1
|
Li M. Sex body: A nest of protein mixture. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1165745. [PMID: 37123420 PMCID: PMC10140345 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1165745] [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] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During the pachytene stage in mammalian meiosis, the X and Y chromosomes remain largely unsynapsed outside the pseudoautosomal region, while autosomes are fully synapsed. Then, the sex chromosomes are compartmentalized into a "sex body" in the nucleus and are subjected to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). For decades, the formation and functioning of the sex body and MSCI have been subjects worth exploring. Notably, a series of proteins have been reported to be located on the sex body area and inferred to play an essential role in MSCI; however, the proteins that are actually located in this area and how these proteins promote sex body formation and establish MSCI remain unclear. Collectively, the DNA damage response factors, downstream fanconi anemia proteins, and other canonical repressive histone modifications have been reported to be associated with the sex body. Here, this study reviews the factors located on the sex body area and tries to provide new insights into studying this mysterious domain.
Collapse
|
2
|
PDCL2 is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility in mice. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:419. [PMID: 36253364 PMCID: PMC9576706 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01210-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Patients with teratozoospermia exhibit low phosducin-like protein (Pdcl2) expression. As a member of the phosducin family, chaperonin-related Pdcl2, a germline-specific gene, may be involved in germ cell protein folding. Given that PDCL2 is highly conserved in evolution, it may be indispensable for mammalian spermiogenesis; however, the function of PDCL2 in higher mammalian species remains unknown. To determine the role of PDCL2 in male fertility, we generated Pdcl2 knockout mice using CRISPR/Cas9. Our results revealed that Pdcl2 heterozygous (Pdcl2+/−) male mice were normal, but male Pdcl2-null (Pdcl2−/−) mice were infertile. Accordingly, Pdcl2−/− male mice exhibited lower testis weight, epididymis weight, and sperm number than Pdcl2+/+ mice. Moreover, Pdcl2−/− mice displayed malformed and immotile sperm. Apoptotic cells were significantly enhanced in Pdcl2−/− testes and epididymis when compared with those in wild-type mice. Mechanistically, PDCL2 can interact with the CCT complex, and dysfunction in this complex might lead to infertility in Pdcl2−/− male mice. Collectively, these findings confirm that Pdcl2 knockout leads to male infertility in mice and that PDCL2 may function as a chaperone to promote protein folding during spermiogenesis.
Collapse
|
3
|
CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screen of SCNT-reprogramming resistant genes identifies critical genes for male germ cell development in mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15438. [PMID: 34326397 PMCID: PMC8322354 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cells undergo complex developmental processes eventually producing spermatozoa through spermatogenesis, although the molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. We have previously identified somatic cell nuclear transfer-reprogramming resistant genes (SRRGs) that are highly enriched for genes essential for spermatogenesis, although many of them remain uncharacterized in knockout (KO) mice. Here, we performed a CRISPR-based genetic screen using C57BL/6N mice for five uncharacterized SRRGs (Cox8c, Cox7b2, Tuba3a/3b, Faiml, and Gm773), together with meiosis essential gene Majin as a control. RT-qPCR analysis of mouse adult tissues revealed that the five selected SRRGs were exclusively expressed in testis. Analysis of single-cell RNA-seq datasets of adult testis revealed stage-specific expression (pre-, mid-, or post-meiotic expression) in testicular germ cells. Examination of testis morphology, histology, and sperm functions in CRISPR-injected KO adult males revealed that Cox7b2, Gm773, and Tuba3a/3b are required for the production of normal spermatozoa. Specifically, Cox7b2 KO mice produced poorly motile infertile spermatozoa, Gm773 KO mice produced motile spermatozoa with limited zona penetration abilities, and Tuba3a/3b KO mice completely lost germ cells at the early postnatal stages. Our genetic screen focusing on SRRGs efficiently identified critical genes for male germ cell development in mice, which also provides insights into human reproductive medicine.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Prokaryotic type II adaptive immune systems have been developed into the versatile CRISPR technology, which has been widely applied in site-specific genome editing and has revolutionized biomedical research due to its superior efficiency and flexibility. Recent studies have greatly diversified CRISPR technologies by coupling it with various DNA repair mechanisms and targeting strategies. These new advances have significantly expanded the generation of genetically modified animal models, either by including species in which targeted genetic modification could not be achieved previously, or through introducing complex genetic modifications that take multiple steps and cost years to achieve using traditional methods. Herein, we review the recent developments and applications of CRISPR-based technology in generating various animal models, and discuss the everlasting impact of this new progress on biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Ma
