuclear antigen (GCNA). Together with a larger follow-up study (n = 2049), 7 likely clinically relevant GCNA variants were identified. GCNA is critical for genome integrity in male meiosis and knockout models exhibit impaired spermatogenesis and infertility. Single-cell RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry confirm human GCNA expression from spermatogonia to elongated spermatids. Five identified SNVs were located in key functional regions, including N-terminal SUMO-interacting motif and C-terminal Spartan-like protease domain. Notably, variant p.Ala115ProfsTer7 results in an early frameshift, while Spartan-like domain missense variants p.Ser659Trp and p.Arg664Cys change conserved residues, likely affecting 3D structure. For variants within GCNA's intrinsically disordered region, we performed computational modeling for consensus motifs. Two SNVs were predicted to impact the structure of these consensus motifs. All identified variants have an extremely low minor allele frequency in the general population and 6 of 7 were not detected in > 5000 biological fathers. Considering evidence from animal models, germ-cell-specific expression, 3D modeling, and computational predictions for SNVs, we propose that identified GCNA variants disrupt structure and function of the respective protein domains, ultimately arresting germ-cell division. To our knowledge, this is the first study implicating GCNA, a key genome integrity factor, in human male infertility.
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Yu W, An M, Xu Y, Gao Q, Lu M, Li Y, Zhang L, Wang H, Xu Z. Mutational landscape of DNAH1 in Chinese patients with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella: cohort study and literature review. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2031-2038. [PMID: 33929677 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02201-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) are important causes of male infertility. Mutations in DNAH1 are the main causative factors proven so far. We aim to determine the mutational landscape of DNAH1 in Chinese patients with MMAF. METHODS Forty-one Chinese patients with MMAF were enrolled and underwent a 10-gene next-generation sequencing panel screening. RESULTS Only the DNAH1 gene was found to have mutations in 12 of these unrelated individuals (29%). Combining published data from two other cohorts of Chinese men with MMAF, we suggest that p.P3909fs*33, p.R868X, p.Q1518X, p.E3284K, and p.R4096L are hotspot mutations. A polymorphism-rs12163565 (G>A)- showed linkage to p.P3909fs*33, suggesting that this involved a founder effect. Four of the 12 patients with DNAH1 mutations were able to use intracytoplasmic sperm injection with their partners and all were successful in obtaining embryos. CONCLUSIONS Hotspot mutations were identified for Chinese patients with MMAF. MMAF sub-phenotypes might be associated with different combinations of DNAH1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yu
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Miao An
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Qingqiang Gao
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Mujun Lu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | | | - Li Zhang
- NuProbe Company, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hongxiang Wang
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Zhipeng Xu
- Department of Andrology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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40
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Pelzman DL, Hwang K. Genetic testing for men with infertility: techniques and indications. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1354-1364. [PMID: 33850771 PMCID: PMC8039607 DOI: 10.21037/tau-19-725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic testing is an integral component in the workup of male infertility as genetic conditions may be responsible for up to 15% of all cases. Currently, three genetic tests are commonly performed and recommended by major urologic associations: karyotype analysis (KA), Y-chromosome microdeletion testing, and CFTR mutation testing. Despite widespread adoption of these tests, an etiology for infertility remains elusive in up to 80% of cases. Recent work has identified intriguing new targets for genetic testing which may soon see clinical relevance. This review will discuss the indications and techniques for currently offered genetic tests and briefly explore ongoing research directions within this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Pelzman
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen Hwang
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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41
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He H, Yu F, Shen W, Chen K, Zhang L, Lou S, Zhang Q, Chen S, Yuan X, Jia X, Zhou Y. The Novel Key Genes of Non-obstructive Azoospermia Affect Spermatogenesis: Transcriptomic Analysis Based on RNA-Seq and scRNA-Seq Data. Front Genet 2021; 12:608629. [PMID: 33732283 PMCID: PMC7959792 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.608629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most important causes of male infertility. It is mainly characterized by the absence of sperm in semen repeatedly or the number of sperm is small and not fully developed. At present, its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. The goal of this study is to identify hub genes that might affect biomarkers related to spermatogenesis. Using the clinically significant transcriptome and single-cell sequencing data sets on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we identified candidate hub genes related to spermatogenesis. Based on them, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway analyses, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), cell cluster analysis, and pseudo-chronological analysis. We identified a total of 430 differentially expressed genes, of which three have not been reported related to spermatogenesis (C22orf23, TSACC, and TTC25), and the expression of these three hub genes was different in each type of sperm cells. The results of the pseudo-chronological analysis of the three hub genes indicated that TTC25 was in a low expression state during the whole process of sperm development, while the expression of C22orf23 had two fluctuations in the differentiating spermatogonia and late primary spermatocyte stages, and TSACC showed an upward trend from the spermatogonial stem cell stage to the spermatogenesis stage. Our research found that the three hub genes were different in the trajectory of sperm development, indicating that they might play important roles in different sperm cells. This result is of great significance for revealing the pathogenic mechanism of NOA and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihong He
