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Abstract
The kisspeptin system includes the cleavage products Kiss1 precursor and kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R). It was originally discovered and studied in cancer metastasis, but the identification of KISS1/KISS1R gene mutations causing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) revealed unexpected effects in reproduction. Nowadays, the kisspeptin system is the main central gatekeeper of the reproductive axis at puberty and adulthood, but it also has a widespread functional role in the control of endocrine functions. At the periphery, Kiss1 and Kiss1R are expressed in the testes, but the need for kisspeptin signaling for spermatogenesis and sperm quality is still unclear and debated. This brief manuscript summarizes the main findings on kisspeptin and male reproduction; upcoming data on sperm maturation are also discussed.
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Mele E, D’Auria R, Scafuro M, Marino M, Fasano S, Viggiano A, Pierantoni R, Santoro A, Meccariello R. Differential Expression of Kisspeptin System and Kisspeptin Receptor Trafficking during Spermatozoa Transit in the Epididymis. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020295. [PMID: 35205340 PMCID: PMC8871750 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus–pituitary–testis axis controls the production of spermatozoa, and the kisspeptin system, comprising Kiss1 and Kiss1 receptor (Kiss1R), is the main central gatekeeper. The activity of the kisspeptin system also occurs in testis and spermatozoa, but currently the need of peripheral kisspeptin to produce gametes is not fully understood. Hence, we characterized kisspeptin system in rat spermatozoa and epididymis caput and cauda and analyzed the possible presence of Kiss1 in the epididymal fluid. The presence of Kiss1 and Kiss1R in spermatozoa collected from epididymis caput and cauda was evaluated by Western blot; significant high Kiss1 levels in the caput (p < 0.001 vs. cauda) and constant levels of Kiss1R proteins were observed. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the localization of Kiss1R in sperm head shifts from the posterior region in the epididymis caput to perforatorium in the epididymis cauda. In spermatozoa-free epididymis, Western blot revealed higher expression of Kiss1 and Kiss1R in caput (p < 0.05 vs. cauda). Moreover, immunohistochemistry revealed that Kiss1 and Kiss1R proteins were mainly localized in the secretory epithelial cell types and in contractile myoid cells, respectively. Finally, both dot blot and Elisa revealed the presence of Kiss1 in the epididymal fluid collected from epididymis cauda and caput, indicating that rat epididymis and spermatozoa possess a complete kisspeptin system. In conclusion, we reported for the first time in rodents Kiss1R trafficking in spermatozoa during the epididymis transit and Kiss1 measure in the epididymal fluid, thus suggesting a possible role for the system in spermatozoa maturation and storage within the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mele
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy;
| | - Raffaella D’Auria
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.); (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Marika Scafuro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marianna Marino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.); (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinpoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.); (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Costantinpoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.F.); (R.P.)
| | - Antonietta Santoro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.); (M.M.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (R.M.)
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Meccariello R, Fasano S, Pierantoni R. Kisspeptins, new local modulators of male reproduction: A comparative overview. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 299:113618. [PMID: 32950583 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that leads to the production of male gametes within the testis through the coordination of mitotic, meiotic and differentiation events, under a deep control of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators along the Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. The kisspeptin system plays a fundamental role along the HPG axis as it is the main positive modulator upstream of the hypothalamic neurons that secrete the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), the decapeptide that supports pituitary gonadotropins and the production of gonadal sex steroid. Currently, kisspeptins and their receptor, KISS1R, have a recognized activity in the central control of puberty onset, sex maturation, reproduction and sex-steroid feedback mechanisms in both animal models and human. However, kisspeptin signaling has been widely reported in peripheral tissues, particularly in the testis of mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates, with functions related to Leydig cells physiology and steroid biosynthesis, spermatogenesis progression and spermatozoa functions, but its mandatory role within the testis is still a matter of discussion. This review provides a summary of the main intratesticular effects of kisspeptin in vertebrates, via a comparative approach. Particular emphasis was devoted to data from the anuran amphibian Pelophylax esculentus, the first animal model in which the direct intratesticular activity of kisspeptin was reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Meccariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
