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An K, Yao B, Tan Y, Kang Y, Wang Z, Su J. Spermatocytes are the terminals of germ cell differentiation in plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) during the non-breeding season. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 38816925 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) is a subterranean rodent and seasonal breeder. During the non-breeding season, the testicles regress, leading to the arrest of spermatogenesis and loss of fertility. The identification of the specific germ cell type at which spermatogenesis is arrested, as well as potential regulatory factors during the non-breeding season, is important for understanding seasonal spermatogenesis in subterranean species. This study analyzed genes in spermatocytes of plateau zokor by referring to single-cell RNA results in mice. We discovered that spermatogenesis is arrested at the spermatocyte during the non-breeding season, which was corroborated via immunofluorescence staining results. The analysis of gene expression during different stages of meiotic prophase I has revealed that germ cell development may be arrested, starting from zygonema, during the non-breeding season. Meanwhile, we discovered that the apoptosis genes were up-regulated, leading to apoptosis in spermatocytes. To confirm that the germ cell differentiation was blocked during the non-breeding season due to a decrease in the androgen level, we used androgen receptor antagonist (flutamide) to intervene in the breeding season and found that the inner diameter of the seminiferous tubules was significantly reduced, spermatogenesis was arrested, and spermatocytes underwent apoptosis. This study revealed that spermatocytes are the terminal of germ cell differentiation in plateau zokor during the non-breeding season and that the arrest of differentiation is attributed to a decline in androgen levels. Our results complement the theoretical basis of seasonal reproduction in plateau zokor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang An
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baohui Yao
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Tan
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yukun Kang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Tang X, Chen C, Yan S, Yang A, Deng Y, Chen B, Gu J. Single-Nucleus RNA-Seq Reveals Spermatogonial Stem Cell Developmental Pattern in Shaziling Pigs. Biomolecules 2024; 14:607. [PMID: 38927011 PMCID: PMC11202124 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060607] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Normal testicular development ensures the process of spermatogenesis, which is a complex biological process. The sustained high productivity of spermatogenesis throughout life is predominantly attributable to the constant proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The self-renewal and differentiation processes of SSCs are strictly regulated by the SSC niche. Therefore, understanding the developmental pattern of SSCs is crucial for spermatogenesis. The Shaziling pig is a medium-sized indigenous pig breed originating from central China. It is renowned for its superior meat quality and early male sexual maturity. The spermatogenic ability of the boars is of great economic importance to the pig industry. To investigate testicular development, particularly the pattern of SSC development in Shaziling pigs, we used single-cell transcriptomics to identify gene expression patterns in 82,027 individual cells from nine Shaziling pig testes at three key postnatal developmental stages. We generated an unbiased cell developmental atlas of Shaziling pig testicular tissues. We elucidated the complex processes involved in the development of SSCs within their niche in the Shaziling pig. Specifically, we identified potential marker genes and cellular signaling pathways that regulate SSC self-renewal and maintenance. Additionally, we proposed potential novel marker genes for SSCs that could be used for SSC isolation and sorting in Shaziling pigs. Furthermore, by immunofluorescence staining of testicular tissues of different developmental ages using marker proteins (UCHL1 and KIT), the developmental pattern of the spermatogonia of Shaziling pigs was intensively studied. Our research enhances the comprehension of the development of SSCs and provides a valuable reference for breeding Shaziling pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwei Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
| | - Chujie Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
| | - Saina Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Anqi Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
| | - Bin Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
| | - Jingjing Gu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (X.T.); (C.C.); (A.Y.); (Y.D.)
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Yoshimura S, Shimada R, Kikuchi K, Kawagoe S, Abe H, Iisaka S, Fujimura S, Yasunaga KI, Usuki S, Tani N, Ohba T, Kondoh E, Saio T, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Atypical heat shock transcription factor HSF5 is critical for male meiotic prophase under non-stress conditions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3330. [PMID: 38684656 PMCID: PMC11059408 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47601-0] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Meiotic prophase progression is differently regulated in males and females. In males, pachytene transition during meiotic prophase is accompanied by robust alteration in gene expression. However, how gene expression is regulated differently to ensure meiotic prophase completion in males remains elusive. Herein, we identify HSF5 as a male germ cell-specific heat shock transcription factor (HSF) for meiotic prophase progression. Genetic analyzes and single-cell RNA-sequencing demonstrate that HSF5 is essential for progression beyond the pachytene stage under non-stress conditions rather than heat stress. Chromatin binding analysis in vivo and DNA-binding assays in vitro suggest that HSF5 binds to promoters in a subset of genes associated with chromatin organization. HSF5 recognizes a DNA motif different from typical heat shock elements recognized by other canonical HSFs. This study suggests that HSF5 is an atypical HSF that is required for the gene expression program for pachytene transition during meiotic prophase in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saori Yoshimura
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Koji Kikuchi
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kawagoe
- Division of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hironori Abe
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Sakie Iisaka
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Yasunaga
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Eiji Kondoh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tomohide Saio
- Division of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
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4
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Bush SJ, Nikola R, Han S, Suzuki S, Yoshida S, Simons BD, Goriely A. Adult Human, but Not Rodent, Spermatogonial Stem Cells Retain States with a Foetal-like Signature. Cells 2024; 13:742. [PMID: 38727278 PMCID: PMC11083513 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis involves a complex process of cellular differentiation maintained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Being critical to male reproduction, it is generally assumed that spermatogenesis starts and ends in equivalent transcriptional states in related species. Based on single-cell gene expression profiling, it has been proposed that undifferentiated human spermatogonia can be subclassified into four heterogenous subtypes, termed states 0, 0A, 0B, and 1. To increase the resolution of the undifferentiated compartment and trace the origin of the spermatogenic trajectory, we re-analysed the single-cell (sc) RNA-sequencing libraries of 34 post-pubescent human testes to generate an integrated atlas of germ cell differentiation. We then used this atlas to perform comparative analyses of the putative SSC transcriptome both across human development (using 28 foetal and pre-pubertal scRNA-seq libraries) and across species (including data from sheep, pig, buffalo, rhesus and cynomolgus macaque, rat, and mouse). Alongside its detailed characterisation, we show that the transcriptional heterogeneity of the undifferentiated spermatogonial cell compartment varies not only between species but across development. Our findings associate 'state 0B' with a suppressive transcriptomic programme that, in adult humans, acts to functionally oppose proliferation and maintain cells in a ready-to-react state. Consistent with this conclusion, we show that human foetal germ cells-which are mitotically arrested-can be characterised solely as state 0B. While germ cells with a state 0B signature are also present in foetal mice (and are likely conserved at this stage throughout mammals), they are not maintained into adulthood. We conjecture that in rodents, the foetal-like state 0B differentiates at birth into the renewing SSC population, whereas in humans it is maintained as a reserve population, supporting testicular homeostasis over a longer reproductive lifespan while reducing mutagenic load. Together, these results suggest that SSCs adopt differing evolutionary strategies across species to ensure fertility and genome integrity over vastly differing life histories and reproductive timeframes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Bush
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rafail Nikola
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Seungmin Han
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Benjamin D. Simons
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome—MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
| | - Anne Goriely
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
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5
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Greshnova A, Pál K, Martinez JFI, Canzar S, Makova KD. Transcript Isoform Diversity of Y Chromosome Ampliconic Genes of Great Apes Uncovered Using Long Reads and Telomere-to-Telomere Reference Genome Assemblies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.02.587783. [PMID: 38617276 PMCID: PMC11014635 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.02.587783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Y chromosomes of great apes harbor Ampliconic Genes (YAGs)-multi-copy gene families (BPY2, CDY, DAZ, HSFY, PRY, RBMY, TSPY, VCY, and XKRY) that encode proteins important for spermatogenesis. Previous work assembled YAG transcripts based on their targeted sequencing but not using reference genome assemblies, potentially resulting in an incomplete transcript repertoire. Here we used the recently produced gapless telomere-to-telomere (T2T) Y chromosome assemblies of great ape species (bonobo, chimpanzee, human, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, and Sumatran orangutan) and analyzed RNA data from whole-testis samples for the same species. We generated hybrid transcriptome assemblies by combining targeted long reads (Pacific Biosciences), untargeted long reads (Pacific Biosciences) and untargeted short reads (Illumina)and mapping them to the T2T reference genomes. Compared to the results from the reference-free approach, average transcript length was more than two times higher, and the total number of transcripts decreased three times, improving the quality of the assembled transcriptome. The reference-based transcriptome assemblies allowed us to differentiate transcripts originating from different Y chromosome gene copies and from their non-Y chromosome homologs. We identified two sources of transcriptome diversity-alternative splicing and gene duplication with subsequent diversification of gene copies. For each gene family, we detected transcribed pseudogenes along with protein-coding gene copies. We revealed previously unannotated gene copies of YAGs as compared to currently available NCBI annotations, as well as novel isoforms for annotated gene copies. This analysis paves the way for better understanding Y chromosome gene functions, which is important given their role in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Greshnova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Current address: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Karol Pál
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Juan Francisco Iturralde Martinez
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Stefan Canzar
- Faculty of Informatics and Data Science, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
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6
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Gao J, Qin Y, Schimenti JC. Gene regulation during meiosis. Trends Genet 2024; 40:326-336. [PMID: 38177041 PMCID: PMC11003842 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is essential for gamete production in all sexually reproducing organisms. It entails two successive cell divisions without DNA replication, producing haploid cells from diploid ones. This process involves complex morphological and molecular differentiation that varies across species and between sexes. Specialized genomic events like meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation are tightly regulated, including preparation for post-meiotic development. Research in model organisms, notably yeast, has shed light on the genetic and molecular aspects of meiosis and its regulation. Although mammalian meiosis research faces challenges, particularly in replicating gametogenesis in vitro, advances in genetic and genomic technologies are providing mechanistic insights. Here we review the genetics and molecular biology of meiotic gene expression control, focusing on mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Gao
