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Ke L, Lin X, Luo Y, Tao S, Yan C, He Y, Wu Y, Liu N, Qin Y. Autophagy core protein BECN1 is vital for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:599-614. [PMID: 37975917 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad160] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly complex multi-step biological process, and autophagy has been demonstrated to be involved in the process of spermatogenesis. Beclin-1/BECN1, a core autophagy factor, plays a critical role in many biological processes and diseases. However, its function in spermatogenesis remains largely unclear. In the present study, germ cell-specific Beclin 1 (Becn1) knockout mice were generated and were conducted to determine the role of Becn1 in spermatogenesis and fertility of mice. Results indicate that Becn1 deficiency leads to reduced sperm motility and quantity, partial failure of spermiation, actin network disruption, excessive residual cytoplasm, acrosome malformation, and aberrant mitochondrial accumulation of sperm, ultimately resulting in reduced fertility in male mice. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy was observed in the testes of germ cell-specific Becn1 knockout mice, which may contribute to impaired spermiogenesis and reduced fertility. Collectively, our results reveal that Becn1 is essential for fertility and spermiogenesis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchuan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Siming Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifeilong He
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghe Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Li Z, Liu X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhou L, Yuan S. FBXO24 modulates mRNA alternative splicing and MIWI degradation and is required for normal sperm formation and male fertility. eLife 2024; 12:RP91666. [PMID: 38470475 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91666] [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] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a critical, post-meiotic phase of male gametogenesis, in which the proper gene expression is essential for sperm maturation. However, the underFlying molecular mechanism that controls mRNA expression in the round spermatids remains elusive. Here, we identify that FBXO24, an orphan F-box protein, is highly expressed in the testis of humans and mice and interacts with the splicing factors (SRSF2, SRSF3, and SRSF9) to modulate the gene alternative splicing in the round spermatids. Genetic mutation of FBXO24 in mice causes many abnormal splicing events in round spermatids, thus affecting a large number of critical genes related to sperm formation that were dysregulated. Further molecular and phenotypical analyses revealed that FBXO24 deficiency results in aberrant histone retention, incomplete axonemes, oversized chromatoid body, and abnormal mitochondrial coiling along sperm flagella, ultimately leading to male sterility. In addition, we discovered that FBXO24 interacts with MIWI and SCF subunits and mediates the degradation of MIWI via K48-linked polyubiquitination. Furthermore, we show that FBXO24 depletion could lead to aberrant piRNA production in testes, which suggests FBXO24 is required for normal piRNA counts. Collectively, these data demonstrate that FBXO24 is essential for sperm formation by regulating mRNA alternative splicing and MIWI degradation during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingping Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liquan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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3
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Pan Y, Wang J, Gao X, Du C, Hou C, Tang D, Zhu J. Expression Dynamics Indicate Potential Roles of KIF17 for Nuclear Reshaping and Tail Formation during Spermiogenesis in Phascolosoma esculenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:128. [PMID: 38203305 PMCID: PMC10779256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010128] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Kinesin family member17 (KIF17), a homologous dimer of the kinesin-2 protein family, has important microtubule-dependent and -independent roles in spermiogenesis. Little is known about KIF17 in the mollusk, Phascolosoma esculenta, a newly developed mariculture species in China. Here, we cloned the open reading frame of Pe-kif17 and its related gene, Pe-act, and performed bioinformatics analysis on both. Pe-KIF17 and Pe-ACT are structurally conserved, indicating that they may be functionally conserved. The expression pattern of kif17/act mRNA performed during spermiogenesis revealed their expression in diverse tissues, with the highest expression level in the coelomic fluid of P. esculenta. The expressions of Pe-kif17 and Pe-act mRNA were relatively high during the breeding season (July-September), suggesting that Pe-KIF17/ACT may be involved in spermatogenesis, particularly during spermiogenesis. Further analysis of Pe-kif17 mRNA via fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed the continuous expression of this mRNA during spermiogenesis, suggesting potential functions in this process. Immunofluorescence showed that Pe-KIF17 co-localized with α-tubulin and migrated from the perinuclear cytoplasm to one side of the spermatid, forming the sperm tail. Pe-KIF17 and Pe-ACT also colocalized. KIF17 may participate in spermiogenesis of P. esculenta, particularly in nuclear reshaping and tail formation by interacting with microtubule structures similar to the manchette. Moreover, Pe-KIF17 with Pe-ACT is also involved in nuclear reshaping and tail formation in the absence of microtubules. This study provides evidence for the role of KIF17 during spermiogenesis and provides theoretical data for studies of the reproductive biology of P. esculenta. These findings are important for spermatogenesis in mollusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Pan
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Jingqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xinming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chen Du
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Congcong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Daojun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Junquan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (Y.P.); (J.W.); (X.G.); (C.D.); (C.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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Yao Y, Shi B, Zhang X, Wang X, Li S, Yao Y, Guo Y, Chen D, Wang B, Yuan Y, Sha J, Guo X. Germ cell-specific deletion of Pex3 reveals essential roles of PEX3-dependent peroxisomes in spermiogenesis. J Biomed Res 2023; 38:24-36. [PMID: 38062668 PMCID: PMC10818173 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.37.20230055] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes are organelles enclosed by a single membrane and are present in various species. The abruption of peroxisomes is correlated with peroxisome biogenesis disorders and single peroxisomal enzyme deficiencies that induce diverse diseases in different organs. However, little is known about the protein compositions and corresponding roles of heterogeneous peroxisomes in various organs. Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we observed heterogenous peroxisomal components among different organs, as well as between testicular somatic cells and different developmental stages of germ cells. As Pex3 is expressed in both germ cells and Sertoli cells, we generated Pex3 germ cell- and Sertoli cell-specific knockout mice. While Pex3 deletion in Sertoli cells did not affect spermatogenesis, the deletion in germ cells resulted in male sterility, manifested as the destruction of intercellular bridges between spermatids and the formation of multinucleated giant cells. Proteomic analysis of the Pex3-deleted spermatids revealed defective expressions of peroxisomal proteins and spermiogenesis-related proteins. These findings provide new insights that PEX3-dependent peroxisomes are essential for germ cells undergoing spermiogenesis, but not for Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Baolu Shi
- Reproductive and Genetic Branch, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Shuangyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Ying Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Dingdong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
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5
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Zhao YD, Yang CX, Du ZQ. Integrated single cell transcriptome sequencing analysis reveals species-specific genes and molecular pathways for pig spermiogenesis. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1745-1755. [PMID: 37874861 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly complicated and intricately organized process involving spermatogonia propagation (mitosis) and meiotic differentiation into mature sperm cells (spermiogenesis). In pigs, spermatogonia development and the role of somatic cells in spermatogenesis were previously investigated in detail. However, the characterization of key molecules fundamental to pig spermiogenesis remains less explored. Here we compared spermatogenesis between humans and pigs, focusing on spermiogenesis, by integrative testicular single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Human and pig testicular cells were clustered into 26 different groups, with cell-type-specific markers and signalling pathways. For spermiogenesis, pseudo-time analysis classified the lineage differentiation routes for round, elongated spermatids and spermatozoa. Moreover, markers and molecular pathways specific to each type of spermatids were examined for humans and pigs, respectively. Furthermore, high-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA) identified gene modules specific for each type of human and pig spermatids. Hub genes (pig: SNRPD2.1 related to alternative splicing; human: CATSPERZ, Ca[2+] ion channel) potentially involved in spermiogenesis were also revealed. Taken together, our integrative analysis found that human and pig spermiogeneses involve specific genes and molecular pathways and provided resources and insights for further functional investigation on spermatid maturation and male reproductive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Dan Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Cai-Xia Yang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Du
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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6
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Hu W, Zhang R, Xu H, Li Y, Yang X, Zhou Z, Huang X, Wang Y, Ji W, Gao F, Meng W. CAMSAP1 role in orchestrating structure and dynamics of manchette microtubule minus-ends impacts male fertility during spermiogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2313787120. [PMID: 37903275 PMCID: PMC10636317 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313787120] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The manchette is a crucial transient structure involved in sperm development, with its composition and regulation still not fully understood. This study focused on investigating the roles of CAMSAP1 and CAMSAP2, microtubule (MT) minus-end binding proteins, in regulating manchette MTs, spermiogenesis, and male fertility. The loss of CAMSAP1, but not CAMSAP2, disrupts the well-orchestrated process of spermiogenesis, leading to abnormal manchette elongation and delayed removal, resulting in deformed sperm nuclei and tails resembling oligoasthenozoospermia symptoms. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms by purifying manchette assemblies and comparing them through proteomic analysis, and results showed that the absence of CAMSAP1 disrupted the proper localization of key proteins (CEP170 and KIF2A) at the manchette minus end, compromising its structural integrity and hindering MT depolymerization. These findings highlight the significance of maintaining homeostasis in manchette MT minus-ends for shaping manchette morphology during late spermiogenesis, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility and sperm abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Honglin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
