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Tan WLA, Hudson NJ, Porto Neto LR, Reverter A, Afonso J, Fortes MRS. An association weight matrix identified biological pathways associated with bull fertility traits in a multi-breed population. Anim Genet 2024; 55:495-510. [PMID: 38692842 DOI: 10.1111/age.13431] [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] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Using seven indicator traits, we investigated the genetic basis of bull fertility and predicted gene interactions from SNP associations. We used percent normal sperm as the key phenotype for the association weight matrix-partial correlation information theory (AWM-PCIT) approach. Beyond a simple list of candidate genes, AWM-PCIT predicts significant gene interactions and associations for the selected traits. These interactions formed a network of 537 genes: 38 genes were transcription cofactors, and 41 genes were transcription factors. The network displayed two distinct clusters, one with 294 genes and another with 243 genes. The network is enriched in fertility-associated pathways: steroid biosynthesis, p53 signalling, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Enrichment analysis also highlighted gene ontology terms associated with 'regulation of neurotransmitter secretion' and 'chromatin formation'. Our network recapitulates some genes previously implicated in another network built with lower-density genotypes. Sequence-level data also highlights additional candidate genes relevant to bull fertility, such as FOXO4, FOXP3, GATA1, CYP27B1, and EBP. A trio of regulatory genes-KDM5C, LRRK2, and PME-was deemed core to the network because of their overarching connections. This trio probably influences bull fertility through their interaction with genes, both known and unknown as to their role in male fertility. Future studies may target the trio and their target genes to enrich our understanding of male fertility further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liang Andre Tan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas James Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | - Juliana Afonso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Houston BJ, Nguyen J, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Lopes AM, Nagirnaja L, Friedrich C, Kliesch S, Tüttelmann F, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Hobbs RM, Dunleavy JEM, O'Bryan MK. AXDND1 is required to balance spermatogonial commitment and for sperm tail formation in mice and humans. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:499. [PMID: 38997255 PMCID: PMC11245616 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06874-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Dynein complexes are large, multi-unit assemblies involved in many biological processes via their critical roles in protein transport and axoneme motility. Using next-generation sequencing of infertile men presenting with low or no sperm in their ejaculates, we identified damaging variants in the dynein-related gene AXDND1. We thus hypothesised that AXDND1 is a critical regulator of male fertility. To test this hypothesis, we produced a knockout mouse model. Axdnd1-/- males were sterile at all ages but presented with an evolving testis phenotype wherein they could undergo one round of histologically replete spermatogenesis followed by a rapid depletion of the seminiferous epithelium. Marker experiments identified a role for AXDND1 in maintaining the balance between differentiation-committed and self-renewing spermatogonial populations, resulting in disproportionate production of differentiating cells in the absence of AXDND1 and increased sperm production during initial spermatogenic waves. Moreover, long-term spermatogonial maintenance in the Axdnd1 knockout was compromised, ultimately leading to catastrophic germ cell loss, destruction of blood-testis barrier integrity and immune cell infiltration. In addition, sperm produced during the first wave of spermatogenesis were immotile due to abnormal axoneme structure, including the presence of ectopic vesicles and abnormalities in outer dense fibres and microtubule doublet structures. Sperm output was additionally compromised by a severe spermiation defect and abnormal sperm individualisation. Collectively these data identify AXDND1 as an atypical dynein complex-related protein with a role in protein/vesicle transport of relevance to spermatogonial function and sperm tail formation in mice and humans. This study underscores the importance of studying the consequences of gene loss-of-function on both the establishment and maintenance of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Joseph Nguyen
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Genética Preditiva e Preventiva, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica E M Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA.
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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3
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Zou D, Li K, Su L, Liu J, Lu Y, Huang R, Li M, Mang X, Geng Q, Li P, Tang J, Yu Z, Zhang Z, Chen D, Miao S, Yu J, Yan W, Song W. DDX20 is required for cell-cycle reentry of prospermatogonia and establishment of spermatogonial stem cell pool during testicular development in mice. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1707-1723.e8. [PMID: 38657611 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.04.002] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), as key regulators of mRNA fate, are abundantly expressed in the testis. However, RBPs associated with human male infertility remain largely unknown. Through bioinformatic analyses, we identified 62 such RBPs, including an evolutionarily conserved RBP, DEAD-box helicase 20 (DDX20). Male germ-cell-specific inactivation of Ddx20 at E15.5 caused T1-propsermatogonia (T1-ProSG) to fail to reenter cell cycle during the first week of testicular development in mice. Consequently, neither the foundational spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool nor progenitor spermatogonia were ever formed in the knockout testes. Mechanistically, DDX20 functions to control the translation of its target mRNAs, many of which encode cell-cycle-related regulators, by interacting with key components of the translational machinery in prospermatogonia. Our data demonstrate a previously unreported function of DDX20 as a translational regulator of critical cell-cycle-related genes, which is essential for cell-cycle reentry of T1-ProSG and formation of the SSC pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Luying Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Qi Geng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jielin Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhixin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zexuan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Dingyao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; The Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA; Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
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4
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He Z, Yan RG, Shang QB, Yang QE. Elevated Id2 expression causes defective meiosis and spermatogenesis in mice. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:593-605. [PMID: 38063258 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibitors of DNA binding (ID) proteins mainly inhibit gene expression and regulate cell fate decisions by interacting with E-proteins. All four ID proteins (ID1-4) are present in the testis, and ID4 has a particularly important role in spermatogonial stem cell fate determination. Several lines of evidence indicate that ID proteins are involved in meiosis; however, functional experiments have not been conducted to validate this observation. RESULTS In this study, we report that ID2 is enriched in spermatocytes and that forced ID2 expression in germ cells causes defects in spermatogenesis. A detailed analysis demonstrated that Id2 overexpression (Id2 OE) decreased the total number of spermatogonia and changed the dynamics of meiosis progression. Specifically, spermatocytes were enriched in the zygotene stage, and the proportion of pachytene spermatocytes was significantly decreased, indicating defects in the zygotene-pachytene transition. The number of MLH1-positive foci per cell was decreased in pachytene spermatocytes from Id2 OE testes, suggesting abnormalities in recombination. Transcriptome analysis revealed that forced Id2 expression changed the expression of a list of genes mainly associated with meiosis and spermatid development. CONCLUSIONS ID2 protein is expressed in spermatocytes, and its genetic ablation in the germline does not affect spermatogenesis, likely due to genetic compensation of its family members. However, forced Id2 expression changes meiosis progression and causes defects in spermiogenesis. These data provide important evidence that ID proteins play pivotal roles in male meiosis and spermatid development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen He
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong-Ge Yan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qin-Bang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Plateau Animal Breeding and Functional Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
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5
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Suen HC, Ou F, Miu KK, Wang Z, Chan WY, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin landscape in gonadal cell lineage specification. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:464. [PMID: 38741085 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonad development includes sex determination and divergent maturation of the testes and ovaries. Recent advances in measuring gene expression in single cells are providing new insights into this complex process. However, the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we profiled chromatin accessibility in mouse gonadal cells of both sexes from embryonic day 11.5 to 14.5 using single-cell assay for transposase accessible chromatin by sequencing (scATAC-seq). Our results showed that individual cell types can be inferred by the chromatin landscape, and that cells can be temporally ordered along developmental trajectories. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and chromatin-accessibility maps identified multiple putative regulatory elements proximal to key gonadal genes Nr5a1, Sox9 and Wt1. We also uncover cell type-specific regulatory factors underlying cell type specification. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the epigenetic landscape associated with the progressive restriction of cell fates in the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fanghong Ou
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Kei Miu
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhangting Wang
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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6
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Yang L, Liao J, Huang H, Lee TL, Qi H. Stage-specific regulation of undifferentiated spermatogonia by AKT1S1-mediated AKT-mTORC1 signaling during mouse spermatogenesis. Dev Biol 2024; 509:11-27. [PMID: 38311163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.002] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Undifferentiated spermatogonia are composed of a heterogeneous cell population including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of various spermatogonial cohorts during their self-renewal and differentiation are largely unclear. Here we show that AKT1S1, an AKT substrate and inhibitor of mTORC1, regulates the homeostasis of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Although deletion of Akt1s1 in mouse appears not grossly affecting steady-state spermatogenesis and male mice are fertile, the subset of differentiation-primed OCT4+ spermatogonia decreased significantly, whereas self-renewing GFRα1+ and proliferating PLZF+ spermatogonia were sustained. Both neonatal prospermatogonia and the first wave spermatogenesis were greatly reduced in Akt1s1-/- mice. Further analyses suggest that OCT4+ spermatogonia in Akt1s1-/- mice possess altered PI3K/AKT-mTORC1 signaling, gene expression and carbohydrate metabolism, leading to their functionally compromised developmental potential. Collectively, these results revealed an important role of AKT1S1 in mediating the stage-specific signals that regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonia during mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Yang
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hongying Huang
- The Experimental Animal Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Tin Lap Lee
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Huayu Qi
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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7
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Wen Y, Zhou S, Gui Y, Li Z, Yin L, Xu W, Feng S, Ma X, Gan S, Xiong M, Dong J, Cheng K, Wang X, Yuan S. hnRNPU is required for spermatogonial stem cell pool establishment in mice. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114113. [PMID: 38625792 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The continuous regeneration of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) underpins spermatogenesis and lifelong male fertility, but the developmental origins of the SSC pool remain unclear. Here, we document that hnRNPU is essential for establishing the SSC pool. In male mice, conditional loss of hnRNPU in prospermatogonia (ProSG) arrests spermatogenesis and results in sterility. hnRNPU-deficient ProSG fails to differentiate and migrate to the basement membrane to establish SSC pool in infancy. Moreover, hnRNPU deletion leads to the accumulation of ProSG and disrupts the process of T1-ProSG to T2-ProSG transition. Single-cell transcriptional analyses reveal that germ cells are in a mitotically quiescent state and lose their unique identity upon hnRNPU depletion. We further show that hnRNPU could bind to Vrk1, Slx4, and Dazl transcripts that have been identified to suffer aberrant alternative splicing in hnRNPU-deficient testes. These observations offer important insights into SSC pool establishment and may have translational implications for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zeqing Li
- School of Nuclear Technology and Chemistry & Biology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
| | - Lisha Yin
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shenglei Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xixiang Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shiming Gan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mengneng Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Keren Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- 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 of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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8
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Zhang YW, Wu SX, Wang GW, Wan RD, Yang QE. Single-cell analysis identifies critical regulators of spermatogonial development and differentiation in cattle-yak bulls. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00759-8. [PMID: 38642661 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24442] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a continuous process in which functional sperm are produced through a series of mitotic and meiotic divisions and morphological changes in germ cells. The aberrant development and fate transitions of spermatogenic cells cause hybrid sterility in mammals. Cattle-yak, a hybrid animal between taurine cattle (Bos taurus) and yak (Bos grunniens), exhibits male-specific sterility due to spermatogenic failure. In the present study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis to identify differences in testicular cell composition and the developmental trajectory of spermatogenic cells between yak and cattle-yak. The composition and molecular signatures of spermatogonial subtypes were dramatically different between these 2 animals, and the expression of genes associated with stem cell maintenance, cell differentiation and meiotic entry was altered in cattle-yak, indicating the impairment of undifferentiated spermatogonial fate decisions. Cell communication analysis revealed that signaling within different spermatogenic cell subpopulations was weakened, and progenitor spermatogonia were unable or delayed receiving and sending signals for transformation to the next stage in cattle-yak. Simultaneously, the communication between niche cells and germ cells was also abnormal. Collectively, we obtained the expression profiles of transcriptome signatures of different germ cells and testicular somatic cell populations at the single-cell level and identified critical regulators of spermatogonial differentiation and meiosis in yak and sterile cattle-yak. The findings of this study shed light on the genetic mechanisms that lead to hybrid sterility and speciation in bovid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shi-Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guo-Wen Wang
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810016, China
| | - Rui-Dong Wan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810001, China.