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiwen Qin
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Zhou X, Fang K, Liu Y, Li W, Tan Y, Zhang J, Yu X, Wang G, Zhang Y, Shang Y, Zhang L, Chen CD, Wang S. ZFP541 and KCTD19 regulate chromatin organization and transcription programs for male meiotic progression. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13567. [PMID: 37921559 PMCID: PMC10984108 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful progression of meiosis prophase I requires integrating information from the structural and molecular levels. In this study, we show that ZFP541 and KCTD19 work in the same genetic pathway to regulate the progression of male meiosis and thus fertility. The Zfp541 and/or Kctd19 knockout male mice show various structural and recombination defects including detached chromosome ends, aberrant localization of chromosome axis components and recombination proteins, and globally altered histone modifications. Further analyses on RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq data provide molecular evidence for the above defects and reveal that ZFP541/KCTD19 activates the expression of many genes by repressing several major transcription repressors. More importantly, we reveal an unexpected role of ZFP541/KCTD19 in directly modulating chromatin organization. These results suggest that ZFP541/KCTD19 simultaneously regulates the transcription cascade and chromatin organization to ensure the coordinated progression of multiple events at chromosome structural and biochemical levels during meiosis prophase I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Kailun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Yanlei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Weidong Li
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yingjin Tan
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Xiaoxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yanan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yongliang Shang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Liangran Zhang
- Advanced Medical Research InstituteShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Charlie Degui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Shunxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive HealthShandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive HealthJinanShandongChina
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8
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Ascenção C, Sims JR, Dziubek A, Comstock W, Fogarty EA, Badar J, Freire R, Grimson A, Weiss RS, Cohen PE, Smolka MB. A TOPBP1 allele causing male infertility uncouples XY silencing dynamics from sex body formation. eLife 2024; 12:RP90887. [PMID: 38391183 PMCID: PMC10942628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90887] [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: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is a critical feature of meiotic prophase I progression in males. While the ATR kinase and its activator TOPBP1 are key drivers of MSCI within the specialized sex body (SB) domain of the nucleus, how they promote silencing remains unclear given their multifaceted meiotic functions that also include DNA repair, chromosome synapsis, and SB formation. Here we report a novel mutant mouse harboring mutations in the TOPBP1-BRCT5 domain. Topbp1B5/B5 males are infertile, with impaired MSCI despite displaying grossly normal events of early prophase I, including synapsis and SB formation. Specific ATR-dependent events are disrupted, including phosphorylation and localization of the RNA:DNA helicase Senataxin. Topbp1B5/B5 spermatocytes initiate, but cannot maintain ongoing, MSCI. These findings reveal a non-canonical role for the ATR-TOPBP1 signaling axis in MSCI dynamics at advanced stages in pachynema and establish the first mouse mutant that separates ATR signaling and MSCI from SB formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolline Ascenção
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jennie R Sims
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Alexis Dziubek
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - William Comstock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Elizabeth A Fogarty
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Jumana Badar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Raimundo Freire
- Fundación Canaria del Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC), Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de CanariasSanta Cruz de TenerifeSpain
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La LagunaLa LagunaSpain
- Universidad Fernando Pessoa CanariasLas Palmas de Gran CanariaSpain
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Robert S Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Marcus B Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
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9
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Kuribayashi S, Fukuhara S, Kitakaze H, Tsujimura G, Imanaka T, Okada K, Ueda N, Takezawa K, Katayama K, Yamaguchi R, Matsuda K, Nonomura N. KEAP1-NRF2 system regulates age-related spermatogenesis dysfunction. Reprod Med Biol 2024; 23:e12595. [PMID: 38915913 PMCID: PMC11194679 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The average fatherhood age has been consistently increasing in developed countries. Aging has been identified as a risk factor for male infertility. However, its impact on various mechanisms remains unclear. This study focused on the KEAP1-NRF2 oxidative stress response system, by investigating the relationship between the KEAP1-NRF2 system and age-related changes in spermatogenesis. Methods For examination of age-related changes, we used 10-, 30-, 60-, and 90-week-old mice to compare sperm count, sperm motility, and protein expression. For assessment of Keap1 inhibition, 85-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: control and bardoxolone methyl (KEAP1 inhibitor). Whole-exome sequencing of a Japanese cohort of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia was performed for evaluating. Results Sperm count decreased significantly with aging. Oxidative stress and KEAP1 expression in the testes were elevated. Inhibition of KEAP1 in aging mice significantly increased sperm count compared with that in the control group. In the human study, the frequency of a missense-type SNP (rs181294188) causing changes in NFE2L2 (NRF2) activity was significantly higher in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia than in healthy control group. Conclusions The KEAP1-NRF2 system, an oxidative stress response system, is associated with age-related spermatogenesis dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohei Kuribayashi
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | | | - Hiroaki Kitakaze
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Go Tsujimura
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Takahiro Imanaka
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Koichi Okada
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Norichika Ueda
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Kentaro Takezawa
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Kotoe Katayama
- Laboratory of Sequence Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Rui Yamaguchi
- Division of Cancer Systems BiologyAichi Cancer Center Research InstituteNagoyaJapan
- Division of Health Medical Intelligence, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Koichi Matsuda
- Laboratory of Clinical Genome Sequencing, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Norio Nonomura
- Department of UrologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
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10
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Zhao YD, Yang CX, Du ZQ. Integrated single cell transcriptome sequencing analysis reveals species-specific genes and molecular pathways for pig spermiogenesis. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1745-1755. [PMID: 37874861 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14493] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly complicated and intricately organized process involving spermatogonia propagation (mitosis) and meiotic differentiation into mature sperm cells (spermiogenesis). In pigs, spermatogonia development and the role of somatic cells in spermatogenesis were previously investigated in detail. However, the characterization of key molecules fundamental to pig spermiogenesis remains less explored. Here we compared spermatogenesis between humans and pigs, focusing on spermiogenesis, by integrative testicular single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Human and pig testicular cells were clustered into 26 different groups, with cell-type-specific markers and signalling pathways. For spermiogenesis, pseudo-time analysis classified the lineage differentiation routes for round, elongated spermatids and spermatozoa. Moreover, markers and molecular pathways specific to each type of spermatids were examined for humans and pigs, respectively. Furthermore, high-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA) identified gene modules specific for each type of human and pig spermatids. Hub genes (pig: SNRPD2.1 related to alternative splicing; human: CATSPERZ, Ca[2+] ion channel) potentially involved in spermiogenesis were also revealed. Taken together, our integrative analysis found that human and pig spermiogeneses involve specific genes and molecular pathways and provided resources and insights for further functional investigation on spermatid maturation and male reproductive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Dan Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Cai-Xia Yang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Du
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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11
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Yin Z, Ding G, Xue Y, Yu X, Dong J, Huang J, Ma J, He F. A postmeiotically bifurcated roadmap of honeybee spermatogenesis marked by phylogenetically restricted genes. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011081. [PMID: 38048317 PMCID: PMC10721206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Haploid males of hymenopteran species produce gametes through an abortive meiosis I followed by meiosis II that can either be symmetric or asymmetric in different species. Thus, one spermatocyte could give rise to two spermatids with either equal or unequal amounts of cytoplasm. It is currently unknown what molecular features accompany these postmeiotic sperm cells especially in species with asymmetric meiosis II such as bees. Here we present testis single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from the honeybee (Apis mellifera) drones of 3 and 14 days after emergence (3d and 14d). We show that, while 3d testes exhibit active, ongoing spermatogenesis, 14d testes only have late-stage spermatids. We identify a postmeiotic bifurcation in the transcriptional roadmap during spermatogenesis, with cells progressing toward the annotated spermatids (SPT) and small spermatids (sSPT), respectively. Despite an overall similarity in their transcriptomic profiles, sSPTs express the fewest genes and the least RNA content among all the sperm cell types. Intriguingly, sSPTs exhibit a relatively high expression level for Hymenoptera-restricted genes and a high mutation load, suggesting that the special meiosis II during spermatogenesis in the honeybee is accompanied by phylogenetically young gene activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Yin
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guiling Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingdi Xue
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianghui Yu
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University International School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorder, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng He
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University International School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorder, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Ascencao CFR, Sims JR, Dziubek A, Comstock W, Fogarty EA, Badar J, Freire R, Grimson A, Weiss RS, Cohen PE, Smolka M. A TOPBP1 Allele Causing Male Infertility Uncouples XY Silencing Dynamics From Sex Body Formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.31.543071. [PMID: 37398453 PMCID: PMC10312512 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.543071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is a critical feature of meiotic prophase I progression in males. While the ATR kinase and its activator TOPBP1 are key drivers of MSCI within the specialized sex body (SB) domain of the nucleus, how they promote silencing remains unclear given their multifaceted meiotic functions that also include DNA repair, chromosome synapsis and SB formation. Here we report a novel mutant mouse harboring mutations in the TOPBP1-BRCT5 domain. Topbp1 B5/B5 males are infertile, with impaired MSCI despite displaying grossly normal events of early prophase I, including synapsis and SB formation. Specific ATR-dependent events are disrupted including phosphorylation and localization of the RNA:DNA helicase Senataxin. Topbp1 B5/B5 spermatocytes initiate, but cannot maintain ongoing, MSCI. These findings reveal a non-canonical role for the ATR-TOPBP1 signaling axis in MSCI dynamics at advanced stages in pachynema and establish the first mouse mutant that separates ATR signaling and MSCI from SB formation.
