1
|
Houston BJ, Merriner DJ, Stathatos GG, Nguyen JH, O'Connor AE, Lopes AM, Conrad DF, Baker M, Dunleavy JE, O'Bryan MK. Genetic mutation of Cep76 results in male infertility due to abnormal sperm tail composition. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302452. [PMID: 38570187 PMCID: PMC10992998 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition zone is a specialised gate at the base of cilia/flagella, which separates the ciliary compartment from the cytoplasm and strictly regulates protein entry. We identified a potential new regulator of the male germ cell transition zone, CEP76. We demonstrated that CEP76 was involved in the selective entry and incorporation of key proteins required for sperm function and fertility into the ciliary compartment and ultimately the sperm tail. In the mutant, sperm tails were shorter and immotile as a consequence of deficits in essential sperm motility proteins including DNAH2 and AKAP4, which accumulated at the sperm neck in the mutant. Severe annulus, fibrous sheath, and outer dense fibre abnormalities were also detected in sperm lacking CEP76. Finally, we identified that CEP76 dictates annulus positioning and structure. This study suggests CEP76 as a male germ cell transition zone protein and adds further evidence to the hypothesis that the spermatid transition zone and annulus are part of the same functional structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - G Gemma Stathatos
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Joseph H Nguyen
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology & Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Mark Baker
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Jessica Em Dunleavy
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- https://ror.org/01ej9dk98 School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stathatos GG, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Zenker J, Dunleavy JE, O'Bryan MK. Epsilon tubulin is an essential determinant of microtubule-based structures in male germ cells. EMBO Rep 2024:10.1038/s44319-024-00159-w. [PMID: 38773322 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00159-w] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpha, beta, and gamma tubulins are essential building blocks for all eukaryotic cells. The functions of the non-canonical tubulins, delta, epsilon, and zeta, however, remain poorly understood and their requirement in mammalian development untested. Herein we have used a spermatogenesis model to define epsilon tubulin (TUBE1) function in mice. We show that TUBE1 is essential for the function of multiple complex microtubule arrays, including the meiotic spindle, axoneme and manchette and in its absence, there is a dramatic loss of germ cells and male sterility. Moreover, we provide evidence for the interplay between TUBE1 and katanin-mediated microtubule severing, and for the sub-specialization of individual katanin paralogs in the regulation of specific microtubule arrays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Gemma Stathatos
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jennifer Zenker
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jessica Em Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dunleavy JEM, Graffeo M, Wozniak K, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Nguyen J, Schittenhelm RB, Houston BJ, O'Bryan MK. The katanin A-subunits KATNA1 and KATNAL1 act co-operatively in mammalian meiosis and spermiogenesis to achieve male fertility. Development 2023; 150:dev201956. [PMID: 37882691 PMCID: PMC10690054 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201956] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Katanins, a class of microtubule-severing enzymes, are potent M-phase regulators in oocytes and somatic cells. How the complex and evolutionarily crucial, male mammalian meiotic spindle is sculpted remains unknown. Here, using multiple single and double gene knockout mice, we reveal that the canonical katanin A-subunit KATNA1 and its close paralogue KATNAL1 together execute multiple aspects of meiosis. We show KATNA1 and KATNAL1 collectively regulate the male meiotic spindle, cytokinesis and midbody abscission, in addition to diverse spermatid remodelling events, including Golgi organisation, and acrosome and manchette formation. We also define KATNAL1-specific roles in sperm flagellum development, manchette regulation and sperm-epithelial disengagement. Finally, using proteomic approaches, we define the KATNA1, KATNAL1 and KATNB1 mammalian testis interactome, which includes a network of cytoskeletal and vesicle trafficking proteins. Collectively, we reveal that the presence of multiple katanin A-subunit paralogs in mammalian spermatogenesis allows for 'customised cutting' via neofunctionalisation and protective buffering via gene redundancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. M. Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Maddison Graffeo
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kathryn Wozniak
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Anne E. O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph Nguyen
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ralf B. Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Brendan J. Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Moira K. O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Houston BJ, Nguyen J, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Lopes AM, Nagirnaja L, Friedrich C, Kliesch S, Tüttelmann F, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Hobbs RM, Dunleavy JE, O'Bryan MK. AXDND1 is required to balance spermatogonial commitment and for sperm tail formation in mice and humans. bioRxiv 2023:2023.11.02.565050. [PMID: 38014244 PMCID: PMC10680566 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Dynein complexes are large, multi-unit assemblies involved in many biological processes including male fertility via their critical roles in protein transport and axoneme motility. Previously we identified a pathogenic variant in the dynein gene AXDND1 in an infertile man. Subsequently we identified an additional four potentially compound heterozygous variants of unknown significance in AXDND1 in two additional infertile men. We thus tested the role of AXDND1 in mammalian male fertility by generating a knockout mouse model. Axdnd1 -/- males were sterile at all ages but could undergo one round of histologically complete spermatogenesis. Subsequently, a progressive imbalance of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis over self-renewal occurred, ultimately leading to catastrophic germ cell loss, loss of blood-testis barrier patency and immune cell infiltration. Sperm produced during the first wave of spermatogenesis were immotile due to abnormal axoneme structure, including the presence of ectopic vesicles and abnormalities in outer dense fibres and microtubule doublet structures. Sperm output was additionally compromised by a severe spermiation defect and abnormal sperm individualisation. Collectively, our data highlight the essential roles of AXDND1 as a regulator of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis and during the processes of spermiogenesis where it is essential for sperm tail development, release and motility.
