1
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Lampitto M, Barchi M. Recent advances in mechanisms ensuring the pairing, synapsis and segregation of XY chromosomes in mice and humans. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:194. [PMID: 38653846 PMCID: PMC11039559 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Sex chromosome aneuploidies are among the most common variations in human whole chromosome copy numbers, with an estimated prevalence in the general population of 1:400 to 1:1400 live births. Unlike whole-chromosome aneuploidies of autosomes, those of sex chromosomes, such as the 47, XXY aneuploidy that causes Klinefelter Syndrome (KS), often originate from the paternal side, caused by a lack of crossover (CO) formation between the X and Y chromosomes. COs must form between all chromosome pairs to pass meiotic checkpoints and are the product of meiotic recombination that occurs between homologous sequences of parental chromosomes. Recombination between male sex chromosomes is more challenging compared to both autosomes and sex chromosomes in females, as it is restricted within a short region of homology between X and Y, called the pseudo-autosomal region (PAR). However, in normal individuals, CO formation occurs in PAR with a higher frequency than in any other region, indicating the presence of mechanisms that promote the initiation and processing of recombination in each meiotic division. In recent years, research has made great strides in identifying genes and mechanisms that facilitate CO formation in the PAR. Here, we outline the most recent and relevant findings in this field. XY chromosome aneuploidy in humans has broad-reaching effects, contributing significantly also to Turner syndrome, spontaneous abortions, oligospermia, and even infertility. Thus, in the years to come, the identification of genes and mechanisms beyond XY aneuploidy is expected to have an impact on the genetic counseling of a wide number of families and adults affected by these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Lampitto
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Barchi
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Wei SM, Gregory MD, Nash T, de Abreu e Gouvêa A, Mervis CB, Cole KM, Garvey MH, Kippenhan JS, Eisenberg DP, Kolachana B, Schmidt PJ, Berman KF. Altered pubertal timing in 7q11.23 copy number variations and associated genetic mechanisms. iScience 2024; 27:109113. [PMID: 38375233 PMCID: PMC10875153 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pubertal timing, including age at menarche (AAM), is a heritable trait linked to lifetime health outcomes. Here, we investigate genetic mechanisms underlying AAM by combining genome-wide association study (GWAS) data with investigations of two rare genetic conditions clinically associated with altered AAM: Williams syndrome (WS), a 7q11.23 hemideletion characterized by early puberty; and duplication of the same genes (7q11.23 Duplication syndrome [Dup7]) characterized by delayed puberty. First, we confirm that AAM-derived polygenic scores in typically developing children (TD) explain a modest amount of variance in AAM (R2 = 0.09; p = 0.04). Next, we demonstrate that 7q11.23 copy number impacts AAM (WS < TD < Dup7; p = 1.2x10-8, η2 = 0.45) and pituitary volume (WS < TD < Dup7; p = 3x10-5, ηp2 = 0.2) with greater effect sizes. Finally, we relate an AAM-GWAS signal in 7q11.23 to altered expression in postmortem brains of STAG3L2 (p = 1.7x10-17), a gene we also find differentially expressed with 7q11.23 copy number (p = 0.03). Collectively, these data explicate the role of 7q11.23 in pubertal onset, with STAG3L2 and pituitary development as potential mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shau-Ming Wei
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael D. Gregory
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiffany Nash
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea de Abreu e Gouvêa
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Mervis
- Neurodevelopmental Sciences Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Katherine M. Cole
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Madeline H. Garvey
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J. Shane Kippenhan
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel P. Eisenberg
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bhaskar Kolachana
- Human Brain Collection Core, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter J. Schmidt
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karen F. Berman
- Section on Integrative Neuroimaging, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Adams IR, Davies OR. Meiotic Chromosome Structure, the Synaptonemal Complex, and Infertility. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2023; 24:35-61. [PMID: 37159901 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-110122-090239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In meiosis, homologous chromosome synapsis is mediated by a supramolecular protein structure, the synaptonemal complex (SC), that assembles between homologous chromosome axes. The mammalian SC comprises at least eight largely coiled-coil proteins that interact and self-assemble to generate a long, zipper-like structure that holds homologous chromosomes in close proximity and promotes the formation of genetic crossovers and accurate meiotic chromosome segregation. In recent years, numerous mutations in human SC genes have been associated with different types of male and female infertility. Here, we integrate structural information on the human SC with mouse and human genetics to describe the molecular mechanisms by which SC mutations can result in human infertility. We outline certain themes in which different SC proteins are susceptible to different types of disease mutation and how genetic variants with seemingly minor effects on SC proteins may act as dominant-negative mutations in which the heterozygous state is pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Adams
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
| | - Owen R Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
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4
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Gershoni M, Braun T, Hauser R, Barda S, Lehavi O, Malcov M, Frumkin T, Kalma Y, Pietrokovski S, Arama E, Kleiman SE. A pathogenic variant in the uncharacterized RNF212B gene results in severe aneuploidy male infertility and repeated IVF failure. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100189. [PMID: 37124137 PMCID: PMC10133878 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative and qualitative spermatogenic impairments are major causes of men's infertility. Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is effective, some couples persistently fail to conceive. To identify causal variants in patients with severe male infertility factor and repeated IVF failures, we sequenced the exome of two consanguineous family members who underwent several failed IVF cycles and were diagnosed with low sperm count and motility. We identified a rare homozygous nonsense mutation in a previously uncharacterized gene, RNF212B, as the causative variant. Recurrence was identified in another unrelated, infertile patient who also faced repeated failed IVF treatments. scRNA-seq demonstrated meiosis-specific expression of RNF212B. Sequence analysis located a protein domain known to be associated with aneuploidy, which can explain multiple IVF failures. Accordingly, FISH analysis revealed a high aneuploidy rate in the patients' sperm cells and their IVF embryos. Finally, inactivation of the Drosophila orthologs significantly reduced male fertility. Given that members of the evolutionary conserved RNF212 gene family are involved in meiotic recombination and crossover maturation, our findings indicate a critical role of RNF212B in meiosis, genome stability, and in human fertility. Since recombination is completely absent in Drosophila males, our findings may indicate an additional unrelated role for the RNF212-like paralogs in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Gershoni
- ARO-The Volcani Center Institute of Animal Science, Bet Dagan, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Tslil Braun
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Hauser
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shimi Barda
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Lehavi
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsvia Frumkin
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shmuel Pietrokovski
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Eli Arama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Sandra E. Kleiman
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Corresponding author
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5
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Llano E, Pendás AM. Synaptonemal Complex in Human Biology and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1718. [PMID: 37443752 PMCID: PMC10341275 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a meiosis-specific multiprotein complex that forms between homologous chromosomes during prophase of meiosis I. Upon assembly, the SC mediates the synapses of the homologous chromosomes, leading to the formation of bivalents, and physically supports the formation of programmed double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their subsequent repair and maturation into crossovers (COs), which are essential for genome haploidization. Defects in the assembly of the SC or in the function of the associated meiotic recombination machinery can lead to meiotic arrest and human infertility. The majority of proteins and complexes involved in these processes are exclusively expressed during meiosis or harbor meiosis-specific subunits, although some have dual functions in somatic DNA repair and meiosis. Consistent with their functions, aberrant expression and malfunctioning of these genes have been associated with cancer development. In this review, we focus on the significance of the SC and their meiotic-associated proteins in human fertility, as well as how human genetic variants encoding for these proteins affect the meiotic process and contribute to infertility and cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Llano
- Departamento Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Alberto M. Pendás
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
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Ran L, Gao Z, Chen Q, Cui F, Liu X, Xue B. Identification and validation of diagnostic signature genes in non-obstructive azoospermia by machine learning. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:204749. [PMID: 37227814 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common cause of male infertility, and no specific diagnostic indicators exist. In this study, we used human testis datasets GSE45885, GSE45887, and GSE108886 from GEO database as training datasets, and screened 6 signature genes (all lowly expressed in the NOA group) using Boruta algorithm and Lasso regression: C12orf54, TSSK6, OR2H1, FER1L5, C9orf153, XKR3. The diagnostic efficacy of the above genes was examined by constructing models with LightGBM algorithm: the AUC (Area Under Curve) of both ROC and Precision-Recall curves for internal validation was 1.0 (p < 0.05). For the external validation dataset GSE145467 (human testis), the AUC of its ROC curve was 0.9 and that of its Precision-Recall curve was 0.833 (p < 0.05). Next, we confirmed the cellular localization of the above genes using human testis single-cell RNA sequencing dataset GSE149512, which were all located in spermatid. Besides, the downstream regulatory mechanisms of the above genes in spermatid were inferred by GSEA algorithm: C12orf54 may be involved in the repression of E2F-related and MYC-related pathways, TSSK6 and C9orf153 may be involved in the repression of MYC-related pathways, while FER1L5 may be involved in the repression of spermatogenesis pathway. Finally, we constructed a NOA model in mice using X-ray irradiation, and quantitative Real-time PCR results showed that C12orf54, TSSK6, OR2H1, FER1L5, and C9orf153 were all lowly expressed in NOA group. In summary, we have identified novel signature genes of NOA using machine learning methods and complete experimental validation, which will be helpful for its early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiang Ran
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Zhixiang Gao
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Qiu Chen