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13
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Atitey K, Motsinger-Reif AA, Anchang B. Model-based evaluation of spatiotemporal data reduction methods with unknown ground truth through optimal visualization and interpretability metrics. Brief Bioinform 2023; 25:bbad455. [PMID: 38113074 PMCID: PMC10729792 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimizing and benchmarking data reduction methods for dynamic or spatial visualization and interpretation (DSVI) face challenges due to many factors, including data complexity, lack of ground truth, time-dependent metrics, dimensionality bias and different visual mappings of the same data. Current studies often focus on independent static visualization or interpretability metrics that require ground truth. To overcome this limitation, we propose the MIBCOVIS framework, a comprehensive and interpretable benchmarking and computational approach. MIBCOVIS enhances the visualization and interpretability of high-dimensional data without relying on ground truth by integrating five robust metrics, including a novel time-ordered Markov-based structural metric, into a semi-supervised hierarchical Bayesian model. The framework assesses method accuracy and considers interaction effects among metric features. We apply MIBCOVIS using linear and nonlinear dimensionality reduction methods to evaluate optimal DSVI for four distinct dynamic and spatial biological processes captured by three single-cell data modalities: CyTOF, scRNA-seq and CODEX. These data vary in complexity based on feature dimensionality, unknown cell types and dynamic or spatial differences. Unlike traditional single-summary score approaches, MIBCOVIS compares accuracy distributions across methods. Our findings underscore the joint evaluation of visualization and interpretability, rather than relying on separate metrics. We reveal that prioritizing average performance can obscure method feature performance. Additionally, we explore the impact of data complexity on visualization and interpretability. Specifically, we provide optimal parameters and features and recommend methods, like the optimized variational contractive autoencoder, for targeted DSVI for various data complexities. MIBCOVIS shows promise for evaluating dynamic single-cell atlases and spatiotemporal data reduction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komlan Atitey
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T W Alexander Dr, David P Rall Building, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Alison A Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T W Alexander Dr, David P Rall Building, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Benedict Anchang
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T W Alexander Dr, David P Rall Building, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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14
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Rahmawati M, Stadler KM, Lopez-Biladeau B, Hoisington TM, Law NC. Core binding factor subunit β plays diverse and essential roles in the male germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1284184. [PMID: 38020932 PMCID: PMC10653448 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1284184] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of the foundation for lifelong spermatogenesis is established prior to puberty, and disruptions during this developmental window negatively impact fertility long into adulthood. However, the factors that coordinate prepubertal germline development are incompletely understood. Here, we report that core-binding factor subunit-β (CBFβ) plays critical roles in prepubertal development and the onset of spermatogenesis. Using a mouse conditional knockout (cKO) approach, inactivation of Cbfb in the male germline resulted in rapid degeneration of the germline during the onset of spermatogenesis, impaired overall sperm production, and adult infertility. Utilizing a different Cre driver to generate another Cbfb cKO model, we determined that the function of CBFβ in the male germline is likely limited to undifferentiated spermatogonia despite expression in other germ cell types. Within undifferentiated spermatogonia, CBFβ regulates proliferation, survival, and overall maintenance of the undifferentiated spermatogonia population. Paradoxically, we discovered that CBFβ also distally regulates meiotic progression and spermatid formation but only with Cbfb cKO within undifferentiated spermatogonia. Spatial transcriptomics revealed that CBFβ modulates cell cycle checkpoint control genes associated with both proliferation and meiosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that core programs established within the prepubertal undifferentiated spermatogonia population are necessary for both germline maintenance and sperm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustika Rahmawati
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Kassie M. Stadler
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Blanca Lopez-Biladeau
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Tia M. Hoisington
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Nathan C. Law
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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15
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Chen Q, Malki S, Xu X, Bennett B, Lackford BL, Kirsanov O, Geyer CB, Hu G. Cnot3 is required for male germ cell development and spermatogonial stem cell maintenance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.13.562256. [PMID: 37873304 PMCID: PMC10592795 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.562256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The foundation of spermatogenesis and lifelong fertility is provided by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs divide asymmetrically to either replenish their numbers (self-renewal) or produce undifferentiated progenitors that proliferate before committing to differentiation. However, regulatory mechanisms governing SSC maintenance are poorly understood. Here, we show that the CCR4-NOT mRNA deadenylase complex subunit CNOT3 plays a critical role in maintaining spermatogonial populations in mice. Cnot3 is highly expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia, and its deletion in spermatogonia resulted in germ cell loss and infertility. Single cell analyses revealed that Cnot3 deletion led to the de-repression of transcripts encoding factors involved in spermatogonial differentiation, including those in the glutathione redox pathway that are critical for SSC maintenance. Together, our study reveals that CNOT3 - likely via the CCR4-NOT complex - actively degrades transcripts encoding differentiation factors to sustain the spermatogonial pool and ensure the progression of spermatogenesis, highlighting the importance of CCR4-NOT-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation during male germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Present address: Clinical Microbiome Unit (CMU), Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome (LHIM), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Safia Malki
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Present address: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112
| | - Brian Bennett
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Brad L. Lackford
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Christopher B. Geyer
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Guang Hu
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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16
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Luo Y, Yamada M, N’Tumba-Byn T, Asif H, Gao M, Hu Y, Marangoni P, Liu Y, Evans T, Rafii S, Klein OD, Voss HU, Hadjantonakis AK, Elemento O, Martin LA, Seandel M. SPRY4-dependent ERK negative feedback demarcates functional adult stem cells in the male mouse germline†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:533-551. [PMID: 37552049 PMCID: PMC10577279 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad089] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Niche-derived growth factors support self-renewal of mouse spermatogonial stem and progenitor cells through ERK MAPK signaling and other pathways. At the same time, dysregulated growth factor-dependent signaling has been associated with loss of stem cell activity and aberrant differentiation. We hypothesized that growth factor signaling through the ERK MAPK pathway in spermatogonial stem cells is tightly regulated within a narrow range through distinct intracellular negative feedback regulators. Evaluation of candidate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-responsive genes known to dampen downstream signaling revealed robust induction of specific negative feedback regulators, including Spry4, in cultured mouse spermatogonial stem cells in response to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor or fibroblast growth factor 2. Undifferentiated spermatogonia in vivo exhibited high levels of Spry4 mRNA. Quantitative single-cell analysis of ERK MAPK signaling in spermatogonial stem cell cultures revealed both dynamic signaling patterns in response to growth factors and disruption of such effects when Spry4 was ablated, due to dysregulation of ERK MAPK downstream of RAS. Whereas negative feedback regulator expression decreased during differentiation, loss of Spry4 shifted cell fate toward early differentiation with concomitant loss of stem cell activity. Finally, a mouse Spry4 reporter line revealed that the adult spermatogonial stem cell population in vivo is demarcated by strong Spry4 promoter activity. Collectively, our data suggest that negative feedback-dependent regulation of ERK MAPK is critical for preservation of spermatogonial stem cell fate within the mammalian testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Luo
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Makiko Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Hana Asif
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meng Gao
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pauline Marangoni
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Todd Evans
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ophir D Klein
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Henning U Voss
- College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura A Martin
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marco Seandel
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Campolo F, Assenza MR, Venneri MA, Barbagallo F. Once upon a Testis: The Tale of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase in Testicular Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087617. [PMID: 37108780 PMCID: PMC10146088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases are key regulators that fine tune the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides, given their ability to hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP. They are critical regulators of cAMP/cGMP-mediated signaling pathways, modulating their downstream biological effects such as gene expression, cell proliferation, cell-cycle regulation but also inflammation and metabolic function. Recently, mutations in PDE genes have been identified and linked to human genetic diseases and PDEs have been demonstrated to play a potential role in predisposition to several tumors, especially in cAMP-sensitive tissues. This review summarizes the current knowledge and most relevant findings regarding the expression and regulation of PDE families in the testis focusing on PDEs role in testicular cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Campolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Assenza
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Mary Anna Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Barbagallo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
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18
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Giassetti MI, Miao D, Law NC, Oatley MJ, Park J, Robinson LD, Maddison LA, Bernhardt ML, Oatley JM. ARRDC5 expression is conserved in mammalian testes and required for normal sperm morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2111. [PMID: 37069147 PMCID: PMC10110545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37735-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In sexual reproduction, sperm contribute half the genomic material required for creation of offspring yet core molecular mechanisms essential for their formation are undefined. Here, the α-arrestin molecule arrestin-domain containing 5 (ARRDC5) is identified as an essential regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis. Multispecies testicular tissue transcriptome profiling indicates that expression of Arrdc5 is testis enriched, if not specific, in mice, pigs, cattle, and humans. Knockout of Arrdc5 in mice leads to male specific sterility due to production of low numbers of sperm that are immotile and malformed. Spermiogenesis, the final phase of spermatogenesis when round spermatids transform to spermatozoa, is defective in testes of Arrdc5 deficient mice. Also, epididymal sperm in Arrdc5 knockouts are unable to capacitate and fertilize oocytes. These findings establish ARRDC5 as an essential regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis. Considering the role of arrestin molecules as modulators of cellular signaling and ubiquitination, ARRDC5 is a potential male contraceptive target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana I Giassetti
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Deqiang Miao
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Nathan C Law
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Julie Park
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - LeeLa D Robinson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Lisette A Maddison
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Miranda L Bernhardt
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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19
