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Zhang YT, Shen G, Zhuo LC, Yang X, Wang SY, Ruan TC, Jiang C, Wang X, Wang Y, Yang YH, Shen Y. Novel variations in TENT5D lead to teratozoospermia in infertile patients. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38228861 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Teratozoospermia is the main pathogenic factor of male infertility. However, the genetic etiology of teratozoospermia is largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the relationship between novel variations in TENT5D and teratozoospermia in infertile patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two infertile patients were enrolled. Routine semen analysis of patients and normal controls was conducted with the WHO guidelines. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to identify pathogenic variants in the two patients. Morphology and ultrastructure analysis of spermatozoa in the two patients was determined by Papanicolaou staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The functional effect of the identified variants was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. The expression of TENT5D in different germ cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Two new hemizygous variations, c.101C > T (p.P34L) and c.125A > T (p.D42V), in TENT5D were detected in two patients with male infertility. Morphology analysis showed abnormalities in spermatozoa morphology in the two patients, including multiple heads, headless, multiple tails, coiled, and/or bent flagella. Ultrastructure analysis showed that most of the spermatozoa exhibited missing or irregularly arranged '9+2' structures. Further functional experiments confirmed the abrogated TENT5D protein expression in patients. In addition, both p.P34L and p.D42V substitutions resulted in a conformational change of the TENT5D protein. We precisely analyzed the subcellular localization of TENT5D in germ cells in humans and mice. And we found that TENT5D was predominantly detected in the head and flagellum of elongating spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed further evidence of a relationship between TENT5D mutation and human male infertility, providing new genetic insight for use in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Teng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gan Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang-Chai Zhuo
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Yan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tie-Chao Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Ali W, Deng K, Sun J, Ma Y, Liu Z, Zou H. A new insight of cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy during spermatogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101064-101074. [PMID: 37646926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29548-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a dynamic role in spermatozoa development during spermatogenesis. However, the disruption of autophagic flux induces cell death under metal toxicity and severe oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that cadmium-induced autophagy might be involved in this mechanism. To verify this hypothesis, we studied cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy within the testis. In the present study, treatment with cadmium caused nuclear depressive disorders and vacuolated mitochondrial damage of Sertoli cells. In addition, spermiophagy through the cellular evidence of spermatozoa phagocytosis, the high lysosomal activity (lysosome engulfment and phagolysosome), and autophagy activity (autolysosome and autophagosome) were observed in the Sertoli cells. The immunohistochemistry of lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP2) to target the phagocytosis of spermatozoa revealed that the immunoreactivity of LAMP2 was overstimulated in the luminal compartment of testis's seminiferous tubules. In addition, the immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence of autophagy-related protein and microtubule-associated light chain (LC3) results showed the strong immunoreactivity and immunosignaling of LC3 in the Sertoli cells of the testis. Moreover, cadmium caused the overactivation of the expression level of autophagy-related proteins, autophagy-related gene (ATG7), (ATG5), beclin1, LC3, sequestosome 1 (P62), and LAMP2 which were confirmed by western blotting. In summary, this study demonstrated that hazards related to cadmium-induced autophagic-associated spermiophagy with the disruption of autophagic flux, providing new insights into the toxicity of cadmium in mammals and representing a high risk to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Zhang G, Jiang C, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhou H, Dai S, Liu M, Yang Y, Yang L, Shen Q, Zhang T, Zhang X, Yang Y, Shen Y. Deficiency of cancer/testis antigen gene CT55 causes male infertility in humans and mice. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:500-514. [PMID: 36481789 PMCID: PMC9950085 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cancer/Testis Antigen (CTA) genes comprise a group of genes whose expression under physiological conditions is restricted to the testis but is activated in many human cancers. Depending on the particular expression pattern, the CTA genes are speculated to play a role in spermatogenesis, but evidence is limited thus far. Here, we reported patients with a hemizygous nonsense mutation in cancer-testis antigen 55 (CT55) suffering from male infertility with extreme disruption in sperm production, morphology, and locomotion. Specifically, the insufficiency of sperm individualization, excessive residue of unnecessary cytoplasm, and defects in acrosome development were evident in the spermatozoa of the patients. Furthermore, mouse models with depletion of Ct55 showed accelerated infertility with age, mimicking the defects in sperm individualization, unnecessary cytoplasm removal, and meanwhile exhibiting the disrupted cumulus-oocyte complex penetration. Mechanistically, our functional experiments uncovered CT55 as a new autophagic manipulator to regulate spermatogenesis via selectively interacting with LAMP2 and GABARAP (which are key regulators in the autophagy process) and further fine-tuning their expression. Therefore, our findings revealed CT55 as a novel CTA gene involved in spermatogenesis due to its unprecedented autophagy activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of reproductive medicine, Sichuan Provincial maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yushang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Haimeng Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Siyu Dai
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Mohan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yanting Yang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Li Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiongyan Shen
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421000, China.
