1
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Wu Z, Chen X, Yan T, Yu L, Zhang L, Zheng M, Zhu H. Rreb1 is a key transcription factor in Sertoli cell maturation and function and spermatogenesis in mouse. ZYGOTE 2024; 32:130-138. [PMID: 38248872 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199423000655] [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] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a developmental process driven by interactions between germ cells and Sertoli cells. This process depends on appropriate gene expression, which might be regulated by transcription factors. This study focused on Rreb1, a zinc finger transcription factor, and explored its function and molecular mechanisms in spermatogenesis in a mouse model. Our results showed that RREB1 was predominantly expressed in the Sertoli cells of the testis. The decreased expression of RREB1 following injection of siRNA caused impaired Sertoli cell development, which was characterized using a defective blood-testis barrier structure and decreased expression of Sertoli cell functional maturity markers; its essential trigger might be SMAD3 destabilization. The decreased expression of RREB1 in mature Sertoli cells influenced the cell structure and function, which resulted in abnormal spermatogenesis, manifested as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and we believe RREB1 plays this role by regulating the transcription of Fshr and Wt1. RREB1 has been reported to activate Fshr transcription, and we demonstrated that the knockdown of Rreb1 caused a reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the testis, which could be the cause of the increased sperm malformation. Furthermore, we confirmed that RREB1 directly activates Wt1 promoter activity, and RREB1 downregulation induced the decreased expression of Wt1 and its downstream polarity-associated genes Par6b and E-cadherin, which caused increased germ-cell death and reduced sperm number and motility. In conclusion, RREB1 is a key transcription factor essential for Sertoli cell development and function and is required for normal spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tong Yan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longsheng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meimei Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center of No. 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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2
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Hannon Bozorgmehr J. Four classic "de novo" genes all have plausible homologs and likely evolved from retro-duplicated or pseudogenic sequences. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:6. [PMID: 38315248 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-023-02090-6] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite being previously regarded as extremely unlikely, the idea that entirely novel protein-coding genes can emerge from non-coding sequences has gradually become accepted over the past two decades. Examples of "de novo origination", resulting in lineage-specific "orphan" genes, lacking coding orthologs, are now produced every year. However, many are likely cases of duplicates that are difficult to recognize. Here, I re-examine the claims and show that four very well-known examples of genes alleged to have emerged completely "from scratch"- FLJ33706 in humans, Goddard in fruit flies, BSC4 in baker's yeast and AFGP2 in codfish-may have plausible evolutionary ancestors in pre-existing genes. The first two are likely highly diverged retrogenes coding for regulatory proteins that have been misidentified as orphans. The antifreeze glycoprotein, moreover, may not have evolved from repetitive non-genic sequences but, as in several other related cases, from an apolipoprotein that could have become pseudogenized before later being reactivated. These findings detract from various claims made about de novo gene birth and show there has been a tendency not to invest the necessary effort in searching for homologs outside of a very limited syntenic or phylostratigraphic methodology. A robust approach is used for improving detection that draws upon similarities, not just in terms of statistical sequence analysis, but also relating to biochemistry and function, to obviate notable failures to identify homologs.