| | - Yuejia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Zhengrong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiahe Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
| | - Yingchun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Wei Ji
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, Guangdong510320, China
| | - Fei Gao
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Wenxiang Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing10019, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
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7
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Apu MNH, Shirokikh NE, Khochbin S, Soboleva TA. An Improved Method for Purification of the Residual Bodies from the Seminiferous Tubules of Mice. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e920. [PMID: 37933593 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Human fertility is declining in Western countries, and it is becoming increasingly clear that male infertility plays a pivotal role in the overall fertility decline. To understand the process that drives successful male germ cell maturation, the study of spermatogenesis of model organisms, such as mice, is essential. Residual bodies (RBs) play an important role in the last stages of spermatogenesis. They are formed at the time when post-meiotic spermatids undergo sequential differentiation steps so that the acrosome and flagellum are developed, the nucleus is markedly condensed, and the cytoplasm is lost. The masses of lost cytoplasm become RBs. Our recent work has shown that RB dynamics are highly sensitive to even small fertility defects. It was also noted that the transcriptome and proteome of RBs changes in response to spermatogenic defects. Thus, RBs represent an excellent and highly sensitive entity for studying male fertility. Previously published protocols for RB purification had some major limitations: they produced an RB fraction that was heavily contaminated with spermatozoa and erythrocytes or required tens of grams of starting material. In addition, most of the available protocols were developed for purification of RBs from rat testes. Here, we present a protocol that allows the isolation of 2.5-3 × 106 RBs from mouse testes with a purity of 98% from only 1 g of starting material. The purified material can be used for various downstream applications to study male fertility, such as transcriptome and proteome analyses, super-resolution microscopy, and electron and cryo-electron microscopy, amongst many others. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: An improved method for purification of the residual bodies from the seminiferous tubules of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Nazmul Hasan Apu
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nikolay E Shirokikh
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Saadi Khochbin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Tatiana A Soboleva
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Ryniawec JM, Hannaford MR, Zibrat ME, Fagerstrom CJ, Galletta BJ, Aguirre SE, Guice BA, Dean SM, Rusan NM, Rogers GC. Cep104 is a component of the centriole distal tip complex that regulates centriole growth and contributes to Drosophila spermiogenesis. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4202-4216.e9. [PMID: 37729913 PMCID: PMC10591971 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.075] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Proper centrosome number and function relies on the accurate assembly of centrioles, barrel-shaped structures that form the core duplicating elements of the organelle. The growth of centrioles is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner; while new daughter centrioles elongate during the S/G2/M phase, mature mother centrioles maintain their length throughout the cell cycle. Centriole length is controlled by the synchronized growth of the microtubules that ensheathe the centriole barrel. Although proteins exist that target the growing distal tips of centrioles, such as CP110 and Cep97, these proteins are generally thought to suppress centriolar microtubule growth, suggesting that distal tips may also contain unidentified counteracting factors that facilitate microtubule polymerization. Currently, a mechanistic understanding of how distal tip proteins balance microtubule growth and shrinkage to either promote daughter centriole elongation or maintain centriole length is lacking. Using a proximity-labeling screen in Drosophila cells, we identified Cep104 as a novel component of a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins that we collectively refer to as the distal tip complex (DTC). We found that Cep104 regulates centriole growth and promotes centriole elongation through its microtubule-binding TOG domain. Furthermore, analysis of Cep104 null flies revealed that Cep104 and Cep97 cooperate during spermiogenesis to align spermatids and coordinate individualization. Lastly, we mapped the complete DTC interactome and showed that Cep97 is the central scaffolding unit required to recruit DTC components to the distal tip of centrioles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Ryniawec
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Matthew R Hannaford
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Melanie E Zibrat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Carey J Fagerstrom
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian J Galletta
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sophia E Aguirre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Bethany A Guice
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Spencer M Dean
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Nasser M Rusan
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Gregory C Rogers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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9
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Riparbelli MG, Pratelli A, Callaini G. Wolbachia Induces Structural Defects Harmful to Drosophila simulans Riverside Spermiogenesis. Cells 2023; 12:2337. [PMID: 37830551 PMCID: PMC10571642 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between cytoplasmic incompatibility and the obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia has for a long time been reported. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this reproductive alteration are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on germ cell structure and dynamics have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that the presence of Wolbachia in infected cysts of elongating spermatids is associated with major structural defects that become more evident in mature sperm. We find mitochondrial defects, an improper axoneme structure, reduced sperm numbers, and individualization failures. The large heterogeneous variety of the ultrastructural defects found in elongating spermatids and mature sperm provide the first cytological evidence for the reduced fertility associated with Wolbachia infection in Drosophila simulans males. The observed abnormalities could be the result of the mechanical stress induced by the high bacteria numbers during the process of spermatid elongation, rather than the result of the released factors affecting the proper morphogenesis of the germ cells. Moreover, high Wolbachia densities in male germ cells may not be appropriate for causing cytoplasmic incompatibility as the bacteria are harmful for spermatid differentiation, leading to abnormal sperm that is unlikely to be functional.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giuliano Callaini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (A.P.)
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Potgieter S, Eddy C, Badrinath A, Chukrallah L, Lo T, Mohanty G, Visconti PE, Snyder EM. ADAD1 is required for normal translation of nuclear pore and transport protein transcripts in spermatids of Mus musculus†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:340-355. [PMID: 37399121 PMCID: PMC10502568 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad069] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ADAD1 is a testis-specific RNA-binding protein expressed in post-meiotic spermatids whose loss leads to defective sperm and male infertility. However, the drivers of the Adad1 phenotype remain unclear. Morphological and functional analysis of Adad1 mutant sperm showed defective DNA compaction, abnormal head shaping, and reduced motility. Mutant testes demonstrated minimal transcriptome changes; however, ribosome association of many transcripts was reduced, suggesting ADAD1 may be required for their translational activation. Further, immunofluorescence of proteins encoded by select transcripts showed delayed protein accumulation. Additional analyses demonstrated impaired subcellular localization of multiple proteins, suggesting protein transport is also abnormal in Adad1 mutants. To clarify the mechanism giving rise to this, the manchette, a protein transport microtubule network, and the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, which connects the manchette to the nuclear lamin, were assessed across spermatid development. Proteins of both displayed delayed translation and/or localization in mutant spermatids implicating ADAD1 in their regulation, even in the absence of altered ribosome association. Finally, ADAD1's impact on the NPC (nuclear pore complex), a regulator of both the manchette and the LINC complex, was examined. Reduced ribosome association of NPC encoding transcripts and reduced NPC protein abundance along with abnormal localization in Adad1 mutants confirmed ADAD1's impact on translation is required for a NPC in post-meiotic germ cells. Together, these studies lead to a model whereby ADAD1's influence on nuclear transport leads to deregulation of the LINC complex and the manchette, ultimately generating the range of physiological defects observed in the Adad1 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Potgieter
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Eddy
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Aditi Badrinath
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lauren Chukrallah
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Toby Lo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gayatri Mohanty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Snyder
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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11
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Luo ZY, Jiang TX, Zhang T, Xu P, Qiu XB. Ubiquitin Ligase Nrdp1 Controls Autophagy-Associated Acrosome Biogenesis and Mitochondrial Arrangement during Spermiogenesis. Cells 2023; 12:2211. [PMID: 37759433 PMCID: PMC10527437 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is critical to acrosome biogenesis and mitochondrial quality control, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The ubiquitin ligase Nrdp1/RNF41 promotes ubiquitination of the mitophagy-associated Parkin and interacts with the pro-autophagic protein SIP/CacyBP. Here, we report that global deletion of Nrdp1 leads to formation of the round-headed sperm and male infertility by disrupting autophagy. Quantitative proteome analyses demonstrated that the expression of many proteins associated with mitochondria, lysosomes, and acrosomes was dysregulated in either spermatids or sperm of the Nrdp1-deficient mice. Deletion of Nrdp1 increased the levels of Parkin but decreased the levels of SIP, the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 and the mitochondrial protein Tim23 in sperm, accompanied by the inhibition of autophagy, the impairment of acrosome biogenesis and the disruption of mitochondrial arrangement in sperm. Thus, our results uncover an essential role of Nrdp1 in spermiogenesis and male fertility by promoting autophagy, providing important clues to cope with the related male reproductive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yu Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Avenue, Beijing 100875, China; (Z.-Y.L.); (T.-X.J.)
| | - Tian-Xia Jiang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Avenue, Beijing 100875, China; (Z.-Y.L.); (T.-X.J.)
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, 38 Science Park Road, Beijing 102206, China;
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, 38 Science Park Road, Beijing 102206, China;
| | - Xiao-Bo Qiu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Avenue, Beijing 100875, China; (Z.-Y.L.); (T.-X.J.)