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Alexander AK, Rice EJ, Lujic J, Simon LE, Tanis S, Barshad G, Zhu L, Lama J, Cohen PE, Danko CG. A-MYB and BRDT-dependent RNA Polymerase II pause release orchestrates transcriptional regulation in mammalian meiosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1753. [PMID: 36990976 PMCID: PMC10060231 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37408-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
During meiotic prophase I, spermatocytes must balance transcriptional activation with homologous recombination and chromosome synapsis, biological processes requiring extensive changes to chromatin state. We explored the interplay between chromatin accessibility and transcription through prophase I of mammalian meiosis by measuring genome-wide patterns of chromatin accessibility, nascent transcription, and processed mRNA. We find that Pol II is loaded on chromatin and maintained in a paused state early during prophase I. In later stages, paused Pol II is released in a coordinated transcriptional burst mediated by the transcription factors A-MYB and BRDT, resulting in ~3-fold increase in transcription. Transcriptional activity is temporally and spatially segregated from key steps of meiotic recombination: double strand breaks show evidence of chromatin accessibility earlier during prophase I and at distinct loci from those undergoing transcriptional activation, despite shared chromatin marks. Our findings reveal mechanisms underlying chromatin specialization in either transcription or recombination in meiotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana K Alexander
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Edward J Rice
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jelena Lujic
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Leah E Simon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Stephanie Tanis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Gilad Barshad
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Lina Zhu
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jyoti Lama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Charles G Danko
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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20
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Peng YJ, Tang XT, Shu HS, Dong W, Shao H, Zhou BO. Sertoli cells are the source of stem cell factor for spermatogenesis. Development 2023; 150:297262. [PMID: 36861441 PMCID: PMC10112922 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Several cell types have been proposed to create the required microenvironment for spermatogenesis. However, expression patterns of the key growth factors produced by these somatic cells have not been systematically studied and no such factor has been conditionally deleted from its primary source(s), raising the question of which cell type(s) are the physiological sources of these growth factors. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing and a series of fluorescent reporter mice, we found that stem cell factor (Scf), one of the essential growth factors for spermatogenesis, was broadly expressed in testicular stromal cells, including Sertoli, endothelial, Leydig, smooth muscle and Tcf21-CreER+ stromal cells. Both undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia were associated with Scf-expressing Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule. Conditional deletion of Scf from Sertoli cells, but not any other Scf-expressing cells, blocked the differentiation of spermatogonia, leading to complete male infertility. Conditional overexpression of Scf in Sertoli cells, but not endothelial cells, significantly increased spermatogenesis. Our data reveal the importance of anatomical localization for Sertoli cells in regulating spermatogenesis and that SCF produced specifically by Sertoli cells is essential for spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jacky Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Thomas Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Sophie Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Shao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo O Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, People's Republic of China
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21
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Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Pal S, Dufau ML. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of the Mouse Testicular Germ Cells Reveals Important Role of Phosphorylated GRTH/DDX25 in Round Spermatid Differentiation and Acrosome Biogenesis during Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043127. [PMID: 36834539 PMCID: PMC9962311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH)/DDX25 is a member of DEAD-box family of RNA helicase essential for the completion of spermatogenesis and male fertility, as evident from GRTH-knockout (KO) mice. In germ cells of male mice, there are two species of GRTH, a 56 kDa non-phosphorylated form and 61 kDa phosphorylated form (pGRTH). GRTH Knock-In (KI) mice with R242H mutation abolished pGRTH and its absence leads to infertility. To understand the role of the GRTH in germ cell development at different stages during spermatogenesis, we performed single-cell RNA-seq analysis of testicular cells from adult WT, KO and KI mice and studied the dynamic changes in gene expression. Pseudotime analysis revealed a continuous developmental trajectory of germ cells from spermatogonia to elongated spermatids in WT mice, while in both KO and KI mice the trajectory was halted at round spermatid stage indicating incomplete spermatogenesis process. The transcriptional profiles of KO and KI mice were significantly altered during round spermatid development. Genes involved in spermatid differentiation, translation process and acrosome vesicle formation were significantly downregulated in the round spermatids of KO and KI mice. Ultrastructure of round spermatids of KO and KI mice revealed several abnormalities in acrosome formation that includes failure of pro-acrosome vesicles to fuse to form a single acrosome vesicle, and fragmentation of acrosome structure. Our findings highlight the crucial role of pGRTH in differentiation of round spermatids into elongated spermatids, acrosome biogenesis and its structural integrity.
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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 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
| | - 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 20892, USA
| | - Soumitra Pal
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, 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 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
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22
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Suzuki T. Overview of single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and its application to spermatogenesis research. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12502. [PMID: 36726594 PMCID: PMC9884325 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12502] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Single-cell transcriptomics allows parallel analysis of multiple cell types in tissues. Because testes comprise somatic cells and germ cells at various stages of spermatogenesis, single-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for investigating the complex process of spermatogenesis. However, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis needs extensive knowledge of experimental technologies and bioinformatics, making it difficult for many, particularly experimental biologists and clinicians, to use it. Methods Aiming to make single-cell RNA sequencing analysis familiar, this review article presents an overview of experimental and computational methods for single-cell RNA sequencing analysis with a history of transcriptomics. In addition, combining the PubMed search and manual curation, this review also provides a summary of recent novel insights into human and mouse spermatogenesis obtained using single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Main Findings Single-cell RNA sequencing identified mesenchymal cells and type II innate lymphoid cells as novel testicular cell types in the adult mouse testes, as well as detailed subtypes of germ cells. This review outlines recent discoveries into germ cell development and subtypes, somatic cell development, and cell-cell interactions. Conclusion The findings on spermatogenesis obtained using single-cell RNA sequencing may contribute to a deeper understanding of spermatogenesis and provide new directions for male fertility therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Suzuki
- RIKEN Center for Integrated Medical Science (IMS)Yokohama CityKanagawaJapan
- Graduate School of Medical Life ScienceYokohama City UniversityYokohama CityKanagawaJapan
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23
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Huang L, Zhang J, Zhang P, Huang X, Yang W, Liu R, Sun Q, Lu Y, Zhang M, Fu Q. Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis. iScience 2022; 26:105733. [PMID: 36582818 PMCID: PMC9793287 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis carries the task of precise intergenerational transmission of genetic information from the paternal genome and involves complex developmental processes regulated by the testicular microenvironment. Studies performed mainly in mouse models have established the theoretical basis for spermatogenesis, yet the wide interspecies differences preclude direct translation of the findings, and farm animal studies are progressing slowly. More than 32,000 cells from prepubertal (3-month-old) and pubertal (24-month-old) buffalo testes were analyzed by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and dynamic gene expression roadmaps of germ and somatic cell development were generated. In addition to identifying the dynamic processes of sequential cell fate transitions, the global cell-cell communication essential to maintain regular spermatogenesis in the buffalo testicular microenvironment was uncovered. The findings provide the theoretical basis for establishing buffalo germline stem cells in vitro or culturing organoids and facilitating the expansion of superior livestock breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Institute of Medical and Health, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Xingchen Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Weihan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Runfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Qinqiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yangqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
| | - Qiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
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24
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Rabbani M, Zheng X, Manske GL, Vargo A, Shami AN, Li JZ, Hammoud SS. Decoding the Spermatogenesis Program: New Insights from Transcriptomic Analyses. Annu Rev Genet 2022; 56:339-368. [PMID: 36070560 PMCID: PMC10722372 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-080320-040045] [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: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiation process coordinated spatiotemporally across and along seminiferous tubules. Cellular heterogeneity has made it challenging to obtain stage-specific molecular profiles of germ and somatic cells using bulk transcriptomic analyses. This has limited our ability to understand regulation of spermatogenesis and to integrate knowledge from model organisms to humans. The recent advancement of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies provides insights into the cell type diversity and molecular signatures in the testis. Fine-grained cell atlases of the testis contain both known and novel cell types and define the functional states along the germ cell developmental trajectory in many species. These atlases provide a reference system for integrated interspecies comparisons to discover mechanistic parallels and to enable future studies. Despite recent advances, we currently lack high-resolution data to probe germ cell-somatic cell interactions in the tissue environment, but the use of highly multiplexed spatial analysis technologies has begun to resolve this problem. Taken together, recent single-cell studies provide an improvedunderstanding of gametogenesis to examine underlying causes of infertility and enable the development of new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mashiat Rabbani
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Xianing Zheng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Gabe L Manske
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexander Vargo
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Adrienne N Shami
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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25
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AIRE in Male Fertility: A New Hypothesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193168. [PMID: 36231130 PMCID: PMC9563308 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 14% of all European men, of which ~44% are characterized as idiopathic. There is an urgency to identify the factors that affect male fertility. One such factor, Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE), a protein found in the thymus, has been studied in the context of central tolerance functioning as a nuclear transcription modulator, responsible for the expression of tissue-restricted antigens in specialized thymic cells that prevent autoimmunity. While its expression in the testes remains enigmatic, we recently observed that sterility in mice correlates with the absence of Aire in the testes, regardless of the deficient expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells or cells of the hematopoietic system. By assessing the Aire transcript levels, we discovered that Sertoli cells are the exclusive source of Aire in the testes, where it most likely plays a non-immune role, suggesting an unknown mechanism by which testicular Aire regulates fertility. Here, we discuss these results in the context of previous reports which have suggested that infertility observed in Aire deficient mice is of an autoimmune aetiology. We present an alternative point of view for the role of Aire in testes in respect to fertility altering the perspective of how Aire's function in the testes is currently perceived.