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Fengmei Cui
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Boxin Xue
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
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7
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Ozturk S. Genetic variants underlying spermatogenic arrests in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1021-1061. [PMID: 36740861 PMCID: PMC10081088 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2171544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenic arrest is a severe form of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), which occurs in 10-15% of infertile men. Interruption in spermatogenic progression at premeiotic, meiotic, or postmeiotic stage can lead to arrest in men with NOA. Recent studies have intensively focused on defining genetic variants underlying these spermatogenic arrests by making genome/exome sequencing. A number of variants were discovered in the genes involving in mitosis, meiosis, germline differentiation and other basic cellular events. Herein, defined variants in NOA cases with spermatogenic arrests and created knockout mouse models for the related genes are comprehensively reviewed. Also, importance of gene panel-based screening for NOA cases was discussed. Screening common variants in these infertile men with spermatogenic arrests may contribute to elucidating the molecular background and designing novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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8
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Siebert-Kuss LM, Krenz H, Tekath T, Wöste M, Di Persio S, Terwort N, Wyrwoll MJ, Cremers JF, Wistuba J, Dugas M, Kliesch S, Schlatt S, Tüttelmann F, Gromoll J, Neuhaus N, Laurentino S. Transcriptome analyses in infertile men reveal germ cell-specific expression and splicing patterns. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/2/e202201633. [PMID: 36446526 PMCID: PMC9713473 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of spermatogenesis-when germ cells differentiate into sperm-is tightly regulated, and misregulation in gene expression is likely to be involved in the physiopathology of male infertility. The testis is one of the most transcriptionally rich tissues; nevertheless, the specific gene expression changes occurring during spermatogenesis are not fully understood. To better understand gene expression during spermatogenesis, we generated germ cell-specific whole transcriptome profiles by systematically comparing testicular transcriptomes from tissues in which spermatogenesis is arrested at successive steps of germ cell differentiation. In these comparisons, we found thousands of differentially expressed genes between successive germ cell types of infertility patients. We demonstrate our analyses' potential to identify novel highly germ cell-specific markers (TSPY4 and LUZP4 for spermatogonia; HMGB4 for round spermatids) and identified putatively misregulated genes in male infertility (RWDD2A, CCDC183, CNNM1, SERF1B). Apart from these, we found thousands of genes showing germ cell-specific isoforms (including SOX15, SPATA4, SYCP3, MKI67). Our approach and dataset can help elucidate genetic and transcriptional causes for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Siebert-Kuss
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Henrike Krenz
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Tobias Tekath
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sara Di Persio
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole Terwort
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Margot J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jann-Frederik Cremers
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Medical Informatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sandra Laurentino
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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9
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Huang Y, Roig I. Genetic control of meiosis surveillance mechanisms in mammals. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1127440. [PMID: 36910159 PMCID: PMC9996228 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1127440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that generates haploid gametes and is critical for successful sexual reproduction. During the extended meiotic prophase I, homologous chromosomes progressively pair, synapse and desynapse. These chromosomal dynamics are tightly integrated with meiotic recombination (MR), during which programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed and subsequently repaired. Consequently, parental chromosome arms reciprocally exchange, ultimately ensuring accurate homolog segregation and genetic diversity in the offspring. Surveillance mechanisms carefully monitor the MR and homologous chromosome synapsis during meiotic prophase I to avoid producing aberrant chromosomes and defective gametes. Errors in these critical processes would lead to aneuploidy and/or genetic instability. Studies of mutation in mouse models, coupled with advances in genomic technologies, lead us to more clearly understand how meiosis is controlled and how meiotic errors are linked to mammalian infertility. Here, we review the genetic regulations of these major meiotic events in mice and highlight our current understanding of their surveillance mechanisms. Furthermore, we summarize meiotic prophase genes, the mutations that activate the surveillance system leading to meiotic prophase arrest in mouse models, and their corresponding genetic variants identified in human infertile patients. Finally, we discuss their value for the diagnosis of causes of meiosis-based infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Histology Unit, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Cytology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ignasi Roig
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Histology Unit, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Cytology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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10
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Nagirnaja L, Lopes AM, Charng WL, Miller B, Stakaitis R, Golubickaite I, Stendahl A, Luan T, Friedrich C, Mahyari E, Fadial E, Kasak L, Vigh-Conrad K, Oud MS, Xavier MJ, Cheers SR, James ER, Guo J, Jenkins TG, Riera-Escamilla A, Barros A, Carvalho F, Fernandes S, Gonçalves J, Gurnett CA, Jørgensen N, Jezek D, Jungheim ES, Kliesch S, McLachlan RI, Omurtag KR, Pilatz A, Sandlow JI, Smith J, Eisenberg ML, Hotaling JM, Jarvi KA, Punab M, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Carrell DT, Krausz C, Laan M, O’Bryan MK, Schlegel PN, Tüttelmann F, Veltman JA, Almstrup K, Aston KI, Conrad DF. Diverse monogenic subforms of human spermatogenic failure. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7953. [PMID: 36572685 PMCID: PMC9792524 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35661-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility and typically incurable. Defining the genetic basis of NOA has proven challenging, and the most advanced classification of NOA subforms is not based on genetics, but simple description of testis histology. In this study, we exome-sequenced over 1000 clinically diagnosed NOA cases and identified a plausible recessive Mendelian cause in 20%. We find further support for 21 genes in a 2-stage burden test with 2072 cases and 11,587 fertile controls. The disrupted genes are primarily on the autosomes, enriched for undescribed human "knockouts", and, for the most part, have yet to be linked to a Mendelian trait. Integration with single-cell RNA sequencing data shows that azoospermia genes can be grouped into molecular subforms with synchronized expression patterns, and analogs of these subforms exist in mice. This analysis framework identifies groups of genes with known roles in spermatogenesis but also reveals unrecognized subforms, such as a set of genes expressed across mitotic divisions of differentiating spermatogonia. Our findings highlight NOA as an understudied Mendelian disorder and provide a conceptual structure for organizing the complex genetics of male infertility, which may provide a rational basis for disease classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liina Nagirnaja
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Alexandra M. Lopes
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Wu-Lin Charng
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Brian Miller
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Rytis Stakaitis
- grid.475435.4Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.45083.3a0000 0004 0432 6841Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ieva Golubickaite
- grid.475435.4Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.45083.3a0000 0004 0432 6841Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Alexandra Stendahl
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Tianpengcheng Luan
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- grid.5949.10000 0001 2172 9288Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Eisa Mahyari
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Eloise Fadial
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Laura Kasak
- grid.10939.320000 0001 0943 7661Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katinka Vigh-Conrad
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
| | - Manon S. Oud
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Miguel J. Xavier
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Samuel R. Cheers
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Emma R. James
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA ,grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Jingtao Guo
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Timothy G. Jenkins
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- grid.418813.70000 0004 1767 1951Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia Spain ,grid.7080.f0000 0001 2296 0625Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia 08025 Spain
| | - Alberto Barros
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Carvalho
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Fernandes
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- grid.422270.10000 0001 2287 695XDepartamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal ,grid.10772.330000000121511713Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Christina A. Gurnett
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- grid.475435.4Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Davor Jezek
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Emily S. Jungheim
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- grid.16149.3b0000 0004 0551 4246Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Robert I. McLachlan
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia
| | - Kenan R. Omurtag
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Clinic for Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jay I. Sandlow
- grid.30760.320000 0001 2111 8460Department of Urology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI USA
| | - James Smith
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Department of Urology, University California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Michael L. Eisenberg
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - James M. Hotaling
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Keith A. Jarvi
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Margus Punab
- grid.412269.a0000 0001 0585 7044Andrology Center, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia ,grid.10939.320000 0001 0943 7661Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- grid.475435.4Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Douglas T. Carrell
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Csilla Krausz
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maris Laan
- grid.10939.320000 0001 0943 7661Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSchool of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia
| | - Peter N. Schlegel
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- grid.5949.10000 0001 2172 9288Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Joris A. Veltman
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- grid.475435.4Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- grid.223827.e0000 0001 2193 0096Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR USA
