1
|
Stathatos GG, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Zenker J, Dunleavy JE, O'Bryan MK. Epsilon tubulin is an essential determinant of microtubule-based structures in male germ cells. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:2722-2742. [PMID: 38773322 PMCID: PMC11169422 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00159-w] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpha, beta, and gamma tubulins are essential building blocks for all eukaryotic cells. The functions of the non-canonical tubulins, delta, epsilon, and zeta, however, remain poorly understood and their requirement in mammalian development untested. Herein we have used a spermatogenesis model to define epsilon tubulin (TUBE1) function in mice. We show that TUBE1 is essential for the function of multiple complex microtubule arrays, including the meiotic spindle, axoneme and manchette and in its absence, there is a dramatic loss of germ cells and male sterility. Moreover, we provide evidence for the interplay between TUBE1 and katanin-mediated microtubule severing, and for the sub-specialization of individual katanin paralogs in the regulation of specific microtubule arrays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Gemma Stathatos
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jennifer Zenker
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jessica Em Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Young N, Gui Z, Mustafa S, Papa K, Jessop E, Ruddell E, Bevington L, Quinlan RA, Benham AM, Goldberg MW, Obara B, Karakesisoglou I. Inhibition of PDIs Downregulates Core LINC Complex Proteins, Promoting the Invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells in Confined Spaces In Vitro. Cells 2024; 13:906. [PMID: 38891038 PMCID: PMC11172124 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110906] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells tether the nucleoskeleton to the cytoskeleton via a conserved molecular bridge, called the LINC complex. The core of the LINC complex comprises SUN-domain and KASH-domain proteins that directly associate within the nuclear envelope lumen. Intra- and inter-chain disulphide bonds, along with KASH-domain protein interactions, both contribute to the tertiary and quaternary structure of vertebrate SUN-domain proteins. The significance of these bonds and the role of PDIs (protein disulphide isomerases) in LINC complex biology remains unclear. Reducing and non-reducing SDS-PAGE analyses revealed a prevalence of SUN2 homodimers in non-tumorigenic breast epithelia MCF10A cells, but not in the invasive triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. Furthermore, super-resolution microscopy revealed SUN2 staining alterations in MCF10A, but not in MDA-MB-231 nuclei, upon reducing agent exposure. While PDIA1 levels were similar in both cell lines, pharmacological inhibition of PDI activity in MDA-MB-231 cells led to SUN-domain protein down-regulation, as well as Nesprin-2 displacement from the nucleus. This inhibition also caused changes in perinuclear cytoskeletal architecture and lamin downregulation, and increased the invasiveness of PDI-inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells in space-restrictive in vitro environments, compared to untreated cells. These results emphasise the key roles of PDIs in regulating LINC complex biology, cellular architecture, biomechanics, and invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Young
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Zizhao Gui
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Suleiman Mustafa
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK; (S.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Kleopatra Papa
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Emily Jessop
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Elizabeth Ruddell
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Laura Bevington
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Roy A. Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Adam M. Benham
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Martin W. Goldberg
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| | - Boguslaw Obara
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK; (S.M.); (B.O.)
| | - Iakowos Karakesisoglou
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; (N.Y.); (Z.G.); (K.P.); (E.J.); (E.R.); (L.B.); (R.A.Q.); (A.M.B.); (M.W.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yerima G, Domkam N, Ornowski J, Jahed Z, Mofrad MRK. Force transmission and SUN-KASH higher-order assembly in the LINC complex models. Biophys J 2023; 122:4582-4597. [PMID: 37924205 PMCID: PMC10719071 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The linkers of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex comprises Sad-1 and UNC-84 (SUN) and Klarsicht, ANC-1, SYNE homology (KASH) domain proteins, whose conserved interactions provide a physical coupling between the cytoskeleton and the nucleoskeleton, thereby mediating the transfer of physical forces across the nuclear envelope. The LINC complex can perform distinct cellular functions by pairing various KASH domain proteins with the same SUN domain protein. Recent studies have suggested a higher-order assembly of SUN and KASH instead of a more widely accepted linear trimer model for the LINC complex. In the present study, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the mechanism of force transfer across the two proposed models of LINC complex assembly, namely the 3:3 linear trimer model and the 6:6 higher-order model. Employing steered molecular dynamics simulations with various structures using forces at different rates and directions, we examine the structural stability of the two models under various biologically relevant conditions. Our results suggest that both models can withstand and transfer significant levels of force while retaining their structural integrity. However, the force response of various SUN/KASH assemblies depend on the force direction and pulling rates. Slower pulling rates result in higher mean square fluctuations of the 3:3 assembly compared to the fast pulling. Interestingly, the 6:6 assembly tends to provide an additional range of motion flexibility and might be more advantageous to the structural rigidity and pliability of the nuclear envelope. These findings offer insights into how the SUN and KASH proteins maintain the structural integrity of the nuclear membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghafar Yerima
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Nya Domkam
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Jessica Ornowski
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Zeinab Jahed
- Department of Nanoengineering, Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California.
| | - Mohammad R K Mofrad
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California; Molecular Biophysics and Integrative Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Orsi GA, Tortora MMC, Horard B, Baas D, Kleman JP, Bucevičius J, Lukinavičius G, Jost D, Loppin B. Biophysical ordering transitions underlie genome 3D re-organization during cricket spermiogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4187. [PMID: 37443316 PMCID: PMC10345107 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39908-1] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a radical process of differentiation whereby sperm cells acquire a compact and specialized morphology to cope with the constraints of sexual reproduction while preserving their main cargo, an intact copy of the paternal genome. In animals, this often involves the replacement of most histones by sperm-specific nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs). Yet, how the SNBP-structured genome achieves compaction and accommodates shaping remain largely unknown. Here, we exploit confocal, electron and super-resolution microscopy, coupled with polymer modeling to identify the higher-order architecture of sperm chromatin in the needle-shaped nucleus of the emerging model cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Accompanying spermatid differentiation, the SNBP-based genome is strikingly reorganized as ~25nm-thick fibers orderly coiled along the elongated nucleus axis. This chromatin spool is further found to achieve large-scale helical twisting in the final stages of spermiogenesis, favoring its ultracompaction. We reveal that these dramatic transitions may be recapitulated by a surprisingly simple biophysical principle based on a nucleated rigidification of chromatin linked to the histone-to-SNBP transition within a confined nuclear space. Our work highlights a unique, liquid crystal-like mode of higher-order genome organization in ultracompact cricket sperm, and establishes a multidisciplinary methodological framework to explore the diversity of non-canonical modes of DNA organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo A Orsi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Maxime M C Tortora
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Inserm U1293, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Béatrice Horard
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Inserm U1293, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Dominique Baas
- Laboratoire MeLiS, CNRS UMR 52684, Inserm U 1314, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Kleman
- Institut de Biologie Structurale, UMR5075, University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Jonas Bucevičius
- Chromatin Labeling and Imaging Group, Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gražvydas Lukinavičius
- Chromatin Labeling and Imaging Group, Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Jost
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Inserm U1293, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, Inserm U1293, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gurusaran M, Biemans JJ, Wood CW, Davies OR. Molecular insights into LINC complex architecture through the crystal structure of a luminal trimeric coiled-coil domain of SUN1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1144277. [PMID: 37416798 PMCID: PMC10320395 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1144277] [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: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The LINC complex, consisting of interacting SUN and KASH proteins, mechanically couples nuclear contents to the cytoskeleton. In meiosis, the LINC complex transmits microtubule-generated forces to chromosome ends, driving the rapid chromosome movements that are necessary for synapsis and crossing over. In somatic cells, it defines nuclear shape and positioning, and has a number of specialised roles, including hearing. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of a coiled-coiled domain of SUN1's luminal region, providing an architectural foundation for how SUN1 traverses the nuclear lumen, from the inner nuclear membrane to its interaction with KASH proteins at the outer nuclear membrane. In combination with light and X-ray scattering, molecular dynamics and structure-directed modelling, we present a model of SUN1's entire luminal region. This model highlights inherent flexibility between structured domains, and raises the possibility that domain-swap interactions may establish a LINC complex network for the coordinated transmission of cytoskeletal forces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manickam Gurusaran
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jelle J. Biemans
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher W. Wood
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Owen R. Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of teratospermia has been increasing, and it has become a very important factor leading to male infertility. The research on the molecular mechanism of teratospermia is also progressing rapidly. This article briefly summarizes the clinical incidence of teratozoospermia, and makes a retrospective summary of related studies reported in recent years. Specifically discussing the relationship between gene status and spermatozoa, the review aims to provide the basis for the genetic diagnosis and gene therapy of teratozoospermia.