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26
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Peart NJ, Johnson TA, Lee S, Sears MJ, Yang F, Quesnel-Vallières M, Feng H, Recinos Y, Barash Y, Zhang C, Hermann BP, Wang PJ, Geyer CB, Carstens RP. The germ cell-specific RNA binding protein RBM46 is essential for spermatogonial differentiation in mice. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010416. [PMID: 36129965 PMCID: PMC9529142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Control over gene expression is exerted, in multiple stages of spermatogenesis, at the post-transcriptional level by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). We identify here an essential role in mammalian spermatogenesis and male fertility for 'RNA binding protein 46' (RBM46). A highly evolutionarily conserved gene, Rbm46 is also essential for fertility in both flies and fish. We found Rbm46 expression was restricted to the mouse germline, detectable in males in the cytoplasm of premeiotic spermatogonia and meiotic spermatocytes. To define its requirement for spermatogenesis, we generated Rbm46 knockout (KO, Rbm46-/-) mice; although male Rbm46-/- mice were viable and appeared grossly normal, they were infertile. Testes from adult Rbm46-/- mice were small, with seminiferous tubules containing only Sertoli cells and few undifferentiated spermatogonia. Using genome-wide unbiased high throughput assays RNA-seq and 'enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation' coupled with RNA-seq (eCLIP-seq), we discovered RBM46 could bind, via a U-rich conserved consensus sequence, to a cohort of mRNAs encoding proteins required for completion of differentiation and subsequent meiotic initiation. In summary, our studies support an essential role for RBM46 in regulating target mRNAs during spermatogonia differentiation prior to the commitment to meiosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natoya J. Peart
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Taylor A. Johnson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sungkyoung Lee
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Sears
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Quesnel-Vallières
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Huijuan Feng
- Department of Systems Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yocelyn Recinos
- Department of Systems Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yoseph Barash
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chaolin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Brian P. Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - P. Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christopher B. Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Russ P. Carstens
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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27
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Li P, Tang J, Yu Z, Jin C, Wang Z, Li M, Zou D, Mang X, Liu J, Lu Y, Miao S, Wang L, Li K, Song W. CHD4 acts as a critical regulator in the survival of spermatogonial stem cells in mice. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1331-1344. [PMID: 35980806 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is sustained by homeostatic balance between the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which is dependent on the strict regulation of transcription factor and chromatin modulator gene expression. Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) is highly expressed in SSCs but roles in mouse spermatogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we report that the germ-cell-specific deletion of Chd4 resulted in complete infertility in male mice, with rapid loss of SSCs and excessive germ cell apoptosis. Chd4-knockdown in cultured SSCs also promoted the expression of apoptosis-related genes and thereby activated the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Mechanistically, CHD4 occupies the genomic regulatory region of key apoptosis-related genes including Jun and Nfkb1. Together, our findings reveal the determinant role of CHD4 in SSCs survival in vivo, which will offer insight into the pathogenesis of male sterility and potential novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jielin Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhixin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Linfang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College; Beijing 100005, China
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28
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Carro MDLM, Grimson A, Cohen PE. Small RNAs and their protein partners in animal meiosis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 151:245-279. [PMID: 36681472 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.06.001] [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: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is characterized by highly regulated transitions in gene expression that require diverse mechanisms of gene regulation. For example, in male mammals, transcription undergoes a global shut-down in early prophase I of meiosis, followed by increasing transcriptional activity into pachynema. Later, as spermiogenesis proceeds, the histones bound to DNA are replaced with transition proteins, which are themselves replaced with protamines, resulting in a highly condensed nucleus with repressed transcriptional activity. In addition, two specialized gene silencing events take place during prophase I: meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC), and the sex chromatin specific mechanism, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Notably, conserved roles for the RNA binding protein (RBP) machinery that functions with small non-coding RNAs have been described as participating in these meiosis-specific mechanisms, suggesting that RNA-mediated gene regulation is critical for fertility in many species. Here, we review roles of small RNAs and their associated RBPs in meiosis-related processes such as centromere function, silencing of unpaired chromatin and meiotic recombination. We will discuss the emerging evidence of non-canonical functions of these components in meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María de Las Mercedes Carro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States; Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States; Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States; Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
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29
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Ren F, Xi H, Qiao P, Li Y, Xian M, Zhu D, Hu J. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals male germ cells and Sertoli cells developmental patterns in dairy goats. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944325. [PMID: 35938151 PMCID: PMC9355508 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis holds considerable promise for human-assisted reproduction and livestock breeding based on stem cells. It occurs in seminiferous tubules within the testis, which mainly comprise male germ cells and Sertoli cells. While the developmental progression of male germ cells and Sertoli cells has been widely reported in mice, much less is known in other large animal species, including dairy goats. In this study, we present the data of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) for 25,373 cells from 45 (pre-puberty), 90 (puberty), and 180-day-old (post-puberty) dairy goat testes. We aimed to identify genes that are associated with key developmental events in male germ cells and Sertoli cells. We examined the development of spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules from 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 180, and 240-day-old buck goat testes. scRNA-seq clustering analysis of testicular cells from pre-puberty, puberty, and post-puberty goat testes revealed several cell types, including cell populations with characteristics of spermatogonia, early spermatocytes, spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells. We mapped the timeline for male germ cells development from spermatogonia to spermatids and identified gene signatures that define spermatogenic cell populations, such as AMH, SOHLH1, INHA, and ACTA2. Importantly, using immunofluorescence staining for different marker proteins (UCHL1, C-KIT, VASA, SOX9, AMH, and PCNA), we explored the proliferative activity and development of male germ cells and Sertoli cells. Moreover, we identified the expression patterns of potential key genes associated with the niche-related key pathways in male germ cells of dairy goats, including testosterone, retinoic acid, PDGF, FGF, and WNT pathways. In summary, our study systematically investigated the elaborate male germ cells and Sertoli cells developmental patterns in dairy goats that have so far remained largely unknown. This information represents a valuable resource for the establishment of goat male reproductive stem cells lines, induction of germ cell differentiation in vitro, and the exploration of sequential cell fate transition for spermatogenesis and testicular development at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Ren
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Huaming Xi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Pengyun Qiao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ming Xian
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Dawei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jianhong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- *Correspondence: Jianhong Hu,
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Haimbaugh A, Akemann C, Meyer D, Gurdziel K, Baker TR. Insight into 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced disruption of zebrafish spermatogenesis via single cell RNA-seq. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac060. [PMID: 35799832 PMCID: PMC9252172 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent and environmentally persistent endocrine disrupting chemical. Our previous work demonstrated the latent reproductive maladies of early-life TCDD exposure in zebrafish. Zebrafish acutely exposed to low, environmentally relevant levels of TCDD (50 pg/mL) during two windows of sexual differentiation in development (1 hour of exposure at 3 and 7 weeks postfertilization) were later infertile, showed a reduction in sperm, and exhibited gene expression consistent with an altered microenvironment, even months after exposure. Due to the highly heterogeneous cell- type and -stage landscape of the testes, we hypothesized various cell types contribute markedly different profiles toward the pathology of TCDD exposure. To investigate the contributions of the diverse cell types in the adult zebrafish testes to TCDD-induced pathology, we utilized single-cell RNA-seq and the 10x Genomics platform. The method successfully captured every stage of testicular germ cell development. Testes of adult fish exposed during sexual differentiation to TCDD contained sharply decreased populations of late spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. Spermatogonia and early spermatocyte populations were, in contrast, enriched following exposure. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes supported previous findings that TCDD exposure resulted in male infertility, and suggested this outcome is due to apoptosis of spermatids and spermatozoa, even years after exposure cessation. Increased germ cell apoptosis was confirmed histologically. These results provide support for an environmental exposure explanation of idiopathic male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Haimbaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
| | - Camille Akemann
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
| | - Danielle Meyer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
| | - Katherine Gurdziel
- Applied Genome Technology Center, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
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31
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Whelan EC, Yang F, Avarbock MR, Sullivan MC, Beiting DP, Brinster RL. Reestablishment of spermatogenesis after more than 20 years of cryopreservation of rat spermatogonial stem cells reveals an important impact in differentiation capacity. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001618. [PMID: 35536782 PMCID: PMC9089916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of cancer in children is increasingly successful but leaves many prepubertal boys suffering from infertility or subfertility later in life. A current strategy to preserve fertility in these boys is to cryopreserve a testicular biopsy prior to treatment with the expectation of future technologies allowing for the reintroduction of stem cells and restoration of spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) form the basis of male reproduction, differentiating into all germ cell types, including mature spermatozoa and can regenerate spermatogenesis following transplantation into an infertile testis. Here, we demonstrate that rat SSCs frozen for more than 20 years can be transplanted into recipient mice and produce all differentiating germ cell types. However, compared with freshly isolated cells or those frozen for a short period of time, long-frozen cells do not colonize efficiently and showed reduced production of spermatids. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similar profiles of gene expression changes between short- and long-frozen cells as compared with fresh immediately after thawing. Conversely, following transplantation, long-frozen samples showed enhanced stem cell signaling in the undifferentiated spermatogonia compartment, consistent with self-renewal and a lack of differentiation. In addition, long-frozen samples showed fewer round spermatids with detectable protamine expression, suggesting a partial block of spermatogenesis after meiosis resulting in a lack of elongating spermatids. These findings strongly suggest that prolonged cryopreservation can impact the success of transplantation to produce spermatogenesis, which may not be revealed by analysis of the cells immediately after thawing. Our analysis uncovered persistent effects of long-term freezing not found in other cryopreservation studies that lacked functional regeneration of the tissue and this phenomenon must be accounted for any future therapeutic application. This study shows that spermatogonial stem cells frozen for more than 20 years can repopulate the niche when transplanted into an infertile host, but with lower efficiency and displaying abnormal spermatogenesis compared to fresh or short-term frozen cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals details of the dysregulated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin C. Whelan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Mary R. Avarbock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Megan C. Sullivan
