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Jin C, Yan K, Wang M, Song W, Wang B, Men Y, Niu J, He Y, Zhang Q, Qi J. Dissecting the dynamic cellular transcriptional atlas of adult teleost testis development throughout the annual reproductive cycle. Development 2024; 151:dev202296. [PMID: 38477640 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202296] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Teleost testis development during the annual cycle involves dramatic changes in cellular compositions and molecular events. In this study, the testicular cells derived from adult black rockfish at distinct stages - regressed, regenerating and differentiating - were meticulously dissected via single-cell transcriptome sequencing. A continuous developmental trajectory of spermatogenic cells, from spermatogonia to spermatids, was delineated, elucidating the molecular events involved in spermatogenesis. Subsequently, the dynamic regulation of gene expression associated with spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation was observed across spermatogonia subgroups and developmental stages. A bioenergetic transition from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration of spermatogonia during the annual developmental cycle was demonstrated, and a deeper level of heterogeneity and molecular characteristics was revealed by re-clustering analysis. Additionally, the developmental trajectory of Sertoli cells was delineated, alongside the divergence of Leydig cells and macrophages. Moreover, the interaction network between testicular micro-environment somatic cells and spermatogenic cells was established. Overall, our study provides detailed information on both germ and somatic cells within teleost testes during the annual reproductive cycle, which lays the foundation for spermatogenesis regulation and germplasm preservation of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofan Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Kai Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Mengya Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Weihao Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Bo Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Yu Men
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Jingjing Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Yan He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Jie Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000, China
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Gan S, Zhou S, Ma J, Xiong M, Xiong W, Fan X, Liu K, Gui Y, Chen B, Zhang B, Wang X, Wang F, Li Z, Yan W, Ma M, Yuan S. BAG5 regulates HSPA8-mediated protein folding required for sperm head-tail coupling apparatus assembly. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:2045-2070. [PMID: 38454159 PMCID: PMC11015022 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00112-x] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Teratozoospermia is a significant cause of male infertility, but the pathogenic mechanism of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), one of the most severe teratozoospermia, remains elusive. We previously reported Spermatogenesis Associated 6 (SPATA6) as the component of the sperm head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) required for normal assembly of the sperm head-tail conjunction, but the underlying molecular mechanism has not been explored. Here, we find that the co-chaperone protein BAG5, expressed in step 9-16 spermatids, is essential for sperm HTCA assembly. BAG5-deficient male mice show abnormal assembly of HTCA, leading to ASS and male infertility, phenocopying SPATA6-deficient mice. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that SPATA6, cargo transport-related myosin proteins (MYO5A and MYL6) and dynein proteins (DYNLT1, DCTN1, and DNAL1) are misfolded upon BAG5 depletion. Mechanistically, we find that BAG5 forms a complex with HSPA8 and promotes the folding of SPATA6 by enhancing HSPA8's affinity for substrate proteins. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel protein-regulated network in sperm formation in which BAG5 governs the assembly of the HTCA by activating the protein-folding function of HSPA8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming Gan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jinzhe Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengneng Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Wenjing Xiong
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xu Fan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kuan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yiqian Gui
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fengli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhean Li
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Meisheng Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Cell Architecture Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Choi S, Hong SH, Han G, Cho C. Profiling of testis-specific or testis-predominant genes expressed in mouse male germ cell lines GC-1 and GC-2. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:279-287. [PMID: 38291311 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-023-01488-1] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is a tightly organized process that utilizes an intrinsic genetic program composed of germ cell-specific genes. Although mouse germ cell-related cell lines are available, few germ cell-specific genes have been comprehensively identified in such cell lines. OBJECTIVE We aimed to profile gene expression in the male mouse germ cell-related cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, characterize their transcriptomic nature, and identify potential testis- or germ cell-specific or -predominant genes expressed in these cell lines. METHODS We performed profiling analysis of genes transcribed in the mouse germ cell-related cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, using our previous microarray data together with public transcriptome information. We analyzed the expression of a number of the cell line genes predicted to be preferentially expressed in testis by RT-PCR. RESULTS We found that most testis-specific or -predominant mRNAs are not expressed in GC-1 and GC-2 cells, implying that these cell lines have lost their testis- or germ cell-specific genetic characteristics. RT-PCR analysis of genes predicted to be expressed in the cell lines with preferential testicular expression showed the testis-specific or -predominant expression of nine genes and verified four of them as being expressed in the germ cell lines. Among them, only cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 genes (Cdkn3) showed testis and germ cell specificity. CONCLUSION Our study provides extensive transcriptomic information to shed light on the limited testicular characteristics of the mouse male germ cell-derived cell lines, GC-1 and GC-2, and offers a list of germ cell line genes with testicular preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Choi
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
- R&D Center, KYNOGEN Corp, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Seong Hyeon Hong
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Gwidong Han
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea
| | - Chunghee Cho
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Korea.