Collapse
|
5
|
Tsui V, Lyu R, Novakovic S, Stringer JM, Dunleavy JE, Granger E, Semple T, Leichter A, Martelotto LG, Merriner DJ, Liu R, McNeill L, Zerafa N, Hoffmann ER, O’Bryan MK, Hutt K, Deans AJ, Heierhorst J, McCarthy DJ, Crismani W. Fancm has dual roles in the limiting of meiotic crossovers and germ cell maintenance in mammals. Cell Genom 2023; 3:100349. [PMID: 37601968 PMCID: PMC10435384 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic crossovers are required for accurate chromosome segregation and producing new allelic combinations. Meiotic crossover numbers are tightly regulated within a narrow range, despite an excess of initiating DNA double-strand breaks. Here, we reveal the tumor suppressor FANCM as a meiotic anti-crossover factor in mammals. We use unique large-scale crossover analyses with both single-gamete sequencing and pedigree-based bulk-sequencing datasets to identify a genome-wide increase in crossover frequencies in Fancm-deficient mice. Gametogenesis is heavily perturbed in Fancm loss-of-function mice, which is consistent with the reproductive defects reported in humans with biallelic FANCM mutations. A portion of the gametogenesis defects can be attributed to the cGAS-STING pathway after birth. Despite the gametogenesis phenotypes in Fancm mutants, both sexes are capable of producing offspring. We propose that the anti-crossover function and role in gametogenesis of Fancm are separable and will inform diagnostic pathways for human genomic instability disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Tsui
- DNA Repair and Recombination Laboratory, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruqian Lyu
- Bioinformatics and Cellular Genomics, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stevan Novakovic
- DNA Repair and Recombination Laboratory, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica M. Stringer
- Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica E.M. Dunleavy
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Group, School of BioSciences and the Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Elissah Granger
- DNA Repair and Recombination Laboratory, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Tim Semple
- Single Cell Innovation Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Leichter
- Single Cell Innovation Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Luciano G. Martelotto
- Single Cell Innovation Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Group, School of BioSciences and the Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruijie Liu
- Bioinformatics and Cellular Genomics, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucy McNeill
- DNA Repair and Recombination Laboratory, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadeen Zerafa
- Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eva R. Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Group, School of BioSciences and the Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Karla Hutt
- Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Deans
- The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Genome Stability Unit, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jörg Heierhorst
- The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Molecular Genetics Unit, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Davis J. McCarthy
- Bioinformatics and Cellular Genomics, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wayne Crismani
- DNA Repair and Recombination Laboratory, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cheers SR, O'Connor AE, Johnson TK, Merriner DJ, O'Bryan MK, Dunleavy JEM. Spastin is an essential regulator of male meiosis, acrosome formation, manchette structure and nuclear integrity. Development 2023; 150:297467. [PMID: 36971361 PMCID: PMC10112905 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The development and function of male gametes is critically dependent on a dynamic microtubule network, yet how this is regulated remains poorly understood. We have recently shown that microtubule severing, via the action of the meiotic AAA ATPase protein clade, plays a critical role in this process. Here, we sought to elucidate the roles of spastin, an as yet unexplored member of this clade in spermatogenesis. Using a SpastKO/KO mouse model, we reveal that spastin loss resulted in a complete loss of functional germ cells. Spastin plays a critical role in the assembly and function of the male meiotic spindle. Consistent with meiotic failure, round spermatid nuclei were enlarged, indicating aneuploidy, but were still able to enter spermiogenesis. During spermiogenesis, we observed extreme abnormalities in manchette structure, acrosome biogenesis, and commonly, a catastrophic loss of nuclear integrity. This work defines a novel and essential role for spastin in regulating microtubule dynamics during spermatogenesis and is of potential relevance to patients carrying spastin variants and the medically assisted reproductive technology industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R. Cheers
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Anne E. O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Travis K. Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Moira K. O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - Jessica E. M. Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Authors for correspondence (; )
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Houston BJ, Lopes AM, Laan M, Nagirnaja L, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Nguyen J, Punab M, Riera-Escamilla A, Krausz C, Aston KI, Conrad DF, O'Bryan MK. DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 12-like protein 1 (Dcaf12l1) is not essential for male fertility in mice. Dev Biol 2022; 490:66-72. [PMID: 35850260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.07.006] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a common condition affecting at least 7% of men worldwide and is often genetic in origin. Using whole exome sequencing, we recently discovered three hemizygous, likely damaging variants in DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 12-like protein 1 (DCAF12L1) in men with azoospermia. DCAF12L1 is located on the X-chromosome and as identified by single cell sequencing studies, its expression is enriched in human testes and specifically in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. However, very little is known about the role of DCAF12L1 in spermatogenesis, thus we generated a knockout mouse model to further explore the role of DCAF12L1 in male fertility. Knockout mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to remove the entire coding region of Dcaf12l1 and were assessed for fertility over a broad range of ages (2-8 months of age). Despite outstanding genetic evidence in men, loss of DCAF12L1 had no discernible impact on male fertility in mice, as highlighted by breeding trials, histological assessment of the testis and epididymis, daily sperm production and evaluation of sperm motility using computer assisted methods. This disparity is likely due to the parallel evolution, and subsequent divergence, of DCAF12 family members in mice and men or the presence of compounding environmental factors in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA
| | - Maris Laan
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Nguyen
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Margus Punab