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12
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Santos IB, Wainman A, Garrido-Maraver J, Pires V, Riparbelli MG, Kovács L, Callaini G, Glover DM, Tavares ÁA. Mob4 is essential for spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad104. [PMID: 37259670 PMCID: PMC10411562 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad104] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamete formation is essential for sexual reproduction in metazoans. Meiosis in males gives rise to spermatids that must differentiate and individualize into mature sperm. In Drosophila melanogaster, individualization of interconnected spermatids requires the formation of individualization complexes that synchronously move along the sperm bundles. Here, we show that Mob4, a member of the Mps-one binder family, is essential for male fertility but has no detectable role in female fertility. We show that Mob4 is required for proper axonemal structure and its loss leads to male sterility associated with defective spermatid individualization and absence of mature sperm in the seminal vesicles. Transmission electron micrographs of developing spermatids following mob4RNAi revealed expansion of the outer axonemal microtubules such that the 9 doublets no longer remained linked to each other and defective mitochondrial organization. Mob4 is a STRIPAK component, and male fertility is similarly impaired upon depletion of the STRIPAK components, Strip and Cka. Expression of the human Mob4 gene rescues all phenotypes of Drosophila mob4 downregulation, indicating that the gene is evolutionarily and functionally conserved. Together, this suggests that Mob4 contributes to the regulation of the microtubule- and actin-cytoskeleton during spermatogenesis through the conserved STRIPAK complex. Our study advances the understanding of male infertility by uncovering the requirement for Mob4 in sperm individualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês B Santos
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Alan Wainman
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Juan Garrido-Maraver
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Vanessa Pires
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Levente Kovács
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 91125 Pasadena, California
| | - Giuliano Callaini
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - David M Glover
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 91125 Pasadena, California
| | - Álvaro A Tavares
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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13
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Wang J, Gao X, Du C, Tang D, Hou C, Zhu J. The Effect of Prohibitins on Mitochondrial Function during Octopus tankahkeei Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10030. [PMID: 37373178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210030] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential for spermiogenesis. Prohibitins (PHBs; prohibitin 1, PHB1 or PHB, and prohibitin 2, PHB2) are evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed mitochondrial proteins that act as scaffolds in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In this study, we analyzed the molecular structure and dynamic expression characteristics of Ot-PHBs, observed the colocalization of Ot-PHB1 with mitochondria and polyubiquitin, and studied the effect of phb1 knockdown on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis-related gene expression in spermatids. Our aim was to explore the effect of Ot-PHBs on mitochondrial function during the spermiogenesis of Octopus tankahkeei (O. tankahkeei), an economically important species in China. The predicted Ot-PHB1/PHB2 proteins contained an N-terminal transmembrane, a stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflK/C (SPFH) domain (also known as the prohibitin domain), and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain. Ot-phb1/phb2 mRNA were widely expressed in the different tissues, with elevated expression in the testis. Further, Ot-PHB1 and Ot-PHB2 were highly colocalized, suggesting that they may function primarily as an Ot-PHB compiex in O. tankahkeei. Ot-PHB1 proteins were mainly expressed and localized in mitochondria during spermiogenesis, implying that their function may be localized to the mitochondria. In addition, Ot-PHB1 was colocalized with polyubiquitin during spermiogenesis, suggesting that it may be a polyubiquitin substrate that regulates mitochondrial ubiquitination during spermiogenesis to ensure mitochondrial quality. To further investigate the effect of Ot-PHBs on mitochondrial function, we knocked down Ot-phb1 and observed a decrease in mtDNA content, along with increases in ROS levels and the expressions of mitochondria-induced apoptosis-related genes bax, bcl2, and caspase-3 mRNA. These findings indicate that PHBs might influence mitochondrial function by maintaining mtDNA content and stabilizing ROS levels; in addition, PHBs might affect spermatocyte survival by regulating mitochondria-induced apoptosis during spermiogenesis in O. tankahkeei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xinming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chen Du
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Daojun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Congcong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Junquan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology, Ningbo University, Ministry of Education, Ningbo 315211, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
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Shi B, Shah W, Liu L, Gong C, Zhou J, Abbas T, Ma H, Zhang H, Yang M, Zhang Y, Ullah N, Mahammad Z, Khan M, Murtaza G, Ali A, Khan R, Sha J, Yuan Y, Shi Q. Biallelic mutations in RNA-binding protein ADAD2 cause spermiogenic failure and non-obstructive azoospermia in humans. Hum Reprod Open 2023; 2023:hoad022. [PMID: 37325547 PMCID: PMC10266965 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoad022] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are some pathogenic mutations for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and their effects on spermatogenesis? SUMMARY ANSWER Biallelic missense and frameshift mutations in ADAD2 disrupt the differentiation of round spermatids to spermatozoa causing azoospermia in humans and mice. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY NOA is the most severe cause of male infertility characterized by an absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to impairment of spermatogenesis. In mice, the lack of the RNA-binding protein ADAD2 leads to a complete absence of sperm in epididymides due to failure of spemiogenesis, but the spermatogenic effects of ADAD2 mutations in human NOA-associated infertility require functional verification. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION Six infertile male patients from three unrelated families were diagnosed with NOA at local hospitals in Pakistan based on infertility history, sex hormone levels, two semen analyses and scrotal ultrasound. Testicular biopsies were performed in two of the six patients. Adad2 mutant mice (Adad2Mut/Mut) carrying mutations similar to those found in NOA patients were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool. Reproductive phenotypes of Adad2Mut/Mut mice were verified at 2 months of age. Round spermatids from the littermates of wild-type (WT) and Adad2Mut/Mut mice were randomly selected and injected into stimulated WT oocytes. This round spermatid injection (ROSI) procedure was conducted with three biological replicates and >400 ROSI-derived zygotes were evaluated. The fertility of the ROSI-derived progeny was evaluated for three months in four Adad2WT/Mut male mice and six Adad2WT/Mut female mice. A total of 120 Adad2Mut/Mut, Adad2WT/Mut, and WT mice were used in this study. The entire study was conducted over 3 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed to detect potentially pathogenic mutations in the six NOA-affected patients. The pathogenicity of the identified ADAD2 mutations was assessed and validated in human testicular tissues and in mouse models recapitulating the mutations in the NOA patients using quantitative PCR, western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Periodic acid-Schiff staining, and immunofluorescence. Round spermatids of WT and Adad2Mut/Mut mice were collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and injected into stimulated WT oocytes. The development of ROSI-derived offspring was evaluated in the embryonic and postnatal stages. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Three recessive mutations were identified in ADAD2 (MT1: c.G829T, p.G277C; MT2: c.G1192A, p.D398N; MT3: c.917_918del, p.Q306Rfs*43) in patients from three unrelated Pakistani families. MT1 and MT2 dramatically reduced the testicular expression of ADAD2, likely causing spermiogenesis failure in the NOA patients. Immunofluorescence analysis of the Adad2Mut/Mut male mice with the corresponding MT3 mutation showed instability and premature degradation of the ADAD2 protein, resulting in the spermiogenesis deficiency phenotype. Through ROSI, the Adad2Mut/Mut mice could produce pups with comparable embryonic development (46.7% in Adad2Mut/Mut versus 50% in WT) and birth rates (21.45 ± 10.43% in Adad2Mut/Mut versus 27.5 ± 3.536% in WT, P = 0.5044) to WT mice. The Adad2WT/Mut progeny from ROSI (17 pups in total via three ROSI replicates) did not show overt developmental defects and had normal fertility. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a preliminary report suggesting that ROSI can be an effective treatment for infertile Adad2Mut/Mut mice. Further assisted reproductive attempts need to be carefully examined in humans during clinical trials. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our work provides functional evidence that mutations in the ADAD2 gene are deleterious and cause consistent spermiogenic defects in both humans and mice. In addition, preliminary results show that ROSI can help Adad2Mut/Mut to produce biological progeny. These findings provide valuable clues for genetic counselling on the ADAD2 mutants-associated infertility in human males. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32000587, U21A20204, and 32061143006), and the National Key Research and Developmental Program of China (2019YFA0802600 and 2021YFC2700202). This work was also supported by Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China. The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolu Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wasim Shah
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenjia Gong
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jianteng Zhou
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tanveer Abbas
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Menglei Yang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Nadeem Ullah
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zubair Mahammad
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mazhar Khan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Asim Ali
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
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15
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Gobé C, Ialy-Radio C, Pierre R, Cocquet J. Generation and Characterization of a Transgenic Mouse That Specifically Expresses the Cre Recombinase in Spermatids. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14050983. [PMID: 37239343 DOI: 10.3390/genes14050983] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the step during which post-meiotic cells, called spermatids, undergo numerous morphological changes and differentiate into spermatozoa. Thousands of genes have been described to be expressed at this stage and could contribute to spermatid differentiation. Genetically-engineered mouse models using Cre/LoxP or CrispR/Cas9 are the favored approaches to characterize gene function and better understand the genetic basis of male infertility. In the present study, we produced a new spermatid-specific Cre transgenic mouse line, in which the improved iCre recombinase is expressed under the control of the acrosomal vesicle protein 1 gene promoter (Acrv1-iCre). We show that Cre protein expression is restricted to the testis and only detected in round spermatids of stage V to VIII seminiferous tubules. The Acrv1-iCre line can conditionally knockout a gene during spermiogenesis with a > 95% efficiency. Therefore, it could be useful to unravel the function of genes during the late stage of spermatogenesis, but it can also be used to produce an embryo with a paternally deleted allele without causing early spermatogenesis defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gobé
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Côme Ialy-Radio
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Rémi Pierre
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
- Homologous Recombination, Embryo Transfer and Cryopreservation Facility, Cochin Institute, University of Paris, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Julie Cocquet
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
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16
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Wojtczak A. Differentiation Disorders of Chara vulgaris Spermatids following Treatment with Propyzamide. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091268. [PMID: 37174667 PMCID: PMC10177507 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091268] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are cytoskeletal cell elements that also build flagella and cilia. Moreover, these structures participate in spermatogenesis and form a microtubular manchette during spermiogenesis. The present study aims to assess the influence of propyzamide, a microtubule-disrupting agent, on alga Chara vulgaris spermatids during their differentiation by means of immunofluorescent and electron microscopy methods. Propyzamide blocks the functioning of the β-tubulin microtubule subunit, which results in the creation of a distorted shape of a sperm nucleus at some stages. Present ultrastructural studies confirm these changes. In nuclei, an altered chromatin arrangement and nuclear envelope fragmentation were observed in the research as a result of incorrect nucleus-cytoplasm transport behavior that disturbed the action of proteolytic enzymes and the chromatin remodeling process. In the cytoplasm, large autolytic vacuoles and the dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) system, as well as mitochondria, were revealed in the studies. In some spermatids, the arrangement of microtubules present in the manchette was disturbed and the structure was also fragmented. The observations made in the research at present show that, despite some differences in the manchette between Chara and mammals, and probably also in the alga under study, microtubules participate in the intramanchette transport (IMT) process, which is essential during spermatid differentiation. In the present study, the effect of propyzamide on Chara spermiogenesis is also presented for the first time; however, the role of microtubule-associated proteins in this process still needs to be elucidated in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wojtczak
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Cytophysiology, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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17
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Shimada Y, Kanazawa-Takino N, Nishimura H. Spermiogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans: An Excellent Model to Explore the Molecular Basis for Sperm Activation. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040657. [PMID: 37189404 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040657] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
C. elegans spermiogenesis converts non-motile spermatids into motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. Two major events include the building of a pseudopod required for motility and fusion of membranous organelles (MOs)-intracellular secretory vesicles-with the spermatid plasma membrane required for the proper distribution of sperm molecules in mature spermatozoa. The mouse sperm acrosome reaction-a sperm activation event occurring during capacitation-is similar to MO fusion in terms of cytological features and biological significance. Moreover, C. elegans fer-1 and mouse Fer1l5, both encoding members of the ferlin family, are indispensable for MO fusion and acrosome reaction, respectively. Genetics-based studies have identified many C. elegans genes involved in spermiogenesis pathways; however, it is unclear whether mouse orthologs of these genes are involved in the acrosome reaction. One significant advantage of using C. elegans for studying sperm activation is the availability of in vitro spermiogenesis, which enables combining pharmacology and genetics for the assay. If certain drugs can activate both C. elegans and mouse spermatozoa, these drugs would be useful probes to explore the mechanism underlying sperm activation in these two species. By analyzing C. elegans mutants whose spermatids are insensitive to the drugs, genes functionally relevant to the drugs' effects can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Shimada
