1
|
Cui Z, Luo J, Cheng F, Xu W, Wang J, Lin M, Sun Y, Chen S. Identification and Functional Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase g2e3 in Chinese Tongue Sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2579. [PMID: 39272364 PMCID: PMC11394658 DOI: 10.3390/ani14172579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis, the intricate developmental process responsible for the generation of germ cells (gametes), serves as a fundamental prerequisite for the perpetuation of the reproductive cycle across diverse organisms. The g2e3 enzyme is a putative ubiquitin E3 ligase implicated in the intricate regulatory mechanisms underlying cellular proliferation and division processes. The present study delves into the function of G2/M phase-specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (Cs-g2e3) in gametogenesis in Chinese Tongue Sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Sequence analysis shows that the Cs-g2e3 mRNA spans 6479 bp, encoding a 733 amino acid protein characterized by three conserved structural domains: PHD, RING, and HECT-typical of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. The predominant expression of Cs-g2e3 in the gonad tissues is further verified by qPCR. The expression profile of Cs-g2e3 in the gonads of the Chinese Tongue Sole is analyzed at different ages, and the results show that its expression peaks at 8 months of age and then begins to decline and stabilize. It is noteworthy that the expression level remains significantly elevated compared to that observed during the juvenile period. In situ hybridization shows that the mRNA of Cs-g2e3 is mainly localized in the germ cells of the ovary and the testis. RNA interference experiments show that the knockdown of Cs-g2e3 in ovarian and testicular germ cell lines significantly downregulates the expression of key genes involved in oogenesis (e.g., sox9 and cyp19a) and spermatogenesis (e.g., tesk1 and piwil2), respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of mutations in the transcription factor binding sites reveals that mutations within the Myogenin, YY1, and JunB binding sites significantly impact the transcriptional activity of the Cs-g2e3 gene, with the mutation in the YY1 binding site exhibiting the most pronounced effect (p < 0.001). This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the tissue-specific expression patterns of Cs-g2e3 across various tissues in Cynoglossus semilaevis, as well as the potential regulatory influences of transcription factors on its promoter activity. These findings may facilitate future research endeavors aimed at elucidating the expression and functional roles of the Cs-g2e3 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongkai Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jun Luo
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Fangzhou Cheng
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mengjiao Lin
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Songlin Chen
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma W, Ding X, Xu J, Poon TCW. CHHM: a Manually Curated Catalogue of Human Histone Modifications Revealing Hotspot Regions and Unique Distribution Patterns. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3760-3772. [PMID: 39113691 PMCID: PMC11302869 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.95954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone modification is one of the key elements in epigenetic control and plays important roles in regulation of biological processes and disease development. Currently, records of human histone modifications with various levels of confidence in evidence are scattered in various knowledgebases and databases. In the present study, a curated catalogue of human histone modifications, CHHM, was obtained by manual retrieval, evidence assessment, and integration of modification records from 10 knowledgebases/databases and 3 complementary articles. CHHM contains 6612 nonredundant modification entries covering 31 types of modifications (including 9 types of emerging modifications) and 2 types of histone-DNA crosslinks, that were identified in 11 H1 variants, 21 H2A variants, 21 H2B variants, 9 H3 variants, and 2 H4 variants. For ease of visualization and accessibility, modification entries are presented with aligned protein sequences in an Excel file. Confidence level in evidence is provided for each entry. Acylation modifications contribute to the highest number of modification entries in CHHM. This supports that cellular metabolic status plays a very important role in epigenetic control. CHHM reveals modification hotspot regions and uneven distribution of the modification entries across the histone families. Such uneven distribution may suggest that a particular histone family is more susceptible to certain types of modifications. CHHM not only serves as an important and user-friendly resource for biomedical and clinical researches involving histone modifications and transcriptional regulation, but also provides new insights for basic researches in the mechanism of human histone modifications and epigenetic control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Terence Chuen Wai Poon
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Centre for Precision Medicine Research and Training, MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, 999078, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Amor H, Juhasz-Böss I, Bibi R, Hammadeh ME, Jankowski PM. H2BFWT Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6048. [PMID: 38892236 PMCID: PMC11172515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in sperm nuclei and chromatin can interfere with normal fertilization, embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy. We aimed to study the impact of H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA on ICSI outcomes in couples undergoing ART treatment. One hundred and nineteen partners were divided into pregnant (G1) and non-pregnant (G2) groups. After semen analysis, complete DNA was extracted from purified sperm samples. The sequence of the H2BFWT gene was amplified by PCR and then subjected to Sanger sequencing. The results showed that there are three mutations in this gene: rs7885967, rs553509, and rs578953. Significant differences were shown in the distribution of alternative and reference alleles between G1 and G2 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0020, respectively) for rs553509 and rs578953. However, there was no association between these SNPs and the studied parameters. This study is the first to shed light on the connection between H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA and pregnancy after ICSI therapy. This is a pilot study, so further investigations about these gene variants at the transcriptional and translational levels will help to determine its functional consequences and to clarify the mechanism of how pregnancy can be affected by sperm DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Juhasz-Böss
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Riffat Bibi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Michael Jankowski
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Phillips M, Malone KL, Boyle BW, Montgomery C, Kressy IA, Joseph FM, Bright KM, Boyson SP, Chang S, Nix JC, Young NL, Jeffers V, Frietze S, Glass KC. Impact of Combinatorial Histone Modifications on Acetyllysine Recognition by the ATAD2 and ATAD2B Bromodomains. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8186-8200. [PMID: 38733345 PMCID: PMC11149620 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The ATPase family AAA+ domain containing 2 (ATAD2) protein and its paralog ATAD2B have a C-terminal bromodomain (BRD) that functions as a reader of acetylated lysine residues on histone proteins. Using a structure-function approach, we investigated the ability of the ATAD2/B BRDs to select acetylated lysine among multiple histone post-translational modifications. The ATAD2B BRD can bind acetylated histone ligands that also contain adjacent methylation or phosphorylation marks, while the presence of these modifications significantly weakened the acetyllysine binding activity of the ATAD2 BRD. Our structural studies provide mechanistic insights into how ATAD2/B BRD-binding pocket residues coordinate the acetyllysine group in the context of adjacent post-translational modifications. Furthermore, we investigated how sequence changes in amino acids of the histone ligands impact the recognition of an adjacent acetyllysine residue. Our study highlights how the interplay between multiple combinations of histone modifications influences the reader activity of the ATAD2/B BRDs, resulting in distinct binding modes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States
| | - Kiera L Malone
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Brian W Boyle
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Cameron Montgomery
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States
| | - Isabelle A Kressy
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Faith M Joseph
- Verna & Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Kathleen M Bright
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Samuel P Boyson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States
| | - Sunsik Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States
| | - Jay C Nix
- Molecular Biology Consortium, Advanced Light Source, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nicolas L Young
- Verna & Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Karen C Glass
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, Vermont 05446, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pandya RK, Jijo A, Cheredath A, Uppangala S, Salian SR, Lakshmi VR, Kumar P, Kalthur G, Gupta S, Adiga SK. Differential sperm histone retention in normozoospermic ejaculates of infertile men negatively affects sperm functional competence and embryo quality. Andrology 2024; 12:881-890. [PMID: 37801310 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unique epigenetic architecture that sperm cells acquire during spermiogenesis by retaining <15% of either canonical or variant histone proteins in their genome is essential for normal embryogenesis. Whilst heterogeneous levels of retained histones are found in morphologically normal spermatozoa, their effect on reproductive outcomes is not fully understood. METHODS Processed spermatozoa (n = 62) were tested for DNA integrity by sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and retained histones were extracted and subjected to dot-blot analysis. The impact of retained histone modifications in normozoospermic patients on sperm functional characteristics, embryo quality, metabolic signature in embryo spent culture medium and pregnancy outcome was studied. RESULTS Dot-blot analysis showed heterogeneous levels of retained histones in the genome of normozoospermic ejaculates. Post-wash sperm yield was affected by an increase in H3K27Me3 and H4K20Me3 levels in the sperm chromatin (p < 0.05). Also, spermatozoa with higher histone H3 retention had increased DNA damage (p < 0.05). Spermatozoa from these cohorts, when injected into donor oocytes, correlated to a significant decrease in the fertilisation rate with an increase in sperm histone H3 (p < 0.05) and H3K27Me3 (p < 0.01). An increase in histone H3 negatively affected embryo quality (p < 0.01) and clinical pregnancy outcome post-embryo transfer (p < 0.05). On the other hand, spent culture medium metabolites assessed by high-resolution (800 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance showed an increased intensity of the amino acid methionine in the non-pregnant group than in the pregnant group (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with sperm histone H3 in the pregnant group (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Histone retention in spermatozoa can be one of the factors behind the development of idiopathic male infertility. Such spermatozoa may influence embryonic behaviour and thereby affect the success rate of assisted reproductive technology procedures. These results, although descriptive in nature, warrant further research to address the underlying mechanisms behind these clinically important observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi Kirit Pandya
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ameya Jijo
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Aswathi Cheredath
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sujith Raj Salian
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Vani R Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Pratap Kumar
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- KS313, Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mukherjee AG, Gopalakrishnan AV. Unlocking the mystery associated with infertility and prostate cancer: an update. Med Oncol 2023; 40:160. [PMID: 37099242 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02028-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Male-specific reproductive disorders and cancers have increased intensely in recent years, making them a significant public health problem. Prostate cancer (PC) is the most often diagnosed cancer in men and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Both genetic and epigenetic modifications contribute to the development and progression of PC, even though the exact underlying processes causing this disease have yet to be identified. Male infertility is also a complex and poorly understood phenomenon believed to afflict a significant portion of the male population. Chromosomal abnormalities, compromised DNA repair systems, and Y chromosome alterations are just a few of the proposed explanations. It is becoming widely accepted that infertility shares a link with PC. Much of the link between infertility and PC is probably attributable to common genetic defects. This article provides an overview of PC and spermatogenic abnormalities. This study also investigates the link between male infertility and PC and uncovers the underlying reasons, risk factors, and biological mechanisms contributing to this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parental competition for the regulators of chromatin dynamics in mouse zygotes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:699. [PMID: 35835981 PMCID: PMC9283401 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03623-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanism for parental asymmetric chromatin dynamics is still unclear. To reveal this, we investigate chromatin dynamics in parthenogenetic, androgenic, and several types of male germ cells-fertilized zygotes. Here we illustrate that parental conflicting role mediates the regulation of chromatin dynamics. Sperm reduces chromatin dynamics in both parental pronuclei (PNs). During spermiogenesis, male germ cells acquire this reducing ability and its resistance. On the other hand, oocytes can increase chromatin dynamics. Notably, the oocytes-derived chromatin dynamics enhancing ability is dominant for the sperm-derived opposing one. This maternal enhancing ability is competed between parental pronuclei. Delayed fertilization timing is critical for this competition and compromises parental asymmetric chromatin dynamics and zygotic transcription. Together, parental competition for the maternal factor enhancing chromatin dynamics is a determinant to establish parental asymmetry, and paternal repressive effects have supporting roles to enhance asymmetry.