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia; Andrology Centre, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia; Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC); Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Kenneth Ivan Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC); Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, School of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA; International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI), USA; International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cauchi LM, Houston BJ, Nagirnaja L, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Aston KI, Schlegel PN, Conrad DF, Burke R, O'Bryan MK. Zinc finger RNA binding protein 2 (ZFR2) is not required for male fertility in the mouse. Dev Biol 2022; 489:55-61. [PMID: 35679955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thousands of genes are expressed during spermatogenesis and male infertility has a strong genetic component. Within this study, we focus on the role of Zfr2 in male fertility, a gene previously implicated in human male fertility. To date, very little is known about the role of ZFR2 in either humans or mice. To this end, the requirement for ZFR2 in male fertility was assessed using a knockout mouse model. RESULTS Zfr2 was found to be expressed in the testes of both humans and mice. Deletion of Zfr2 was achieved via removal of exon 2 using CRISPR-Cas9 methods. The absence of Zfr2 did not result in a reduction in any fertility parameters assessed. Knockout males were capable of fostering litter sizes equal to wild type males, and there were no effects of Zfr2 knockout on sperm number or motility. We note Zfr2 knockout females were also fertile. CONCLUSIONS The absence of Zfr2 alone is not sufficient to cause a reduction in male fertility in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan M Cauchi
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Brendan J Houston
- The School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Utah, USA
| | | | - Don F Conrad
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Richard Burke
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Houston BJ, O'Connor AE, Wang D, Goodchild G, Merriner DJ, Luan H, Conrad DF, Nagirnaja L, Aston KI, Kliesch S, Wyrwoll MJ, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F, Harrison C, O'Bryan MK, Walton K. Human INHBB Gene Variant (c.1079T>C:p.Met360Thr) Alters Testis Germ Cell Content, but Does Not Impact Fertility in Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6504015. [PMID: 35022746 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab269] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Testicular-derived inhibin B (α/β B dimers) acts in an endocrine manner to suppress pituitary production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), by blocking the actions of activins (β A/B/β A/B dimers). Previously, we identified a homozygous genetic variant (c.1079T>C:p.Met360Thr) arising from uniparental disomy of chromosome 2 in the INHBB gene (β B-subunit of inhibin B and activin B) in a man suffering from infertility (azoospermia). In this study, we aimed to test the causality of the p.Met360Thr variant in INHBB and testis function. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate InhbbM364T/M364T mice, where mouse INHBB p.Met364 corresponds with human p.Met360. Surprisingly, we found that the testes of male InhbbM364T/M364T mutant mice were significantly larger compared with those of aged-matched wildtype littermates at 12 and 24 weeks of age. This was attributed to a significant increase in Sertoli cell and round spermatid number and, consequently, seminiferous tubule area in InhbbM364T/M364T males compared to wildtype males. Despite this testis phenotype, male InhbbM364T/M364T mutant mice retained normal fertility. Serum hormone analyses, however, indicated that the InhbbM364T variant resulted in reduced circulating levels of activin B but did not affect FSH production. We also examined the effect of this p.Met360Thr and an additional INHBB variant (c.314C>T: p.Thr105Met) found in another infertile man on inhibin B and activin B in vitro biosynthesis. We found that both INHBB variants resulted in a significant disruption to activin B in vitro biosynthesis. Together, this analysis supports that INHBB variants that limit activin B production have consequences for testis composition in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Degang Wang
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- The Affiliated Zhongshan Boai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Georgia Goodchild
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Haitong Luan
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Don F Conrad
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative, GEMINI, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Surgery (Urology Division) University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Margot J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Craig Harrison
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kelly Walton
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dunleavy JEM, O'Connor AE, Okuda H, Merriner DJ, O'Bryan MK. KATNB1 is a master regulator of multiple katanin enzymes in male meiosis and haploid germ cell development. Development 2021; 148:273717. [PMID: 34822718 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Katanin microtubule-severing enzymes are crucial executers of microtubule regulation. Here, we have created an allelic loss-of-function series of the katanin regulatory B-subunit KATNB1 in mice. We reveal that KATNB1 is the master regulator of all katanin enzymatic A-subunits during mammalian spermatogenesis, wherein it is required to maintain katanin A-subunit abundance. Our data shows that complete loss of KATNB1 from germ cells is incompatible with sperm production, and we reveal multiple new spermatogenesis functions for KATNB1, including essential roles in male meiosis, acrosome formation, sperm tail assembly, regulation of both the Sertoli and germ cell cytoskeletons during sperm nuclear remodelling, and maintenance of seminiferous epithelium integrity. Collectively, our findings reveal that katanins are able to differentially regulate almost all key microtubule-based structures during mammalian male germ cell development, through the complexing of one master controller, KATNB1, with a 'toolbox' of neofunctionalised katanin A-subunits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E M Dunleavy
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.,School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.,School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Hidenobu Okuda
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.,School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hutt KJ, Lim SL, Zhang QH, Gonzalez M, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Liew SH, Al-Zubaidi U, Yuen WS, Adhikari D, Robker RL, Mann JR, Carroll J, O'Bryan MK. HENMT1 is involved in the maintenance of normal female fertility in the mouse. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6378251. [PMID: 34590701 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab061] [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: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting small RNAs (piRNAs) maintain genome stability in animal germ cells, with a predominant role in silencing transposable elements. Mutations in the piRNA pathway in the mouse uniformly lead to failed spermatogenesis and male sterility. By contrast, mutant females are fertile. In keeping with this paradigm, we previously reported male sterility and female fertility associated with loss of the enzyme HENMT1, which is responsible for stabilising piRNAs through the catalysation of 3'-terminal 2'-O-methylation. However, the Henmt1 mutant females were poor breeders, suggesting they could be subfertile. Therefore, we investigated oogenesis and female fertility in these mice in greater detail. Here, we show that mutant females indeed have a 3- to 4-fold reduction in follicle number and reduced litter sizes. In addition, meiosis-II mutant oocytes display various spindle abnormalities and have a dramatically altered transcriptome which includes a down-regulation of transcripts required for microtubule function. This down-regulation could explain the spindle defects observed with consequent reductions in litter size. We suggest these various effects on oogenesis could be exacerbated by asynapsis, an apparently universal feature of piRNA mutants of both sexes. Our findings reveal that loss of the piRNA pathway in females has significant functional consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla J Hutt
