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Blondel L, Besse S, Rivard EL, Ylla G, Extavour CG. Evolution of a cytoplasmic determinant: evidence for the biochemical basis of functional evolution of the novel germ line regulator oskar. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:5491-5513. [PMID: 34550378 PMCID: PMC8662646 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ line specification is essential in sexually reproducing organisms. Despite their critical role, the evolutionary history of the genes that specify animal germ cells is heterogeneous and dynamic. In many insects, the gene oskar is required for the specification of the germ line. However, the germ line role of oskar is thought to be a derived role resulting from co-option from an ancestral somatic role. To address how evolutionary changes in protein sequence could have led to changes in the function of Oskar protein that enabled it to regulate germ line specification, we searched for oskar orthologs in 1,565 publicly available insect genomic and transcriptomic data sets. The earliest-diverging lineage in which we identified an oskar ortholog was the order Zygentoma (silverfish and firebrats), suggesting that oskar originated before the origin of winged insects. We noted some order-specific trends in oskar sequence evolution, including whole gene duplications, clade-specific losses, and rapid divergence. An alignment of all known 379 Oskar sequences revealed new highly conserved residues as candidates that promote dimerization of the LOTUS domain. Moreover, we identified regions of the OSK domain with conserved predicted RNA binding potential. Furthermore, we show that despite a low overall amino acid conservation, the LOTUS domain shows higher conservation of predicted secondary structure than the OSK domain. Finally, we suggest new key amino acids in the LOTUS domain that may be involved in the previously reported Oskar−Vasa physical interaction that is required for its germ line role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Blondel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Savandara Besse
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emily L Rivard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Guillem Ylla
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cassandra G Extavour
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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Tan YQ, Tu C, Meng L, Yuan S, Sjaarda C, Luo A, Du J, Li W, Gong F, Zhong C, Deng HX, Lu G, Liang P, Lin G. Loss-of-function mutations in TDRD7 lead to a rare novel syndrome combining congenital cataract and nonobstructive azoospermia in humans. Genet Med 2017; 21:1209-1217. [PMID: 31048812 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2017.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Comorbid familial nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and congenital cataract (CC) have not been reported previously, and no single human gene has been associated with both diseases in humans. Our purpose was to uncover novel human mutations and genes causing familial NOA and CC. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing for two brothers with both NOA and CC from a consanguineous family. Mutation screening of TDRD7 was performed in another similar consanguineous family and 176 patients with azoospermia or CC alone and 520 healthy controls. Histological analysis was performed for the biopsied testicle sample in one patient, and knockout mice were constructed to verify the phenotype of the mutation in TDRD7. RESULTS Two novel loss-of-function mutations (c.324_325insA (T110Nfs*30) and c.688_689insA (p.Y230X), respectively) of TDRD7 were found in the affected patients from the two unrelated consanguineous families. Histological analysis demonstrated a lack of mature sperm in the male patient's seminiferous tubules. The mutations were not detected in patients with CC or NOA alone. Mice with Tdrd7 gene disrupted at a similar position precisely replicated the human syndrome. CONCLUSION We identified TDRD7 causing CC as a new pathogenic gene for male azoospermia in human, with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Shimin Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Calvin Sjaarda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aixiang Luo
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Wen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Changgao Zhong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Han-Xiang Deng
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurosciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Basic of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China.
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Zheng C, Wu M, He CY, An XJ, Sun M, Chen CL, Ye J. RNA granule component TDRD7 gene polymorphisms in a Han Chinese population with age-related cataract. J Int Med Res 2014; 42:153-63. [PMID: 24435515 DOI: 10.1177/0300060513504702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether polymorphisms in the RNA granule component tudor domain-containing protein 7 (TDRD7) gene are associated with susceptibility to age-related cataract (ARC) in a Han Chinese population. METHODS Patients with ARC, and age-, sex- and ethnically-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the TDRD7 gene, rs1462091, rs11793735, rs10981985, rs2045732 and rs1462089, were genotyped using a SNaPshot® Multiplex Kit. RESULTS The study included 271 control subjects and 218 patients with ARC. The rs10981985 SNP was associated with ARC in dominant (odds ratio [OR] 0.561, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.388, 0.809) and allele dose (OR 0.619, 95% CI 0.455, 0.841) genetic models. The rs10981985 A allele frequency was lower in patients with cortical ARC than in control subjects (OR 0.502, 95% CI 0.315, 0.801). The rs10981985 polymorphism was significantly associated with cortical ARC in a dominant genetic model (OR 0.431, 95% CI 0.251, 0.740). CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that the rs10981985 G → A variant within the TDRD7 gene may protect against cortical ARC in a Han Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Research Institute of Field Surgery, Da Ping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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