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3
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Chen Y, Luo M, Tu H, Qi Y, Guo Y, Zhang X, Cui Y, Gao M, Zhou X, Zhu T, Zhu H, Situ C, Li Y, Guo X. STYXL1 regulates CCT complex assembly and flagellar tubulin folding in sperm formation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:44. [PMID: 38168070 PMCID: PMC10761714 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44337-1] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tubulin-based microtubule is a core component of flagella axoneme and essential for sperm motility and male fertility. Structural components of the axoneme have been well explored. However, how tubulin folding is regulated in sperm flagella formation is still largely unknown. Here, we report a germ cell-specific co-factor of CCT complex, STYXL1. Deletion of Styxl1 results in male infertility and microtubule defects of sperm flagella. Proteomic analysis of Styxl1-/- sperm reveals abnormal downregulation of flagella-related proteins including tubulins. The N-terminal rhodanese-like domain of STYXL1 is important for its interactions with CCT complex subunits, CCT1, CCT6 and CCT7. Styxl1 deletion leads to defects in CCT complex assembly and tubulin polymerization. Collectively, our findings reveal the vital roles of germ cell-specific STYXL1 in CCT-facilitated tubulin folding and sperm flagella development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Medical Research Center, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213000, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengmeng Gao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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4
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Li Z, Li R, Ren H, Qin C, Su J, Song X, Wang S, Liu Q, Liu Y, Cui K. Role of Different Members of the AGPAT Gene Family in Milk Fat Synthesis in Bubalus bubalis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2072. [PMID: 38003015 PMCID: PMC10671497 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112072] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
During triacylglycerol synthesis, the acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) family catalyzes the conversion of lysophosphatidic acid to phosphatidic acid and the acylation of sn-2 fatty acids. However, the catalytic activity of different AGPAT members is different. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism through which different AGPATs affect the efficiency of TAG synthesis and fatty acid composition. The conservation of amino acid sequences and protein domains of the AGPAT family was analyzed, and the functions of AGPAT1, AGPAT3, and AGPAT4 genes in buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were studied using RNA interference and gene overexpression. Prediction of the protein tertiary structure of the AGPAT family demonstrated that four conservative motifs (motif1, motif2, motif3, and motif6) formed a hydrophobic pocket in AGPAT proteins, except AGPAT6. According to cytological studies, AGPAT1, AGPAT3, and AGPAT4 were found to promote the synthesis and fatty acid compositions of triacylglycerol, especially UFA compositions of triacylglycerol, by regulating ACSL1, FASN, GPAM, DGAT2, and PPARG gene expression. This study provides new insights into the role of different AGPAT gene family members involved in TAG synthesis, and a reference for improving the fatty acid composition of milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Ruijia Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Honghe Ren
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Chaobin Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Jie Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Xinhui Song
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Shuwan Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Disease Control, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.L.); (H.R.); (C.Q.); (J.S.); (X.S.); (S.W.)
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China; (Q.L.); (K.C.)
| | - Yang Liu
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Analysis and Test Research, Nanning 530022, China;
| | - Kuiqing Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China; (Q.L.); (K.C.)
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Peng F, Muhuitijiang B, Zhou J, Liang H, Zhang Y, Zhou R. An artificial neural network model to diagnose non-obstructive azoospermia based on RNA-binding protein-related genes. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:3120-3140. [PMID: 37116198 PMCID: PMC10188335 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204674] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe form of male infertility, but its pathological mechanisms and diagnostic biomarkers remain obscure. Since the dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) had nonnegligible effects on spermatogenesis, we aimed to investigate the functions and diagnosis values of RBPs in NOA. 58 testicular samples (control = 11, NOA = 47) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were set as the training cohort. Three public datasets, containing GSE45885 (control = 4, NOA = 27), GSE45887 (control = 4, NOA = 16), and GSE145467 (control = 10, NOA = 10), and 44 clinical samples from the local hospital (control = 27, NOA = 17) were used for validation. Through a series of bioinformatical analyses and machine learning algorithms, including genomic difference detection, protein-protein interaction network analysis, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and Boruta, DDX20 and NCBP2 were determined as significant predictors of NOA. Single-cell RNA sequencing of 432 testicular cell samples from NOA patients indicated that DDX20 and NCBP2 were associated with spermatogenesis (false discovery rate < 0.05). Based on the transcriptome expressions of DDX20 and NCBP2, we constructed multiple diagnosis models using logistic regression, random forest, and artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN model exhibited the most reliable predictive performance in the training cohort (AUC = 0.840), GSE45885 (AUC = 0.731), GSE45887 (AUC = 0.781), GSE145467 (AUC = 0.850), and local cohort (AUC = 0.623). Totally, an ANN diagnosis model based on RBP DDX20 and NCBP2 was developed and externally validated in NOA, functioning as a promising tool in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Peng