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shu Ly Lim
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qing-Hua Zhang
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria Gonzalez
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seng H Liew
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Usama Al-Zubaidi
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Applied Embryology Department, High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Wai Shan Yuen
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deepak Adhikari
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Mann
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Carroll
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Korneev D, Merriner DJ, Gervinskas G, de Marco A, O'Bryan MK. New Insights Into Sperm Ultrastructure Through Enhanced Scanning Electron Microscopy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:672592. [PMID: 33968944 PMCID: PMC8100687 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.672592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of spermatozoa morphology is fundamental to understand male fertility and the etiology of infertility. Traditionally scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to define surface topology. Recently, however, it has become a critical tool for three-dimensional analysis of internal cellular ultrastructure. Modern SEM provides nanometer-scale resolution, but the meaningfulness of such information is proportional to the quality of the sample preservation. In this study, we demonstrate that sperm quickly and robustly adhere to gold-coated surfaces. Leveraging this property, we developed three step-by-step protocols fulfilling different needs for sperm imaging: chemically fixed monolayers for SEM examination of the external morphology, and two high-pressure freezing-based protocols for fast SEM examination of full cell internal morphology and focused ion-beam SEM tomography. These analyses allow previously unappreciated insights into mouse sperm ultrastructure, including the identification of novel structures within the fibrous sheath and domain-specific interactions between the plasma membrane and exosome-like structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Korneev
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Science, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gediminas Gervinskas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alex de Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Science, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Houston BJ, Nagirnaja L, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Okuda H, Omurtag K, Smith C, Aston KI, Conrad DF, O'Bryan MK. The Sertoli cell expressed gene secernin-1 (Scrn1) is dispensable for male fertility in the mouse. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:922-931. [PMID: 33442887 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a prevalent clinical presentation for which there is likely a strong genetic component due to the thousands of genes required for spermatogenesis. Within this study we investigated the role of the gene Scrn1 in male fertility. Scrn1 is preferentially expressed in XY gonads during the period of sex determination and in adult Sertoli cells based on single cell RNA sequencing. We investigated the expression of Scrn1 in juvenile and adult tissues and generated a knockout mouse model to test its role in male fertility. RESULTS Scrn1 was expressed at all ages examined in the post-natal testis; however, its expression peaked at postnatal days 7-14 and SCRN1 protein was clearly localized to Sertoli cells. Scrn1 deletion was achieved via removal of exon 3, and its loss had no effect on male fertility or sex determination. Knockout mice were capable of siring litters of equal size to wild type counterparts and generated equal numbers of sperm with comparable motility and morphology characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Scrn1 was found to be dispensable for male fertility, but this study identifies SCRN1 as a novel marker of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hidenobu Okuda
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenan Omurtag
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, School of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Craig Smith
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Volpert M, Furic L, Hu J, O'Connor AE, Rebello RJ, Keerthikumar S, Evans J, Merriner DJ, Pedersen J, Risbridger GP, McIntyre P, O'Bryan MK. CRISP3 expression drives prostate cancer invasion and progression. Endocr Relat Cancer 2020; 27:415-430. [PMID: 32357309 DOI: 10.1530/erc-20-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the factors stimulating prostate cancer cells migration and invasion has the potential to bring new therapeutic targets to the clinic. Cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3) is one of the most highly upregulated proteins during the transition of a healthy human prostatic epithelium to prostate cancer. Here we show using a genetically engineered mouse model of prostate cancer that CRISP3 production greatly facilitates disease progression from carcinoma in situ to invasive prostate cancer in vivo. This interpretation was confirmed using both human and mouse prostate cancer cell lines, which showed that exposure to CRISP3 enhanced cell motility and invasion. Further, using mass spectrometry, we show that CRISP3 induces changes in abundance of a subset of cell-cell adhesion proteins, including LASP1 and TJP1 both in vivo and in vitro. Collectively, these data identify CRISP3 as being pro-tumorigenic in the prostate and validate it as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Volpert
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luc Furic
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Prostate Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jinghua Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard J Rebello
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shivakumar Keerthikumar
- Prostate Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jemma Evans
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Pedersen
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gail P Risbridger
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Prostate Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter McIntyre
- Health Innovations Research Institute and School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pleuger C, Lehti MS, Cooper M, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Smyth IM, Cottle DL, Fietz D, Bergmann M, O'Bryan MK. CBE1 Is a Manchette- and Mitochondria-Associated Protein With a Potential Role in Somatic Cell Proliferation. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2573-2586. [PMID: 31504408 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ciliated bronchial epithelium 1 (CBE1) is a microtubule-associated protein localized to the manchette and developing flagellum during spermiogenesis and is associated with sperm maturation arrest in humans. It was hypothesized that CBE1 functions in microtubule-mediated transport mechanisms and sperm tail formation. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed Cbe1 expression and localization during spermiogenesis, and in mouse inner medullary collecting duct-3 (IMCD3) cells as a model of ciliogenesis. Furthermore, we generated and analyzed the fertility of a Cbe1 mutant mouse line. Mice containing a homozygous deletion in the long forms of Cbe1 were born at a lower frequency than predicted by Mendelian inheritance; however, adult male mice were fertile. An in-depth analysis of the Cbe1 gene revealed alternative transcript variants, which were not affected by the exon 2 mutation. To assess whether short variants compensate for the loss of long variants, exons 2 and 4 (which affect all variants) were individually mutated in IMCD3 cells and the effects on cell proliferation and ciliogenesis were analyzed. In wild-type IMCD3 cells, both variants were upregulated during cilia assembly. CBE1 protein was not a structural component of cilia; rather, CBE1 localized to the mitochondria and the contractile ring of dividing IMCD3 cells. Although IMCD3 cells carrying the mutation in long variants showed no phenotypic alterations, the mutation in exon 4 resulted in a significantly decreased proliferation rate. This study reveals that long isoforms of CBE1 are not essential for male fertility. Data, however, suggest that CBE1 is associated with intramanchette transport and midpiece formation of the sperm tail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pleuger
