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Das A, Koner S, Majumdar SS, Ganguli N. Isolation and characterisation of promoters from mouse genome to drive post-meiotic germ cell-specific robust gene expression for functional genomics studies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:194994. [PMID: 37956710 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194994] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The generation of spermatozoa from developing germ cells through mitotic and meiotic divisions is a highly regulated and complex process. Any defect in this process, may lead to subfertility/infertility. The role of different transcripts (mRNA/miRNA/lncRNA) in regulation of the pre-meiotic, meiotic, and post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis are being proposed based on various multiomics based approaches. Such differential gene-expression is regulated by promoter elements that are activated in a stage specific manner. To determine the role of these differentially expressed transcripts in the process of meiosis, a robust post-meiotic germ cell specific promoter is required. In the present study, we have isolated and characterized the expression of the mouse Proacrosin, SP10, and ELP promoters for driving post-meiotic germ cell specific gene-expression. Promoter regions of all these 3 genes were isolated and cloned to generate mammalian expression vector. The transgene expression in post-meiotic germ cells was assessed in mice using the testicular electroporation method in vitro as well as in vivo, using above promoters. It was also validated in goat seminiferous tubules, in vitro. We have also carried out a comparative analysis of the strength of these promoters to confirm their robustness that indicated Proacrosin to be the most robust promoter that can be useful for diving post-meiotic germ cells specific gene-expression. These promoters can be used to alter gene-expression specifically in post-meiotic germ cells for deciphering the role(s) of germ cell genes in spermatogenic progression or for expressing various genome editing tools for engineering the germ cell genome to understand basis of subfertility/infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Das
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Srimoyee Koner
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Subeer S Majumdar
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Adjunct Faculty, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
| | - Nirmalya Ganguli
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Adjunct Faculty, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
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Gholami K, Pourmand G, Koruji M, Ashouri S, Abbasi M. Organ culture of seminiferous tubules using a modified soft agar culture system. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:249. [PMID: 30257723 PMCID: PMC6158910 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0997-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In-vitro spermatogenesis in mammalian species is considered an important topic in reproductive biology. New strategies for achieving a complete version of spermatogenesis ex vivo have been conducted using an organ culture method or culture of testicular cells in a three-dimensional soft agar culture system (SACS). The aim of this study was to develop a new method that supports spermatogenesis to the meiotic phase and morphologically mature spermatozoa through the culture of testicular cells and seminiferous tubules (STs) in a modified SACS, respectively. METHODS First, enzymatically dissociated testicular cells and mechanically dissociated STs of neonatal mice were separately embedded in agarose and then placed on the flat surface of agarose gel half-soaked in the medium to continue culture with a gas-liquid interphase method. RESULTS Following 40 days of culture, the meiotic (Scp3) and post-meiotic (Acr) gene expression in aggregates and STs was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. These results were complemented by immunohistochemistry. The presence of morphologically mature spermatozoa in the frozen sections of STs was demonstrated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. We observed Plzf- or Integrin α6-positive spermatogonia in both cultures after 40 days, indicating the potency of the culture system for both self-renewal and differentiation. CONCLUSIONS This technique can be used as a valuable approach for performing research on spermatogenesis and translating it into the human clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keykavos Gholami
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Pourmand
- Urology Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Koruji
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center & Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Ashouri
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Abbasi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Kamińska A, Pardyak L, Marek S, Górowska-Wójtowicz E, Kotula-Balak M, Bilińska B, Hejmej A. Bisphenol A and dibutyl phthalate affect the expression of juxtacrine signaling factors in rat testis. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 199:182-190. [PMID: 29438945 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The study was designed to examine the effects of model plastic derived compounds, bisphenol A (BPA) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), on juxtacrine communication in adult rat testis, by evaluating the expression of Notch pathway components. Testicular explant were exposed in vitro to BPA (5 × 10-6 M, 2.5 × 10-5 M, 5 × 10-5 M) or DBP (10-6 M, 10-5 M, 10-4 M) for 24 h. To determine the expression of Notch1, Dll4, Hey1, Hes1 and Hey5 real-time RT-PCR was used. Protein levels and localization of NOTCH1 receptor, its ligand DLL4 as well as HEY1, HES1 and HEY5 factors were detected by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Upregulation of Notch1, Dll4 and Hey1 at the mRNA and protein level was demonstrated in testis explants after BPA and DBP treatment (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.001). Hes5 expression decreased after BPA (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.001), whereas Hes1 expression was not altered by either BPA or DBP. Tested chemicals altered immunoexpression of activated NOTCH1, DLL4, HEY1 and HES5 both in seminiferous epithelium and interstitial tissue, exerting differential effects on particular cell types. In conclusion, BPA and DBP affect Notch signaling pathway in rat testis, which indicates that juxtacrine communication is a potential target for the action of plastic derived compounds in male gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Kamińska
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Marek
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewelina Górowska-Wójtowicz
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kotula-Balak
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Bilińska
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Hejmej
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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Hunter D, Anand-Ivell R, Danner S, Ivell R. Models of in vitro spermatogenesis. SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 2:32-43. [PMID: 22553488 PMCID: PMC3341244 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.19383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the differentiation of male germ cells from their spermatogonial stem cells through meiosis to give rise to mature haploid spermatozoa has been a major quest for many decades. Unlike most other cell types this differentiation process is more or less completely dependent upon the cells being located within the strongly structured niche provided by mature Sertoli cells within an intact seminiferous epithelium. While much new information is currently being obtained through the application and description of relevant gene mutations, there is still a considerable need for in vitro models with which to explore the mechanisms involved. Not only are systems of in vitro spermatogenesis important for understanding the basic science, they have marked pragmatic value in offering ex vivo systems for the artificial maturation of immature germ cells from male infertility patients, as well as providing opportunities for the transgenic manipulation of male germ cells. In this review, we have summarized literature relating to simplistic culturing of germ cells, co-cultures of germ cells with other cell types, especially with Sertoli cells, cultures of seminiferous tubule fragments, and briefly mention the opportunities of xenografting larger testicular pieces. The majority of methods are successful in allowing the differentiation of small steps in the progress of spermatogonia to spermatozoa; few tolerate the chromosomal reduction division through meiosis, and even fewer seem able to complete the complex morphogenesis which results in freely swimming spermatozoa. However, recent progress with complex culture environments, such as 3-d matrices, suggest that possibly success is now not too far away.