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University, Osaka 572-8508, Japan
| | - Nana Kanazawa-Takino
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University, Osaka 572-8508, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nishimura
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University, Osaka 572-8508, Japan
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Wang X, Liu Q, Li J, Zhou L, Wang T, Zhao N. Dynamic cellular and molecular characteristics of spermatogenesis in the viviparous marine teleost Sebastes schlegelii†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:338-352. [PMID: 36401879 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac203] [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: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a dynamic cell developmental process that is essential for reproductive success. Vertebrates utilize a variety of reproductive strategies, including sperm diversity, and internal and external fertilization. Research on the cellular and molecular dynamic changes involved in viviparous teleost spermatogenesis, however, is currently lacking. Here, we combined cytohistology, 10 × genomic single-cell RNA-seq, and transcriptome technology to determine the dynamic development characteristics of the spermatogenesis of Sebastes schlegelii. The expressions of lhcgr (Luteinizing hormone/Choriogonadotropin receptor), fshr (follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), ar (androgen receptor), pgr (progesterone receptor), and cox (cyclo-oxygen-ase), as well as the prostaglandin E and F levels peaked during the maturation period, indicating that they were important for sperm maturation and mating. Fifteen clusters were identified based on the 10 × genomic single-cell results. The cell markers of the sub-cluster were identified by their upregulation; piwil, dazl, and dmrt1 were upregulated and identified as spermatogonium markers, and sycp1/3 and spo11 were identified as spermatocyte markers. For S. schlegelii, the sperm head nucleus was elongated (spherical to streamlined in shape), which is a typical characteristic for sperm involved in internal fertilization. We also identified a series of crucial genes associated with spermiogenesis, such as spata6, spag16, kif20a, trip10, and klf10, while kif2c, kifap3, fez2, and spaca6 were found to be involved in nucleus elongation. The results of this study will enrich our cellular and molecular knowledge of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in fish that undergo internal fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Li Zhou
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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19
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Norizuki T, Minamino N, Sato M, Ueda T. Autophagy regulates plastid reorganization during spermatogenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1101983. [PMID: 36844055 PMCID: PMC9947651 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1101983] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved system that delivers cytoplasmic components to lysosomes/vacuoles. Plastids are also degraded through autophagy for nutrient recycling and quality control; however, the involvement of autophagic degradation of plastids in plant cellular differentiation remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether spermiogenesis, the differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoids, in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha involves autophagic degradation of plastids. Spermatozoids of M. polymorpha possess one cylindrical plastid at the posterior end of the cell body. By fluorescently labeling and visualizing plastids, we detected dynamic morphological changes during spermiogenesis. We found that a portion of the plastid was degraded in the vacuole in an autophagy-dependent manner during spermiogenesis, and impaired autophagy resulted in defective morphological transformation and starch accumulation in the plastid. Furthermore, we found that autophagy was dispensable for the reduction in plastid number and plastid DNA elimination. These results demonstrate a critical but selective role of autophagy in plastid reorganization during spermiogenesis in M. polymorpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Norizuki
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Naoki Minamino
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Miyuki Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueda
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
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20
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Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Pal S, Dufau ML. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of the Mouse Testicular Germ Cells Reveals Important Role of Phosphorylated GRTH/DDX25 in Round Spermatid Differentiation and Acrosome Biogenesis during Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043127. [PMID: 36834539 PMCID: PMC9962311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043127] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH)/DDX25 is a member of DEAD-box family of RNA helicase essential for the completion of spermatogenesis and male fertility, as evident from GRTH-knockout (KO) mice. In germ cells of male mice, there are two species of GRTH, a 56 kDa non-phosphorylated form and 61 kDa phosphorylated form (pGRTH). GRTH Knock-In (KI) mice with R242H mutation abolished pGRTH and its absence leads to infertility. To understand the role of the GRTH in germ cell development at different stages during spermatogenesis, we performed single-cell RNA-seq analysis of testicular cells from adult WT, KO and KI mice and studied the dynamic changes in gene expression. Pseudotime analysis revealed a continuous developmental trajectory of germ cells from spermatogonia to elongated spermatids in WT mice, while in both KO and KI mice the trajectory was halted at round spermatid stage indicating incomplete spermatogenesis process. The transcriptional profiles of KO and KI mice were significantly altered during round spermatid development. Genes involved in spermatid differentiation, translation process and acrosome vesicle formation were significantly downregulated in the round spermatids of KO and KI mice. Ultrastructure of round spermatids of KO and KI mice revealed several abnormalities in acrosome formation that includes failure of pro-acrosome vesicles to fuse to form a single acrosome vesicle, and fragmentation of acrosome structure. Our findings highlight the crucial role of pGRTH in differentiation of round spermatids into elongated spermatids, acrosome biogenesis and its structural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
| | - Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Soumitra Pal
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria L. Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: (R.K.); or (M.L.D.); Tel.: +1-301-496-5254 (R.K.); +1-301-496-2021 (M.L.D.)
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21
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Sultana T, Iwamori T, Iwamori N. TSNAXIP1 is required for sperm head formation and male fertility. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12520. [PMID: 37389156 PMCID: PMC10304756 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12520] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose TRANSLIN (TSN) and its binding partner TSNAX have been reported to contribute to a wide spectrum of biological activities including spermatogenesis. TSN accompanies specific mRNA transport in male germ cells through intercellular bridges. A testis-expressed protein TSNAXIP1 was reported to interact with TSNAX. However the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis remained unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TSNAXIP1 in spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice. Methods TSNAXIP1 knockout (KO) mice were generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The fertility, spermatogenesis, and sperm of TSNAXIP1 KO males were analyzed. Results TSNAXIP1, and especially its domains, are highly conserved between mouse and human. Tsnaxip1 was expressed in testis, but not in ovary. TSNAXIP1 KO mice were generated, and TSNAXIP1 KO males were found to be sub-fertile with smaller testis and lower sperm count. Although no overt abnormalities were observed during spermatogenesis, lack of TSNAXIP1 induced sperm head malformation, resulting in a unique flower-shaped sperm head. Moreover, abnormal anchorage of the sperm neck was frequently observed in TSNAXIP1 null sperm. Conclusion A testis-expressed gene TSNAXIP1 has important roles in sperm head morphogenesis and male fertility. Moreover, TSNAXIP1 could be a causative gene for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasrin Sultana
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Tokuko Iwamori
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of AgricultureKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Naoki Iwamori
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Laboratory of Zoology, Graduate School of AgricultureKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
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22
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Greither T, Behre HM, Herlyn H. Genome-Wide Association Screening Determines Peripheral Players in Male Fertility Maintenance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36613967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the functional relationships of genes resulting from genome-wide screens for polymorphisms that are associated with phenotypic variations can be challenging. However, given the common association with certain phenotypes, a functional link should exist. We have tested this prediction in newly sequenced exomes of altogether 100 men representing different states of fertility. Fertile subjects presented with normal semen parameters and had naturally fathered offspring. In contrast, infertile probands were involuntarily childless and had reduced sperm quantity and quality. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) linked twelve non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to fertility variation between both cohorts. The SNPs localized to nine genes for which previous evidence is in line with a role in male fertility maintenance: ANAPC1, CES1, FAM131C, HLA-DRB1, KMT2C, NOMO1, SAA1, SRGAP2, and SUSD2. Most of the SNPs residing in these genes imply amino acid exchanges that should only moderately affect protein functionality. In addition, proteins encoded by genes from present GWAS occupied peripheral positions in a protein-protein interaction network, the backbone of which consisted of genes listed in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database for their implication in male infertility. Suggestive of an indirect impact on male fertility, the genes focused were indeed linked to each other, albeit mediated by other interactants. Thus, the chances of identifying a central player in male infertility by GWAS could be limited in general. Furthermore, the SNPs determined and the genes containing these might prove to have potential as biomarkers in the diagnosis of male fertility.
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23
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Zhang XN, Tao HP, Li S, Wang YJ, Wu SX, Pan B, Yang QE. Ldha-Dependent Metabolic Programs in Sertoli Cells Regulate Spermiogenesis in Mouse Testis. Biology (Basel) 2022; 11:1791. [PMID: 36552300 PMCID: PMC9775226 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121791] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells play indispensable roles in spermatogenesis by providing the advanced germ cells with structural, nutritional, and regulatory support. Lactate is regarded as an essential Sertoli-cell-derived energy metabolite that nurses various types of spermatogenic cells; however, this assumption has not been tested using genetic approaches. Here, we have reported that the depletion of lactate production in Sertoli cells by conditionally deleting lactate dehydrogenase A (Ldha) greatly affected spermatogenesis. Ldha deletion in Sertoli cells significantly reduced the lactate production and resulted in severe defects in spermatogenesis. Spermatogonia and spermatocytes did not show even mild impairments, but the spermiogenesis of Ldha conditional knockout males was severely disrupted. Further analysis revealed that 2456 metabolites were altered in the sperm of the knockout animals, and specifically, lipid metabolism was dysregulated, including choline, oleic acid, and myristic acid. Surprisingly, choline supplementation completely rescued the spermiogenesis disorder that was caused by the loss of Ldha activities. Collectively, these data have demonstrated that the interruption of Sertoli-cell-derived lactate impacted sperm development through a choline-mediated mechanism. The outcomes of these findings have revealed a novel function of lactate in spermatogenesis and have therapeutic applications in treating human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Ping Tao
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shi-Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bo Pan
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, China
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24
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Zhu S, Huang J, Xu R, Wang Y, Wan Y, McNeel R, Parker E, Kolson D, Yam M, Webb B, Zhao C, Sigado J, Du J. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 3b is required for spermiogenesis but dispensable for retinal viability. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102387. [PMID: 35985423 PMCID: PMC9478456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102387] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 (IDH3) is a key enzyme in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which catalyzes the decarboxylation of isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate and concurrently converts NAD+ into NADH. Dysfunction of IDH3B, the β subunit of IDH3, has been previously correlated with retinal degeneration and male infertility in humans, but tissue-specific effects of IDH3 dysfunction are unclear. Here, we generated Idh3b-KO mice and found that IDH3B is essential for IDH3 activity in multiple tissues. We determined that loss of Idh3b in mice causes substantial accumulation of isocitrate and its precursors in the TCA cycle, particularly in the testes, whereas the levels of the downstream metabolites remain unchanged or slightly increased. However, the Idh3b-KO mice did not fully recapitulate the defects observed in humans. Global deletion of Idh3b only causes male infertility but not retinal degeneration in mice. Our investigation showed that loss of Idh3b causes an energetic deficit and disrupts the biogenesis of acrosome and flagellum, resulting in spermiogenesis arrestment in sperm cells. Together, we demonstrate that IDH3B controls its substrate levels in the TCA cycle, and it is required for sperm mitochondrial metabolism and spermiogenesis, highlighting the importance of the tissue-specific function of the ubiquitous TCA cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyan Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Jiancheng Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration (Fudan University), Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Yekai Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Yiming Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Rachel McNeel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Edward Parker
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Douglas Kolson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Michelle Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Bradley Webb
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Chen Zhao
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration (Fudan University), Shanghai, China
| | - Jenna Sigado
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Jianhai Du
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506; Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506.
