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Leung MR, Zeng J, Wang X, Roelofs MC, Huang W, Zenezini Chiozzi R, Hevler JF, Heck AJR, Dutcher SK, Brown A, Zhang R, Zeev-Ben-Mordehai T. Structural specializations of the sperm tail. Cell 2023; 186:2880-2896.e17. [PMID: 37327785 PMCID: PMC10948200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility is crucial to reproductive success in sexually reproducing organisms. Impaired sperm movement causes male infertility, which is increasing globally. Sperm are powered by a microtubule-based molecular machine-the axoneme-but it is unclear how axonemal microtubules are ornamented to support motility in diverse fertilization environments. Here, we present high-resolution structures of native axonemal doublet microtubules (DMTs) from sea urchin and bovine sperm, representing external and internal fertilizers. We identify >60 proteins decorating sperm DMTs; at least 15 are sperm associated and 16 are linked to infertility. By comparing DMTs across species and cell types, we define core microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) and analyze evolution of the tektin bundle. We identify conserved axonemal microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) with unique tubulin-binding modes. Additionally, we identify a testis-specific serine/threonine kinase that links DMTs to outer dense fibers in mammalian sperm. Our study provides structural foundations for understanding sperm evolution, motility, and dysfunction at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ricardo Leung
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jianwei Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xiangli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marc C Roelofs
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Riccardo Zenezini Chiozzi
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes F Hevler
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Susan K Dutcher
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alan Brown
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Zhang X, Peng J, Wu M, Sun A, Wu X, Zheng J, Shi W, Gao G. Broad phosphorylation mediated by testis-specific serine/threonine kinases contributes to spermiogenesis and male fertility. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2629. [PMID: 37149634 PMCID: PMC10164148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies elucidate a link between testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) and male infertility in mammals, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify a TSSK homolog in Drosophila, CG14305 (termed dTSSK), whose mutation impairs the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis and causes multiple phenotypic defects in nuclear shaping, DNA condensation, and flagellar organization in spermatids. Genetic analysis demonstrates that kinase catalytic activity of dTSSK, which is functionally conserved with human TSSKs, is essential for male fertility. Phosphoproteomics identify 828 phosphopeptides/449 proteins as potential substrates of dTSSK enriched primarily in microtubule-based processes, flagellar organization and mobility, and spermatid differentiation and development, suggesting that dTSSK phosphorylates various proteins to orchestrate postmeiotic spermiogenesis. Among them, the two substrates, protamine-like protein Mst77F/Ser9 and transition protein Mst33A/Ser237, are biochemically validated to be phosphorylated by dTSSK in vitro, and are genetically demonstrated to be involved in spermiogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that broad phosphorylation mediated by TSSKs plays an indispensable role in spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedi Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghua Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Angyang Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangfei Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanjun Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Lan T, Li H, Yang S, Shi M, Han L, Sahu SK, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhou M, Liu H, Huang J, Wang Q, Zhu Y, Wang L, Xu Y, Lin C, Liu H, Hou Z. The chromosome-scale genome of the raccoon dog: Insights into its evolutionary characteristics. iScience 2022; 25:105117. [PMID: 36185367 PMCID: PMC9523411 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Lan
- BGI Life Science Joint Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Haimeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shangchen Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Minhui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Han
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Sunil Kumar Sahu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Yaxian Lu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jiangang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Mengchao Zhou
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Junxuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yanchun Xu
- BGI Life Science Joint Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Chuyu Lin
- Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518120, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Huan Liu
- BGI Life Science Joint Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Zhijun Hou
- BGI Life Science Joint Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Corresponding author
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4