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11
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Heddar A, Ogur C, Da Costa S, Braham I, Billaud-Rist L, Findikli N, Beneteau C, Reynaud R, Mahmoud K, Legrand S, Marchand M, Cedrin-Durnerin I, Cantalloube A, Peigne M, Bretault M, Dagher-Hayeck B, Perol S, Droumaguet C, Cavkaytar S, Nicolas-Bonne C, Elloumi H, Khrouf M, Rougier-LeMasle C, Fradin M, Le Boette E, Luigi P, Guerrot AM, Ginglinger E, Zampa A, Fauconnier A, Auger N, Paris F, Brischoux-Boucher E, Cabrol C, Brun A, Guyon L, Berard M, Riviere A, Gruchy N, Odent S, Gilbert-Dussardier B, Isidor B, Piard J, Lambert L, Hamamah S, Guedj AM, Brac de la Perriere A, Fernandez H, Raffin-Sanson ML, Polak M, Letur H, Epelboin S, Plu-Bureau G, Wołczyński S, Hieronimus S, Aittomaki K, Catteau-Jonard S, Misrahi M. Genetic landscape of a large cohort of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: New genes and pathways and implications for personalized medicine. EBioMedicine 2022; 84:104246. [PMID: 36099812 PMCID: PMC9475279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), a public health problem, affects 1-3.7% of women under 40 yielding infertility and a shorter lifespan. Most causes are unknown. Recently, genetic causes were identified, mostly in single families. We studied an unprecedented large cohort of POI to unravel its molecular pathophysiology. Methods 375 patients with 70 families were studied using targeted (88 genes) or whole exome sequencing with pathogenic/likely-pathogenic variant selection. Mitomycin-induced chromosome breakages were studied in patients’ lymphocytes if necessary. Findings A high-yield of 29.3% supports a clinical genetic diagnosis of POI. In addition, we found strong evidence of pathogenicity for nine genes not previously related to a Mendelian phenotype or POI: ELAVL2, NLRP11, CENPE, SPATA33, CCDC150, CCDC185, including DNA repair genes: C17orf53(HROB), HELQ, SWI5 yielding high chromosomal fragility. We confirmed the causal role of BRCA2, FANCM, BNC1, ERCC6, MSH4, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2, ESR2, CAV1, SPIDR, RCBTB1 and ATG7 previously reported in isolated patients/families. In 8.5% of cases, POI is the only symptom of a multi-organ genetic disease. New pathways were identified: NF-kB, post-translational regulation, and mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy), providing future therapeutic targets. Three new genes have been shown to affect the age of natural menopause supporting a genetic link. Interpretation We have developed high-performance genetic diagnostic of POI, dissecting the molecular pathogenesis of POI and enabling personalized medicine to i) prevent/cure comorbidities for tumour/cancer susceptibility genes that could affect life-expectancy (37.4% of cases), or for genetically-revealed syndromic POI (8.5% of cases), ii) predict residual ovarian reserve (60.5% of cases). Genetic diagnosis could help to identify patients who may benefit from the promising in vitro activation-IVA technique in the near future, greatly improving its success in treating infertility. Funding Université Paris Saclay, Agence Nationale de Biomédecine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkader Heddar
- Université Paris Saclay, Faculté de Médecine. Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Maladies Métaboliques et de la Reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; UMR-S 1193, INSERM, Université Paris Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Cagri Ogur
- Igenomix Turkey, İstanbul, Turkey; Institute of Science, Department of Bioengineering Yildiz Technical University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sabrina Da Costa
- Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, CNR pathologies gynécologiques rares, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Inès Braham
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Médicine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Universitaire de Nice, 06200, Nice, France
| | - Line Billaud-Rist
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Cochin/Port-Royal, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Necati Findikli
- Bahçeci Umut IVF Centre, Altunizade, İstanbul, Turkey; Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beykent University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Claire Beneteau
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Rachel Reynaud
- Aix Marseille Université, Assistance-Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Pédiatrie multidisciplinaire Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Khaled Mahmoud
- Centre FERTILLIA de Médecine de la Reproduction- Clinique la ROSE, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Stéphanie Legrand
- Centre de Fertilité - Clinique de l'Atlantique La Rochelle, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Maud Marchand
- Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, CNR pathologies gynécologiques rares, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Cedrin-Durnerin
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, hôpital Jean-Verdier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 93143 Bondy, France
| | - Adèle Cantalloube
- Service de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, Hôpital Tenon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP. Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie. Université de la Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - Maeliss Peigne
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, hôpital Jean-Verdier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 93143 Bondy, France
| | - Marion Bretault
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 92100, Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Benedicte Dagher-Hayeck
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, hôpital Jean-Verdier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 93143 Bondy, France
| | - Sandrine Perol
- Unité de gynécologie médicale, APHP, Hôpital Port-Royal Cochin, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris 75014, France
| | - Celine Droumaguet
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Sabri Cavkaytar
- Bahçeci Umut IVF Centre, Altunizade, İstanbul, Turkey; Üsküdar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Carole Nicolas-Bonne
- Service de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, Centre Hospitalier Alpes Léman, 74130, Contamine-Sur-Arve, France
| | - Hanen Elloumi
- Centre FERTILLIA de Médecine de la Reproduction- Clinique la ROSE, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Mohamed Khrouf
- Centre FERTILLIA de Médecine de la Reproduction- Clinique la ROSE, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Charlotte Rougier-LeMasle
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Médicine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Universitaire de Nice, 06200, Nice, France
| | - Melanie Fradin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Hôpital Sud, Univ Rennes, CNRS IGDR UMR 6290, Centre de référence Anomalies du développement CLAD-Ouest, ERN ITHACA, 35203, Rennes, France; Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier de Saint Brieuc, 22000, Saint-Brieuc, France
| | - Elsa Le Boette
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier de Saint Brieuc, 22000, Saint-Brieuc, France
| | - Perrine Luigi
- Service d'Endocrinologie-Diabétologie, Centre Hospitalier Antibes Juan Les Pins, 06600, Antibes, France
| | - Anne-Marie Guerrot
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245, CHU Rouen, Department of Genetics and reference center for developmental disorders, FHU G4 Génomique, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | | | - Amandine Zampa
- Service de Génétique, Centre Hospitalier de Mulhouse, 68100, Mulhouse, France
| | - Anais Fauconnier
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Diabète et Maladies Métaboliques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, 42270, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Nathalie Auger
- Service de génétique des tumeurs. Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Françoise Paris
- Département de Pédiatrie, Unité d'Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital A.-de-Villeneuve, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Montpellier et Université Montpellier, 34090, Montpellier, France; Constitutif Sud, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; INSERM 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Elise Brischoux-Boucher
- Centre de Génétique Humaine, Université de Franche-Comté, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - Christelle Cabrol
- Centre de Génétique Humaine, Université de Franche-Comté, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - Aurore Brun
- Service de Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Université de Poitiers, 86021, Poitiers, France
| | - Laura Guyon
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Melanie Berard
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Axelle Riviere
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Nicolas Gruchy
- Normandy University, UNICAEN, Caen University Hospital, Department of Genetics, EA 7450 BioTARGen, FHU G4 Genomics, Caen, France
| | - Sylvie Odent
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Hôpital Sud, Univ Rennes, CNRS IGDR UMR 6290, Centre de référence Anomalies du développement CLAD-Ouest, ERN ITHACA, 35203, Rennes, France
| | - Brigitte Gilbert-Dussardier
- Service de Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Université de Poitiers, 86021, Poitiers, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Juliette Piard
- Centre de Génétique Humaine, Université de Franche-Comté, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - Laetitia Lambert
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- INSERM 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, 34090, Montpellier, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Département de Biologie de la Reproduction, Biologie de la Reproduction/DPI et CECOS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Marie Guedj
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Maladies Métaboliques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nîmes, Université de Montpellier, 30029, Nîmes, France
| | - Aude Brac de la Perriere
- Fédération d'Endocrinologie, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hôpital Louis Pradel, 69002, Lyon, France
| | - Hervé Fernandez
- Service de Gynecologie et d'Obstétrique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, Faculté de médicine, Université Paris-Saclay, 94270 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France; UVSQ, Inserm, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, 94807 Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-Laure Raffin-Sanson
- Service d'Endocrinologie, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 92100, Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Michel Polak
- Service d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, CNR pathologies gynécologiques rares, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Letur
- Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Foch, 40 rue Worth 92 150 Suresnes, France; Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, Polyclinique de Navarre, 8, boulevard Hauterive, 64000 Pau, France
| | - Sylvie Epelboin
- Service de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, Hôpital Tenon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP. Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie. Université de la Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - Genevieve Plu-Bureau
- Unité de gynécologie médicale, APHP, Hôpital Port-Royal Cochin, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris 75014, France
| | - Sławomir Wołczyński
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Sylvie Hieronimus
- Service d'Endocrinologie et de Médicine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Universitaire de Nice, 06200, Nice, France
| | - Kristiina Aittomaki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sophie Catteau-Jonard
- Service de gynécologie médicale, orthogénie et sexologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Micheline Misrahi
- Université Paris Saclay, Faculté de Médecine. Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Maladies Métaboliques et de la Reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; UMR-S 1193, INSERM, Université Paris Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France.