Collapse
|
7
|
Hoyer-Fender S. Development of the Connecting Piece in ODF1-Deficient Mouse Spermatids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810280. [PMID: 36142191 PMCID: PMC9499666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ODF1 is a major protein of the accessory fibres of the mammalian sperm tail. In addition, ODF1 is found in the connecting piece, a complex structure located at the posterior end of the nucleus that connects the sperm head and tail. The tight coupling of the sperm head and tail is critical for the progressive motility of the sperm to reach the oocyte for fertilisation. The depletion of ODF1 by homologous recombination in mice led to male infertility. Although sperm tails were present in the epididymis, no intact spermatozoa were found. Instead, the depletion of ODF1 resulted in sperm decapitation, suggesting that ODF1 is essential for the formation of the coupling apparatus and the tight linkage of the sperm head and tail. However, the development of the linkage complex in the absence of ODF1 has never been investigated. Here, I analysed the fine structure of the developing connecting piece by transmission electron microscopy. I show that the connecting piece develops as in wild-type spermatids. Structural abnormalities were not observed when ODF1 was absent. Thus, ODF1 is dispensable for the development of the connecting piece. However, the decapitation of ODF1-deficient spermatozoa indicates that the heads and tails of the spermatozoa are not linked, so that they separate when force is applied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology-Developmental Biology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu X, Zang C, Wu Y, Meng R, Chen Y, Jiang T, Wang C, Yang X, Guo Y, Situ C, Hu Z, Zhang J, Guo X. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase HIPK4 regulates phosphorylation of manchette protein RIMBP3 during spermiogenesis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102327. [PMID: 35931115 PMCID: PMC9440445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most serious form of spermatogenesis abnormalities in male infertility. Genetic factors are important to consider as elements leading to NOA. Although many pathogenic genes have been reported, the causative genes of NOA for many patients are still unknown. In this study, we found ten point mutations in the gene encoding homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) in patients with NOA, and using in vitro studies, we determined a premature termination point mutation (p. Lys490∗, c.1468A>T) that can cause decreased expression of HIPK4. Our phosphoproteomic analysis of Hipk4−/− testes revealed phosphorylation of multiple proteins regulated by HIPK4 during spermiogenesis. We also confirmed that a substrate of HIPK4 with four downregulated phosphorylation sites matching the xSPx motif is the known manchette-related protein RIMS-binding protein 3, which is required for sperm head morphogenesis. Therefore, we conclude HIPK4 regulates the phosphorylation of manchette protein RIMS-binding protein 3 and plays essential roles in sperm head shaping and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chunyan Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yifei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ru Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Okada Y. Sperm chromatin condensation: epigenetic mechanisms to compact the genome and spatiotemporal regulation from inside and outside the nucleus. Gene 2022; 97:41-53. [PMID: 35491100 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00065] [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: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sperm chromatin condensation is a critical step in mammalian spermatogenesis to protect the paternal DNA from external damaging factors and to acquire fertility. During chromatin condensation, various events proceed in a chronological order, independently or in sequence, interacting with each other both inside and outside the nucleus to support the dramatic chromatin changes. Among these events, histone-protamine replacement, which is concomitant with acrosome biogenesis and cytoskeletal alteration, is the most critical step associated with nuclear elongation. Failures of not only intranuclear events but also extra-nuclear events severely affect sperm shape and chromatin state and are subsequently linked to infertility. This review focuses on nuclear and non-nuclear factors that affect sperm chromatin condensation and its effects, and further discusses the possible utility of sperm chromatin for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Okada
- Laboratory of Pathology and Development, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Teves ME, Roldan ERS. Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:7-60. [PMID: 33880962 PMCID: PMC8812575 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon is a highly differentiated and polarized cell, with two main structures: the head, containing a haploid nucleus and the acrosomal exocytotic granule, and the flagellum, which generates energy and propels the cell; both structures are connected by the neck. The sperm's main aim is to participate in fertilization, thus activating development. Despite this common bauplan and function, there is an enormous diversity in structure and performance of sperm cells. For example, mammalian spermatozoa may exhibit several head patterns and overall sperm lengths ranging from ∼30 to 350 µm. Mechanisms of transport in the female tract, preparation for fertilization, and recognition of and interaction with the oocyte also show considerable variation. There has been much interest in understanding the origin of this diversity, both in evolutionary terms and in relation to mechanisms underlying sperm differentiation in the testis. Here, relationships between sperm bauplan and function are examined at two levels: first, by analyzing the selective forces that drive changes in sperm structure and physiology to understand the adaptive values of this variation and impact on male reproductive success and second, by examining cellular and molecular mechanisms of sperm formation in the testis that may explain how differentiation can give rise to such a wide array of sperm forms and functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Manfrevola F, Martinez G, Coutton C, Rocco D, Reynaud K, Le Vern Y, Froment P, Beauclair L, Aubert D, Pierantoni R, Chianese R, Guillou F. Ankrd31 in Sperm and Epididymal Integrity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:741975. [PMID: 34820371 PMCID: PMC8607815 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.741975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ankyrin proteins (ANKRD) are key mediators linking membrane and sub-membranous cytoskeletal proteins. Recent findings have highlighted a new role of ANKRD31 during spermatogenesis, elucidating its involvement in meiotic recombination and male germ cell progression. Following testicular differentiation, spermatozoa (SPZ) enter into the epididymis, where they undergo several biochemical and enzymatic changes. The epididymal epithelium is characterized by cell-to-cell junctions that are able to form the blood-epididymal barrier (BEB). This intricate epithelial structure provides the optimal microenvironment needed for epididymal sperm maturation. To date, no notions have been reported regarding a putative role of ANKRD31 in correct BEB formation. In our work, we generated an Ankrd31 knockout male mouse model (Ankrd31–/–) and characterized its reproductive phenotype. Ankrd31–/– mice were infertile and exhibited oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (a low number of immotile SPZ with abnormal morphological features). In addition, a complete deregulation of BEB was found in Ankrd31–/–, due to cell-to-cell junction anomalies. In order to suggest that BEB deregulation may depend on Ankrd31 gene deletion, we showed the physical interaction among ANKRD31 and some epithelial junction proteins in wild-type (WT) epididymides. In conclusion, the current work shows a key role of ANKRD31 in the control of germ cell progression as well as sperm and epididymal integrity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manfrevola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Hôpital Couple-Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France.,Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Hôpital Couple-Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France.,Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, France
| | - Domenico Rocco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Karine Reynaud
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Yves Le Vern
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, Nouzilly, France
| | - Pascal Froment
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Linda Beauclair
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Denise Aubert
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, INRAE, CNRS, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosanna Chianese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Florian Guillou
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pawar S, Kutay U. The Diverse Cellular Functions of Inner Nuclear Membrane Proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2021; 13:a040477. [PMID: 33753404 PMCID: PMC8411953 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear compartment is delimited by a specialized expanded sheet of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) known as the nuclear envelope (NE). Compared to the outer nuclear membrane and the contiguous peripheral ER, the inner nuclear membrane (INM) houses a unique set of transmembrane proteins that serve a staggering range of functions. Many of these functions reflect the exceptional position of INM proteins at the membrane-chromatin interface. Recent research revealed that numerous INM proteins perform crucial roles in chromatin organization, regulation of gene expression, genome stability, and mediation of signaling pathways into the nucleus. Other INM proteins establish mechanical links between chromatin and the cytoskeleton, help NE remodeling, or contribute to the surveillance of NE integrity and homeostasis. As INM proteins continue to gain prominence, we review these advancements and give an overview on the functional versatility of the INM proteome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Pawar
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Kutay
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. The Transformation of the Centrosome into the Basal Body: Similarities and Dissimilarities between Somatic and Male Germ Cells and Their Relevance for Male Fertility. Cells 2021; 10:2266. [PMID: 34571916 PMCID: PMC8471410 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm flagellum is essential for the transport of the genetic material toward the oocyte and thus the transmission of the genetic information to the next generation. During the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, i.e., spermiogenesis, a morphological and molecular restructuring of the male germ cell, the round spermatid, takes place that includes the silencing and compaction of the nucleus, the formation of the acrosomal vesicle from the Golgi apparatus, the formation of the sperm tail, and, finally, the shedding of excessive cytoplasm. Sperm tail formation starts in the round spermatid stage when the pair of centrioles moves toward the posterior pole of the nucleus. The sperm tail, eventually, becomes located opposed to the acrosomal vesicle, which develops at the anterior pole of the nucleus. The centriole pair tightly attaches to the nucleus, forming a nuclear membrane indentation. An articular structure is formed around the centriole pair known as the connecting piece, situated in the neck region and linking the sperm head to the tail, also named the head-to-tail coupling apparatus or, in short, HTCA. Finally, the sperm tail grows out from the distal centriole that is now transformed into the basal body of the flagellum. However, a centriole pair is found in nearly all cells of the body. In somatic cells, it accumulates a large mass of proteins, the pericentriolar material (PCM), that together constitute the centrosome, which is the main microtubule-organizing center of the cell, essential not only for the structuring of the cytoskeleton and the overall cellular organization but also for mitotic spindle formation and chromosome segregation. However, in post-mitotic (G1 or G0) cells, the centrosome is transformed into the basal body. In this case, one of the centrioles, which is always the oldest or mother centriole, grows the axoneme of a cilium. Most cells of the body carry a single cilium known as the primary cilium that serves as an antenna sensing the cell's environment. Besides, specialized cells develop multiple motile cilia differing in substructure from the immotile primary cilia that are essential in moving fluids or cargos over the cellular surface. Impairment of cilia formation causes numerous severe syndromes that are collectively subsumed as ciliopathies. This comparative overview serves to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of basal body formation, their similarities, and dissimilarities, in somatic versus male germ cells, by discussing the involved proteins/genes and their expression, localization, and function. The review, thus, aimed to provide a deeper knowledge of the molecular players that is essential for the expansion of clinical diagnostics and treatment of male fertility disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology-Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang Y, Tang Y, Li J, Wang D, Li W. Human sperm-associated antigen 4 as a potential prognostic biomarker of lung squamous cell carcinoma. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211032807. [PMID: 34311595 PMCID: PMC8320573 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211032807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. As a subtype of LC, lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has a 5-year survival rate of less than 15%. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of a glycolysis-related gene signature in LUSC patients. METHODS We obtained RNA-Seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Prognosis-related genes were screened out by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Cox proportional regression models. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the mRNA expression levels in relevant tissues. RESULTS We found that sperm-associated antigen 4 (SPAG4) overexpression was an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) in LUSC. Patients with high-risk scores had higher mortality rates than those with low-risk scores. Moreover, by using RT-qPCR, we validated that SPAG4 mRNA was overexpressed in LUSC tissue samples compared with their paired para-cancerous histological normal tissues. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of aberrantly overexpressed SPAG4 may provide a further useful approach to complement existing methods and predict prognosis in LUSC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongheng Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Xi'an No. 3 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianhui Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Danfang Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenhan Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shah W, Khan R, Shah B, Dil S, Shi Q. Knockout of the family with sequence similarity 181, member A ( Fam181a) gene does not impair spermatogenesis or male fertility in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:674-681. [PMID: 34253288 DOI: 10.1071/rd21150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Family with sequence similarity 181 (Fam181 ) is a gene family with two paralogues (Fam181a and Fam181b ) found among vertebrates. Fam181a exhibits dynamic and stage-specific expression during murine embryo development. Furthermore, searching in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database revealed predominant expression of Fam181a in mouse and human testes, implying that it may have essential roles in spermatogenesis. In this study we investigated the invivo function of Fam181a in mouse spermatogenesis and fertility by generating Fam181a -/- mice using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) 9 genome editing technology. The resulting Fam181a -/- mice exhibited normal growth and development. In addition, the mice were completely fertile, with no obvious differences in the testis-to-bodyweight ratio, epididymal sperm count or sperm motility compared with wild-type mice. Further examination of testicular and epididymal histology of Fam181a -/- mice found an intact seminiferous tubule structure and the presence of all types of germ cells, from spermatogonia to mature spermatozoa, similar to wild-type littermates. Similarly, analysis of meiotic prophase I progression revealed normal populations of each substage of prophase I in Fam181a +/+ and Fam181a -/- testes, suggesting that this gene is dispensable for male fertility. These negative findings will help avoid research overlap, save time and resources and allow researchers to concentrate on genes that are critical for male fertility and spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; and Corresponding authors
| | - Basit Shah
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Sobia Dil
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; and Corresponding authors
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang Y, Yang L, Huang L, Liu G, Nie X, Zhang X, Xing X. SUN5 Interacting With Nesprin3 Plays an Essential Role in Sperm Head-to-Tail Linkage: Research on Sun5 Gene Knockout Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:684826. [PMID: 34268309 PMCID: PMC8276135 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.684826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare genetic and reproductive disease. Recent studies have shown that approximately 33–47% of patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome have SUN5 mutations, but the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not been elucidated. In this study, we generated Sun5 knockout mice and found that the head-to-tail linkage was broken in Sun5–/– mice, which was similar to human acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Furthermore, ultrastructural imaging revealed that the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the centrosome were distant from the nucleus at steps 9–10 during spermatid elongation. With the manchette disappearing at steps 13–14, the head and the tail segregated. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying this process, bioinformatic analysis was performed and showed that Sun5 may interact with Nesprin3. Further coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that Sun5 and Nesprin3 were indeed bona fide interaction partners that formed the linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex participating in the connection of the head and tail of spermatozoa. Nesprin3 was located posterior and anterior to the nucleus during spermiogenesis in wild-type mice, whereas it lost its localization at the implantation fossa of the posterior region in Sun5–/– mice. Without correct localization of Nesprin3 at the nuclear membrane, the centrosome, which is the originator of the flagellum, was distant from the nucleus, which led to the separation of the head and tail. In addition, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation results showed that 47 proteins were upregulated, and 56 proteins were downregulated, in the testis in Sun5–/– mice, and the downregulation of spermatogenesis-related proteins (Odf1 and Odf2) may also contribute to the damage to the spermatozoa head-to-tail linkage. Our findings suggested that Sun5 is essential for the localization of Nesprin3 at the posterior nuclear membrane, which plays an essential role in the sperm head-tail connection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linfei Yang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinmin Nie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Azhar M, Altaf S, Uddin I, Cheng J, Wu L, Tong X, Qin W, Bao J. Towards Post-Meiotic Sperm Production: Genetic Insight into Human Infertility from Mouse Models. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2487-2503. [PMID: 34326689 PMCID: PMC8315030 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined quality and quantity of sperm is currently the major cause of patients suffering from infertility. Male germ cell development is spatiotemporally regulated throughout the whole developmental process. While it has been known that exogenous factors, such as environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle, et al, play causative roles in male infertility, recent progress has revealed abundant genetic mutations tightly associated with defective male germline development. In mammals, male germ cells undergo dramatic morphological change (i.e., nuclear condensation) and chromatin remodeling during post-meiotic haploid germline development, a process termed spermiogenesis; However, the molecular machinery players and functional mechanisms have yet to be identified. To date, accumulated evidence suggests that disruption in any step of haploid germline development is likely manifested as fertility issues with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, aberrant sperm morphology or combined. With the continually declined cost of next-generation sequencing and recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, growing studies have revealed a vast number of disease-causing genetic variants associated with spermiogenic defects in both mice and humans, along with mechanistic insights partially attained and validated through genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). In this review, we mainly summarize genes that are functional at post-meiotic stage. Identification and characterization of deleterious genetic variants should aid in our understanding of germline development, and thereby further improve the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Saba Altaf
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Islam Uddin
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Jinbao Cheng
- The 901th hospital of Joint logistics support Force of PLA, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Xiong W, Shen C, Wang Z. The molecular mechanisms underlying acrosome biogenesis elucidated by gene-manipulated mice. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:789-807. [PMID: 34131698 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of two gametes in a multistep and multifactorial process termed fertilization. One of the main steps that ensures successful fertilization is acrosome reaction. The acrosome, a special kind of organelle with a cap-like structure that covers the anterior portion of sperm head, plays a key role in the process. Acrosome biogenesis begins with the initial stage of spermatid development, and it is typically divided into four successive phases: the Golgi phase, cap phase, acrosome phase, and maturation phase. The run smoothly of above processes needs an active and specific coordination between the all kinds of organelles (endoplasmic reticulum, trans-golgi network and nucleus) and cytoplasmic structures (acroplaxome and manchette). During the past two decades, an increasingly genes have been discovered to be involved in modulating acrosome formation. Most of these proteins interact with each other and show a complicated molecular regulatory mechanism to facilitate the occurrence of this event. This Review focuses on the progresses of studying acrosome biogenesis using gene-manipulated mice and highlights an emerging molecular basis of mammalian acrosome formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Manfrevola F, Guillou F, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Chianese R. LINCking the Nuclear Envelope to Sperm Architecture. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050658. [PMID: 33925685 PMCID: PMC8145172 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear architecture undergoes an extensive remodeling during spermatogenesis, especially at levels of spermatocytes (SPC) and spermatids (SPT). Interestingly, typical events of spermiogenesis, such as nuclear elongation, acrosome biogenesis, and flagellum formation, need a functional cooperation between proteins of the nuclear envelope and acroplaxome/manchette structures. In addition, nuclear envelope plays a key role in chromosome distribution. In this scenario, special attention has been focused on the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, a nuclear envelope-bridge structure involved in the connection of the nucleoskeleton to the cytoskeleton, governing mechanotransduction. It includes two integral proteins: KASH- and SUN-domain proteins, on the outer (ONM) and inner (INM) nuclear membrane, respectively. The LINC complex is involved in several functions fundamental to the correct development of sperm cells such as head formation and head to tail connection, and, therefore, it seems to be important in determining male fertility. This review provides a global overview of the main LINC complex components, with a special attention to their subcellular localization in sperm cells, their roles in the regulation of sperm morphological maturation, and, lastly, LINC complex alterations associated to male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manfrevola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (S.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Florian Guillou
- PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (S.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (S.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Rosanna Chianese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (S.F.); (R.P.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kozono T, Sato H, Okumura W, Jogano C, Tamura-Nakano M, Kawamura YI, Rohrer J, Tonozuka T, Nishikawa A. The N-terminal region of Jaw1 has a role to inhibit the formation of organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum as an intrinsically disordered region. Sci Rep 2021; 11:753. [PMID: 33436890 PMCID: PMC7804115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Jaw1/LRMP is a type II integral membrane protein that is localized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and outer nuclear membrane. We previously reported that a function of Jaw1 is to maintain the nuclear shape as a KASH protein via its carboxyl terminal region, a component of linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex in the oligomeric state. Although the oligomerization of some KASH proteins via the cytosolic regions serves to stabilize protein-protein interactions, the issue of how the oligomerization of Jaw1 is regulated is not completely understood. Therefore, we focused on three distinct regions on the cytosolic face of Jaw1: the N-terminal region, the coiled-coil domain and the stem region, in terms of oligomerization. A co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that its coiled-coil domain is a candidate for the oligomerization site. Furthermore, our data indicated that the N-terminal region prevents the aberrant oligomerization of Jaw1 as an intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Importantly, the ectopic expression of an N-terminal region deleted mutant caused the formation of organized smooth ER (OSER), structures such as nuclear karmellae and whorls, in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, this OSER interfered with the localization of the oligomer and interactors such as the type III inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R3) and SUN2. In summary, the N-terminal region of Jaw1 inhibits the formation of OSER as an IDR to maintain the homeostatic localization of interactors on the ER membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Kozono
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Wataru Okumura
- Department of Food and Energy Systems Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Chifuyu Jogano
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Miwa Tamura-Nakano
- Communal Laboratory, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Yuki I Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Jack Rohrer
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, CH-8820, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Tonozuka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nishikawa
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan. .,Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan. .,Department of Food and Energy Systems Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pleuger C, Lehti MS, Dunleavy JE, Fietz D, O'Bryan MK. Haploid male germ cells-the Grand Central Station of protein transport. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:474-500. [PMID: 32318721 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise movement of proteins and vesicles is an essential ability for all eukaryotic cells. Nowhere is this more evident than during the remarkable transformation that occurs in spermiogenesis-the transformation of haploid round spermatids into sperm. These transformations are critically dependent upon both the microtubule and the actin cytoskeleton, and defects in these processes are thought to underpin a significant percentage of human male infertility. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review is aimed at summarising and synthesising the current state of knowledge around protein/vesicle transport during haploid male germ cell development and identifying knowledge gaps and challenges for future research. To achieve this, we summarise the key discoveries related to protein transport using the mouse as a model system. Where relevant, we anchored these insights to knowledge in the field of human spermiogenesis and the causality of human male infertility. SEARCH METHODS Relevant studies published in English were identified using PubMed using a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review-protein/vesicle transport, intra-flagellar transport, intra-manchette transport, Golgi, acrosome, manchette, axoneme, outer dense fibres and fibrous sheath. Searches were not restricted to a particular time frame or species although the emphasis within the review is on mammalian spermiogenesis. OUTCOMES Spermiogenesis is the final phase of sperm development. It results in the transformation of a round cell into a highly polarised sperm with the capacity for fertility. It is critically dependent on the cytoskeleton and its ability to transport protein complexes and vesicles over long distances and often between distinct cytoplasmic compartments. The development of the acrosome covering the sperm head, the sperm tail within the ciliary lobe, the manchette and its role in sperm head shaping and protein transport into the tail, and the assembly of mitochondria into the mid-piece of sperm, may all be viewed as a series of overlapping and interconnected train tracks. Defects in this redistribution network lead to male infertility characterised by abnormal sperm morphology (teratozoospermia) and/or abnormal sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) and are likely to be causal of, or contribute to, a significant percentage of human male infertility. WIDER IMPLICATIONS A greater understanding of the mechanisms of protein transport in spermiogenesis offers the potential to precisely diagnose cases of male infertility and to forecast implications for children conceived using gametes containing these mutations. The manipulation of these processes will offer opportunities for male-based contraceptive development. Further, as increasingly evidenced in the literature, we believe that the continuous and spatiotemporally restrained nature of spermiogenesis provides an outstanding model system to identify, and de-code, cytoskeletal elements and transport mechanisms of relevance to multiple tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pleuger
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia.,Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Mari S Lehti
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku 20520, Finland
| | | | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Beurois J, Cazin C, Kherraf ZE, Martinez G, Celse T, Touré A, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Coutton C. Genetics of teratozoospermia: Back to the head. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 34:101473. [PMID: 33183966 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are polarized cells with a head and a flagellum joined by the connecting piece. Head integrity is critical for normal sperm function, and head defects consistently lead to male infertility. Abnormalities of the sperm head are among the most severe and characteristic sperm defects. Patients presenting with a monomorphic head sperm defects such as globozoospermia or marcrozoospermia were analyzed permitting to identify several key genes for spermatogenesis such as AURKC and DPY19L2. The study of patients with other specific sperm head defects such as acephalic spermatozoa have also enabled the identification of new infertility genes such as SUN5. Here, we review the genetic causes leading to morphological defects of sperm head. Advances in the genetics of male infertility are necessary to improve the management of infertility and will pave the road towards future strategies of treatments, especially for patients with the most severe phenotype as sperm head defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Beurois
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France; CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France; CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Tristan Celse
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France; CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Aminata Touré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France; CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000, Grenoble, France; CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, F-38000, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kmonickova V, Frolikova M, Steger K, Komrskova K. The Role of the LINC Complex in Sperm Development and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9058. [PMID: 33260574 PMCID: PMC7730847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The LINC (LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex is localized within the nuclear envelope and consists of SUN (Sad1/UNc84 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the inner nuclear membrane and KASH (Klarsicht/Anc1/Syne1 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the outer nuclear membrane, hence linking nuclear with cytoplasmic structures. While the nucleoplasm-facing side acts as a key player for correct pairing of homolog chromosomes and rapid chromosome movements during meiosis, the cytoplasm-facing side plays a pivotal role for sperm head development and proper acrosome formation during spermiogenesis. A further complex present in spermatozoa is involved in head-to-tail coupling. An intact LINC complex is crucial for the production of fertile sperm, as mutations in genes encoding for complex proteins are known to be associated with male subfertility in both mice and men. The present review provides a comprehensive overview on our current knowledge of LINC complex subtypes present in germ cells and its central role for male reproduction. Future studies on distinct LINC complex components are an absolute requirement to improve the diagnosis of idiopathic male factor infertility and the outcome of assisted reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Kmonickova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (V.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Michaela Frolikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (V.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Katerina Komrskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (V.K.); (M.F.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. The WD40-protein CFAP52/WDR16 is a centrosome/basal body protein and localizes to the manchette and the flagellum in male germ cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14240. [PMID: 32859975 PMCID: PMC7455747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of spermatozoa requires remodelling and formation of particular structures. In elongating spermatids, the transient microtubular manchette contributes to the formation of the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the sperm tail. The HTCA derives from the centrosome in that the proximal centriole inserts into the nuclear indentation and the distal centriole gives rise to the sperm flagellum. Although impairments in the formation of HTCA and sperm tail cause male infertility their molecular constituents are only partially known. The WD40-protein CFAP52 is implicated in motile cilia, but its relevance for male germ cell differentiation is not known. Here we show that CFAP52 is widespread expressed and localizes to a subset of microtubular structures. In male germ cells, CFAP52 is a component of the transient manchette and the sperm tail. However, expression of Cfap52 is not restricted to motile cilia-bearing cells. In NIH3T3 cells, CFAP52 localizes to the centrosome, the basal body, and the mitotic spindle poles, but not to the primary cilium. Our results demonstrate that CFAP52 is not restricted to motile cilia but instead most likely functions in constituting the centrosome/basal body matrix and the sperm tail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Tapia Contreras