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Wang X, Pei J, Xiong L, Guo S, Cao M, Kang Y, Bao P, Wu X, Chu M, Liang C, Yan P, Guo X. Identification of the TSSK4 Alternative Spliceosomes and Analysis of the Function of the TSSK4 Protein in Yak (Bos grunniens). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111380. [PMID: 35681843 PMCID: PMC9179852 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the testis-specific serine/threonine kinase (TSSK) is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. TSSK4 belongs to the family of the testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase (TSSK), with a crucial role in spermatogenesis. This study aimed to analyze the variable spliceosome of the TSSK4 gene in the yak for understanding the regulatory function of the TSSK4 spliceosome in yak testis development using PCR amplification and cloning techniques. The GST pull-down was used for pulling down the protein interacting with TSSK4, and then the protein interacting with TSSK4 was identified using LC–MS/MS. The results of the PCR amplification demonstrated multiple bands of the TSSK4 gene in the yak. The cloning and sequencing yielded a total of six alternative spliceosomes, which included only two alternative spliceosomes before sexual maturity and four alternative spliceosomes after sexual maturity. The sub-cells of the alternative spliceosomes were found to localize in the nucleus before sexual maturity and in the cytoplasm after sexual maturity. The LC–MS/MS analysis of the alternative spliceosome with the highest expression after sexual maturity yielded a total of 223 interacting proteins. The enrichment analysis of the 223 interacting proteins revealed these proteins participate in biological processes, cell composition, and molecular functions. The KEGG analysis indicated that the TSSK4-interacting protein participates in the estrogen signaling pathways, tight junctions, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing, and other signaling pathways. This study cloned the six alternative spliceosomes of the TSSK4 gene laying the foundation for studying the function of each spliceosome in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Mengli Cao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Yandong Kang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Pengjia Bao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Chunnian Liang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Ping Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; (X.W.); (J.P.); (L.X.); (S.G.); (M.C.); (Y.K.); (P.B.); (X.W.); (M.C.); (C.L.); (P.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1899-3037-854
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5
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Yu R, Chen X, Zhu X, He B, Lu C, Liu Y, Xu X, Wu X. ATF6 deficiency damages the development of spermatogenesis in male Atf6 knockout mice. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14350. [PMID: 34904262 DOI: 10.1111/and.14350] [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: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), also known as ACHM7, ATF6A, encodes a transcription factor that activates target genes for the unfolded protein response (UPR) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It functions as nuclear transcription factor via a cis-acting ER stress response element (ERSE) that is presented in the promoters of genes encoding ER chaperones. Studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) can cause damage to spermatozoa and testes, leading to male sterility. And we find that the expression of ATF6 in spermatozoa of some infertile patients is significantly reduced. Then, we construct the Atf6 knockout mice model and interestingly find a decline in male fertility. The downstream gene testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 (Tssk4) is screened based on transcriptome sequencing. We use Western blot and real-time PCR to confirm this result in both 293T cells and Atf6 knockout mice. TSSK4 is essential in male germ cell genesis and sperm maturation. Our results suggest that the expression of TSSK4 may be regulated by ATF6. The effect of Atf6 knockout on the reproductive development of male mice may be related to the low expression of TSSK4, which further verify that there may be some relationship between ERS and male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xihua Chen
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xilin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bin He
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Lu
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangbo Xu
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaopan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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6
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Salicioni AM, Gervasi MG, Sosnik J, Tourzani DA, Nayyab S, Caraballo DA, Visconti PE. Testis-specific serine kinase protein family in male fertility and as targets for non-hormonal male contraception†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:264-274. [PMID: 32337545 PMCID: PMC7401350 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Male contraception is a very active area of research. Several hormonal agents have entered clinical trials, while potential non-hormonal targets have been brought to light more recently and are at earlier stages of development. The general strategy is to target genes along the molecular pathways of sperm production, maturation, or function, and it is predicted that these novel approaches will hopefully lead to more selective male contraceptive compounds with a decreased side effect burden. Protein kinases are known to play a major role in signaling events associated with sperm differentiation and function. In this review, we focus our analysis on the testis-specific serine kinase (TSSK) protein family. We have previously shown that members of the family of TSSKs are postmeiotically expressed in male germ cells and in mature mammalian sperm. The restricted postmeiotic expression of TSSKs as well as the importance of phosphorylation in signaling processes strongly suggests that TSSKs have an important role in germ cell differentiation and/or sperm function. This prediction has been supported by the reported sterile phenotype of the Tssk6 knockout (KO) mice and of the double Tssk1 and Tssk2 KO mice and by the male subfertile phenotype observed in a Tssk4 KO mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
| | - Julian Sosnik
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Saman Nayyab
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Diego A Caraballo
- IFIBYNE-CONICET, Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Integrated Sciences Building 427S, 661 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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7