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Zhang H, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Zhang X, Wang Q, Liu X, Lin H. Kiss2 but not kiss1 is involved in the regulation of social stress on the gonad development in yellowtail clownfish, Amphiprion clarkii. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 298:113551. [PMID: 32687936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The yellowtail clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) is a hermaphrodite fish, whose sex differentiation and gonad development are closely related to its social status. The kisspeptin/KissR system is regarded as a key factor mediating social stress on reproductive regulation. In order to understand the effects of social rank stress on the yellowtail clownfish gonadal differentiation, full-length cDNAs of two paralogous genes encoding kisspeptin (kiss1 and kiss2) and KissR (kissr2 and kissr3) were cloned and characterized. The results of real-time PCR showed that kiss1 was primarily expressed in the hypothalamus, and kiss2/kissr2 were abundantly expressed in the liver, while kissr3 was almost exclusively concentrated in the cerebellum and pituitary. Moreover, both Kiss1-10 and Kiss2-10 peptides could initiate downstream signaling pathways by interacting with cognate receptors expressed in eukaryotic cells. Among the three social status groups, the mRNA levels of kiss2 in the hypothalamus and pituitary as well as kissr2 in the pituitary were significantly higher in subordinate individuals (nonbreeders) than dominate individuals (females and males); while the mRNA levels of kissr3 in the hypothalamus and gonad were low in subordinate individuals. Furthermore, the plasma estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels were higher in subordinate than dominate individuals. This study shows that kiss2 is involved in the regulation of social stress on the gonad development in the yellowtail clownfish, but not kiss1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yin Guo
- Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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Pape J, Herbison AE, Leeners B. Recovery of menses after functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea: if, when and why. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:130-153. [PMID: 33067637 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged amenorrhoea occurs as a consequence of functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) which is most often induced by weight loss, vigorous exercise or emotional stress. Unfortunately, removal of these triggers does not always result in the return of menses. The prevalence and conditions underlying the timing of return of menses vary strongly and some women report amenorrhoea several years after having achieved and maintained normal weight and/or energy balance. A better understanding of these factors would also allow improved counselling in the context of infertility. Although BMI, percentage body fat and hormonal parameters are known to be involved in the initiation of the menstrual cycle, their role in the physiology of return of menses is currently poorly understood. We summarise here the current knowledge on the epidemiology and physiology of return of menses. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this review was to provide an overview of (i) factors determining the recovery of menses and its timing, (ii) how such factors may exert their physiological effects and (iii) whether there are useful therapeutic options to induce recovery. SEARCH METHODS We searched articles published in English, French or German language containing keywords related to return of menses after FHA published in PubMed between 1966 and February 2020. Manuscripts reporting data on either the epidemiology or the physiology of recovery of menses were included and bibliographies were reviewed for further relevant literature. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria served to assess quality of observational studies. OUTCOMES Few studies investigate return of menses and most of them have serious qualitative and methodological limitations. These include (i) the lack of precise definitions for FHA or resumption of menses, (ii) the use of short observation periods with unsatisfactory descriptions and (iii) the inclusion of poorly characterised small study groups. The comparison of studies is further hampered by very inhomogeneous study designs. Consequently, the exact prevalence of resumption of menses after FHA is unknown. Also, the timepoint of return of menses varies strongly and reliable prediction models are lacking. While weight, body fat and energy availability are associated with the return of menses, psychological factors also have a strong impact on the menstrual cycle and on behaviour known to increase the risk of FHA. Drug therapies with metreleptin or naltrexone might represent further opportunities to increase the chances of return of menses, but these require further evaluation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Although knowledge on the physiology of return of menses is presently rudimentary, the available data indicate the importance of BMI/weight (gain), energy balance and mental health. The physiological processes and genetics underlying the impact of these factors on the return of menses require further research. Larger prospective studies are necessary to identify clinical parameters for accurate prediction of return of menses as well as reliable therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pape
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A E Herbison
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - B Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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Zhu N, Zhao M, Song Y, Ding L, Ni Y. The KiSS-1/GPR54 system: Essential roles in physiological homeostasis and cancer biology. Genes Dis 2020; 9:28-40. [PMID: 35005105 PMCID: PMC8720660 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