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Lee SG, Woo SM, Seo SU, Lee CH, Baek MC, Jang SH, Park ZY, Yook S, Nam JO, Kwon TK. Cathepsin D promotes polarization of tumor-associated macrophages and metastasis through TGFBI-CCL20 signaling. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:383-394. [PMID: 38297161 PMCID: PMC10907383 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01163-9] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are risk factors for cancer progression and metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying their polarization are still not fully understood. Although cathepsin D (Cat D) has been reported as a procarcinogenic factor, little is known about the functional role of Cat D in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study aimed to explore the effect and molecular mechanisms of Cat D in the TME. Cat D knockout (KO) altered the cytokine secretion pattern and induced TAM reprogramming from the M2 to M1 subtype, thereby preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, we identified transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBI) as a Cat D target protein that is specifically associated with TAM polarization. Elevated TGFBI expression in Cat D KO cancer cells resulted in a decline in M2-like TAM polarization. Our RNA-sequencing results indicated that the cancer cell-secreted chemokine CCL20 is a major secretory chemokine for Cat D-TGFBI-mediated TAM polarization. In contrast, Cat D overexpression accelerated TAM polarization into M2-like cells by suppressing TGFBI expression. In addition, the double Cat D and TGFBI KO rescued the inhibitory effects of Cat D KO on tumor metastasis by controlling TAM and T-cell activation. These findings indicated that Cat D contributes to cancer metastasis through TGFBI-mediated TAM reprogramming. Cat D deletion inhibits M2-like TAM polarization through TGFBI-mediated CCL20 expression, reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME. Our results open a potential new avenue for therapy focused on eliminating tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Gi Lee
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Seon Min Woo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Un Seo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Hyeong Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CMRI, Exosome Convergence Research Center (ECRC), School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Chang Baek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CMRI, Exosome Convergence Research Center (ECRC), School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hwan Jang
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Zee Yong Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Simmyung Yook
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Ock Nam
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeg Kyu Kwon
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Forensic Pharmaceutical Science, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Shi H, Li QY, Li H, Wang HY, Fan CX, Dong QY, Pan BC, Ji ZL, Li JY. ROS-induced oxidative stress is a major contributor to sperm cryoinjury. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:310-325. [PMID: 38011909 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead250] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the mechanism behind cryoinjury in human sperm, particularly concerning the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy, and how does it subsequently affect sperm fate? SUMMARY ANSWER The freeze-thaw operation induces oxidative stress by generating abundant ROS, which impairs sperm motility and activates autophagy, ultimately guiding the sperm toward programmed cell death such as apoptosis and necrosis, as well as triggering premature capacitation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Both ROS-induced oxidative stress and autophagy are thought to exert an influence on the quality of frozen-thawed sperm. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Overall, 84 semen specimens were collected from young healthy fertile males, with careful quality evaluation. The specimens were split into three groups to investigate the ROS-induced cryoinjury: normal control without any treatment, sperm treated with 0.5 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 1 h, and sperm thawed following cryopreservation. Samples from 48 individuals underwent computer-assisted human sperm analysis (CASA) to evaluate sperm quality in response to the treatments. Semen samples from three donors were analyzed for changes in the sperm proteome after H2O2 treatment, and another set of samples from three donors were analyzed for changes following the freeze-thaw process. The other 30 samples were used for fluorescence-staining and western blotting. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Sperm motility parameters, including progressive motility (PR %) and total motility (PR + NP %), were evaluated using the CASA system on a minimum of 200 spermatozoa. The proteomic profiles were determined with label-free mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and protein identification was performed via ion search against the NCBI human database. Subsequently, comprehensive bioinformatics was applied to detect significant proteomic changes and functional enrichment. Fluorescence-staining and western blot analyses were also conducted to confirm the proteomic changes on selected key proteins. The ROS level was measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate labeling and the abundance of bioactive mitochondria was determined by evaluating the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level. Molecular behaviors of sequestosome-1 (p62 or SQSTM1) and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 (LC3) were monitored to evaluate the state of apoptosis in human sperm. Fluorescent probes oxazole yellow (YO-PRO-1) and propidium iodide (PI) were utilized to monitor programmed cell death, namely apoptosis and necrosis. Additionally, gradient concentrations of antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were introduced to suppress ROS impacts on sperm. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The CASA analysis revealed a significant decrease in sperm motility for both the H2O2-treatment and freeze-thaw groups. Fluorescence staining showed that high ROS levels were produced in the treated sperm and the MMPs were largely reduced. The introduction of CoQ10 at concentrations of 20 and 30 μM resulted in a significant rescue of progressive motility (P < 0.05). The result suggested that excessive ROS could be the major cause of sperm motility impairment, likely by damaging mitochondrial energy generation. Autophagy was significantly activated in sperm when they were under oxidative stress, as evidenced by the upregulation of p62 and the increased conversion of LC3 as well as the upregulation of several autophagy-related proteins, such as charged multivesicular body protein 2a, mitochondrial import receptor subunit TOM22 homolog, and WD repeat domain phosphoinositide-interacting protein 2. Additionally, fluorescent staining indicated the occurrence of apoptosis and necrosis in both H2O2-treated sperm and post-thaw sperm. The cell death process can be suppressed when CoQ10 is introduced, which consolidates the view that ROS could be the major contributor to sperm cryoinjury. The freeze-thaw process could also initiate sperm premature capacitation, demonstrated by the prominent increase in tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, verified with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody and immunofluorescence assays. The upregulation of capacitation-related proteins, such as hyaluronidase 3 and Folate receptor alpha, supported this finding. LARGE SCALE DATA The data underlying this article are available in the article and its online supplementary material. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The semen samples were obtained exclusively from young, healthy, and fertile males with progressive motility exceeding 60%, which might overemphasize the positive effects while possibly neglecting the negative impacts of cryoinjury. Additionally, the H2O2 treatment conditions in this study may not precisely mimic the oxidative stress experienced by sperm after thawing from cryopreservation, potentially resulting in the omission of certain molecular alterations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study provides substantial proteomic data for a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the impact of cryopreservation on sperm quality. It will facilitate the design of optimal protocols for utilizing cryopreserved sperm to improve applications, such as ART, and help resolve various adverse situations caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by grants from the Major Innovation Project of Research Institute of National Health Commission (#2022GJZD01-3) and the National Key R&D Program of China (#2018YFC1003600). All authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shi
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Qian-Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Hai-Yan Wang
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Fan
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Qiao-Yan Dong
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Bo-Chen Pan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhi-Liang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jian-Yuan Li
- Institute of Science and Technology, National Health Commission, Beijing, China