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental Biology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology - Developmental Biology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Teves ME, Roldan ERS, Krapf D, Strauss III JF, Bhagat V, Sapao P. Sperm Differentiation: The Role of Trafficking of Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3702. [PMID: 32456358 PMCID: PMC7279445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm differentiation encompasses a complex sequence of morphological changes that takes place in the seminiferous epithelium. In this process, haploid round spermatids undergo substantial structural and functional alterations, resulting in highly polarized sperm. Hallmark changes during the differentiation process include the formation of new organelles, chromatin condensation and nuclear shaping, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and assembly of the sperm flagella. To achieve these transformations, spermatids have unique mechanisms for protein trafficking that operate in a coordinated fashion. Microtubules and filaments of actin are the main tracks used to facilitate the transport mechanisms, assisted by motor and non-motor proteins, for delivery of vesicular and non-vesicular cargos to specific sites. This review integrates recent findings regarding the role of protein trafficking in sperm differentiation. Although a complete characterization of the interactome of proteins involved in these temporal and spatial processes is not yet known, we propose a model based on the current literature as a framework for future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Krapf
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Jerome F. Strauss III
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Virali Bhagat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA 23298, USA;
| | - Paulene Sapao
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 23298, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
In Vitro Cytotoxicity Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Spermatogonia Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051081. [PMID: 32357578 PMCID: PMC7290761 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are a type of metal oxide nanoparticle with an extensive use in biomedicine. Several studies have focused on the biosafety of ZnO NPs, since their size and surface area favor entrance and accumulation in the body, which can induce toxic effects. In previous studies, ZnO NPs have been identified as a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic inducer in testis and male germ cells. However, the consequences for the first cell stage of spermatogenesis, spermatogonia, have never been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs in spermatogonia cells, focusing on changes in cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton. For that purpose, GC-1 cell line derived from mouse testes was selected as a model of spermatogenesis. These cells were treated with different doses of ZnO NPs for 6 h and 12 h. The impact of GC-1 cells exposure to ZnO NPs on cell viability, cell damage, and cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton dynamics was assessed. Our results clearly indicate that higher concentrations of ZnO NPs have a cytotoxic effect in GC-1 cells, leading to an increase of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, DNA damage, cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton dynamics alterations, and consequently cell death. In conclusion, it is here reported for the first time that ZnO NPs induce cytotoxic effects, including changes in cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton in mouse spermatogonia cells, which may compromise the progression of spermatogenesis in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
Collapse
|
27
|
Crapster JA, Rack PG, Hellmann ZJ, Le AD, Adams CM, Leib RD, Elias JE, Perrino J, Behr B, Li Y, Lin J, Zeng H, Chen JK. HIPK4 is essential for murine spermiogenesis. eLife 2020; 9:e50209. [PMID: 32163033 PMCID: PMC7067585 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermiogenesis is a remarkable cellular transformation, during which round spermatids elongate into chromatin-condensed spermatozoa. The signaling pathways that coordinate this process are not well understood, and we demonstrate here that homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility in mice. HIPK4 is predominantly expressed in round and early elongating spermatids, and Hipk4 knockout males are sterile, exhibiting phenotypes consistent with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Hipk4 mutant sperm have reduced oocyte binding and are incompetent for in vitro fertilization, but they can still produce viable offspring via intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Optical and electron microscopy of HIPK4-null male germ cells reveals defects in the filamentous actin (F-actin)-scaffolded acroplaxome during spermatid elongation and abnormal head morphologies in mature spermatozoa. We further observe that HIPK4 overexpression induces branched F-actin structures in cultured fibroblasts and that HIPK4 deficiency alters the subcellular distribution of an F-actin capping protein in the testis, supporting a role for this kinase in cytoskeleton remodeling. Our findings establish HIPK4 as an essential regulator of sperm head shaping and potential target for male contraception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Aaron Crapster
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Paul G Rack
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Zane J Hellmann
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Austen D Le
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Christopher M Adams
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Ryan D Leib
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Joshua E Elias
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - John Perrino
- Cell Science Imaging Facility, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Barry Behr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Transgenic, Knockout, and Tumor Model Center, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Jennifer Lin
- Transgenic, Knockout, and Tumor Model Center, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Hong Zeng
- Transgenic, Knockout, and Tumor Model Center, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - James K Chen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gao Q, Khan R, Yu C, Alsheimer M, Jiang X, Ma H, Shi Q. The testis-specific LINC component SUN3 is essential for sperm head shaping during mouse spermiogenesis. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6289-6298. [PMID: 32156700 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm head shaping is a key event in spermiogenesis and is tightly controlled via the acrosome-manchette network. Linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes consist of Sad1 and UNC84 domain-containing (SUN) and Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne-1 homology (KASH) domain proteins and form conserved nuclear envelope bridges implicated in transducing mechanical forces from the manchette to sculpt sperm nuclei into a hook-like shape. However, the role of LINC complexes in sperm head shaping is still poorly understood. Here we assessed the role of SUN3, a testis-specific LINC component harboring a conserved SUN domain, in spermiogenesis. We show that CRISPR/Cas9-generated Sun3 knockout male mice are infertile, displaying drastically reduced sperm counts and a globozoospermia-like phenotype, including a missing, mislocalized, or fragmented acrosome, as well as multiple defects in sperm flagella. Further examination revealed that the sperm head abnormalities are apparent at step 9 and that the sperm nuclei fail to elongate because of the absence of manchette microtubules and perinuclear rings. These observations indicate that Sun3 deletion likely impairs the ability of the LINC complex to transduce the cytoskeletal force to the nuclear envelope, required for sperm head elongation. We also found that SUN3 interacts with SUN4 in mouse testes and that the level of SUN4 proteins is drastically reduced in Sun3-null mice. Altogether, our results indicate that SUN3 is essential for sperm head shaping and male fertility, providing molecular clues regarding the underlying pathology of the globozoospermia-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Gao
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Changping Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Manfred Alsheimer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hui Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Tian G, Li G, Liu P, Wang Z, Li N. Glycolysis-Based Genes Associated with the Clinical Outcome of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Identified by The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Analysis. DNA Cell Biol 2020; 39:417-427. [PMID: 31968179 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2019.5089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadly tumors in digestive tract tumors. Although there has been advancement in PDAC treatment, its prognosis still remains unsatisfactory, mainly because of dismal diagnosis. This article aims to develop new prognostic factors related to energy metabolism in PDAC and to use these genes for novel risk stratification. Hundred fifty messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles and clinicopathological data of PDAC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. The glycolysis pathway was the significant pathway based on the gene set enrichment analysis. We chose the glycolysis pathway-related 176 genes for further analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and forward stepwise Cox regression model established a novel three-gene glycolytic signature (including MET, B3GNT3, and SPAG4) for PDAC patients' prognosis prediction. All 150 patients were classified into two groups by the median risk score. High-risk group had a worse outcome compared to the low-risk group. The risk score was also significantly correlated with age and radiotherapy. A nomogram, including the glycolytic gene signature, has shown some clinical net benefit for overall survival prediction. We also validated the validity and reliability in the Puleo dataset. This novel gene expression signature may be involved in the pathophysiology and used for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangwei Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Zihui Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
A Glance at the Nuclear Envelope Spectrin Repeat Protein 3. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:1651805. [PMID: 31828088 PMCID: PMC6886330 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1651805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear envelope spectrin repeat protein 3 (nesprin-3) is an evolutionarily-conserved structural protein, widely-expressed in vertebrate cells. Along with other nesprin family members, nesprin-3 acts as an essential component of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. Naturally, nesprin-3 shares many functions with LINC, including the localization of various cellular structures and bridging of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton, observed in vitro. When nesprin-3 was knocked down in vivo, using zebrafish and mouse models, however, the animals were minimally affected. This paradoxical observation should not limit the physiological importance of nesprin-3, as recently, nesprin-3 has reignited the interest of the research community in studies on cancer cells migration. Moreover, nesprin-3 also plays an active role in certain developmental conditions such as adipogenesis and spermatogenesis, although more studies are needed. Meanwhile, the various protein binding partners of nesprin-3 should also be emphasized, as they are necessary for maintaining the structure of nesprin-3 and enabling it to carry out its various physiological and pathological functions. Nesprin-3 promises to further our understanding of these complex cellular events. Therefore, this review will focus on nesprin-3, examining it from a genetic, structural, and functional perspective. The final part of the review will in turn address the limitations of existing research and the future perspectives for the study of nesprin-3.