KiSS-1, first identified as an anti-metastasis gene in melanoma, encodes C-terminally amidated peptide products, including kisspeptin-145, kisspeptin-54, kisspeptin-14, kisspeptin-13 and kisspeptin-10. These products are endogenous ligands coupled to G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54)/hOT7T175/AXOR12. To date, the regulatory activities of the KiSS-1/GPR54 system, such as puberty initiation, antitumor metastasis, fertility in adulthood, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis) feedback, and trophoblast invasion, have been investigated intensively. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that KiSS-1 played a key role in reproduction and served as a promising biomarker relative to the diagnosis, identification of therapeutic targets and prognosis in various carcinomas, while few studies have systematically summarized its subjective factors and concluded the functions of KiSS-1/GPR54 signaling in physiology homeostasis and cancer biology. In this review, we retrospectively summarized the regulators of the KiSS-1/GPR54 system in different animal models and reviewed its functions according to physiological homeostasis regulations and above all, cancer biology, which provided us with a profound understanding of applying the KiSS-1/GPR54 system into medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Zhu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Mengxiang Zhao
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Yuxian Song
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Liang Ding
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Yanhong Ni
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
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Santoro A, Chianese R, Troisi J, Richards S, Nori SL, Fasano S, Guida M, Plunk E, Viggiano A, Pierantoni R, Meccariello R. Neuro-toxic and Reproductive Effects of BPA. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 17:1109-1132. [PMID: 31362658 PMCID: PMC7057208 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666190726112101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide. It has recognized activity as an endocrine-disrupting chemical and has suspected roles as a neurological and reproductive toxicant. It interferes in steroid signaling, induces oxidative stress, and affects gene expression epigenetically. Gestational, perinatal and neonatal exposures to BPA affect developmental processes, including brain development and gametogenesis, with consequences on brain functions, behavior, and fertility. Methods: This review critically analyzes recent findings on the neuro-toxic and reproductive effects of BPA (and its ana-logues), with focus on neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, glia and microglia activity, cognitive functions, and the central and local control of reproduction. Results: BPA has potential human health hazard associated with gestational, peri- and neonatal exposure. Beginning with BPA’s disposition, this review summarizes recent findings on the neurotoxicity of BPA and its analogues, on neuronal dif-ferentiation, synaptic plasticity, neuro-inflammation, neuro-degeneration, and impairment of cognitive abilities. Furthermore, it reports the recent findings on the activity of BPA along the HPG axis, effects on the hypothalamic Gonadotropin Releas-ing Hormone (GnRH), and the associated effects on reproduction in both sexes and successful pregnancy. Conclusion: BPA and its analogues impair neuronal activity, HPG axis function, reproduction, and fertility. Contrasting re-sults have emerged in animal models and human. Thus, further studies are needed to better define their safety levels. This re-view offers new insights on these issues with the aim to find the “fil rouge”, if any, that characterize BPA’s mechanism of action with outcomes on neuronal function and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Santoro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Rosanna Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Jacopo Troisi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy.,Theoreo srl - Spin-off company of the University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS), Salerno, Italy
| | - Sean Richards
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chattanooga, TN, United States.,Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, United States
| | - Stefania Lucia Nori
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Maurizio Guida
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy.,Theoreo srl - Spin-off company of the University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS), Salerno, Italy
| | - Elizabeth Plunk
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chattanooga, TN, United States
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Zhang R, Nie H, Duan S, Yan P, Izaz A, Wang R, Zhou Y, Wu X. Cloning, characterisation and expression profile of kisspeptin1 and the kisspeptin1 receptor in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis of Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis during the reproductive cycle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:792-804. [DOI: 10.1071/rd19332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptin1 (Kiss1), a product of the Kiss1 gene, plays an important role in the regulation of reproduction in vertebrates by activating the Kiss1 receptor (Kiss1R) and its coexpression with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in GnRH neurons. The purpose of this study was to clone the Kiss1 and Kiss1R genes found in the brain of Alligator sinensis and to explore their relationship with reproduction. The full-length cDNA of Kiss1 is 816bp, the open reading frame (ORF) is 417bp and the gene encodes a 138-amino acid precursor protein. The full-length cDNA of Kiss1R is 2348bp, the ORF is 1086bp and the gene encodes a 361-amino acid protein. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that, except for Kiss1R expression in the hypothalamus, the expression of Kiss1 and Kiss1Rduring the reproductive period of A. sinensis was higher than that in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovary during the hibernation period. The changes in GnRH2 mRNA in the hypothalamus were similar to those of GnRH1 and peaked during the reproductive period. This study confirms the existence of Kiss1 and Kiss1R in A. sinensis and the findings strongly suggest that Kiss1 and Kiss1R may participate in the regulation of GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus of alligators during the reproductive period. Furthermore, this is the first report of the full-length cDNA sequences of Kiss1 and Kiss1R in reptiles.