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria Australia
| | - Mari S Lehti
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madeleine Cooper
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian M Smyth
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria Australia
| | - Denny L Cottle
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria Australia
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gaikwad AS, Anderson AL, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Houston BJ, Aitken RJ, O'Bryan MK, Nixon B. GLIPR1L1 is an IZUMO-binding protein required for optimal fertilization in the mouse. BMC Biol 2019; 17:86. [PMID: 31672133 PMCID: PMC6824042 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0701-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sperm protein IZUMO1 (Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1) and its recently identified binding partner on the oolemma, IZUMO1R, are among the first ligand-receptor pairs shown to be essential for gamete recognition and adhesion. However, the IZUMO1-IZUMO1R interaction does not appear to be directly responsible for promoting the fusion of the gamete membranes, suggesting that this critical phase of the fertilization cascade requires the concerted action of alternative fusogenic machinery. It has therefore been proposed that IZUMO1 may play a secondary role in the organization and/or stabilization of higher-order heteromeric complexes in spermatozoa that are required for membrane fusion. Results Here, we show that fertilization-competent (acrosome reacted) mouse spermatozoa harbor several high molecular weight protein complexes, a subset of which are readily able to adhere to solubilized oolemmal proteins. At least two of these complexes contain IZUMO1 in partnership with GLI pathogenesis-related 1 like 1 (GLIPR1L1). This interaction is associated with lipid rafts and is dynamically remodeled upon the induction of acrosomal exocytosis in preparation for sperm adhesion to the oolemma. Accordingly, the selective ablation of GLIPR1L1 leads to compromised sperm function characterized by a reduced ability to undergo the acrosome reaction and a failure of IZUMO1 redistribution. Conclusions Collectively, this study characterizes multimeric protein complexes on the sperm surface and identifies GLIPRL1L1 as a physiologically relevant regulator of IZUMO1 function and the fertilization process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avinash S Gaikwad
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brendan J Houston
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lim S, Kierzek M, O'Connor AE, Brenker C, Merriner DJ, Okuda H, Volpert M, Gaikwad A, Bianco D, Potter D, Prabhakar R, Strünker T, O'Bryan MK. CRISP2 Is a Regulator of Multiple Aspects of Sperm Function and Male Fertility. Endocrinology 2019; 160:915-924. [PMID: 30759213 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) are a group of proteins that show a pronounced expression biased to the male reproductive tract. Although sperm encounter CRISPs at virtually all phases of sperm development and maturation, CRISP2 is the sole CRISP produced during spermatogenesis, wherein it is incorporated into the developing sperm head and tail. In this study we tested the necessity for CRISP2 in male fertility using Crisp2 loss-of-function mouse models. In doing so, we revealed a role for CRISP2 in establishing the ability of sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction and in establishing a normal flagellum waveform. Crisp2-deficient sperm possess a stiff midpiece and are thus unable to manifest the rapid form of progressive motility seen in wild type sperm. As a consequence, Crisp2-deficient males are subfertile. Furthermore, a yeast two-hybrid screen and immunoprecipitation studies reveal that CRISP2 can bind to the CATSPER1 subunit of the Catsper ion channel, which is necessary for normal sperm motility. Collectively, these data define CRISP2 as a determinant of male fertility and explain previous clinical associations between human CRISP2 expression and fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuly Lim
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelina Kierzek
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christoph Brenker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hidenobu Okuda
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marianna Volpert
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Avinash Gaikwad
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah Bianco
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Potter
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ranganathan Prabhakar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timo Strünker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hu J, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Houston BJ, Furic L, Hedger MP, O'Bryan MK. Epididymal cysteine-rich secretory proteins are required for epididymal sperm maturation and optimal sperm function. Mol Hum Reprod 2019; 24:111-122. [PMID: 29361143 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the role of epididymal cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) in male fertility? SUMMARY ANSWER While epididymal CRISPs are not absolutely required for male fertility, they are required for optimal sperm function. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY CRISPs are members of the CRISP, Antigen 5 and Pathogenesis related protein 1 (CAP) superfamily and are characterized by the presence of an N-terminal CAP domain and a C-terminal CRISP domain. CRISPs are highly enriched in the male reproductive tract of mammals, including in the epididymis. Within humans there is one epididymal CRISP, CRISP1, whereas in mice there are two, CRISP1 and CRISP4. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION In order to define the role of CRISPs within the epididymis, Crisp1 and Crisp4 knockout mouse lines were produced then interbred to produce Crisp1 and 4 double knockout (DKO) mice, wherein the expression of all epididymal CRISPs was ablated. Individual and DKO models were then assessed, relative to their own strain-specific wild type littermates for fertility, and sperm output and functional competence at young (10-12 weeks of age) and older ages (22-24 weeks). Crisp1 and 4 DKO and control mice were also compared for their ability to bind to the zona pellucida and achieve fertilization. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Knockout mouse production was achieved using modified embryonic stem cells and standard methods. The knockout of individual genes was confirmed at a mRNA (quantitative PCR) and protein (immunochemistry) level. Fertility was assessed using breeding experiments and a histological assessment of testes and epididymal tissue. Sperm functional competence was assessed using a computer assisted sperm analyser, induction of the acrosome reaction using progesterone followed by staining for acrosome contents, using immunochemical and western blotting to assess the ability of sperm to manifest tyrosine phosphorylation under capacitating conditions and using sperm-zona pellucida binding assays and IVF methods. A minimum of three biological replicates were used per assay and per genotype. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE While epididymal CRISPs are not absolutely required for male fertility, their production results in enhanced sperm function and, depending on context, CRISP1 and CRISP4 act redundantly or autonomously. Specifically, CRISP1 is the most important CRISP in the establishment of normally motile sperm, whereas CRISP4 acts to enhance capacitation-associated tyrosine phosphorylation, and CRISP1 and CRISP4 act together to establish normal acrosome function. Both are required to achieve optimal sperm-egg interaction. The presence of immune infiltrates into the epididymis of older, but not younger, DKO animals also suggests epididymal CRISPs function to produce an immune privileged environment for maturing sperm within the epididymis. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Caution should be displayed in the translation of mouse-derived data into the human wherein the histology of the epididymis is someone what different. The mice used in the study were housed in a specific pathogen-free environment and were thus not exposed to the full range of environmental challenges experienced by wild mice or humans. As such, the role of CRISPs in the maintenance of an immune privileged environment, for example, may be understated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The combined deletion of Crisp1 and Crisp4 in mice is equivalent to the removal of all CRISP expression in humans. As such, these data suggest that mammalian CRISPs, including that in humans, function to enhance sperm function and thus male fertility. These data also suggest that in the presence of an environmental challenge, CRISPs help to maintain an immune privileged environment and thus, protect against immune-mediated male infertility. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Victorian Cancer Agency and a scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Hu
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Brendan J Houston
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Luc Furic
- Prostate Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.,Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sinha D, Kalimutho M, Bowles J, Chan AL, Merriner DJ, Bain AL, Simmons JL, Freire R, Lopez JA, Hobbs RM, O'Bryan MK, Khanna KK. Cep55 overexpression causes male-specific sterility in mice by suppressing Foxo1 nuclear retention through sustained activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. FASEB J 2018; 32:4984-4999. [PMID: 29683733 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701096rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a dynamic process involving self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells, meiosis, and ultimately, the differentiation of haploid spermatids into sperm. Centrosomal protein 55 kDa (CEP55) is necessary for somatic cell abscission during cytokinesis. It facilitates equal segregation of cytoplasmic contents between daughter cells by recruiting endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery (ESCRT) at the midbody. In germ cells, CEP55, in partnership with testes expressed-14 (TEX14) protein, has also been shown to be an integral component of intercellular bridge before meiosis. Various in vitro studies have demonstrated a role for CEP55 in multiple cancers and other diseases. However, its oncogenic potential in vivo remains elusive. To investigate, we generated ubiquitously overexpressing Cep55 transgenic ( Cep55Tg/Tg) mice aiming to characterize its oncogenic role in cancer. Unexpectedly, we found that Cep55Tg/Tg male mice were sterile and had severe and progressive defects in spermatogenesis related to spermatogenic arrest and lack of spermatids in the testes. In this study, we characterized this male-specific phenotype and showed that excessively high levels of Cep55 results in hyperactivation of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling in testis. In line with this finding, we observed increased phosphorylation of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and suppression of its nuclear retention, along with the relative enrichment of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) -positive cells. Independently, we observed that Cep55 amplification favored upregulation of ret ( Ret) proto-oncogene and glial-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-1 ( Gfra1). Consistent with these data, we observed selective down-regulation of genes associated with germ cell differentiation in Cep55-overexpressing testes at postnatal day 10, including early growth response-4 ( Egr4) and spermatogenesis and oogenesis specific basic helix-loop-helix-1 ( Sohlh1). Thus, Cep55 amplification leads to a shift toward the initial maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia and ultimately results in progressive germ cell loss. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Cep55 overexpression causes change in germ cell proportions and manifests as a Sertoli cell only tubule phenotype, similar to that seen in many azoospermic men.-Sinha, D., Kalimutho, M., Bowles, J., Chan, A.-L., Merriner, D. J., Bain, A. L., Simmons, J. L., Freire, R., Lopez, J. A., Hobbs, R. M., O'Bryan, M. K., Khanna, K. K. Cep55 overexpression causes male-specific sterility in mice by suppressing Foxo1 nuclear retention through sustained activation of PI3K/Akt signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debottam Sinha
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Murugan Kalimutho
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ai-Leen Chan
- Germline Stem Cell Laboratory, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Amanda L Bain
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jacinta L Simmons
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Tenerife, Spain
| | - J Alejandro Lopez
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Laboratory, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Kum Kum Khanna
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jamsai D, Watkins DN, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Gursoy S, Bird AD, Kumar B, Miller A, Cole TJ, Jenkins BJ, O'Bryan MK. In vivo evidence that RBM5 is a tumour suppressor in the lung. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16323. [PMID: 29176597 PMCID: PMC5701194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15874-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is undoubtedly a risk factor for lung cancer. Moreover, smokers with genetic mutations on chromosome 3p21.3, a region frequently deleted in cancer and notably in lung cancer, have a dramatically higher risk of aggressive lung cancer. The RNA binding motif 5 (RBM5) is one of the component genes in the 3p21.3 tumour suppressor region. Studies using human cancer specimens and cell lines suggest a role for RBM5 as a tumour suppressor. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, an in vivo role for RBM5 as a tumour suppressor in the mouse lung. We generated Rbm5 loss-of-function mice and exposed them to a tobacco carcinogen NNK. Upon exposure to NNK, Rbm5 loss-of-function mice developed lung cancer at similar rates to wild type mice. As tumourigenesis progressed, however, reduced Rbm5 expression lead to significantly more aggressive lung cancer i.e. increased adenocarcinoma nodule numbers and tumour size. Our data provide in vivo evidence that reduced RBM5 function, as occurs in a large number of patients, coupled with exposure to tobacco carcinogens is a risk factor for an aggressive lung cancer phenotype. These data suggest that RBM5 loss-of-function likely underpins at least part of the pro-tumourigenic consequences of 3p21.3 deletion in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duangporn Jamsai
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Cancer Developmental Biology Group, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Selen Gursoy
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Anthony D Bird
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Beena Kumar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Alistair Miller
- General and Respiratory Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Timothy J Cole