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Ali W, Ma Y, Zhu J, Zou H, Liu Z. Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223601. [PMID: 36429028 PMCID: PMC9688678 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is a heavy toxic metal with unknown biological functions in the human body. Over time, cadmium accretion in the different visceral organs (liver, lungs, kidney, and testis) is said to impair the function of these organs, which is associated with a relatively long biological half-life and a very low rate of excretion. Recently studies have revealed that the testes are highly sensitive to cadmium. In this review, we discussed the adverse effect of cadmium on the development and biological functions of the testis. The Sertoli cells (SCs), seminiferous tubules, and Blood Testis Barrier are severely structurally damaged by cadmium, which results in sperm loss. The development and function of Leydig cells are hindered by cadmium, which also induces Leydig cell tumors. The testis's vascular system is severely disturbed by cadmium. Cadmium also perturbs the function of somatic cells and germ cells through epigenetic regulation, giving rise to infertile or sub-fertile males. In addition, we also summarized the other findings related to cadmium-induced oxidative toxicity, apoptotic toxicity, and autophagic toxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in the testicular tissue of different animal species. Consequently, cadmium represents a high-risk factor for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Zhang J, Zhou X, Wan D, Yu L, Chen X, Yan T, Wu Z, Zheng M, Zhu F, Zhu H. TMPRSS12 Functions in Meiosis and Spermiogenesis and Is Required for Male Fertility in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:757042. [PMID: 35547804 PMCID: PMC9081376 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.757042] [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: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine proteases are involved in many physiological activities as initiators of proteolytic cascades, and some members have been reported to play roles in male reproduction. Transmembrane serine protease 12 (TMPRSS12) has been shown to regulate sperm motility and uterotubal junction migration in mice, but its role in the testis remains unknown. In this study, we verified that TMPRSS12 was expressed in the spermatocytes and spermatids of testis and the acrosome of sperm. Mice deficient in Tmprss12 exhibited male sterility. In meiosis, TMPRSS12 was demonstrated to regulate synapsis and double-strand break repair; spermatocytes of Tmprss12−/− mice underwent impaired meiosis and subsequent apoptosis, resulting in reduced sperm counts. During spermiogenesis, TMPRSS12 was found to function in the development of mitochondria; abnormal mitochondrial structure in Tmprss12−/− sperm led to reduced availability of ATP, impacting sperm motility. The differential protein expression profiles of testes in Tmprss12−/− and wild-type mice and further molecule identification revealed potential targets of TMPRSS12 related to meiosis and mitochondrial function. Besides, TMPRSS12 was also found to be involved in a series of sperm functions, including capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm-egg interaction. These data imply that TMPRSS12 plays a role in multiple aspects of male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danyang Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meimei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center of No. 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Pathology, The First People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Zhu,
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Wang M, Zeng L, Su P, Ma L, Zhang M, Zhang YZ. Autophagy: a multifaceted player in the fate of sperm. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 28:200-231. [PMID: 34967891 PMCID: PMC8889000 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic process of degrading and recycling proteins and organelles to modulate various physiological and pathological events, including cell differentiation and development. Emerging data indicate that autophagy is closely associated with male reproduction, especially the biosynthetic and catabolic processes of sperm. Throughout the fate of sperm, a series of highly specialized cellular events occur, involving pre-testicular, testicular and post-testicular events. Nonetheless, the most fundamental question of whether autophagy plays a protective or harmful role in male reproduction, especially in sperm, remains unclear. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We summarize the functional roles of autophagy in the pre-testicular (hypothalamic–pituitary–testis (HPG) axis), testicular (spermatocytogenesis, spermatidogenesis, spermiogenesis, spermiation) and post-testicular (sperm maturation and fertilization) processes according to the timeline of sperm fate. Additionally, critical mechanisms of the action and clinical impacts of autophagy on sperm are identified, laying the foundation for the treatment of male infertility. SEARCH METHODS In this narrative review, the PubMed database was used to search peer-reviewed publications for summarizing the functional roles of autophagy in the fate of sperm using the following terms: ‘autophagy’, ‘sperm’, ‘hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis’, ‘spermatogenesis’, ‘spermatocytogenesis’, ‘spermatidogenesis’, ‘spermiogenesis’, ‘spermiation’, ‘sperm maturation’, ‘fertilization’, ‘capacitation’ and ‘acrosome’ in combination with autophagy-related proteins. We also performed a bibliographic search for the clinical impact of the autophagy process using the keywords of autophagy inhibitors such as ‘bafilomycin A1’, ‘chloroquine’, ‘hydroxychloroquine’, ‘3-Methyl Adenine (3-MA)’, ‘lucanthone’, ‘wortmannin’ and autophagy activators such as ‘rapamycin’, ‘perifosine’, ‘metformin’ in combination with ‘disease’, ‘treatment’, ‘therapy’, ‘male infertility’ and equivalent terms. In addition, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for additional relevant publications. All relevant publications until August 2021 were critically evaluated and discussed on the basis of relevance, quality and timelines. OUTCOMES (i) In pre-testicular processes, autophagy-related genes are involved in the regulation of the HPG axis; and (ii) in testicular processes, mTORC1, the main gate to autophagy, is crucial for spermatogonia stem cell (SCCs) proliferation, differentiation, meiotic progression, inactivation of sex chromosomes and spermiogenesis. During spermatidogenesis, autophagy maintains haploid round spermatid chromatoid body homeostasis for differentiation. During spermiogenesis, autophagy participates in acrosome biogenesis, flagella assembly, head shaping and the removal of cytoplasm from elongating spermatid. After spermatogenesis, through PDLIM1, autophagy orchestrates apical ectoplasmic specialization and basal ectoplasmic specialization to handle cytoskeleton assembly, governing spermatid movement and release during spermiation. In post-testicular processes, there is no direct evidence that autophagy participates in the process of capacitation. However, autophagy modulates the acrosome reaction, paternal mitochondria elimination and clearance of membranous organelles during fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Deciphering the roles of autophagy in the entire fate of sperm will provide valuable insights into therapies for diseases, especially male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Harvard Reproductive Endocrine Science Center and Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ling Zeng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ping Su
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ling Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Zhen Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
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Guo Y, Ma Y, Zhang J, Jiang S, Yuan G, Cheng J, Lan T, Hao J. Alteration in autophagy gene expression profile correlates with low sperm quality. Reprod Biol 2021; 21:100546. [PMID: 34428669 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2021.100546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Low sperm quality, a crucial factor of male infertility, is becoming a public health issue all over the world. In male reproductive system, autophagy plays an important role in maintaining physiological functions. There exist conjectures that disordered autophagy autophagy might be related to low sperm quality. However, there is no evidence can confirm that. This study aims to investigate the association between autophagy-associated genes and low sperm quality. METHODS Sperm samples of low sperm quality cases and matched controls were included to select differential expressed genes (DE genes) by autophagy-related functional gene microarray analysis. Then, 104 cases and 250 controls were included to validate the expression of four important autophagy genes (CXCR4, ESR1, PTEN and LC3B). Based on the obtained DE gene, gene Ontology and pathway analyses were conducted. RESULTS Chip results showed that expression of all 18 DE genes were decreased in the cases compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Expression of ESR1 were verified to be significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results provided clues with the association among down-regulated expression of autophagy regulating and associated genes and low sperm quality. These findings revealed possible role of impaired autophagy in the mechanism of low sperm quality. Moreover, these may also provide potential targets for the treatment of low sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinsheng Guo
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yue Ma
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jin Zhang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanxiang Yuan
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinquan Cheng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Lan
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jindou Hao
- Department of Paediatrics, Affliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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8
