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Aitken RJ, Lewis SEM. DNA damage in testicular germ cells and spermatozoa. When and how is it induced? How should we measure it? What does it mean? Andrology 2023; 11:1545-1557. [PMID: 36604857 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This review surveys the causes and consequences of DNA damage in the male germ line from spermatogonial stem cells to fully differentiated spermatozoa. Within the stem cell population, DNA integrity is well maintained as a result of excellent DNA surveillance and repair; however, a progressive increase in background mutation rates does occur with paternal age possibly as a result of aberrant DNA repair as well as replication error. Once a germ cell has committed to spermatogenesis, it responds to genetic damage via a range of DNA repair pathways or, if this process fails, by the induction of apoptosis. When fully-differentiated spermatozoa are stressed, they also activate a truncated intrinsic apoptotic pathway which results in the activation of nucleases in the mitochondria and cytoplasm; however, the physical architecture of these cells prevents these enzymes from translocating to the nucleus to induce DNA fragmentation. Conversely, hydrogen peroxide released from the sperm midpiece during apoptosis is able to penetrate the nucleus and induce DNA damage. The base excision repair pathway responds to such damage by cleaving oxidized bases from the DNA, leaving abasic sites that are alkali-labile and readily detected with the comet assay. As levels of oxidative stress increase and these cells enter the perimortem, topoisomerase integrated into the sperm chromatin becomes activated by SUMOylation. Such activation may initially facilitate DNA repair by reannealing double strand breaks but ultimately prepares the DNA for destruction by nucleases released from the male reproductive tract. The abasic sites and oxidized base lesions found in live spermatozoa are mutagenic and may increase the mutational load carried by the offspring, particularly in the context of assisted conception. A variety of strategies are described for managing patients expressing high levels of DNA damage in their spermatozoa, to reduce the risks such lesions might pose to offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive, Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sheena E M Lewis
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Examen Ltd., Weavers Court, Belfast, UK
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Forero-Forero A, López-Ramírez S, Felix R, Hernández-Sánchez J, Tesoro-Cruz E, Orozco-Suárez S, Murbartián J, Soria-Castro E, Olivares A, Bekker-Méndez C, Paredes-Cervantes V, Oviedo N. Down Regulation of Catsper1 Expression by Calmodulin Inhibitor (Calmidazolium): Possible Implications for Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158070. [PMID: 35897646 PMCID: PMC9331981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The CatSper channel localizes exclusively in the flagella of sperm cells. The Catsper1 protein, together with three pore units, is essential for the CatSper Channel formation, which produces flagellum hyperactivation and confers sperm fertility. Catsper1 expression is dependent on Sox transcription factors, which can recognize in vitro at least three Sox binding sites on the promoter. Sox transcription factors have calmodulin-binding domains for nuclear importation. Calmodulin (CaM) is affected by the specific inhibitor calmidazolium (CMZ), which prevents the nuclear transport of Sox factors. In this work, we assess the regulation of the Catsper1 promoter in vivo by Sox factors in the murine testis and evaluate the effects of the inhibitor calmidazolium on the expression of the Casper genes, and the motility and fertility of the sperm. Catsper1 promoter has significant transcriptional activity in vivo; on the contrary, three Sox site mutants in the Catsper1 promoter reduced transcriptional activity in the testis. CaM inhibition affects Sox factor nuclear transport and has notable implications in the expression and production of Catsper1, as well as in the motility and fertility capability of sperm. The molecular mechanism described here might conform to the basis of a male contraceptive strategy acting at the transcriptional level by affecting the production of the CatSper channel, a fundamental piece of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Forero-Forero
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Biología Celular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (A.F.-F.); (R.F.)
| | - Stephany López-Ramírez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital General de Zona Núm. 68, Ecatepec 55400, Mexico;
| | - Ricardo Felix
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Biología Celular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico; (A.F.-F.); (R.F.)
| | - Javier Hernández-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico;
| | - Emiliano Tesoro-Cruz
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Sandra Orozco-Suárez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Centro Médico Nacional siglo XXI, Hospital de Especialidades, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
| | - Janet Murbartián
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Sede sur, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Ciudad de México 14330, Mexico;
| | - Elizabeth Soria-Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chavéz”, Departamento de Biomedicina Cardiovascular, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico;
| | - Aleida Olivares
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Medicina Reproductiva, Ciudad de México 01090, Mexico;
| | - Carolina Bekker-Méndez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Vladimir Paredes-Cervantes
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Norma Oviedo
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología e Infectología, Ciudad de México 02990, Mexico; (E.T.-C.); (C.B.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-5557821088 (ext. 24315)
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