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Kim EJ, Kim SJ, Park CJ, Nam YK. Characterization of testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 1-like (TSSK1-like) gene and expression patterns in diploid and triploid Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai; Gastropoda; Mollusca) males. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226022. [PMID: 31825975 PMCID: PMC6905558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 1-like (TSSK1-like), which plays important roles in late-phase spermatogenesis and male fertility, was characterized in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai, an important commercial marine gastropod. Further, its expression patterns were assessed in diploid and induced triploid males showing differential degrees of testis maturation. Abalone TSSK1-like shared conserved structural features with mammalian TSSK1s and other potential metazoan orthologs, especially regarding the catalytic STKc domain. Phylogenetically, abalone TSSK1-like displayed a genetic affiliation with its molluscan TSSK1-like orthologs and human TSSK1. Additionally, abalone TSSK1-like gene showed a tetrapartite exon-intron organization, unlike the intronless structure of most amniotic tetrapodian TSSK1s. Molecular phylogenetic analysis in the metazoan lineage suggested a possible revision in the origin of the earliest ancestral TSSK1. Further, abalone TSSK1-like showed testis-predominant expression, which was significantly influenced by both age and seasonal reproductive cycles. Comparative expression analyses between diploid and triploid abalone males suggested that robust TSSK1-like expression occurred primarily at the post-meiotic stage. Additionally, RT-PCR assay indicates that mature abalone sperms retain TSSK1-like transcripts after release. Taken together, this study provides useful insights for further studies to assess male reproduction and sterility and/or partial fertility of induced male triploidy in abalone species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jeong Kim
- Department of Marine Bio-Materials and Aquaculture, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jeong Kim
- Department of Marine Bio-Materials and Aquaculture, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Choul Ji Park
- Genetics and Breeding Research Center, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Geoje, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kwon Nam
- Department of Marine Bio-Materials and Aquaculture, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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8
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Shetty J, Sinville R, Shumilin IA, Minor W, Zhang J, Hawkinson JE, Georg GI, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. Recombinant production of enzymatically active male contraceptive drug target hTSSK2 - Localization of the TSKS domain phosphorylated by TSSK2. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 121:88-96. [PMID: 26777341 PMCID: PMC4866589 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The testis-specific serine/threonine kinase 2 (TSSK2) has been proposed as a candidate male contraceptive target. Development of a selective inhibitor for this kinase first necessitates the production of highly purified, soluble human TSSK2 and its substrate, TSKS, with high yields and retention of biological activity for crystallography and compound screening. Strategies to produce full-length, soluble, biologically active hTSSK2 in baculovirus expression systems were tested and refined. Soluble preparations of TSSK2 were purified by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) followed by gel filtration chromatography. The biological activities of rec.hTSSK2 were verified by in vitro kinase and mobility shift assays using bacterially produced hTSKS (isoform 2), casein, glycogen synthase peptide (GS peptide) and various TSKS peptides as target substrates. Purified recombinant hTSSK2 showed robust kinase activity in the in vitro kinase assay by phosphorylating hTSKS isoform 2 and casein. The ATP Km values were similar for highly and partially purified fractions of hTSSK2 (2.2 and 2.7 μM, respectively). The broad spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine was a potent inhibitor of rec.hTSSK2 (IC50 = 20 nM). In vitro phosphorylation experiments carried out with TSKS (isoform 1) fragments revealed particularly strong phosphorylation of a recombinant N-terminal region representing aa 1-150 of TSKS, indicating that the N-terminus of human TSKS is phosphorylated by human TSSK2. Production of full-length enzymatically active recombinant TSSK2 kinase represents the achievement of a key benchmark for future discovery of TSSK inhibitors as male contraceptive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagathpala Shetty
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rondedrick Sinville
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Igor A Shumilin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jianhai Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Jon E Hawkinson
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charles J Flickinger
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John C Herr
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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9
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Wang XL, Wei YH, Fu GL, Yu L. Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) leads to cell apoptosis relying on its kinase activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 35:235-240. [PMID: 25877358 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-015-1417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) belongs to the TSSK family, and its members play an important role in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Mouse TSSK4 has been reported to be expressed exclusively in the testis and can maintain its kinase activity through autophosphorylation at Thr-197. However, its biological function remains poorly understood. Here we found that GFP-TSSK4-overexpressed HeLa cells showed apoptotic bodies, indicating TSSK4 can lead to apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, TSSK4 induced apoptosis in different cell lines including HeLa, Cos-7 and H1299 tested by flow cytometry but not its kinase-dead mutant TSSK4-K54M. TSSK4 knockout mice showed increased testes weight and decreased apoptotic spermatogonia and spermatocytes at 21st day after birth tested by TUNEL technology. So TSSK4 was able to induce cell apoptosis in vitro depending on its kinase activity, which leads to abnormal testes weight and apoptosis, shedding light on its function in the process of spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - You-Heng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Guo-Long Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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10
