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Gonzalez-Castro RA, Whitcomb LA, Pinsinski EC, Carnevale EM. Cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa reduces plasma membrane integrity and phospholipase C zeta 1 content as associated with oocyte activation. Andrology 2024; 12:918-931. [PMID: 37608516 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phospholipase C zeta (PLCZ1) is considered the major sperm-borne oocyte activation factor. Cryopreserved stallion spermatozoa are commonly used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, plasma membrane damage and protein modifications caused by cryopreservation could impair sperm structure and function, leading to a reduction of PLCZ1 and oocyte activation after ICSI. OBJECTIVES We compared membrane integrity and PLCZ1 abundance in populations for fresh, frozen, and refrozen stallion spermatozoa, either thawed and refrozen at room or low temperature; and examined the effect of relative PLCZ1 content on cleavage after ICSI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence were conducted in stallion spermatozoa, freezing extenders, and detergent-extracted sperm fractions to detect and quantify PLCZ1. Retrospectively, PLCZ1 content and cleavage rate were analyzed. Fresh, frozen, and refrozen at room and low temperatures spermatozoa were evaluated for acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity and PLCZ1 content using flow cytometry. RESULTS Western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence revealed significant reduction of PLCZ1 in spermatozoa after cryopreservation and confirmed PLCZ1 detection in extenders. After detergent extraction, a PLCZ1-nonextractable fraction remained in the postacrosomal region of spermatozoa. Plasma membrane integrity was significantly reduced after freezing. Acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity were similar between frozen and refrozen samples at low temperature, but both were significantly higher than samples refrozen at room temperature. Acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity significantly correlated to PLCZ1 content. Percentages of PLCZ1-labeled spermatozoa and PLCZ1 content were reduced after freezing but not after refreezing. Relative content and localization of PLCZ1 were associated with cleavage rates after ICSI. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Sperm PLCZ1 content associates with cleavage rates after ICSI. Cryopreservation is detrimental to sperm plasma membrane integrity and PLCZ1 retention. However, refreezing did not result in additional PLCZ1 loss. Refreezing stallion spermatozoa at a low temperature resulted in better survival but did not improve PLCZ1 retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul A Gonzalez-Castro
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Luke A Whitcomb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Emma C Pinsinski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Parrella A, Medrano L, Aizpurua J, Gómez-Torres MJ. Phospholipase C Zeta in Human Spermatozoa: A Systematic Review on Current Development and Clinical Application. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1344. [PMID: 38279344 PMCID: PMC10815952 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
During fertilization, the fusion of the spermatozoa with the oocytes causes the release of calcium from the oocyte endoplasmatic reticulum. This, in turn, triggers a series of calcium ion (Ca2+) oscillations, a process known as oocyte activation. The sperm-specific factor responsible for oocyte activation is phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with their spermatozoa lacking PLCζ are incapable of generating Ca2+ oscillation, leading to fertilization failure. The immunofluorescence assay is the most used technique to assess the expression and localization of PLCζ and to diagnose patients with reduced/absent ability to activate the oocytes. In these patients, the use of assisted oocyte activation (AOA) technique can help to yield successful ICSI results and shorten the time of pregnancy. However, the production of a stable PLCζ recombinant protein represents a new powerful therapeutic approach to treating individuals with this condition. We aim to conduct a systematic review focusing on the expression, level, and localization of PLCζ, discussing the novel genetic mutation associated with its impairment. In addition, we highlight the benefits of AOA, looking at new and less invasive methods to diagnose and treat cases with PLCζ dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Parrella
- IVF Life, Reproductive Medicine, 03540 Alicante, Spain; (A.P.); (L.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Llanos Medrano
- IVF Life, Reproductive Medicine, 03540 Alicante, Spain; (A.P.); (L.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Life, Reproductive Medicine, 03540 Alicante, Spain; (A.P.); (L.M.); (J.A.)