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9
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Li Y, Ma R, Hao X. Therapeutic role of PTEN in tissue regeneration for management of neurological disorders: stem cell behaviors to an in-depth review. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:268. [PMID: 38627382 PMCID: PMC11021430 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06657-y] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) represents the initial tumor suppressor gene identified to possess phosphatase activity, governing various cellular processes including cell cycle regulation, migration, metabolic pathways, autophagy, oxidative stress response, and cellular senescence. Current evidence suggests that PTEN is critical for stem cell maintenance, self-renewal, migration, lineage commitment, and differentiation. Based on the latest available evidence, we provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which PTEN regulates activities of different stem cell populations and influences neurological disorders, encompassing autism, stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This review aims to elucidate the therapeutic impacts and mechanisms of PTEN in relation to neurogenesis or the stem cell niche across a range of neurological disorders, offering a foundation for innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at tissue repair and regeneration in neurological disorders. This review unravels novel therapeutic strategies for tissue restoration and regeneration in neurological disorders based on the regulatory mechanisms of PTEN on neurogenesis and the stem cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macau, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macau, China.
| | - Ruishuang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, Tianjin, China
| | - Xia Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 301617, Tianjin, China
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10
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Deng X, Liang S, Tang Y, Li Y, Xu R, Luo L, Wang Q, Zhang X, Liu Y. Adverse effects of bisphenol A and its analogues on male fertility: An epigenetic perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123393. [PMID: 38266695 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the adverse effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on male fertility. Epigenetic modification is critical for male germline development, and has been suggested as a potential mechanism for impaired fertility induced by EDCs. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been recognized as a typical EDC. BPA and its analogues, which are still widely used in various consumer products, have garnered increasing attention due to their reproductive toxicity and the potential to induce epigenetic alteration. This literature review provides an overview of studies investigating the adverse effects of bisphenol exposures on epigenetic modifications and male fertility. Existing studies provide evidence that exposure to bisphenols can lead to adverse effects on male fertility, including declined semen quality, altered reproductive hormone levels, and adverse reproductive outcomes. Epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression, can be altered by bisphenol exposures. Transgenerational effects, which influence the fertility and epigenetic patterns of unexposed generations, have also been identified. However, the magnitude and direction of certain outcomes varied across different studies. Investigations into the dynamics of histopathological and epigenetic alterations associated with bisphenol exposures during developmental stages can enhance the understanding of the epigenetic effects of bisphenols, the implication of epigenetic alteration on male fertility, and the health of successive generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Deng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihan Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqian Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruijun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Luo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Ni F, Wang F, Li J, Liu Y, Sun X, Chen J, Li J, Zhang Y, Jin J, Ye X, Tu M, Chen J, Chen C, Zhang D. BNC1 deficiency induces mitochondrial dysfunction-triggered spermatogonia apoptosis through the CREB/SIRT1/FOXO3 pathway: the therapeutic potential of nicotinamide riboside and metformin†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:615-631. [PMID: 38079523 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad168] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a global health problem that disturbs numerous couples worldwide. Basonuclin 1 (BNC1) is a transcription factor mainly expressed in proliferative keratinocytes and germ cells. A frameshift mutation of BNC1 was identified in a large Chinese primary ovarian insufficiency pedigree. The expression of BNC1 was significantly decreased in the testis biopsies of infertile patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. Previous studies have revealed that mice with BNC1 deficiency are generally subfertile and undergo gradual spermatogenic failure. We observed that apoptosis of spermatogonia is tightly related to spermatogenic failure in mice with a Bnc1 truncation mutation. Such impairment is related to mitochondrial dysfunction causing lower mitochondrial membrane potential and higher reactive oxygen species. We showed that downregulation of CREB/SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling participates in the above impairment. Administration of nicotinamide riboside or metformin reversed mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibited apoptosis in Bnc1-knockdown spermatogonia by stimulating CREB/SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling. Dietary supplementation with nicotinamide riboside or metformin in mutated mice increased SIRT1 signaling, improved the architecture of spermatogenic tubules, inhibited apoptosis of the testis, and improved the fertility of mice with a Bnc1 truncation mutation. Our data establish that oral nicotinamide riboside or metformin can be useful for the treatment of spermatogenic failure induced by Bnc1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feida Ni
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianpeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaqun Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiani Jin
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mixue Tu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhua Chen
- Department of Pathology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Aşır F, Duran SÇ, Afşin M, Duran E, Korak T, Şahin F. Investigation of Vitamin D Levels in Men with Suspected Infertility. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:273. [PMID: 38398783 PMCID: PMC10889942 DOI: 10.3390/life14020273] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Male infertility may be caused by an impaired sperm functionality, with insufficient vitamin D levels affecting the quantity and development of motile sperm. Given the influence of vitamin D on vital aspects of male infertility, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between vitamin D levels and male infertility, along with exploring the possible mechanism of action. A total of 306 male participants were included. Semen samples were collected and analyzed for semen parameters with demographic features. Patients were classified into two groups based on vitamin D levels of <20 ng/mL (low) and ≥20 ng/mL (high). The Super-PRED, Swiss TargetPrediction, GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases were utilized to retrieve potential molecular targets associated with both vitamin D and male infertility, while the STRING database was employed for constructing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and conducting a functional enrichment analysis. A total of 146 patients (47.71%) showed low vitamin D levels and 160 patients (52.29%) had high vitamin D levels. Vitamin D was not strongly influenced by demographic parameters. Vitamin D demonstrated significant positive correlations with type A and B sperm motility. Conversely, it exhibited significant negative correlations with type C and D sperm motility. Hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, estradiol) were not significantly associated with vitamin D; however, testosterone was significantly positive correlated with vitamin D. Notably, no significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and iron, ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels. The functional annotations of potential vitamin D targets associated with male infertility primarily indicated involvement in regulating infection, the immune response, forkhead box O (FOXO) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) signals in male infertility. Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with an improved reproductive health, evidenced by positive correlations with hormone levels and sperm motility. Specifically, the FOXO and HIF-1 signaling pathways may be effective in the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of vitamin D on male infertility and/or in the significant correlations identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fırat Aşır
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakır, Turkey; (S.Ç.D.); (F.Ş.)
| | - Senem Çetin Duran
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakır, Turkey; (S.Ç.D.); (F.Ş.)
| | - Muhammet Afşin
- Department of Andrology, Health Sciences University, Gazi Yasargil Education and Research Hospital, 21090 Diyarbakir, Turkey;
| | - Enis Duran
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, 65000 Van, Turkey;
| | - Tuğcan Korak
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, Turkey;
| | - Fırat Şahin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakır, Turkey; (S.Ç.D.); (F.Ş.)
