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Delgado M, Gallegos Z, McGlynn K, Stippec S, Cobb MH, Whitehurst A. The Cancer Testis Antigen Testis Specific Serine Kinase 6 (TSSK6) is abnormally expressed in colorectal cancer and promotes oncogenic behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.08.574658. [PMID: 38260312 PMCID: PMC10802504 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.08.574658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a collection of proteins whose expression is normally restricted to the gamete, but abnormally activated in a wide variety of tumors. The CTA, Testis specific serine kinase 6 (TSSK6), is essential for male fertility in mice. Functional relevance of TSSK6 to cancer, if any, has not previously been investigated. Here we find that TSSK6 is frequently anomalously expressed in colorectal cancer and patients with elevated TSSK6 expression have reduced relapse free survival. Depletion of TSSK6 from colorectal cancer cells attenuates anchorage independent growth, invasion and growth in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of TSSK6 enhances anchorage independence and invasion in vitro as well as in vivo tumor growth. Notably, ectopic expression of TSSK6 in semi-transformed human colonic epithelial cells is sufficient to confer anchorage independence and enhance invasion. In somatic cells, TSSK6 co-localizes with and enhances the formation of paxillin and tensin positive foci at the cell periphery, suggesting a function in focal adhesion formation. Importantly, TSSK6 kinase activity is essential to induce these tumorigenic behaviors. Our findings establish that TSSK6 exhibits oncogenic activity when abnormally expressed in colorectal cancer cells. Thus, TSSK6 is a previously unrecognized intervention target for therapy, which could exhibit an exceptionally broad therapeutic window.
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Li Z, Liu X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhou L, Yuan S. FBXO24 modulates mRNA alternative splicing and MIWI degradation and is required for normal sperm formation and male fertility. eLife 2024; 12:RP91666. [PMID: 38470475 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91666] [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: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a critical, post-meiotic phase of male gametogenesis, in which the proper gene expression is essential for sperm maturation. However, the underFlying molecular mechanism that controls mRNA expression in the round spermatids remains elusive. Here, we identify that FBXO24, an orphan F-box protein, is highly expressed in the testis of humans and mice and interacts with the splicing factors (SRSF2, SRSF3, and SRSF9) to modulate the gene alternative splicing in the round spermatids. Genetic mutation of FBXO24 in mice causes many abnormal splicing events in round spermatids, thus affecting a large number of critical genes related to sperm formation that were dysregulated. Further molecular and phenotypical analyses revealed that FBXO24 deficiency results in aberrant histone retention, incomplete axonemes, oversized chromatoid body, and abnormal mitochondrial coiling along sperm flagella, ultimately leading to male sterility. In addition, we discovered that FBXO24 interacts with MIWI and SCF subunits and mediates the degradation of MIWI via K48-linked polyubiquitination. Furthermore, we show that FBXO24 depletion could lead to aberrant piRNA production in testes, which suggests FBXO24 is required for normal piRNA counts. Collectively, these data demonstrate that FBXO24 is essential for sperm formation by regulating mRNA alternative splicing and MIWI degradation during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingping Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liquan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Clark AC, Edison R, Esvelt K, Kamau S, Dutoit L, Champer J, Champer SE, Messer PW, Alexander A, Gemmell NJ. A framework for identifying fertility gene targets for mammalian pest control. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13901. [PMID: 38009398 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13901] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Fertility-targeted gene drives have been proposed as an ethical genetic approach for managing wild populations of vertebrate pests for public health and conservation benefit. This manuscript introduces a framework to identify and evaluate target gene suitability based on biological gene function, gene expression and results from mouse knockout models. This framework identified 16 genes essential for male fertility and 12 genes important for female fertility that may be feasible targets for mammalian gene drives and other non-drive genetic pest control technology. Further, a comparative genomics analysis demonstrates the conservation of the identified genes across several globally significant invasive mammals. In addition to providing important considerations for identifying candidate genes, our framework and the genes identified in this study may have utility in developing additional pest control tools such as wildlife contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Clark
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Rey Edison
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Kamau