- Cátedra Human Fertility, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Cátedra Human Fertility, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
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Gonzalez-Castro RA, Carnevale EM. Phospholipase C Zeta 1 ( PLCZ1): The Function and Potential for Fertility Assessment and In Vitro Embryo Production in Cattle and Horses. Vet Sci 2023; 10:698. [PMID: 38133249 PMCID: PMC10747197 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipase C Zeta 1 (PLCZ1) is considered a major sperm-borne oocyte activation factor. After gamete fusion, PLCZ1 triggers calcium oscillations in the oocyte, resulting in oocyte activation. In assisted fertilization, oocyte activation failure is a major cause of low fertility. Most cases of oocyte activation failures in humans related to male infertility are associated with gene mutations and/or altered PLCZ1. Consequently, PLCZ1 evaluation could be an effective diagnostic marker and predictor of sperm fertilizing potential for in vivo and in vitro embryo production. The characterization of PLCZ1 has been principally investigated in men and mice, with less known about the PLCZ1 impact on assisted reproduction in other species, such as cattle and horses. In horses, sperm PLCZ1 varies among stallions, and sperm populations with high PLCZ1 are associated with cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In contrast, bull sperm is less able to initiate calcium oscillations and undergo nuclear remodeling, resulting in poor cleavage after ICSI. Advantageously, injections of PLCZ1 are able to rescue oocyte failure in mouse oocytes after ICSI, promoting full development and birth. However, further research is needed to optimize PLCZ1 diagnostic tests for consistent association with fertility and to determine whether PLCZ1 as an oocyte-activating treatment is a physiological, efficient, and safe method for improving assisted fertilization in cattle and horses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine M. Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
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Zhou X, Xi Q, Jia W, Li Z, Liu Z, Luo G, Xing C, Zhang D, Hou M, Liu H, Yang X, Luo Y, Peng X, Wang G, Zou T, Zhu L, Jin L, Zhang X. A novel homozygous mutation in ACTL7A leads to male infertility. Mol Genet Genomics 2023; 298:353-360. [PMID: 36574082 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility, a global public health problem, exhibits complex pathogenic causes and genetic factors deserve further discovery and study. We identified a novel homozygous missense mutation c.224A > C (p.D75A) in ACTL7A gene in two infertile brothers with teratozoospermia by whole-exome sequencing (WES). In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) showed fertilization failure of the two affected couples. The three-dimensional (3D) models showed that a small section of α-helix transformed into random coil in the mutant ACTL7A protein and mutant amino acid lacked a hydrogen bond with Ser170 amino acid. Immunofluorescence revealed that ACTL7A protein was degraded in sperms of patients. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of sperms from the infertile patients showed that the irregular perinuclear theca (PT) and acrosomal ultrastructural defects. Furthermore, ACTL7A mutation caused abnormal localization and reduced the expression of PLCZ1 in sperms of the patients, which may be the key reasons for the fertilization failure after ICSI. Our findings expand the spectrum of ACTL7A mutations and provide novel theoretical basis for genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Weimin Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Geng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Chenxi Xing
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Meiqi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Yalin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Xuejie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Guihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Zou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China.
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Zhao S, Cui Y, Guo S, Liu B, Bian Y, Zhao S, Chen Z, Zhao H. Novel variants in ACTL7A and PLCZ1 are associated with male infertility and total fertilization failure. Clin Genet 2023; 103:603-608. [PMID: 36593593 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Total fertilization failure (TFF), which refers to fertilization failure in all mature oocytes, accounting for 5%-10% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and 1%-3% of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in human. In this study, we recruited three unrelated primary infertile men with repeated cycles of TFF and performed whole-exome sequencing to identify the potential pathogenic variants. We identified homozygous or compound-heterozygous variants of paternal-effect genes ACTL7A and PLCZ1 that followed a Mendelian recessive inheritance pattern. Novel homozygous nonsense variant in ACTL7A [c.C146G: p.S49*] was identified in case 1, who came from a consanguineous family. Ultrastructural observation of ACTL7A-mutated spermatozoa by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that apparent increased thickness of perinuclear matrix and the acrosome was detached from the nuclear envelop. Besides, two novel compound-heterozygous variants in PLCZ1 were identified in case 2 [c.1174+3A>C:p.?; c.A1274G:p.N425S] and case 3 [c.136-1G>C:p.?; c.G1358A:p.G453D]. Mutated spermatozoa from case 2 with reduced expression of PLCZ1 showed apparent acrosome detachment by TEM analysis. And ICSI with assisted oocyte activation (ICSI-AOA) treatment can partly rescue the TFF. Taken together, our findings revealed that novel biallelic variants in the paternal-effect genes ACTL7A and PLCZ1 were associated with human TFF, which expanding the spectrum of genetic causes and facilitating the genetic diagnosis of male infertility with TFF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shunli Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Yuehong Bian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shigang Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Zijiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