- Department of Urology, Baoan Central Hospital of Shen Zhen, Shenzhen 518102, China
| | - Bahaerguli Muhuitijiang
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haoyu Liang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Baoan Central Hospital of Shen Zhen, Shenzhen 518102, China
| | - Ranran Zhou
- Department of Urology, Baoan Central Hospital of Shen Zhen, Shenzhen 518102, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
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6
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Chen Y, Zhang X, Jiang J, Luo M, Tu H, Xu C, Tan H, Zhou X, Chen H, Han X, Yue Q, Guo Y, Zheng K, Qi Y, Situ C, Cui Y, Guo X. Regulation of Miwi-mediated mRNA stabilization by Ck137956/Tssa is essential for male fertility. BMC Biol 2023; 21:89. [PMID: 37069605 PMCID: PMC10111675 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01589-z] [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: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm is formed through spermiogenesis, a highly complex process involving chromatin condensation that results in cessation of transcription. mRNAs required for spermiogenesis are transcribed at earlier stages and translated in a delayed fashion during spermatid formation. However, it remains unknown that how these repressed mRNAs are stabilized. RESULTS Here we report a Miwi-interacting testis-specific and spermiogenic arrest protein, Ck137956, which we rename Tssa. Deletion of Tssa led to male sterility and absence of sperm formation. The spermiogenesis arrested at the round spermatid stage and numerous spermiogenic mRNAs were down-regulated in Tssa-/- mice. Deletion of Tssa disrupted the localization of Miwi to chromatoid body, a specialized assembly of cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs) foci present in germ cells. We found that Tssa interacted with Miwi in repressed mRNPs and stabilized Miwi-interacting spermiogenesis-essential mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that Tssa is indispensable in male fertility and has critical roles in post-transcriptional regulations by interacting with Miwi during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiayin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengjiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Huanhuan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xudong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Li D, Yang J, Ma F, Malik V, Zang R, Shi X, Huang X, Zhou H, Wang J. The pluripotency factor Tex10 finetunes Wnt signaling for PGC and male germline development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529824. [PMID: 36865339 PMCID: PMC9980098 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Testis-specific transcript 10 (Tex10) is a critical factor for pluripotent stem cell maintenance and preimplantation development. Here, we dissect its late developmental roles in primordial germ cell (PGC) specification and spermatogenesis using cellular and animal models. We discover that Tex10 binds the Wnt negative regulator genes, marked by H3K4me3, at the PGC-like cell (PGCLC) stage in restraining Wnt signaling. Depletion and overexpression of Tex10 hyperactivate and attenuate the Wnt signaling, resulting in compromised and enhanced PGCLC specification efficiency, respectively. Using the Tex10 conditional knockout mouse models combined with single-cell RNA sequencing, we further uncover critical roles of Tex10 in spermatogenesis with Tex10 loss causing reduced sperm number and motility associated with compromised round spermatid formation. Notably, defective spermatogenesis in Tex10 knockout mice correlates with aberrant Wnt signaling upregulation. Therefore, our study establishes Tex10 as a previously unappreciated player in PGC specification and male germline development by fine-tuning Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Jihong Yang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Fanglin Ma
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Ruge Zang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Xianle Shi
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Jianlong Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
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Ahn J, Kim DH, Park MR, Suh Y, Lee H, Hwang S, Mamuad LL, Lee SS, Lee K. A novel testis-enriched gene, Samd4a, regulates spermatogenesis as a spermatid-specific factor. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:978343. [PMID: 36274854 PMCID: PMC9579339 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.978343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the highly orchestrated process involving expression of a series of testicular genes. Testis-enriched genes are critical for cellular processes during spermatogenesis whose disruption leads to impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility. Nevertheless, among poorly investigated testicular genes are the mouse Samd4a and human SAMD4A which were identified in the current study as novel testis-enriched genes through transcriptomic analyses. In particular, as orthologous alternative splicing isoforms, mouse Samd4a E-form and human SAMD4AC-form containing the SAM domain were specific to testes. Western blot analyses revealed that the murine SAMD4AE-form was predominantly found in the testis. Analyses on GEO2R and single-cell RNA-seq datasets revealed that the Samd4a/SAMD4A expression was enriched in spermatids among various types of cells in adult testes. To investigate in vivo functions of Samd4a, Samd4a knockout mice were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The Samd4a deficiency resulted in lower testis weight, absence of elongated spermatids, and an increased number of apoptotic cells. Profiling of gene expression in human testis samples revealed that the SAMD4A expression was comparable between obstructive azoospermia patients and normal controls, but significantly lowered in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Among three subgroups of NOA, pre-meiotic arrest (NOA-pre), meiotic arrest (NOA-mei), and post-meiotic arrest (NOA-post), expression level of SAMD4A was higher in the NOA-post than the NOA-mei, but there was no difference between the NOA-pre and NOA-mei. The current studies demonstrated spermatid stage-specific expression of Samd4a/SAMD4A, and impairment of the late stages of spermatogenesis by disruption of the mouse Samd4a gene. These data suggest that Samd4a/SAMD4A plays an essential role in normal spermatogenesis, and SAMD4A, as a spermatid specific marker, can be used for subcategorizing NOA patients. Further understanding the molecular role of SAMD4A will advance our knowledge on genetic regulations in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Ahn