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Avery Sum-Yu Wong
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Hei-Yin Tam
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Samuel Yung-Kin Tsui
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Dittman Lai-Shun Chung
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Bo Feng
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine in Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Guangdong 510530, China.,SBS Core Laboratory, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen Guangdong 518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Feng J, Liang P, Chen Y, Zhang X, Songyang Z, Zheng H, Cao S, Huang J. Testis-specific Lypd9 is dispensable for spermatogenesis in mouse. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:87-89. [PMID: 29247571 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Puping Liang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiya Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanbo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjiu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, the First Affiliated Hospital and School of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Glycerol kinase-like proteins cooperate with Pld6 in regulating sperm mitochondrial sheath formation and male fertility. Cell Discov 2017; 3:17030. [PMID: 28852571 PMCID: PMC5566117 DOI: 10.1038/celldisc.2017.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatids undergo the final steps of maturation during spermiogenesis, a process that necessitates extensive rearrangement of organelles such as the mitochondria. Male infertility has been linked to mitochondrial disorder, for example, hypospermatogenesis and asthenozoospermia. However, the mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial dynamics during spermiogenesis remain largely unknown. We found the glycerol kinase (Gyk)-like proteins glycerol kinase-like 1 (Gykl1) and glycerol kinase 2 (Gk2) were specifically localized to the mitochondria in spermatids. Male mice deficient in either Gykl1 or Gk2 were infertile due to dysfunctional spermatozoa, which exhibited unregulated ATP production, disordered mitochondrial sheath formation, abnormal mitochondrial morphology, and defective sperm tail. We demonstrated that the unique C-terminal sequences found in Gykl1 and Gk2 mediated their targeting to the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, both Gykl1 and Gk2 could interact with Pld6 (MitoPLD) and induce Pld6 and phosphatidic acid (PA)-dependent mitochondrial clustering in cells. Taken together, our study has revealed previously unsuspected functions of Gyk-like proteins in spermiogenesis, providing new insight into the potential mechanisms that lead to spermatozoa dysfunction and male infertility.
Collapse
|
7
|
Complementary Critical Functions of Zfy1 and Zfy2 in Mouse Spermatogenesis and Reproduction. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006578. [PMID: 28114340 PMCID: PMC5287576 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome plays a critical role in spermatogenesis. However, the exact functions of each gene in the Y chromosome have not been completely elucidated, partly owing to difficulties in gene targeting analysis of the Y chromosome. Zfy was first proposed to be a sex determination factor, but its function in spermatogenesis has been recently elucidated. Nevertheless, Zfy gene targeting analysis has not been performed thus far. Here, we adopted the highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate individual Zfy1 or Zfy2 knockout (KO) mice and Zfy1 and Zfy2 double knockout (Zfy1/2-DKO) mice. While individual Zfy1 or Zfy2-KO mice did not show any significant phenotypic alterations in fertility, Zfy1/2-DKO mice were infertile and displayed abnormal sperm morphology, fertilization failure, and early embryonic development failure. Mass spectrometric screening, followed by confirmation with western blot analysis, showed that PLCZ1, PLCD4, PRSS21, and HTT protein expression were significantly deceased in spermatozoa of Zfy1/2-DKO mice compared with those of wild-type mice. These results are consistent with the phenotypic changes seen in the double-mutant mice. Collectively, our strategy and findings revealed that Zfy1 and Zfy2 have redundant functions in spermatogenesis, facilitating a better understanding of fertilization failure and early embryonic development failure.