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Clark AC, Alexander A, Edison R, Esvelt K, Kamau S, Dutoit L, Champer J, Champer SE, Messer PW, Gemmell NJ. A framework for identifying fertility gene targets for mammalian pest control. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542751. [PMID: 37398071 PMCID: PMC10312551 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Fertility-targeted gene drives have been proposed as an ethical genetic approach for managing wild populations of vertebrate pests for public health and conservation benefit.This manuscript introduces a framework to identify and evaluate target gene suitability based on biological gene function, gene expression, and results from mouse knockout models.This framework identified 16 genes essential for male fertility and 12 genes important for female fertility that may be feasible targets for mammalian gene drives and other non-drive genetic pest control technology. Further, a comparative genomics analysis demonstrates the conservation of the identified genes across several globally significant invasive mammals.In addition to providing important considerations for identifying candidate genes, our framework and the genes identified in this study may have utility in developing additional pest control tools such as wildlife contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Clark
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Rey Edison
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Sebastian Kamau
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, United States
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, 102 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Xu C, Zhu M, Zhao S, Zhang X, Wang Y, Liu M. Mutation of S461, in the GOLGA3 phosphorylation site, does not affect mouse spermatogenesis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15133. [PMID: 37090114 PMCID: PMC10117384 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Golgin subfamily A member 3 (Golga3), a member of the golgin subfamily A, is highly expressed in mouse testis. The GOLGA3 protein, which contains eight phosphorylation sites, is involved in protein transport, cell apoptosis, Golgi localization, and spermatogenesis. Although it has been previously reported that nonsense mutations in Golga3 cause multiple defects in spermatogenesis, the role of Golga3 in the testis is yet to be clarified. Methods Immunofluorescence co-localization in cells and protein dephosphorylation experiments were performed. Golga3 S461L/S461Lmice were generated using cytosine base editors. Fertility tests as well as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) were then performed to investigate sperm motility within caudal epididymis. Histological and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze testis and epididymis phenotypes and TUNEL assays were used to measure germ cell apoptosis in spermatogenic tubules. Results Immunofluorescence co-localization showed reduced Golgi localization of GOLGA3S465L with some protein scattered in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells .In addition, protein dephosphorylation experiments indicated a reduced band shift of the dephosphorylated GOLGA3S465L, confirming S461 as the phosphorylation site. Golga3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene and Golga3 S461L/S461Lmice were successfully generated using cytosine base editors. These mice had normal fertility and spermatozoa, and did not differ significantly from wild-type mice in terms of spermatogenesis and apoptotic cells in tubules. Conclusions Golga3 was found to be highly conserved in the testis, and GOLGA3 was shown to be involved in spermatogenesis, especially in apoptosis and Golgi complex-mediated effects. Infertility was also observed in Golga3 KO male mice. Although GOLGA3S465Lshowed reduced localization in the Golgi with some expression in the cytoplasm, this abnormal localization did not adversely affect fertility or spermatogenesis in male C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, mutation of the S461 GOLGA3 phosphorylation site did not affect mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingcong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Mao B, Zhang W, Zheng Y, Li D, Chen MY, Wang YF. Comparative phosphoproteomics reveal new candidates in the regulation of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1703-1720. [PMID: 35271765 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The most common phenotype induced by the endosymbiont Wolbachia in insects is cytoplasmic incompatibility, where none or fewer progenies can be produced when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. This suggests that some modifications are induced in host sperms during spermatogenesis by Wolbachia. To identify the proteins whose phosphorylation states play essential roles in male reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic strategy combined with titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) enrichment to compare the phosphoproteome of Wolbachia-infected with that of uninfected male reproductive systems in D. melanogaster. We identified 182 phosphopeptides, defining 140 phosphoproteins, that have at least a 1.2 fold change in abundance with a P-value of <0.05. Most of the differentially abundant phosphoproteins (DAPPs) were associated with microtubule cytoskeleton organization and spermatid differentiation. The DAPPs included proteins already known to be associated with spermatogenesis, as well as many not previously studied during this process. Six genes coding for DAPPs were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Slmap knockdown caused the most severe damage in spermatogenesis, with no mature sperm observed in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the formation of individualization complex composed of actin cones was completely disrupted. These results suggest that Wolbachia may induce wide changes in the abundance of phosphorylated proteins which are closely related to male reproduction. By identifying phospho-modulated proteins we also provide a significant candidate set for future studies on their roles in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng-Yan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Okada