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Jin HJ, Ruan T, Dai S, Geng XY, Yang Y, Shen Y, Chen SR. Identification of CFAP52 as a novel diagnostic target of male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development. eLife 2023; 12:RP92769. [PMID: 38126872 PMCID: PMC10735225 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92769] [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: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a worldwide population health concern. Asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. No evidence indicates the relevance of CFAP52 mutations to human male infertility. Our whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations in CFAP52 recessively cosegregating with male infertility status in a non-consanguineous Chinese family. Spermatozoa of CFAP52-mutant patient mainly exhibited abnormal head-tail connection and deformed flagella. Cfap52-knockout mice resembled the human infertile phenotype, showing a mixed acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) phenotype. The ultrastructural analyses further revealed a failure of connecting piece formation and a serious disorder of '9+2' axoneme structure. CFAP52 interacts with a head-tail coupling regulator SPATA6 and is essential for its stability. Expression of microtubule inner proteins and radial spoke proteins were reduced after the CFAP52 deficiency. Moreover, CFAP52-associated male infertility in humans and mice could be overcome by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study reveals a prominent role for CFAP52 in sperm development, suggesting that CFAP52 might be a novel diagnostic target for male infertility with defects of sperm head-tail connection and flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tiechao Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xin-Yan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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David D, Fino J, Oliveira R, Dória S, Morton CC. Balanced chromosomal rearrangements implicate YIPF5 and SPATC1L in non-obstructive oligoasthenozoospermia and oligozoospermia and of a derivative chromosome 22 in recurrent miscarriage. Gene 2023; 887:147737. [PMID: 37625567 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147737] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring balanced, unbalanced, and complex chromosomal rearrangements have been reported to cause pathogenic genomic or genetic variants leading to infertility and recurrent miscarriage. Therefore, balanced chromosomal rearrangements were used as genomic signposts for identification of candidate genes or genomic loci associated with male infertility due to defects of spermatogenesis, or with recurrent miscarriage. In three male probands, structural chromosomal variants and copy number variants were identified at nucleotide resolution by long-insert genome sequencing approaches and Sanger sequencing. The pathogenic potential of these and affected candidate genes was assessed based on convergent genomic and genotype-phenotype correlation data. Identification of balanced chromosomal rearrangement breakpoints and interpretation in the context of their genomic background of structural and copy number variants led us to conclude that the infertility due to oligoasthenozoospermia and oligozoospermia is most likely associated with a position effect on YIPF5 and SPATC1L, respectively. In a third proband with intellectual disability and recurrent miscarriage, disruption of CAMK2B causing autosomal dominant, intellectual developmental disorder 54 and increased meiotic segregation during gametogenesis of a der(22) are responsible for the reported phenotype. Our data further support the existence of loci at 5q23 and 21q22.3 for these spermatogenesis defects and highlight the importance of the naturally occurring balanced chromosomal rearrangements for assessment of the pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we show comorbidities due to the same balanced chromosomal rearrangement caused by different pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezső David
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Joana Fino
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Renata Oliveira
- Medical Genetics Service, University Hospital Centre of São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Dória
- Department of Pathology, Genetics Service, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; I3S-Health Research and Innovation Institute, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cynthia C Morton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD), University of Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Berkay EG, Karaman B, Başaran S. A rare ring chromosome 21 abnormality is associated with azoospermia in two different phenotypically normal cases. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:387-393. [PMID: 37401907 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2225682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Azoospermia can be diagnosed with spermiogram analysis, and karyotyping is the golden standard to explain the etiology. In this study, we investigated two male cases with azoospermia and male infertility for chromosomal abnormalities. Their phenotypes and physical and hormonal examinations were both normal. In karyotyping G-banding and NOR staining, a rare ring chromosome 21 abnormality was detected in the cases and no microdeletion in chromosome Y. Ring abnormality, deletion size, and deleted regions were shown with subtelomeric FISH (.ish r(21)(p13q22.3?)(D21S1446-)) and array CGH analyses. Due to the findings, bioinformatics, protein, and pathway analyses were done to detect a candidate gene through common genes in two cases' deleted regions or ring chromosome 21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Gizem Berkay
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Dentistry Faculty, Department of Basic Sciences, Istanbul Kent University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Birsen Karaman
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Child Health Institute, Basic Pediatric Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seher Başaran
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Joustra V, Li Yim AYF, van Gennep S, Hageman I, de Waard T, Levin E, Lauffer P, de Jonge WJ, Henneman P, Löwenberg M, D'Haens GR. Peripheral blood DNA methylation signatures and response to tofacitinib in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. J Crohns Colitis 2023:jjad129. [PMID: 37526299 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Predictive biomarkers for treatment efficacy of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatments are lacking. Here, we performed a longitudinal study investigating the association and potential predictive power of genome-wide peripheral blood (PB) DNA methylation signatures and response to tofacitinib treatment in UC. METHODS We recruited moderate-to-severe UC patients starting tofacitinib treatment and measured PB DNA methylation profiles at baseline (T1), after 8 weeks (T2), and in a subset (n=8), after a median of 20 weeks (T3) using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation EPIC BeadChip. After 8 weeks, we categorized responders (R) from non-responders (NR) based on a centrally read endoscopic response (decrease in endoscopic mayo score ≥1 or UCEIS ≥2) combined with corticosteroid-free clinical- and/or biochemical response. T1 PB samples were used for biomarker identification, while T2 and publicly available intra-class correlation (ICC) data were used for stability analyses. RNA-sequencing was performed to understand the downstream effects of the predictor CpG loci. RESULTS In total, 16 R and 15 NR patients with a median disease duration of 7 (4-12) years and overall comparable patient characteristics at baseline were analyzed. We identified a panel of 53 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with response to tofacitinib (AUROC 0.74). Most DMPs (77%) demonstrated both short- and long-term hyper stability (ICC ≥0.90), irrespective of inflammatory status. Gene expression analysis showed lower FGFR2 (pBH=0.011) and LRPAP1 (pBH=0.020), and higher OR2L13 (pBH=0.016) expression at T1 in R compared to NR. CONCLUSION Our observations demonstrate the utility of genome-wide PB DNA methylation signatures to predict response to tofacitinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Joustra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew Y F Li Yim
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Genome Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sara van Gennep
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ishtu Hageman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Peter Lauffer
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter J de Jonge
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Henneman
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Genome Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Löwenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geert R D'Haens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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10
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Bélanger F, Roussel C, Sawchyn C, St-Hilaire E, Gezzar-Dandashi S, Kimenyi Ishimwe AB, Mallette FA, Wurtele H, Drobetsky E. A genome-wide screen reveals that Dyrk1A kinase promotes nucleotide excision repair by preventing aberrant overexpression of cyclin D1 and p21. J Biol Chem 2023:104900. [PMID: 37301510 PMCID: PMC10339196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104900] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide excision repair (NER) eliminates highly-genotoxic solar UV-induced DNA photoproducts that otherwise stimulate malignant melanoma development. Here, a genome-wide loss-of-function screen, coupling CRISPR/Cas9 technology with a flow cytometry-based DNA repair assay, was used to identify novel genes required for efficient NER in primary human fibroblasts. Interestingly, the screen revealed multiple genes encoding proteins, with no previously known involvement in UV damage repair, that significantly modulate NER uniquely during S phase of the cell cycle. Among these, we further characterized Dyrk1A, a dual specificity kinase that phosphorylates the proto-oncoprotein cyclin D1 on threonine 286 (T286), thereby stimulating its timely cytoplasmic relocalization and proteasomal degradation which is required for proper regulation of the G1-S phase transition and control of cellular proliferation. We demonstrate that in UV-irradiated HeLa cells, depletion of Dyrk1A leading to overexpression of cyclin D1 causes inhibition of NER uniquely during S phase and reduced cell survival. Consistently, expression/nuclear accumulation of nonphosphorylatable cyclin D1 (T286A) in melanoma cells strongly interferes with S phase NER and enhances cytotoxicity post-UV. Moreover, the negative impact of cyclin D1 (T286A) overexpression on repair is independent of cyclin-dependent kinase activity but requires cyclin D1-dependent upregulation of p21 expression. Our data indicate that inhibition of NER during S phase might represent a previously unappreciated non-canonical mechanism by which oncogenic cyclin D1 fosters melanomagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Bélanger
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4
| | - Cassandra Roussel
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4
| | - Christina Sawchyn
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4
| | - Edlie St-Hilaire
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4
| | - Sari Gezzar-Dandashi
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4
| | - Aimé Boris Kimenyi Ishimwe
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4
| | - Frédérick Antoine Mallette
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4
| | - Hugo Wurtele
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Elliot Drobetsky