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Chen Q, Holt WV. Extracellular vesicles in the male reproductive tract of the softshell turtle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:519-529. [PMID: 33715768 DOI: 10.1071/rd20214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of cell-derived membranous structures comprising exosomes and microvesicles that originate from the endosomal system or are shed from the plasma membrane respectively. As mediators of cell communication, EVs are present in biological fluids and are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. The role of EVs has been extensively investigated in the mammalian male reproductive tract, but the characteristics and identification of EVs in reptiles are still largely unknown. In this review we focus our attention on EVs and their distribution in the male reproductive tract of the Chinese softshell turtle Pelodiscus sinensis , mainly discussing the potential roles of EVs in intercellular communication during different phases of the reproductive process. In softshell turtles, Sertoli-germ cell communication via multivesicular bodies can serve as a source of EVs during spermatogenesis, and these EVs interact with epithelia of the ductuli efferentes and the principal cells of the epididymal epithelium. These EVs are involved in sperm maturation, transport and storage. EVs are also shed by telocytes, which contact and exchange information with other, as well as distant interstitial cells. Overall, EVs play an indispensable role in the normal reproductive function of P. sinensis and can be used as an excellent biomarker for understanding male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiusheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China; and Corresponding author
| | - William V Holt
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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9
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Zheng M, Chen X, Cui Y, Li W, Dai H, Yue Q, Zhang H, Zheng Y, Guo X, Zhu H. TULP2, a New RNA-Binding Protein, Is Required for Mouse Spermatid Differentiation and Male Fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:623738. [PMID: 33763418 PMCID: PMC7982829 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.623738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis requires a large number of proteins to be properly expressed at certain stages, during which post-transcriptional regulation plays an important role. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key players in post-transcriptional regulation, but only a few RBPs have been recognized and preliminary explored their function in spermatogenesis at present. Here we identified a new RBP tubby-like protein 2 (TULP2) and found three potential deleterious missense mutations of Tulp2 gene in dyszoospermia patients. Therefore, we explored the function and mechanism of TULP2 in male reproduction. TULP2 was specifically expressed in the testis and localized to spermatids. Studies on Tulp2 knockout mice demonstrated that the loss of TULP2 led to male sterility; on the one hand, increases in elongated spermatid apoptosis and restricted spermatid release resulted in a decreased sperm count; on the other hand, the abnormal differentiation of spermatids induced defective sperm tail structures and reduced ATP contents, influencing sperm motility. Transcriptome sequencing of mouse testis revealed the potential target molecular network of TULP2, which played its role in spermatogenesis by regulating specific transcripts related to the cytoskeleton, apoptosis, RNA metabolism and biosynthesis, and energy metabolism. We also explored the potential regulator of TULP2 protein function by using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis, indicating that TUPL2 might be recognized by CCT8 and correctly folded by the CCT complex to play a role in spermiogenesis. Our results demonstrated the important role of TULP2 in spermatid differentiation and male fertility, which could provide an effective target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, and enrich the biological theory of the role of RBPs in male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meimei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center of No. 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiqian Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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10
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Tang Z, Zhang Z, Lin Q, Xu R, Chen J, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Shi C, Liu Y, Yang H, Wang Z. HIF-1α/BNIP3-Mediated Autophagy Contributes to the Luteinization of Granulosa Cells During the Formation of Corpus Luteum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:619924. [PMID: 33537309 PMCID: PMC7848109 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.619924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the luteinization after ovulation in mammalian ovary, the containing cells undergo an energy consuming function re-determination process to differentiate into luteal cells under avascular environment. Previous evidences have delineated the contribution of autophagy to the cell differentiation and the catabolic homeostasis in various types of mammalian cells, whereas few interest had been focused on the involvement of autophagy in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of early corpus luteum. Herein, the present study investigated that expression and contribution of autophagy during granulosa cell luteinization and early luteal development through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results clearly demonstrated that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy plays a