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12
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Huang Y, Tian R, Xu J, Ji Z, Zhang Y, Zhao L, Yang C, Li P, Zhi E, Bai H, Han S, Luo J, Zhao J, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Li Z, Yao C. Novel copy number variations within SYCE1 caused meiotic arrest and non-obstructive azoospermia. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:137. [PMID: 35718780 PMCID: PMC9208180 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01288-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe disease in male infertility, but the genetic causes for majority of NOA remain unknown. Methods Two Chinese NOA-affected patients were recruited to identify the genetic causal factor of infertility. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted in the two patients with NOA. Sanger sequencing and CNV array were used to ascertain the WES results. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunofluorescence (IF) were carried out to evaluate the stage of spermatogenesis arrested in the affected cases. Results Novel heterozygous deletion (LOH) within SYCE1 (seq[GRCh37] del(10)(10q26.3)chr10:g.135111754_135427143del) and heterozygous loss of function (LoF) variant in SYCE1 (NM_001143763: c.689_690 del:p.F230fs) were identified in one NOA-affected patient. While homozygous deletion within SYCE1 (seq[GRCh37] del(10)(10q26.3)chr10:g.135340247_135379115del) was detected in the other patient with meiotic arrest. H&E and IF staining demonstrated that the spermatogenesis was arrested at pachytene stage in the two patients with NOA, suggesting these two novel CNVs within SYCE1 could lead to meiotic defect and NOA. Conclusions We identified that two novel CNVs within SYCE1 are associated with meiotic arrest and male infertility. Thus, our study expands the knowledge of variants in SYCE1 and provides a new insight to understand the genetic etiologies of NOA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-022-01288-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Junwei Xu
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Haowei Bai
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Sha Han
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Jiaqiang Luo
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Jingpeng Zhao
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510620, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China. .,State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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13
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Wu X, Zhou L, Shi J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Multiomics analysis of male infertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:118-134. [PMID: 35639635 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8-12% of couples globally, and the male factor is a primary cause in approximately 50% of couples. Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder, which can be caused by paracrine and autocrine factors, hormones, genes, and epigenetic changes. Recent studies in rodents and most notably in humans using multiomics approach have yielded important insights into understanding the biology of spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility are still largely unknown. In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated findings based on the use of advanced technologies to compare normal and obstructive azoospermia (OA) versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men, including whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), whole exome sequencing (WES), and ATAC-seq. It is obvious that the multiomics approach is the method of choice for basic research and clinical studies including clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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14
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Novel STAG3 variant associated with primary ovarian insufficiency and non-obstructive azoospermia in an Iranian consanguineous family. Gene 2022; 821:146281. [PMID: 35176428 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) present the most severe forms of male and female infertility. In the last decade, the increasing use of whole exome sequencing (WES) in genomics studies of these conditions has led to the introduction of a number of novel genes and variants especially in meiotic genes with restricted expression to gonads. In this study, exome sequencing of a consanguineous Iranian family with one POI and two NOA cases in three siblings showed that all three patients were double homozygous for a novel in-frame deletion and a novel missense variant in STAG3 (NM_001282717.1:c.1942G > A: p.Ala648Thr; NM_001282717.1:c.1951_1953del: p. Leu652del). Both variants occur within a short proximity of each other affecting the relatively conserved armadillo-type fold superfamily feature. STAG3 is a specific meiotic cohesin complex component that interacts with the α-kleisin subunit through this feature. Protein homology modeling indicated that the in-frame deletion destabilizes kleisin biding by STAG3. Although the missense variant did not seem to affect the binding significantly, protein homology modeling suggests that it further destabilizes kleisin binding when in double homozygous state with the deletion. Our findings are in line with several other studies having associated deleterious variants affecting this region with male and female infertility in humans and mouse models. This is the first report associating an in-frame STAG3 variant with NOA and POI in a single family. SUMMARY SENTENCE: A patient with primary ovarian failure and her two brothers with non-obstructive azoospermia were double homozygous for a novel in-frame deletion and a novel missense variant in STAG3 that potentially disrupt the protein's meiotic functions.
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15
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Chen S, An G, Wang H, Wu X, Ping P, Hu L, Chen Y, Fan J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Human obstructive (postvasectomy) and nonobstructive azoospermia - Insights from scRNA-Seq and transcriptome analysis. Genes Dis 2022; 9:766-776. [PMID: 35782978 PMCID: PMC9243341 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A substantial number of male infertility is caused by azoospermia. However, the underlying etiology and the molecular basis remain largely unknown. Through single-cell (sc)RNA sequencing, we had analyzed testis biopsy samples from two patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). We found only somatic cells in the NOA samples and explored the transcriptional changes in Sertoli cells in response to a loss of interactions with germ cells. Moreover, we observed a germ cell population discrepancy between an OA (postvasectomy) patient and a healthy individual. We confirmed this observation in a secondary study with two datasets at GSM3526588 and GSE124263 for detailed analysis wherein the regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptional level were identified. These findings thus provide valuable information on human spermatogenesis, and we also identified insightful information for further research on reproduction-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shitao Chen
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Geng An
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, PR China
| | - Hanshu Wang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, PR China
| | - Ping Ping
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200120, PR China
| | - Longfei Hu
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, PR China
| | - Yunmei Chen
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, PR China
| | - Jue Fan
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, PR China
| | - C. Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Fei Sun
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, PR China
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16
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Wang W, Meng L, He J, Su L, Li Y, Tan C, Xu X, Nie H, Zhang H, Du J, Lu G, Luo M, Lin G, Tu C, Tan YQ. Bi-allelic variants in SHOC1 cause non-obstructive azoospermia with meiosis arrest in humans and mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6575911. [PMID: 35485979 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is pivotal to gametogenesis and fertility. Meiotic recombination is a mandatory process that ensures faithful chromosome segregation and generates genetic diversity in gametes. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) caused by meiotic arrest is a common cause of male infertility and has many genetic origins, including chromosome abnormalities, Y chromosome microdeletion and monogenic mutations. However, the genetic causes of the majority of NOA cases remain to be elucidated. Here, we report our findings of three Shortage in chiasmata 1 (SHOC1) bi-allelic variants in three NOA patients, of which two are homozygous for the same loss-of-function variant (c.231_232del: p. L78Sfs*9), and one is heterozygous for two different missense variants (c.1978G>A: p.A660T; c.4274G>A: p.R1425H). Testicular biopsy of one patient revealed impairment of spermatocyte maturation. Both germ-cell-specific and general Shoc1-knockout mice exhibited similar male infertility phenotypes. Subsequent analysis revealed comprehensive defects in homologous pairing and synapsis along with abnormal expression of DMC1, RAD51 and RPA2 in Shoc1-defective spermatocyte spreads. These findings imply that SHOC1 may have a presynaptic function during meiotic recombination apart from its previously identified role in crossover formation. Overall, our results provide strong evidence for the clinical relevance of SHOC1 mutations in patients with NOA and contribute to a deeper mechanistic understanding of the role of SHOC1 during meiotic recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Jiaxin He
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lilan Su
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xilin Xu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - Huan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain
| | - 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, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 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, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - 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, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, 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, Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Chinain.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of human stem cell and reproductive engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
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17