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Motti ML, Meccariello R. Minireview: The Epigenetic Modulation of KISS1 in Reproduction and Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16142607. [PMID: 31336647 PMCID: PMC6679060 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16142607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics describes how both lifestyle and environment may affect human health through the modulation of genome functions and without any change to the DNA nucleotide sequence. The discovery of several epigenetic mechanisms and the possibility to deliver epigenetic marks in cells, gametes, and biological fluids has opened up new perspectives in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. In this respect, the depth of knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms is fundamental to preserving health status and to developing targeted interventions. In this minireview, we summarize the epigenetic modulation of the KISS1 gene in order to provide an example of epigenetic regulation in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Motti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
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Ragusa M, Barbagallo D, Chioccarelli T, Manfrevola F, Cobellis G, Di Pietro C, Brex D, Battaglia R, Fasano S, Ferraro B, Sellitto C, Ambrosino C, Roberto L, Purrello M, Pierantoni R, Chianese R. CircNAPEPLD is expressed in human and murine spermatozoa and physically interacts with oocyte miRNAs. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1237-1248. [PMID: 31135264 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1624469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have a critical role in the control of gene expression. Their function in spermatozoa (SPZ) is unknown to date. Twenty-eight genes, involved in SPZ/testicular and epididymal physiology, were given in circBase database to find which of them may generate circular transcripts. We focused on circNAPEPLDiso1, one of the circular RNA isoforms of NAPEPLD transcript, because expressed in human and murine SPZ. In order to functionally characterize circNAPEPLDiso1 as potential microRNA (miRNA) sponge, we performed circNAPEPLDiso1-miR-CATCH and then profiled the expression of 754 miRNAs, by using TaqMan® Low Density Arrays. Among them, miRNAs 146a-5p, 203a-3p, 302c-3p, 766-3p and 1260a (some of them previously shown to be expressed in the oocyte), resulted enriched in circNAPEPLDiso1-miR-CATCHed cell lysate: the network of interactions generated from their validated targets was centred on a core of genes involved in the control of cell cycle. Moreover, computational analysis of circNAPEPLDiso1 sequence also showed its potential translation in a short form of NAPEPLD protein. Interestingly, the expression analysis in murine-unfertilized oocytes revealed low and high levels of circNAPEPLDiso1 and circNAPEPLDiso2, respectively. After fertilization, circNAPEPLDiso1 expression significantly increased, instead circNAPEPLDiso2 expression appeared constant. Based on these data, we suggest that SPZ-derived circNAPEPLDiso1 physically interacts with miRNAs primarily involved in the control of cell cycle; we hypothesize that it may represent a paternal cytoplasmic contribution to the zygote and function as a miRNA decoy inside the fertilized oocytes to regulate the first stages of embryo development. This role is proposed here for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ragusa
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy.,b Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS , Troina , Italy
| | - Davide Barbagallo
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Teresa Chioccarelli
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Francesco Manfrevola
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Gilda Cobellis
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Pietro
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Duilia Brex
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Rosalia Battaglia
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Silvia Fasano
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Bruno Ferraro
- d UOSD di Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione, Presidio Ospedaliero di Marcianise , Caserta , Italy
| | - Carolina Sellitto
- d UOSD di Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione, Presidio Ospedaliero di Marcianise , Caserta , Italy
| | - Concetta Ambrosino
- e Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università del Sannio , Benevento , Italy
| | - Luca Roberto
- f IRGS, Biogem , Ariano Irpino, Avellino , Italy
| | - Michele Purrello
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Rosanna Chianese
- c Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, sez "F. Bottazzi", Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Napoli , Italy
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