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, 5415 boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1T 2M4; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
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11
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Clement TM, Geyer CB, Willis WD, Goulding EH, Upadhyay S, Eddy EM. Actin-related protein ACTL7B ablation leads to OAT with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum and male infertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:447-464. [PMID: 36617158 PMCID: PMC10014417 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of fertilisation-competent sperm requires spermatid morphogenesis (spermiogenesis), a poorly understood program that involves complex coordinated restructuring and specialised cytoskeletal structures. A major class of cytoskeletal regulators are the actin-related proteins (ARPs), which include conventional actin variants, and related proteins that play essential roles in complexes regulating actin dynamics, intracellular transport, and chromatin remodeling. Multiple testis-specific ARPs are well conserved among mammals, but their functional roles are unknown. One of these is actin-like 7b (Actl7b) that encodes an orphan ARP highly similar to the ubiquitously expressed beta actin (ACTB). Here we report ACTL7B is expressed in human and mouse spermatids through the elongation phase of spermatid development. In mice, ACTL7B specifically localises to the developing acrosome, within the nucleus of early spermatids, and to the flagellum connecting region. Based on this localisation pattern and high level of sequence conservation in mice, humans, and other mammals, we examined the requirement for ACTL7B in spermiogenesis by generating and characterising the reproductive phenotype of male Actl7b KO mice. KO mice were infertile, with severe and variable oligoteratozoospermia (OAT) and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagellum (MMAF) and sperm head. These defects phenocopy human OAT and MMAF, which are leading causes of idiopathic male infertility. In conclusion, this work identifies ACTL7B as a key regulator of spermiogenesis that is required for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Clement
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, and East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
| | - William D Willis
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Eugenia H Goulding
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Edward M Eddy
- Gamete Biology Group, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
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12
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Silva TDL, Gondro C, Fonseca PADS, da Silva DA, Vargas G, Neves HHDR, Filho IC, Teixeira CDS, Albuquerque LGD, Carvalheiro R. Testicular hypoplasia in Nellore Cattle: Genetic analysis and functional analysis of genome-wide association study results. J Anim Breed Genet 2023; 140:185-197. [PMID: 36321505 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12747] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Characterized by the incomplete development of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules, Testicular hypoplasia (TH) leads to decreased sperm concentration, increased morphological changes in sperm and azoospermia. Economic losses resulting from the disposal of affected bulls reduce the efficiency of meat production systems. A genome-wide association study and functional analysis were performed to identify genomic windows and the underlying positional candidate genes associated with TH in Nellore cattle. Phenotypic and pedigree data from 207,195 animals and genotypes (461,057 single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP) from 17,326 sires were used in this study. TH was evaluated as a binary trait measured at 18 months of age. A possible correlated response on TH resulting from the selection for scrotal circumference was evaluated by using a two-trait analysis. Thus, estimated breeding values were calculated by fitting a linear-threshold animal model in a Bayesian approach. The SNP effects were estimated using the weighted single-step genomic BLUP method. Twelve non-overlapping windows of 20 adjacent SNP that explained more than 1% of the additive genetic variance were selected for candidate gene annotation. Functional and gene prioritization analysis of the candidate genes identified genes (KHDRBS3, GPX5, STAR, ERLIN2), which might play an important role in the expression of TH due to their known roles in the spermatogenesis process, synthesis of steroids and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thales de Lima Silva
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Cedric Gondro
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Giovana Vargas
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | | | - Ivan Carvalho Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Caio de Souza Teixeira
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Lucia Galvão de Albuquerque
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil.,National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Roberto Carvalheiro
- Department of Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, School of Agriculture and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Brazil.,National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
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13
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Zhang X, Zheng R, Liang C, Liu H, Zhang X, Ma Y, Liu M, Zhang W, Yang Y, Liu M, Jiang C, Ren Q, Wang Y, Chen S, Yang Y, Shen Y. Loss-of-function mutations in CEP78 cause male infertility in humans and mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0968. [PMID: 36206347 PMCID: PMC9544341 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Centrosomal protein dysfunction might cause ciliopathies. However, the role of centrosomal proteins in male infertility remains poorly defined. Here, we identified a pathogenic splicing mutation in CEP78 in male infertile patients with severely reduced sperm number and motility, and the typical multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella phenotype. We further created Cep78 knockout mice, which showed an extremely low sperm count, completely aberrant sperm morphology, and approximately null sperm motility. The infertility of the patients and knockout mice could not be rescued by an intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. Mechanistically, CEP78 might regulate USP16 expression, which further stabilizes Tektin levels via the ubiquitination pathway. Cep78 knockout mice also exhibited impairments in retina and outer hair cells of the cochlea. Collectively, our findings identified nonfunctional CEP78 as an indispensable factor contributing to male infertility and revealed a role for this gene in regulating retinal and outer hair cell function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haotian Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yongyi Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China
| | - Mohan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingjia Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Suren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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14
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Peng C, Cheng Q, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Wang Z, Ma H, Liu D, Wang L, Wang C. Marginal Zinc Deficiency in Mice Increased the Number of Abnormal Sperm and Altered the Expression Level of Spermatogenesis-Related Genes. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:3738-3749. [PMID: 34676520 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02979-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Marginal zinc deficiency is more common than severe zinc deficiency, and the effect of marginal zinc deficiency on male reproduction is unknown. This study investigated the effect of marginal zinc deficiency on spermatogenesis and its mechanism. Male ICR mice were fed normal zinc (30 mg/kg) and marginal zinc deficiency (10 mg/kg) diets for 35 days. Zinc-dependent proteins and enzymes were measured as biomarkers of zinc levels in the body. Metallothionein and Cu-Zn SOD levels in the control group were higher than those in the marginal zinc deficiency group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that the marginal zinc deficiency diet caused histopathological changes in the testis and destruction of the sperm head under scanning electron microscopy. Sperm parameters and sex hormone levels were also affected by marginal zinc deficiency. In addition, marginal zinc deficiency led to alter expression level of several important spermatogenesis-related genes in the epididymis and testes. These results indicate that although zinc intake in marginal zinc deficiency is close to the recommended reference value, low zinc intake interferes with the expression of genes related to spermatogenesis and may lead to sperm abnormalities in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Peng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Angel Nutritech Company Limited, Yichang, 443000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Youjiao Liu
- Angel Nutritech Company Limited, Yichang, 443000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyu Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqiong Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Haitao Ma
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Duanya Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Wang HQ, Wang T, Gao F, Ren WZ. Application of CRISPR/Cas Technology in Spermatogenesis Research and Male Infertility Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13061000. [PMID: 35741761 PMCID: PMC9223233 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
As the basis of animal reproductive activity, normal spermatogenesis directly determines the efficiency of livestock production. An in-depth understanding of spermatogenesis will greatly facilitate animal breeding efforts and male infertility treatment. With the continuous development and application of gene editing technologies, they have become valuable tools to study the mechanism of spermatogenesis. Gene editing technologies have provided us with a better understanding of the functions and potential mechanisms of action of factors that regulate spermatogenesis. This review summarizes the applications of gene editing technologies, especially CRISPR/Cas9, in deepening our understanding of the function of spermatogenesis-related genes and disease treatment. The problems of gene editing technologies in the field of spermatogenesis research are also discussed.