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Zhang H, Li W, Jiang Y, Li J, Chen M, Wang R, Zhao J, Peng Z, Huang H, Liu R. Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Genes Associated With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia. Front Genet 2022; 13:872179. [PMID: 35495142 PMCID: PMC9043847 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.872179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) affects nearly 1% of men; however, the landscape of the causative genes is largely unknown. Objective: To explore the genetic etiology which is the fundamental cause of NOA, a prospective case-control study and parental–proband trio linkage analysis were performed. Materials: A total of 133 patients with clinicopathological NOA and 343 fertile controls were recruited from a single large academic fertility center located in Northeast China; in addition, eleven trio families were available and enrolled. Results: Whole exome sequencing-based rare variant association study between the cases and controls was performed using the gene burden association testing. Linkage analysis on the trio families was also interrogated. In total, 648 genes were identified to be associated with NOA (three of which were previously reported), out of which six novel genes were found further associated based on the linkage analysis in the trio families, and involved in the meiosis-related network. Discussion and Conclusion: The six currently identified genes potentially account for a fraction (3.76%, 5 out of 133 patients) of the heritability of unidentified NOA, and combining the six novel genes and the three previously reported genes together would potentially account for an overall 6.77% (9 out of 133 patients) heritability of unidentified NOA in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jia Li
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Ruixue Wang
- Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiyu Peng
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Huang
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Huang, ; Ruizhi Liu,
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Huang, ; Ruizhi Liu,
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18
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Zhang Y, Li P, Liu N, Jing T, Ji Z, Yang C, Zhao L, Tian R, Chen H, Huang Y, Zhi E, Ou N, Bai H, Zhou Y, Li Z, Yao C. Novel Bi-Allelic Variants of FANCM Cause Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome and Non-Obstructive Azoospermia. Front Genet 2022; 12:799886. [PMID: 34976027 PMCID: PMC8714797 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.799886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe disease in male infertility, but the genetic causes for the majority of NOA remain unknown. FANCM is a member of Fanconi Anemia (FA) core complex, whose defects are associated with cell hypersensitivity to DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL)-inducing agents. It was reported that variants in FANCM (MIM: 609644) might cause azoospermia or oligospermia. However, there is still a lack of evidence to explain the association between different FANCM variants and male infertility phenotypes. Herein, we identified compound heterozygous variants in FANCM in two NOA-affected brothers (c. 1778delG:p. R593Qfs*76 and c. 1663G > T:p. V555F), and a homozygous variant in FANCM (c. 1972C > T:p. R658X) in a sporadic case with NOA, respectively. H&E staining and immunohistochemistry showed Sertoli cell-only Syndrome (SCOS) in the three patients with NOA. Collectively, our study expands the knowledge of variants in FANCM, and provides a new insight to understand the genetic etiology of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Zhang
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Li
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nachuan Liu
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Jing
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huixing Chen
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningjing Ou
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haowei Bai
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Depart. of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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19
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Xie C, Wang W, Tu C, Meng L, Lu G, Lin G, Lu LY, Tan YQ. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:763-797. [PMID: 35613017 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo Xie
- Institute of Reproduction 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
| | - Weili Wang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproduction 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
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproduction 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
- Institute of Reproduction 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
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproduction 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
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin-Yu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproduction 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
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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20
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Sudhakar DVS, Shah R, Gajbhiye RK. Genetics of Male Infertility - Present and Future: A Narrative Review. J Hum Reprod Sci 2021; 14:217-227. [PMID: 34759610 PMCID: PMC8527069 DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_115_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8%–12% of couples worldwide with a male factor contributing to nearly 50% of couples either as a primary or contributing cause. Several genetic factors that include single-gene and multiple-gene defects associated with male infertility were reported in the past two decades. However, the etiology remains ambiguous in a majority of infertile men (~40%). The objective of this narrative review is to provide an update on the genetic factors associated with idiopathic male infertility and male reproductive system abnormalities identified in the last two decades. We performed a thorough literature search in online databases from January 2000 to July 2021. We observed a total of 13 genes associated with nonobstructive azoospermia due to maturation/meiotic arrest. Several studies that reported novel genes associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella are also discussed in this review. ADGRG2, PANK2, SCNN1B, and CA12 genes are observed in non-CFTR-related vas aplasia. The genomic analysis should be quickly implemented in clinical practice as the detection of gene abnormalities in different male infertility phenotypes will facilitate genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Digumarthi V S Sudhakar
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rupin Shah
- Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rahul K Gajbhiye
- Clinical Research Lab and Andrology Clinic, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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21
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Qu W, Liu C, Xu YT, Xu YM, Luo MC. The formation and repair of DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian meiosis. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:572-579. [PMID: 34708719 PMCID: PMC8577251 DOI: 10.4103/aja202191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are necessary for meiosis in mammals. A sufficient number of DSBs ensure the normal pairing/synapsis of homologous chromosomes. Abnormal DSB repair undermines meiosis, leading to sterility in mammals. The DSBs that initiate recombination are repaired as crossovers and noncrossovers, and crossovers are required for correct chromosome separation. Thus, the placement, timing, and frequency of crossover formation must be tightly controlled. Importantly, mutations in many genes related to the formation and repair of DSB result in infertility in humans. These mutations cause nonobstructive azoospermia in men, premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian dysgenesis in women. Here, we have illustrated the formation and repair of DSB in mammals, summarized major factors influencing the formation of DSB and the theories of crossover regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ya-Ting Xu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yu-Min Xu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Meng-Cheng Luo
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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22
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Mellone S, Zavattaro M, Vurchio D, Ronzani S, Caputo M, Leone I, Prodam F, Giordano M. A Long Contiguous Stretch of Homozygosity Disclosed a Novel STAG3 Biallelic Pathogenic Variant Causing Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111709. [PMID: 34828315 PMCID: PMC8622734 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) refers to an etiologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by hypergonadotropic hypogonadism that represents a major cause of infertility in women under 40 years of age. Most cases are apparently sporadic, but about 10–15% have an affected first-degree relative, indicating a genetic etiology. Pathogenic variations in genes involved in development, meiosis and hormonal signaling have been detected in the hereditary form of the disorder. However, most cases of POI remain unsolved even after exhaustive investigation. A 19-year-old Senegalese female affected by non-syndromic POI presented with primary amenorrhoea and answered well to the hormonal induction of puberty. In order to investigate the presence of a genetic defect, aCGH-SNP analysis was performed. A 13.5 Mb long contiguous stretch of homozygosity (LCSH) was identified on chromosome 7q21.13-q22.1 where the exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous 4-bp deletion (c.3381_3384delAGAA) in STAG3. Pathogenic variants in this gene, encoding for a meiosis-specific protein, have been previously reported as the cause of POI in only eight families and recently as the cause of infertility in a male. The here-identified mutation leads to the truncation of the last 55 amino acids, confirming the important role in meiosis of the STAG3 C-terminal domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Mellone
- Laboratory of Genetics, SCDU Biochimica Clinica, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Marco Zavattaro
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.C.); (I.L.); (F.P.)
| | - Denise Vurchio
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (D.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Sara Ronzani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (D.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Marina Caputo
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.C.); (I.L.); (F.P.)
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (D.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Ilaria Leone
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.C.); (I.L.); (F.P.)
| | - Flavia Prodam
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.C.); (I.L.); (F.P.)
