1
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Xu F, Gao W, Zhang M, Zhang F, Sun X, Wu B, Liu Y, Li X, Li H. Diagnostic implications of ubiquitination-related gene signatures in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10728. [PMID: 38730027 PMCID: PMC11087467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61363-1] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnostic implications of ubiquitination-related gene signatures in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we first collected 161 samples from the GEO database (including 87 in the AD group and 74 in the normal group). Subsequently, through differential expression analysis and the iUUCD 2.0 database, we obtained 3450 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and 806 Ubiquitin-related genes (UbRGs). After taking the intersection, we obtained 128 UbR-DEGs. Secondly, by conducting GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on these 128 UbR-DEGs, we identified the main molecular functions and biological pathways related to AD. Furthermore, through the utilization of GSEA analysis, we have gained insight into the enrichment of functions and pathways within both the AD and normal groups. Further, using lasso regression analysis and cross-validation techniques, we identified 22 characteristic genes associated with AD. Subsequently, we constructed a logistic regression model and optimized it, resulting in the identification of 6 RUbR-DEGs: KLHL21, WDR82, DTX3L, UBTD2, CISH, and ATXN3L. In addition, the ROC result showed that the diagnostic model we built has excellent accuracy and reliability in identifying AD patients. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA (competing endogenous RNA, ceRNA) regulatory network for AD based on six RUbR-DEGs, further elucidating the interaction between UbRGs and lncRNA, miRNA. In conclusion, our findings will contribute to further understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AD and provide a new perspective for AD risk prediction, early diagnosis and targeted therapy in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xu
- Heilongjiang Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150036, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian, 223003, Jiangsu, China
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Fuyue Zhang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - XiaoFei Sun
- Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian, 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bao Wu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujiang, China
| | - Yali Liu
- Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xue Li
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Honglin Li
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
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2
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Choi S, Hong SH, Han G, Cho C. Profiling of testis-specific or testis-predominant genes expressed in mouse male germ cell lines GC-1 and GC-2. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:279-287. [PMID: 38291311 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-023-01488-1] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is a tightly organized process that utilizes an intrinsic genetic program composed of germ cell-specific genes. Although mouse germ cell-related cell lines are available, few germ cell-specific genes have been comprehensively identified in such cell lines. OBJECTIVE We aimed to profile gene expression in the male mouse germ cell-related cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, characterize their transcriptomic nature, and identify potential testis- or germ cell-specific or -predominant genes expressed in these cell lines. METHODS We performed profiling analysis of genes transcribed in the mouse germ cell-related cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, using our previous microarray data together with public transcriptome information. We analyzed the expression of a number of the cell line genes predicted to be preferentially expressed in testis by RT-PCR. RESULTS We found that most testis-specific or -predominant mRNAs are not expressed in GC-1 and GC-2 cells, implying that these cell lines have lost their testis- or germ cell-specific genetic characteristics. RT-PCR analysis of genes predicted to be expressed in the cell lines with preferential testicular expression showed the testis-specific or -predominant expression of nine genes and verified four of them as being expressed in the germ cell lines. Among them, only cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 genes (Cdkn3) showed testis and germ cell specificity. CONCLUSION Our study provides extensive transcriptomic information to shed light on the limited testicular characteristics of the mouse male germ cell-derived cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, and offers a list of germ cell line genes with testicular preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choi
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
- R&D Center, KYNOGEN Corp, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Seong Hyeon Hong
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Gwidong Han
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
| | - Chunghee Cho
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea.