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16
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Saraf KK, Kumaresan A, Arathi BP, Sundaresan NR, Datta TK. Comparative high-throughput analysis of sperm membrane proteins from crossbred bulls with contrasting fertility. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14451. [PMID: 35484731 DOI: 10.1111/and.14451] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify fertility associated sperm membrane proteins in crossbred bulls. Sperm membrane proteins from high- and low-fertile Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls (n = 3 each) were subjected to high-throughput liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for comparative proteomic analysis. Proteomic profiling identified a total of 456 proteins in crossbred bull spermatozoa; it was found that 108 proteins were up regulated while 26 proteins were down regulated (>1.5-folds) in spermatozoa from low- compared to high-fertile bulls. Gene ontology classification revealed that upregulated proteins in low-fertile bulls were involved in biological process such as oxidation-reduction process (p = 3.14E-06), fusion of sperm to egg plasma membrane (p = 7.51E-04), sperm motility (p = 0.03), and capacitation (p = 0.09), while down regulated proteins were associated with transport (p = 6.94E-04), superoxide metabolic process (p = 0.02), and tricarboxylic acid cycle (p = 0.04). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways are the most significantly affected pathway in low-fertile bulls. It was concluded that expression of proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways were altered in low-fertile crossbred bulls, and expression levels of SPATA19, ELSPBP1, ACRBP, CLU, SUCLA2, and SPATC1 could aid in assessing potential fertility of crossbred bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh Kishor Saraf
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Jazayeri O, Farahmand Araghi S, Aghajanzadeh TA, Mir Moammadrezaei F. Up-regulation of Arl4a gene expression by broccoli aqueous extract is associated with improved spermatogenesis in mouse testes. BIOMEDICA : REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD 2021; 41:706-720. [PMID: 34936255 PMCID: PMC8768486 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is well known for its properties as an anticancer, antioxidant, and scavenger of free radicals. However, its benefits in enhancing spermatogenesis have not been well established. OBJECTIVE To study broccoli aqueous extract effects on sperm factors and the expression of genes Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5, and Sox9 in sperm factors in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male mice were divided randomly into six groups: (1) Control; (2) cadmium (3 mg/kg of mouse body weight); (3) orally treated with 200 μl broccoli aqueous extract (1 g ml-1); (4) orally treated with 400 μl of broccoli aqueous extract; (5) orally treated with 200 broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium, and (6) orally treated with 400 μl of broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium. We analyzed the sperms factors and Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5, and Sox9 gene expression. RESULTS An obvious improvement in sperm count and a slight enhancement in sperm motility were observed in mice treated with broccoli extract alone or with cadmium. Sperm viability was reduced by broccoli extract except for the 200 μl dose with cadmium, which significantly increased it. Interestingly, Arl4a gene expression increased in the 400 μl broccoli-treated group. Likewise, the Arl4a mRNA level in mice treated with cadmium and 200 μl of broccoli extract was higher than in the cadmium-treated mice. Furthermore, broccoli extract enhanced the mRNA level of Catsper2 and Sox5 genes in mice treated with 200 μl and 400 μl broccoli extract plus cadmium compared with the group treated solely with cadmium. CONCLUSION The higher sperm count in broccoli-treated mice opens the way for the development of pharmaceutical products for infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Jazayeri
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
| | - Setareh Farahmand Araghi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
| | - Tahereh A Aghajanzadeh
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Basic Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
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18
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Tapia Contreras C, Hoyer-Fender S. The Transformation of the Centrosome into the Basal Body: Similarities and Dissimilarities between Somatic and Male Germ Cells and Their Relevance for Male Fertility. Cells 2021; 10:2266. [PMID: 34571916 PMCID: PMC8471410 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm flagellum is essential for the transport of the genetic material toward the oocyte and thus the transmission of the genetic information to the next generation. During the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, i.e., spermiogenesis, a morphological and molecular restructuring of the male germ cell, the round spermatid, takes place that includes the silencing and compaction of the nucleus, the formation of the acrosomal vesicle from the Golgi apparatus, the formation of the sperm tail, and, finally, the shedding of excessive cytoplasm. Sperm tail formation starts in the round spermatid stage when the pair of centrioles moves toward the posterior pole of the nucleus. The sperm tail, eventually, becomes located opposed to the acrosomal vesicle, which develops at the anterior pole of the nucleus. The centriole pair tightly attaches to the nucleus, forming a nuclear membrane indentation. An articular structure is formed around the centriole pair known as the connecting piece, situated in the neck region and linking the sperm head to the tail, also named the head-to-tail coupling apparatus or, in short, HTCA. Finally, the sperm tail grows out from the distal centriole that is now transformed into the basal body of the flagellum. However, a centriole pair is found in nearly all cells of the body. In somatic cells, it accumulates a large mass of proteins, the pericentriolar material (PCM), that together constitute the centrosome, which is the main microtubule-organizing center of the cell, essential not only for the structuring of the cytoskeleton and the overall cellular organization but also for mitotic spindle formation and chromosome segregation. However, in post-mitotic (G1 or G0) cells, the centrosome is transformed into the basal body. In this case, one of the centrioles, which is always the oldest or mother centriole, grows the axoneme of a cilium. Most cells of the body carry a single cilium known as the primary cilium that serves as an antenna sensing the cell's environment. Besides, specialized cells develop multiple motile cilia differing in substructure from the immotile primary cilia that are essential in moving fluids or cargos over the cellular surface. Impairment of cilia formation causes numerous severe syndromes that are collectively subsumed as ciliopathies. This comparative overview serves to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of basal body formation, their similarities, and dissimilarities, in somatic versus male germ cells, by discussing the involved proteins/genes and their expression, localization, and function. The review, thus, aimed to provide a deeper knowledge of the molecular players that is essential for the expansion of clinical diagnostics and treatment of male fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigrid Hoyer-Fender
- Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology-Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
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19
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Sha Y, Liu W, Li L, Serafimovski M, Isachenko V, Li Y, Chen J, Zhao B, Wang Y, Wei X. Pathogenic Variants in ACTRT1 Cause Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676246. [PMID: 34422805 PMCID: PMC8377740 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia, but its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing for 34 patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and identified pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene, ACTRT1, in two patients. Sanger sequencing confirmed the pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 in the patients. Both pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 were highly conserved, and in silico analysis revealed that they were deleterious and rare. Actrt1-knockout mice exhibited a similar acephalic spermatozoa phenotype. Therefore, we speculated that mutations in ACTRT1 account for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Moreover, the patients in this study conceived their children through artificial insemination. This study provides further insights for clinicians and researchers regarding the genetic etiology and therapeutic strategies for acephalic spermatozoa patients with pathogenic variants in ACTRT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mario Serafimovski
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Youzhu Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bangrong Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Hebei Provincial, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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20