Collapse
|
8
|
Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Kumaresan A, Talluri TR, Sinha MK, Raval K, Nag P, Karuthadurai T, Aranganathan V. Genom-wide analysis identifies single nucleotide polymorphism variations and altered pathways associated with poor semen quality in breeding bulls. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:1143-1155. [PMID: 35702937 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The reason for poor semen quality among the breeding bulls is not well understood. In the present study, we performed high-throughput RNAseq analysis of spermatozoa to identify the SNPs present in good and poor-quality semen-producing Holstein Friesian breeding bulls. A total of 21,360 and 44,650 SNPs were identified in good and poor-quality semen with a minimum read depth of 20, among which 4780 and 8710 novel variants were observed in good and poor-quality semen, respectively. Greater SNPs and indels variations were observed in poor compared to good-quality semen. In poor-quality semen, SNP variations were observed in ZNF280B, SLC26A2, DMXL1, OR52A1, MACROD2 and REV1 genes, which are associated with regulation of spermatogenesis, post-testicular maturation, Cl- channel activity, V-ATPase-mediated intracellular vesicle acidification, a mono-ADP-ribosyl hydrolase and ATR-Chk1 checkpoint activation. GO analysis of filtered genes with significant variations between good and poor-quality semen showed enrichment in important pathways related to semen quality such as MAPK signalling pathway, Akt signalling pathway, focal adhesion, cAMP signalling pathway, and Rap1 signalling pathway. Network analysis of filtered genes in poor-quality semen showed variations in pathways of purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, prolactin signalling pathway and RNA cap-binding complex. It is inferred that SNP in genes involved in maintaining sperm functions could be the reason for poor-quality semen production in bulls, and the identified SNPs hold potential to be used as biomarkers for semen quality in bulls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Thirumala Rao Talluri
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Kathan Raval
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Thirumalaisamy Karuthadurai
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barrachina F, de la Iglesia A, Jodar M, Soler-Ventura A, Mallofré C, Rodriguez-Carunchio L, Goudarzi A, Corral JM, Ballescà JL, Castillo J, Oliva R. Histone H4 acetylation is dysregulated in active seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1712-1726. [PMID: 35678707 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is histone H4 acetylation (H4ac) altered in the seminiferous tubules of patients affected by testicular tumours? SUMMARY ANSWER A considerable dysregulation of H4ac was detected in the cells of the seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours of different aetiology and prior to any treatment, while no comparable alterations were observed in patients with disrupted spermatogenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Altered H4ac levels have been associated with a variety of testicular pathological conditions. However, no information has been available regarding potential alterations in the spermatogenic cells adjacent to the neoplasia in testicular tumour patients. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective analysis using testicular sections from 33 men aged between 21 and 74 years old was performed. Three study groups were defined and subjected to double-blind evaluation: a control group with normal spermatogenesis (n = 6), patients with testicular tumours (n = 18) and patients with spermatogenic impairments (n = 8). One additional sample with normal spermatogenesis was used as a technical internal control in all evaluations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immunohistochemistry against H4ac and, when needed, Placental-like alkaline phosphatase and CD117, was performed on testicular sections. The H4ac H-score, based on the percentage of detection and signal intensity, was used as the scoring method for statistical analyses. Protein expression data from the Human Protein Atlas were used to compare the expression levels of predicted secreted proteins from testicular tumours with those present in the normal tissue. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We revealed, for the first time, a dramatic disruption of the spermatogenic H4ac pattern in unaffected seminiferous tubule cells from different testicular tumour patients prior to any antineoplastic treatment, as compared to controls (P < 0.05). Since no similar alterations were associated with spermatogenic impairments and the in silico analysis revealed proteins potentially secreted by the tumour to the testicular stroma, we propose a potential paracrine effect of the neoplasia as a mechanistic hypothesis for this dysregulation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Statistical analyses were not performed on the hypospermatogenesis and Leydig cell tumour groups due to limited availability of samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing an epigenetic alteration in cells from active seminiferous tubules adjacent to tumour cells in testicular tumour patients. Our results suggest that, despite presenting spermatogenic activity, the global epigenetic dysregulation found in the testicular tumour patients could lead to molecular alterations of the male germ cells. Since testicular tumours are normally diagnosed in men at reproductive age, H4ac alterations might have an impact when these testicular tumour patients express a desire for fatherhood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the European Union Marie Curie European Training Network actions and by grants to R.O. from the 'Ministerio de Economía y Competividad (Spain)' (fondos FEDER 'una manera de hacer Europa', PI13/00699, PI16/00346 and PI20/00936) and from EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN289880. J.C. was supported by the Sara Borrell Postdoctoral Fellowship, Acción Estratégica en Salud, CD17/00109. J.C. is a Serra Húnter fellow (Universitat de Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya). F.B. has received grants from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario (Spain) (FPU15/02306). A.d.l.I. is supported by a fellowship of the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) (PFIS, FI17/00224). M.J. is supported by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya, pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut, PERIS 2016-2020, SLT002/16/00337). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto de la Iglesia
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ada Soler-Ventura
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Mallofré
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Rodriguez-Carunchio
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Afsaneh Goudarzi
- CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Juan Manuel Corral
- Department of Urology, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Ballescà
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sciorio R, Esteves SC. Contemporary Use of ICSI and Epigenetic Risks to Future Generations. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082135. [PMID: 35456226 PMCID: PMC9031244 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 via IVF, reproductive specialists have acquired enormous knowledge and refined several procedures, which are nowadays applied in assisted reproductive technology (ART). One of the most critical steps in this practice is the fertilization process. In the early days of IVF, a remarkable concern was the unpleasant outcomes of failed fertilization, overtaken by introducing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), delineating a real breakthrough in modern ART. ICSI became standard practice and was soon used as the most common method to fertilize oocytes. It has been used for severe male factor infertility and non-male factors, such as unexplained infertility or advanced maternal age, without robust scientific evidence. However, applying ICSI blindly is not free of potential detrimental consequences since novel studies report possible health consequences to offspring. DNA methylation and epigenetic alterations in sperm cells of infertile men might help explain some of the adverse effects reported in ICSI studies on reproductive health in future generations. Collected data concerning the health of ICSI children over the past thirty years seems to support the notion that there might be an increased risk of epigenetic disorders, congenital malformations, chromosomal alterations, and subfertility in babies born following ICSI compared to naturally conceived children. However, it is still to be elucidated to what level these data are associated with the cause of infertility or the ICSI technique. This review provides an overview of epigenetic mechanisms and possible imprinting alterations following the use of ART, in particular ICSI. It also highlights the sperm contribution to embryo epigenetic regulation and the risks of in vitro culture conditions on epigenetic dysregulation. Lastly, it summarizes the literature concerning the possible epigenetic disorders in children born after ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandro C. Esteves
- Androfert, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas 13075-460, Brazil;
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cambiasso MY, Gotfryd L, Stinson MG, Birolo S, Salamone G, Romanato M, Calvo JC, Fontana VA. Paternal alcohol consumption has intergenerational consequences in male offspring. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:441-459. [PMID: 35307778 PMCID: PMC8956782 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02373-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Alcoholism is a heterogeneous set of disorders caused by ethanol intake. Harmful effects of paternal consumption on the offspring are poorly explored and not fully understood. We analyzed the effect of paternal alcohol consumption on both their own reproductive capacity and that of their male offspring. METHODS We used a model of ethanol consumption (15% v/v in drinking water) for 12 days in adult CF-1 male mice. DNA integrity and post-translational modifications of histones were assessed in sperm; testicular weight, histology, and DNA fragmentation were analyzed. Treated or untreated male mice were mated with non-treated females to obtain two cell embryos that were cultured for 7 days; morphology and embryonic cell death were evaluated. Males of both groups were mated with non-treated females. Adult male offspring was euthanized, and sperm and testicular parameters determined. RESULTS Paternal ethanol consumption caused histological and epigenetic changes, as well as damage in DNA integrity in the testicular germline and sperm. These alterations gave rise to deleterious effects on embryonic development and to testicular and spermatic changes in the offspring. CONCLUSION This study provides critical information on reproductive disturbances brought about by paternal alcohol consumption and the profound impact these could have on the male progeny. The need to explore the effects of paternal alcohol consumption in detail and warn about the importance of controlling alcohol intake for the well-being of future generations should not be underscored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maite Yael Cambiasso
- CONICET, Instituto de Biología Y Medicina Experimental (IByME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucila Gotfryd
- CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Gabriel Stinson
- CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sol Birolo
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Salamone
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX), CONICET Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Romanato
- CONICET, Instituto de Biología Y Medicina Experimental (IByME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Calvo
- CONICET, Instituto de Biología Y Medicina Experimental (IByME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina Andrea Fontana
- CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Environmental pollutants exposure and male reproductive toxicity: The role of epigenetic modifications. Toxicology 2021; 456:152780. [PMID: 33862174 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Male fertility rates have shown a progressive decrease in recent decades. There is a growing concern about the male reproductive dysfunction caused by environmental pollutants exposure, however the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not well understood. Epigenetic modifications play a key role in the biological responses to external stressors. Therefore, this review discusses the roles of epigenetic modifications in male reproductive toxicity induced by environmental pollutants, with a particular emphasis on DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNAs. The available literature proposed that environmental pollutants can directly or cause oxidative stress and DNA damage to induce a variety of epigenetic changes, which lead to gene dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent male reproductive toxicity. However, future studies focusing on more kinds of epigenetic modifications and their crosstalk as well as epidemiological data are still required to fill in the current research gaps. In addition, the intrinsic links between pollutants-mediated epigenetic regulations and male reproduction-related physiological responses deserve to be further explored.
Collapse
|
13
|
Shalini V, Bhaduri U, Ravikkumar AC, Rengarajan A, Satyanarayana RMR. Genome-wide occupancy reveals the localization of H1T2 (H1fnt) to repeat regions and a subset of transcriptionally active chromatin domains in rat spermatids. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:3. [PMID: 33407810 PMCID: PMC7788777 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00376-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background H1T2/H1FNT is a germ cell-specific linker histone variant expressed during spermiogenesis specifically in round and elongating spermatids. Infertile phenotype of homozygous H1T2 mutant male mice revealed the essential function of H1T2 for the DNA condensation and histone-to-protamine replacement in spermiogenesis. However, the mechanism by which H1T2 imparts the inherent polarity within spermatid nucleus including the additional protein partners and the genomic domains occupied by this linker histone are unknown. Results Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Walker motif, SR domains and putative coiled-coil domains in the C-terminal domain of rat H1T2 protein. Genome-wide occupancy analysis using highly specific antibody against the CTD of H1T2 demonstrated the binding of H1T2 to the LINE L1 repeat elements and to a significant percentage of the genic regions (promoter-TSS, exons and introns) of the rat spermatid genome. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis revealed the open chromatin architecture of H1T2 occupied chromatin encompassing the H4 acetylation and other histone PTMs characteristic of transcriptionally active chromatin. In addition, the present study has identified the interacting protein partners of H1T2-associated chromatin mainly as nucleo-skeleton components, RNA-binding proteins and chaperones. Conclusions Linker histone H1T2 possesses unique domain architecture which can account for the specific functions associated with chromatin remodeling events facilitating the initiation of histone to transition proteins/protamine transition in the polar apical spermatid genome. Our results directly establish the unique function of H1T2 in nuclear shaping associated with spermiogenesis by mediating the interaction between chromatin and nucleo-skeleton, positioning the epigenetically specialized chromatin domains involved in transcription coupled histone replacement initiation towards the apical pole of round/elongating spermatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasantha Shalini
- From the Chromatin Biology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Utsa Bhaduri
- From the Chromatin Biology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,European Union's H2020 TRIM-NET ITN, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anjhana C Ravikkumar
- From the Chromatin Biology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Anusha Rengarajan
- From the Chromatin Biology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Rao M R Satyanarayana
- From the Chromatin Biology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ni Y, Yang Y, Ran J, Zhang L, Yao M, Liu Z, Zhang L. miR-15a-5p inhibits metastasis and lipid metabolism by suppressing histone acetylation in lung cancer. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 161:150-162. [PMID: 33059020 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramme was a key characteristic of malignant tumors. Increased evidences indicated that besides Warburg effect (abnormal glucose metabolism), abnormal lipid metabolism played more and more important in progression and metastasis of malignant tumors. MiR-15a-5p could inhibit development of lung cancer, while its regulating mechanism, especially the role in lipid metabolism still remained unclear. In this study, we confirmed that miR-15a-5p inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. The online analysis of Mirpath v.3 predicted that miR-15a-5p was closely associated with fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism. In vitro cell experiments revealed that miR-15a-5p significantly suppressed fatty acid synthesis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting acetate uptake. Extensive analysis indicated that miR-15a-5p could suppress acetyl-CoA activity and decrease histone H4 acetylation by inhibiting ACSS2 expression. In addition, we also observed that ACSS2 located in nucleus under hypoxic conditions, while miR-15a-5p could be transported into nucleus to inhibit the function of ACSS2. Our study unveiled a novel mechanism of miR-15a-5p in inhibiting metastasis of lung cancer cells by suppressing lipid metabolism via suppression of ACSS2 mediated acetyl-CoA activity and histone acetylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinyun Ni
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jingjing Ran
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- West China-Washington Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Menglin Yao
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Laboratory of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Male Factors: the Role of Sperm in Preimplantation Embryo Quality. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:1788-1811. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
16
|
Subhash S, Kanduri M, Kanduri C. Sperm Originated Chromatin Imprints and LincRNAs in Organismal Development and Cancer. iScience 2020; 23:101165. [PMID: 32485645 PMCID: PMC7262563 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance of sperm-derived transcripts and chromatin imprints in organismal development is poorly investigated. Here using an integrative approach, we show that human sperm transcripts are equally important as oocyte. Sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte common transcripts carry distinct chromatin structures at their promoters correlating with corresponding transcript levels in sperm. Interestingly, sperm-specific H3K4me3 patterns at the lincRNA promoters are not maintained in the germ layers and somatic tissues. However, bivalent chromatin at the sperm-specific protein-coding gene promoters is maintained throughout the development. Sperm-specific transcripts reach their peak expression during zygotic genome activation, whereas sperm-oocyte common transcripts are present during early preimplantation development but decline at the onset of zygotic genome activation. Additionally, there is an inverse correlation between sperm-specific and sperm-oocyte lincRNAs throughout the development. Sperm-lincRNAs also show aberrant activation in tumors. Overall, our observations indicate that sperm transcripts carrying chromatin imprints may play an important role in human development and cancer. Sp-lincRNAs carry distinct chromatin structures correlating with transcript levels Sp-lincRNAs are active during ZGA in preimplantation developmental stages SpOc-lincRNAs are active in pre-ZGA and decline at the onset of ZGA Sp-lincRNAs are silent post implantation but show aberrant cancer-specific activation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santhilal Subhash
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Meena Kanduri
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chandrasekhar Kanduri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tang SB, Yang LL, Zhang TT, Wang Q, Yin S, Luo SM, Shen W, Ge ZJ, Sun QY. Multiple superovulations alter histone modifications in mouse early embryos. Reproduction 2020; 157:511-523. [PMID: 30884466 PMCID: PMC6454231 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It is demonstrated that repeated superovulation has deleterious effects on mouse ovaries and cumulus cells. However, little is known about the effects of repeated superovulation on early embryos. Epigenetic reprogramming is an important event in early embryonic development and could be easily disrupted by the environment. Thus, we speculated that multiple superovulations may have adverse effects on histone modifications in the early embryos. Female CD1 mice were randomly divided into four groups: (a) spontaneous estrus cycle (R0); (b) with once superovulation (R1); (c) with three times superovulation at a 7-day interval (R3) and (d) with five times superovulation at a 7-day interval (R5). We found that repeated superovulation remarkably decreased the fertilization rate. With the increase of superovulation times, the rate of early embryo development was decreased. The expression of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog was also affected by superovulation in blastocysts. The immunofluorescence results showed that the acetylation level of histone 4 at lysine 12 (H4K12ac) was significantly reduced by repeated superovulation in mouse early embryos (P < 0.01). Acetylation level of histone 4 at lysine 16 (H4K16ac) was also significantly reduced in pronuclei and blastocyst along with the increase of superovulation times (P < 0.01). H3K9me2 and H3K27me3 were significantly increased in four-cell embryos and blastocysts. We further found that repeated superovulation treatment increased the mRNA level of histone deacetylases Hdac1, Hdac2 and histone methyltransferase G9a, but decreased the expression level of histone demethylase-encoding genes Kdm6a and Kdm6b in early embryos. In a word, multiple superovulations alter histone modifications in early embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Bin Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei-Lei Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ming Luo
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Jia Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chioccarelli T, Pierantoni R, Manfrevola F, Porreca V, Fasano S, Chianese R, Cobellis G. Histone Post-Translational Modifications and CircRNAs in Mouse and Human Spermatozoa: Potential Epigenetic Marks to Assess Human Sperm Quality. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9030640. [PMID: 32121034 PMCID: PMC7141194 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9030640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa (SPZ) are motile cells, characterized by a cargo of epigenetic information including histone post-translational modifications (histone PTMs) and non-coding RNAs. Specific histone PTMs are present in developing germ cells, with a key role in spermatogenic events such as self-renewal and commitment of spermatogonia (SPG), meiotic recombination, nuclear condensation in spermatids (SPT). Nuclear condensation is related to chromatin remodeling events and requires a massive histone-to-protamine exchange. After this event a small percentage of chromatin is condensed by histones and SPZ contain nucleoprotamines and a small fraction of nucleohistone chromatin carrying a landascape of histone PTMs. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new class of non-coding RNAs, characterized by a nonlinear back-spliced junction, able to play as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, protein scaffolds and translation templates, have been recently characterized in both human and mouse SPZ. Since their abundance in eukaryote tissues, it is challenging to deepen their biological function, especially in the field of reproduction. Here we review the critical role of histone PTMs in male germ cells and the profile of circRNAs in mouse and human SPZ. Furthermore, we discuss their suggested role as novel epigenetic biomarkers to assess sperm quality and improve artificial insemination procedure.