- Laboratory of Pathology and Development, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
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Chen H, Murray E, Sinha A, Laumas A, Li J, Lesman D, Nie X, Hotaling J, Guo J, Cairns BR, Macosko EZ, Cheng CY, Chen F. Dissecting mammalian spermatogenesis using spatial transcriptomics. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109915. [PMID: 34731600 PMCID: PMC8606188 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed extensive molecular diversity in gene programs governing mammalian spermatogenesis but fails to delineate their dynamics in the native context of seminiferous tubules, the spatially confined functional units of spermatogenesis. Here, we use Slide-seq, a spatial transcriptomics technology, to generate an atlas that captures the spatial gene expression patterns at near-single-cell resolution in the mouse and human testis. Using Slide-seq data, we devise a computational framework that accurately localizes testicular cell types in individual seminiferous tubules. Unbiased analysis systematically identifies spatially patterned genes and gene programs. Combining Slide-seq with targeted in situ RNA sequencing, we demonstrate significant differences in the cellular compositions of spermatogonial microenvironment between mouse and human testes. Finally, a comparison of the spatial atlas generated from the wild-type and diabetic mouse testis reveals a disruption in the spatial cellular organization of seminiferous tubules as a potential mechanism of diabetes-induced male infertility. Chen et al. generate a spatial transcriptome atlas of the mammalian testis at near-single-cell resolution that recapitulates spermatogenesis by accurately localizing testicular cell types and reconstructing tissue structures. The atlas is used to reveal the spatial organization of testicular microenvironment and profile its changes under diabetic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqi Chen
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Evan Murray
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anubhav Sinha
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Jilong Li
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daniel Lesman
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xichen Nie
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jim Hotaling
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Bradley R Cairns
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Evan Z Macosko
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Raju M, Morris CHT, Pickel J, Dufau ML. Targeted knock-in mice with a human mutation in GRTH/DDX25 reveals the essential role of phosphorylated GRTH in spermatid development during spermatogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 28:2561-2572. [PMID: 31009948 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/DDX25) is a testis specific member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases expressed in meiotic and haploid germ cells which plays an essential role in spermatogenesis. There are two species of GRTH the 56 kDa non-phospho and 61 kDa phospho forms. Our early studies revealed a missense mutation (R242H) of GRTH in azoospermic men that when expressed in COS1-cells lack the phospho-form of GRTH. To investigate the role of the phospho-GRTH species in spermatogenesis, we generated a GRTH knock-in (KI) transgenic mice with the R242H mutation. GRTH-KI mice are sterile with reduced testis size, lack sperm with spermatogenic arrest at round spermatid stage and loss of the cytoplasmic phospho-GRTH species. Electron microscopy studies revealed reduction in the size of chromatoid bodies (CB) of round spermatids (RS) and germ cell apoptosis. We observed absence of phospho-GRTH in the CB of RS. Complete loss of chromatin remodeling and related proteins such as TP2, PRM2, TSSK6 and marked reduction of their respective mRNAs and half-lives were observed in GRTH-KI mice. We showed that phospho-GRTH has a role in TP2 translation and revealed its occurrence in a 3' UTR dependent manner. These findings demonstrate the relevance of phospho-GRTH in the structure of the chromatoid body, spermatid development and completion of spermatogenesis and provide an avenue for the development of a male contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Murugananthkumar Raju
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chon-Hwa Tsai Morris
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James Pickel