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25
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Chen Y, Chen X, Zhang H, Sha Y, Meng R, Shao T, Yang X, Jin P, Zhuang Y, Min W, Xu D, Jiang Z, Li Y, Li L, Yue W, Yin C. TBC1D21 is an essential factor for sperm mitochondrial sheath assembly and male fertility‡. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:619-634. [PMID: 35403672 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac069] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, the formation of the mitochondrial sheath is critical for male fertility. The molecular processes that govern the development of the mitochondrial sheath remain unknown. Whether TBC1D21 serves as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for GTP hydrolysis in the testis is unclear, despite recent findings indicating that it collaborates with numerous proteins to regulate the formation of the mitochondrial sheath. To thoroughly examine the property of TBC1D21 in spermiogenesis, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate the Tbc1d21-/- mice, Tbc1d21D125A R128K mice with mutation in the GAP catalytic residues (IxxDxxR), and Tbc1d21-3xFlag mice. Male Tbc1d21-/- mice were infertile due to the curved spermatozoa flagella. In vitro fertilization is ineffective for Tbc1d21-/- sperm, although healthy offspring were obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Electron microscopy revealed aberrant ultrastructural changes in the mitochondrial sheath. Thirty-four Rab vectors were constructed followed by co-immunoprecipitation, which identified RAB13 as a novel TBC1D21 binding protein. Interestingly, infertility was not observed in Tbc1d21D125A R128K mice harboring the catalytic residue, suggesting that TBC1D21 is not a typical GAP for Rab-GTP hydrolysis. Moreover, TBC1D21 was expressed in the sperm mitochondrial sheath in Tbc1d21-3xFlag mice. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry demonstrated the interactions of TBC1D21 with ACTB, TPM3, SPATA19, and VDAC3 to regulate the architecture of the sperm midpiece. The collective findings suggest that TBC1D21 is a scaffold protein required for the organization and stabilization of the mitochondrial sheath morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Chen
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Haihang Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ranran Meng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Shao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pengpeng Jin
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghua Zhuang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanping Min
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Xu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaodi Jiang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wentao Yue
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
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26
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Norizuki T, Ueda T. Autophagy regulates organelle reorganization during spermiogenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Autophagy 2022; 18:2503-2504. [PMID: 35786352 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2096396] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm mitochondria generally exhibit distinctive and diverse morphologies in animals and plants. Bryophytes, a plant group consisting of liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, produce motile male gametes, called spermatozoids, that possess a fixed number of two mitochondria in their cell bodies. Electron microscopy observations have revealed the detailed morphological aspects of plant spermatozoids, including mitochondrial morphology; however, the mechanism by which mitochondria are reorganized during spermiogenesis in bryophytes remains largely unknown. Our recent study using the liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha, revealed that the mitochondrial number is reduced to one via mitochondrial fission and macroautophagic/autophagic degradation, which subsequently becomes two via asymmetric division to form large anterior and small posterior mitochondria. Other cytoplasmic components, such as peroxisomes, are also degraded via autophagy; however, mitochondria are degraded at a time distinct from other cytoplasmic components. We also found that some cytoplasmic components were degraded in the vacuole independent of autophagy. Our study highlights the dynamic reorganization of organelles via multiple degradation pathways during spermiogenesis in M. polymorpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Norizuki
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueda
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
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27
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Norizuki T, Minamino N, Sato M, Tsukaya H, Ueda T. Dynamic rearrangement and autophagic degradation of mitochondria during spermiogenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110975. [PMID: 35705033 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria change their morphology in response to developmental and environmental cues. During sexual reproduction, bryophytes produce spermatozoids with two mitochondria in the cell body. Although intensive morphological analyses have been conducted, how this fixed number of mitochondria is realized remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how mitochondria are reorganized during spermiogenesis in Marchantia polymorpha. We find that the mitochondrial number is reduced to one through fission followed by autophagic degradation during early spermiogenesis, and then the posterior mitochondrion arises by fission of the anterior mitochondrion. Autophagy is also responsible for the removal of other organelles, including peroxisomes, but these other organelles are removed at distinct developmental stages from mitochondrial degradation. We also find that spermiogenesis involves nonautophagic organelle degradation. Our findings highlight the dynamic reorganization of mitochondria, which is regulated distinctly from that of other organelles, and multiple degradation mechanisms operate in organelle remodeling during spermiogenesis in M. polymorpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Norizuki
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan; Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Naoki Minamino
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Miyuki Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tsukaya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueda
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan; Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan.
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28
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Oyama Y, Miyata H, Shimada K, Larasati T, Fujihara Y, Ikawa M. TULP2 deletion mice exhibit abnormal outer dense fiber structure and male infertility. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12467. [PMID: 35619658 PMCID: PMC9126596 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12467] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tulp2 (tubby-like protein 2) is a member of the tubby protein family and expressed predominantly in mouse testis. Recently, it was reported that Tulp2 knockout (KO) mice exhibited disrupted sperm tail morphology; however, it remains to be determined how TULP2 deletion causes abnormal tail formation. Methods The authors analyzed male fertility, sperm morphology, and motility of two Tulp2 KO mouse lines that were generated using the conventional method that utilizes homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells as well as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Furthermore, the authors observed the spermatogenesis of Tulp2 KO mice in more detail using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Results Both mouse lines of Tulp2 KO exhibited male infertility, abnormal tail morphology, and impaired sperm motility. No overt abnormalities were found in the formation of the mitochondrial sheath in Tulp2 KO mice using the freeze-fracture method with SEM. In contrast, abnormal outer dense fiber (ODF) structure was observed in Tulp2 KO testis with TEM. Conclusions TULP2 may play roles in the correct formation and/or maintenance of ODF, which may lead to abnormal tail morphology, impaired sperm motility, and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Oyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Graduate School of MedicineOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Bioscience and GeneticsNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterSuitaJapan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,Department of Experimental Genome ResearchResearch Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan,The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan,Center for Infectious Disease Education and ResearchOsaka UniversityOsakaJapan
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29
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Li Q, Kaur A, Mallory B, Hariri S, Engebrecht J. Inducible degradation of dosage compensation protein DPY-27 facilitates isolation of Caenorhabditis elegans males for molecular and biochemical analyses. G3 (Bethesda) 2022; 12:jkac085. [PMID: 35404452 PMCID: PMC9073673 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac085] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex affects numerous aspects of biology, yet how sex influences different biological processes have not been extensively studied at the molecular level. Caenorhabditis elegans, with both hermaphrodites (functionally females as adults) and males, is an excellent system to uncover how sex influences physiology. Here, we describe a method to isolate large quantities of C. elegans males by conditionally degrading DPY-27, a component of the dosage compensation complex essential for hermaphrodite, but not male, development. We show that germ cells from males isolated following DPY-27 degradation undergo meiosis and spermiogenesis like wild type and these males are competent to mate and sire viable offspring. We further demonstrate the efficacy of this system by analyzing gene expression and performing affinity pull-downs from male worm extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyan Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Arshdeep Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Benjamin Mallory
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sara Hariri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - JoAnne Engebrecht
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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30
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Nogueira E, Tirpák F, Hamilton LE, Zigo M, Kerns K, Sutovsky M, Kim J, Volkmann D, Jovine L, Taylor JF, Schnabel RD, Sutovsky P. A Non-Synonymous Point Mutation in a WD-40 Domain Repeat of EML5 Leads to Decreased Bovine Sperm Quality and Fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:872740. [PMID: 35478957 PMCID: PMC9037033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.872740] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is part of a concerted effort to identify and phenotype rare, deleterious mutations that adversely affect sperm quality, or convey high developmental and fertility potential to embryos and ensuing progeny. A rare, homozygous mutation in EML5 (EML5R1654W), which encodes a microtubule-associated protein with high expression in testis and brain was identified in an Angus bull used extensively in artificial insemination (AI) for its outstanding progeny production traits. The bull’s fertility was low in cross-breeding timed AI (TAI) (Pregnancy/TAI = 25.2%; n = 222) and, in general, AI breeding to Nellore cows (41%; n = 822). A search of the 1,000 Bull Genomes Run9 database revealed an additional 74 heterozygous animals and 8 homozygous animals harboring this exact mutation across several different breeds (0.7% frequency within the 6,191 sequenced animals). Phenotypically, spermatozoa from the homozygous Angus bull displayed prominent piriform and tapered heads, and outwardly protruding knobbed acrosomes. Additionally, an increased retention of EML5 was also observed in the sperm head of both homozygous and heterozygous Angus bulls compared to wild-type animals. This non-synonymous point mutation is located within a WD40 signaling domain repeat of EML5 and is predicted to be detrimental to overall protein function by genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and protein modeling. Future work will examine how this rare mutation affects field AI fertility and will characterize the role of EML5 in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriklis Nogueira
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Filip Tirpák
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Lauren E Hamilton
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Miriam Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - JaeWoo Kim
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dietrich Volkmann
- Theriogenology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jeremy F Taylor
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Robert D Schnabel
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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31
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Wang-Eckhardt L, Sylvester M, Becker I, Allam JP, Eckhardt M. Citrylglutamate synthase deficient male mice are subfertile with impaired histone and transition protein 2 removal in late spermatids. Biochem J 2022:BCJ20210844. [PMID: 35419597 DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20210844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin remodelling in spermatids is an essential step in spermiogenesis and involves the exchange of most histones by protamines, which drives chromatin condensation in late spermatids. The gene Rimklb encodes a citrylglutamate synthase highly expressed in testes of vertebrates and the increase of its reaction product, β-citrylglutamate, correlates in time with the appearance of spermatids. Here we show that deficiency in a functional Rimklb gene leads to male subfertility, which could be partially rescued by in vitro fertilization. Rimklb-deficient mice are impaired in a late step of spermiogenesis and produce spermatozoa with abnormally shaped heads and nuclei. Sperm chromatin in Rimklb-deficient mice was less condensed and showed impaired histone to protamine exchange and retained transition protein 2. These observations suggest that citrylglutamate synthase, probably via its reaction product β-citrylglutamate, is essential for efficient chromatin remodelling during spermiogenesis and may be a possible candidate gene for male subfertility or infertility in humans.