Collapse
|
31
|
Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. CCDC42 Localizes to Manchette, HTCA and Tail and Interacts With ODF1 and ODF2 in the Formation of the Male Germ Cell Cytoskeleton. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:151. [PMID: 31475146 PMCID: PMC6702985 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terminal differentiation of male germ cells into functional spermatozoa requires shaping and condensation of the nucleus as well as the formation of sperm-specific structures. A transient microtubular structure, the manchette, is mandatory for sperm head shaping and the development of the connecting piece and the sperm tail. The connecting piece or head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) mediates the tight linkage of sperm head and tail causing decapitation and infertility when faulty. Using mice as the experimental model, several proteins have already been identified affecting the linkage complex, manchette or tail formation when missing. However, our current knowledge is far too rudimentary to even draft an interacting protein network. Depletion of the major outer dense fiber protein 1 (ODF1) mainly caused decapitation and male infertility but validated binding partners collaborating in the formation of sperm-specific structures are largely unknown. Amongst all candidate proteins affecting the HTCA when missing, the structural protein CCDC42 attracted our attention. The coiled-coil domain containing 42 (CCDC42) is important for HTCA and sperm tail formation but is otherwise largely uncharacterized. We show here that CCDC42 is expressed in spermatids and localizes to the manchette, the connecting piece and the tail. Beyond that, we show that CCDC42 is not restricted to male germ cells but is also expressed in somatic cells in which it localizes to the centrosome. Although centrosomal and sperm tail location seems to be irrespective of ODF1 we asked whether both proteins may form an interacting network in the male germ cell. We additionally considered ODF2, a prevalent protein involved in the formation of spermatid-specific cytoskeletal structures, as a putative binding partner. Our data depict for the first time the subcellular location of CCDC42 in spermatids and deepen our knowledge about the composition of the spermatid/sperm-specific structures. The presence of CCDC42 in the centrosome of somatic cells together with the obvious restricted male-specific phenotype when missing strongly argues for a compensatory function by other still unknown proteins most likely of the same family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology – Developmental Biology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Li X, Wu Y, Huang L, Yang L, Xing X. SPAG4L/SPAG4Lβ interacts with Nesprin2 to participate in the meiosis of spermatogenesis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2019; 51:669-676. [PMID: 31144711 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmz051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
SUN domain proteins are identified as a novel family of nuclear envelope proteins which are involved in spermatogenesis. SPAG4L is identified as the fifth member of this family. Previous studies have revealed that SPAG4L is involved in spermatogenesis and the mutations occurring in SPAG4L will lead to male infertility. However, the transcriptions of SPAG4L and its interacting proteins in the testis are still unclear. In this study, we identified a shorter transcript variant of SPAG4L, named SPAG4Lβ, in human testis by northern blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics analysis showed that it encodes a protein consisting of 311 amino acids, and subcellular localization analysis revealed that it is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. In situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assay revealed that SPAG4L/SPAG4Lβ is involved in meiosis. Furthermore, co-IP results demonstrated that SPAG4L/SPAG4Lβ interacts with Nesprin2, a KASH domain protein to form the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complexes. Immunofluorescence results revealed that the LINC complexes of Spag4l/Nesprin2 in mouse are involved in spermatocyte division. Our data indicated that SPAG4L/SPAG4Lβ may play an important role in the meiotic process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Li
- Center for Medical Experiments, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Laboratory, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Clinical Laboratory, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Medical Experiments, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linfei Yang
- Center for Medical Experiments, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Medical Experiments, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
You MS, Wang WP, Wang JY, Jiang YJ, Chi YH. Sun1 Mediates Interkinetic Nuclear Migration and Notch Signaling in the Neurogenesis of Zebrafish. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1116-1127. [PMID: 31140357 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Interkinetic nuclear migration (INM) is a process by which nuclei oscillate between the basal and apical surfaces of epithelial cells in coordination with the cell cycle. The cytoskeletal machinery including microtubules and actin has been reported to drive apical INM; however, the role of nuclear proteins in this process has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the function of a SUN-domain protein, Sun1, in zebrafish. We found that zebrafish sun1 is highly expressed in the ventricular zone of the brain. Knocking down sun1 with antisense morpholino oligonucleotides reduced the abundance of nestin- and gfap-expressing neural stem cells and progenitor cells. The live-cell imaging results showed that sun1 morphant cells migrated toward the basal side during the S phase but failed to migrate apically during the G2 phase. On the contrary, the passive stochastic movement during the G2 phase was unaffected. Furthermore, down regulation of sun1 was shown to reduce the expression of genes associated with the Notch pathway, whereas the expression of genes in the Wnt pathway was less perturbed. Findings from this research suggest that the Sun1-mediated nucleo-cytoskeletal interaction contributes to apical nuclear migration, and may thus affect exposure to Notch signal, thereby altering the composition of the progenitor pool in the embryonic neurogenesis of zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- May-Su You
- 1Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ping Wang
- 2Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ya Wang
- 2Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jin Jiang
- 1Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chi
- 2Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.,3Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Testis-Specific SEPT12 Expression Affects SUN Protein Localization and is Involved in Mammalian Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051163. [PMID: 30866452 PMCID: PMC6429073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is observed in approximately 50% of all couples with infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a conventional artificial reproductive technique for treating male infertility, may fail because of a severe low sperm count, immotile sperm, immature sperm, and sperm with structural defects and DNA damage. Our previous studies have revealed that mutations in the septin (SEPT)-coding gene SEPT12 cause teratozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. These spermatozoa exhibit morphological defects in the head and tail, premature chromosomal condensation, and nuclear damage. Sperm from Sept12 knockout mice also cause the developmental arrest of preimplantation embryos generated through in vitro fertilization and ICSI. Furthermore, we found that SEPT12 interacts with SPAG4, a spermatid nuclear membrane protein that is also named SUN4. Loss of the Spag4 allele in mice also disrupts the integration nuclear envelope and reveals sperm head defects. However, whether SEPT12 affects SPAG4 during mammalian spermiogenesis remains unclear. We thus conducted this study to explore this question. First, we found that SPAG4 and SEPT12 exhibited similar localizations in the postacrosomal region of elongating spermatids and at the neck of mature sperm through isolated murine male germ cells. Second, SEPT12 expression altered the nuclear membrane localization of SPAG4, as observed through confocal microscopy, in a human testicular cancer cell line. Third, SEPT12 expression also altered the localizations of nuclear membrane proteins: LAMINA/C in the cells. This effect was specifically due to the expression of SEPT12 and not that of SEPT1, SEPT6, SEPT7, or SEPT11. Based on these results, we suggest that SEPT12 is among the moderators of SPAG4/LAMIN complexes and is involved in the morphological formation of sperm during mammalian spermiogenesis.