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13
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Sun L, Lv Z, Chen X, Ye R, Tian S, Wang C, Xie X, Yan L, Yao X, Shao Y, Cui S, Chen J, Liu J. Splicing factor SRSF1 is essential for homing of precursor spermatogonial stem cells in mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP89316. [PMID: 38271475 PMCID: PMC10945694 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89316] [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: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for continuous spermatogenesis and male fertility. The underlying mechanisms of alternative splicing (AS) in mouse SSCs are still largely unclear. We demonstrated that SRSF1 is essential for gene expression and splicing in mouse SSCs. Crosslinking immunoprecipitation and sequencing data revealed that spermatogonia-related genes (e.g. Plzf, Id4, Setdb1, Stra8, Tial1/Tiar, Bcas2, Ddx5, Srsf10, Uhrf1, and Bud31) were bound by SRSF1 in the mouse testes. Specific deletion of Srsf1 in mouse germ cells impairs homing of precursor SSCs leading to male infertility. Whole-mount staining data showed the absence of germ cells in the testes of adult conditional knockout (cKO) mice, which indicates Sertoli cell-only syndrome in cKO mice. The expression of spermatogonia-related genes (e.g. Gfra1, Pou5f1, Plzf, Dnd1, Stra8, and Taf4b) was significantly reduced in the testes of cKO mice. Moreover, multiomics analysis suggests that SRSF1 may affect survival of spermatogonia by directly binding and regulating Tial1/Tiar expression through AS. In addition, immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation data showed that SRSF1 interacts with RNA splicing-related proteins (e.g. SART1, RBM15, and SRSF10). Collectively, our data reveal the critical role of SRSF1 in spermatogonia survival, which may provide a framework to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the posttranscriptional network underlying homing of precursor SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zheng Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xuexue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Rong Ye
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shuang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chaofan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaomei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Lu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaohong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yujing Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Sheng Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou UniversityJiangsuChina
| | - Juan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China, Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jiali Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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14
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Jokar J, Abdulabbas HT, Alipanah H, Ghasemian A, Ai J, Rahimian N, Mohammadisoleimani E, Najafipour S. Tissue engineering studies in male infertility disorder. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:1617-1635. [PMID: 37791451 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2251678] [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: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is an important issue among couples worldwide which is caused by a variety of complex diseases. Male infertility is a problem in 7% of all men. In vitro spermatogenesis (IVS) is the experimental approach that has been developed for mimicking seminiferous tubules-like functional structures in vitro. Currently, various researchers are interested in finding and developing a microenvironmental condition or a bioartificial testis applied for fertility restoration via gamete production in vitro. The tissue engineering (TE) has developed new approaches to treat male fertility preservation through development of functional male germ cells. This makes TE a possible future strategy for restoration of male fertility. Although 3D culture systems supply the perception of the effect of cellular interactions in the process of spermatogenesis, formation of a native gradient of autocrine/paracrine factors in 3D culture systems have not been considered. These results collectively suggest that maintaining the microenvironment of testicular cells even in the form of a 3D-culture system is crucial in achieving spermatogenesis ex vivo. It is also possible to engineer the testicular structures using biomaterials to provide a supporting scaffold for somatic and stem cells. The insemination of these cells with GFs is possible for temporally and spatially adjusted release to mimic the microenvironment of the in situ seminiferous epithelium. This review focuses on recent studies and advances in the application of TE strategies to cell-tissue culture on synthetic or natural scaffolds supplemented with growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Jokar
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
| | | | - Hiva Alipanah
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Jafar Ai
- Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Rahimian
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Elham Mohammadisoleimani
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Sohrab Najafipour
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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15
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Houston BJ, Nguyen J, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Lopes AM, Nagirnaja L, Friedrich C, Kliesch S, Tüttelmann F, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Hobbs RM, Dunleavy JE, O'Bryan MK. AXDND1 is required to balance spermatogonial commitment and for sperm tail formation in mice and humans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.02.565050. [PMID: 38014244 PMCID: PMC10680566 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Dynein complexes are large, multi-unit assemblies involved in many biological processes including male fertility via their critical roles in protein transport and axoneme motility. Previously we identified a pathogenic variant in the dynein gene AXDND1 in an infertile man. Subsequently we identified an additional four potentially compound heterozygous variants of unknown significance in AXDND1 in two additional infertile men. We thus tested the role of AXDND1 in mammalian male fertility by generating a knockout mouse model. Axdnd1 -/- males were sterile at all ages but could undergo one round of histologically complete spermatogenesis. Subsequently, a progressive imbalance of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis over self-renewal occurred, ultimately leading to catastrophic germ cell loss, loss of blood-testis barrier patency and immune cell infiltration. Sperm produced during the first wave of spermatogenesis were immotile due to abnormal axoneme structure, including the presence of ectopic vesicles and abnormalities in outer dense fibres and microtubule doublet structures. Sperm output was additionally compromised by a severe spermiation defect and abnormal sperm individualisation. Collectively, our data highlight the essential roles of AXDND1 as a regulator of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis and during the processes of spermiogenesis where it is essential for sperm tail development, release and motility.
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16
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Chen M, Wang N, Yang H, Liu D, Gao Y, Duo L, Cui X, Hao F, Ye J, Gao F, Tu Q, Gui Y. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of the germ cells and somatic cells during mitotic quiescence stage in goats. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23244. [PMID: 37823602 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301278] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The mitotic quiescence of prospermatogonia is the event known to occur during genesis of the male germline and is tied to the development of the spermatogenic lineage. The regulatory mechanisms and the functional importance of this process have been demonstrated in mice; however, regulation of this process in human and domestic animal is still largely unknown. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional signatures of prospermatogonia and major somatic cell types in testes of goats at E85, E105, and E125. We identified both common and specific Gene Ontology categories, transcription factor regulatory networks, and cell-cell interactions in cell types from goat testis. We also analyzed the transcriptional dynamic changes in prospermatogonia, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and interstitial cells. Our datasets provide a useful resource for the study of domestic animal germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongjun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lei Duo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiuhong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
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17
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Yan RG, He Z, Wang FC, Li S, Shang QB, Yang QE. Transcription factor E4F1 dictates spermatogonial stem cell fate decisions by regulating mitochondrial functions and cell cycle progression. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:177. [PMID: 37749649 PMCID: PMC10521505 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01134-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provide a foundation for robust and continual spermatogenesis in mammals. SSCs self-renew to maintain a functional stem cell pool and differentiate to supply committed progenitors. Metabolism acts as a crucial determinant of stem cell fates; however, factors linking metabolic programs to SSC development and maintenance are poorly understood. RESULTS We analyzed the chromatin accessibility of undifferentiated spermatogonia at the single-cell level and identified 37 positive TF regulators that may have potential roles in dictating SSC fates. The transcription factor E4F1 is expressed in spermatogonia, and its conditional deletion in mouse germ cells results in progressive loss of the entire undifferentiated spermatogonial pool. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of control and E4f1-deficient spermatogonia revealed that E4F1 acts as a key regulator of mitochondrial function. E4F1 binds to promotors of genes that encode components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, including Ndufs5, Cox7a2, Cox6c, and Dnajc19. Loss of E4f1 function caused abnormal mitochondrial morphology and defects in fatty acid metabolism; as a result, undifferentiated spermatogonia were gradually lost due to cell cycle arrest and elevated apoptosis. Deletion of p53 in E4f1-deficient germ cells only temporarily prevented spermatogonial loss but did not rescue the defects in SSC maintenance. CONCLUSIONS Emerging evidence indicates that metabolic signals dictate stem cell fate decisions. In this study, we identified a list of transcription regulators that have potential roles in the fate transitions of undifferentiated spermatogonia in mice. Functional experiments demonstrated that the E4F1-mediated transcription program is a crucial regulator of metabolism and SSC fate decisions in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Ge Yan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen He
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fei-Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qin-Bang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.
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18
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Ding X, Zhang Y, Li D, Xu J, Wu C, Cui X, Sun Y. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of reproductive characteristics of reciprocal hybrid lineages derived from hybridization between Megalobrama amblycephala and Culter alburnus. BMC Genom Data 2023; 24:45. [PMID: 37573319 PMCID: PMC10422732 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-023-01141-6] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distant hybridization is an important breeding technique for creating new strains with superior traits by integrating two different genomes. Successful hybridization of Megalobrama amblycephala (Blunt snout bream, BSB, 2n = 48) and Culter alburnus (Topmouth culter, TC, 2n = 48) was achieved to establish hybrid lineages (BT and TB), which provide valuable materials for exploring the mechanisms of distant hybridization fertility. In this study, the gonadal tissue transcriptomes of BSB, TC, BT-F1, and TB-F1 were sequenced using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the reproductive characteristics of BT and TB. RESULTS Differential gene expression analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes in BT vs BSB and BT vs TC were mainly enriched in signaling pathways not directly associated with meiosis. While, the differentially expressed genes of TB vs BSB and TB vs TC were mainly enriched in pathways related to meiosis, and most of them were down-regulated, indicating that meiosis is suppressed in TB. Under-dominance (UD) genes were enriched in pathways related to meiosis and DNA repair in TB. Over-dominance (OD) genes were enriched in MAPK signaling pathway, expression level dominance-BSB (ELD-B) genes were enriched in pathways related to steroid hormone synthesis and expression level dominance-TC (ELD-T) genes were not significantly enriched in any pathway in both BT and TB. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that meiotic progression may not be affected in BT, whereas it is clearly inhibited in TB. Offspring of M. amblycephala maternal parent may have better genomic compatibility and fertility. Our study provides important information on the molecular mechanisms of breaking reproductive isolation in distantly hybridized fertile lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Ding
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Die Li
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Jia Xu
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China
| | - Chang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fishes, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Cui
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China.
| | - Yuandong Sun
- School of Life Science and Health, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, Hunan, China.