- Transgenic Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maria L Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Varuzhanyan G, Ladinsky MS, Yamashita SI, Abe M, Sakimura K, Kanki T, Chan DC. Fis1 ablation in the male germline disrupts mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy, and arrests spermatid maturation. Development 2021; 148:271183. [PMID: 34355730 PMCID: PMC8380467 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Male germline development involves choreographed changes to mitochondrial number, morphology and organization. Mitochondrial reorganization during spermatogenesis was recently shown to require mitochondrial fusion and fission. Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is another mechanism for controlling mitochondrial number and physiology, but its role during spermatogenesis is largely unknown. During post-meiotic spermatid development, restructuring of the mitochondrial network results in packing of mitochondria into a tight array in the sperm midpiece to fuel motility. Here, we show that disruption of mouse Fis1 in the male germline results in early spermatid arrest that is associated with increased mitochondrial content. Mutant spermatids coalesce into multinucleated giant cells that accumulate mitochondria of aberrant ultrastructure and numerous mitophagic and autophagic intermediates, suggesting a defect in mitophagy. We conclude that Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology and turnover to promote spermatid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Varuzhanyan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Mark S Ladinsky
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Shun-Ichi Yamashita
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Tomotake Kanki
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
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Ran M, Huang H, Hu B, Hu S, Hu J, Li L, He H, Liu H, Wang J. Comparative Analysis of Testicular Histology and lncRNA-mRNA Expression Patterns Between Landes Geese ( Anser anser) and Sichuan White Geese ( Anser cygnoides). Front Genet 2021; 12:627384. [PMID: 33737948 PMCID: PMC7963104 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.627384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Landes geese and Sichuan White geese are two important genetic materials for commercial goose breeding. However, the differences in the male reproductive capacity between these two breeds and the potential molecular mechanisms and associated key genes have not been reported to date. The present study compared the testicular histology and mRNA-long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression patterns to reveal the differences in male reproductive performance between Sichuan White geese and Landes geese, as well as to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Histological results showed that the testicular organ index, semen volume, and long diameter of seminiferous tubules of Landes geese were significantly larger than those of Sichuan White geese. Analyses of mRNA-lncRNA expression profile showed that compared with Sichuan White geese, a total of 462 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) (173 up-regulated and 289 down-regulated) and 329 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) (280 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) were identified in Landes geese. Among these DEGs, there were 10 spermatogenesis-related and highly expressed (FPKM > 10) DEGs. Except for SEPP1, all of these DEGs were significantly up-regulated in the testes of Landes geese. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the pathway related to metabolism progress and phosphoinositol signal is vitally responsible for differences in male reproductive performance between Landes geese and Sichuan White geese. These results show that compared with Sichuan White geese, the spermatogenesis in the testis of Landes geese was more active, which may be mainly related to the inositol phosphate signal. These data contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying different male reproductive performances between Landes geese and Sichuan White geese. This knowledge might eventually provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive performance in geese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Ran
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huaxuan Huang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua He
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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12
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Zhang Q, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Li J, Xia Q, Chen Y. Folliculin deficient renal cancer cells exhibit BRCA1 A complex expression impairment and sensitivity to PARP1 inhibitor olaparib. Gene 2020; 769:145243. [PMID: 33069804 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficiency of folliculin (FLCN) may lead to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) disease. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity induced by PARP inhibitor olaparib in FLCN deficient RCC cells, and the interaction between FLCN and BRCA1 A complex-regulated DNA repair pathway. METHODS AND MATERIALS FLCN expressing (ACHN and UOK257-F) and FLCN deficient (ACHN-2 and UOK257) cell lines were used in this research. Cell viability was detected by clonogenic assay and MTT assay. Flow cytometry and TUNEL assay were used to detect apoptosis. Autophagy in cells was measured by MDC assay, western blot, and transmission electron microscopy. Co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and western blot experiments were performed to determine the interaction between FLCN protein and BRCA1 A complex. The in vivo experiments were performed in a xenograft model by inoculating UOK 257 in nude mice. RESULTS RCC cells with FLCN protein deficiency were more sensitive to olaparib treatment than the cells with FLCN expression. Olaparib treatment led to more severe autophagy and apoptosis in FLCN deficient ACHN-2 and UOK257 cells compared to the FLCN expressing ACHN and UOK257-F cells. Decreased BRCA1 A complex expression and disruption of DNA repair ability were detected in FLCN-deficient cells, suggesting that FLCN deficiency impaired BRCA1 A complex expression and sensitized cells to PARP inhibitor olaparib. CONCLUSIONS RCC cells deficient in FLCN are sensitive to olaparib treatment due to the impairment of BRCA1 A complex associated DNA repair ability. The results suggest that PARP inhibitor, such as olaparib, may be a potentially effective therapeutic approach for kidney tumors with deficiency of FLCN protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Yingkun Xu