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32
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Wang X, Gou LT, Liu MF. Noncanonical Functions of PIWIL1/piRNAs in animal male germ cells and human diseases. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:101-108. [PMID: 35403682 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are specifically expressed in animal germlines and play essential roles during gametogenesis in animals. The primary function of PIWI/piRNAs is known to silence transposable elements for protecting genome integrity in animal germlines, while their roles beyond silencing transposons are also documented by us and others. In particular, we show that mouse PIWIL1 (MIWI)/piRNAs play a dual role in regulating protein-coding genes in mouse spermatids through interacting with different protein factors in a developmental stage-dependent manner, including translationally activating a subset of ARE-containing mRNAs in round spermatids and inducing massive mRNA degradation in late spermatids. We further show that MIWI is eliminated through the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway during late spermiogenesis. By exploring the biological function of MIWI ubiquitination by APC/C, we identified ubiquitination-deficient mutations in human PIWIL1 of infertile men and further established their causative role in male infertility in mouse model, supporting PIWIL1 as a human male infertility-relevant gene. Additionally, we reported that PIWIL1, aberrantly induced in human tumors, functions as an oncoprotein in a piRNA-independent manner in cancer cells. In the current review, we summarize our latest findings regarding the roles and mechanisms of PIWIL1 and piRNAs in mouse spermatids and human diseases, and discuss the related works in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lan-Tao Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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33
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Huang C, Gong H, Mu B, Lan X, Yang C, Tan J, Liu W, Zou Y, Li L, Feng B, He X, Luo Q, Chen Z. BAF-L Modulates Histone-to-Protamine Transition during Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1985. [PMID: 35216101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Maturing male germ cells undergo a unique developmental process in spermiogenesis that replaces nucleosomal histones with protamines, the process of which is critical for testicular development and male fertility. The progress of this exchange is regulated by complex mechanisms that are not well understood. Now, with mouse genetic models, we show that barrier-to-autointegration factor-like protein (BAF-L) plays an important role in spermiogenesis and spermatozoal function. BAF-L is a male germ cell marker, whose expression is highly associated with the maturation of male germ cells. The genetic deletion of BAF-L in mice impairs the progress of spermiogenesis and thus male fertility. This effect on male fertility is a consequence of the disturbed homeostasis of histones and protamines in maturing male germ cells, in which the interactions between BAF-L and histones/protamines are implicated. Finally, we show that reduced testicular expression of BAF-L represents a risk factor of human male infertility.
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34
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Ereskovsky A, Tokina D. Ultrastructural research of spermiogenesis in two sponges, Crellomima imparidens and Hymedesmia irregularis (Demospongiae): New evidence of sperms with acrosome in sponges. J Morphol 2022; 283:333-345. [PMID: 34997986 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Details of spermatogenesis and sperm organization are often useful for reconstructing the phylogeny of closely related taxa of invertebrates. Here, the spermiogenesis and the ultrastructure of sperm were studied in two marine demosponges, Crellomima imparidens and Hymedesmia irregularis (order Poecilosclerida). In C. imparidens and H. irregularis, we found bundles of microtubules arranged along the nucleus during spermiogenesis. These bundles derived from the basal body of axoneme, reaching the apical pole of the cell. In C. imparidens, the microtubules surround the nucleus, forming the manchette. In H. irregularis, the microtubules pass along only one side of the cell periphery. During spermiogenesis, the nucleus stretches and elongates. In both species, the nucleus is twisted into a spiral structure. We suppose that the manchette of microtubules could be responsible for controlling the elongation and shaping of the sperm nucleus to a helical form and for the twisting and/or condensation of chromatin in these sponges. The spermatozoon of both species has an elongated shape. Its apical part has an acrosome, which is dome-shaped in C. imparidens and flattened and lenticular in H. irregularis. The cytoplasm of the spermatozoa contains some small mitochondria, and proximal and distal centrioles arranged at an angle to each other. There is a small volume of residual cytoplasm with dark glycogen-like granules. The axoneme of the spermatid and the flagellum of the sperm of both sponges is located in the deep tunnel-like cytoplasmic depression. The comparison of spermatozoa morphology of different species of the order Poecilosclerida demonstrates that the knowledge of variation within genera and families can give valuable insights into the significance of many characters proposed for phylogenetic studies of this order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ereskovsky
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie Marine et Continentale (IMBE), Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, Avignon University, Station Marine d'Endoume, Marseille, France.,Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria Tokina
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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35
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Bizkarguenaga M, Gomez-Santos L, Madrid JF, Sáez FJ, Alonso E. Zona Pellucida sperm-binding protein 3 receptor distribution during Gopc -/- globozoospermic spermatogenesis. Microsc Res Tech 2021; 85:1454-1464. [PMID: 34870349 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24009] [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: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Globozoospermia is a type of teratozoospermia characterized by round morphology of the sperm head. Gopc-/- infertile globozoospermic murine model has failures during spermiogenesis, such as the incorrect biogenesis of the acrosome, disorganized acroplaxome and manchette, round nuclei and spiral flagella. In this study, Western blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunogold were done for the localization of the acrosome protein Zona Pellucida sperm-binding protein 3 receptor (ZP3R), also called sp56, in wild type and Gopc-/- mice testis. The ZP3R protein was located in the acrosome and pseudo-acrosome vesicles of wild type and Gopc-/- mice, respectively. Also, it is distributed through the cytoplasm of the haploid spermatids only. The incorrect spermiogenesis of Gopc-/- mice causes a deregulation in the expression of ZP3R in the globozoospermic spermatids. Our results suggest that although the lack of GOPC causes a failure during the transport of the pre-acrosomal vesicles, the acrosome protein ZP3R is localized in the acrosome and is distributed through the cytoplasm only during spermiogenesis. Furthermore, the failure in spermiogenesis does not impair the synthesis of ZP3R and its localization in the pre-acrosomal vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Bizkarguenaga
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Laura Gomez-Santos
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Madrid
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco José Sáez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Edurne Alonso
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Pharmacy University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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36
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Shi K, Yang L, Zhuang X, Zhang L, Qi H. Yeast Two-Hybrid Screen Identifies PKA-Riα Interacting Proteins during Mouse Spermiogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1941. [PMID: 34946890 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling plays various roles during mammalian spermatogenesis, ranging from the regulation of gene expression to the modulation of sperm motility. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the multifaceted functions of PKA during spermatogenesis remain largely unclear. We previously found that PKA regulatory subunit I α (RIα) and catalytic subunit α (Cα) co-sediment with polyribosomal fractions of mouse testis lysate on sucrose gradient and the stimulation of PKA activity facilitates protein synthesis in post-meiotic elongating spermatids, indicating that type I PKA is intricately associated with protein translation machinery and regulates protein synthesis during mouse spermiogenesis. Since PKA activity is often regulated by interacting proteins that form complexes with its regulatory subunits, the identification of PKA-RIα interacting proteins in post-meiotic spermatogenic cells will facilitate our understanding of its regulatory roles in protein synthesis and spermiogenesis. In the present study, we applied a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify PKA-Riα-binding proteins using a cDNA library generated from mouse round and elongating spermatids. Numerous proteins were found to potentially interact with PKA-RIα, including proteostasis modulators, metabolic enzymes, cytoskeletal regulators, and mitochondrial proteins, many of which are specifically expressed in testes. Consistently, the examination of MENA (mouse ENA/VASP homolog) in developing mouse testes suggested that post-meiotic spermatogenic cells express a short isoform of MENA that interacts with PKA-RIα in yeast two-hybrid assay. The identification of PKA-RIα interacting proteins provides us solid basis to further explore how PKA signaling regulates protein synthesis and cellular morphogenesis during mouse spermatogenesis.