vital role in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the early luteal formation in vivo and in vitro. In the neonatal corpus luteum, HIF-1α up-regulated BNIP3 expressions, which contributed to the autophagic initiation by disrupting beclin1 from Bcl-2/beclin1 complex and protected cells from apoptosis by curbing the skew of mitochondria balance under avascular niche. Notably, Inhibition of HIF-1α activity by echinomycin enhanced the levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and cell apoptosis in the nascent corpus luteum. These findings revealed that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy enabled the process of granulosa cell luteinization and protected the granulosa-lutein cells from further apoptosis under hypoxia niche. To our knowledge, the present study firstly clarified that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy contributes to the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of pregnant corpus luteum, which will help us further understanding the luteal biology and provide us new clues for the treatment of luteal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhenghong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qingqiang Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Renfeng Xu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Congjian Shi
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongqin Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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11
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Yefimova MG, Buschiazzo A, Burel A, Lavault MT, Pimentel C, Jouve G, Jaillard S, Jegou B, Bourmeyster N, Ravel C. Autophagy is increased in cryptorchid testis resulting in abnormal spermatozoa. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:570-576. [PMID: 31031333 PMCID: PMC6859671 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_12_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is involved in spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell maturation. This catabolic process increases with hyperthermic conditions to prevent the accumulation of damaged organelles. Cryptorchidism is associated with impairment of germ cell maturation revealed by the presence of immature forms of sperm cells in ejaculates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of autophagy in sperm cells from cryptorchid patients. Semen samples of cryptorchid patients and normozoospermic controls were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Autophagy proteins, autophagy-related protein 9 (ATG9) and microtubule-associated protein, 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) were localized by immunocytochemistry on the acrosome and on the equatorial segment of sperm cells. LC3 was also detected in the midpiece of cryptorchid sperm tail. Autophagy substrate p62 protein was present in the acrosome and in the postequatorial segment of sperm in control samples, but not in the cryptorchid ones. Transmission electron microscopy revealed double-membrane-limited autophagosomes in postequatorial part of spermatozoa head and midpiece in cryptorchid samples. Partly degraded mitochondria were frequently discerned in autophagic vacuoles. In conclusion, autophagy is increased in sperm cells from patients with cryptorchid history comparatively to control. Our work provides insights into the role of autophagy in the maturation and survival of human male gametes in pathological conditions. Thus, regulating autophagy could represent a potential way to improve sperm quality in cryptorchid men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina G Yefimova
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France.,Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194223 St-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Antoine Buschiazzo
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Agnes Burel
- Univ Rennes, Biosit Platform - MRIC, Rennes 35000, France
| | | | - Celine Pimentel
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Department of Gynecology Obstetric and Human Reproduction, Rennes 35000, France
| | - Guilhem Jouve
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Department of Cytogenetic, Irset (Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes 35000, France
| | - Bernard Jegou
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Nicolas Bourmeyster
- University of Poitiers - CHU Poitiers, STIM ERL 7003 CNRS, Poitiers 86021, France
| | - Celia Ravel
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction -CECOS, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes F-35000, France
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12