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19
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Liu Z, Chen X, Zhang P, Li F, Zhang L, Li X, Huang T, Zheng Y, Yu T, Zhang T, Zeng W, Lu H, Lv Y. Transcriptome-wide Dynamics of m 6A mRNA Methylation During Porcine Spermatogenesis. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:729-741. [PMID: 34543723 PMCID: PMC10787014 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a continual process that occurs in the testes, in which diploid spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) differentiate and generate haploid spermatozoa. This highly efficient and intricate process is orchestrated at multiple levels. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), an epigenetic modification prevalent in mRNAs, is implicated in the transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis. However, the dynamics of m6A modification in non-rodent mammalian species remains unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the profile and role of m6A during spermatogenesis in pigs. By analyzing the transcriptomic distribution of m6A in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids, we identified a globally conserved m6A pattern between porcine and murine genes with spermatogenic function. We found that m6A was enriched in a group of genes that specifically encode the metabolic enzymes and regulators. In addition, transcriptomes in porcine male germ cells could be subjected to the m6A modification. Our data show that m6A plays the regulatory roles during spermatogenesis in pigs, which is similar to that in mice. Illustrations of this point are three genes (SETDB1, FOXO1, and FOXO3) that are crucial to the determination of the fate of SSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time uncovers the expression profile and role of m6A during spermatogenesis in large animals and provides insights into the intricate transcriptional regulation underlying the lifelong male fertility in non-rodent mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Fuyuan Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Lingkai Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xueliang Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Taiyong Yu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, China
| | - Wenxian Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Hongzhao Lu
- School of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, China.
| | - Yinghua Lv
- College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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20
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Whiley PAF, Nathaniel B, Stanton PG, Hobbs RM, Loveland KL. Spermatogonial fate in mice with increased activin A bioactivity and testicular somatic cell tumours. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1237273. [PMID: 37564373 PMCID: PMC10409995 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1237273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult male fertility depends on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) which undergo either self-renewal or differentiation in response to microenvironmental signals. Activin A acts on Sertoli and Leydig cells to regulate key aspects of testis development and function throughout life, including steroid production. Recognising that activin A levels are elevated in many pathophysiological conditions, this study investigates effects of this growth factor on the niche that determines spermatogonial fate. Although activin A can promote differentiation of isolated spermatogonia in vitro, its impacts on SSC and spermatogonial function in vivo are unknown. To assess this, we examined testes of Inha KO mice, which feature elevated activin A levels and bioactivity, and develop gonadal stromal cell tumours as adults. The GFRA1+ SSC-enriched population was more abundant and proliferative in Inha KO compared to wildtype controls, suggesting that chronic elevation of activin A promotes a niche which supports SSC self-renewal. Intriguingly, clusters of GFRA1+/EOMES+/LIN28A- cells, resembling a primitive SSC subset, were frequently observed in tubules adjacent to tumour regions. Transcriptional analyses of Inha KO tumours, tubules adjacent to tumours, and tubules distant from tumour regions revealed disrupted gene expression in each KO group increased in parallel with tumour proximity. Modest transcriptional changes were documented in Inha KO tubules with complete spermatogenesis. Importantly, tumours displaying upregulation of activin responsive genes were also enriched for factors that promote SSC self-renewal, including Gdnf, Igf1, and Fgf2, indicating the tumours generate a supportive microenvironment for SSCs. Tumour cells featured some characteristics of adult Sertoli cells but lacked consistent SOX9 expression and exhibited an enhanced steroidogenic phenotype, which could arise from maintenance or acquisition of a fetal cell identity or acquisition of another somatic phenotype. Tumour regions were also heavily infiltrated with endothelial, peritubular myoid and immune cells, which may contribute to adjacent SSC support. Our data show for the first time that chronically elevated activin A affects SSC fate in vivo. The discovery that testis stromal tumours in the Inha KO mouse create a microenvironment that supports SSC self-renewal but not differentiation offers a strategy for identifying pathways that improve spermatogonial propagation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny A. F. Whiley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Benedict Nathaniel
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter G. Stanton
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin M. Hobbs
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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21
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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. Developmental regulators moonlighting as transposons defense factors. Andrology 2023; 11:891-903. [PMID: 36895139 PMCID: PMC11162177 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13427] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The germline perpetuates genetic information across generations. To maintain the integrity of the germline, transposable elements in the genome must be silenced, as these mobile elements would otherwise engender widespread mutations passed on to subsequent generations. There are several well-established mechanisms that are dedicated to providing defense against transposable elements, including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and the PIWI-interacting RNA pathway. OBJECTIVES Recently, several studies have provided evidence that transposon defense is not only provided by factors dedicated to this purpose but also factors with other roles, including in germline development. Many of these are transcription factors. Our objective is to summarize what is known about these "bi-functional" transcriptional regulators. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We summarize the evidence that six transcriptional regulators-GLIS3, MYBL1, RB1, RHOX10, SETDB1, and ZBTB16-are both developmental regulators and transposable element-defense factors. These factors act at different stages of germ cell development, including in pro-spermatogonia, spermatogonial stem cells, and spermatocytes. Collectively, the data suggest a model in which specific key transcriptional regulators have acquired multiple functions over evolutionary time to influence developmental decisions and safeguard transgenerational genetic information. It remains to be determined whether their developmental roles were primordial and their transposon defense roles were co-opted, or vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Miles F. Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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22
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Reifarth L, Körber H, Packeiser EM, Goericke-Pesch S. Detection of spermatogonial stem cells in testicular tissue of dogs with chronic asymptomatic orchitis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1205064. [PMID: 37396999 PMCID: PMC10311113 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1205064] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic asymptomatic idiopathic orchitis (CAO) is an important but neglected cause of acquired infertility due to non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in male dogs. The similarity of the pathophysiology in infertile dogs and men supports the dog's suitability as a possible animal model for studying human diseases causing disruption of spermatogenesis and evaluating the role of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) as a new therapeutic approach to restore or recover fertility in cases of CAO. To investigate the survival of resilient stem cells, the expression of the protein gene product (PGP9.5), deleted in azoospermia like (DAZL), foxo transcription factor 1 (FOXO1) and tyrosine-kinase receptor (C-Kit) were evaluated in healthy and CAO-affected canine testes. Our data confirmed the presence of all investigated germ cell markers at mRNA and protein levels. In addition, we postulate a specific expression pattern of FOXO1 and C-Kit in undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, respectively, whereas DAZL and PGP9.5 expressions were confirmed in the entire spermatogonial population. Furthermore, this is the first study revealing a significant reduction of PGP9.5, DAZL, and FOXO1 in CAO at protein and/or gene expression level indicating a severe disruption of spermatogenesis. This means that chronic asymptomatic inflammatory changes in CAO testis are accompanied by a significant loss of SSCs. Notwithstanding, our data confirm the survival of putative stem cells with the potential of self-renewal and differentiation and lay the groundwork for further research into stem cell-based therapeutic options to reinitialize spermatogenesis in canine CAO-affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sandra Goericke-Pesch
- Reproductive Unit – Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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23
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Zhao X, Huang Z, Chen Y, Zhou Q, Zhu F, Zhang H, Zhou D. MAGEB2-Mediated Degradation of EGR1 Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Lines. Stem Cells Int 2023; 2023:3610466. [PMID: 37304127 PMCID: PMC10256451 DOI: 10.1155/2023/3610466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells are committed to initiating and maintaining male spermatogenesis, which is the foundation of male fertility. Understanding the mechanisms underlying SSC fate decisions is critical for controlling spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, the key molecules and mechanisms responsible for regulating human SSC development are not clearly understood. Here, we analyzed normal human testis single-cell sequencing data from the GEO dataset (GSE149512 and GSE112013). Melanoma antigen gene B2 (MAGEB2) was found to be predominantly expressed in human SSCs and further validated by immunohistology. Overexpression of MAGEB2 in SSC lines severely weakened cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Further, using protein interaction prediction, molecular docking, and immunoprecipitation, we found that MAGEB2 interacted with early growth response protein 1 (EGR1) in SSC lines. Reexpression of EGR1 in MAGEB2 overexpression cells partially rescued decreased cell proliferation. Furthermore, MAGEB2 was shown to be downregulated in specific NOA patients, implying that abnormal expression of MAGEB2 may impair spermatogenesis and male fertility. Our results offer new insights into the functional and regulatory mechanisms in MAGEB2-mediated human SSC line proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueheng Zhao
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Zenghui Huang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Yongzhe Chen
- First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421000, China
| | - Qianyin Zhou
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Fang Zhu
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Dai Zhou
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
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24
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Suen HC, Rao S, Luk ACS, Zhang R, Yang L, Qi H, So HC, Hobbs RM, Lee TL, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin accessibility landscape in mouse perinatal testis development. eLife 2023; 12:e75624. [PMID: 37096870 PMCID: PMC10174692 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis depends on an orchestrated series of developing events in germ cells and full maturation of the somatic microenvironment. To date, the majority of efforts to study cellular heterogeneity in testis has been focused on single-cell gene expression rather than the chromatin landscape shaping gene expression. To advance our understanding of the regulatory programs underlying testicular cell types, we analyzed single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in more than 25,000 cells from mouse developing testis. We showed that single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-Seq) allowed us to deconvolve distinct cell populations and identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs) underlying cell-type specification. We identified sets of transcription factors associated with cell type-specific accessibility, revealing novel regulators of cell fate specification and maintenance. Pseudotime reconstruction revealed detailed regulatory dynamics coordinating the sequential developmental progressions of germ cells and somatic cells. This high-resolution dataset also unveiled previously unreported subpopulations within both the Sertoli and Leydig cell groups. Further, we defined candidate target cell types and genes of several genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals, including those associated with testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Collectively, our data provide a blueprint of the 'regulon' of the mouse male germline and supporting somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Shitao Rao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical UniversityFujianChina
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Alfred Chun Shui Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Ruoyu Zhang
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Lele Yang
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Hon Cheong So
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneAustralia
| | - Tin-lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New TerritoriesHong KongChina
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25