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhu JQ, Liu Y, Zhang JH, Liu YF, Cao JQ, Huang ZT, Yuan Y, Bian JC, Liu ZP. Cadmium Exposure of Female Mice Impairs the Meiotic Maturation of Oocytes and Subsequent Embryonic Development. Toxicol Sci 2019; 164:289-299. [PMID: 29684212 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is one major pollutant that is highly toxic to animals and humans. The mechanism of cadmium toxicity on the female reproductive system, particularly oocyte maturation and fertility, remains to be clarified. In this study, we used a mouse model to investigate the effects of cadmium in the drinking water on the meiotic maturation of oocytes and subsequent embryonic development, and the underlying mechanisms associated with the impairment of oocyte maturation such as mitochondrial distribution and histone modifications. Our results show that cadmium exposure decreased the number of ovulated oocytes and impaired oocyte meiotic maturation rate both in vivo and in vitro. The embryonic development after fertilization was also impaired even when the potential hazards of cadmium on the spermatozoa or the genital tract have been excluded by fertilization and embryonic development in culture. Cadmium exposure disrupted meiotic spindle morphology and actin filament, which are responsible for successful chromosome segregation and the polar body extrusion during oocyte maturation and fertilization. ATP contents, which are required for proper meiotic spindle assembly in the oocyte, were decreased, consistent with altered mitochondrial distribution after cadmium exposure. Finally, cadmium exposure affected the levels of H3K9me2 and H4K12ac in the oocyte, which are closely associated with the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence and subsequent embryonic development. In conclusion, cadmium exposure in female mice impaired meiotic maturation of oocytes and subsequent embryonic development by affecting the cytoskeletal organization, mitochondrial function, and histone modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Hong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Fang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Qin Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhu-Tao Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Chun Bian
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zong-Ping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Muratori M, De Geyter C. Chromatin condensation, fragmentation of DNA and differences in the epigenetic signature of infertile men. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 33:117-126. [PMID: 30420311 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies report an increase of pathologies of male reproductive tracts and suggest a link between this trend and the increased exposure of men to endocrine disruptors (EDs). The mechanisms by which EDs impact male fertility are far to be elucidated although DNA, chromatin and epigenome of spermatozoa appear to be relevant targets for these molecules. Indeed, many studies report associations between increased levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) or aberrant chromatin condensation or epigenetic modifications and poor semen quality and/or infertile phenotype. In this scenario, therapies able to reduce sperm damage to DNA, chromatin and epigenome are sought. Currently, antioxidants and FSH administration is proposed for treating high levels of sDF, but whether or not such therapies are really effective is still debated. Further studies are necessary to understand the link between endocrine disruptor exposure and damage to sperm function and/or structure and thus to define effective therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Muratori
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Sexual Medicine and Andrology, Center of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, I-50139, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Christian De Geyter
- Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology (RME), University Hospital, University of Basel, Vogesenstrasse 134, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ho NTK, Nguyen TVT, Nguyen TV, Bui HT. Epigenetic impairments in development of parthenogenetic preimplantation mouse embryos. J Reprod Dev 2018; 65:83-90. [PMID: 30606958 PMCID: PMC6379762 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2018-028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parthenogenesis is an activation process of oocytes that occur without the participation of sperm. Evidence suggests that normal development of embryos requires proper expression of several
imprinted genes inherited from both the paternal and maternal genomes. Compared to gene expression, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling are not well-documented. In this research,
by using immunofluorescence staining for several developmental-associated histone modifications, we investigated whether epigenetic impairments in parthenogenetic embryos act as constraints
for proper development. At early stages, fertilized embryos exhibited high methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (Me-H3-K9) and Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) present in the maternal
chromatin, while paternal chromatin showed weaker HP1 signals. We found that at the two-cell stage in fertilized embryos, HP1, initially detected around the nucleolus, colocalized with
chromocenters at one pole of the blastomere, while parthenotes showed a diffused distribution pattern of HP1 throughout the entire nucleoplasm. At the four-cell stage, methylation of histone
H3 at arginine 26 (Me-H3-R26) increased at nascent RNA repression sites in fertilized embryos, while parthenotes recorded weaker signals throughout the nucleoplasm, suggesting differences in
pluripotency of the ICM cells between the two types of embryos. Moreover, at the blastocyst stage, we observed that the acetylation level of histone H4 at lysine 12 (Ac-H4-K12) was
significantly decreased in parthenogenetic ICM compared to that in its fertilized counterpart. To summarize, differences in epigenetic modifications correlating with paternal chromatin’s
capacity to regulate nascent RNA repression may contribute to aberrant development and lineage allocation in mouse parthenogenetic embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ngan Thi Kim Ho
- Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Thuy Van Thi Nguyen
- Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Thuan Van Nguyen
- Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Hong-Thuy Bui
- Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Barrachina F, Anastasiadi D, Jodar M, Castillo J, Estanyol JM, Piferrer F, Oliva R. Identification of a complex population of chromatin-associated proteins in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) sperm. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:502-517. [PMID: 29939100 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1482383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A very common conception about the function of the spermatozoon is that its unique role is to transmit the paternal genome to the next generation. Most of the sperm genome is known to be condensed in many species by protamines, which are small and extremely positively charged proteins (50-70% arginine) with the functions of streamlining the sperm cell and protecting its DNA. However, more recently, it has been shown in mammals that 2-10% of its mature sperm chromatin is also associated to a complex population of histones and chromatin-associated proteins differentially distributed in the genome. These proteins are transferred to the oocyte upon fertilization and may be involved in the epigenetic marking of the paternal genome. However, little information is so far available on the additional potential sperm chromatin proteins present in other protamine-containing non-mammalian vertebrates detected through high-throughput mass spectrometry. Thus, we started the present work with the goal of characterizing the mature sperm proteome of the European sea bass, with a particular focus on the sperm chromatin, chosen as a representative of non-mammalian vertebrate protamine-containing species. Proteins were isolated by acidic extraction from purified sperm cells and from purified sperm nuclei, digested with trypsin, and subsequently the peptides were separated using liquid chromatography and identified through tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 296 proteins were identified. Of interest, the presence of 94 histones and other chromatin-associated proteins was detected, in addition to the protamines. These results provide phylogenetically strategic information, indicating that the coexistence of histones, additional chromatin proteins, and protamines in sperm is not exclusive of mammals, but is also present in other protamine-containing vertebrates. Thus, it indicates that the epigenetic marking of the sperm chromatin, first demonstrated in mammals, could be more fundamental and conserved than previously thought. Abbreviations: AU-PAGE: acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; CPC: chromosomal passenger complex; DTT: dithiothreitol; EGA: embryonic genome activation; FDR: false discovery rate; GO: Gene Ontology; IAA: iodoacetamide; LC: liquid chromatography; LC-MS/MS: liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry; MS: mass spectrometry; MS/MS: tandem mass spectrometry; MW: molecular weight; PAGE: polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS-PAGE: sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; TCA: trichloroacetic acid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Dafni Anastasiadi
- c Institut de Ciències del Mar , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Josep Maria Estanyol
- d Proteomics Unit, Scientific and Technological Centers from the University of Barcelona , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Francesc Piferrer
- c Institut de Ciències del Mar , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Meyer RG, Ketchum CC, Meyer-Ficca ML. Heritable sperm chromatin epigenetics: a break to remember†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:784-797. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
|
24
|