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Daniel P. Beiting
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ralph L. Brinster
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Woodman MF, Ozcan MCH, Gura MA, De La Cruz P, Gadson AK, Grive KJ. The Requirement of Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in Mouse Ovarian Development and Fertility †. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:500-513. [PMID: 35512140 PMCID: PMC9382372 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is a de-ubiquitinating enzyme enriched in neuronal and gonadal tissues known to regulate the cellular stores of mono-ubiquitin and protein turnover. While its function in maintaining proper motor neuron function is well-established, investigation into its role in the health and function of reproductive processes is only just beginning to be studied. Single-cell-sequencing analysis of all ovarian cells from the murine perinatal period revealed that Uchl1 is very highly expressed in the developing oocyte population, an observation which was corroborated by high levels of oocyte-enriched UCHL1 protein expression in oocytes of all stages throughout the mouse reproductive lifespan. To better understand the role UCHL1 may be playing in oocytes, we utilized a UCHL1-deficient mouse line, finding reduced number of litters, reduced litter sizes, altered folliculogenesis, morphologically abnormal oocytes, disrupted estrous cyclicity and apparent endocrine dysfunction in these animals compared to their wild-type and heterozygous littermates. These data reveal a novel role of UCHL1 in female fertility as well as overall ovarian function, and suggest a potentially essential role for the ubiquitin proteasome pathway in mediating reproductive health. Summary sentence: Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is required for proper ovarian folliculogenesis, estrous cyclicity, and fertility in the female mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan F Woodman
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women's Oncology, Providence, RI 02905
| | - Meghan C H Ozcan
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Program, Providence, RI 02905.,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Providence, RI 02905
| | - Megan A Gura
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, 02906
| | - Payton De La Cruz
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women's Oncology, Providence, RI 02905.,Brown University, Pathobiology Graduate Program, Providence, RI, 02906
| | - Alexis K Gadson
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Program, Providence, RI 02905.,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Providence, RI 02905
| | - Kathryn J Grive
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women's Oncology, Providence, RI 02905.,Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Program, Providence, RI 02905
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33
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Qian P, Kang J, Liu D, Xie G. Single Cell Transcriptome Sequencing of Zebrafish Testis Revealed Novel Spermatogenesis Marker Genes and Stronger Leydig-Germ Cell Paracrine Interactions. Front Genet 2022; 13:851719. [PMID: 35360857 PMCID: PMC8961980 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.851719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis in testis is an important process for sexual reproduction, and worldwide about 10-15 percent of couples suffer from infertility. It is of importance to study spermatogenesis at single cell level in both of human and model organisms. Currently, single-cell RNA sequencing technologies (scRNA-seq) had been extensively applied to the study of cellular components and its gene regulations in the testes of different species, including human, monkey, mouse, and fly, but not in zebrafish. Zebrafish was a widely used model organism in biology and had been extensively used for the study of spermatogenesis in the previous studies. Therefore, it is also important to profile the transcriptome of zebrafish testis at single cell level. In this study, the transcriptomes of 14, 315 single cells from adult male zebrafish testes were profiled by scRNA-seq, and 10 cell populations were revealed, including Leydig cell, Sertoli cell, spermatogonia cell (SPG), spermatocyte, and spermatids. Notably, thousands of cell-type specific novel marker genes were identified, including sumo3b for SPG, krt18a.1 for Sertoli cells, larp1b and edrf1 for spermatids, which were also validated by RNA in situ hybridization experiments. Interestingly, through Ligand-Receptor (LR) analyses, zebrafish Leydig cells demonstrated stronger paracrine influence on germ cells than Sertoli cells. Overall, this study could be an important resource for the study of spermatogenesis in zebrafish and might also facilitate the study of the genes associated with human infertility through using zebrafish as a model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Qian
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiahui Kang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gangcai Xie
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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34
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Anchang B, Mendez-Giraldez R, Xu X, Archer TK, Chen Q, Hu G, Plevritis SK, Motsinger-Reif AA, Li JL. Visualization, benchmarking and characterization of nested single-cell heterogeneity as dynamic forest mixtures. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6534382. [PMID: 35192692 PMCID: PMC8921621 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A major topic of debate in developmental biology centers on whether development is continuous, discontinuous, or a mixture of both. Pseudo-time trajectory models, optimal for visualizing cellular progression, model cell transitions as continuous state manifolds and do not explicitly model real-time, complex, heterogeneous systems and are challenging for benchmarking with temporal models. We present a data-driven framework that addresses these limitations with temporal single-cell data collected at discrete time points as inputs and a mixture of dependent minimum spanning trees (MSTs) as outputs, denoted as dynamic spanning forest mixtures (DSFMix). DSFMix uses decision-tree models to select genes that account for variations in multimodality, skewness and time. The genes are subsequently used to build the forest using tree agglomerative hierarchical clustering and dynamic branch cutting. We first motivate the use of forest-based algorithms compared to single-tree approaches for visualizing and characterizing developmental processes. We next benchmark DSFMix to pseudo-time and temporal approaches in terms of feature selection, time correlation, and network similarity. Finally, we demonstrate how DSFMix can be used to visualize, compare and characterize complex relationships during biological processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, spermatogenesis, stem cell pluripotency, early transcriptional response from hormones and immune response to coronavirus disease. Our results indicate that the expression of genes during normal development exhibits a high proportion of non-uniformly distributed profiles that are mostly right-skewed and multimodal; the latter being a characteristic of major steady states during development. Our study also identifies and validates gene signatures driving complex dynamic processes during somatic or germline differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict Anchang
- Corresponding author: Benedict Anchang, Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. 111 T W Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA and Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Tel +1 984-287-3350; E-mail:
| | - Raul Mendez-Giraldez
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Trevor K Archer
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory/Chromatin & Gene Expression Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Qing Chen
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory/Chromatin & Gene Expression Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Guang Hu
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory/Chromatin & Gene Expression Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sylvia K Plevritis
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alison Anne Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Stanford, California, USA
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35
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Pereira C, Arroyo-Martinez GA, Guo MZ, Downey MS, Kelly ER, Grive KJ, Mahadevaiah SK, Sims JR, Faca VM, Tsai C, Schiltz CJ, Wit N, Jacobs H, Clark NL, Freire R, Turner J, Lyndaker AM, Brieno-Enriquez MA, Cohen PE, Smolka MB, Weiss RS. Multiple 9-1-1 complexes promote homolog synapsis, DSB repair, and ATR signaling during mammalian meiosis. eLife 2022; 11:68677. [PMID: 35133274 PMCID: PMC8824475 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response mechanisms have meiotic roles that ensure successful gamete formation. While completion of meiotic double-strand break (DSB) repair requires the canonical RAD9A-RAD1-HUS1 (9A-1-1) complex, mammalian meiocytes also express RAD9A and HUS1 paralogs, RAD9B and HUS1B, predicted to form alternative 9-1-1 complexes. The RAD1 subunit is shared by all predicted 9-1-1 complexes and localizes to meiotic chromosomes even in the absence of HUS1 and RAD9A. Here, we report that testis-specific disruption of RAD1 in mice resulted in impaired DSB repair, germ cell depletion, and infertility. Unlike Hus1 or Rad9a disruption, Rad1 loss in meiocytes also caused severe defects in homolog synapsis, impaired phosphorylation of ATR targets such as H2AX, CHK1, and HORMAD2, and compromised meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Together, these results establish critical roles for both canonical and alternative 9-1-1 complexes in meiotic ATR activation and successful prophase I completion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew Z Guo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University
| | | | - Emma R Kelly
- Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Elmira College
| | | | | | - Jennie R Sims
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University
| | - Vitor M Faca
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, FMRP, University of São Paulo
| | - Charlton Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University
| | | | - Niek Wit
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
| | - Heinz Jacobs
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
| | | | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Canarias
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna
- Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias
| | - James Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute
| | - Amy M Lyndaker
- Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Elmira College
| | - Miguel A Brieno-Enriquez
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University
| | - Marcus B Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University
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36
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Wright WW. The Regulation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in an Adult Testis by Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:896390. [PMID: 35721702 PMCID: PMC9203831 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.896390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the in vivo regulation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in adult testes by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). To study adult mouse testes, we reversibly inhibited GDNF stimulation of SSCs via a chemical-genetic approach. This inhibition diminishes replication and increases differentiation of SSCs, and inhibition for 9 days reduces transplantable SSC numbers by 90%. With more sustained inhibition, all SSCs are lost, and testes eventually resemble human testes with Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome. This resemblance prompted us to ask if GDNF expression is abnormally low in these infertile human testes. It is. Expression of FGF2 and FGF8 is also reduced, but some SCO testes contain SSCs. To evaluate the possible rebuilding of an SSC pool depleted due to inadequate GDNF signaling, we inhibited and then restored signaling to mouse SSCs. Partial rebuilding occurred, suggesting GDNF as therapy for men with SCO syndrome.