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Peng Y, Lin Y, Deng K, Shen J, Cui Y, Liu J, Yang X, Diao F. Mutations in PLCZ1 induce male infertility associated with polyspermy and fertilization failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:53-64. [PMID: 36529831 PMCID: PMC9840742 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the genetic causes of polyspermy and total fertilization failure (TFF) in two independent male patients suffering from male infertility. METHODS Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to detect the localization of the PLCζ protein in sperm and the maternal pronucleus in the zygote. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood of patients and their families. The ExAC database was used to identify the frequency of corresponding mutations. The PLCZ1 mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the identified mutations and their possible effects on the protein were assessed using in silico tools and molecular modeling. RESULTS We identified a reported homozygous mutation c.588C > A (p.Cys196Ter) and a compound heterozygous mutation c.2 T > C(p.Met1Thr)/c.590G > A (p.Arg197His) with one novel mutation in PLCZ1. The IF results showed that these multipronuclear zygotes formed as a result of polyspermy. In silico analysis predicted that the mutations result in disease-causing proteins. IF staining revealed that PLCζ is abnormally localized in the sperm samples from the two affected patients. Assisted oocyte activation (AOA) successfully rescued polyspermy and TFF and achieved pregnancy in two patients with the PLCZ1 mutation. CONCLUSION We identified a homozygous mutation in PLCZ1 (c.588C > A [p.Cys196Ter]) in a male patient with polyspermy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) as well as a compound heterozygous mutation c.2 T > C(p.Met1Thr)/c.590G > A (p.Arg197His) with one novel mutation in a male patient with fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and we provide evidence that the homozygous mutation can cause polyspermy and the compound heterozygous mutation can cause fertilization failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuting Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiandong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yugui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
| | - Feiyang Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 People’s Republic of China
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Mirsanei JS, Sheibak N, Zandieh Z, Mehdizadeh M, Aflatoonian R, Tabatabaei M, Mousavi AS, Amjadi F. Microfluidic chips as a method for sperm selection improve fertilization rate in couples with fertilization failure. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2022; 306:901-910. [PMID: 35650258 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06618-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sperm quality plays a vital role in successful fertilization and pregnancy. Patients with fertilization failure (total failure or low-fertilization rate) despite having normal semen parameters are a challenging group whose sperm cannot fertilize the oocyte via the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique. Microfluidics is offered as a new method for proper sperm sorting. METHODS This study aimed to evaluate sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), expression of phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCZ1), and transition nuclear proteins 1 (TNP1) mRNAs in sperm selected by microfluidic sperm sorting (MSS) chip compared with conventional density gradient centrifugation technique in patients with fertilization failure following ICSI. Subsequence fertilization rate and embryo quality were assayed. RESULTS Normal morphology and total motility were significantly higher, and DFI was significantly lower in sperm selected by the MSS chip in fertilization failure and control groups. The RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of PLCZ1 and TNP1 genes in sperm of both groups selected by MSS chips compared to the DGC method. In addition, with the selected sperm by MSS chip, an increase in fertilization rate and improvement of embryo quality was obtained. CONCLUSION The present study findings show that sperm sorting by the microfluidic method improves fertilization rate in patients with poor fertilization outcomes following ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamileh Sadat Mirsanei
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nadia Sheibak
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mehdizadeh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryamsadat Tabatabaei
- Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Sadat Mousavi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Yan Z, Fan Y, Wang F, Yan Z, Li M, Ouyang J, Wu L, Yin M, Zhao J, Kuang Y, Li B, Lyu Q. Novel mutations in PLCZ1 cause male infertility due to fertilization failure or poor fertilization. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:472-481. [PMID: 32048714 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do sperm-specific phospholipase C zeta (PLCZ1) mutations account for male infertility due to fertilization failure? SUMMARY ANSWER Six novel mutations and one reported mutation in PLCZ1 were identified in five of 14 independent families characterized by fertilization failure or poor fertilization, suggesting that these mutations may be responsible for fertilization failure in men exhibiting primary infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY PLCZ1 is essential for the induction of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations and the initiation of oocyte activation during mammalian fertilization. However, genetic evidence linking PLCZ1 mutations with male infertility remains limited. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Fourteen unrelated primary infertility patients were recruited into this study from January 2016 to December 2018; the patients exhibited total fertilization failure or poor fertilization, as evidenced by ICSI and sperm-related oocyte activation deficiencies identified in mouse oocyte activation assays. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Genomic DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood of patients. The whole exons of PLCZ1 were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The PLCZ1 sequences were aligned by CodonCode software to identify rare variants. The ExAC database was used to search for the frequency of corresponding mutations. The pathogenicity of identified variants and their possible effects on the protein were assessed in silico. PLCZ1 protein levels in semen samples were evaluated by western blotting. Oocyte activation ability was assessed by the injection of wild-type and mutant PLCZ1 cRNAs into human mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes in vitro. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We identified six novel mutations and one reported mutation in PLCZ1 among five affected individuals. In addition to four novel missense mutations, two new types of genetic variants were identified, including one in-frame deletion and one splicing mutation. Western blot analysis revealed that PLCZ1 protein expression was not observed in the semen samples from the five affected patients. Microinjection with the PLCZ1 cRNA variants was performed, and a significant decrease in the percentage of pronuclei was observed for four novel missense mutations and one novel in-frame deletion mutation, suggesting that these mutations have a deleterious influence on protein function. By artificial oocyte activation treatment, the fertilization failure phenotypes of four affected patients were successfully rescued and three healthy babies were delivered. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We screened only the whole exons of PLCZ1. Additional possible mutations in the non-coding region of PLCZ1 should be further studied. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study not only further confirms the important role of PLCZ1 in human fertilization but also expands the mutational spectrum of PLCZ1 associated with male infertility, which provides a basis for assessing genetic variation in PLCZ1 as a potential diagnostic marker for infertile men suffering from fertilization failure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the National Natural Foundation of China (81 571 486 and 81 771 649). All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yan
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Wang
- College of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiguang Yan
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Menghui Li
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Ouyang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Wu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingru Yin
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jilang Zhao
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Kuang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qifeng Lyu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
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Yuan P, Zheng L, Liang H, Lin Q, Ou S, Zhu Y, Lai L, Zhang Q, He Z, Wang W. Novel mutations in the PLCZ1 gene associated with human low or failed fertilization. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1470. [PMID: 32840018 PMCID: PMC7549595 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fertilization failure (FF) is a complex reproductive disorder characterized by the failure of pronuclei formation during fertilization. In addition to some cases caused by iatrogenic problems and known genetic factors, there are still many unexplained aspects of FF. Here, we aimed to assess the clinical and genetic characteristics of two families experiencing primary infertility with FF. Methods We have characterized two families from China. All of the infertile couples presented with similar clinical phenotypes, that is, partial or total fertilization failure in repeated cycles. We performed Sanger sequencing of their WEE2, TLE6, and PLCZ1 genes, and further bioinformatics and functional analyses were performed to identify the pathogenic elements of the variants. Results We identified novel compound heterozygous mutations c.1259C>T (p.P420L) and c.1733T>C (p.M578T) in the PLCZ1 gene in a male patient of family 1 with total fertilization failure, and another novel homozygous mutation c.1727T>C (p.L576P) in the same gene in a male patient of family 2 with partial fertilization failure. These three novel mutations were absent in the control cohort and in the databases. The amino acids were conserved at their positions among six different species. All mutant amino acids were located in key domains and were predicted to impair hydrolytic activity and lead to PLCZ1 dysfunction. Further functional detection revealed that the three mutations could significantly impair the catalytic activity of PLCZ1. Conclusions We identified three novel mutations in PLCZ1 associated with partial and total fertilization failure and have provided new evidence about the genetic basis of FF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yuan
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingyan Zheng
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Drug Clinical Trial Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songbang Ou
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqin Zhu
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luhua Lai
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxue Zhang
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- IVF Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Wang F, Zhang J, Kong S, Li C, Zhang Z, He X, Wu H, Tang D, Zha X, Tan Q, Duan Z, Cao Y, Zhu F. A homozygous nonsense mutation of PLCZ1 cause male infertility with oocyte activation deficiency. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:821-8. [PMID: 32146562 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the pathogenic PLCZ1 mutation involved in male infertility and fertilization failure. METHODS All coding regions of PLCZ1 were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The expression and localization of PLCZ1 in sperm was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. To promote the fertilization rate, the infertile man with PLCZ1 mutation was treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) accompanied by assisted oocyte activation (AOA) in the following cycle. RESULT We identified a novel homozygous PLCZ1 nonsense mutation, c.588C>A (p.Cys196Ter) in an infertile man from a consanguineous family. No PLCZ1 protein was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence in ejaculated sperm from the patient. The treatment of ICSI + AOA avoided fertilization failure but did not result in pregnancy in the following cycle. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the essential role of PLCZ1 in fertilization and male fertility, which indicated the potential prognostic value of testing for PLCZ1 mutations in primary infertile men with sperm-derived fertilization failure.
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