Pan X, Fang Y, Yang X, Zheng D, Chen L, Wang L, Xiao J, Wang XE, Wang K, Cheng Z, Yu H, Zhang W. Chromatin states responsible for the regulation of differentially expressed genes under 60Co~γ ray radiation in rice. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:778. [PMID: 29025389 PMCID: PMC5639768 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4172-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of histone modifications in the DNA damage response has been extensively studied in non-plant systems, including mammals and yeast. However, there is a lack of detailed evidence showing how chromatin dynamics, either an individual mark or combined chromatin states, participate in regulating differentially expressed genes in the plant DNA damage response. Results In this study, we used RNA-seq and ChIP-seq to show that differentially expressed genes (DEGs), in response to ionizing radiation (IR), might be involved in different pathways responsible for the DNA damage response. Moreover, chromatin structures associated with promoters, exons and intergenic regions are significantly affected by IR. Most importantly, either an individual mark or a certain chromatin state was found to be highly correlated with the expression of up-regulated genes. In contrast, only the chromatin states, as opposed to any individual marks tested, are related to the expression of the down-regulated genes. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that IR-related DEGs are modulated by distinct epigenetic mechanisms. Either chromatin states or distinct histone dynamics may act sequentially or in combination in regulating up-regulated genes, but the complex chromatin structure is mainly responsible for the expression of down-regulated genes. Thus, this study provides new insights into how up- and down-regulated genes are epigenetically regulated at the chromatin levels, thereby helping us to understand distinct epigenetic mechanisms that function in the plant DNA damage response. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4172-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiucai Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Xueming Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Dongyang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Lifen Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Jin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Xiu-E Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology (HIST), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 35002, China
| | - Zhukuan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hengxiu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology of Jiangsu Province/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China. .,JiangSu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production (JCIC-MCP), Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Involvement of sperm acetylated histones and the nuclear isoform of Glutathione peroxidase 4 in fertilization. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3093-3104. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
26
|
Epigenetic dynamics and interplay during spermatogenesis and embryogenesis: implications for male fertility and offspring health. Oncotarget 2017; 8:53804-53818. [PMID: 28881852 PMCID: PMC5581151 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping epigenetic modifications and identifying their roles in the regulation of spermatogenesis and embryogenesis are essential for gaining fundamental medical understandings and for clinical applications. More and more evidence has shown that specific epigenetic modifications are established during spermatogenesis, which will be transferred into oocyte via fertilisation, and play an important role in the early embryo development. Defects in epigenetic patterns may increase the risk of abnormal spermatogenesis, fertilisation failure, early embryogenesis abnormality and several other complications during pregnancy. This review mainly discusses the relationship between altered epigenetic profiles and reproductive diseases, highlighting how epigenetic defects affect the quality of sperm and embryo.
Collapse
|
27
|
Vecoli C, Montano L, Andreassi MG. Environmental pollutants: genetic damage and epigenetic changes in male germ cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:23339-23348. [PMID: 27672044 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
About a quarter of the human diseases occurs for exposure to air pollution. The male reproductive system, and especially spermatogenesis, seems to be particularly sensitive. As result, male infertility is increasing in industrial countries becoming a top priority for public health. In addition to psychological distress and economic constraints, poorer semen quality may have trans-generational effects including congenital malformations in the offspring and predispose to later onset adult diseases. Genetic and epigenetic alterations are involved in the failure of spermatogenesis. In this paper, we reviewed the major evidences of the effects of air pollutants on male infertility as well as the role of sperm DNA damage and epigenetic changes in affecting spermatogenesis. A better knowledge on the effects of air contaminants on the molecular mechanisms leading to infertility is of huge importance to help clinicians in identifying the cause of infertility but above all, in defining preventive and therapeutic protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Vecoli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology-CNR, via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit of the "San Francesco d'Assisi" Hospital - ASL Salerno, EcoFoodFertility Project Coordination Unit, via M. Clemente, 84020, Oliveto Citra, SA, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bayarsaihan D. Deciphering the Epigenetic Code in Embryonic and Dental Pulp Stem Cells. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 89:539-563. [PMID: 28018144 PMCID: PMC5168831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A close cooperation between chromatin states, transcriptional modulation, and epigenetic modifications is required for establishing appropriate regulatory circuits underlying self-renewal and differentiation of adult and embryonic stem cells. A growing body of research has established that the epigenome topology provides a structural framework for engaging genes in the non-random chromosomal interactions to orchestrate complex processes such as cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion and cell migration during lineage commitment. Over the past few years, the functional dissection of the epigenetic landscape has become increasingly important for understanding gene expression dynamics in stem cells naturally found in most tissues. Adult stem cells of the human dental pulp hold great promise for tissue engineering, particularly in the skeletal and tooth regenerative medicine. It is therefore likely that progress towards pulp regeneration will have a substantial impact on the clinical research. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding epigenetic cues that have evolved to regulate the pluripotent differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells and the lineage determination of developing dental pulp progenitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Institute for System Genomics and Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sillaste G, Kaplinski L, Meier R, Jaakma Ü, Eriste E, Salumets A. A novel hypothesis for histone-to-protamine transition in Bos taurus spermatozoa. Reproduction 2016; 153:241-251. [PMID: 27899719 PMCID: PMC5184773 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
DNA compaction with protamines in sperm is essential for successful fertilization. However, a portion of sperm chromatin remains less tightly packed with histones, which genomic location and function remain unclear. We extracted and sequenced histone-associated DNA from sperm of nine ejaculates from three bulls. We found that the fraction of retained histones varied between samples, but the variance was similar between samples from the same and different individuals. The most conserved regions showed similar abundance across all samples, whereas in other regions, their presence correlated with the size of histone fraction. This may refer to gradual histone–protamine transition, where easily accessible genomic regions, followed by the less accessible regions are first substituted by protamines. Our results confirm those from previous studies that histones remain in repetitive genome elements, such as centromeres, and added new findings of histones in rRNA and SRP RNA gene clusters and indicated histone enrichment in some spermatogenesis-associated genes, but not in genes of early embryonic development. Our functional analysis revealed significant overrepresentation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) pathway genes among histone-enriched genes. This pathway is known for its importance in pre-fertilization sperm events. In summary, a novel hypothesis for gradual histone-to-protamine transition in sperm maturation was proposed. We believe that histones may contribute structural information into early embryo by epigenetically modifying centromeric chromatin and other types of repetitive DNA. We also suggest that sperm histones are retained in genes needed for sperm development, maturation and fertilization, as these genes are transcriptionally active shortly prior to histone-to-protamine transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riho Meier
- Competence Centre on Health TechnologiesTartu, Estonia.,Institute of Molecular and Cell BiologyChair of Developmental Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülle Jaakma
- Competence Centre on Health TechnologiesTartu, Estonia.,Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesEstonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Elo Eriste
- Competence Centre on Health TechnologiesTartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health TechnologiesTartu, Estonia .,Women's ClinicInstitute of Clinical Medicine.,Institute of Bio- and Translational MedicineUniversity of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Jin L, Zhu HY, Guo Q, Li XC, Zhang YC, Cui CD, Li WX, Cui ZY, Yin XJ, Kang JD. Effect of histone acetylation modification with MGCD0103, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on nuclear reprogramming and the developmental competence of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. Theriogenology 2016; 87:298-305. [PMID: 27742403 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cloning remains as an important technique to enhance the reconstitution and distribution of animal population with high-genetic merit. One of the major detrimental factors of this technique is the abnormal epigenetic modifications. MGCD0103 is known as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. In this study, we investigated the effect of MGCD0103 on the in vitro blastocyst formation rate in porcine somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) embryos and expression in acetylation of the histone H3 lysine 9 and histone H4 lysine 12. We compared the in vitro embryonic development of SCNT embryos treated with different concentrations of MGCD0103 for 24 hours. Our results reported that treating with 0.2-μM MGCD0103 for 24 hours effectively improved the development of SCNT embryos, in comparison to the control group (blastocyst formation rate, 25.5 vs. 10.7%, P < 0.05). Then we tested the in vitro development of SCNT embryos treated with 0.2-μM MGCD0103 for various intervals after activation. Treatment for 6 hours significantly improved the development of pig SCNT embryos, compared with the control group (blastocyst formation rate, 21.2 vs. 10.5%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, MGCD0103 supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increases the average fluorescence intensity of AcH3K9 and AcH4K12 in embryos at the pseudo-pronuclear stage. To examine the in vivo development, MGCD0103-treated SCNT embryos were transferred into two surrogate sows, one of whom became pregnant and three fetuses developed. These results suggest that MGCD0103 can enhance the nuclear reprogramming and improve in vitro developmental potential of porcine SCNT embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Hai-Ying Zhu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Yu-Chen Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Cheng-Du Cui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Wen-Xue Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Zheng-Yun Cui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Xi-Jun Yin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.