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Shen YR, Wang HY, Tsai YC, Kuo YC, Wu SR, Wang CY, Kuo PL. The SEPT12 complex is required for the establishment of a functional sperm head-tail junction. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:402-412. [PMID: 32392324 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The connecting pieces of the sperm neck link the flagellum and the sperm head, and they are important for initiating flagellar beating. The connecting pieces are important building blocks for the sperm neck; however, the mechanism of connecting piece assembly is poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the role of septins in sperm motility and found that Sept12D197N knock-in (KI) mice produce acephalic and immotile spermatozoa. Electron microscopy analysis showed defective connecting pieces in sperm from KI mice, indicating that SEPT12 is required for the establishment of connecting pieces. We also found that SEPT12 formed a complex with SEPT1, SEPT2, SEPT10 and SEPT11 at the sperm neck and that the D197N mutation disrupted the complex, suggesting that the SEPT12 complex is involved in the assembly of connecting pieces. Additionally, we found that SEPT12 interacted and colocalized with γ-tubulin in elongating spermatids, implying that SEPT12 and pericentriolar materials jointly contribute to the formation of connecting pieces. Collectively, our findings suggest that SEPT12 is required for the formation of striated columns, and the capitulum and for maintaining the stability of the sperm head-tail junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ru Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chieh Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Sport Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Rung Wu
- Institute of Oral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yih Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
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21
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Zhang Y, Yang L, Huang L, Liu G, Nie X, Zhang X, Xing X. SUN5 Interacting With Nesprin3 Plays an Essential Role in Sperm Head-to-Tail Linkage: Research on Sun5 Gene Knockout Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:684826. [PMID: 34268309 PMCID: PMC8276135 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.684826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare genetic and reproductive disease. Recent studies have shown that approximately 33–47% of patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome have SUN5 mutations, but the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not been elucidated. In this study, we generated Sun5 knockout mice and found that the head-to-tail linkage was broken in Sun5–/– mice, which was similar to human acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Furthermore, ultrastructural imaging revealed that the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the centrosome were distant from the nucleus at steps 9–10 during spermatid elongation. With the manchette disappearing at steps 13–14, the head and the tail segregated. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying this process, bioinformatic analysis was performed and showed that Sun5 may interact with Nesprin3. Further coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that Sun5 and Nesprin3 were indeed bona fide interaction partners that formed the linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex participating in the connection of the head and tail of spermatozoa. Nesprin3 was located posterior and anterior to the nucleus during spermiogenesis in wild-type mice, whereas it lost its localization at the implantation fossa of the posterior region in Sun5–/– mice. Without correct localization of Nesprin3 at the nuclear membrane, the centrosome, which is the originator of the flagellum, was distant from the nucleus, which led to the separation of the head and tail. In addition, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation results showed that 47 proteins were upregulated, and 56 proteins were downregulated, in the testis in Sun5–/– mice, and the downregulation of spermatogenesis-related proteins (Odf1 and Odf2) may also contribute to the damage to the spermatozoa head-to-tail linkage. Our findings suggested that Sun5 is essential for the localization of Nesprin3 at the posterior nuclear membrane, which plays an essential role in the sperm head-tail connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linfei Yang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinmin Nie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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22
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Liu G, Xing X, Zhang H, Zhu W, Lin G, Lu G, Li W. Patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome linked to novel TSGA10/PMFBP1 variants have favorable pregnancy outcomes from intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Clin Genet 2021; 100:334-339. [PMID: 34089195 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14007] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare form of teratozoospermia characterized by headless spermatozoa. Previous studies have found that variants in SUN5, PMFBP1, TSGA10, BRDT, and SPATC1L are associated with this phenotype. Many researchers have suggested that variants in TSGA10 without a proximal centriole might influence early embryonic development. This retrospective cohort study included 12 infertile men with severe acephalic spermatozoa in China. We identified six heterozygous variants and four homozygous variants in TSGA10/PMFBP1 in seven patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Acephalic spermatozoa defects due to different genetic variations may affect only spermatozoa morphology but do not reduce the chances of fertilization, affect embryo quality at early stages or impair intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. Patients with TSGA10/PMFBP1 variations were all expected to have good prognoses with ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowei Xing
- Center for Medical Experiments, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbing Zhu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Andrology, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- The Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Andrology, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Scientific Research Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hi-tech Life Technology Co., Ltd, Changsha, China
| | - Weina Li
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Scientific Research Department, Hunan Guangxiu Hi-tech Life Technology Co., Ltd, Changsha, China
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23
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Azhar M, Altaf S, Uddin I, Cheng J, Wu L, Tong X, Qin W, Bao J. Towards Post-Meiotic Sperm Production: Genetic Insight into Human Infertility from Mouse Models. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2487-2503. [PMID: 34326689 PMCID: PMC8315030 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined quality and quantity of sperm is currently the major cause of patients suffering from infertility. Male germ cell development is spatiotemporally regulated throughout the whole developmental process. While it has been known that exogenous factors, such as environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle, et al, play causative roles in male infertility, recent progress has revealed abundant genetic mutations tightly associated with defective male germline development. In mammals, male germ cells undergo dramatic morphological change (i.e., nuclear condensation) and chromatin remodeling during post-meiotic haploid germline development, a process termed spermiogenesis; However, the molecular machinery players and functional mechanisms have yet to be identified. To date, accumulated evidence suggests that disruption in any step of haploid germline development is likely manifested as fertility issues with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, aberrant sperm morphology or combined. With the continually declined cost of next-generation sequencing and recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, growing studies have revealed a vast number of disease-causing genetic variants associated with spermiogenic defects in both mice and humans, along with mechanistic insights partially attained and validated through genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). In this review, we mainly summarize genes that are functional at post-meiotic stage. Identification and characterization of deleterious genetic variants should aid in our understanding of germline development, and thereby further improve the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Saba Altaf
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Islam Uddin
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Jinbao Cheng
- The 901th hospital of Joint logistics support Force of PLA, Anhui, China
| | - Limin Wu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
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24
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Mazaheri Moghaddam M, Mazaheri Moghaddam M, Hamzeiy H, Baghbanzadeh A, Pashazadeh F, Sakhinia E. Genetic basis of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in infertile men: a systematic scoping review. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:573-586. [PMID: 33452591 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02008-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is known as a severe type of teratozoospermia, defined as semen composed of mostly headless spermatozoa that affect male fertility. In this regard, this systematic review aimed to discuss gene variants associated with acephalic spermatozoa phenotype as well as the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment for the acephalic spermatozoa-associated male infertility. METHODS A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid databases until May 17, 2020. This systematic scoping review was reported in terms of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) statement. RESULTS Twenty articles were included in this systematic review. Whole-exome and Sanger sequencing have helped in the identification of variants in SUN5, PMFBP1, BRDT, TSGA10, DNAH6, HOOK1, and CEP112 genes as possible causes of this phenotype in humans. The results of the ICSI are conflicting due to both positive and negative reports of ICSI outcomes. CONCLUSION ASS has a genetic origin, and several genetic alterations related to the pathogenesis of this anomaly have been recently identified. Notably, only SUN5 and PMFBP1 mutations are well-known to be implicated in ASS. Accordingly, more functional studies are needed to confirm the pathogenicity of other variants. ICSI could provide a promising treatment for acephalic spermatozoa-associated male infertility. Besides the importance of sperm head-tail junction integrity, some other factors, whether within the sperm cell or female factors, may be involved in the ICSI outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziyeh Mazaheri Moghaddam