Collapse
|
35
|
Pereira CD, Serrano JB, Martins F, da Cruz E Silva OAB, Rebelo S. Nuclear envelope dynamics during mammalian spermatogenesis: new insights on male fertility. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1195-1219. [PMID: 30701647 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The production of highly specialized spermatozoa from undifferentiated spermatogonia is a strictly organized and programmed process requiring extensive restructuring of the entire cell. One of the most remarkable cellular transformations accompanying the various phases of spermatogenesis is the profound remodelling of the nuclear architecture, in which the nuclear envelope (NE) seems to be crucially involved. In recent years, several proteins from the distinct layers forming the NE (i.e. the inner and outer nuclear membranes as well as the nuclear lamina) have been associated with meiosis and/or spermiogenesis in different mammalian species. Among these are A- and B-type lamins, Dpy-19-like protein 2 (DPY19L2), lamin B receptor (LBR), lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1), LAP2/emerin/MAN1 (LEM) domain-containing proteins, spermatogenesis-associated 46 (SPATA46) and diverse elements of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, namely Sad-1/UNC-84 homology (SUN) and Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne-1 homology (KASH) domain-containing proteins. Herein, we summarize the current state of the art on the cellular and subcellular distribution of NE proteins expressed during mammalian spermatogenesis, and discuss the latest research developments regarding their testis-specific functions. This review provides a comprehensive and innovative overview of the NE network as a regulatory platform and as an essential determinant of efficient meiotic chromosome recombination as well as spermiogenesis-associated nuclear remodelling and differentiation in mammalian male germline cells. Thus, this review provides important novel insights on the biological relevance of NE proteins for male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cátia D Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute for Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana B Serrano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute for Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Filipa Martins
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute for Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Odete A B da Cruz E Silva
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute for Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,The Discovery CTR, University of Aveiro Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandra Rebelo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute for Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kaneko T, Minohara T, Shima S, Yoshida K, Fukuda A, Iwamori N, Inai T, Iida H. A membrane protein, TMCO5A, has a close relationship with manchette microtubules in rat spermatids during spermiogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:330-341. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takane Kaneko
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Taisuke Minohara
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Sakurako Shima
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Kaori Yoshida
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Atsuko Fukuda
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Naoki Iwamori
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Tetsuichiro Inai
- Department of Morphological Biology; Fukuoka Dental College; Fukuoka Japan
| | - Hiroshi Iida
- Laboratory of Zoology; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyushu University; Fukuoka Japan
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gunes S, Sengupta P, Henkel R, Alguraigari A, Sinigaglia MM, Kayal M, Joumah A, Agarwal A. Microtubular Dysfunction and Male Infertility. World J Mens Health 2018; 38:9-23. [PMID: 30350487 PMCID: PMC6920067 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.180066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are the prime component of the cytoskeleton along with microfilaments. Being vital for organelle transport and cellular divisions during spermatogenesis and sperm motility process, microtubules ascertain functional capacity of sperm. Also, microtubule based structures such as axoneme and manchette are crucial for sperm head and tail formation. This review (a) presents a concise, yet detailed structural overview of the microtubules, (b) analyses the role of microtubule structures in various male reproductive functions, and (c) presents the association of microtubular dysfunctions with male infertility. Considering the immense importance of microtubule structures in the formation and maintenance of physiological functions of sperm cells, this review serves as a scientific trigger in stimulating further male infertility research in this direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Selangor, Malaysia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Aabed Alguraigari
- Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mariana Marques Sinigaglia
- University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Malik Kayal
- Alfaisal University Medical School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahmad Joumah
- Alfaisal University Medical School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Paci M, Elkhatib R, Longepied G, Bourgeois P, Ray PF, Levy N, Mitchell MJ, Metzler-Guillemain C. The involvement of the nuclear lamina in human and rodent spermiogenesis: a systematic review. Basic Clin Androl 2018; 28:7. [PMID: 29946470 PMCID: PMC6008938 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-018-0072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear lamina (NL) is a filamentous protein meshwork, composed essentially of lamins, situated between the inner nuclear membrane and the chromatin. The NL is a component of the nuclear envelope, interacts with a wide range of proteins and is required for normal nuclear structure and physiological development. During spermiogenesis the spermatid nucleus is elongated, and dramatically reduced in size with protamines replacing histones to produce a highly compacted chromatin. There is mounting evidence from studies in human and rodent, that the NL plays an important role in mammalian spermatid differentiation during spermiogenesis. In this review, we summarize and discuss the data available in the literature regarding the involvement of lamins and their direct or indirect partners in normal and abnormal human spermiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Paci
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France.,APHM Hôpital La Conception, Pôle femmes-Parents-enfants, Centre Clinico-Biologique d'Assistance Médicale à la Procréation-CECOS, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Razan Elkhatib
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Guy Longepied
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Patrice Bourgeois
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- 3Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Levy
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Catherine Metzler-Guillemain
- 1Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics, 13385 Marseille, France.,APHM Hôpital La Conception, Pôle femmes-Parents-enfants, Centre Clinico-Biologique d'Assistance Médicale à la Procréation-CECOS, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Kozono T, Tadahira K, Okumura W, Itai N, Tamura-Nakano M, Dohi T, Tonozuka T, Nishikawa A. Jaw1/LRMP has a role in maintaining nuclear shape via interaction with SUN proteins. J Biochem 2018; 164:303-311. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvy053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Kozono
- Department of Food and Energy Systems Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications Systems Engineering, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuko Tadahira
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Okumura
- Department of Food and Energy Systems Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications Systems Engineering, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nao Itai
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miwa Tamura-Nakano
- Communal Laboratory, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeko Dohi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Tonozuka
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nishikawa
- Department of Food and Energy Systems Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications Systems Engineering, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wei YL, Yang WX. The acroframosome-acroplaxome-manchette axis may function in sperm head shaping and male fertility. Gene 2018; 660:28-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
41
|
Yang K, Adham IM, Meinhardt A, Hoyer-Fender S. Ultra-structure of the sperm head-to-tail linkage complex in the absence of the spermatid-specific LINC component SPAG4. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:49-59. [PMID: 29663073 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tight connection between sperm head and tail is crucial for the transport of the male genome and fertilization. The linkage complex, the sperm head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA), originates from the centrosome and anchors to the nuclear membrane. In contrast to its ultra-structural organization, which is already well known for decades, its protein composition largely still awaits future deciphering. SUN-domain proteins are essential components of a complex that links the cytoskeleton to the peripheral nucleoskeleton, which is the nuclear lamina. Here, we studied the impact of the SUN protein SPAG4/SUN4 on the formation of the HTCA. SPAG4/SUN4 is specifically expressed in haploid male germ cells showing a polarized distribution towards the posterior pole in late spermatids that corresponds to the tail attachment site. SPAG4-deficient male mice are infertile with compromised manchette formation and malformed sperm heads. Nonetheless, sperm tails are present demonstrating dispensability of a proper manchette for their formation. Ultra-structural analyses revealed that the development of the sperm head-to-tail linkage complex in the absence of SPAG4 resembles that in the wild type. However, in SPAG4-deficient sperm, the attachment site is diminished with obvious lateral detachment of the HTCA from the nucleus. Our results thus indicate that SPAG4, albeit not essential for the formation of the HTCA per se, is, nevertheless, required for tightening the sperm head-to-tail anchorage by provoking the correct attachment of the lateral parts of the basal plate to the implantation fossa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kefei Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ibrahim M Adham
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Department of Developmental Biology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, GZMB, Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Burke B. LINC complexes as regulators of meiosis. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 52:22-29. [PMID: 29414590 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is a key processes of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes. By combining two cell division cycles with a single round of DNA replication meiosis provides a mechanism to generate haploid gametes. Coincidentally, processes involved in ensuring appropriate segregation of homologous chromosomes also result in genetic recombination and shuffling of genes between each generation. During the first meiotic prophase, rapid telomere-led chromosome movements facilitate alignment and pairing of homologous chromosomes. Forces that produce these movements are generated by the cytoskeleton. Force transmission across the nuclear envelope is dependent upon LINC complexes. These structures consist of SUN and KASH domain proteins that span the two nuclear membranes. Together they represent a pair of links in a molecular chain that couples telomeres to the cytoskeleton. In addition to their force transducing role, LINC complexes also have essential functions ensuring the fidelity of recombination between homologous chromosomes. In this way, LINC complexes are now seen as playing an active and integral role in meiotic progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Burke
- Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, 06-06 Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Genome-wide association studies of fertility and calving traits in Brown Swiss cattle using imputed whole-genome sequences. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:910. [PMID: 29178833 PMCID: PMC5702100 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4308-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The detection of quantitative trait loci has accelerated with recent developments in genomics. The introduction of genomic selection in combination with sequencing efforts has made a large amount of genotypic data available. Functional traits such as fertility and calving traits have been included in routine genomic estimation of breeding values making large quantities of phenotypic data available for these traits. This data was used to investigate the genetics underlying fertility and calving traits and to identify potentially causative genomic regions and variants. We performed genome-wide association studies for 13 functional traits related to female fertility as well as for direct and maternal calving ease based on imputed whole-genome sequences. Deregressed breeding values from ~1000–5000 bulls per trait were used to test for associations with approximately 10 million imputed sequence SNPs. Results We identified a QTL on BTA17 associated with non-return rate at 56 days and with interval from first to last insemination. We found two significantly associated non-synonymous SNPs within this QTL region. Two more QTL for fertility traits were identified on BTA25 and 29. A single QTL was identified for maternal calving traits on BTA13 whereas three QTL on BTA19, 21 and 25 were identified for direct calving traits. The QTL on BTA19 co-localizes with the reported BH2 haplotype. The QTL on BTA25 is concordant for fertility and calving traits and co-localizes with a QTL previously reported to influence stature and related traits in Brown Swiss dairy cattle. Conclusion The detection of QTL and their causative variants remains challenging. Combining comprehensive phenotypic data with imputed whole genome sequences seems promising. We present a QTL on BTA17 for female fertility in dairy cattle with two significantly associated non-synonymous SNPs, along with five additional QTL for fertility traits and calving traits. For all of these we fine mapped the regions and suggest candidate genes and candidate variants. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4308-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
44
|
Elkhatib RA, Paci M, Boissier R, Longepied G, Auguste Y, Achard V, Bourgeois P, Levy N, Branger N, Mitchell MJ, Metzler-Guillemain C. LEM-domain proteins are lost during human spermiogenesis but BAF and BAF-L persist. Reproduction 2017; 154:387-401. [PMID: 28684548 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis the spermatid nucleus is elongated, and dramatically reduced in size with protamines replacing histones to produce a highly compacted chromatin. After fertilisation, this process is reversed in the oocyte to form the male pronucleus. Emerging evidence, including the coordinated loss of the nuclear lamina (NL) and the histones, supports the involvement of the NL in spermatid nuclear remodelling, but how the NL links to the chromatin is not known. In somatic cells, interactions between the NL and the chromatin have been demonstrated: LEM-domain proteins and LBR interact with the NL and respectively, the chromatin proteins BAF and HP1. We therefore sought to characterise the lamina-chromatin interface during spermiogenesis, by investigating the localisation of six LEM-domain proteins, two BAF proteins and LBR, in human spermatids and spermatozoa. Using RT-PCR, IF and western blotting, we show that six of the proteins tested are present in spermatids: LEMD1, LEMD2 (a short isoform), ANKLE2, LAP2β, BAF and BAF-L, and three absent: Emerin, LBR and LEMD3. The full-length LEMD2 isoform, required for nuclear integrity in somatic cells, is absent. In spermatids, no protein localised to the nuclear periphery, but five were nucleoplasmic, receding towards the posterior nuclear pole as spermatids matured. Our study therefore establishes that the lamina-chromatin interface in human spermatids is radically distinct from that defined in somatic cells. In ejaculated spermatozoa, we detected only BAF and BAF-L, suggesting that they might contribute to the shaping of the spermatozoon nucleus and, after fertilisation, its transition to the male pronucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marine Paci
- Aix Marseille UnivINSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, Marseille, France
- APHM Hôpital La ConceptionGynépôle, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Romain Boissier
- APHM Hôpital La ConceptionService d'Urologie, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Guy Longepied
- Aix Marseille UnivINSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Yasmina Auguste
- Aix Marseille UnivINSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Achard
- APHM Hôpital La ConceptionGynépôle, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Marseille Cedex 5, France
- Aix-Marseille UnivUniv Avignon, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, UMR7263, Marseille France
| | | | - Nicolas Levy
- Aix Marseille UnivINSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Branger
- APHM Hôpital La ConceptionService d'Urologie, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | | | - Catherine Metzler-Guillemain
- Aix Marseille UnivINSERM, GMGF, UMR_S 910, Marseille, France
- APHM Hôpital La ConceptionGynépôle, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Li P, Stumpf M, Müller R, Eichinger L, Glöckner G, Noegel AA. The function of the inner nuclear envelope protein SUN1 in mRNA export is regulated by phosphorylation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9157. [PMID: 28831067 PMCID: PMC5567243 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08837-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
SUN1, a component of the LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex, functions in mammalian mRNA export through the NXF1-dependent pathway. It associates with mRNP complexes by direct interaction with NXF1. It also binds to the NPC through association with the nuclear pore component Nup153, which is involved in mRNA export. The SUN1-NXF1 association is at least partly regulated by a protein kinase C (PKC) which phosphorylates serine 113 (S113) in the N-terminal domain leading to reduced interaction. The phosphorylation appears to be important for the SUN1 function in nuclear mRNA export since GFP-SUN1 carrying a S113A mutation was less efficient in restoring mRNA export after SUN1 knockdown as compared to the wild type protein. By contrast, GFP-SUN1-S113D resembling the phosphorylated state allowed very efficient export of poly(A)+RNA. Furthermore, probing a possible role of the LINC complex component Nesprin-2 in this process we observed impaired mRNA export in Nesprin-2 knockdown cells. This effect might be independent of SUN1 as expression of a GFP tagged SUN-domain deficient SUN1, which no longer can interact with Nesprin-2, did not affect mRNA export.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, China
| | - Maria Stumpf
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ludwig Eichinger
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gernot Glöckner
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Angelika A Noegel
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
As a compartment border, the nuclear envelope (NE) needs to serve as both a protective membrane shell for the genome and a versatile communication interface between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Despite its important structural role in sheltering the genome, the NE is a dynamic and highly adaptable boundary that changes composition during differentiation, deforms in response to mechanical challenges, can be repaired upon rupture and even rapidly disassembles and reforms during open mitosis. NE remodelling is fundamentally involved in cell growth, division and differentiation, and if perturbed can lead to devastating diseases such as muscular dystrophies or premature ageing.
Collapse
|
47
|
The control of male fertility by spermatid-specific factors: searching for contraceptive targets from spermatozoon's head to tail. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2472. [PMID: 27831554 PMCID: PMC5260884 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility due to abnormal spermatozoa has been reported in both animals and humans, but its pathogenic causes, including genetic abnormalities, remain largely unknown. On the other hand, contraceptive options for men are limited, and a specific, reversible and safe method of male contraception has been a long-standing quest in medicine. Some progress has recently been made in exploring the effects of spermatid-specifical genetic factors in controlling male fertility. A comprehensive search of PubMed for articles and reviews published in English before July 2016 was carried out using the search terms 'spermiogenesis failure', 'globozoospermia', 'spermatid-specific', 'acrosome', 'infertile', 'manchette', 'sperm connecting piece', 'sperm annulus', 'sperm ADAMs', 'flagellar abnormalities', 'sperm motility loss', 'sperm ion exchanger' and 'contraceptive targets'. Importantly, we have opted to focus on articles regarding spermatid-specific factors. Genetic studies to define the structure and physiology of sperm have shown that spermatozoa appear to be one of the most promising contraceptive targets. Here we summarize how these spermatid-specific factors regulate spermiogenesis and categorize them according to their localization and function from spermatid head to tail (e.g., acrosome, manchette, head-tail conjunction, annulus, principal piece of tail). In addition, we emphatically introduce small-molecule contraceptives, such as BRDT and PPP3CC/PPP3R2, which are currently being developed to target spermatogenic-specific proteins. We suggest that blocking the differentiation of haploid germ cells, which rarely affects early spermatogenic cell types and the testicular microenvironment, is a better choice than spermatogenic-specific proteins. The studies described here provide valuable information regarding the genetic and molecular defects causing male mouse infertility to improve our understanding of the importance of spermatid-specific factors in controlling fertility. Although a male contraceptive 'pill' is still many years away, research into the production of new small-molecule contraceptives targeting spermatid-specific proteins is the right avenue.
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhu F, Wang F, Yang X, Zhang J, Wu H, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, He X, Zhou P, Wei Z, Gecz J, Cao Y. Biallelic SUN5 Mutations Cause Autosomal-Recessive Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:942-949. [PMID: 27640305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare and severe form of teratozoospermia characterized by a predominance of headless spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Family clustering and consanguinity suggest a genetic origin; however, causative mutations have yet to be identified. We performed whole-exome sequencing in two unrelated infertile men and subsequent variant filtering identified one homozygous (c.824C>T [p.Thr275Met]) and one compound heterozygous (c.1006C>T [p.Arg356Cys] and c.485T>A [p.Met162Lys]) SUN5 (also named TSARG4) variants. Sanger sequencing of SUN5 in 15 additional unrelated infertile men revealed four compound heterozygous (c.381delA [p.Val128Serfs∗7] and c.824C>T [p.Thr275Met]; c.381delA [p.Val128Serfs∗7] and c.781G>A [p.Val261Met]; c.216G>A [p.Trp72∗] and c.1043A>T [p.Asn348Ile]; c.425+1G>A/c.1043A>T [p.Asn348Ile]) and two homozygous (c.851C>G [p.Ser284∗]; c.350G>A [p.Gly114Arg]) variants in six individuals. These 10 SUN5 variants were found in 8 of 17 unrelated men, explaining the genetic defect in 47.06% of the affected individuals in our cohort. These variants were absent in 100 fertile population-matched control individuals. SUN5 variants lead to absent, significantly reduced, or truncated SUN5, and certain variants altered SUN5 distribution in the head-tail junction of the sperm. In summary, these results demonstrate that biallelic SUN5 mutations cause male infertility due to autosomal-recessive acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuxi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Fengsong Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Reproductive Genetics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Under Pressure: Mechanical Stress Management in the Nucleus. Cells 2016; 5:cells5020027. [PMID: 27314389 PMCID: PMC4931676 DOI: 10.3390/cells5020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells are constantly adjusting to the mechanical properties of their surroundings, operating a complex mechanochemical feedback, which hinges on mechanotransduction mechanisms. Whereas adhesion structures have been shown to play a central role in mechanotransduction, it now emerges that the nucleus may act as a mechanosensitive structure. Here, we review recent advances demonstrating that mechanical stress emanating from the cytoskeleton can activate pathways in the nucleus which eventually impact both its structure and the transcriptional machinery.
Collapse
|
50
|
Ray PF, Coutton C, Arnoult C. Sun proteins and Dpy19l2 forming LINC-like links are critical for spermiogenesis. Biol Open 2016; 5:535-6. [PMID: 27142332 PMCID: PMC4874352 DOI: 10.1242/bio.016626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary: In this response to Pasch et al.’s (2015) discovery that Sun4 is essential for sperm head formation, the authors highlight that like Sun4, Dpy19l2 has a likely LINK-like function and that it also plays a crucial role in spermiogenesis and male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France Equipe "Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility" Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209, La Tronche F-38700, France Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique et Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble F-38000, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France Equipe "Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility" Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209, La Tronche F-38700, France Département de Génétique et Procréation, Hôpital Couple Enfant, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, F-38000, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France Equipe "Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility" Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209, La Tronche F-38700, France
| |
Collapse
|