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Ruan T, Zhou R, Yang Y, Guo J, Jiang C, Wang X, Shen G, Dai S, Chen S, Shen Y. Deficiency of IQCH causes male infertility in humans and mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP88905. [PMID: 39028117 PMCID: PMC11259432 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
IQ motif-containing proteins can be recognized by calmodulin (CaM) and are essential for many biological processes. However, the role of IQ motif-containing proteins in spermatogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we identified a loss-of-function mutation in the novel gene IQ motif-containing H (IQCH) in a Chinese family with male infertility characterized by a cracked flagellar axoneme and abnormal mitochondrial structure. To verify the function of IQCH, Iqch knockout (KO) mice were generated via CRISPR-Cas9 technology. As expected, the Iqch KO male mice exhibited impaired fertility, which was related to deficient acrosome activity and abnormal structures of the axoneme and mitochondria, mirroring the patient phenotypes. Mechanistically, IQCH can bind to CaM and subsequently regulate the expression of RNA-binding proteins (especially HNRPAB), which are indispensable for spermatogenesis. Overall, this study revealed the function of IQCH, expanded the role of IQ motif-containing proteins in reproductive processes, and provided important guidance for genetic counseling and genetic diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiechao Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ruixi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junchen Guo
- Sichuan University-The Chinese University of Hong Kong (SCU-CUHK) Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Regulation Laboratory, Department of Obstetric and Gynaecologic, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Gan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Suren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Vedelek V, Jankovics F, Zádori J, Sinka R. Mitochondrial Differentiation during Spermatogenesis: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3980. [PMID: 38612789 PMCID: PMC11012351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous diseases can arise as a consequence of mitochondrial malfunction. Hence, there is a significant focus on studying the role of mitochondria in cancer, ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, and the field of developmental biology. Mitochondria could exist as discrete organelles in the cell; however, they have the ability to fuse, resulting in the formation of interconnected reticular structures. The dynamic changes between these forms correlate with mitochondrial function and mitochondrial health, and consequently, there is a significant scientific interest in uncovering the specific molecular constituents that govern these transitions. Moreover, the specialized mitochondria display a wide array of variable morphologies in their cristae formations. These inner mitochondrial structures are closely associated with the specific functions performed by the mitochondria. In multiple cases, the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to male sterility, as it has been observed to cause a range of abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm phenotypes in different species. This review aims to elucidate the dynamic alterations and functions of mitochondria in germ cell development during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Zádori
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, University of Szeged, 6723 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Hernández G, Vazquez-Pianzola P. eIF4E as a molecular wildcard in metazoans RNA metabolism. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:2284-2306. [PMID: 37553111 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary origin of eukaryotes spurred the transition from prokaryotic-like translation to a more sophisticated, eukaryotic translation. During this process, successive gene duplication of a single, primordial eIF4E gene encoding the mRNA cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) gave rise to a plethora of paralog genes across eukaryotes that underwent further functional diversification in RNA metabolism. The ability to take different roles is due to eIF4E promiscuity in binding many partner proteins, rendering eIF4E a highly versatile and multifunctional player that functions as a molecular wildcard. Thus, in metazoans, eIF4E paralogs are involved in various processes, including messenger RNA (mRNA) processing, export, translation, storage, and decay. Moreover, some paralogs display differential expression in tissues and developmental stages and show variable biochemical properties. In this review, we discuss recent advances shedding light on the functional diversification of eIF4E in metazoans. We emphasise humans and two phylogenetically distant species which have become paradigms for studies on development, namely the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greco Hernández
- mRNA and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, INCan), 22 San Fernando Ave., Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Paula Vazquez-Pianzola
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Berne, 3012, Switzerland
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Microtubule and Actin Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Male Meiotic Cells of Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040695. [PMID: 35203341 PMCID: PMC8870657 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila dividing spermatocytes offer a highly suitable cell system in which to investigate the coordinated reorganization of microtubule and actin cytoskeleton systems during cell division of animal cells. Like male germ cells of mammals, Drosophila spermatogonia and spermatocytes undergo cleavage furrow ingression during cytokinesis, but abscission does not take place. Thus, clusters of primary and secondary spermatocytes undergo meiotic divisions in synchrony, resulting in cysts of 32 secondary spermatocytes and then 64 spermatids connected by specialized structures called ring canals. The meiotic spindles in Drosophila males are substantially larger than the spindles of mammalian somatic cells and exhibit prominent central spindles and contractile rings during cytokinesis. These characteristics make male meiotic cells particularly amenable to immunofluorescence and live imaging analysis of the spindle microtubules and the actomyosin apparatus during meiotic divisions. Moreover, because the spindle assembly checkpoint is not robust in spermatocytes, Drosophila male meiosis allows investigating of whether gene products required for chromosome segregation play additional roles during cytokinesis. Here, we will review how the research studies on Drosophila male meiotic cells have contributed to our knowledge of the conserved molecular pathways that regulate spindle microtubules and cytokinesis with important implications for the comprehension of cancer and other diseases.