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3
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Hu Q, Xiao Y, Wei R, Tang T, Wen L, Lu Y, Yu XQ. Identification and functional analysis of CG3526 in spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:79-90. [PMID: 37465843 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a critical part of reproduction in insects; however, its molecular mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we identified a testis-specific gene CG3526 in Drosophila melanogaster. Bioinformatics analysis showed that CG3526 contains a zinc binding domain and 2 C2 H2 type zinc fingers, and it is clustered to the vertebrate really interesting new gene (RING) family E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. When CG3526 was knocked down by RNA interference (RNAi), the testis became much smaller in size, and the apical tip exhibited a sharp and thin end instead of the blunt and round shape in the control testis. More importantly, compared to the control flies, only a few mature sperm were present in the seminal vesicle of C587-Gal4 > CG3526 RNAi flies. Immunofluorescence staining of the testis from CG3526 RNAi flies showed that the homeostasis of testis stem cell niche was disrupted, cell distribution in the apical tip was scattered, and the process of spermatogenesis was not completed. Furthermore, we found that the phenotype of CG3526 RNAi flies' testis was similar to that of testis of Stat92E RNAi flies, the expression level of CG3526 was significantly downregulated in the Stat92EF06346 mutant flies, and the promoter activity of CG3526 was upregulated by STAT92E. Taken together, our results indicated that CG3526 is a downstream effector gene in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway that plays a key role in the spermatogenesis of Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihao Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yanhong Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Runnan Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Ting Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yuzhen Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
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4
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Li L, Li X, Chen Y, Yang Y, Wang N, Xu W. Identification and Functional Analysis of Cynoglossus semilaevis Z-Linked E3 Ubiquitin Ligase rnf34. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:311. [PMID: 38275772 PMCID: PMC10812492 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The high proportion of males in C. semilaevis hinders their industrial development. The genetic ZW individual can become a pseudomale by sex reversal. And the pseudomale can produce Z-sperm (with epigenetic information to cause sex reversal) while W-sperm is absent, which leads to an even higher male proportion in offspring. Recently, with the development of transcriptomic technologies, research on spermatogenesis in C. semilaevis has been focused on the ubiquitination pathway. In this study, we analyzed the function of the ubiquitin ligase rnf34 gene on the Z chromosome. A qPCR experiment showed that its expression level in the gonad was the highest among different tissues. In the ovary, the expression gradually increased with development from 40 days post-hatching (dph) to 1.5 years post-hatching (yph). In the testis, rnf34 showed increased expression from 40 dph to 6 months post-hatching (mpf) and stabilized up until 1.5 ypf. In situ hybridization showed that the mRNA of rnf34 was mainly distributed in the germ cells of the testis and the ovary. In vivo siRNA-mediated knockdown of the rnf34 gene in male fish affected the expression of a series of genes related to sex differentiation and spermatogenesis. These results provide genetic data on the molecular mechanisms of gonadal development and spermatogenesis in C. semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- School of Fishery, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xihong Li
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yingming Yang
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Na Wang
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- Function Laboratory for Marine Science and Food Production Process, Laoshan Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Qingdao 266071, China
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5
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Christianson JC, Jarosch E, Sommer T. Mechanisms of substrate processing during ER-associated protein degradation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:777-796. [PMID: 37528230 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00633-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining proteome integrity is essential for long-term viability of all organisms and is overseen by intrinsic quality control mechanisms. The secretory pathway of eukaryotes poses a challenge for such quality assurance as proteins destined for secretion enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and become spatially segregated from the cytosolic machinery responsible for disposal of aberrant (misfolded or otherwise damaged) or superfluous polypeptides. The elegant solution provided by evolution is ER-membrane-bound ubiquitylation machinery that recognizes misfolded or surplus proteins or by-products of protein biosynthesis in the ER and delivers them to 26S proteasomes for degradation. ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) collectively describes this specialized arm of protein quality control via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. But, instead of providing a single strategy to remove defective or unwanted proteins, ERAD represents a collection of independent processes that exhibit distinct yet overlapping selectivity for a wide range of substrates. Not surprisingly, ER-membrane-embedded ubiquitin ligases (ER-E3s) act as central hubs for each of these separate ERAD disposal routes. In these processes, ER-E3s cooperate with a plethora of specialized factors, coordinating recognition, transport and ubiquitylation of undesirable secretory, membrane and cytoplasmic proteins. In this Review, we focus on substrate processing during ERAD, highlighting common threads as well as differences between the many routes via ERAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Christianson
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Ernst Jarosch
- Max-Delbrück-Centrer for Molecular Medicine in Helmholtz Association, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Thomas Sommer
- Max-Delbrück-Centrer for Molecular Medicine in Helmholtz Association, Berlin-Buch, Germany.
