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Xu H, Zhang Y, Wang C, Fu Z, Lv J, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Qi Y, Meng K, Yuan J, Wang X. Research progress on the fanconi anemia signaling pathway in non-obstructive azoospermia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1393111. [PMID: 38846492 PMCID: PMC11153779 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1393111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a disease characterized by spermatogenesis failure and comprises phenotypes such as hypospermatogenesis, mature arrest, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Studies have shown that FA cross-linked anemia (FA) pathway is closely related to the occurrence of NOA. There are FA gene mutations in male NOA patients, which cause significant damage to male germ cells. The FA pathway is activated in the presence of DNA interstrand cross-links; the key step in activating this pathway is the mono-ubiquitination of the FANCD2-FANCI complex, and the activation of the FA pathway can repair DNA damage such as DNA double-strand breaks. Therefore, we believe that the FA pathway affects germ cells during DNA damage repair, resulting in minimal or even disappearance of mature sperm in males. This review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of FA-related genes in male azoospermia, with the aim of providing a theoretical reference for clinical research and exploration of related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohui Xu
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Caiqin Wang
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zhuoyan Fu
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jing Lv
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yufang Yang
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yuanmin Qi
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Kai Meng
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jinxiang Yuan
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
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Piechka A, Sparanese S, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. Molecular mechanisms of cellular dysfunction in testes from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:67-90. [PMID: 38110528 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects 50% of infertile couples worldwide; the most severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), affects 10-15% of infertile males. Treatment for individuals with NOA is limited to microsurgical sperm extraction paired with in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Unfortunately, spermatozoa are only retrieved in ~50% of patients, resulting in live birth rates of 21-46%. Regenerative therapies could provide a solution; however, understanding the cell-type-specific mechanisms of cellular dysfunction is a fundamental necessity to develop precision medicine strategies that could overcome these abnormalities and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis. A number of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction have been elucidated in NOA testicular cells. These mechanisms include abnormalities in both somatic cells and germ cells in NOA testes, such as somatic cell immaturity, aberrant growth factor signalling, increased inflammation, increased apoptosis and abnormal extracellular matrix regulation. Future cell-type-specific investigations in identifying modulators of cellular transcription and translation will be key to understanding upstream dysregulation, and these studies will require development of in vitro models to functionally interrogate spermatogenic niche dysfunction in both somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Piechka
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sydney Sparanese
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Chan CC, Yen TH, Tseng HC, Mai B, Ho PK, Chou JL, Wu GJ, Huang YC. A Comprehensive Genetic Study of Microtubule-Associated Gene Clusters for Male Infertility in a Taiwanese Cohort. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15363. [PMID: 37895049 PMCID: PMC10607339 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015363] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced reproductive technologies are utilized to identify the genetic mutations that lead to spermatogenic impairment, and allow informed genetic counseling to patients to prevent the transmission of genetic defects to offspring. The purpose of this study was to identify potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with male infertility. Genetic variants that may cause infertility are identified by combining the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and whole exome sequencing (WES). The validation step of Sanger sequencing adds confidence to the identified variants. Our analysis revealed five distinct affected genes covering seven SNPs based on the targeted NGS panel and WES data: SPATA16 (rs16846616, 1515442, 1515441), CFTR (rs213950), KIF6 (rs2273063), STPG2 (r2903150), and DRC7 (rs3809611). Infertile men have a higher mutation rate than fertile men, especially those with azoospermia. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that the dysfunction of microtubule-related and spermatogenesis-specific genes contributes to idiopathic male infertility. The SPATA16, CFTR, KIF6, STPG2, and DRC7 mutations are associated with male infertility, specifically azoospermia, and a further examination of this genetic function is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chying-Chyuan Chan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital-Renai Branch, Taipei 103212, Taiwan
| | - Te-Hsin Yen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital-Renai Branch, Taipei 103212, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Chen Tseng
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Brang Mai
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Kuan Ho
- School of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Liang Chou
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.)
- Department of Research and Development, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Jang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.)
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114202, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuan Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.)
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
- Department of Research and Development, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
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