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37
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Ge TT, Yuan L, Xu WH, Zheng Y. Role and mechanism of intraflagellar transport in mammalian spermiogenesis. Yi Chuan 2021; 43:1038-1049. [PMID: 34815207 DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.21-206] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved organelles that protrude from the cell surface. The unique location and properties of cilia allow them to function in vital processes such as motility and signaling. Ciliary assembly and maintenance rely on intraflagellar transport (IFT). Bidirectional movement of IFT particles composed of IFT-A and IFT-B complexes is powered by kinesin-2 and dynein-2 motors. IFT delivers building blocks between their site of synthesis in the cell body and the ciliary assembly site at the tip of the cilium. The integrity of the flagellum, a specialized organelle of mammalian sperm to generate the motility, is critical for normal sperm function. Recent findings suggest that IFT is indispensable for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in mice and human. In this review, we summarize the role and mechanisms of IFT proteins during enflagellation in spermiogenesis, thereby discussing the pathological mechanisms of male infertility and providing theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Ge
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Lu Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Wen-Hua Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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38
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Li Y, Mi P, Chen X, Wu J, Liu X, Tang Y, Cheng J, Huang Y, Qin W, Cheng CY, Sun F. Tex13a Optimizes Sperm Motility via Its Potential Roles in mRNA Turnover. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:761627. [PMID: 34733855 PMCID: PMC8558480 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.761627] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNAs have been found to undergo substantial selective degradation during the late stages of spermiogenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating this biological process are unknown. In this report, we have identified Tex13a, a spermatid-specific gene that interacts with the CCR4–NOT complex and is implicated in the targeted degradation of mRNAs encoding particular structural components of sperm. Deletion of Tex13a led to a delayed decay of these mRNAs, lowered the levels of house-keeping genes, and ultimately lowered several key parameters associated with the control of sperm motility, such as the path velocity (VAP, average path velocity), track speed (VCL, velocity curvilinear), and rapid progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchuan Li
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Panpan Mi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xue Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiabao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunge Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinmei Cheng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yingying Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, United States
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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39
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Li W, Huang Q, Zhang L, Liu H, Zhang D, Yuan S, Yap Y, Qu W, Shiang R, Song S, Hess RA, Zhang Z. A single amino acid mutation in the mouse MEIG1 protein disrupts a cargo transport system necessary for sperm formation. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101312. [PMID: 34673028 PMCID: PMC8592874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process that requires cooperation between specific proteins to coordinate diverse biological functions. For example, mouse Parkin coregulated gene (PACRG) recruits meiosis-expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) to the manchette during normal spermiogenesis. Here we mutated Y68 of MEIG1 using the CRISPR/cas9 system and examined the biological and physiological consequences in mice. All homozygous mutant males examined were completely infertile, and sperm count was dramatically reduced. The few developed sperm were immotile and displayed multiple abnormalities. Histological staining showed impaired spermiogenesis in these mutant mice. Immunofluorescent staining further revealed that this mutant MEIG1 was still present in the cell body of spermatocytes, but also that more MEIG1 accumulated in the acrosome region of round spermatids. The mutant MEIG1 and a cargo protein of the MEIG1/PACRG complex, sperm-associated antigen 16L (SPAG16L), were no longer found to be present in the manchette; however, localization of the PACRG component was not changed in the mutants. These findings demonstrate that Y68 of MEIG1 is a key amino acid required for PACRG to recruit MEIG1 to the manchette to transport cargo proteins during sperm flagella formation. Given that MEIG1 and PACRG are conserved in humans, small molecules that block MEIG1/PACRG interaction are likely ideal targets for the development of male contraconception drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - David Zhang
- School of Arts and Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Shuo Yuan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yitian Yap
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rita Shiang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Shizheng Song
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
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40
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Peterson JJ, Tocheny CE, Prajapati G, LaMunyon CW, Shakes DC. Subcellular patterns of SPE-6 localization reveal unexpected complexities in Caenorhabditis elegans sperm activation and sperm function. G3 (Bethesda) 2021; 11:jkab288. [PMID: 34849789 PMCID: PMC8527485 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
To acquire and maintain directed cell motility, Caenorhabditis elegans sperm must undergo extensive, regulated cellular remodeling, in the absence of new transcription or translation. To regulate sperm function, nematode sperm employ large numbers of protein kinases and phosphatases, including SPE-6, a member of C. elegans' highly expanded casein kinase 1 superfamily. SPE-6 functions during multiple steps of spermatogenesis, including functioning as a "brake" to prevent premature sperm activation in the absence of normal extracellular signals. Here, we describe the subcellular localization patterns of SPE-6 during wild-type C. elegans sperm development and in various sperm activation mutants. While other members of the sperm activation pathway associate with the plasma membrane or localize to the sperm's membranous organelles, SPE-6 surrounds the chromatin mass of unactivated sperm. During sperm activation by either of two semiautonomous signaling pathways, SPE-6 redistributes to the front, central region of the sperm's pseudopod. When disrupted by reduction-of-function alleles, SPE-6 protein is either diminished in a temperature-sensitive manner (hc187) or is mislocalized in a stage-specific manner (hc163). During the multistep process of sperm activation, SPE-6 is released from its perinuclear location after the spike stage in a process that does not require the fusion of membranous organelles with the plasma membrane. After activation, spermatozoa exhibit variable proportions of perinuclear and pseudopod-localized SPE-6, depending on their location within the female reproductive tract. These findings provide new insights regarding SPE-6's role in sperm activation and suggest that extracellular signals during sperm migration may further modulate SPE-6 localization and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire E Tocheny
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | - Gaurav Prajapati
- Department of Biological Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Craig W LaMunyon
- Department of Biological Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
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Šturm S, Švara T, Spörndly-Nees E, Cerkvenik-Flajs V, Gombač M, Weber AL, Weber K. Seminiferous epithelium cycle staging based on the development of the acrosome in ram testis. J Toxicol Pathol 2021; 34:331-338. [PMID: 34621108 PMCID: PMC8484928 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2021-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular histopathology is considered the most sensitive and reliable method to detect the effects of chemicals on sperm production. To carry out a sensitive examination of testicular histopathology and interpret the changes require knowledge of spermatogenic stages. Spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development during spermiogenesis is conventionally performed in animal species routinely used for research and toxicity testing. In contrast, small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, are rarely used as animal models to evaluate toxicity in male reproductive organs. To the best of our knowledge, a comparable spermatogenic staging system in rams has not yet been fully characterised. Hence, this study aimed to adapt the existing spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development in bull testes to fit the seminiferous epithelium cycle of ram testes. The results show that spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development in bull testes can, with slight modifications, be efficiently used for the staging of ram testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Šturm
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Švara
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Ellinor Spörndly-Nees
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007, Sweden
| | - Vesna Cerkvenik-Flajs
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Mitja Gombač
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Anna-Luisa Weber
- AnaPath Services GmbH, Hammerstrasse 49, Liestal, 4410, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Weber
- AnaPath Services GmbH, Hammerstrasse 49, Liestal, 4410, Switzerland
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Jiang X, Zhu X, Cheng Y, Azhar M, Xing X, Li W, Cao Y, Shi Q, Bao J. The Spin1 interactor, Spindoc, is dispensable for meiotic division, but essential for haploid spermatid development in mice. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:144. [PMID: 34526015 PMCID: PMC8442334 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00828-8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, germline development undergoes dramatic morphological and molecular changes and is epigenetically subject to intricate yet exquisite regulation. Which epigenetic players and how they participate in the germline developmental process are not fully characterized. Spin1 is a multifunctional epigenetic protein reader that has been shown to recognize H3 "K4me3-R8me2a" histone marks, and more recently the non-canonical bivalent H3 "K4me3-K9me3/2" marks as well. As a robust Spin1-interacting cofactor, Spindoc has been identified to enhance the binding of Spin1 to its substrate histone marks, thereby modulating the downstream signaling; However, the physiological role of Spindoc in germline development is unknown. We generated two Spindoc knockout mouse models through CRISPR/Cas9 strategy, which revealed that Spindoc is specifically required for haploid spermatid development, but not essential for meiotic divisions in spermatocytes. This study unveiled a new epigenetic player that participates in haploid germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Jiang
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Azhar
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Xing
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Li
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzhu Cao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
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43
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Lester WC, Johnson T, Hale B, Serra N, Elgart B, Wang R, Geyer CB, Sperry AO. Aurora a kinase (AURKA) is required for male germline maintenance and regulates sperm motility in the mouse. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1603-1616. [PMID: 34518881 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab168] [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: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora A kinase (AURKA) is an important regulator of cell division and is required for assembly of the mitotic spindle. We recently reported the unusual finding that this mitotic kinase is also found on the sperm flagellum. To determine its requirement in spermatogenesis, we generated conditional knockout animals with deletion of the Aurka gene in either spermatogonia or spermatocytes to assess its role in mitotic and postmitotic cells, respectively. Deletion of Aurka in spermatogonia resulted in disappearance of all developing germ cells in the testis, as expected given its vital role in mitotic cell division. Deletion of Aurka in spermatocytes reduced testis size, sperm count, and fertility, indicating disruption of meiosis or an effect on spermiogenesis in developing mice. Interestingly, deletion of Aurka in spermatocytes increased apoptosis in spermatocytes along with an increase in the percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology. Despite the increase in abnormal sperm, sperm from spermatocyte Aurka knockout mice displayed increased progressive motility. In addition, sperm lysate prepared from Aurka knockout animals had decreased protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) activity. Together, our results show that AURKA plays multiple roles in spermatogenesis, from mitotic divisions of spermatogonia to sperm morphology and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Lester
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine
| | - Taylor Johnson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville NC, USA 27834
| | - Ben Hale
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville NC, USA 27834
| | - Nicholas Serra
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville NC, USA 27834
| | - Brian Elgart
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville NC, USA 27834
| | - Ann O Sperry
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine
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Zakrzewski P, Suwińska A, Lenartowski R, Rędowicz MJ, Buss F, Lenartowska M. Myosin VI maintains the actin-dependent organization of the tubulobulbar complexes required for endocytosis during mouse spermiogenesis†‡. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:863-875. [PMID: 31901088 PMCID: PMC7124960 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myosin VI (MYO6) is an actin-based motor that has been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes, including endocytosis and the regulation of actin dynamics. MYO6 is crucial for actin/membrane remodeling during the final step of Drosophila spermatogenesis, and MYO6-deficient males are sterile. This protein also localizes to actin-rich structures involved in mouse spermiogenesis. Although loss of MYO6 in Snell's waltzer knock-out (KO) mice causes several defects and shows reduced male fertility, no studies have been published to address the role of MYO6 in sperm development in mouse. Here we demonstrate that MYO6 and some of its binding partners are present at highly specialized actin-based structures, the apical tubulobulbar complexes (TBCs), which mediate endocytosis of the intercellular junctions at the Sertoli cell-spermatid interface, an essential process for sperm release. Using electron and light microscopy and biochemical approaches, we show that MYO6, GIPC1 and TOM1/L2 form a complex in testis and localize predominantly to an early endocytic APPL1-positive compartment of the TBCs that is distinct from EEA1-positive early endosomes. These proteins also associate with the TBC actin-free bulbular region. Finally, our studies using testis from Snell's waltzer males show that loss of MYO6 causes disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and disorganization of the TBCs and leads to defects in the distribution of the MYO6-positive early APPL1-endosomes. Taken together, we report here for the first time that lack of MYO6 in mouse testis reduces male fertility and disrupts spatial organization of the TBC-related endocytic compartment during the late phase of spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Zakrzewski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Anna Suwińska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Robert Lenartowski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Maria Jolanta Rędowicz
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Cell Motility, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Folma Buss
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Lenartowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland.,Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
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45
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Hamilton LE, Lion M, Aguila L, Suzuki J, Acteau G, Protopapas N, Xu W, Sutovsky P, Baker M, Oko R. Core Histones Are Constituents of the Perinuclear Theca of Murid Spermatozoa: An Assessment of Their Synthesis and Assembly during Spermiogenesis and Function after Gametic Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158119. [PMID: 34360885 PMCID: PMC8347300 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158119] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The perinuclear theca (PT) of the eutherian sperm head is a cytoskeletal-like structure that houses proteins involved in important cellular processes during spermiogenesis and fertilization. Building upon our novel discovery of non-nuclear histones in the bovine PT, we sought to investigate whether this PT localization was a conserved feature of eutherian sperm. Employing cell fractionation, immunodetection, mass spectrometry, qPCR, and intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI), we examined the localization, developmental origin, and functional potential of histones from the murid PT. Immunodetection localized histones to the post-acrosomal sheath (PAS) and the perforatorium (PERF) of the PT but showed an absence in the sperm nucleus. MS/MS analysis of selectively extracted PT histones indicated that predominately core histones (i.e., H3, H3.3, H2B, H2A, H2AX, and H4) populate the murid PT. These core histones appear to be de novo-synthesized in round spermatids and assembled via the manchette during spermatid elongation. Mouse ICSI results suggest that early embryonic development is delayed in the absence of PT-derived core histones. Here, we provide evidence that core histones are de novo-synthesized prior to PT assembly and deposited in PT sub-compartments for subsequent involvement in chromatin remodeling of the male pronucleus post-fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Hamilton
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Morgan Lion
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
| | - Luis Aguila
- Center for Research in Reproduction and Fertility, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Université de Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada; (L.A.); (J.S.)