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Zhang T, Zhang M, Sun Y, Li L, Cheng P, Li X, Wang N, Chen S, Xu W. Identification and Functional Analysis of foxo Genes in Chinese Tongue Sole ( Cynoglossus semilaevis). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087625. [PMID: 37108789 PMCID: PMC10142177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087625] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) is a traditional, precious fish in China. Due to the large growth difference between males and females, the investigation of their sex determination and differentiation mechanisms receives a great deal of attention. Forkhead Box O (FoxO) plays versatile roles in the regulation of sex differentiation and reproduction. Our recent transcriptomic analysis has shown that foxo genes may participate in the male differentiation and spermatogenesis of Chinese tongue sole. In this study, six Csfoxo members (Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, Csfoxo3b, Csfoxo4, Csfoxo6-like, and Csfoxo1a-like) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these six members were clustered into four groups corresponding to their denomination. The expression patterns of the gonads at different developmental stages were further analyzed. All members showed high levels of expression in the early stages (before 6 months post-hatching), and this expression was male-biased. In addition, promoter analysis found that the addition of C/EBPα and c-Jun transcription factors enhanced the transcriptional activities of Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, Csfoxo3b, and Csfoxo4. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of the Csfoxo1a, Csfoxo3a, and Csfoxo3b genes in the testicular cell line of Chinese tongue sole affected the expression of genes related to sex differentiation and spermatogenesis. These results have broadened the understanding of foxo's function and provide valuable data for studying the male differentiation of tongue sole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
- School of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Mengqian Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lu Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xihong Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Na Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Songlin Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
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26
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Bashawat M, Braun B, Müller K, Hermann B. Molecular phenotyping of domestic cat ( Felis catus) testicular cells across postnatal development - A model for wild felids. THERIOGENOLOGY WILD 2023; 2:100031. [PMID: 37461433 PMCID: PMC10350788 DOI: 10.1016/j.therwi.2023.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Molecular characterisation of testicular cells is a pivotal step towards a profound understanding of spermatogenesis and developing assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) based on germline preservation. To enable the identification of testicular somatic and spermatogenic cell types in felids, we investigated the expression of five molecular markers at the protein level in testes from domestic cats (Felis catus) at different developmental phases (prepubertal, pubertal I and II, postpubertal I and II) classified by single-cell ploidy analysis. Our findings indicate a prominent co-labelling for two spermatogonial markers, UCHL1 and FOXO1, throughout postnatal testis development. Smaller subsets of UCHL1 or FOXO1 single-positive spermatogonia were also evident, with the FOXO1 single-positive spermatogonia predominantly observed in prepubertal testes. As expected, DDX4+ germ cells increased in numbers beginning in puberty, reaching a maximum at adulthood (post-pubertal phase), corresponding to the sequential appearance of labelled spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. Furthermore, we identified SOX9+ Sertoli cells and CYP17A1+ Leydig cells in all of the developmental groups. Importantly, testes of African lion (Panthera leo), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonesis) and Sudan cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) exhibited conserved labelling for UCHL1, FOXO1, DDX4, SOX9 and CYP17A1. The present study provides fundamental information about the identity of spermatogenic and somatic testicular cell types across felid development that will be useful for developing ART approaches to support endangered felid conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Bashawat
- Department of Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Invalidenstr. 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - B.C. Braun
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - K. Müller
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - B.P. Hermann
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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27
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Li N, Zhou Q, Yi Z, Zhang H, Zhou D. Ubiquitin protein E3 ligase ASB9 suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in human spermatogonial stem cell line by inducing HIF1AN degradation. Biol Res 2023; 56:4. [PMID: 36683111 PMCID: PMC9869568 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00413-w] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are critical for sustaining spermatogenesis. Even though several regulators of SSC have been identified in rodents, the regulatory mechanism of SSC in humans has yet to be discovered. METHODS To explore the regulatory mechanisms of human SSCs, we analyzed publicly available human testicular single-cell sequencing data and found that Ankyrin repeat and SOCS box protein 9 (ASB9) is highly expressed in SSCs. We examined the expression localization of ASB9 using immunohistochemistry and overexpressed ASB9 in human SSC lines to explore its role in SSC proliferation and apoptosis. Meanwhile, we used immunoprecipitation to find the target protein of ASB9 and verified its functions. In addition, we examined the changes in the distribution of ASB9 in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients using Western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS The results of uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) clustering and pseudotime analysis showed that ASB9 was highly expressed in SSCs, and its expression gradually increased during development. The immunohistochemical and dual-color immunofluorescence results displayed that ASB9 was mainly expressed in nonproliferating SSCs. Overexpression of ASB9 in the SSC line revealed significant inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. We predicted the target proteins of ASB9 and verified that hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha inhibitor (HIF1AN), but not creatine kinase B-type (CKB), has a direct interaction with ASB9 in human SSC line using protein immunoprecipitation experiments. Subsequently, we re-expressed HIF1AN in ASB9 overexpressing cells and found that HIF1AN reversed the proliferative and apoptotic changes induced by ASB9 overexpression. In addition, we found that ABS9 was significantly downregulated in some NOA patients, implying a correlation between ASB9 dysregulation and impaired spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION ASB9 is predominantly expressed in human SSCs, it affects the proliferation and apoptotic process of the SSC line through HIF1AN, and its abnormal expression may be associated with NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Operating Department of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Qianyin Zhou
- grid.477823.d0000 0004 1756 593XReproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410021 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Zhang Yi
- grid.477823.d0000 0004 1756 593XReproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410021 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Huan Zhang
- grid.477823.d0000 0004 1756 593XReproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410021 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
| | - Dai Zhou
- grid.477823.d0000 0004 1756 593XReproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410021 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China ,grid.411427.50000 0001 0089 3695College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081 Hunan China ,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410021 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
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28
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Flores D, Lopez A, Udawant S, Gunn B, Keniry M. The FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 triggers apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme and basal-like breast cancer cells. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:352-362. [PMID: 36602390 PMCID: PMC9900086 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13547] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancer (BBC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are poor-prognosis cancers that lack effective targeted therapies and harbor embryonic stem gene expression signatures. Recently, our group and others found that forkhead box transcription factor FOXO1 promotes stem gene expression in BBC and GBM cell lines. Given the critical role of cancer stem cells in promoting cancer progression, we examined the impact of FOXO1 inhibition with AS1842856 (a cell-permeable small molecule that directly binds to unphosphorylated FOXO1 protein to block transcriptional regulation) on BBC and GBM cell viability. We treated a set of BBC and GBM cancer cell lines with increasing concentrations of AS1842856 and found reduced colony formation. Treatment of BBC and GBM cancer cells with AS1842856 led to increases in FAS (FAS cell surface death receptor) and BIM (BCL2L11) gene expression, as well as increased positivity for markers for apoptosis such as annexin V and propidium iodide. Treatment with another FOXO1 inhibitor AS1708727 or FOXO1 RNAi also led to FAS induction. This work is the first to show that targeting BBC and GBM with FOXO1 inhibition leads to apoptosis. These novel findings may ultimately expand the repertoire of therapies for poor-prognosis cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Flores
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas‐Rio Grande ValleyEdinburgTXUSA
| | - Alma Lopez
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas‐Rio Grande ValleyEdinburgTXUSA
| | - Shreya Udawant
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas‐Rio Grande ValleyEdinburgTXUSA
| | - Bonnie Gunn
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas‐Rio Grande ValleyEdinburgTXUSA
| | - Megan Keniry
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas‐Rio Grande ValleyEdinburgTXUSA
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29
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Tang W, Xu QH, Chen X, Guo W, Ao Z, Fu K, Ji T, Zou Y, Chen JJ, Zhang Y. Transcriptome sequencing reveals the effects of circRNA on testicular development and spermatogenesis in Qianbei Ma goats. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1167758. [PMID: 37180060 PMCID: PMC10172654 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1167758] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in regulating the mammalian reproductive system, especially testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, their functions in testicular development and spermatogenesis in the Qianbei Ma goat, the Guizhou endemic breed are still unclear. In this study, tissue sectioning and circRNAs transcriptome analysis were conducted to compare the changes of morphology and circular RNAs gene expression profile at four different developmental stages (0Y, 0-month-old; 6Y, 6-month-old; 12Y, 12-month-old; 18Y, 18-month-old). The results showed that the circumferences and area of the seminiferous tubule gradually increased with age, and the lumen of the seminiferous tubule in the testis differentiated significantly. 12,784 circRNAs were detected from testicular tissues at four different developmental stages by RNA sequencing, and 8,140 DEcircRNAs (differentially expressed circRNAs) were found in 0Y vs. 6Y, 6Y vs. 12Y, 12Y vs. 18Y and 0Y vs. 18Y, 0Y vs. 12Y, 6Y vs. 18Y Functional enrichment analysis of the source genes showed that they were mainly enriched in testicular development and spermatogenesis. In addition, the miRNAs and mRNAs associated with DECircRNAs in 6 control groups were predicted by bioinformatics, and 81 highly expressed DECircRNAs and their associated miRNAs and mRNAs were selected to construct the ceRNA network. Through functional enrichment analysis of the target genes of circRNAs in the network, some candidate circRNAs related to testicular development and spermatogenesis were obtained. Such as circRNA_07172, circRNA_04859, circRNA_07832, circRNA_00032 and circRNA_07510. These results will help to reveal the mechanism of circRNAs in testicular development and spermatogenesis, and also provide some guidance for goat reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Tang
- College of Life Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Qiang Hou Xu
- College of Life Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Qiang Hou Xu,
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Xiang Chen,
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zheng Ao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kaibin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Taotao Ji
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yue Zou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jing Jia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Guiyang, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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30
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Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed Candidate Genes Involved in Pseudomale Sperm Abnormalities in Chinese Tongue Sole ( Cynoglossus semilaevis). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121716. [PMID: 36552227 PMCID: PMC9775080 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) has a ZZ/ZW sex determination system, but the genotypic female (ZW) can be sex-reversed into phenotypic males, namely, pseudomales. Pseudomale fish can produce only Z-type sperm but not W sperm. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear. To screen the key genes involved in pseudomale sperm abnormalities, we analysed the transcriptomic profiles of pseudomale and male sperm. In comparison to male sperm, 592 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in pseudomale sperm, including 499 upregulated and 93 downregulated genes. KEGG analysis indicated that the FoxO signalling pathway, especially the foxo3a and foxo6-like genes, may play an important role in spermatogenesis. The DEGs were mainly distributed on sex chromosomes, with 158 downregulated genes on the Z chromosome and 41 upregulated genes on the W chromosome. A specific area (14-15 M) on the Z chromosome was identified, which enriched eight DEGs inside the ~1 M region. In addition, there were five gene alleles on the sex chromosomes, which showed the opposite transcription pattern (upregulated for the W allele, downregulated for the Z allele). This study has provided valuable data for screening candidate genes involved in the pseudomale sperm abnormality.