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Zhiyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, China
| | - Jianyi Li
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Qinghua Xia
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Yougen Chen
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
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13
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Salicioni AM, Gervasi MG, Sosnik J, Tourzani DA, Nayyab S, Caraballo DA, Visconti PE. Testis-specific serine kinase protein family in male fertility and as targets for non-hormonal male contraception†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:264-274. [PMID: 32337545 PMCID: PMC7401350 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Male contraception is a very active area of research. Several hormonal agents have entered clinical trials, while potential non-hormonal targets have been brought to light more recently and are at earlier stages of development. The general strategy is to target genes along the molecular pathways of sperm production, maturation, or function, and it is predicted that these novel approaches will hopefully lead to more selective male contraceptive compounds with a decreased side effect burden. Protein kinases are known to play a major role in signaling events associated with sperm differentiation and function. In this review, we focus our analysis on the testis-specific serine kinase (TSSK) protein family. We have previously shown that members of the family of TSSKs are postmeiotically expressed in male germ cells and in mature mammalian sperm. The restricted postmeiotic expression of TSSKs as well as the importance of phosphorylation in signaling processes strongly suggests that TSSKs have an important role in germ cell differentiation and/or sperm function. This prediction has been supported by the reported sterile phenotype of the Tssk6 knockout (KO) mice and of the double Tssk1 and Tssk2 KO mice and by the male subfertile phenotype observed in a Tssk4 KO mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
| | - Julian Sosnik
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Saman Nayyab
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Diego A Caraballo
- IFIBYNE-CONICET, Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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14
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Mao YQ, Han SF, Zhang SL, Zhang ZY, Kong CY, Chen HL, Li ZM, Cai PR, Han B, Wang LS. An approach using Caenorhabditis elegans screening novel targets to suppress tumour cell proliferation. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12832. [PMID: 32452127 PMCID: PMC7309951 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tumour cell proliferation requires high metabolism to meet the bioenergetics and biosynthetic needs. Dauer in Caenorhabditis elegans is characterized by lower metabolism, and we established an approach with C elegans to find potential tumour therapy targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS RNAi screening was used to find dauer-related genes, and these genes were further analysed in glp-1(-) mutants for tumour-suppressing testing. The identified tumour-related genes were verified in clinical tumour tissues. RESULTS The lifespan of glp-1(-) mutants was found to be extended by classical dauer formation signalling. Then, 61 of 287 kinase-coding genes in Caenorhabditis elegans were identified as dauer-related genes, of which 27 were found to be homologous to human oncogenes. Furthermore, 12 dauer-related genes were randomly selected for tumour-suppressing test, and six genes significantly extended the lifespan of glp-1(-) mutants. Of these six genes, F47D12.9, W02B12.12 and gcy-21 were newly linked to dauer formation. These three new dauer-related genes significantly suppressed tumour cell proliferation and thus extended the lifespan of glp-1(-) mutants in a longevity- or dauer-independent manner. The mRNA expression profiles indicated that these dauer-related genes trigged similar low metabolism pattern in glp-1(-) mutants. Notably, the expression of homolog gene DCAF4L2/F47D12.9, TSSK6/W02B12.12 and NPR1/gcy-21 was found to be higher in glioma compared with adjacent normal tissue. In addition, the high expression of TSSK6/W02B12.12 and NPR1/gcy-21 correlated with a worse survival in glioma patients. CONCLUSIONS Dauer gene screening in combination with tumour-suppressing test in glp-1(-) mutants provided a useful approach to find potential targets for tumour therapy via suppressing tumour cell proliferation and rewiring tumour cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qin Mao
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - San-Feng Han
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng-Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao-Yue Kong