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37
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Ishiguro KI, Shimada R. MEIOSIN directs initiation of meiosis and subsequent meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Genes Genet Syst 2021; 97:27-39. [PMID: 34955498 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00054] [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] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a crucial process for spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Initiation of meiosis coincides with spermatocyte differentiation and is followed by meiotic prophase, a prolonged G2 phase that ensures the completion of numerous meiosis-specific chromosome events. During meiotic prophase, chromosomes are organized into axis-loop structures, which underlie meiosis-specific events such as meiotic recombination and homolog synapsis. In spermatocytes, meiotic prophase is accompanied by robust alterations of gene expression programs and chromatin status for subsequent sperm production. The mechanisms regulating meiotic initiation and subsequent meiotic prophase programs are enigmatic. Recently, we discovered MEIOSIN (Meiosis initiator), a DNA-binding protein that directs the switch from mitosis to meiosis. This review mainly focuses on how MEIOSIN is involved in meiotic initiation and the meiotic prophase program during spermatogenesis. Further, we discuss the downstream genes activated by MEIOSIN, which are crucial for meiotic prophase-specific events, from the viewpoint of chromosome dynamics and the gene expression program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University
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38
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Zhao J, Lu P, Wan C, Huang Y, Cui M, Yang X, Hu Y, Zheng Y, Dong J, Wang M, Zhang S, Liu Z, Bian S, Wang X, Wang R, Ren S, Wang D, Yao Z, Chang G, Tang F, Zhao XY. Cell-fate transition and determination analysis of mouse male germ cells throughout development. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6839. [PMID: 34824237 PMCID: PMC8617176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian male germ cell development is a stepwise cell-fate transition process; however, the full-term developmental profile of male germ cells remains undefined. Here, by interrogating the high-precision transcriptome atlas of 11,598 cells covering 28 critical time-points, we demonstrate that cell-fate transition from mitotic to post-mitotic primordial germ cells is accompanied by transcriptome-scale reconfiguration and a transitional cell state. Notch signaling pathway is essential for initiating mitotic arrest and the maintenance of male germ cells' identities. Ablation of HELQ induces developmental arrest and abnormal transcriptome reprogramming of male germ cells, indicating the importance of cell cycle regulation for proper cell-fate transition. Finally, systematic human-mouse comparison reveals potential regulators whose deficiency contributed to human male infertility via mitotic arrest regulation. Collectively, our study provides an accurate and comprehensive transcriptome atlas of the male germline cycle and allows for an in-depth understanding of the cell-fate transition and determination underlying male germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ping Lu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Cong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yaping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Manman Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xinyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yuqiong Hu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ji Dong
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Shuhui Bian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shaofang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Dazhuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zhaokai Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P. R. China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao-Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), 510700, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
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39
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Amelkina O, Silva AMD, Silva AR, Comizzoli P. Transcriptome dynamics in developing testes of domestic cats and impact of age on tissue resilience to cryopreservation. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:847. [PMID: 34814833 PMCID: PMC8611880 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fundamental knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms in developing testicular tissues is critical to better understand gonadal biology and responses to non-physiological conditions. The objective of our study was to (1) analyze transcriptome dynamics in developing testis of the domestic cat and (2) characterize age effects on the initial response of the tissue to vitrification. Tissues from adult and juvenile cats were processed for histology, DNA integrity, and RNA sequencing analyses before and after vitrification. RESULTS Transcriptomic findings enabled to further characterize juvenile period, distinguishing between early and late juvenile tissues. Changes in gene expression and functional pathways were extensive from early to late juvenile to adult development stages. Additionally, tissues from juvenile animals were more resilient to vitrification compared to adult counterparts, with early juvenile sample responding the least to vitrification and late juvenile sample response being closest to adult tissues. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study reporting comprehensive datasets on transcriptomic dynamic coupled with structural analysis of the cat testis according to the age and exposure to cryopreservation. It provides a comprehensive network of functional terms and pathways that are affected by age in the domestic cat and are either enriched in adult or juvenile testicular tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Amelkina
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andreia M da Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Alexandre R Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA.
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Yamamuro T, Nakamura S, Yamano Y, Endo T, Yanagawa K, Tokumura A, Matsumura T, Kobayashi K, Mori H, Enokidani Y, Yoshida G, Imoto H, Kawabata T, Hamasaki M, Kuma A, Kuribayashi S, Takezawa K, Okada Y, Ozawa M, Fukuhara S, Shinohara T, Ikawa M, Yoshimori T. Rubicon prevents autophagic degradation of GATA4 to promote Sertoli cell function. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009688. [PMID: 34351902 PMCID: PMC8341604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy degrades unnecessary proteins or damaged organelles to maintain cellular function. Therefore, autophagy has a preventive role against various diseases including hepatic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Although autophagy in germ cells or Sertoli cells is known to be required for spermatogenesis and male fertility, it remains poorly understood how autophagy participates in spermatogenesis. We found that systemic knockout mice of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, exhibited a substantial reduction in testicular weight, spermatogenesis, and male fertility, associated with upregulation of autophagy. Rubicon-null mice also had lower levels of mRNAs of Sertoli cell–related genes in testis. Importantly, Rubicon knockout in Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, caused a defect in spermatogenesis and germline stem cell maintenance in mice, indicating a critical role of Rubicon in Sertoli cells. In mechanistic terms, genetic loss of Rubicon promoted autophagic degradation of GATA4, a transcription factor that is essential for Sertoli cell function. Furthermore, androgen antagonists caused a significant decrease in the levels of Rubicon and GATA4 in testis, accompanied by elevated autophagy. Collectively, we propose that Rubicon promotes Sertoli cell function by preventing autophagic degradation of GATA4, and that this mechanism could be regulated by androgens. Androgens, known as “male” hormones, stimulate and activate their receptors in various tissues, including testicular cells and skeletal muscle cells, thereby maintaining spermatogenesis and muscle mass. Notably, androgens-dependent maintenance of male reproduction is of particular interest because the incidence of male infertility has increased in recent decades. Previous studies revealed that Androgen receptor knockout in Sertoli cells causes defective spermatogenesis, indicating a crucial role of androgens in Sertoli cells. Another study suggested that fatherhood-dependent downregulation of androgens could decrease male fertility, leading the male to concentrate on parenting existing offspring. However, it remains largely unknown how androgen regulates Sertoli cell function for male reproduction. In the present study, our results suggest that androgens regulate testicular levels of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, to control autophagic degradation of GATA4 that is required for Sertoli cell function. Because autophagy and androgens participate in various cellular processes, we anticipate that this study will provide a solid evidence for understanding such processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamamuro
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nakamura
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (TY)
| | - Yu Yamano
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Endo
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Yanagawa
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tokumura
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideto Mori
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Enokidani
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Gota Yoshida
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hitomi Imoto
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kawabata
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Maho Hamasaki
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akiko Kuma
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sohei Kuribayashi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Takezawa
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- Laboratory of Pathology and Development, The Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Ozawa
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Fukuhara
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Yoshimori
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Intracellular Membrane Dynamics, Graduate school of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (TY)
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The male germline-specific protein MAPS is indispensable for pachynema progression and fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025421118. [PMID: 33602822 PMCID: PMC7923350 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025421118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that creates haploid germ cells from diploid progenitors. Through differential RNA expression analyses, we previously identified a number of mouse genes that were dramatically elevated in spermatocytes, relative to their very low expression in spermatogonia and somatic organs. Here, we investigated in detail 1700102P08Rik, one of these genes, and independently conclude that it encodes a male germline-specific protein, in agreement with a recent report. We demonstrated that it is essential for pachynema progression in spermatocytes and named it male pachynema-specific (MAPS) protein. Mice lacking Maps (Maps -/- ) suffered from pachytene arrest and spermatocyte death, leading to male infertility, whereas female fertility was not affected. Interestingly, pubertal Maps -/- spermatocytes were arrested at early pachytene stage, accompanied by defects in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, crossover formation, and XY body formation. In contrast, adult Maps -/- spermatocytes only exhibited partially defective crossover but nonetheless were delayed or failed in progression from early to mid- and late pachytene stage, resulting in cell death. Furthermore, we report a significant transcriptional dysregulation in autosomes and XY chromosomes in both pubertal and adult Maps -/- pachytene spermatocytes, including failed meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Further experiments revealed that MAPS overexpression in vitro dramatically decreased the ubiquitination levels of cellular proteins. Conversely, in Maps -/- pachytene cells, protein ubiquitination was dramatically increased, likely contributing to the large-scale disruption in gene expression in pachytene cells. Thus, MAPS is a protein essential for pachynema progression in male mice, possibly in mammals in general.
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42
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A Literature-Derived Knowledge Graph Augments the Interpretation of Single Cell RNA-seq Datasets. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060898. [PMID: 34200671 PMCID: PMC8229796 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Technology to generate single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets and tools to annotate them have advanced rapidly in the past several years. Such tools generally rely on existing transcriptomic datasets or curated databases of cell type defining genes, while the application of scalable natural language processing (NLP) methods to enhance analysis workflows has not been adequately explored. Here we deployed an NLP framework to objectively quantify associations between a comprehensive set of over 20,000 human protein-coding genes and over 500 cell type terms across over 26 million biomedical documents. The resultant gene-cell type associations (GCAs) are significantly stronger between a curated set of matched cell type-marker pairs than the complementary set of mismatched pairs (Mann Whitney p = 6.15 × 10−76, r = 0.24; cohen’s D = 2.6). Building on this, we developed an augmented annotation algorithm (single cell Annotation via Literature Encoding, or scALE) that leverages GCAs to categorize cell clusters identified in scRNA-seq datasets, and we tested its ability to predict the cellular identity of 133 clusters from nine datasets of human breast, colon, heart, joint, ovary, prostate, skin, and small intestine tissues. With the optimized settings, the true cellular identity matched the top prediction in 59% of tested clusters and was present among the top five predictions for 91% of clusters. scALE slightly outperformed an existing method for reference data driven automated cluster annotation, and we demonstrate that integration of scALE can meaningfully improve the annotations derived from such methods. Further, contextualization of differential expression analyses with these GCAs highlights poorly characterized markers of well-studied cell types, such as CLIC6 and DNASE1L3 in retinal pigment epithelial cells and endothelial cells, respectively. Taken together, this study illustrates for the first time how the systematic application of a literature-derived knowledge graph can expedite and enhance the annotation and interpretation of scRNA-seq data.