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Sechi S, Karimpour-Ghahnavieh A, Frappaolo A, Di Francesco L, Piergentili R, Schininà E, D’Avino PP, Giansanti MG. Identification of GOLPH3 Partners in Drosophila Unveils Potential Novel Roles in Tumorigenesis and Neural Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092336. [PMID: 34571985 PMCID: PMC8468827 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) is a highly conserved peripheral membrane protein localized to the Golgi apparatus and the cytosol. GOLPH3 binding to Golgi membranes depends on phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P] and regulates Golgi architecture and vesicle trafficking. GOLPH3 overexpression has been correlated with poor prognosis in several cancers, but the molecular mechanisms that link GOLPH3 to malignant transformation are poorly understood. We recently showed that PI(4)P-GOLPH3 couples membrane trafficking with contractile ring assembly during cytokinesis in dividing Drosophila spermatocytes. Here, we use affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to identify the protein-protein interaction network (interactome) of Drosophila GOLPH3 in testes. Analysis of the GOLPH3 interactome revealed enrichment for proteins involved in vesicle-mediated trafficking, cell proliferation and cytoskeleton dynamics. In particular, we found that dGOLPH3 interacts with the Drosophila orthologs of Fragile X mental retardation protein and Ataxin-2, suggesting a potential role in the pathophysiology of disorders of the nervous system. Our findings suggest novel molecular targets associated with GOLPH3 that might be relevant for therapeutic intervention in cancers and other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sechi
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (S.S.); (A.K.-G.); (A.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Angela Karimpour-Ghahnavieh
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (S.S.); (A.K.-G.); (A.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Anna Frappaolo
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (S.S.); (A.K.-G.); (A.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Laura Di Francesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.D.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Roberto Piergentili
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (S.S.); (A.K.-G.); (A.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Eugenia Schininà
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.D.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Pier Paolo D’Avino
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK;
| | - Maria Grazia Giansanti
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy; (S.S.); (A.K.-G.); (A.F.); (R.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-991-2555
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Di Giorgio ML, Morciano P, Bucciarelli E, Porrazzo A, Cipressa F, Saraniero S, Manzi D, Rong YS, Cenci G. The Drosophila Citrate Lyase Is Required for Cell Division during Spermatogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:E206. [PMID: 31947614 PMCID: PMC7016701 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila melanogasterDmATPCL gene encodes for the human ATP Citrate Lyase (ACL) ortholog, a metabolic enzyme that from citrate generates glucose-derived Acetyl-CoA, which fuels central biochemical reactions such as the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and acetylcholine, and the acetylation of proteins and histones. We had previously reported that, although loss of Drosophila ATPCL reduced levels of Acetyl-CoA, unlike its human counterpart, it does not affect global histone acetylation and gene expression, suggesting that its role in histone acetylation is either partially redundant in Drosophila or compensated by alternative pathways. Here, we describe that depletion of DmATPCL affects spindle organization, cytokinesis, and fusome assembly during male meiosis, revealing an unanticipated role for DmATPCL during spermatogenesis. We also show that DmATPCL mutant meiotic phenotype is in part caused by a reduction of fatty acids, but not of triglycerides or cholesterol, indicating that DmATPCL-derived Acetyl-CoA is predominantly devoted to the biosynthesis of fatty acids during spermatogenesis. Collectively, our results unveil for the first time an involvement for DmATPCL in the regulation of meiotic cell division, which is likely conserved in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Di Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Morciano
- INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, I-67100 Assergi (L’Aquila), Italy
| | | | - Antonella Porrazzo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cipressa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Saraniero
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Manzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Yikang S. Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Control, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C. Darwin”, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00185 Rome, Italy
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