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Ling Chen
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Ran Cai
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Han
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Shun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Sharma AK, Shiloach J, Dufau ML. Linking Phospho-Gonadotropin Regulated Testicular RNA Helicase (GRTH/DDX25) to Histone Ubiquitination and Acetylation Essential for Spermatid Development During Spermiogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:310. [PMID: 32478068 PMCID: PMC7242631 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GRTH/DDX25 is a testicular RNA helicase expressed in germ cells that plays a crucial role in completion of spermatogenesis. Previously, we demonstrated a missense mutation (R242H) of GRTH gene in Japanese infertile patients (5.8%) with non-obstructive azoospermia. This mutation upon expression in COS-1 cells revealed absence of the 61 kDa phosphorylated GRTH in cytoplasm and the presence of the 56 kDa non-phosphorylated GRTH in the nucleus. GRTH knock-in (KI) mice carrying the human GRTH (R242H) mutation, lack phosphorylated GRTH, and sperm due to failure of round spermatid elongation during spermiogenesis. To determine the impact of phosphorylated GRTH on molecular events/pathways participating in spermatid development during spermiogenesis, we analyzed transcriptome profiles obtained from RNA-Seq of germ cells from KI and WT mice. RNA-Seq analysis of 2624 differentially expressed genes revealed 1404 down-regulated and 1220 up-regulated genes in KI mice. Genes relevant to spermatogenesis, spermatid development and spermatid differentiation were significantly down-regulated. KEGG enrichment analysis showed genes related to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway genes were significantly down-regulated while the up-regulated genes were found to be involved in Focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction pathways. Real-Time PCR analysis confirmed considerable reduction in transcripts of ubiquitination related genes Ube2j1, Ube2k, Ube2w, Rnf8, Rnf133, Rnf138, Cul3 and increased expression of Ccnd2, Col1a, Lamb1, Cav1, Igf1, Itga9 mRNA's in KI mice compared to WT. Also, marked reduction in protein expression of UBE2J1, RNF8, RNF138 (ubiquitination network), MOF (histone acetyltransferase), their modified Histone substrates (H2AUb, H2BUb) and H4Ac, H4K16Ac were observed in KI mice. GRTH-IP mRNA binding studies revealed that Rnf8 and Ube2J1 mRNAs from WT mice associated with GRTH protein and the binding is greatly impaired in the KI mice. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed significantly reduced expression of RNF8, MOF, H4Ac and H4K16Ac in round spermatids of KI mice. Absence of phosphorylated GRTH impairs UBE2J1, RNF8 and MOF-dependent histone ubiquitination and acetylation essential for histone replacement, chromatin condensation and spermatid elongation during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ashish K. Sharma
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph Shiloach
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Maria L. Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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16
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Paudel B, Gervasi MG, Porambo J, Caraballo DA, Tourzani DA, Mager J, Platt MD, Salicioni AM, Visconti PE. Sperm capacitation is associated with phosphorylation of the testis-specific radial spoke protein Rsph6a†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:440-454. [PMID: 30239614 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm undergo a series of biochemical and physiological changes collectively known as capacitation in order to acquire the ability to fertilize. Although the increase in phosphorylation associated with mouse sperm capacitation is well established, the identity of the proteins involved in this signaling cascade remains largely unknown. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been used to identify the exact sites of phosphorylation and to compare the relative extent of phosphorylation at these sites. In the present work, we find that a novel site of phosphorylation on a peptide derived from the radial spoke protein Rsph6a is more phosphorylated in capacitated mouse sperm. The Rsph6a gene has six exons, five of which are conserved during evolution in flagellated cells. The exon containing the capacitation-induced phosphorylation site was found exclusively in eutherian mammals. Transcript analyses revealed at least two different testis-specific splicing variants for Rsph6a.Rsph6a mRNA expression was restricted to spermatocytes. Using antibodies generated against the Rsph6a N-terminal domain, western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses indicated that the protein remains in mature sperm and localizes to the sperm flagellum. Consistent with its role in the axoneme, solubility analyses revealed that Rsph6 is attached to cytoskeletal structures. Based on previous studies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we predict that Rsph6 participates in the interaction between the central pair of microtubules and the surrounding pairs. The findings that Rsph6a is more phosphorylated during capacitation and is predicted to function in axonemal localization make Rsph6a a candidate protein mediating signaling processes in the sperm flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidur Paudel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - María Gracia Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Porambo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Diego A Caraballo