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Souza APB, Lopes TN, da Silva AFT, Santi L, Beys-da-Silva WO, Yates JR, Bustamante-Filho IC. Changes in porcine cauda epididymal fluid proteome by disrupting the HPT axis: Unveiling potential mechanisms of male infertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:952-965. [PMID: 32749760 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility or subfertility is frequently associated with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis events, like secondary hypogonadism. However, little is known how this condition affects the proteomic composition of the epididymal fluid. In the present study, we evaluated the proteomic changes in the cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) in a swine model of secondary hypogonadism induced by anti-GnRH immunization using multidimensional protein identification technology. Seven hundred and eighteen proteins were identified in both GnRH-immunized and control groups. GnRH immunization doubled the number of proteins in the CEF, with 417 proteins being found exclusively in samples from GnRH-immunized boars. CEF from GnRH-immunized boars presented an increase in the number of proteins related to cellular and metabolic processes, with affinity to organic cyclic compounds, small molecules, and heterocyclic compounds, as well changed the enzymatic profile of the CEF. Also, a significant increase in the number of proteins associated to the ubiquitin-proteasome system was identified in CEF from GnRH-immunized animals. These results bring strong evidence of the impact of secondary hypogonadism on the epididymal environment, which is responsible for sperm maturation and storage prior ejaculation. Finally, the differently expressed proteins in the CEF are putative seminal biomarkers for testicular and epididymal disorders caused by secondary hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P B Souza
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tayná N Lopes
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Anna F T da Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucélia Santi
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Walter O Beys-da-Silva
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Ivan C Bustamante-Filho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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13
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Li M, Li H, Yang H, Cheng R, Zheng P, Guo R. Comparative proteomic analysis of round and elongated spermatids during spermiogenesis in mice. Biomed Chromatogr 2020; 34:e4799. [DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meining Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Medical University Taiyuan Shanxi China
| | - Huahua Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Medical University Taiyuan Shanxi China
| | - Hong Yang
- Center of Reproductive MedicineChildren's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi Taiyuan Shanxi China
| | - Rina Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Medical University Taiyuan Shanxi China
| | - Pengdou Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Medical University Taiyuan Shanxi China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Medical University Taiyuan Shanxi China
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14
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Tarique I, Haseeb A, Bai X, Li W, Yang P, Huang Y, Yang S, Xu M, Zhang Y, Vistro WA, Fazlani SA, Chen Q. Cellular Evidence of CD63-Enriched Exosomes and Multivesicular Bodies within the Seminiferous Tubule during the Spermatogenesis of Turtles. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2020; 26:148-156. [PMID: 31753050 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927619015149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The seminiferous tubule (ST) is the location of spermatogenesis, where mature spermatozoa are produced with the assistance of Sertoli cells. The role of extracellular vesicles in the direct communication between Sertoli-germ cells in the ST is still not fully understood. In this study, we reported multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and their source of CD63-enriched exosomes by light and ultrastructure microscopy during the reproductive phases of turtles. Strong CD63 immunopositivity was detected at the basal region in the early and luminal regions of the ST during late spermatogenesis by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and western blot (WB) analysis. Labeling of CD63 was detected in the Sertoli cell cytoplasmic processes that surround the developing germ cells during early spermatogenesis and in the lumen of the ST with elongated spermatids during late spermatogenesis. Furthermore, ultrastructure analysis confirmed the existence of numerous MVBs in the Sertoli cell prolongations that surround the round and primary spermatogonia during acrosome biogenesis and with the embedded heads of spermatids in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Additionally, in spermatids, Chrysanthemum flower centers (CFCs) generated isolated membranes involved in MVBs and autophagosome formation, and their fusion to form amphiosomes was also observed. Additionally, autophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine (after 24 h) increased CD63 protein signals during late spermatogenesis, as detected by IF and WB. Collectively, our study found MVBs and CD63 rich exosomes within the Sertoli cells and their response to autophagy inhibition in the ST during the spermatogenesis in the turtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Tarique
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Abdul Haseeb
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Xuebing Bai
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Wenqian Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Mengdi Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Waseem Ali Vistro
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Surfaraz Ali Fazlani