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Catlin NR, Huse SM, Boekelheide K. The stage-specific testicular germ cell apoptotic response to low-dose radiation and 2,5-hexanedione combined exposure. II: qRT-PCR array analysis reveals dose dependent adaptive alterations in the apoptotic pathway. Toxicol Pathol 2014; 42:1229-37. [PMID: 24670816 DOI: 10.1177/0192623314525689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Testicular effects of chemical mixtures may differ from those of the individual chemical constituents. This study assessed the co-exposure effects of the model germ cell- and Sertoli cell-specific toxicants, X-irradiation (x-ray), and 2,5-hexanedione (HD), respectively. In high-dose studies, HD has been shown to attenuate x-ray-induced germ cell apoptosis. Adult rats were exposed to different levels of x-ray (0.5 Gy, 1 Gy, and 2 Gy) or HD (0.33%), either alone or in combination. To assess cell type-specific attenuation of x-ray effects with HD co-exposure, we used laser capture microdissection (LCM) to enrich the targeted cell population and examine a panel of apoptosis-related transcripts using PCR arrays. The apoptosis PCR arrays identified significant dose-dependent treatment effects on several genes, with downregulation of death receptor 5 (DR5), Naip2, Sphk2, Casp7, Aven, Birc3, and upregulation of Fas. The greatest difference in transcript response to exposure was seen with 0.5 Gy x-ray exposure, and the attenuation effect seen with the combined high-dose x-ray and HD did not persist into the low-dose range. Examination of protein levels in staged tubules revealed a significant upregulation in DR5, following high-dose co-exposure. These results provide insight into the testis cell-specific apoptotic response to low-dose co-exposures of model testicular toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha R Catlin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Susan M Huse
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kim Boekelheide
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Abstract
The Sertoli cell is essential for the formation and functioning of the testis. This is the first cell to differentiate into the initially bipotential genital ridge and is the only somatic cell present in seminiferous tubules. Maturation involves the loss of proliferative capacity, formation of intercellular tight junctions and the appearance of some specific markers. We can consider schematically two distinct roles associated with different features: a process of sexual differentiation with testicular formation and a role in spermatogenesis allowing the germ cells progression into sperm through close contact in the seminiferous tubules. These events, separated in time, are in fact intimately linked.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ravel
- UPMC, hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France.
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Dehnugara T, Dhar S, Rao MRS. An in vitro, short-term culture method for mammalian haploid round spermatids amenable for molecular manipulation. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 79:19-30. [PMID: 21953649 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Extensive chromatin remodeling is a characteristic feature of mammalian spermiogenesis. To date, methods for the molecular manipulation of haploid spermatids are not available as there is a lack of a well-established culture system. Biochemical experiments and knockout studies reveal only the final outcome; studying the incremental details of the intricate mechanisms involved is still a challenge. We have established an in vitro culture system for pure haploid round spermatids isolated from rat testes that can be maintained with good viability for up to 72 hr. Changes in cell morphology and flagellar growth were also studied in the cultured spermatids. Further, we have demonstrated that upon treatment of cells with specific histone deacetylase inhibitors, sodium butyrate and trichostatin A, there is an increase in the hyperacetylation status of histone H4, mimicking an important event characteristic of histone replacement process that occurs during later stages of spermiogenesis. We have also tried various methods for introducing DNA and protein into these round spermatids in culture, and report that while DNA transfection is still a challenging task, protein transfection could be achieved using Chariot™ peptide as a transfection reagent. Thus, the method described here sets a stage to study the molecular roles of spermatid-specific proteins and chromatin remodelers in the cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushna Dehnugara
- Chromatin Biology Lab, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
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Rajkovic M, Iwen KAH, Hofmann PJ, Harneit A, Weitzel JM. Functional cooperation between CREM and GCNF directs gene expression in haploid male germ cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:2268-78. [PMID: 20071744 PMCID: PMC2853129 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp1220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular differentiation and development of germ cells critically depend on a coordinated activation and repression of specific genes. The underlying regulation mechanisms, however, still lack a lot of understanding. Here, we describe that both the testis-specific transcriptional activator CREMτ (cAMP response element modulator tau) and the repressor GCNF (germ cell nuclear factor) have an overlapping binding site which alone is sufficient to direct cell type-specific expression in vivo in a heterologous promoter context. Expression of the transgene driven by the CREM/GCNF site is detectable in spermatids, but not in any somatic tissue or at any other stages during germ cell differentiation. CREMτ acts as an activator of gene transcription whereas GCNF suppresses this activity. Both factors compete for binding to the same DNA response element. Effective binding of CREM and GCNF highly depends on composition and epigenetic modification of the binding site. We also discovered that CREM and GCNF bind to each other via their DNA binding domains, indicating a complex interaction between the two factors. There are several testis-specific target genes that are regulated by CREM and GCNF in a reciprocal manner, showing a similar activation pattern as during spermatogenesis. Our data indicate that a single common binding site for CREM and GCNF is sufficient to specifically direct gene transcription in a tissue-, cell type- and differentiation-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Rajkovic
- Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität, Greifswald, Germany
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