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43
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Horisawa-Takada Y, Kodera C, Takemoto K, Sakashita A, Horisawa K, Maeda R, Shimada R, Usuki S, Fujimura S, Tani N, Matsuura K, Akiyama T, Suzuki A, Niwa H, Tachibana M, Ohba T, Katabuchi H, Namekawa SH, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Meiosis-specific ZFP541 repressor complex promotes developmental progression of meiotic prophase towards completion during mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3184. [PMID: 34075040 PMCID: PMC8169937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, meiosis is accompanied by a robust alteration in gene expression and chromatin status. However, it remains elusive how the meiotic transcriptional program is established to ensure completion of meiotic prophase. Here, we identify a protein complex that consists of germ-cell-specific zinc-finger protein ZFP541 and its interactor KCTD19 as the key transcriptional regulators in mouse meiotic prophase progression. Our genetic study shows that ZFP541 and KCTD19 are co-expressed from pachytene onward and play an essential role in the completion of the meiotic prophase program in the testis. Furthermore, our ChIP-seq and transcriptome analyses identify that ZFP541 binds to and suppresses a broad range of genes whose function is associated with biological processes of transcriptional regulation and covalent chromatin modification. The present study demonstrates that a germ-cell specific complex that contains ZFP541 and KCTD19 promotes the progression of meiotic prophase towards completion in male mice, and triggers the reconstruction of the transcriptional network and chromatin organization leading to post-meiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Horisawa-Takada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chisato Kodera
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Takemoto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kumi Matsuura
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Niwa
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, and Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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44
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Witt E, Svetec N, Benjamin S, Zhao L. Transcription Factors Drive Opposite Relationships between Gene Age and Tissue Specificity in Male and Female Drosophila Gonads. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:2104-2115. [PMID: 33481021 PMCID: PMC8097261 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionarily young genes are usually preferentially expressed in the testis across species. Although it is known that older genes are generally more broadly expressed than younger genes, the properties that shaped this pattern are unknown. Older genes may gain expression across other tissues uniformly, or faster in certain tissues than others. Using Drosophila gene expression data, we confirmed previous findings that younger genes are disproportionately testis biased and older genes are disproportionately ovary biased. We found that the relationship between gene age and expression is stronger in the ovary than any other tissue and weakest in testis. We performed ATAC-seq on Drosophila testis and found that although genes of all ages are more likely to have open promoter chromatin in testis than in ovary, promoter chromatin alone does not explain the ovary bias of older genes. Instead, we found that upstream transcription factor (TF) expression is highly predictive of gene expression in ovary but not in testis. In the ovary, TF expression is more predictive of gene expression than open promoter chromatin, whereas testis gene expression is similarly influenced by both TF expression and open promoter chromatin. We propose that the testis is uniquely able to express younger genes controlled by relatively few TFs, whereas older genes with more TF partners are broadly expressed with peak expression most likely in the ovary. The testis allows widespread baseline expression that is relatively unresponsive to regulatory changes, whereas the ovary transcriptome is more responsive to trans-regulation and has a higher ceiling for gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Witt
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Svetec
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sigi Benjamin
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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Skaftnesmo KO, Crespo D, Kleppe L, Andersson E, Edvardsen RB, Norberg B, Fjelldal PG, Hansen TJ, Schulz RW, Wargelius A. Loss of stra8 Increases Germ Cell Apoptosis but Is Still Compatible With Sperm Production in Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657192. [PMID: 33942021 PMCID: PMC8087537 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Entering meiosis strictly depends on stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) gene function in mammals. This gene is missing in a number of fish species, including medaka and zebrafish, but is present in the majority of fishes, including Atlantic salmon. Here, we have examined the effects of removing stra8 on male fertility in Atlantic salmon. As in mammals, stra8 expression was restricted to germ cells in the testis, transcript levels increased during the start of puberty, and decreased when blocking the production of retinoic acid. We targeted the salmon stra8 gene with two gRNAs one of these were highly effective and produced numerous mutations in stra8, which led to a loss of wild-type (WT) stra8 expression in F0 salmon testis. In maturing stra8 crispants, the spermatogenetic tubuli were partially disorganized and displayed a sevenfold increase in germ cell apoptosis, in particular among type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The production of spermatogenic cysts, on the other hand, increased in maturing stra8 crispants. Gene expression analysis revealed unchanged (lin28a, ret) or reduced levels (egr1, dusp4) of transcripts associated with undifferentiated spermatogonia. Decreased expression was recorded for some genes expressed in differentiating spermatogonia including dmrt1 and ccnd2 or in spermatocytes, such as ccna1. Different from Stra8-deficient mammals, a large number of germ cells completed spermatogenesis, sperm was produced and fertilization rates were similar in WT and crispant males. While loss of stra8 increased germ cell apoptosis during salmon spermatogenesis, crispants compensated this cell loss by an elevated production of spermatogenic cysts, and were able to produce functional sperm. It appears that also in a fish species with a stra8 gene in the genome, the critical relevance this gene has attained for mammalian spermatogenesis is not yet given, although detrimental effects of the loss of stra8 were clearly visible during maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai O Skaftnesmo
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Diego Crespo
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lene Kleppe
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eva Andersson
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf B Edvardsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Birgitta Norberg
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Austevoll Research Station, Storebø, Norway
| | - Per Gunnar Fjelldal
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Tom J Hansen
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway.,Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
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Effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on reproductive system. Stem Cell Res 2021; 52:102189. [PMID: 33582547 PMCID: PMC7858002 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in December 2019, it has rapidly spread across many countries and it has become a crucial global health concern. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection not only effect on respiratory system, but on reproductive system of human. However, there has been not any review described the transmission paths and effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproductive system, systematically. In order to describe the transmission paths of SARS-CoV-2, effect on the male/female reproductive system of SARS-CoV-2 and some successful prevention measures. We would like to review effect of SARS-CoV-2 on reproductive system. To conclude, SARS-CoV-2 infection might damage to male reproductive system via ACE2 receptor mediating and male patients were reportedly slightly more affected than women by SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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47
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Liu X, Li W, Yang Y, Chen K, Li Y, Zhu X, Ye H, Xu H. Transcriptome Profiling of the Ovarian Cells at the Single-Cell Resolution in Adult Asian Seabass. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:647892. [PMID: 33855024 PMCID: PMC8039529 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.647892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is widely adopted for identifying the signature molecular markers or regulators in cells, as this would benefit defining or isolating various types of cells. Likewise, the signature transcriptome profile analysis at the single cell level would well illustrate the key regulators or networks involved in gametogenesis and gonad development in animals; however, there is limited scRNA-seq analysis on gonadal cells in lower vertebrates, especially in the sexual reversal fish species. In this study, we analyzed the molecular signature of several distinct cell populations of Asian seabass adult ovaries through scRNA-seq. We identified five cell types and also successfully validated some specific genes of germ cells and granulosa cells. Likewise, we found some key pathways involved in ovarian development that may concert germline-somatic interactions. Moreover, we compared the transcriptomic profiles across fruit fly, mammals, and fish, and thus uncovered the conservation and divergence in molecular mechanisms that might drive ovarian development. Our results provide a basis for studying the crucial features of germ cells and somatic cells, which will benefit the understandings of the molecular mechanisms behind gametogenesis and gonad development in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resource Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resource Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resource Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Ye
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resource Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resource Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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48
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Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030666. [PMID: 33802813 PMCID: PMC8002376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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Geisinger A, Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Benavente R. Transcriptomics of Meiosis in the Male Mouse. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:626020. [PMID: 33748111 PMCID: PMC7973102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.626020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular studies of meiosis in mammals have been long relegated due to some intrinsic obstacles, namely the impossibility to reproduce the process in vitro, and the difficulty to obtain highly pure isolated cells of the different meiotic stages. In the recent years, some technical advances, from the improvement of flow cytometry sorting protocols to single-cell RNAseq, are enabling to profile the transcriptome and its fluctuations along the meiotic process. In this mini-review we will outline the diverse methodological approaches that have been employed, and some of the main findings that have started to arise from these studies. As for practical reasons most studies have been carried out in males, and mostly using mouse as a model, our focus will be on murine male meiosis, although also including specific comments about humans. Particularly, we will center on the controversy about gene expression during early meiotic prophase; the widespread existing gap between transcription and translation in meiotic cells; the expression patterns and potential roles of meiotic long non-coding RNAs; and the visualization of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation from the RNAseq perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Geisinger
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay.,Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricardo Benavente
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Wang M, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Chang G, An G, Yang X, Zheng C, Zhao J, Liu Z, Wang D, Miao K, Rao S, Dai M, Wang D, Zhao XY. Deciphering the autophagy regulatory network via single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals a requirement for autophagy homeostasis in spermatogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5010-5027. [PMID: 33754041 PMCID: PMC7978313 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Autophagy has been implicated as a crucial component in spermatogenesis, and autophagy dysfunction can lead to reproductive disorders in animal models, including yeast, C. elegans and mice. However, the sophisticated transcriptional networks of autophagic genes throughout human spermatogenesis and their biological significance remain largely uncharacterized. Methods: We profiled the transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes during human spermatogenesis by assessing specimens from nine fertile controls (including two normal persons and seven obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients) and one nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patient using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Dysregulation of autophagy was confirmed in two additional NOA patients by immunofluorescence staining. Gene knockdown was used to identify the role of Cst3 in autophagy during spermatogenesis. Results: Our data uncovered a unique, global stage-specific enrichment of autophagy-related genes. Human-mouse comparison analysis revealed that the stage-specific expression pattern of autophagy-related genes was highly conserved in mammals. More importantly, dysregulation of some clusters of autophagy-related genes was observed in NOA patients, suggesting the association of autophagy with male infertility. Cst3, a human-mouse conserved and autophagy-related gene that is actively expressed in spermatogonia and early spermatocytes, was found to regulate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) maintenance and subsequent male germ cell development. Knockdown of Cst3 increased autophagic activity in mouse SSCs and subsequently suppressed the transcription of SSC core factors such as Oct4, Id1, and Nanos3, which could be efficiently rescued by manipulating autophagic activity. Conclusions: Our study provides comprehensive insights into the global transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes and confirms the importance of autophagy homeostasis in SSC maintenance and normal spermatogenesis, opening new avenues for further dissecting the significance of the autophagy regulatory network in spermatogenesis as well as male infertility.
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