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (D.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Mara Giordano
- Laboratory of Genetics, SCDU Biochimica Clinica, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy;
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 13100 Novara, Italy; (D.V.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence:
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23
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Cao D, Shi F, Guo C, Liu Y, Lin Z, Zhang J, Li RHW, Yao Y, Liu K, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Wang T. A pathogenic DMC1 frameshift mutation causes nonobstructive azoospermia but not primary ovarian insufficiency in humans. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6369522. [PMID: 34515795 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) are two disorders that can lead to infertility in males and females. Genetic factors have been identified to contribute to NOA and DOR. However, the same genetic factor that can cause both NOA and DOR remains largely unknown. To explore the candidate pathogenic gene that causes both NOA and DOR, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a non-consanguineous family with two daughters with DOR and a son with NOA. We detected one pathogenic frameshift variant (NM_007068:c.28delG, p. Glu10Asnfs*31) following a recessive inheritance mode in a meiosis gene DMC1 (DNA meiotic recombinase 1). Clinical analysis showed reduced antral follicle number in both daughters with DOR, but metaphase II oocytes could be retrieved from one of them. For the son with NOA, no spermatozoa were found after microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. A further homozygous Dmc1 knockout mice study demonstrated total failure of follicle development and spermatogenesis. These results revealed a discrepancy of DMC1 action between mice and humans. In humans, DMC1 is required for spermatogenesis but is dispensable for oogenesis, although the loss of function of this gene may lead to DOR. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the homozygous frameshift mutation as causative for both NOA and DOR and demonstrating that DMC1 is dispensable in human oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fu Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenxi Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zexiong Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juanhui Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Raymond Hang Wun Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kui Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ernest Hung Yu Ng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William Shu Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tianren Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Jaillard S, McElreavy K, Robevska G, Akloul L, Ghieh F, Sreenivasan R, Beaumont M, Bashamboo A, Bignon-Topalovic J, Neyroud AS, Bell K, Veron-Gastard E, Launay E, van den Bergen J, Nouyou B, Vialard F, Belaud-Rotureau MA, Ayers KL, Odent S, Ravel C, Tucker EJ, Sinclair AH. STAG3 homozygous missense variant causes primary ovarian insufficiency and male non-obstructive azoospermia. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:665-677. [PMID: 32634216 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility, a global problem affecting up to 15% of couples, can have varied causes ranging from natural ageing to the pathological development or function of the reproductive organs. One form of female infertility is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), affecting up to 1 in 100 women and characterised by amenorrhoea and elevated FSH before the age of 40. POI can have a genetic basis, with over 50 causative genes identified. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), a form of male infertility characterised by the absence of sperm in semen, has an incidence of 1% and is similarly heterogeneous. The genetic basis of male and female infertility is poorly understood with the majority of cases having no known cause. Here, we study a case of familial infertility including a proband with POI and her brother with NOA. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and identified a homozygous STAG3 missense variant that segregated with infertility. STAG3 encodes a component of the meiosis cohesin complex required for sister chromatid separation. We report the first pathogenic homozygous missense variant in STAG3 and the first STAG3 variant associated with both male and female infertility. We also demonstrate limitations of WES for the analysis of homologous DNA sequences, with this variant being ambiguous or missed by independent WES protocols and its homozygosity only being established via long-range nested PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Jaillard
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052.,Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | | | - Gorjana Robevska
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | - Linda Akloul
- CHU Rennes, Service de Génétique Clinique, CLAD Ouest, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Farah Ghieh
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ-INRA-ENVA, UMR-BREED, Montigny le Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Rajini Sreenivasan
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | - Marion Beaumont
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Neyroud
- CHU Rennes, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Katrina Bell
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052.,Bioinformatics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | | | - Erika Launay
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Jocelyn van den Bergen
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | - Bénédicte Nouyou
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - François Vialard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ-INRA-ENVA, UMR-BREED, Montigny le Bretonneux 78180, France.,Fédération de Génétique, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, CHI de Poissy-St Germain en Laye, Poissy 78300, France
| | - Marc-Antoine Belaud-Rotureau
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033 Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Katie L Ayers
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052.,The Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | - Sylvie Odent
- CHU Rennes, Service de Génétique Clinique, CLAD Ouest, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Célia Ravel
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Elena J Tucker
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052.,The Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052.,The Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3052
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25
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Beverley R, Snook ML, Brieño-Enríquez MA. Meiotic Cohesin and Variants Associated With Human Reproductive Aging and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:710033. [PMID: 34409039 PMCID: PMC8365356 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.710033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful human reproduction relies on the well-orchestrated development of competent gametes through the process of meiosis. The loading of cohesin, a multi-protein complex, is a key event in the initiation of mammalian meiosis. Establishment of sister chromatid cohesion via cohesin rings is essential for ensuring homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair and future proper chromosome segregation. Cohesin proteins loaded during female fetal life are not replenished over time, and therefore are a potential etiology of age-related aneuploidy in oocytes resulting in decreased fecundity and increased infertility and miscarriage rates with advancing maternal age. Herein, we provide a brief overview of meiotic cohesin and summarize the human genetic studies which have identified genetic variants of cohesin proteins and the associated reproductive phenotypes including primary ovarian insufficiency, trisomy in offspring, and non-obstructive azoospermia. The association of cohesion defects with cancer predisposition and potential impact on aging are also described. Expansion of genetic testing within clinical medicine, with a focus on cohesin protein-related genes, may provide additional insight to previously unknown etiologies of disorders contributing to gamete exhaustion in females, and infertility and reproductive aging in both men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Beverley
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Meredith L Snook
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Miguel Angel Brieño-Enríquez
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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26
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Analysis of STAG3 variants in Chinese non-obstructive azoospermia patients with germ cell maturation arrest. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10077. [PMID: 33980954 PMCID: PMC8115624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89559-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STAG3 is essential for male meiosis and testis of male Stag3-/- mice shows the histopathological type of germ cell maturation arrest (MA). Whether variants of the STAG3 gene exist in Chinese idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients needs to be determined. We recruited 58 Chinese NOA men with MA who underwent testis biopsy and 192 fertile men as the control group. The 34 exons of the STAG3 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. We identified eight novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including two missense SNPs (c.433T > C in exon2 and c.553A > G in exon3), three synonymous SNPs (c.539G > A, c.569C > T in exon3, and c.1176C > G in exon8), and three SNPs in introns. The allele and genotype frequencies of the novel and other SNPs have no significant differences between two groups. Our results indicated that variants in the coding sequence of the STAG3 gene were uncommon in NOA patients with MA in Chinese population. Future studies in large cohorts of different ethnic populations will be needed to determine the association between the STAG3 gene and NOA.
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27
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Genetics of Azoospermia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063264. [PMID: 33806855 PMCID: PMC8004677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia affects 1% of men, and it can be due to: (i) hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, (ii) primary quantitative spermatogenic disturbances, (iii) urogenital duct obstruction. Known genetic factors contribute to all these categories, and genetic testing is part of the routine diagnostic workup of azoospermic men. The diagnostic yield of genetic tests in azoospermia is different in the different etiological categories, with the highest in Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens (90%) and the lowest in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) due to primary testicular failure (~30%). Whole-Exome Sequencing allowed the discovery of an increasing number of monogenic defects of NOA with a current list of 38 candidate genes. These genes are of potential clinical relevance for future gene panel-based screening. We classified these genes according to the associated-testicular histology underlying the NOA phenotype. The validation and the discovery of novel NOA genes will radically improve patient management. Interestingly, approximately 37% of candidate genes are shared in human male and female gonadal failure, implying that genetic counselling should be extended also to female family members of NOA patients.
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28
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Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030666. [PMID: 33802813 PMCID: PMC8002376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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29
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Okutman O, Tarabeux J, Muller J, Viville S. Evaluation of a Custom Design Gene Panel as a Diagnostic Tool for Human Non-Syndromic Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030410. [PMID: 33809228 PMCID: PMC7999157 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a global healthcare problem, which affects men and women equally. With the advance of genome-wide analysis, an increasing list of human genes involved in infertility is now available. In order to evaluate the diagnostic interest to analyze these genes, we have designed a gene panel allowing the analysis of 51 genes involved in non-syndromic human infertility. In this initial evaluation study, a cohort of 94 non-syndromic infertility cases with a well-defined infertility phenotype was examined. Five patients with previously known mutations were used as positive controls. With a mean coverage of 457×, and 99.8% of target bases successfully sequenced with a depth coverage over 30×, we prove the robustness and the quality of our panel. In total, we identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variations in eight patients (five male and three female). With a diagnostic yield of 8.5% and the identification of a variety of variants including substitution, insertion, deletion, and copy number variations, our results demonstrate the usefulness of such a strategy, as well as the efficiency and the quality of this diagnostic gene panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Okutman
- IPPTS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique UF de génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Julien Tarabeux
- Laboratoires de Diagnostic Génétique, UF de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (J.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Jean Muller
- Laboratoires de Diagnostic Génétique, UF de Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (J.T.); (J.M.)