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31
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Chen M, Long X, Chen M, Hao F, Kang J, Wang N, Wang Y, Wang M, Gao Y, Zhou M, Duo L, Zhe X, He J, Ren B, Zhang Y, Liu B, Li J, Zhang Q, Yan L, Cui X, Wang Y, Gui Y, Wang H, Zhu L, Liu D, Guo F, Gao F. Integration of single-cell transcriptome and chromatin accessibility of early gonads development among goats, pigs, macaques, and humans. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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32
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Cao M, Wang X, Guo S, Kang Y, Pei J, Guo X. F1 Male Sterility in Cattle-Yak Examined through Changes in Testis Tissue and Transcriptome Profiles. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192711. [PMID: 36230452 PMCID: PMC9559613 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cattle-yak, a crossbreed of cattle and yak, has evident heterosis but F1 male cattle-yak is unable to generate sperm and is sterile, which limits the fixation of heterosis. This study analyzed the differences in testicular tissue development between four-year-old yak and cattle-yak from the perspective of histomorphological changes and sequenced the testicular tissue of the two using RNA-seq technology, examining the differential gene expression related to spermatogenesis and apoptosis. These findings offer a theoretical explanation for the sterility in F1 male cattle-yak that can help yak hybridization. Abstract Male-derived sterility in cattle-yaks, a hybrid deriving from yak and cattle, is a challenging problem. This study compared and analyzed the histomorphological differences in testis between sexually mature yak and cattle-yak, and examined the transcriptome differences employing RNA-seq. The study found that yak seminiferous tubules contained spermatogenic cells at all levels, while cattle-yak seminiferous tubules had reduced spermatogonia (SPG) and primary spermatocyte (Pri-SPC), fewer secondary spermatocytes (Sec-SPC), an absence of round spermatids (R-ST) and sperms (S), and possessed large vacuoles. All of these conditions could have significantly reduced the volume and weight of cattle-yak testis compared to that of yak. RNA-seq analysis identified 8473 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 3580 upregulated and 4893 downregulated). GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment evaluations for DEGs found their relation mostly to spermatogenesis and apoptosis. Among the DEGs, spermatogonia stem cell (SSCs) marker genes (Gfra1, CD9, SOHLH1, SALL4, ID4, and FOXO1) and genes involved in apoptosis (Fas, caspase3, caspase6, caspase7, caspase8, CTSK, CTSB and CTSC) were significantly upregulated, while differentiation spermatogenic cell marker genes (Ccna1, PIWIL1, TNP1, and TXNDC2) and meiosis-related genes (TEX14, TEX15, MEIOB, STAG3 and M1AP) were significantly downregulated in cattle-yak. Furthermore, the alternative splicing events in cattle-yak were substantially decreased than in yak, suggesting that the lack of protein subtypes could be another reason for spermatogenic arrest in cattle-yak testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Cao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Yandong Kang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-18993037854
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33
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Shen Z, Chen M, Gao Y, Dong F, Cen C, Wu H, Wang N, Cui X, Han C, Gao F. The function of Foxo1 in spermatogonia development is independent of PI3K/PTEN signaling. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22522. [PMID: 36052752 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200640rr] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process that initiates shortly after birth and continues throughout the lifespan of male animals. Foxo1 is a transcription factor and is involved in many biological processes. It has been reported that the inactivation of Foxo1 in gonocytes during the embryonic stage causes the defects of spermatogenesis. In the present study, we found that the inactivation of Foxo1 in spermatogonia after birth also caused germ cell loss and male infertility. We found that the initiation of meiosis was not affected; however, the germ cell development was arrested after meiosis and lack of mature spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis. We also found that the proliferation of Foxo1-deficient spermatogonia stem cells was significantly reduced under in vitro conditions. Further study revealed that inactivation of Pten in postnatal spermatogonia using Stra8-Cre did not affect germ cell development and the subcellular location of FOXO1 in Pten-deficient spermatogonia. This study demonstrated that Foxo1 was involved in the development of spermatogonia after birth and the function of Foxo1 was probably not regulated by PI3K/PTEN signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangfang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changhuo Cen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haowei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuhong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
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34
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Luo SW, Tang L, Zhou D, Bo H, Fan LQ. FOXP4 promotes proliferation of human spermatogonial stem cells. Asian J Androl 2022; 25:322-330. [PMID: 36018067 DOI: 10.4103/aja202254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is vital for maintenance of adult spermatogenesis. Although several spermatogonial stem cell regulators have been extensively investigated in rodents, regulatory mechanisms of human SSC self-renewal and differentiation have not been fully established. We analyzed single-cell sequencing data from the human testis and found that forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) expression gradually increased with development of SSCs. Further analysis of its expression patterns in human testicular tissues revealed that FOXP4 specifically marks a subset of spermatogonia with stem cell potential. Conditional inactivation of FOXP4 in human SSC lines suppressed SSC proliferation and significantly activated apoptosis. FOXP4 expressions were markedly suppressed in tissues with dysregulated spermatogenesis. These findings imply that FOXP4 is involved in human SSC proliferation, which will help elucidate on the mechanisms controlling the fate decisions in human SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Wei Luo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410000, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Le Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410000, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Dai Zhou
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Hao Bo
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Li-Qing Fan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 410000, China
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35
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Li P, Tang J, Yu Z, Jin C, Wang Z, Li M, Zou D, Mang X, Liu J, Lu Y, Miao S, Wang L, Li K, Song W. CHD4 acts as a critical regulator in the survival of spermatogonial stem cells in mice. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1331-1344. [PMID: 35980806 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac162] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is sustained by homeostatic balance between the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which is dependent on the strict regulation of transcription factor and chromatin modulator gene expression. Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) is highly expressed in SSCs but roles in mouse spermatogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we report that the germ-cell-specific deletion of Chd4 resulted in complete infertility in male mice, with rapid loss of SSCs and excessive germ cell apoptosis. Chd4-knockdown in cultured SSCs also promoted the expression of apoptosis-related genes and thereby activated the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Mechanistically, CHD4 occupies the genomic regulatory region of key apoptosis-related genes including Jun and Nfkb1. Together, our findings reveal the determinant role of CHD4 in SSCs survival in vivo, which will offer insight into the pathogenesis of male sterility and potential novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jielin Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhixin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Linfang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
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36
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Tang S, Yang P, Ding Y, Chen Q, Huang H, Chen X, Zhou H. Silencing CAMK2D Promotes the Proliferation of Spermatogonia in the Testis of Experimental Varicocele Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:7121245. [PMID: 35911132 PMCID: PMC9325628 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7121245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Varicocele is regarded as the main factor that contributes to male infertility. This study aimed to explore the effect of CAMK2D on spermatogonia in the testis of experimental varicocele rats. The experimental varicocele model was established in rats and treated using different ligation methods. mRNA expression profile analysis was performed on the left testicular tissue isolated from different groups, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analysed by bioinformatics methods and identified by qRT-PCR. The effect of CAMK2D, the screened DEG, on the proliferation of spermatogonia was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The expression level of the c-kit was measured by the immunofluorescence assay and the expression levels of CAMKII, FOXO1, and β-catenin were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Five DEGs (i.e., TMCC3, FLNB, CAMK2D, OPLAH, and EGR1) were screened using the comprehensive analysis of mRNA high-throughput sequencing data. TMCC3 and FLNB were significantly downregulated, and CAMK2D, OPLAH, and EGR1 were dramatically upregulated in the testicular tissue of varicocele rats. The target DEG CAMK2D was obtained through identification by using qRT-PCR. In vitro assays revealed that the proliferation of spermatogonia was significantly facilitated by the silencing of CAMK2D, which resulted in the downregulation of CAMKII, FOXO1, and β-catenin. In conclusion, silencing CAMK2D facilitated the proliferation of spermatogonia in the testis of experimental varicocele rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songxi Tang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Yilang Ding
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Hailin Huang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Huiliang Zhou
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
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37
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Zhou S, Dong J, Xiong M, Gan S, Wen Y, Zhang J, Wang X, Yuan S, Gui Y. UHRF1 interacts with snRNAs and regulates alternative splicing in mouse spermatogonial stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1859-1873. [PMID: 35905740 PMCID: PMC9391524 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Life-long male fertility relies on exquisite homeostasis and the development of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs); however, the underlying molecular genetic and epigenetic regulation in this equilibrium process remains unclear. Here, we document that UHRF1 interacts with snRNAs to regulate pre-mRNA alternative splicing in SSCs and is required for the homeostasis of SSCs in mice. Genetic deficiency of UHRF1 in mouse prospermatogonia results in gradual loss of spermatogonial stem cells, eventually leading to Sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS) and male infertility. Comparative RNA-seq data provide evidence that Uhrf1 ablation dysregulates previously reported SSC maintenance- and differentiation-related genes. We further found that UHRF1 could act as an alternative RNA splicing regulator and interact with Tle3 transcripts to regulate its splicing event in spermatogonia. Collectively, our data reveal a multifunctional role for UHRF1 in regulating gene expression programs and alternative splicing during SSC homeostasis, which may provide clues for treating human male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengneng Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiming Gan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yujiao Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China.