| | - João Suzuki
- Center for Research in Reproduction and Fertility, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Université de Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada; (L.A.); (J.S.)
| | - Genevieve Acteau
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
| | - Nicole Protopapas
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Mark Baker
- School of Environmental and Life Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
| | - Richard Oko
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Botterell Hall, 18 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.E.H.); (M.L.); (G.A.); (N.P.); (W.X.)
- Correspondence:
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46
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Inoue N, Satouh Y, Wada I. IZUMO family member 3, IZUMO3, is involved in male fertility through the acrosome formation. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:479-481. [PMID: 34114279 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23520] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Many factors are involved in acrosome biogenesis in order for appropriate acrosome formation to occur. Here, we demonstrate that IZUMO family member 3, IZUMO3, plays an important role in acrosome biogenesis, as proven by gene disruption experiments. A loss of IZUMO3 in round spermatids affects acrosomal granule positioning due to lack of acrosomal granule contact with the inner acrosomal membrane, leading to the formation of grossly malformed spermatozoa associated with male subfertility. Thus, we suggest that mammalian spermiogenesis needs an elaborate acrosome biogenesis through IZUMO3 involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naokazu Inoue
- Department of Cell Science, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuhkoh Satouh
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Ikuo Wada
- Department of Cell Science, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
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47
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Kim CR, Noda T, Kim H, Kim G, Park S, Na Y, Oura S, Shimada K, Bang I, Ahn JY, Kim YR, Oh SK, Choi HJ, Kim JS, Jung I, Lee H, Okada Y, Ikawa M, Baek SH. PHF7 Modulates BRDT Stability and Histone-to-Protamine Exchange during Spermiogenesis. Cell Rep 2020; 32:107950. [PMID: 32726616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of sperm generation, including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermiogenesis, histones in post-meiotic spermatids are removed from chromatin and replaced by protamines. Although histone-to-protamine exchange is important for sperm nuclear condensation, the underlying regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we identify PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for histone H3K14 in post-meiotic spermatids. Generation of Phf7-deficient mice and Phf7 C160A knockin mice with impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase activity reveals defects in histone-to-protamine exchange caused by dysregulation of histone removal factor Bromodomain, testis-specific (BRDT) in early condensing spermatids. Surprisingly, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of PHF7 on histone ubiquitination leads to stabilization of BRDT by attenuating ubiquitination of BRDT. Collectively, our findings identify PHF7 as a critical factor for sperm chromatin condensation and contribute to mechanistic understanding of fundamental phenomenon of histone-to-protamine exchange and potential for drug development for the male reproduction system.
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48
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Xue X, Zhang L, Li Y, Wei H, Wu S, Liu T, Liu L, Xing Q, Wang S, Bao Z. Expression of the Testis-Specific Serine/Threonine Kinases Suggests Their Role in Spermiogenesis of Bay Scallop Argopecten irradians. Front Physiol 2021; 12:657559. [PMID: 33859575 PMCID: PMC8042308 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.657559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (Tssk) family play critical roles in spermatogenesis in vertebrates. But in mollusks, research on Tssk family is still lagging. In this study, we systematically identified Tssk family based on the genomic and transcriptomic data from a commercially important scallop Argopecten irradians and detected the spatiotemporal expression in adult gonads. Five members were identified, with the gene length varying from 1,068 to 10,729 bp and the protein length ranging from 294 to 731 aa. All the Tssks possess a serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic (S_TKc) domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed existence of four homologs of vertebrate Tssk1/2, Tssk3, Tssk4, Tssk5, and absence of Tssk6 in the scallop. The remaining gene (Tssk7) formed an independent clade with Tssks of other mollusks and arthropods, indicating that it may be a new member of Tssk family unique to protostomes. By investigating the expression of Tssks in four developmental stages of testes and ovaries, we found all five Tssks were primarily expressed in mature testis. In situ hybridization experiment revealed the five Tssks were localized in the spermatids and spermatozoa. The testis-predominant expression of Tssk family suggests Tssks may play pivotal roles in spermiogenesis in the scallop. Our study provides basic information on the characteristics and expression profiles of Tssk family of A. irradians. To our knowledge, it represents the first comprehensive analysis of Tssk family in mollusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Xue
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Yajuan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Huilan Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Shaoxuan Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tian Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Qiang Xing
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| | - Shi Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China.,Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Zhenmin Bao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China.,Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
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49
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Xia M, Xia J, Niu C, Zhong Y, Ge T, Ding Y, Zheng Y. Testis-expressed protein 33 is not essential for spermiogenesis and fertility in mice. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:317. [PMID: 33760102 PMCID: PMC7974414 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11956] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression analyses have revealed that there are >2,300 testis-enriched genes in mice, and gene knockout models have shown that a number of them are responsible for male fertility. However, the functions of numerous genes have yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to identify the expression pattern of testis-expressed protein 33 (TEX33) in mice and explore the role of TEX33 in male reproduction. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were used to investigate the mRNA and protein levels of TEX33 in mouse testes during the first wave of spermatogenesis. Immunofluorescence analysis was also performed to identify the cellular and structural localization of TEX33 protein in the testes. Tex33 knockout mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing. Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and fertility testing, were also carried out to evaluate the effect of TEX33 on mouse spermiogenesis and male reproduction. The results showed that Tex33 mRNA and protein were exclusively expressed in mouse testes and were first detected on postnatal days 21–28 (spermiogenesis phase); their expression then remained into adulthood. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that TEX33 protein was located in the spermatids and sperm within the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testes, and exhibited specific localization to the acrosome, flagellum and manchette during spermiogenesis. These results suggested that TEX33 may play a role in mouse spermiogenesis. However, Tex33 knockout mice presented no detectable difference in testis-to-body weight ratios when compared with wild-type mice. PAS staining and CASA revealed that spermatogenesis and sperm quality were normal in mice lacking Tex33. In addition, fertility testing suggested that the Tex33 knockout mice had normal reproductive functions. In summary, the findings of the present study indicate that TEX33 is associated with spermiogenesis but is not essential for sperm development and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Changmin Niu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yanan Zhong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
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50
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Tu C, Li H, Liu X, Wang Y, Li W, Meng L, Wang W, Li Y, Li D, Du J, Lu G, Lin G, Tan YQ. TDRD7 participates in lens development and spermiogenesis by mediating autophagosome maturation. Autophagy 2021; 17:3848-3864. [PMID: 33618632 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1894058] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, TDRD7 (tudor domain containing 7) mutations lead to a syndrome combining congenital cataracts (CCs) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), characterized by abnormal lens development and spermiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying TDRD7's functions in eye and testicular development are still largely unknown. Here, we show that the depletion of this gene in mice and humans resulted in the accumulation of autophagosomes and the disruption of macroautophagic/autophagic flux. The disrupted autophagic flux in tdrd7-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) was caused by a failure of autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and biochemical assays showed that TDRD7 might directly bind to Tbc1d20 mRNAs and downregulate its expression, which is a key regulator of autophagosome maturation, resulting in the disruption of autophagosome maturation. In addition, we provide evidence to show that TDRD7-mediated autophagosome maturation maintains lens transparency by facilitating the removal of damaged proteins and organelles from lens fiber cells and the biogenesis of acrosome. Altogether, our results showed that TDRD7 plays an essential role in the maturation of autophagosomes and that tdrd7 deletion results in eye defects and testicular abnormalities in mice, implicating disrupted autophagy might be the mechanism that contributes to lens development and spermiogenesis defects in human.Abbreviations: CB: chromatoid bodies; CC: congenital cataract; CTSD: cathepsin D; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LECs: lens epithelial cells; MAP1LC3/LC3/Atg8: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MEFs: mouse embryonic fibroblasts; NOA: non-obstructive azoospermia; OFZ: organelle-free zone; RG: RNA granules; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBC1D20: TBC1 domain family member 20; TDRD7: tudor domain containing 7; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,The Center for Heart Development, Key Lab of MOE for Development Biology and Protein Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiyu Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dongyan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
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