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Baker MA, Aitken RJ. Proteomic insights into spermatozoa: critiques, comments and concerns. Expert Rev Proteomics 2014; 6:691-705. [DOI: 10.1586/epr.09.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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11
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Cloning and expression of Tssk1 & Tssk2 in mice and the presence & localization of them in mature sperm. Zool Res 2013; 33:381-8. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1141.2012.04381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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12
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Shang P, Hoogerbrugge J, Baarends WM, Grootegoed JA. Evolution of testis-specific kinases TSSK1B and TSSK2 in primates. Andrology 2012; 1:160-8. [PMID: 23258646 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2012.00021.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinases TSSK1 and TSSK2 are known to be essential for male fertility, in mice. The enzymes are present in elongating spermatids, and targeted deletion of the two genes Tssk1 and Tssk2 results in dysregulation of spermiogenesis. The mouse genes are genetically closely linked, forming a Tssk1-Tssk2 tandem. In human, TSSK1 is present in the form of a pseudogene, TSSK1A, which is linked to an intact TSSK2 gene, and in the form of an intact gene, TSSK1B, which is not genetically linked to TSSK2. Studies on conservation of genes and gene function between mouse and human are relevant, to be able to use mouse models for studies on human infertility, and to evaluate possible targets for non-hormonal contraception targeting the male. Therefore, we have performed a detailed analysis of the evolution of genes encoding TSSK1 and TSSK2 among mammals, in particular among primates. This study includes functional analysis of replacement mutation K27R in TSSK2, which is frequently observed among humans. In primates, the kinase domains of TSSK1B and TSSK2 have evolved under negative selection, reflecting the importance to maintain their kinase activity. Positive selection was observed for the C-terminal domain of TSSK1B, which indicates that TSSK1B and TSSK2 may perform at least partly differential functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Shang
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Testis specific serine/threonine kinase 4 (Tssk4) maintains its kinase activity by phosphorylating itself at Thr-197. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 40:439-47. [PMID: 23054012 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase family (Tssk) members play important roles in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Similar to other Tssk family members, Tssk4 protein shows exclusive expression in testis, but its biochemical and biological functions are still largely unknown. In present work, we generate a polyclonal antibody which specifically recognizes Tssk4 but not the other three Tssk family members (Tssk1, Tssk2 and Tssk3). By using the qualified antibody, we show that Tssk4 protein is constantly expressed in testis from haploid round spermatids to morphological mature spermatozoa. Further experiments reveal that Tssk4 has autophosphorylation activity and self-association character in vitro. Importantly, we find that autophosphorylation of Tssk4 at Thr-197 in the T-loop region is essential to its kinase activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that autophosphorylation at Thr-197 plays a critical role in maintaining Tssk4 kinase activity, which might be involved in spermiogenesis.
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14
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Carrell DT, Aston KI. The search for SNPs, CNVs, and epigenetic variants associated with the complex disease of male infertility. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2011; 57:17-26. [PMID: 21208142 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2010.521615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of idiopathic male infertility has long been the focus of many researchers. Numerous recent studies have attempted to identify relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through medical re-sequencing studies in which candidate genes are sequenced in large numbers of cases and controls in the search for risk or causative polymorphisms. Two major characteristics have limited the utility of the re-sequencing studies. First, reported SNPs have only accounted for a small percentage of idiopathic male infertility. Second, SNPs reported to have an association with male infertility based on gene re-sequencing studies often fail validation in follow-up studies. Recent advances in the tools available for genetic studies have enabled interrogation of the entire genome in search of common, and more recently, rare variants. In this review, we discuss the progress of studies on genetic and epigenetic variants of male infertility as well as future directions that we predict will be the most productive in identifying the genetic basis for male factor infertility based on our current state of knowledge in this field as well as lessons learned about the genetic basis for complex diseases from other disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas T Carrell
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA.