- IFIBYNE-CONICET, Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark D Platt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Ana María Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Tang C, Xie Y, Yu T, Liu N, Wang Z, Woolsey RJ, Tang Y, Zhang X, Qin W, Zhang Y, Song G, Zheng W, Wang J, Chen W, Wei X, Xie Z, Klukovich R, Zheng H, Quilici DR, Yan W. m 6A-dependent biogenesis of circular RNAs in male germ cells. Cell Res 2020; 30:211-228. [PMID: 32047269 PMCID: PMC7054367 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-020-0279-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of circular RNAs (circRNAs) spliced from coding genes contain open reading frames (ORFs) and thus, have protein coding potential. However, it remains unknown what regulates the biogenesis of these ORF-containing circRNAs, whether they are actually translated into proteins and what functions they play in specific physiological contexts. Here, we report that a large number of circRNAs are synthesized with increasing abundance when late pachytene spermatocytes develop into round and then elongating spermatids during murine spermatogenesis. For a subset of circRNAs, the back splicing appears to occur mostly at m6A-enriched sites, which are usually located around the start and stop codons in linear mRNAs. Consequently, approximately a half of these male germ cell circRNAs contain large ORFs with m6A-modified start codons in their junctions, features that have been recently shown to be associated with protein-coding potential. Hundreds of peptides encoded by the junction sequences of these circRNAs were detected using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, suggesting that these circRNAs can indeed be translated into proteins in both developing (spermatocytes and spermatids) and mature (spermatozoa) male germ cells. The present study discovered not only a novel role of m6A in the biogenesis of coding circRNAs, but also a potential mechanism to ensure stable and long-lasting protein production in the absence of linear mRNAs, i.e., through production of circRNAs containing large ORFs and m6A-modified start codons in junction sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Tang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
- BGI Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518083, China.
| | - Yeming Xie
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Tian Yu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Na Liu
- BGI Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Zhuqing Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Rebekah J Woolsey
- Nevada Proteomics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Yunge Tang
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Ge Song
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Weiwei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
- Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, No. 17 Meidong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Juan Wang
- BGI Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | | | | | - Zhe Xie
- BGI Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518083, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Copenhagen 13, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rachel Klukovich
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - David R Quilici
- Nevada Proteomics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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18
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Chioccarelli T, Pierantoni R, Manfrevola F, Porreca V, Fasano S, Chianese R, Cobellis G. Histone Post-Translational Modifications and CircRNAs in Mouse and Human Spermatozoa: Potential Epigenetic Marks to Assess Human Sperm Quality. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9030640. [PMID: 32121034 PMCID: PMC7141194 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9030640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa (SPZ) are motile cells, characterized by a cargo of epigenetic information including histone post-translational modifications (histone PTMs) and non-coding RNAs. Specific histone PTMs are present in developing germ cells, with a key role in spermatogenic events such as self-renewal and commitment of spermatogonia (SPG), meiotic recombination, nuclear condensation in spermatids (SPT). Nuclear condensation is related to chromatin remodeling events and requires a massive histone-to-protamine exchange. After this event a small percentage of chromatin is condensed by histones and SPZ contain nucleoprotamines and a small fraction of nucleohistone chromatin carrying a landascape of histone PTMs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new class of non-coding RNAs, characterized by a nonlinear back-spliced junction, able to play as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, protein scaffolds and translation templates, have been recently characterized in both human and mouse SPZ. Since their abundance in eukaryote tissues, it is challenging to deepen their biological function, especially in the field of reproduction. Here we review the critical role of histone PTMs in male germ cells and the profile of circRNAs in mouse and human SPZ. Furthermore, we discuss their suggested role as novel epigenetic biomarkers to assess sperm quality and improve artificial insemination procedure.