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wang Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jiangmen TCM Hospital of Ji'nan University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Keyan Chen
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuang Lou
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiaomin Zhang
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Siping Chen
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinhua Yuan
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xingwang Jia
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiwen Zhou
- Department of Emergency Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Medical Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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42
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Liu C, Tu C, Wang L, Wu H, Houston BJ, Mastrorosa FK, Zhang W, Shen Y, Wang J, Tian S, Meng L, Cong J, Yang S, Jiang Y, Tang S, Zeng Y, Lv M, Lin G, Li J, Saiyin H, He X, Jin L, Touré A, Ray PF, Veltman JA, Shi Q, O'Bryan MK, Cao Y, Tan YQ, Zhang F. Deleterious variants in X-linked CFAP47 induce asthenoteratozoospermia and primary male infertility. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:309-323. [PMID: 33472045 PMCID: PMC7895902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthenoteratozoospermia characterized by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) has been identified as a sub-type of male infertility. Recent progress has identified several MMAF-associated genes with an autosomal recessive inheritance in human affected individuals, but the etiology in approximately 40% of affected individuals remains unknown. Here, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) and identified hemizygous missense variants in the X-linked CFAP47 in three unrelated Chinese individuals with MMAF. These three CFAP47 variants were absent in human control population genome databases and were predicted to be deleterious by multiple bioinformatic tools. CFAP47 encodes a cilia- and flagella-associated protein that is highly expressed in testis. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays revealed obviously reduced levels of CFAP47 in spermatozoa from all three men harboring deleterious missense variants of CFAP47. Furthermore, WES data from an additional cohort of severe asthenoteratozoospermic men originating from Australia permitted the identification of a hemizygous Xp21.1 deletion removing the entire CFAP47 gene. All men harboring hemizygous CFAP47 variants displayed typical MMAF phenotypes. We also generated a Cfap47-mutated mouse model, the adult males of which were sterile and presented with reduced sperm motility and abnormal flagellar morphology and movement. However, fertility could be rescued by the use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSIs). Altogether, our experimental observations in humans and mice demonstrate that hemizygous mutations in CFAP47 can induce X-linked MMAF and asthenoteratozoospermia, for which good ICSI prognosis is suggested. These findings will provide important guidance for genetic counseling and assisted reproduction treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China; State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Francesco K Mastrorosa
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Wen Zhang
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiaxiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215002, China; Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215002, China
| | - Shixiong Tian
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Jiangshan Cong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Shenmin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215002, China; Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215002, China
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yuyan Zeng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hexige Saiyin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Li Jin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Aminata Touré
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advance Biosciences, Grenoble Alpes University, INSERM U1209, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 5309, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advance Biosciences, Grenoble Alpes University, INSERM U1209, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 5309, Grenoble 38000, France; UM de genetique de l'infertilite et de diagnostic pre-implantatoire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China; Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410000, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China.
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Bi-allelic BRWD1 variants cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia and likely primary ciliary dyskinesia. Hum Genet 2021; 140:761-773. [PMID: 33389130 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetics-associated asthenoteratozoospermia is often seen in patients with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF). Although 24 causative genes have been identified, these explain only approximately half of patients with MMAF. Since sperm flagella and motile cilia (especially respiratory cilia) have similar axonemal structures, many patients with MMAF also exhibit respiratory symptoms, such as recurrent airway infection, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis, which are frequently associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), another recessive disorder. Here, exome sequencing was conducted to evaluate the genetic cause in 53 patients with MMAF and classic PCD/PCD-like symptoms. Two homozygous missense variants and a compound-heterozygous variant in the BRWD1 gene were identified in three unrelated individuals. BRWD1 staining was detected in the whole flagella and respiratory cilia of normal controls but was absent in BRWD1-mutated individuals. Transmission electron microscopy and immunostaining demonstrated that BRWD1 deficiency in human affected respiratory cilia and sperm flagella differently, as the absence of outer and inner dynein arms in sperm flagellum and respiratory cilia, while with a decreased number and outer doublet microtubule defects of respiratory cilia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a BRWD1-variant-related disease in humans, manifesting as an autosomal recessive form of MMAF and PCD/PCD-like symptoms. Our data provide a basis for further exploring the molecular mechanism of BRWD1 gene during spermatogenesis and ciliogenesis.