| | - Jin-Dan Kang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhou X, Qian G, Yi X, Li X, Liu W. Systematic Analysis of the Lysine Acetylome in Candida albicans. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:2525-36. [PMID: 27297460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a worldwide cause of fungal infectious diseases. As a general post-translational modification (PTM), lysine acetylation of proteins play an important regulatory role in almost every cell. In our research, we used a high-resolution proteomic technique (LC-MS/MS) to present the comprehensive analysis of the acetylome in C. albicans. In general, we detected 477 acetylated proteins among all 9038 proteins (5.28%) in C. albicans, which had 1073 specific acetylated sites. The bioinformatics analysis of the acetylome showed a significant role in the regulation of metabolism. To be more precise, proteins involved in carbon metabolism and biosynthesis were the underlying objectives of acetylation. Besides, through the study of the acetylome, we found a universal rule in acetylated motifs: the +4, +5, or +6 position, which is an alkaline residue with a long side chain (K or R), and the +1 or +2 position, which is a residue with a long side chain (Y, H, W, or F). To the best of our knowledge, all screening acetylated histone sites of this study have not been previously reported. Moreover, protein-protein interaction network (PPI) study demonstrated that a variety of connections in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and the ribosome were modulated by acetylation and phosphorylation, but the phosphorylated proteins in oxidative phosphorylation PPI network were not abundant, which indicated that acetylation may have a more significant effect than phosphorylation on oxidative phosphorylation. This is the first study of the acetylome in human pathogenic fungi, providing an important starting point for the in-depth discovery of the functional analysis of acetylated proteins in such fungal pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhou
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College , Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanyu Qian
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College , Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingling Yi
- Jingjie PTM Bio (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College , Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College , Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Luense LJ, Wang X, Schon SB, Weller AH, Lin Shiao E, Bryant JM, Bartolomei MS, Coutifaris C, Garcia BA, Berger SL. Comprehensive analysis of histone post-translational modifications in mouse and human male germ cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2016; 9:24. [PMID: 27330565 PMCID: PMC4915177 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-016-0072-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the process of spermatogenesis, male germ cells undergo dramatic chromatin reorganization, whereby most histones are replaced by protamines, as part of the pathway to compact the genome into the small nuclear volume of the sperm head. Remarkably, approximately 90 % (human) to 95 % (mouse) of histones are evicted during the process. An intriguing hypothesis is that post-translational modifications (PTMs) decorating histones play a critical role in epigenetic regulation of spermatogenesis and embryonic development following fertilization. Although a number of specific histone PTMs have been individually studied during spermatogenesis and in mature mouse and human sperm, to date, there is a paucity of comprehensive identification of histone PTMs and their dynamics during this process. Results Here we report systematic investigation of sperm histone PTMs and their dynamics during spermatogenesis. We utilized “bottom-up” nanoliquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC–MS/MS) to identify histone PTMs and to determine their relative abundance in distinct stages of mouse spermatogenesis (meiotic, round spermatids, elongating/condensing spermatids, and mature sperm) and in human sperm. We detected peptides and histone PTMs from all four canonical histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4), the linker histone H1, and multiple histone isoforms of H1, H2A, H2B, and H3 in cells from all stages of mouse spermatogenesis and in mouse sperm. We found strong conservation of histone PTMs for histone H3 and H4 between mouse and human sperm; however, little conservation was observed between H1, H2A, and H2B. Importantly, across eight individual normozoospermic human semen samples, little variation was observed in the relative abundance of nearly all histone PTMs. Conclusion In summary, we report the first comprehensive and unbiased analysis of histone PTMs at multiple time points during mouse spermatogenesis and in mature mouse and human sperm. Furthermore, our results suggest a largely uniform histone PTM signature in sperm from individual humans. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-016-0072-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lacey J Luense
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Xiaoshi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Samantha B Schon
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Angela H Weller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Enrique Lin Shiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Jessica M Bryant
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Institute Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Shelley L Berger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.,Epigenetics Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Teperek M, Simeone A, Gaggioli V, Miyamoto K, Allen GE, Erkek S, Kwon T, Marcotte EM, Zegerman P, Bradshaw CR, Peters AHFM, Gurdon JB, Jullien J. Sperm is epigenetically programmed to regulate gene transcription in embryos. Genome Res 2016; 26:1034-46. [PMID: 27034506 PMCID: PMC4971762 DOI: 10.1101/gr.201541.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
For a long time, it has been assumed that the only role of sperm at fertilization is to introduce the male genome into the egg. Recently, ideas have emerged that the epigenetic state of the sperm nucleus could influence transcription in the embryo. However, conflicting reports have challenged the existence of epigenetic marks on sperm genes, and there are no functional tests supporting the role of sperm epigenetic marking on embryonic gene expression. Here, we show that sperm is epigenetically programmed to regulate embryonic gene expression. By comparing the development of sperm- and spermatid-derived frog embryos, we show that the programming of sperm for successful development relates to its ability to regulate transcription of a set of developmentally important genes. During spermatid maturation into sperm, these genes lose H3K4me2/3 and retain H3K27me3 marks. Experimental removal of these epigenetic marks at fertilization de-regulates gene expression in the resulting embryos in a paternal chromatin-dependent manner. This demonstrates that epigenetic instructions delivered by the sperm at fertilization are required for correct regulation of gene expression in the future embryos. The epigenetic mechanisms of developmental programming revealed here are likely to relate to the mechanisms involved in transgenerational transmission of acquired traits. Understanding how parental experience can influence development of the progeny has broad potential for improving human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Teperek
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Simeone
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Gaggioli
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Kei Miyamoto
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - George E Allen
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Serap Erkek
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Taejoon Kwon
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Edward M Marcotte
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Philip Zegerman
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R Bradshaw
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Antoine H F M Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - John B Gurdon
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jerome Jullien
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Leung YT, Shi L, Maurer K, Song L, Zhang Z, Petri M, Sullivan KE. Interferon regulatory factor 1 and histone H4 acetylation in systemic lupus erythematosus. Epigenetics 2015; 10:191-9. [PMID: 25611806 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1009764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation modulates gene expression and has been described as increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) interactions that influence H4 acetylation (H4ac) in SLE. Intracellular flow cytometry for H4 acetylated lysine (K) 5, K8, K12, and K16 was performed. Histone acetylation was defined in monocytes and T cells from controls and SLE patients. RNA-Seq studies were performed on monocytes to look for an imbalance in histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylase enzyme expression. Expression levels were validated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. IRF1 induction of H4ac was evaluated using D54MG cells overexpressing IRF1. IRF1 protein interactions were studied using co-immunoprecipitation assays. IRF1-dependent recruitment of histone acetyltransferases to target genes was examined by ChIP assays using p300 antibody. Flow cytometry data showed significantly increased H4K5, H4K8, H4K12, and H4K16 acetylation in SLE monocytes. HDAC3 and HDAC11 gene expression were decreased in SLE monocytes. PCAF showed significantly higher gene expression in SLE than controls. IRF1-overexpressing D54MG cells were associated with significantly increased H4K5, H4K8, and H4K12 acetylation compared to vector-control D54MG cells both globally and at specific target genes. Co-immunoprecipitation studies using D54MG cells revealed IRF1 protein-protein interactions with PCAF, P300, CBP, GCN5, ATF2, and HDAC3. ChIP experiments demonstrated increased p300 recruitment to known IRF1 targets in D54MG cells overexpressing IRF1. In contrast, p300 binding to IRF1 targets decreased in D54MG cells with IRF1 knockdown. SLE appears to be associated with an imbalance in histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylase enzymes favoring pathologic H4 acetylation. Furthermore, IRF1 directly interacts with chromatin modifying enzymes, supporting a model where recruitment to specific target genes is mediated in part by IRF1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiu Tak Leung
- a Division of Rheumatology ; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine ; Philadelphia , PA USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Affiliation(s)
- Guangtao Zhang
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Steven G Smith
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sá R, Cunha M, Rocha E, Barros A, Sousa M. Sperm DNA fragmentation is related to sperm morphological staining patterns. Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 31:506-15. [PMID: 26278809 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this prospective comparative study, sperm DNA fragmentation (sDNAfrag) was compared at each step of a sequential semen preparation, with semen parameters according to their degree of severity. At each step (fractions) of the sequential procedure, sDNAfrag was determined: fresh (Raw), after gradient centrifugation, washing, and swim-up (SU) for 70 infertile men enrolled in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. sDNAfrag significantly (P = 0.04; P < 0.0001) decreased throughout the steps of semen preparation, with centrifugation and washing not increasing it. A negative correlation to sperm motility was observed in Raw and SU fractions, and a higher sDNAfrag was observed in samples with lower semen quality. Our results confirm that the steps of the sequential procedure do not compromise sperm DNA integrity and progressively decreased sDNAfrag regardless of the sperm abnormality and that semen parameters with lower quality present higher sDNAfrag. Four distinct patterns were observed, of which the entire sperm head staining was the pattern most expressed in all studied fractions. Additionally, the sperm head gene-rich region staining pattern was reduced by the procedure. This suggests that pattern quantification might be a useful adjunct when performing sDNAfrag testing for male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosália Sá