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19
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Wang T, Gao H, Li W, Liu C. Essential Role of Histone Replacement and Modifications in Male Fertility. Front Genet 2019; 10:962. [PMID: 31649732 PMCID: PMC6792021 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a complex cellular differentiation process that the germ cells undergo a distinct morphological change, and the protamines replace the core histones to facilitate chromatin compaction in the sperm head. Recent studies show the essential roles of epigenetic events during the histone-to-protamine transition. Defects in either the replacement or the modification of histones might cause male infertility with azoospermia, oligospermia or teratozoospermia. Here, we summarize recent advances in our knowledge of how epigenetic regulators, such as histone variants, histone modification and their related chromatin remodelers, facilitate the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the modification and replacement of histones during spermiogenesis will enable the identification of epigenetic biomarkers of male infertility, and shed light on potential therapies for these patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Li Y, Cheng Y, Zhu T, Zhang H, Li W, Guo Y, Qi Y, Chen X, Zhang J, Sha J, Zhou Z, Zhu H, Guo X. The Protein Phosphorylation Landscape of Mouse Spermatids during Spermiogenesis. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1900055. [PMID: 30901149 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201900055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The characteristic tadpole shape of sperm is formed from round spermatids via spermiogenesis, a process which results in dramatic morphological changes in the final stage of spermatogenesis in the testis. Protein phosphorylation, as one of the most important post-translational modifications, can regulate spermiogenesis; however, the phosphorylation events taking place during this process have not been systematically analyzed. In order to better understand the role of phosphorylation in spermiogenesis, large-scale phosphoproteome profiling is performed using IMAC and TiO2 enrichment. In total, 13 835 phosphorylation sites, in 4196 phosphoproteins, are identified in purified mouse spermatids undergoing spermiogenesis in two biological replicates. Overall, 735 testis-specific proteins are identified to be phosphorylated, and are expressed at high levels during spermiogenesis. Gene ontology analysis shows enrichment of the identified phosphoproteins in terms of histone modification, cilium organization, centrosome and the adherens junction. Further characterization of the kinase-substrate phosphorylation network demonstrates enrichment of phosphorylation substrates related to the regulation of spermiogenesis. This global protein phosphorylation landscape of spermiogenesis shows wide phosphoregulation across a diverse range of processes during spermiogenesis and can help to further characterize the process of sperm generation. All MS data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD011890.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.,Center of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Yiwei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
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Genetic Factors Affecting Sperm Chromatin Structure. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1166:1-28. [PMID: 31301043 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spermatozoa genome has unique features that make it a fascinating field of investigation: first, because, with oocyte genome, it can be transmitted generation after generation; second, because of genetic shuffling during meiosis, each spermatozoon is virtually unique in terms of genetic content, with consequences for species evolution; and finally, because its chromatin organization is very different from that of somatic cells or oocytes, as it is not based on nucleosomes but on nucleoprotamines which confer a higher order of packaging. Histone-to-protamine transition involves many actors, such as regulators of spermatid gene expression, components of the nuclear envelop, histone-modifying enzymes and readers, chaperones, histone variants, transition proteins, protamines, and certainly many more to be discovered.In this book chapter, we will present what is currently known about sperm chromatin structure and how it is established during spermiogenesis, with the aim to list the genetic factors that regulate its organization.
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22
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Balhorn R, Steger K, Bergmann M, Schuppe HC, Neuhauser S, Balhorn MC. New monoclonal antibodies specific for mammalian protamines P1 and P2. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:424-447. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1510063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- Briar Patch Biosciences LLC, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Veterinary Faculty of the University, Berlin, Germany
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Meyer RG, Ketchum CC, Meyer-Ficca ML. Heritable sperm chromatin epigenetics: a break to remember†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:784-797. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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24
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Jha KN, Tripurani SK, Johnson GR. TSSK6 is required for γH2AX formation and the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis. Development 2017. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.154914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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