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Wu X, Lin D, Sun F, Cheng CY. Male Infertility in Humans: An Update on Non-obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) and Obstructive Azoospermia (OA). ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:161-173. [PMID: 34453736 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA) are two common causes of infertility that affect a considerable number of men. However, few studies were performed to understand the molecular etiology of these disorders. Studies based on bioinformatics and genetic analyses in recent years, however, have yielded insightful information and have identified a number of genes that are involved in these disorders. In this review, we briefly summarize and evaluate these findings. We also discuss findings based on epigenetic modifications of sperm DNAs that affect a number of genes pertinent to NOA and OA. The information summarized in this Chapter should be helpful to investigators in future functional studies of NOA and OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengfeng Lin
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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45
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Li Y, Wang WL, Tu CF, Meng LL, Hu TY, Du J, Lin G, Nie HC, Tan YQ. A novel homozygous frameshift mutation in MNS1 associated with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in humans. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:197-204. [PMID: 33037173 PMCID: PMC7991825 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_56_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) refers to the combination of various sperm abnormalities, including a decreased sperm count, reduced motility, and abnormal sperm morphology. Only a few genetic causes have been shown to be associated with OAT. Herein, we identified a novel homozygous frameshift mutation in meiosis-specific nuclear structural 1 (MNS1; NM_018365: c.603_604insG: p.Lys202Glufs*6) by whole-exome sequencing in an OAT proband from a consanguineous Chinese family. Subsequent variant screening identified four additional heterozygous MNS1 variants in 6/219 infertile individuals with oligoasthenospermia, but no MNS1 variants were observed among 223 fertile controls. Immunostaining analysis showed MNS1 to be normally located in the whole-sperm flagella, but was absent in the proband's sperm. Expression analysis by Western blot also confirmed that MNS1 was absent in the proband's sperm. Abnormal flagellum morphology and ultrastructural disturbances in outer doublet microtubules were observed in the proband's sperm. A total of three intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were carried out for the proband's wife, but they all failed to lead to a successful pregnancy. Overall, this is the first study to report a loss-of-function mutation in MNS1 causing OAT in a Han Chinese patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Wei-Li Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Chao-Feng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Lan-Lan Meng
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Tong-Yao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Hong-Chuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410078, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha 410078, China
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Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AZS), defined by reduced motility or absent sperm motility, is one of the main causes of male infertility. This condition may be divided into isolated AZS in the absence of other symptoms and syndromic AZS, which is characterized by several concurrent clinical symptoms. Sperm motility depends on fully functional flagellum, energy availability, and the crosstalk of several signaling pathways; therefore, mutations in genes involved in flagellar assembly and motile regulation can cause AZS. Thus, it is crucial to understand the genetic causes and mechanisms contributing to AZS. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the particular genes and mechanisms involved in intact flagellum, energy availability, and signaling transduction that could cause human AZS and discuss the respective gene defects known to be responsible for these abnormalities. Additionally, we discuss intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes and offspring health where available in these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Tu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China; Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tongyao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China; Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China; Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
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47
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Kumar N, Singh AK. The anatomy, movement, and functions of human sperm tail: an evolving mystery. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:508-520. [PMID: 33238303 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperms have attracted attention of many researchers since it was discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1677. Though a small cell, its every part has complex structure and different function to play in carrying life. Sperm tail is most complicated structure with more than 1000 proteins involved in its functioning. With the advent of three-dimensional microscopes, many studies are undergoing to understand exact mechanism of sperm tail movement. Most recent studies have shown that sperms move by spinning rather than swimming. Each subunit of tail, including axonemal, peri-axonemal structures, plays essential roles in sperm motility, capacitation, hyperactivation, fertilization. Furthermore, over 2300 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. A number of genetic mutations have been linked with abnormal sperm flagellar development leading to motility defects and male infertility. It was found that 6% of male infertility cases are related to genetic causes, and 4% of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male subfertility have chromosomal abnormalities. Hence, an understanding of sperm tail development and genes associated with its normal functioning can help in better diagnosis of male infertility and its management. There is still a lot that needs to be discovered about genes, proteins contributing to normal human sperm tail development, movement, and role in male fertility. Sperm tail has complex anatomy, with surrounding axoneme having 9 + 2 microtubules arrangement along its entire length and peri-axonemal structures that contribute in sperm motility and fertilization. In future sperm tail-associated genes, proteins and subunits can be used as markers of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522503, India
| | - Amit Kant Singh
- Department of Physiology, U.P. University of Medical Sciences, Etawah 206130, Uttar Pradesh, India
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48