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Madiheh Mazaheri Moghaddam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Hamzeiy
- Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Genomize Inc., Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fariba Pashazadeh
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Sakhinia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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25
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26
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Gòdia M, Reverter A, González-Prendes R, Ramayo-Caldas Y, Castelló A, Rodríguez-Gil JE, Sánchez A, Clop A. A systems biology framework integrating GWAS and RNA-seq to shed light on the molecular basis of sperm quality in swine. Genet Sel Evol 2020; 52:72. [PMID: 33292187 PMCID: PMC7724732 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-020-00592-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic pressure in animal breeding is sparking the interest of breeders for selecting elite boars with higher sperm quality to optimize ejaculate doses and fertility rates. However, the molecular basis of sperm quality is not yet fully understood. Our aim was to identify candidate genes, pathways and DNA variants associated to sperm quality in swine by analysing 25 sperm-related phenotypes and integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and RNA-seq under a systems biology framework. RESULTS By GWAS, we identified 12 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to the percentage of head and neck abnormalities, abnormal acrosomes and motile spermatozoa. Candidate genes included CHD2, KATNAL2, SLC14A2 and ABCA1. By RNA-seq, we identified a wide repertoire of mRNAs (e.g. PRM1, OAZ3, DNAJB8, TPPP2 and TNP1) and miRNAs (e.g. ssc-miR-30d, ssc-miR-34c, ssc-miR-30c-5p, ssc-miR-191, members of the let-7 family and ssc-miR-425-5p) with functions related to sperm biology. We detected 6128 significant correlations (P-value ≤ 0.05) between sperm traits and mRNA abundances. By expression (e)GWAS, we identified three trans-expression QTL involving the genes IQCJ, ACTR2 and HARS. Using the GWAS and RNA-seq data, we built a gene interaction network. We considered that the genes and interactions that were present in both the GWAS and RNA-seq networks had a higher probability of being actually involved in sperm quality and used them to build a robust gene interaction network. In addition, in the final network we included genes with RNA abundances correlated with more than four semen traits and miRNAs interacting with the genes on the network. The final network was enriched for genes involved in gamete generation and development, meiotic cell cycle, DNA repair or embryo implantation. Finally, we designed a panel of 73 SNPs based on the GWAS, eGWAS and final network data, that explains between 5% (for sperm cell concentration) and 36% (for percentage of neck abnormalities) of the phenotypic variance of the sperm traits. CONCLUSIONS By applying a systems biology approach, we identified genes that potentially affect sperm quality and constructed a SNP panel that explains a substantial part of the phenotypic variance for semen quality in our study and that should be tested in other swine populations to evaluate its relevance for the pig breeding sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gòdia
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antonio Reverter
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Rd., St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Rayner González-Prendes
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yuliaxis Ramayo-Caldas
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (IRTA), Torre Marimon, 08140, Caldes de Montbui, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Castelló
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Unit of Animal Science, Department of Animal and Food Science, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joan-Enric Rodríguez-Gil
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Armand Sánchez
- Unit of Animal Science, Department of Animal and Food Science, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alex Clop
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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27
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Avidor-Reiss T, Carr A, Fishman EL. The sperm centrioles. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110987. [PMID: 32810575 PMCID: PMC7606549 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Centrioles are eukaryotic subcellular structures that produce and regulate massive cytoskeleton superstructures. They form centrosomes and cilia, regulate new centriole formation, anchor cilia to the cell, and regulate cilia function. These basic centriolar functions are executed in sperm cells during their amplification from spermatogonial stem cells during their differentiation to spermatozoa, and finally, after fertilization, when the sperm fuses with the egg. However, sperm centrioles exhibit many unique characteristics not commonly observed in other cell types, including structural remodeling, centriole-flagellum transition zone migration, and cell membrane association during meiosis. Here, we discuss five roles of sperm centrioles: orchestrating early spermatogenic cell divisions, forming the spermatozoon flagella, linking the spermatozoon head and tail, controlling sperm tail beating, and organizing the cytoskeleton of the zygote post-fertilization. We present the historic discovery of the centriole as a sperm factor that initiates embryogenesis, and recent genetic studies in humans and other mammals evaluating the current evidence for the five functions of sperm centrioles. We also examine information connecting the various sperm centriole functions to distinct clinical phenotypes. The emerging picture is that centrioles are essential sperm components with remarkable functional diversity and specialization that will require extensive and in-depth future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| | - Alexa Carr
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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28
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Chen CP, Chen CY, Chern SR, Wu PS, Chen SW, Chuang TY, Wang W. Detection of a familial 21q22.3 microduplication in a fetus associated with congenital heart defects. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 58:869-871. [PMID: 31759545 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We present a familial 21q22.3 microduplication in a fetus associated with prenatally detected congenital heart defects (CHD). CASE REPORT A 38-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 22 weeks of gestation because of sonographic findings of double outlet of right ventricle, ventricular septal defect and transposition of great artery in the fetus. Her husband was 42 years old, and there was no CHD and congenital malformation in the family. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY in the fetus. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis using uncultured amniocytes revealed a 0.56-Mb microduplication of 21q22.3 or arr 21q22.3 (47,482,210-48,043,704)×3.0 [GRCh37 (hg19)] encompassing nine Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) genes of FTCD, SPATC1L, LSS, MCM3AP, YBEY, PCNT, DIP2A, S100B and PRMT2. aCGH analysis of the parental bloods revealed that the phenotypically normal father carried the same microduplication. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy, and a 3168-g male baby was delivered at term without Down syndrome phenotype except CHD. Mutational analysis of the CRELD1 gene on the DNA extracted from the cord blood showed no mutation in CRELD1. Postnatal molecular cytogenetic analysis of the cord blood confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. The infant underwent a successful heart surgery to correct the CHD and was doing well without psychomotor or developmental delay at six months of age. CONCLUSION Prenatal diagnosis of 21q22.3 microduplication associated with CHD should include a differential diagnosis of Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chen-Yu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Schu-Rern Chern
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Shin-Wen Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yun Chuang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wayseen Wang