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China.
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38
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Chen KQ, Wei BH, Hao SL, Yang WX. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: How does it regulate development of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells? Histol Histopathol 2022; 37:621-636. [PMID: 35388905 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is one of the most crucial regulatory mechanisms in animal cells, which can mainly regulate proliferation, survival and anti-apoptosis in cell lines. In the seminiferous epithelium, most studies were concentrated on the role of PI3K/AKT signaling in immature Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs). PI3K/AKT signaling can facilitate the proliferation and anti-apoptosis of immature Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells. Besides, in mature Sertoli cells, this pathway can disintegrate the structure of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) via regulatory protein synthesis and the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. All of these effects can directly and indirectly maintain and promote spermatogenesis in male testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Qi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bang-Hong Wei
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuang-Li Hao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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39
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Burgos CF, Cikutovic R, Alarcón M. MicroRNA expression in male infertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:805-818. [PMID: 35760398 DOI: 10.1071/rd21131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial disorder that involves different physiopathological mechanisms and multiple genes. In this sense, we analyse the role of miRNAs in this pathology. Gene expression analysis can provide relevant information to detect biomarkers, signalling pathways, pathologic mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets for the disease. In this review, we describe four miRNA microarrays related to patients who present infertility diseases, including azoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermic. We selected 13 miRNAs with altered expressions in testis tissue (hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-145-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-193a-3p, hsa-miR-19a-3p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p, hsa-miR-34b-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-374b-5p, hsa-miR-449a, hsa-miR-574-3p and hsa-miR-92a-3p), and systematically examine the mechanisms of four relevant miRNAs (hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-19a-3p, hsa-miR-92a-3p and hsa-miR-30b-5p) which we found that regulated a large number of proteins. An interaction network was generated, and its connections allowed us to identify signalling pathways and interactions between proteins associated with male infertility. In this way, we confirm that the most affected and relevant pathway is the PI3K-Akt signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Burgos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile
| | - R Cikutovic
- Universidad de Talca, Talca, 360000 Maule, Chile
| | - M Alarcón
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohaematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
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40
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Gupta N, Sarkar S, Mehta P, Sankhwar SN, Rajender S. Polymorphisms in the HSF2, LRRC6, MEIG1 and PTIP genes correlate with sperm motility in idiopathic infertility. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14517. [PMID: 35768906 DOI: 10.1111/and.14517] [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: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of 24 functionally important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with male infertility. In this cross-sectional study, we genotyped 24 functionally important single nucleotide polymorphisms in 24 infertility candidate genes in 500 oligo-/astheno-/oligoastheno-/normo-zoospermic infertile men with idiopathic infertility. Sequenom iPlex gold assay was used for genotyping. Sperm count and motility were compared between prevalent genotypes at each test locus. We did not observe any significant difference in the average sperm count between the alternate genotypes for the loci in the KLK3, LRRC6, MEIG1, HSF2, ESR2 and PTIP genes. However, we observed a significant difference in sperm motility between the alternate genotypes for the loci in the LRRC6, MEIG1, HSF2 and PTIP genes. Polymorphisms in the LRRC6 (rs200321595), MEIG1 (rs150031795), HSF2 (rs143986686) and PTIP (rs61752013) genes show association with sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Saumya Sarkar
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Poonam Mehta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | | | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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41
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Ceyhan Y, Zhang M, Sandoval CG, Agoulnik AI, Agoulnik IU. Expression pattern and the roles of phosphatidylinositol phosphatases in testis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:902-915. [PMID: 35766372 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac132] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositides (PIs) are relatively rare lipid components of the cellular membranes. Their homeostasis is tightly controlled by specific PI kinases and phosphatases. PIs play essential roles in cellular signaling, cytoskeletal organization, and secretory processes in various diseases and normal physiology. Gene targeting experiments strongly suggest that in mice with deficiency of several PI phosphatases such as Pten, Mtmrs, Inpp4b, and Inpp5b, spermatogenesis is affected, resulting in partial or complete infertility. Similarly, in men, loss of several of the PIP phosphatases is observed in infertility characterized by the lack of mature sperm. Using available gene expression databases, we compare expression of known PI phosphatases in various testicular cell types, infertility patients, and mouse age-dependent testicular gene expression, and discuss their potential roles in testis physiology and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Ceyhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Manqi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carlos G Sandoval
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Irina U Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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42
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Inflammatory Modulation of miR-155 Inhibits Doxorubicin-Induced Testicular Dysfunction via SIRT1/FOXO1 Pathway: Insight into the Role of Acacetin and Bacillus cereus Protease. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 194:5196-5219. [PMID: 35715546 PMCID: PMC9587093 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-03992-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that can disrupt testicular function leading to male infertility. This study examined the protective role of natural flavone, acacetin (ACA), and a protease of Bacillus cereus bacteria (B. cereus) as well as the potential role of miR-155/SIRT1/FOXO1 network in DOX-induced testicular injury. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups and treated as follows: Control, DOX (1 mg/kg, i.p) every other day for 21 days with a total dose equal to 10 mg/kg throughout the experiment, and pre-treated groups that received ACA (5 mg/kg/day, p.o) or B. cereus protease (36 mg/kg/day, p.o) for a week prior to DOX administration. DOX challenge reduced the testis weight coefficient, serum testosterone, and testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD). DOX caused a significant increase in testicular oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers. Aberrant testicular miR-34c, a germ-specific miRNA, and miR-155 expressions were observed, along with decreased protein expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) dependent forkhead box 1 (FOXO1) acetylation which induces apoptosis. Besides, abnormal histopathological architecture and a marked reduction in the testicular expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were observed. ACA or protease administration significantly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical pictures compared with DOX alone and renovated testicular functions. Interestingly, treatment with protease was more significant than treatment with ACA in ameliorating DOX-induced testicular injury. Taken together, this study reveals the prophylactic role of these two regimens on male fertility by exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects against DOX-elicited testicular damage, possibly via modulating miR-155/SIRT1/FOXO1 network.
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43
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de Castro RO, Carbajal A, Previato de Almeida L, Goitea V, Griffin CT, Pezza RJ. Mouse Chd4-NURD is required for neonatal spermatogonia survival and normal gonad development. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:16. [PMID: 35568926 PMCID: PMC9107693 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Testis development and sustained germ cell production in adults rely on the establishment and maintenance of spermatogonia stem cells and their proper differentiation into spermatocytes. Chromatin remodeling complexes regulate critical processes during gamete development by restricting or promoting accessibility of DNA repair and gene expression machineries to the chromatin. Here, we investigated the role of Chd4 and Chd3 catalytic subunits of the NURD complex during spermatogenesis. Germ cell-specific deletion of chd4 early in gametogenesis, but not chd3, resulted in arrested early gamete development due to failed cell survival of neonate undifferentiated spermatogonia stem cell population. Candidate assessment revealed that Chd4 controls expression of dmrt1 and its downstream target plzf, both described as prominent regulators of spermatogonia stem cell maintenance. Our results show the requirement of Chd4 in mammalian gametogenesis pointing to functions in gene expression early in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo O de Castro
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Suite B305. 825 NE 13th street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Agustin Carbajal
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Suite B305. 825 NE 13th street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Luciana Previato de Almeida
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Suite B305. 825 NE 13th street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Victor Goitea
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Suite B305. 825 NE 13th street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Courtney T Griffin
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Roberto J Pezza
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Suite B305. 825 NE 13th street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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44
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Distinctive molecular features of regenerative stem cells in the damaged male germline. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2500. [PMID: 35523793 PMCID: PMC9076627 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of male fertility requires spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that self-renew and generate differentiating germ cells for production of spermatozoa. Germline cells are sensitive to genotoxic drugs and patients receiving chemotherapy can become infertile. SSCs surviving treatment mediate germline recovery but pathways driving SSC regenerative responses remain poorly understood. Using models of chemotherapy-induced germline damage and recovery, here we identify unique molecular features of regenerative SSCs and characterise changes in composition of the undifferentiated spermatogonial pool during germline recovery by single-cell analysis. Increased mitotic activity of SSCs mediating regeneration is accompanied by alterations in growth factor signalling including PI3K/AKT and mTORC1 pathways. While sustained mTORC1 signalling is detrimental for SSC maintenance, transient mTORC1 activation is critical for the regenerative response. Concerted inhibition of growth factor signalling disrupts core features of the regenerative state and limits germline recovery. We also demonstrate that the FOXM1 transcription factor is a target of growth factor signalling in undifferentiated spermatogonia and provide evidence for a role in regeneration. Our data confirm dynamic changes in SSC functional properties following damage and support an essential role for microenvironmental growth factors in promoting a regenerative state. Male germline regeneration after damage is dependent on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) but pathways mediating the regenerative response are unclear. Here the authors define roles for growth factor signalling and mTORC1 in SSC-driven regeneration.