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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6
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Long D, Zhang R, Du C, Tong J, Ni Y, Zhou Y, Zuo Y, Liao M. Integrated analysis of the ubiquitination mechanism reveals the specific signatures of tissue and cancer. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:523. [PMID: 37667177 PMCID: PMC10478310 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubiquitination controls almost all cellular processes. The dysregulation of ubiquitination signals is closely associated with the initiation and progression of multiple diseases. However, there is little comprehensive research on the interaction and potential function of ubiquitination regulators (UBRs) in spermatogenesis and cancer. METHODS We systematically characterized the mRNA and protein expression of UBRs across tissues and further evaluated their roles in testicular development and spermatogenesis. Subsequently, we explored the genetic alterations, expression perturbations, cancer hallmark-related pathways, and clinical relevance of UBRs in pan-cancer. RESULTS This work reveals heterogeneity in the expression patterns of UBRs across tissues, and the expression pattern in testis is the most distinct. UBRs are dynamically expressed during testis development, which are critical for normal spermatogenesis. Furthermore, UBRs have widespread genetic alterations and expression perturbations in pan-cancer. The expression of 79 UBRs was identified to be closely correlated with the activity of 32 cancer hallmark-related pathways, and ten hub genes were screened for further clinical relevance analysis by a network-based method. More than 90% of UBRs can affect the survival of cancer patients, and hub genes have an excellent prognostic classification for specific cancer types. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of UBRs in spermatogenesis and pan-cancer, which can build a foundation for understanding male infertility and developing cancer drugs in the aspect of ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Long
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 010070, Hohhot, China
| | - Ruiqi Zhang
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Changjian Du
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiapei Tong
- College of Information Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Ni
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongchun Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 010070, Hohhot, China.
| | - Mingzhi Liao
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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7
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Ben Jemaa S, Tolone M, Sardina MT, Di Gerlando R, Chessari G, Criscione A, Persichilli C, Portolano B, Mastrangelo S. A genome-wide comparison between selected and unselected Valle del Belice sheep reveals differences in population structure and footprints of recent selection. J Anim Breed Genet 2023; 140:558-567. [PMID: 37226373 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12779] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
About three decades of breeding and selection in the Valle del Belìce sheep are expected to have left several genomic footprints related to milk production traits. In this study, we have assembled a dataset with 451 individuals of the Valle del Belìce sheep breed: 184 animals that underwent directional selection for milk production and 267 unselected animals, genotyped for 40,660 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Three different statistical approaches, both within (iHS and ROH) and between (Rsb) groups, were used to identify genomic regions potentially under selection. Population structure analyses separated all individuals according to their belonging to the two groups. A total of four genomic regions on two chromosomes were jointly identified by at least two statistical approaches. Several candidate genes for milk production were identified, corroborating the polygenic nature of this trait and which may provide clues to potential new selection targets. We also found candidate genes for growth and reproductive traits. Overall, the identified genes may explain the effect of selection to improve the performances related to milk production traits in the breed. Further studies using high-density array data, would be particularly relevant to refine and validate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slim Ben Jemaa
- Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragères, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Marco Tolone
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Sardina
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosalia Di Gerlando
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Chessari
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Criscione
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Christian Persichilli
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Ambientale e Scienze dell'alimentazione, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Baldassare Portolano
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mastrangelo
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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8
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Xu W, Yao Z, Li Y, Wang K, Kong S, Wang Y, Xiang M, Zhu F, Wang F, Zhang H. Loss of PMFBP1 Disturbs Mouse Spermatogenesis by Downregulating HDAC3 Expression. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023:10.1007/s10815-023-02874-0. [PMID: 37423931 PMCID: PMC10371971 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Polyamine modulating factor 1 binding protein (PMFBP1) acts as a scaffold protein for the maintenance of sperm structure. The aim of this study was further to identify the new role and molecular mechanism of PMFBP1 during mouse spermatogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified a profile of proteins interacting with PMFBP1 by immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry and demonstrated that class I histone deacetylases, particularly HDAC3 and chaperonin-containing TCP1 subunit 3 (CCT3), were potential interaction partners of PMFBP1 based on network analysis of protein-protein interactions and co-immunoprecipitation. Immunoblotting and immunochemistry assays showed that loss of Pmfbp1 would result in a decline in HDACs and change the proteomic profile of mouse testis, in which differently expressed proteins are associated with spermatogenesis and assembly of flagella, which was proved by proteomic analysis of testis tissue obtained from Pmfbp1-/- mice. After integrating with transcriptome data for Hdac3-/- and Sox30-/- round sperm obtained from a public database, RT-qPCR confirmed ring finger protein 151 (Rnf151) and ring finger protein 133 (Rnf133) were key downstream response factors of the Pmfbp1-Hdac axis affecting mouse spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION Taken together, this study indicates a previously unidentified molecular mechanism of PMFBP1 in spermatogenesis whereby PMFBP1 interacts with CCT3, affecting the expression of HDAC3, followed by the downregulation of RNF151 and RNF133, resulting in an abnormal phenotype of sperm beyond the headless sperm tails. These findings not only advance our understanding of the function of Pmfbp1 in mouse spermatogenesis but also provide a typical case for multi-omics analysis used in the functional annotation of specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilong Xu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhoujuan Yao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yunzhi Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ke Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, China
| | - Shuai Kong
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Mingfei Xiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Fuxi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Fengsong Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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9
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Giassetti MI, Miao D, Law NC, Oatley MJ, Park J, Robinson LD, Maddison LA, Bernhardt ML, Oatley JM. ARRDC5 expression is conserved in mammalian testes and required for normal sperm morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2111. [PMID: 37069147 PMCID: PMC10110545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37735-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In sexual reproduction, sperm contribute half the genomic material required for creation of offspring yet core molecular mechanisms essential for their formation are undefined. Here, the α-arrestin molecule arrestin-domain containing 5 (ARRDC5) is identified as an essential regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis. Multispecies testicular tissue transcriptome profiling indicates that expression of Arrdc5 is testis enriched, if not specific, in mice, pigs, cattle, and humans. Knockout of Arrdc5 in mice leads to male specific sterility due to production of low numbers of sperm that are immotile and malformed. Spermiogenesis, the final phase of spermatogenesis when round spermatids transform to spermatozoa, is defective in testes of Arrdc5 deficient mice. Also, epididymal sperm in Arrdc5 knockouts are unable to capacitate and fertilize oocytes. These findings establish ARRDC5 as an essential regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis. Considering the role of arrestin molecules as modulators of cellular signaling and ubiquitination, ARRDC5 is a potential male contraceptive target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana I Giassetti
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Deqiang Miao
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Nathan C Law
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Julie Park
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - LeeLa D Robinson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Lisette A Maddison
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Miranda L Bernhardt
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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10
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Clement TM, Geyer CB, Willis WD, Goulding EH, Upadhyay S, Eddy EM. Actin-related protein ACTL7B ablation leads to OAT with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum and male infertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:447-464. [PMID: 36617158 PMCID: PMC10014417 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad001] [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: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of fertilisation-competent sperm requires spermatid morphogenesis (spermiogenesis), a poorly understood program that involves complex coordinated restructuring and specialised cytoskeletal structures. A major class of cytoskeletal regulators are the actin-related proteins (ARPs), which include conventional actin variants, and related proteins that play essential roles in complexes regulating actin dynamics, intracellular transport, and chromatin remodeling. Multiple testis-specific ARPs are well conserved among mammals, but their functional roles are unknown. One of these is actin-like 7b (Actl7b) that encodes an orphan ARP highly similar to the ubiquitously expressed beta actin (ACTB). Here we report ACTL7B is expressed in human and mouse spermatids through the elongation phase of spermatid development. In mice, ACTL7B specifically localises to the developing acrosome, within the nucleus of early spermatids, and to the flagellum connecting region. Based on this localisation pattern and high level of sequence conservation in mice, humans, and other mammals, we examined the requirement for ACTL7B in spermiogenesis by generating and characterising the reproductive phenotype of male Actl7b KO mice. KO mice were infertile, with severe and variable oligoteratozoospermia (OAT) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum (MMAF) and sperm head. These defects phenocopy human OAT and MMAF, which are leading causes of idiopathic male infertility. In conclusion, this work identifies ACTL7B as a key regulator of spermiogenesis that is required for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Clement
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, and East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
| | - William D Willis
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Eugenia H Goulding
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Edward M Eddy
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
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