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Cunha
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Prof. Alberto Barros (CGR-ABarros), 4100-009 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Rocha
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, ICBAS-UP, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Prof. Alberto Barros (CGR-ABarros), 4100-009 Porto, Portugal; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, UP, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Sousa
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Vieweg M, Dvorakova-Hortova K, Dudkova B, Waliszewski P, Otte M, Oels B, Hajimohammad A, Turley H, Schorsch M, Schuppe HC, Weidner W, Steger K, Paradowska-Dogan A. Methylation analysis of histone H4K12ac-associated promoters in sperm of healthy donors and subfertile patients. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:31. [PMID: 25806092 PMCID: PMC4372182 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histone to protamine exchange and the hyperacetylation of the remaining histones are hallmarks of spermiogenesis. Acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 12 (H4K12ac) was observed prior to full decondensation of sperm chromatin after fertilization suggesting an important role for the regulation of gene expression in early embryogenesis. Similarly, DNA methylation may contribute to gene silencing of several developmentally important genes. Following the identification of H4K12ac-binding promoters in sperm of fertile and subfertile patients, we aimed to investigate whether the depletion of histone-binding is associated with aberrant DNA methylation in sperm of subfertile men. Furthermore, we monitored the transmission of H4K12ac, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) from the paternal chromatin to the embryo applying mouse in vitro fertilization and immunofluorescence. Results Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with anti-H4K12ac antibody was performed with chromatin isolated from spermatozoa of subfertile patients with impaired sperm chromatin condensation assessed by aniline blue staining. Fertile donors were used as control. DNA methylation analysis of selected H4K12ac-interacting promoters in spermatozoa was performed by pyrosequencing. Depletion of binding sites for H4K12ac was observed within the following developmentally important promoters: AFF4, EP300, LRP5, RUVBL1, USP9X, NCOA6, NSD1, and POU2F1. We found 5% to 10% hypomethylation within CpG islands of selected promoters in the sperm of fertile donors, and it was not significantly altered in the subfertile group. Our results demonstrate that the H4K12ac depletion in selected developmentally important promoters of subfertile patients was not accompanied by a change of DNA methylation. Using a murine model, immunofluorescence revealed that H4K12ac co-localize with 5mC in the sperm nucleus. During fertilization, when the pronuclei are formed, the paternal pronucleus exhibits a strong acetylation signal on H4K12, while in the maternal pronucleus, there is a permanent increase of H4K12ac until pronuclei fusion. Simultaneously, there is an increase of the 5hmC signal and a decrease of the 5mC signal. Conclusions We suggest that aberrant histone acetylation within developmentally important gene promoters in subfertile men, but not DNA methylation, may reflect insufficient sperm chromatin compaction affecting the transfer of epigenetic marks to the oocyte. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0058-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Vieweg
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katerina Dvorakova-Hortova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology AS CR, v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Biocev Group, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Dudkova
- Biocev Group, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Przemyslaw Waliszewski
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marie Otte
- Fertility Center, 35578 Wetzlar, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weidner
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus Steger
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Paradowska-Dogan
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yu H, Diao H, Wang C, Lin Y, Yu F, Lu H, Xu W, Li Z, Shi H, Zhao S, Zhou Y, Zhang Y. Acetylproteomic analysis reveals functional implications of lysine acetylation in human spermatozoa (sperm). Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:1009-23. [PMID: 25680958 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.041384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a medical condition that has been on the rise globally. Lysine acetylation of human sperm, an essential posttranslational modification involved in the etiology of sperm abnormality, is not fully understood. Therefore, we first generated a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody to characterize the global lysine acetylation of uncapacitated normal human sperm with a proteomics approach. With high enrichment ratios that were up to 31%, 973 lysine-acetylated sites that matched to 456 human sperm proteins, including 671 novel lysine acetylation sites and 205 novel lysine-acetylated proteins, were identified. These proteins exhibited conserved motifs XXXKYXXX, XXXKFXXX, and XXXKHXXX, were annotated to function in multiple metabolic processes, and were localized predominantly in the mitochondrion and cytoplasmic fractions. Between the uncapacitated and capacitated sperm, different acetylation profiles in regard to functional proteins involved in sperm capacitation, sperm-egg recognition, sperm-egg plasma fusion, and fertilization were observed, indicating that acetylation of functional proteins may be required during sperm capacitation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed association of acetylated proteins with diseases and drugs. Novel acetylation of voltage-dependent anion channel proteins was also found. With clinical sperm samples, we observed differed lysine acetyltransferases and lysine deacetylases expression between normal sperm and abnormal sperm of asthenospermia or necrospermia. Furthermore, with sperm samples impaired by epigallocatechin gallate to mimic asthenospermia, we observed that inhibition of sperm motility was partly through the blockade of voltage-dependent anion channel 2 Lys-74 acetylation combined with reduced ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, we obtained a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody, analyzed the acetylproteome of uncapacitated human sperm, and revealed associations between functional protein acetylation and sperm functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heguo Yu
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Hua Diao
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fudong Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China, and
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Shimin Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,
| | - Yonglian Zhang
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
|
40
|
Samson M, Jow MM, Wong CCL, Fitzpatrick C, Aslanian A, Saucedo I, Estrada R, Ito T, Park SKR, Yates JR, Chu DS. The specification and global reprogramming of histone epigenetic marks during gamete formation and early embryo development in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004588. [PMID: 25299455 PMCID: PMC4191889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to the DNA contributed by sperm and oocytes, embryos receive parent-specific epigenetic information that can include histone variants, histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), and DNA methylation. However, a global view of how such marks are erased or retained during gamete formation and reprogrammed after fertilization is lacking. To focus on features conveyed by histones, we conducted a large-scale proteomic identification of histone variants and PTMs in sperm and mixed-stage embryo chromatin from C. elegans, a species that lacks conserved DNA methylation pathways. The fate of these histone marks was then tracked using immunostaining. Proteomic analysis found that sperm harbor ∼2.4 fold lower levels of histone PTMs than embryos and revealed differences in classes of PTMs between sperm and embryos. Sperm chromatin repackaging involves the incorporation of the sperm-specific histone H2A variant HTAS-1, a widespread erasure of histone acetylation, and the retention of histone methylation at sites that mark the transcriptional history of chromatin domains during spermatogenesis. After fertilization, we show HTAS-1 and 6 histone PTM marks distinguish sperm and oocyte chromatin in the new embryo and characterize distinct paternal and maternal histone remodeling events during the oocyte-to-embryo transition. These include the exchange of histone H2A that is marked by ubiquitination, retention of HTAS-1, removal of the H2A variant HTZ-1, and differential reprogramming of histone PTMs. This work identifies novel and conserved features of paternal chromatin that are specified during spermatogenesis and processed in the embryo. Furthermore, our results show that different species, even those with diverged DNA packaging and imprinting strategies, use conserved histone modification and removal mechanisms to reprogram epigenetic information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Samson
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Margaret M. Jow
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Catherine C. L. Wong
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Mass Spectrometry Division, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Colin Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Aaron Aslanian
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Israel Saucedo
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo Estrada
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Takashi Ito
- Department of Biochemistry, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sung-kyu Robin Park
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John R. Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Diana S. Chu
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
LI YANNING, WANG JUNXIA, XIE YING, LIU SHUFENG, TIAN YE. Pattern of change in histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation and histone deacetylases in development of zebrafish embryo. J Genet 2014; 93:539-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-014-0403-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
42
|
Guerrero-Bosagna C, Skinner MK. Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of male infertility. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2014; 26:79-88. [PMID: 25104619 PMCID: PMC4252707 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Decreasing male fertility has been observed for the past fifty years. Examples of affected reproductive parameters include decreases in sperm count and sperm quality and increases in testicular cancer, cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Exposures to environmental toxicants during fetal development and early postnatal life have been shown to promote infertility. Environmental exposures inducing epigenetic changes related to male infertility range from life style, occupational exposures, environmental toxicants and nutrition. Exposures during fetal gonadal sex determination have been shown to alter the epigenetic programming of the germline that then can transmit this altered epigenetic information to subsequent generations in the absence of any exposures. This environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease will be a component of the etiology of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