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45
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Zhong Q, Liu Y, Correa MR, Marconett CN, Minoo P, Li C, Ann DK, Zhou B, Borok Z. FOXO1 Couples KGF and PI-3K/AKT Signaling to NKX2.1-Regulated Differentiation of Alveolar Epithelial Cells. Cells 2022; 11:1122. [PMID: 35406686 PMCID: PMC8997990 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
NKX2.1 is a master regulator of lung morphogenesis and cell specification; however, interactions of NKX2.1 with various transcription factors to regulate cell-specific gene expression and cell fate in the distal lung remain incompletely understood. FOXO1 is a key regulator of stem/progenitor cell maintenance/differentiation in several tissues but its role in the regulation of lung alveolar epithelial progenitor homeostasis has not been evaluated. We identified a novel role for FOXO1 in alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) differentiation that results in the removal of NKX2.1 from surfactant gene promoters and the subsequent loss of surfactant expression in alveolar epithelial type I-like (AT1-like) cells. We found that the FOXO1 forkhead domain potentiates a loss of surfactant gene expression through an interaction with the NKX2.1 homeodomain, disrupting NKX2.1 binding to the SFTPC promoter. In addition, blocking PI-3K/AKT signaling reduces phosphorylated FOXO-1 (p-FOXO1), allowing accumulated nuclear FOXO1 to interact with NKX2.1 in differentiating AEC. Inhibiting AEC differentiation in vitro with keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) maintained an AT2 cell phenotype through increased PI3K/AKT-mediated FOXO1 phosphorylation, resulting in higher levels of surfactant expression. Together these results indicate that FOXO1 plays a central role in AEC differentiation by directly binding NKX2.1 and suggests an essential role for FOXO1 in mediating AEC homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhong
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (Q.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yixin Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (Q.Z.); (Y.L.)
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
| | - Michele Ramos Correa
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Crystal Nicole Marconett
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Parviz Minoo
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Changgong Li
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - David K. Ann
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Beiyun Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (Q.Z.); (Y.L.)
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Zea Borok
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (M.R.C.); (C.N.M.); (P.M.); (C.L.)
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
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46
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Lord T, Law NC, Oatley MJ, Miao D, Du G, Oatley JM. A novel high throughput screen to identify candidate molecular networks that regulate spermatogenic stem cell functions. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1175-1190. [PMID: 35244684 PMCID: PMC9198950 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenic regeneration is key for male fertility and relies on activities of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population. Here, a high throughput approach with primary cultures of mouse spermatogonia was devised to rapidly predict alterations in functional capacity. Combining the platform with a large scale RNAi screen of transcription factors, we generated a repository of new information from which pathway analysis was able to predict candidate molecular networks regulating regenerative functions. Extending from this database, the SRCAP-CREBBP/EP300 complex was found to mediate differential levels of histone acetylation between stem cell and progenitor spermatogonia to influence expression of key self-renewal genes including the previously undescribed testis specific transcription factor ZSCAN2. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ZSCAN2 deficiency alters key cellular processes in undifferentiated spermatogonia such as translation, chromatin modification, and ubiquitination. In Zscan2 knockout mice, while spermatogenesis was moderately impacted during steady-state, regeneration after cytotoxic insult was significantly impaired. Together, these findings have validated the utility of our high throughput screening approach and have generated a transcription factor database that can be utilized for uncovering novel mechanisms governing spermatogonial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lord
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.,Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2300, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Nathan C Law
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Deqiang Miao
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Guihua Du
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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Ben Maamar M, Beck D, Nilsson E, McCarrey JR, Skinner MK. Developmental alterations in DNA methylation during gametogenesis from primordial germ cells to sperm. iScience 2022; 25:103786. [PMID: 35146397 PMCID: PMC8819394 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Because epigenetics is a critical component for gene expression, the hypothesis was tested that DNA methylation alterations are dynamic and continually change throughout gametogenesis to generate the mature sperm. Developmental alterations and stage-specific DNA methylation during gametogenesis from primordial germ cells (PGCs) to mature sperm are investigated. Individual developmental stage germ cells were isolated and analyzed for differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs). The number of DMRs was highest in the first three comparisons with mature PGCs, prospermatogonia, and spermatogonia. The most statistically significant DMRs were present at all stages of development and had variations involving both increases or decreases in DNA methylation. DMR-associated genes were identified and correlated with gene functional categories, pathways, and cellular processes. Observations identified a dynamic cascade of epigenetic changes during development that is dramatic during the early developmental stages. Complex epigenetic alterations are required to regulate genome biology and gene expression during gametogenesis. A dynamic cascade of epigenetic change throughout gametogenesis from PGC to sperm Most dramatic epigenetic alterations in PGC and spermatogenic stem cell stages Different DNA methylation regions between and within stages were identified Complex epigenetic alterations required for gene expression during gametogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Daniel Beck
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Eric Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
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Fang F, Iaquinta PJ, Xia N, Liu L, Diao L, Reijo Pera RA. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:313-345. [PMID: 35297982 PMCID: PMC9071081 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathways of gametogenesis encompass elaborate cellular specialization accompanied by precise partitioning of the genome content in order to produce fully matured spermatozoa and oocytes. Transcription factors are an important class of molecules that function in gametogenesis to regulate intrinsic gene expression programs, play essential roles in specifying (or determining) germ cell fate and assist in guiding full maturation of germ cells and maintenance of their populations. Moreover, in order to reinforce or redirect cell fate in vitro, it is transcription factors that are most frequently induced, over-expressed or activated. Many reviews have focused on the molecular development and genetics of gametogenesis, in vivo and in vitro, in model organisms and in humans, including several recent comprehensive reviews: here, we focus specifically on the role of transcription factors. Recent advances in stem cell biology and multi-omic studies have enabled deeper investigation into the unique transcriptional mechanisms of human reproductive development. Moreover, as methods continually improve, in vitro differentiation of germ cells can provide the platform for robust gain- and loss-of-function genetic analyses. These analyses are delineating unique and shared human germ cell transcriptional network components that, together with somatic lineage specifiers and pluripotency transcription factors, function in transitions from pluripotent stem cells to gametes. This grand theme review offers additional insight into human infertility and reproductive disorders that are linked predominantly to defects in the transcription factor networks and thus may potentially contribute to the development of novel treatments for infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Phillip J Iaquinta
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Ninuo Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Diao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Renee A Reijo Pera
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT, USA
- Correspondence address. McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6487-1329
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Diao L, Turek PJ, John CM, Fang F, Reijo Pera RA. Roles of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Spermatogenesis and Fertility Restoration. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:895528. [PMID: 35634498 PMCID: PMC9135128 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.895528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are a group of adult stem cells in the testis that serve as the foundation of continuous spermatogenesis and male fertility. SSCs are capable of self-renewal to maintain the stability of the stem cell pool and differentiation to produce mature spermatozoa. Dysfunction of SSCs leads to male infertility. Therefore, dissection of the regulatory network of SSCs is of great significance in understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms of spermatogonial stem cell function in spermatogenesis and the pathogenesis of male infertility. Furthermore, a better understanding of SSC biology will allow us to culture and differentiate SSCs in vitro, which may provide novel stem cell-based therapy for assisted reproduction. This review summarizes the latest research progress on the regulation of SSCs, and the potential application of SSCs for fertility restoration through in vivo and in vitro spermatogenesis. We anticipate that the knowledge gained will advance the application of SSCs to improve male fertility. Furthermore, in vitro spermatogenesis from SSCs sets the stage for the production of SSCs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and subsequent spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Diao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | | | | | - Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Fang Fang, ; Renee A. Reijo Pera,
| | - Renee A. Reijo Pera
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Montana (TouroCOM-MT), Great Falls, MT, United States
- Research Division, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Montana (TouroCOM-MT), Great Falls, MT, United States
- *Correspondence: Fang Fang, ; Renee A. Reijo Pera,
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50
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Walker WH. Regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis by miRNAs. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 121:24-31. [PMID: 34006455 PMCID: PMC8591147 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Male fertility requires the continual production of sperm by the process of spermatogenesis. This process requires the correct timing of regulatory signals to germ cells during each phase of their development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in germ cells and supporting Sertoli cells respond to regulatory signals and cause down- or upregulation of mRNAs and proteins required to produce proteins that act in various pathways to support spermatogenesis. The targets and functional consequences of altered miRNA expression in undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Sertoli cells are discussed. Mechanisms are reviewed by which miRNAs contribute to decisions that promote spermatogonia stem cell self-renewal versus differentiation, entry into and progression through meiosis, differentiation of spermatids, as well as the regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation. Also discussed are miRNA actions providing the very first signals for the differentiation of spermatogonia stem cells in a non-human primate model of puberty initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Walker
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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