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Dong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mi-Ryung Park
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Yeunsu Suh
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Haesun Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Seongsoo Hwang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Lovelia L. Mamuad
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sang Suk Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Sang Suk Lee, ; Kichoon Lee,
| | - Kichoon Lee
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sang Suk Lee, ; Kichoon Lee,
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9
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Khunsriraksakul C, McGuire D, Sauteraud R, Chen F, Yang L, Wang L, Hughey J, Eckert S, Dylan Weissenkampen J, Shenoy G, Marx O, Carrel L, Jiang B, Liu DJ. Integrating 3D genomic and epigenomic data to enhance target gene discovery and drug repurposing in transcriptome-wide association studies. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3258. [PMID: 35672318 PMCID: PMC9171100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30956-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) are popular approaches to test for association between imputed gene expression levels and traits of interest. Here, we propose an integrative method PUMICE (Prediction Using Models Informed by Chromatin conformations and Epigenomics) to integrate 3D genomic and epigenomic data with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) to more accurately predict gene expressions. PUMICE helps define and prioritize regions that harbor cis-regulatory variants, which outperforms competing methods. We further describe an extension to our method PUMICE +, which jointly combines TWAS results from single- and multi-tissue models. Across 79 traits, PUMICE + identifies 22% more independent novel genes and increases median chi-square statistics values at known loci by 35% compared to the second-best method, as well as achieves the narrowest credible interval size. Lastly, we perform computational drug repurposing and confirm that PUMICE + outperforms other TWAS methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chachrit Khunsriraksakul
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Daniel McGuire
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Renan Sauteraud
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Fang Chen
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Lina Yang
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Lida Wang
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Jordan Hughey
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Scott Eckert
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - J. Dylan Weissenkampen
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Ganesh Shenoy
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Olivia Marx
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Biomedical Science Program, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Laura Carrel
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Bibo Jiang
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Dajiang J. Liu
- grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA ,grid.29857.310000 0001 2097 4281Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
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10
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Oyama Y, Miyata H, Shimada K, Larasati T, Fujihara Y, Ikawa M. TULP2 deletion mice exhibit abnormal outer dense fiber structure and male infertility. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12467. [PMID: 35619658 PMCID: PMC9126596 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tulp2 (tubby-like protein 2) is a member of the tubby protein family and expressed predominantly in mouse testis. Recently, it was reported that Tulp2 knockout (KO) mice exhibited disrupted sperm tail morphology; however, it remains to be determined how TULP2 deletion causes abnormal tail formation. Methods The authors analyzed male fertility, sperm morphology, and motility of two Tulp2 KO mouse lines that were generated using the conventional method that utilizes homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells as well as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Furthermore, the authors observed the spermatogenesis of Tulp2 KO mice in more detail using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Results Both mouse lines of Tulp2 KO exhibited male infertility, abnormal tail morphology, and impaired sperm motility. No overt abnormalities were found in the formation of the mitochondrial sheath in Tulp2 KO mice using the freeze-fracture method with SEM. In contrast, abnormal outer dense fiber (ODF) structure was observed in Tulp2 KO testis with TEM. Conclusions TULP2 may play roles in the correct formation and/or maintenance of ODF, which may lead to abnormal tail morphology, impaired sperm motility, and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Oyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Graduate School of MedicineOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Bioscience and GeneticsNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterSuitaJapan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan,Center for Infectious Disease Education and ResearchOsaka UniversityOsakaJapan
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11