Collapse
|
8
|
Li X, Li Y, Han G, Li X, Ji Y, Fan Z, Zhong Y, Cao J, Zhao J, Mariusz G, Zhang M, Wen J, Nesland JM, Suo Z. Establishment of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) gene knockout mice with preliminary gene function analyses. Oncotarget 2016; 7:79981-79994. [PMID: 27835892 PMCID: PMC5346765 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyruvate plays a critical role in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and it is the center product for the synthesis of amino acids, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Pyruvate transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane appears to be essential in anabolic and catabolic intermediary metabolism. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) mounted in the inner membrane of mitochondria serves as the channel to facilitate pyruvate permeating. In mammals, the MPC is formed by two paralogous subunits, MPC1 and MPC2. It is known that complete ablation of MPC2 in mice causes death on the 11th or 12th day of the embryonic period. However, MPC1 deletion and the knowledge of gene function in vivo are lacking. Using the new technology of gene manipulation known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) systems, we gained stable MPC1 gene heterozygous mutation mice models, and the heterozygous mutations could be stably maintained in their offsprings. Only one line with homozygous 27 bases deletion in the first exon was established, but no offsprings could be obtained after four months of mating experiments, indicating infertility of the mice with such homozygous deletion. The other line of MPC1 knockout (KO) mice was only heterozygous, which mutated in the first exon with a terminator shortly afterwards. These two lines of MPC1 KO mice showed lower fertility and significantly higher bodyweight in the females. We concluded that heterozygous MPC1 KO weakens fertility and influences the metabolism of glucose and fatty acid and bodyweight in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yaqing Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gaoyang Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui City, Henan Province, China
| | - Xiaoran Li
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yasai Ji
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhirui Fan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yali Zhong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Goscinski Mariusz
- Department of Surgery, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jianguo Wen
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jahn M. Nesland
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| | - Zhenhe Suo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhuang XJ, Tang WH, Feng X, Liu CY, Zhu JL, Yan J, Liu DF, Liu P, Qiao J. Trim27 interacts with Slx2, is associated with meiotic processes during spermatogenesis. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:2576-2584. [PMID: 27612028 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1174796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTARCT Formation of the XY body is believed to prevent recombination between X and Y chromosomes during meiosis. We recently demonstrated that SYCP3-like X-linked 2 (Slx2) could be involved in synaptonemal complex formation as well as XY body maintenance during meiosis. In order to further investigate the role and composition of XY body protein complexes in meiotic processes and spermatogenesis, a yeast 2-hybrid screening was performed, and the tripartite motif protein 27(Trim27) was found to interact with Slx2 and co-localized in the XY body. Trim27 has a tripartite motif (TRIM) consisting of a RING finger, B-box and coiled-coil domains, and is a transcriptional regulator that is expressed in various tumor cell lines. In this study, we showed that Slx2 and Trim27 were highly expressed in meiosis of mouse testis. And the Slx2/Trim27 interaction was confirmed in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation and mammalian 2-hybrid interaction assays. Moreover, cytoimmuno localization experiments revealed that Slx2/Trim27 was co-localized to the XY body of spermatocytes during meiosis, and immunohistochemical results revealed co-localization of Trim27 and γ-H2AX in the XY body of primary spermatocytes in the mouse testis. Trim27 may therefore be a transcriptional regulation protein connecting Slx2 and γ-H2AX, thereby promoting the formation of a more potent XY body protein complex in meiotic processes and spermatogenesis. In conclusion, Trim27 connecting Slx2 may regulate meiotic processes in multiple ways by influencing XY body formation and germ cell proliferation during spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Jie Zhuang
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - Wen-Hao Tang
- b Department of Urology , the Third Hospital of Peking University , Beijing , PR China
| | - Xue Feng
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - Chang-Yu Liu
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - Jin-Liang Zhu
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - Jie Yan
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - De-Feng Liu
- b Department of Urology , the Third Hospital of Peking University , Beijing , PR China
| | - Ping Liu
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| | - Jie Qiao
- a Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital , Beijing , PR China
| |
Collapse
|