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Hu TY, Zhang H, Meng LL, Yuan SM, Tu CF, Du J, Lu GX, Lin G, Nie HC, Tan YQ. Novel homozygous truncating variants in ZMYND15 causing severe oligozoospermia and their implications for male infertility. Hum Mutat 2020; 42:31-36. [PMID: 33169450 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sequence variants of ZMYND15 cause azoospermia in humans, but they have not yet been reported in infertile men with severe oligozoospermia (SO). We performed whole-exome and Sanger sequencing to identify suspected causative variants in 414 idiopathic participating infertile men with SO or azoospermia. Three novel homozygous truncating variants in ZMYND15 were identified in three of the 219 (1.37%) unrelated patients with SO, including c.1209T>A(p.Tyr403*), c.1650delC (p.Glu551Lysfs*75), and c.1622_1636delinsCCAC (p.Leu541Profs*39). In silico bioinformatic analyses as well as in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the ZMYND15 variants carried by the affected subjects might be the underlying cause for their infertility. One patient accepted intracytoplasmic sperm injection therapy, using his ejaculated sperm, and his wife successfully became pregnant. Our findings expand the disease phenotype spectrum by indicating that ZMYND15 variants cause SO and male infertility and suggest a possible correlation between the severity of male infertility caused by ZMYND15 variants and male age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Yao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Lan-Lan Meng
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Shi-Min Yuan
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chao-Feng Tu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hong-Chuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics In Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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49
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Jiao SY, Yang YH, Chen SR. Molecular genetics of infertility: loss-of-function mutations in humans and corresponding knockout/mutated mice. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:154-189. [PMID: 33118031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major issue in human reproductive health, affecting an estimated 15% of couples worldwide. Infertility can result from disorders of sex development (DSD) or from reproductive endocrine disorders (REDs) with onset in infancy, early childhood or adolescence. Male infertility, accounting for roughly half of all infertility cases, generally manifests as decreased sperm count (azoospermia or oligozoospermia), attenuated sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Female infertility can be divided into several classical types, including, but not limited to, oocyte maturation arrest, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest. An estimated one half of infertility cases have a genetic component; however, most genetic causes of human infertility are currently uncharacterized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly facilitated the identification of infertility-associated gene mutations in patients over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to conduct a narrative review of the genetic causes of human infertility. Loss-of-function mutation discoveries related to human infertility are summarized and further illustrated in tables. Corresponding knockout/mutated animal models of causative genes for infertility are also introduced. SEARCH METHODS A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term 'mutation' was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: infertility, DSD, REDs, azoospermia or oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), globozoospermia, teratozoospermia, acrosome, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, zona pellucida, fertilization defects and early embryonic arrest. OUTCOMES Our search generated ∼2000 records. Overall, 350 articles were included in the final review. For genetic investigation of human infertility, the traditional candidate gene approach is proceeding slowly, whereas high-throughput sequencing technologies in larger cohorts of individuals is identifying an increasing number of causative genes linked to human infertility. This review provides a wide panel of gene mutations in several typical forms of human infertility, including DSD, REDs, male infertility (oligozoospermia, MMAF, PCD, ASS and globozoospermia) and female infertility (oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest). The causative genes, their identified mutations, mutation rate, studied population and their corresponding knockout/mutated mice of non-obstructive azoospermia, MMAF, ASS, globozoospermia, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest are further illustrated by tables. In this review, we suggest that (i) our current knowledge of infertility is largely obtained from knockout mouse models; (ii) larger cohorts of clinical cases with distinct clinical characteristics need to be recruited in future studies; (iii) the whole picture of genetic causes of human infertility relies on both the identification of more mutations for distinct types of infertility and the integration of known mutation information; (iv) knockout/mutated animal models are needed to show whether the phenotypes of genetically altered animals are consistent with findings in human infertile patients carrying a deleterious mutation of the homologous gene; and (v) the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility caused by pathogenic mutations are largely unclear in most current studies. WILDER IMPLICATIONS It is important to use our current understanding to identify avenues and priorities for future research in the field of genetic causes of infertility as well as to apply mutation knowledge to risk prediction, genetic diagnosis and potential treatment for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ya Jiao
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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Aitken RJ. The Male Is Significantly Implicated as the Cause of Unexplained Infertility. Semin Reprod Med 2020; 38:3-20. [PMID: 33086406 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1718941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is recognized as a relatively common, complex condition, generated by a broad array of environmental and genetic factors. Historical reliance on the conventional semen profile has tended to underestimate the true contribution of "the male factor" to human infertility. This review highlights the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the etiology of male infertility, identifying a range of mutations responsible for primary testicular failure and impaired fertilizing potential. More than three quarters of all de novo mutations arise in the male germline via mechanisms that involve the inefficient or defective repair of DNA damage. Understanding the range of factors capable of creating genetic turmoil in the paternal germline is essential, if we are to gain a deep understanding of the causes of male infertility, rather than just the symptoms that characterize its presence. High levels of DNA fragmentation induced by oxidative stress are part of this equation. Oxidative stress is, in turn, driven by biological (age, ejaculation frequency, varicocele, infection), lifestyle (smoking, obesity), and environmental factors (heat, other forms of electromagnetic radiation, and toxins) that can impair the fertilizing potential of the spermatozoa and influence the incidence of spontaneous mutations that may cause infertility in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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