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Zhao H, Zhao T, Yang J, Huang Q, Wu H, Pan Y, Wang H, Qian Y. Epimedium protects against dyszoospermia in mice with Pex3 knockout by exerting antioxidant effects and regulating the expression level of P16. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:69. [PMID: 35058429 PMCID: PMC8776794 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the primary factors leading to male infertility. Oral administration of antioxidants has thus far been found to significantly improve the quality of human sperm. Therefore, antioxidant treatment has become the consensus among international experts on male infertility. In this study, peroxisomal biogenesis factor 3 (Pex3)-knockout (KO, -/-) mice were used as a model to compare the efficacy of three types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) granules (Epimedium [YYH], Cuscuta [TSZ], and Rhodiola [HJT]) for male reproductive function rescue. YYH was revealed to be the best and exerted a rescue effect on Pex3-/- mice with spermatogenesis defects. In addition, YYH prominently reduced ROS levels in the testes, inhibited DNA oxidative damage in spermatogenic cells, promoted the proliferation of spermatogenic cells, and inhibited apoptosis in Pex3-/- male mice. Furthermore, the mechanism by which YYH ameliorated dyszoospermia was confirmed via the establishment of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 A (P16Ink4a)-KO mice. Specifically, Pex3-/- mice produced elevated amounts of ROS, which damaged germ cell DNA and further activated the signaling pathway of the cell senescence regulatory protein P16-CDK6, resulting in cell cycle arrest and eventually contributing to spermatogenesis dysfunction. YYH supplementation partially corrected the associated phenotype in gene KO mice by affecting P16 expression levels, thus improving the reproductive outcome to a certain extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jihong Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianqian Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yueyun Pan
- First School Of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yun Qian
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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12
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Aluru N, Engelhardt J. OUP accepted manuscript. Toxicol Sci 2022; 188:75-87. [PMID: 35477799 PMCID: PMC9237993 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxicants during preconception has been shown to affect offspring health and epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are hypothesized to be involved in adverse outcomes. However, studies addressing the effects of exposure to environmental toxicants during preconception on epigenetic changes in gametes are limited. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of preconceptional exposure to a dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl [PCB126]) on DNA methylation and gene expression in testis. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 for 24 h and testis tissue was sampled at 7 days postexposure for histology, DNA methylation, and gene expression profiling. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed 37 and 92 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in response to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 exposures, respectively. Among them, 19 DMRs were found to be common between both PCB126 treatment groups. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of DMRs revealed that enrichment of terms such as RNA processing, iron-sulfur cluster assembly, and gluconeogenesis. Gene expression profiling showed differential expression of 40 and 1621 genes in response to 3 and 10 nM PCB126 exposures, respectively. GO analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment of terms related to xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune function. There is no overlap in the GO terms or individual genes between DNA methylation and RNA sequencing results, but functionally many of the altered pathways have been shown to cause spermatogenic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Engelhardt
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig D-04107, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna A-1030, Austria
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13
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Konishi H, Sato H, Takahashi K, Fujiya M. Tumor-Progressive Mechanisms Mediating miRNA-Protein Interaction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212303. [PMID: 34830186 PMCID: PMC8622902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded short-chain RNAs that are endogenously expressed in vertebrates; they are considered the fine-tuners of cellular protein expression that act by modifying mRNA translation. miRNAs control tissue development and differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis in cancer and non-cancer cells. Aberrant regulation of miRNAs is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases including cancer. Numerous investigations have shown that the changes in cellular miRNA expression in cancerous tissues and extracellular miRNAs enclosed in exosomes are correlated with cancer prognosis. Therefore, miRNAs can be used as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer in clinical applications. In the previous decade, miRNAs have been shown to regulate cellular functions by directly binding to proteins and mRNAs, thereby controlling cancer progression. This regulatory system implies that cancer-associated miRNAs can be applied as molecular-targeted therapy. This review discusses the roles of miRNA-protein systems in cancer progression and its future applications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Konishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced Medical Sciences, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-166-68-2462
| | - Hiroki Sato
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.S.); (K.T.)
| | - Kenji Takahashi
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.S.); (K.T.)
| | - Mikihiro Fujiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Advanced Medical Sciences, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan;
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.S.); (K.T.)
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