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Brendan J Jenkins
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia. .,The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dunleavy JEM, Okuda H, O’Connor AE, Merriner DJ, O’Donnell L, Jamsai D, Bergmann M, O’Bryan MK. Katanin-like 2 (KATNAL2) functions in multiple aspects of haploid male germ cell development in the mouse. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007078. [PMID: 29136647 PMCID: PMC5705150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The katanin microtubule-severing proteins are essential regulators of microtubule dynamics in a diverse range of species. Here we have defined critical roles for the poorly characterised katanin protein KATNAL2 in multiple aspects of spermatogenesis: the initiation of sperm tail growth from the basal body, sperm head shaping via the manchette, acrosome attachment, and ultimately sperm release. We present data suggesting that depending on context, KATNAL2 can partner with the regulatory protein KATNB1 or act autonomously. Moreover, our data indicate KATNAL2 may regulate δ- and ε-tubulin rather than classical α-β-tubulin microtubule polymers, suggesting the katanin family has a greater diversity of function than previously realised. Together with our previous research, showing the essential requirement of katanin proteins KATNAL1 and KATNB1 during spermatogenesis, our data supports the concept that in higher order species the presence of multiple katanins has allowed for subspecialisation of function within complex cellular settings such as the seminiferous epithelium. Male infertility affects one in twenty men of reproductive age in western countries. Despite this, the biochemical basis of common defects, including reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm structure and function, remains poorly defined. Microtubules are cellular “scaffolds” that serve critical roles in all cells, including developing male germ cells wherein they facilitate mitosis and meiosis (cell division), sperm head remodelling and sperm tail formation. The precise regulation of microtubule number, length and movement is thus, essential for male fertility. Within this manuscript, we have used spermatogenesis to define the function of the putative microtubule-severing protein katanin-like 2 (KATNAL2). We show that mice with compromised KATNAL2 function are male sterile as a consequence of defects in the structural remodelling of germ cells. Notably, we show the function of microtubule-based structures involved in sperm head shaping and tail formation are disrupted. Further, we show for the first time, that KATNAL2 can function both independently or in concert with the katanin regulatory protein KATNB1 and that it can target the poorly characterized tubulin subunits delta and epsilon. Our research has immediate relevance to the origins of human male infertility and provides novel insights into aspects of microtubule regulation relevant to numerous tissues and species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. M. Dunleavy
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - Hidenobu Okuda
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - Anne E. O’Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - Liza O’Donnell
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - Duangporn Jamsai
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Hesse; Germany
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria; Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Furtado MB, Merriner DJ, Berger S, Rhodes D, Jamsai D, O'Bryan MK. Mutations in the Katnb1 gene cause left-right asymmetry and heart defects. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:1027-1035. [PMID: 28791777 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microtubule-severing protein complex katanin is composed two subunits, the ATPase subunit, KATNA1, and the noncatalytic regulatory subunit, KATNB1. Recently, the Katnb1 gene has been linked to infertility, regulation of centriole and cilia formation in fish and mammals, as well as neocortical brain development. KATNB1 protein is expressed in germ cells in humans and mouse, mitotic/meiotic spindles and cilia, although the full expression pattern of the Katnb1 gene has not been described. RESULTS Using a knockin-knockout mouse model of Katnb1 dysfunction we demonstrate that Katnb1 is ubiquitously expressed during embryonic development, although a stronger expression is seen in the crown cells of the gastrulation organizer, the murine node. Furthermore, null and hypomorphic Katnb1 gene mutations show a novel correlation between Katnb1 dysregulation and the development of impaired left-right signaling, including cardiac malformations. CONCLUSIONS Katanin function is a critical regulator of heart development in mice. These findings are potentially relevant to human cardiac development. Developmental Dynamics 246:1027-1035, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milena B Furtado
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, 25 Rainforest Walk, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Silke Berger
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danielle Rhodes
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Duangporn Jamsai
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,The School of Biological Sciences, 25 Rainforest Walk, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Okuda H, DeBoer K, O'Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Jamsai D, O'Bryan MK. LRGUK1 is part of a multiprotein complex required for manchette function and male fertility. FASEB J 2016; 31:1141-1152. [PMID: 28003339 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600909r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Infertility occurs in 1 in 20 young men and is idiopathic in origin in most. We have reported that the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) and guanylate kinase-like domain containing, isoform (LRGUK)-1 is essential for sperm head shaping, via the manchette, and the initiation of sperm tail growth from the centriole/basal body, and thus, male fertility. Within this study we have used a yeast 2-hybrid screen of an adult testis library to identify LRGUK1-binding partners, which were then validated with a range of techniques. The data indicate that LRGUK1 likely achieves its function in partnership with members of the HOOK family of proteins (HOOK-1-3), Rab3-interacting molecule binding protein (RIMBP)-3 and kinesin light chain (KLC)-3, all of which are associated with intracellular protein transport as cargo adaptor proteins and are localized to the manchette. LRGUK1 consists of 3 domains; an LRR, a guanylate kinase (GUK)-like and an unnamed domain. In the present study, we showed that the GUK-like domain is essential for binding to HOOK2 and RIMBP3, and the LRR domain is essential for binding to KLC3. These findings establish LRGUK1 as a key component of a multiprotein complex with an essential role in microtubule dynamics within haploid male germ cells.-Okuda, H., DeBoer, K., O'Connor, A. E., Merriner, D. J., Jamsai, D., O'Bryan, M. K. LRGUK1 is part of a multiprotein complex required for manchette function and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidenobu Okuda
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathleen DeBoer
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Duangporn Jamsai