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province210095, China
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15
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Haseeb A, Bai X, Vistro WA, Tarique I, Chen H, Yang P, Gandahi NS, Iqbal A, Huang Y, Chen Q. Characterization of in vivo autophagy during avian spermatogenesis1. Poult Sci 2019; 98:5089-5099. [PMID: 31198935 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex cellular process that includes many subcellular events that are essential for the production of healthy spermatozoa. Autophagy is a physiological process that plays a significant role in the process of spermatogenesis; however, autophagy during avian spermatogenesis has not yet been reported. In the current study, we characterized in vivo autophagy throughout the process of domestic fowl spermatogenesis. Autophagy-specific markers, including microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), sequestosome 1 (p62), and autophagy-related 7 (Atg7), were used to confirm the occurrence of autophagy in testicular germ cells. The protein expression of Atg7, LC3, and p62 in domestic fowl testes was confirmed by Western blotting. The immunohistochemical staining indicated a strong localization of LC3 and Atg7 within spermiogenic cells (intermediate and late spermatids) and primary spermatocytes. However, poorly expressed in cells (spermatogonia) that were located near the basement membrane. The immunofluorescence staining results showed the opposite tendency for LC3 and p62. LC3 was more strongly localized within the elongated spermatids, while p62 was strongly localized within the early spermatids. Moreover, the ultrastructural components of autophagy were revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Well-developed autophagosomes and multivesicular bodies were found to be prominent in primary spermatocytes (zygotene and pachytene) and spermiogenic cells. Furthermore, other vesicular structures, such as early endosomes and amphisomes, were also observed during spermatogenesis. The above findings collectively suggest that autophagy is active during spermatogenesis and that the level of autophagy increases from the basal to the luminal regions of the seminiferous tubules of domestic fowl testes. We propose that autophagic pathways may be involved in multiple functions to sustain spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Haseeb
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China.,Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir 12350, Pakistan
| | - X Bai
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - W A Vistro
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - I Tarique
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - H Chen
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - P Yang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - N S Gandahi
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - A Iqbal
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - Y Huang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
| | - Q Chen
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province 210095, China
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16
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Haseeb A, Tarique I, Bai X, Yang P, Ali Vistro W, Huang Y, Ali Fazllani S, Ahmed Z, Chen Q. Inhibition of autophagy impairs acrosome and mitochondrial crista formation during spermiogenesis in turtle: Ultrastructural evidence. Micron 2019; 121:84-89. [PMID: 30953869 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a subcellular process that is extensively involved in spermiogenesis. In this study, we observed ultrastructural malformation of acrosome and mitochondrial cristae during the spermiogenesis of Chinese soft-shelled turtle due to the inhibition of autophagy. Autophagy was blocked with 3-MA, and the inhibition of autophagy was confirmed through western blot analysis. The morphological abnormalities of acrosomes and mitochondria were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the early spermiogenesis (Golgi and cap phases), damaged macrovesicle was observed, and its proper expansion over the nucleus failed to be form a normal acrosomal cap. As spermiogenesis proceeded, the malformation of the acrosome in spermatids became more severe. In the late spermiogenesis (acrosomal and maturation phases), defective acrosome with damaged acrosomal membrane that was detached from the nucleus was observed. Along with malformed acrosome, elongation failed nucleus having oval or round shaped morphology was also observed. Moreover, morphological damage to the mitochondrial cristae was observed. Lacuna formation, half and complete loss of cristae were observed in the mitochondria of developing spermatids. We proposed that autophagy is required for normal formation of the acrosome and mitochondrial cristae during turtle spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Haseeb
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Imran Tarique
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Xuebing Bai
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Waseem Ali Vistro
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | | | - Zulfqur Ahmed
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China.
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