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, INSERM, UMRS_1112, Institut de Génétique Médicale d’Alsace (IGMA), Université de Strasbourg Faculté de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Bioinformatique Médicale Appliquée au Diagnostic (UF7363), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphane Viville
- IPPTS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique UF de génétique de l’infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence:
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30
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Ma Q, Du Y, Luo X, Ye J, Gui Y. Association of ESX1 gene variants with non-obstructive azoospermia in Chinese males. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4587. [PMID: 33633269 PMCID: PMC7907365 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors are one of the most important causes of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). ESX1 is an X-linked testis-biased expressed gene, and a potential biomarker for testicular sperm retrieval in NOA patients, yet few systematic studies have investigated its association with NOA. Here, we performed selected exonic sequencing in a large cohort of Chinese males, and four novel missense mutations (including one compound mutation), one novel synonymous mutation of ESX1 unique to NOA patients were identified. We analyzed the effects of ESX1 mutations on cyclin A degradation and cell cycle progression by immunoprecipitation assay and flow cytometry, and found that the compound mutant p.[P365R; L366V] ESX1 compromised the stabilizing effect of ESX1 on polyubiquitinated cyclin A, thereby causing the failure of M phase arrest in cells. Further studies showed that the deleterious effect of the compound mutations on ESX1 protein function was attributed to p.P365R but not p.L366V alteration. The novel ESX1 mutation p.P365R might confer high risk for NOA in Han Chinese population, probably via affecting cell cycle control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ma
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Du
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Luo
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ye
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
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Ding X, Schimenti JC. Strategies to Identify Genetic Variants Causing Infertility. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:792-806. [PMID: 33431240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genetic causes are thought to underlie about half of infertility cases, but understanding the genetic bases has been a major challenge. Modern genomics tools allow more sophisticated exploration of genetic causes of infertility through population, family-based, and individual studies. Nevertheless, potential therapies based on genetic diagnostics will be limited until there is certainty regarding the causality of genetic variants identified in an individual. Genome modulation and editing technologies have revolutionized our ability to functionally test such variants, and also provide a potential means for clinical correction of infertility variants. This review addresses strategies being used to identify causative variants of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbao Ding
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Wu X, Lin D, Sun F, Cheng CY. Male Infertility in Humans: An Update on Non-obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) and Obstructive Azoospermia (OA). ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:161-173. [PMID: 34453736 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA) are two common causes of infertility that affect a considerable number of men. However, few studies were performed to understand the molecular etiology of these disorders. Studies based on bioinformatics and genetic analyses in recent years, however, have yielded insightful information and have identified a number of genes that are involved in these disorders. In this review, we briefly summarize and evaluate these findings. We also discuss findings based on epigenetic modifications of sperm DNAs that affect a number of genes pertinent to NOA and OA. The information summarized in this Chapter should be helpful to investigators in future functional studies of NOA and OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengfeng Lin
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia is a distinct diagnosis within male infertility in which no sperm is found in the ejaculate as a result of spermatogenesis failure. Because of the increased prevalence of genetic abnormalities in men with non-obstructive azoospermia, male infertility guidelines recommend screening for karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in this population. Numerous karyotype abnormalities may be present resulting in impaired spermatogenesis, including: Klinefelter syndrome, translocations, and deletions. Y chromosome microdeletions of the AZFa, AZFb, AZFc subregions all can also result in non-obstructive azoospermia with the possibility of sperm being present if only the AZFc subregion is deleted. While these are the two genetic tests recommended by the guidelines, nearly 50%-80% of non-obstructive azoospermia has no identifiable cause and is deemed idiopathic. Several other genetic defects can lead to non-obstructive azoospermia including Kallmann syndrome, mild androgen insensitivity syndrome, and TEX11. While many additional candidate genes have been proposed, many have yet to be verified or are so infrequent in the population that screening is cost-ineffective. Much research is still required in the genetics of non-obstructive azoospermia and will require multi-institutional initiatives to better understand the genetics of condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa N Peña
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Taylor P Kohn
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amin S Herati
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Capalbo A, Poli M, Riera-Escamilla A, Shukla V, Kudo Høffding M, Krausz C, Hoffmann ER, Simon C. Preconception genome medicine: current state and future perspectives to improve infertility diagnosis and reproductive and health outcomes based on individual genomic data. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:254-279. [PMID: 33197264 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our genetic code is now readable, writable and hackable. The recent escalation of genome-wide sequencing (GS) applications in population diagnostics will not only enable the assessment of risks of transmitting well-defined monogenic disorders at preconceptional stages (i.e. carrier screening), but also facilitate identification of multifactorial genetic predispositions to sub-lethal pathologies, including those affecting reproductive fitness. Through GS, the acquisition and curation of reproductive-related findings will warrant the expansion of genetic assessment to new areas of genomic prediction of reproductive phenotypes, pharmacogenomics and molecular embryology, further boosting our knowledge and therapeutic tools for treating infertility and improving women's health. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE In this article, we review current knowledge and potential development of preconception genome analysis aimed at detecting reproductive and individual health risks (recessive genetic disease and medically actionable secondary findings) as well as anticipating specific reproductive outcomes, particularly in the context of IVF. The extension of reproductive genetic risk assessment to the general population and IVF couples will lead to the identification of couples who carry recessive mutations, as well as sub-lethal conditions prior to conception. This approach will provide increased reproductive autonomy to couples, particularly in those cases where preimplantation genetic testing is an available option to avoid the transmission of undesirable conditions. In addition, GS on prospective infertility patients will enable genome-wide association studies specific for infertility phenotypes such as predisposition to premature ovarian failure, increased risk of aneuploidies, complete oocyte immaturity or blastocyst development failure, thus empowering the development of true reproductive precision medicine. SEARCH METHODS Searches of the literature on PubMed Central included combinations of the following MeSH terms: human, genetics, genomics, variants, male, female, fertility, next generation sequencing, genome exome sequencing, expanded carrier screening, secondary findings, pharmacogenomics, controlled ovarian stimulation, preconception, genetics, genome-wide association studies, GWAS. OUTCOMES Through PubMed Central queries, we identified a total of 1409 articles. The full list of articles was assessed for date of publication, limiting the search to studies published within the last 15 years (2004 onwards due to escalating research output of next-generation sequencing studies from that date). The remaining articles' titles were assessed for pertinence to the topic, leaving a total of 644 articles. The use of preconception GS has the potential to identify inheritable genetic conditions concealed in the genome of around 4% of couples looking to conceive. Genomic information during reproductive age will also be useful to anticipate late-onset medically actionable conditions with strong genetic background in around 2-4% of all individuals. Genetic variants correlated with differential response to pharmaceutical treatment in IVF, and clear genotype-phenotype associations are found for aberrant sperm types, oocyte maturation, fertilization or pre- and post-implantation embryonic development. All currently known capabilities of GS at the preconception stage are reviewed along with persisting and forthcoming barriers for the implementation of precise reproductive medicine. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The expansion of sequencing analysis to additional monogenic and polygenic traits may enable the development of cost-effective preconception tests capable of identifying underlying genetic causes of infertility, which have been defined as 'unexplained' until now, thus leading to the development of a true personalized genomic medicine framework in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix Italy, Marostica, Italy.,Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vallari Shukla
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miya Kudo Høffding
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DRNF Center for Chromosome Stability, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology BIDMC, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Jiao SY, Yang YH, Chen SR. Molecular genetics of infertility: loss-of-function mutations in humans and corresponding knockout/mutated mice. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:154-189. [PMID: 33118031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major issue in human reproductive health, affecting an estimated 15% of couples worldwide. Infertility can result from disorders of sex development (DSD) or from reproductive endocrine disorders (REDs) with onset in infancy, early childhood or adolescence. Male infertility, accounting for roughly half of all infertility cases, generally manifests as decreased sperm count (azoospermia or oligozoospermia), attenuated sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (teratozoospermia). Female infertility can be divided into several classical types, including, but not limited to, oocyte maturation arrest, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest. An estimated one half of infertility cases have a genetic component; however, most genetic causes of human infertility are currently uncharacterized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has greatly facilitated the identification of infertility-associated gene mutations in patients over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to conduct a narrative review of the genetic causes of human infertility. Loss-of-function mutation discoveries related to human infertility are summarized and further illustrated in tables. Corresponding knockout/mutated animal models of causative genes for infertility are also introduced. SEARCH METHODS A search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term 'mutation' was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: infertility, DSD, REDs, azoospermia or oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS), globozoospermia, teratozoospermia, acrosome, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, zona pellucida, fertilization defects and early embryonic arrest. OUTCOMES Our search generated ∼2000 records. Overall, 350 articles were included in the final review. For genetic investigation of human infertility, the traditional candidate gene approach is proceeding slowly, whereas high-throughput sequencing technologies in larger cohorts of individuals is identifying an increasing number of causative genes linked to human infertility. This review provides a wide panel of gene mutations in several typical forms of human infertility, including DSD, REDs, male infertility (oligozoospermia, MMAF, PCD, ASS and globozoospermia) and female infertility (oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest). The causative genes, their identified mutations, mutation rate, studied population and their corresponding knockout/mutated mice of non-obstructive azoospermia, MMAF, ASS, globozoospermia, oocyte maturation arrest, POI, fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest are further illustrated by tables. In this review, we suggest that (i) our current knowledge of infertility is largely obtained from knockout mouse models; (ii) larger cohorts of clinical cases with distinct clinical characteristics need to be recruited in future studies; (iii) the whole picture of genetic causes of human infertility relies on both the identification of more mutations for distinct types of infertility and the integration of known mutation information; (iv) knockout/mutated animal models are needed to show whether the phenotypes of genetically altered animals are consistent with findings in human infertile patients carrying a deleterious mutation of the homologous gene; and (v) the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility caused by pathogenic mutations are largely unclear in most current studies. WILDER IMPLICATIONS It is important to use our current understanding to identify avenues and priorities for future research in the field of genetic causes of infertility as well as to apply mutation knowledge to risk prediction, genetic diagnosis and potential treatment for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ya Jiao