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15
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Aston KI, Krausz C, Laface I, Ruiz-Castané E, Carrell DT. Evaluation of 172 candidate polymorphisms for association with oligozoospermia or azoospermia in a large cohort of men of European descent. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:1383-97. [PMID: 20378615 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of tremendous efforts by a number of groups, the search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with male factor infertility by means of gene re-sequencing studies has yielded few likely candidates. A recent pilot, genome-wide SNP association study (GWAS) identified a list of SNPs associated with oligozoospermia and azoospermia. This is an expanded follow-up study of the SNPs identified by the GWAS as well as other SNPs from previously published gene re-sequencing studies. METHODS On the basis of the pilot GWAS and SNPs with published associations with male infertility, 172 SNPs were genotyped in men with idiopathic azoospermia or oligozoospermia using the Illumina BeadXpress platform. RESULTS Several SNPs were identified or confirmed to be significantly associated with oligozoospermia and/or azoospermia. More importantly, this follow-up study indicates that, at least in Caucasian men, no single common SNP accounts for a significant proportion of spermatogenic failure cases. CONCLUSIONS The associations reported in this study are promising, but much larger genome-wide studies will be necessary to confidently validate these SNPs and identify novel SNPs associated with male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Coppola MA, Klotz KL, Kim KA, Cho HY, Kang J, Shetty J, Howards SS, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC. SpermCheck Fertility, an immunodiagnostic home test that detects normozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:853-61. [PMID: 20139122 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A simple and inexpensive home sperm test could be of considerable value to couples attempting to conceive and to men curious about their fertility potential. A two-strip lateral flow immunochromatographic diagnostic device that allows men to evaluate their sperm count at low cost in the privacy of their own homes is described. METHODS The ability of SpermCheck Fertility to predict sperm counts obtained using a hemacytometer procedure based on standard World Health Organization methodology was assessed. Test results obtained by lay users were also compared with those obtained by trained laboratory professionals, and the ease of use of the device was evaluated in consumer studies. RESULTS A total of 225 semen samples were analyzed in the method comparison, and the performance of SpermCheck Fertility was excellent with over 96% of all samples correctly classified as normozoospermic (> or =2 x 10(7) sperm/ml), oligozoospermic (5 x 10(6)-2 x 10(7) sperm/ml) or severely oligozoospermic (<5 x 10(6) sperm/ml). Consumer studies with 164 lay users demonstrated that SpermCheck Fertility was easy to use. Lay users and laboratory professionals agreed 95% of the time when reading the same test independently. Overall, the correct response rate on a 20-question survey about the test was over 97%. CONCLUSIONS SpermCheck Fertility is a simple and reliable immunodiagnostic test that can quickly inform men as to whether their sperm count is normal, low or very low. This home test can assist couples in deciding whether to seek comprehensive clinical evaluation of the fertility status of the male partner.
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Su D, Zhang W, Yang Y, Zhang H, Liu YQ, Bai G, Ma YX, Peng Y, Zhang SZ. c.822+126T>G/C: a novel triallelic polymorphism of the TSSK6 gene associated with spermatogenic impairment in a Chinese population. Asian J Androl 2009; 12:234-9. [PMID: 20037600 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2009.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
TSSK6 is a member of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinase family. Male Tssk6 knockout mice are infertile owing to spermatogenic impairment, including sperm count reduction, a decrease in motile sperm number and motility rates, and an increase in the number of sperms with abnormal morphology. We investigated the possible association between variations of the TSSK6 gene and spermatogenic impairment in humans. Mutation screening of TSSK6 was carried out in 519 patients with azoospermia (n = 273) or severe oligozoospermia (n = 246) and in 359 controls with normozoospermia by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of gene polymorphism were compared between patients and controls. A novel triallelic polymorphism in TSSK6, c.822+126T>G/C, was identified. The frequencies of genotype TT and allele T were increased dramatically in infertile patients compared with controls, whereas genotype TG, allele G and allele C frequencies were significantly higher in controls than in patients. Further study revealed that the allele C frequency of controls was remarkably higher than that of patients with oligospermia. Our findings, for the first time, suggested an association of c.822+126T>G/C in TSSK6 with spermatogenic impairment in humans in which allele T may be a risk factor for male infertility, while alleles C and G may decrease susceptibility to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Su
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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