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and .,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu Y, DeBoer K, de Kretser DM, O’Donnell L, O’Connor AE, Merriner DJ, Okuda H, Whittle B, Jans DA, Efthymiadis A, McLachlan RI, Ormandy CJ, Goodnow CC, Jamsai D, O’Bryan MK. LRGUK-1 is required for basal body and manchette function during spermatogenesis and male fertility. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005090. [PMID: 25781171 PMCID: PMC4363142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects at least 5% of reproductive age males. The most common pathology is a complex presentation of decreased sperm output and abnormal sperm shape and motility referred to as oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT). For the majority of OAT men a precise diagnosis cannot be provided. Here we demonstrate that leucine-rich repeats and guanylate kinase-domain containing isoform 1 (LRGUK-1) is required for multiple aspects of sperm assembly, including acrosome attachment, sperm head shaping and the initiation of the axoneme growth to form the core of the sperm tail. Specifically, LRGUK-1 is required for basal body attachment to the plasma membrane, the appropriate formation of the sub-distal appendages, the extension of axoneme microtubules and for microtubule movement and organisation within the manchette. Manchette dysfunction leads to abnormal sperm head shaping. Several of these functions may be achieved in association with the LRGUK-1 binding partner HOOK2. Collectively, these data establish LRGUK-1 as a major determinant of microtubule structure within the male germ line.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - Kathleen DeBoer
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - David M. de Kretser
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - Liza O’Donnell
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Australia
| | - Anne E. O’Connor
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - Hidenobu Okuda
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
- Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Belinda Whittle
- Australian Phenomics Facility, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - David A. Jans
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Athina Efthymiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Robert I. McLachlan
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Ormandy
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris C. Goodnow
- Australian Phenomics Facility, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Duangporn Jamsai
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
O'Donnell L, McLachlan RI, Merriner DJ, O'Bryan MK, Jamsai D. KATNB1 in the human testis and its genetic variants in fertile and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic infertile men. Andrology 2014; 2:884-91. [PMID: 25280067 DOI: 10.1111/andr.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is a phenotype frequently observed in infertile men, and is defined by low spermatozoa number, abnormal spermatozoa morphology and poor motility. We previously showed that a mutation in the Katnb1 gene in mice causes infertility because of OAT. The KATNB1 gene encodes an accessory subunit of the katanin microtubule-severing enzyme complex; this accessory subunit is thought to modulate microtubule-severing location and activity. We hypothesized that KATNB1 may play a role in human spermatogenesis and that genetic variants in KATNB1 could be associated with OAT in humans. Using immunostaining, we defined the localization of the KATNB1 protein in human testes. KATNB1 was present during spermatid development, and in particular localized to the microtubules of the manchette, a structure required for sperm head shaping. To assess a potential association between genetic variants in the KATNB1 gene and infertile men with OAT, we performed direct sequencing of genomic DNA samples from 100 OAT infertile and 100 proven fertile men. Thirty-seven KATNB1 variants were observed, five of which had not previously been described. Ten variants were present only in OAT men, however, statistical analysis did not reveal a significant association with fertility status. Our results suggest that variants in the KATNB1 gene are not commonly associated with OAT infertility in Australian men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L O'Donnell
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Colley SM, Wintle L, Searles R, Russell V, Firman RC, Smith S, DeBoer K, Merriner DJ, Genevieve B, Bentel JM, Stuckey BGA, Phillips MR, Simmons LW, de Kretser DM, O'Bryan MK, Leedman PJ. Loss of the nuclear receptor corepressor SLIRP compromises male fertility. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70700. [PMID: 23976951 PMCID: PMC3744554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) and their coregulators play fundamental roles in initiating and directing gene expression influencing mammalian reproduction, development and metabolism. SRA stem Loop Interacting RNA-binding Protein (SLIRP) is a Steroid receptor RNA Activator (SRA) RNA-binding protein that is a potent repressor of NR activity. SLIRP is present in complexes associated with NR target genes in the nucleus; however, it is also abundant in mitochondria where it affects mitochondrial mRNA transcription and energy turnover. In further characterisation studies, we observed SLIRP protein in the testis where its localization pattern changes from mitochondrial in diploid cells to peri-acrosomal and the tail in mature sperm. To investigate the in vivo effects of SLIRP, we generated a SLIRP knockout (KO) mouse. This animal is viable, but sub-fertile. Specifically, when homozygous KO males are crossed with wild type (WT) females the resultant average litter size is reduced by approximately one third compared with those produced by WT males and females. Further, SLIRP KO mice produced significantly fewer progressively motile sperm than WT animals. Electron microscopy identified disruption of the mid-piece/annulus junction in homozygous KO sperm and altered mitochondrial morphology. In sum, our data implicates SLIRP in regulating male fertility, wherein its loss results in asthenozoospermia associated with compromised sperm structure and mitochondrial morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane M. Colley
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia
| | - Larissa Wintle
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Victoria Russell
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia
| | - Renee C. Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Stephanie Smith
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kathleen DeBoer
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ben Genevieve
- Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Jacqueline M. Bentel
- Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Bronwyn G. A. Stuckey
- Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Michael R. Phillips
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Leigh W. Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - David M. de Kretser
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Moira K. O'Bryan
- Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Peter J. Leedman
- Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Reddy T, Gibbs GM, Merriner DJ, Kerr JB, O'Bryan MK. Cysteine-rich secretory proteins are not exclusively expressed in the male reproductive tract. Dev Dyn 2009; 237:3313-23. [PMID: 18924239 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cysteine-RIch Secretory Proteins (CRISPs) are abundantly produced in the male reproductive tract of mammals and within the venom of reptiles and have been shown to regulate ion channel activity. CRISPs, along with the Antigen-5 proteins and the Pathogenesis related-1 (Pr-1) proteins, form the CAP superfamily of proteins. Analyses of EST expression databases are increasingly suggesting that mammalian CRISPs are expressed more widely than in the reproductive tract. We, therefore, conducted a reverse transcription PCR expression profile and immunohistochemical analyses of 16 mouse tissues to define the sites of production of each of the four murine CRISPs. These data showed that each of the CRISPs have distinct and sometimes overlapping expression profiles, typically associated with the male and female reproductive tract, the secretory epithelia of exocrine glands, and immune tissues including the spleen and thymus. These investigations raise the potential for a role for CRISPs in general mammalian physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thulasimala Reddy
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|