- Avian Behaviourial Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Azpiazu R, Amaral A, Castillo J, Estanyol JM, Guimerà M, Ballescà JL, Balasch J, Oliva R. High-throughput sperm differential proteomics suggests that epigenetic alterations contribute to failed assisted reproduction. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:1225-37. [PMID: 24781426 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are there quantitative alterations in the proteome of normozoospermic sperm samples that are able to complete IVF but whose female partner does not achieve pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER Normozoospermic sperm samples with different IVF outcomes (pregnancy versus no pregnancy) differed in the levels of at least 66 proteins. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The analysis of the proteome of sperm samples with distinct fertilization capacity using low-throughput proteomic techniques resulted in the detection of a few differential proteins. Current high-throughput mass spectrometry approaches allow the identification and quantification of a substantially higher number of proteins. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a case-control study including 31 men with normozoospermic sperm and their partners who underwent IVF with successful fertilization recruited between 2007 and 2008. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Normozoospermic sperm samples from 15 men whose female partners did not achieve pregnancy after IVF (no pregnancy) and 16 men from couples that did achieve pregnancy after IVF (pregnancy) were included in this study. To perform the differential proteomic experiments, 10 no pregnancy samples and 10 pregnancy samples were separately pooled and subsequently used for tandem mass tags (TMT) protein labelling, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) identification and peak intensity relative protein quantification. Bioinformatic analyses were performed using UniProt Knowledgebase, DAVID and Reactome. Individual samples (n = 5 no pregnancy samples; n = 6 pregnancy samples) and aliquots from the above TMT pools were used for western blotting. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By using TMT labelling and LC-MS/MS, we have detected 31 proteins present at lower abundance (ratio no pregnancy/pregnancy < 0.67) and 35 at higher abundance (ratio no pregnancy/pregnancy > 1.5) in the no pregnancy group. Bioinformatic analyses showed that the proteins with differing abundance are involved in chromatin assembly and lipoprotein metabolism (P values < 0.05). In addition, the differential abundance of one of the proteins (SRSF protein kinase 1) was further validated by western blotting using independent samples (P value < 0.01). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION For individual samples the amount of recovered sperm not used for IVF was low and in most of the cases insufficient for MS analysis, therefore pools of samples had to be used to this end. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Alterations in the proteins involved in chromatin assembly and metabolism may result in epigenetic errors during spermatogenesis, leading to inaccurate sperm epigenetic signatures, which could ultimately prevent embryonic development. These sperm proteins may thus possibly have clinical relevance. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ministerio de Economia y Competividad; FEDER BFU 2009-07118 and PI13/00699) and Fundación Salud 2000 SERONO13-015. There are no competing interests to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Azpiazu
- Human Genetics Research Group, IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova 143, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Guerrero-Bosagna C, Skinner MK. Environmental epigenetics and effects on male fertility. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 791:67-81. [PMID: 23955673 PMCID: PMC8248443 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7783-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposures to factors such as toxicants or nutrition can have impacts on testis biology and male fertility. The ability of these factors to influence epigenetic mechanisms in early life exposures or from ancestral exposures will be reviewed. A growing number of examples suggest environmental epigenetics will be a critical factor to consider in male reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Sánchez V, Wistuba J, Mallidis C. Semen analysis: update on clinical value, current needs and future perspectives. Reproduction 2013; 146:R249-58. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
At present, evaluation of male reproductive function consists primarily of routine semen analysis, a collection of conventional microscopic assessments ideally performed following the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. While providing some insight into testicular function, these long-performed tests are limited in the information that they impart; more specifically, they are unable to predict true fertility potential. As a consequence, there is a need for the appraisal and consideration of newer semen parameters that may be more indicative of reproductive success. Although various novel assays have been introduced that broaden the scope of information available to both researcher and clinician, the utility of these tests remains limited due to the lack of standardisation of protocols and the absence of clinically established, dependable reference ranges. As such, it is not surprising that most of these parameters and their associated methods remain recommended for ‘research purposes only’. With the burgeoning ‘omics’ revolution, nanotechnology and the development of new analytical instruments, there is now an opportunity for the identification and measurement of previously unknown features that may prove to be more indicative of each sperm's true functional status and capability. Once optimised, simplified, clinically validated and made more readily accessible, these new approaches hold the promise of forming the fulcrum upon which andrological investigations can enter a new era.
Collapse
|
46
|
de Oliveira RV, Dogan S, Belser LE, Kaya A, Topper E, Moura A, Thibaudeau G, Memili E. Molecular morphology and function of bull spermatozoa linked to histones and associated with fertility. Reproduction 2013; 146:263-72. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sub-par fertility in bulls is influenced by alterations in sperm chromatin, and it might not be solved with increased sperm concentration in artificial insemination. Appropriate histone retention during sperm chromatin condensation plays critical roles in male fertility. The objective of this study was to determine failures of sperm chromatin condensation associated with abnormal persistence or accessibility of histones by aniline blue (ANBL) test, expression levels, and cellular localizations of one variant and two core histones (H3.3, H2B, and H4 respectively) in the spermatozoa of low-fertility (LF) vs high-fertility (HF) bulls. The expression levels and cellular localizations of histones in spermatozoa were studied using immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and staining methods. The bioinformatics focused on the sequence identity and evolutionary distance of these proteins among three mammalian species: bovine, mouse, and human. We demonstrated that ANBL staining was different within the LF (1.73 (0.55, 0.19)) and HF (0.67 (0.17, 0.06)) groups (P<0.0001), which was also negatively correlated within vivobull fertility (r=−0.90,P<0.0001). Although these histones were consistently detectable and specifically localized in bull sperm cells, they were not different between the two groups. Except H2B variants, H3.3 and H4 showed 100% identity and were evolutionarily conserved in bulls, mice and humans. The H2B variants were more conserved between bulls and humans, than in mice. In conclusion, we showed that H2B, H3.3, and H4 were detectable in bull spermatozoa and that sperm chromatin condensation status, changed by histone retention, is related to bull fertility.
Collapse
|
47
|
Teperek M, Miyamoto K. Nuclear reprogramming of sperm and somatic nuclei in eggs and oocytes. Reprod Med Biol 2013; 12:133-149. [PMID: 24273450 PMCID: PMC3824936 DOI: 10.1007/s12522-013-0155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggs and oocytes have a prominent ability to reprogram sperm nuclei for ensuring embryonic development. The reprogramming activity that eggs/oocytes intrinsically have towards sperm is utilised to reprogram somatic nuclei injected into eggs/oocytes in nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. NT embryos of various species can give rise to cloned animals, demonstrating that eggs/oocytes can confer totipotency even to somatic nuclei. However, many studies indicate that reprogramming of somatic nuclei is not as efficient as that of sperm nuclei. In this review, we explain how and why sperm and somatic nuclei are differentially reprogrammed in eggs/oocytes. Recent studies have shown that sperm chromatin is epigenetically modified to be adequate for early embryonic development, while somatic nuclei do not have such modifications. Moreover, epigenetic memories encoded in sperm chromatin are transgenerationally inherited, implying unique roles of sperm. We also discuss whether somatic nuclei can be artificially modified to acquire sperm-like chromatin states in order to increase the efficiency of nuclear reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Teperek
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, The Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QN Cambridge, United Kingdom ; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Carrell DT. Research Highlights: Highlights from the latest articles in advances in the understanding of sperm epigenetics. Epigenomics 2013; 5:21-2. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.12.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas T Carrell
- Andrology & IVF Laboratories & Departments of Surgery (Urology), Obstetrics & Gynecology, & Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Schagdarsurengin U, Paradowska A, Steger K. Analysing the sperm epigenome: roles in early embryogenesis and assisted reproduction. Nat Rev Urol 2012; 9:609-19. [PMID: 23045264 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2012.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
An understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in sperm production and their impact on the differentiating embryo is essential if we are to optimize fertilization and assisted reproduction techniques in the future. Male germ cells are unique in terms of size, robustness, and chromatin structure, which is highly condensed owing to the replacement of most histones by protamines. Analysis of sperm epigenetics requires specific techniques that enable the isolation of high quality chromatin and associated nucleic acids. Histone modification, DNA methylation and noncoding RNAs have important, but so far underestimated, roles in the production of fertile sperm. Aberrations in these epigenetic processes have detrimental consequences for both early embryo development and assisted reproductive technology. Emerging computational techniques are likely to improve our understanding of chromatin dynamics in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Undraga Schagdarsurengin
- Justus Liebig University, Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|