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Bioengineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Xie J, Yu J, Fan Y, Zhao X, Su J, Meng Y, Wu Y, Uddin MB, Wang C, Wang Z. Low dose lead exposure at the onset of puberty disrupts spermatogenesis-related gene expression and causes abnormal spermatogenesis in mouse. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 393:114942. [PMID: 32142724 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.114942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Implications of lead (Pb) exposure in dysregulated spermatogenesis in sexually active individuals during adulthood is well established; however, the effect of Pb exposure on spermatogenesis in the early stages of puberty is not clear yet. Moreover, the mechanism of Pb mediated dysregulation of spermatogenesis in adults is also poorly understood. Exposure to environmental toxicants during puberty may cause serious consequences in adulthood causing developmental retardations, especially in the reproductive system. Here we investigated the effects of lead exposure on spermatogenesis at the onset of puberty and the underlying mechanisms of these effects. Male ICR mice were exposed to low (50 mg/L) and high (200 mg/L) doses of Pb through the drinking water for 90 days. At the end of this period, the blood Pb level of the low-dose and high-dose exposure groups were found 6.14 ± 0.34 μg/dL and 11.92 ± 2.92 μg/dL respectively which were in agreement with the US CDC-recommended (5 μg/dL) and Chinese CDC-recommended (10 μg/dL) reference blood Pb level for the children. Although no visible toxicity was observed in either group, Pb exposure caused considerable histopathological changes in testis and epididymis; increased sperm DNA fragmentation indices as well as disrupted sperm heads and head-neck conjunctions. Moreover, both low and high-dose Pb exposures caused aberrant expressions of several important spermatogenesis-related genes in epididymis and testis. These results suggest that although the blood Pb levels are close to the recommended-reference values, low dose Pb exposure at the onset of puberty can disrupt spermatogenesis-related gene expression and cause abnormal mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yongsheng Fan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Jianmei Su
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yu Meng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Mohammad Burhan Uddin
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Chunhong Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
| | - Zhishan Wang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
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30
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Pineau C, Hikmet F, Zhang C, Oksvold P, Chen S, Fagerberg L, Uhlén M, Lindskog C. Cell Type-Specific Expression of Testis Elevated Genes Based on Transcriptomics and Antibody-Based Proteomics. J Proteome Res 2019; 18:4215-4230. [PMID: 31429579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the most complex organs in the human body is the testis, where spermatogenesis takes place. This physiological process involves thousands of genes and proteins that are activated and repressed, making testis the organ with the highest number of tissue-specific genes. However, the function of a large proportion of the corresponding proteins remains unknown and testis harbors many missing proteins (MPs), defined as products of protein-coding genes that lack experimental mass spectrometry evidence. Here, an integrated omics approach was used for exploring the cell type-specific protein expression of genes with an elevated expression in testis. By combining genome-wide transcriptomics analysis with immunohistochemistry, more than 500 proteins with distinct testicular protein expression patterns were identified, and these were selected for in-depth characterization of their in situ expression in eight different testicular cell types. The cell type-specific protein expression patterns allowed us to identify six distinct clusters of expression at different stages of spermatogenesis. The analysis highlighted numerous poorly characterized proteins in each of these clusters whose expression overlapped with that of known proteins involved in spermatogenesis, including 85 proteins with an unknown function and 60 proteins that previously have been classified as MPs. Furthermore, we were able to characterize the in situ distribution of several proteins that previously lacked spatial information and cell type-specific expression within the testis. The testis elevated expression levels both at the RNA and protein levels suggest that these proteins are related to testis-specific functions. In summary, the study demonstrates the power of combining genome-wide transcriptomics analysis with antibody-based protein profiling to explore the cell type-specific expression of both well-known proteins and MPs. The analyzed proteins constitute important targets for further testis-specific research in male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Pineau
- Univ Rennes , Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085 , 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.,Protim , Univ Rennes , 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Feria Hikmet
- Uppsala University , Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory , 75185 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Science for Life Laboratory , School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , 17121 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Per Oksvold
- Science for Life Laboratory , School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , 17121 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Shuqi Chen
- Science for Life Laboratory , School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , 17121 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Linn Fagerberg
- Science for Life Laboratory , School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , 17121 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Mathias Uhlén
- Science for Life Laboratory , School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology , 17121 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Uppsala University , Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory , 75185 Uppsala , Sweden
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31
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Gunasekara CJ, Scott CA, Laritsky E, Baker MS, MacKay H, Duryea JD, Kessler NJ, Hellenthal G, Wood AC, Hodges KR, Gandhi M, Hair AB, Silver MJ, Moore SE, Prentice AM, Li Y, Chen R, Coarfa C, Waterland RA. A genomic atlas of systemic interindividual epigenetic variation in humans. Genome Biol 2019; 20:105. [PMID: 31155008 PMCID: PMC6545702 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1708-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation is thought to be an important determinant of human phenotypic variation, but its inherent cell type specificity has impeded progress on this question. At exceptional genomic regions, interindividual variation in DNA methylation occurs systemically. Like genetic variants, systemic interindividual epigenetic variants are stable, can influence phenotype, and can be assessed in any easily biopsiable DNA sample. We describe an unbiased screen for human genomic regions at which interindividual variation in DNA methylation is not tissue-specific. RESULTS For each of 10 donors from the NIH Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) program, CpG methylation is measured by deep whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of genomic DNA from tissues representing the three germ layer lineages: thyroid (endoderm), heart (mesoderm), and brain (ectoderm). We develop a computational algorithm to identify genomic regions at which interindividual variation in DNA methylation is consistent across all three lineages. This approach identifies 9926 correlated regions of systemic interindividual variation (CoRSIVs). These regions, comprising just 0.1% of the human genome, are inter-correlated over long genomic distances, associated with transposable elements and subtelomeric regions, conserved across diverse human ethnic groups, sensitive to periconceptional environment, and associated with genes implicated in a broad range of human disorders and phenotypes. CoRSIV methylation in one tissue can predict expression of associated genes in other tissues. CONCLUSIONS In addition to charting a previously unexplored molecular level of human individuality, this atlas of human CoRSIVs provides a resource for future population-based investigations into how interindividual epigenetic variation modulates risk of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chathura J Gunasekara
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - C Anthony Scott
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eleonora Laritsky
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria S Baker
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harry MacKay
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jack D Duryea
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Noah J Kessler
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keneba, The Gambia
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Garrett Hellenthal
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alexis C Wood
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly R Hodges
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Manisha Gandhi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy B Hair
- Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matt J Silver
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keneba, The Gambia
| | - Sophie E Moore
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keneba, The Gambia
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew M Prentice
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keneba, The Gambia
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Robert A Waterland
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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