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Ren Chen
- Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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van der Bijl N, Röpke A, Biswas U, Wöste M, Jessberger R, Kliesch S, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F. Mutations in the stromal antigen 3 (STAG3) gene cause male infertility due to meiotic arrest. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:2112-2119. [PMID: 31682730 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are sequence variants in the stromal antigen 3 (STAG3) gene a cause for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in infertile human males? SUMMARY ANSWER Sequence variants affecting protein function of STAG3 cause male infertility due to meiotic arrest. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In both women and men, STAG3 encodes for a meiosis-specific protein that is crucial for the functionality of meiotic cohesin complexes. Sequence variants in STAG3 have been reported to cause meiotic arrest in male and female mice and premature ovarian failure in human females, but not in infertile human males so far. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The full coding region of STAG3 was sequenced directly in a cohort of 28 men with NOA due to meiotic arrest. In addition, a larger group of 275 infertile men that underwent whole-exome sequencing (WES) was screened for potential STAG3 sequence variants. Furthermore, meiotic spreads, immunohistochemistry, WES and population sampling probability (PSAP) have been conducted in the index case. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS This study included 28 infertile but otherwise healthy human males who underwent Sanger sequencing of the full coding region of STAG3. Additionally, WES data of 275 infertile human males with different infertility phenotypes have been screened for relevant STAG3 variants. All participants underwent karyotype analysis and azoospermia factor (AZF) screening in advance. In the index patient, segregation analysis, WES data, PSAP, lab parameters, testis histology and nuclear spreads have been added to suplort the findings. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Two compound-heterozygous variants in STAG3 (c.[1262T>G];[1312C>T], p.[(Leu421Arg)];[(Arg438Ter)]) have been found to cause male infertility due to complete bilateral meiotic arrest in an otherwise healthy human male. Compound heterozygosity was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the parents and the patient's brother. Other variants which may affect spermatogenesis have been ruled out through analysis of the patient's WES data and application of the PSAP pipeline. As expected from Stag3 knockout-mice meiotic spreads, germ cells did not develop further than zygotene and showed drastic chromosome aberrations. No rare variants in STAG3 were found in the 275 infertile males with other phenotypes. Our results indicate that STAG3 variants that negatively affect its protein function are a rare cause of NOA (<1% of cases). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We identified only one patient with compound-heterozygous variants in STAG3 causing NOA due to meiotic arrest. Future studies should evaluate STAG3 variants in larger cohorts to support this finding. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Identification of STAG3 sequence variants in infertile human males should improve genetic counselling as well as diagnostics and treatment. Especially before testicular sperm extraction (TESE) for ICSI, STAG3 variants should be ruled out to prevent unnecessary interventions with frustrating outcomes for both patients and clinicians. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was carried out within the frame of the German Research Foundation (DFG) Clinical Research Unit 'Male Germ Cells: from Genes to Function' (CRU326). Work in the laboratory of R.J. is supported by a grant of the European Union H2020 program GermAge. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- N van der Bijl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - A Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - U Biswas
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - M Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - R Jessberger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - S Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - C Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - F Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Wyrwoll MJ, Temel ŞG, Nagirnaja L, Oud MS, Lopes AM, van der Heijden GW, Heald JS, Rotte N, Wistuba J, Wöste M, Ledig S, Krenz H, Smits RM, Carvalho F, Gonçalves J, Fietz D, Türkgenç B, Ergören MC, Çetinkaya M, Başar M, Kahraman S, McEleny K, Xavier MJ, Turner H, Pilatz A, Röpke A, Dugas M, Kliesch S, Neuhaus N, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Veltman JA, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F. Bi-allelic Mutations in M1AP Are a Frequent Cause of Meiotic Arrest and Severely Impaired Spermatogenesis Leading to Male Infertility. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 107:342-351. [PMID: 32673564 PMCID: PMC7413853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects ∼7% of men, but its causes remain poorly understood. The most severe form is non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), which is, in part, caused by an arrest at meiosis. So far, only a few validated disease-associated genes have been reported. To address this gap, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 58 men with unexplained meiotic arrest and identified the same homozygous frameshift variant c.676dup (p.Trp226LeufsTer4) in M1AP, encoding meiosis 1 associated protein, in three unrelated men. This variant most likely results in a truncated protein as shown in vitro by heterologous expression of mutant M1AP. Next, we screened four large cohorts of infertile men and identified three additional individuals carrying homozygous c.676dup and three carrying combinations of this and other likely causal variants in M1AP. Moreover, a homozygous missense variant, c.1166C>T (p.Pro389Leu), segregated with infertility in five men from a consanguineous Turkish family. The common phenotype between all affected men was NOA, but occasionally spermatids and rarely a few spermatozoa in the semen were observed. A similar phenotype has been described for mice with disruption of M1ap. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that mutations in M1AP are a relatively frequent cause of autosomal recessive severe spermatogenic failure and male infertility with strong clinical validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Şehime G Temel
- Bursa Uludag University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics & Department of Histology & Embryology & Health Sciences Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, 16059 Bursa, Turkey
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Manon S Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-804 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3s), Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Godfried W van der Heijden
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - James S Heald
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nadja Rotte
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Ledig
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Henrike Krenz
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Roos M Smits
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Filipa Carvalho
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3s), Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- Departmento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; ToxOmics - Centro de Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana, Nova Medical School, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Burcu Türkgenç
- University of Acibadem, Acibadem Genetic Diagnostic Centre, 34662 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmut C Ergören
- Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 99138 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Murat Çetinkaya
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Reproductive Genetics Centre, 34385 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murad Başar
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Department of Urology & Andrology, 34385 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Semra Kahraman
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Reproductive Genetics, 34385 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kevin McEleny
- Newcastle Fertility Centre, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NE1 4EP Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Miguel J Xavier
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen Turner
- Department of Cellular Pathology, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NE1 4LP Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Clinic for Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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Cito G, Coccia ME, Salvianti F, Fucci R, Picone R, Giachini C, Cocci A, Falcone P, Micelli E, Verrienti P, Minervini A, Carini M, Pinzani P, Natali A. Blood plasma miR-20a-5p expression as a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility: A pilot study. Andrology 2020; 8:1256-1264. [PMID: 32406197 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, alterations in miRNAs expression profile in semen have been linked to damaged spermatogenesis, suggesting miRNAs could be used as potential infertility biomarkers. In previous animal studies, miR-20a-5p was found to be down-expressed in low motile spermatozoa, implying its potential target of genes associated with cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE To investigate miR-20a-5p expression in blood plasma of patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), compared to normozoospermic controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2018 and December 2019, from 52 infertile couples eligible for the study, 24 couples were finally enrolled in this monocentric observational prospective pilot study. Patients were included into two groups: Group 1 comprised men with NOA (n = 14) and Group 2 fertile men partners of women with female tubal factor infertility (n = 10). All NOA patients underwent testicular sperm extraction. The expression of circulating miR-20a-5p in plasma samples was assessed by RT-qPCR. A relative quantification strategy was adopted using the 2-ΔCq method to calculate the target miR-20a-5p expression with respect to miR-16-5p as endogenous control. RESULTS Median blood plasma miR-20a-5p was significantly higher in patients affected by NOA (0.16 2-ΔCt , range: 0.05-0.79 2-ΔCt ) than in fertile controls (0.06 2-ΔCt , range: 0.04-0.10 2-ΔCt ), P < .001. MiR-20a-5p was positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rrho = -0.490, P = .015) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (rrho = -0.462, P = .023), and negatively correlated with serum total testosterone (TT) (rrho = -0.534, P = .007) and right and left testicular size (rrho = -0.473, P = .020 and rrho = -0.471, P = .020, respectively). Successful sperm retrieval (SR) rate was 50.0%. Median value of miR-20a-5p did not differ significantly among patients with successful SR and those with negative SR. Testicular histological examination showed: hypospermatogenesis in 6/14 (42.8%), maturation arrest in 4/14 (28.6%), sertoli cell-only syndrome in 4/14 (28.6%). No significant differences in miR-20a-5p were found between histopathological patterns (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS MiR-20a-5p could represent a novel non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmartin Cito
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Coccia
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Salvianti
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rossella Fucci
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Picone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Giachini
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Cocci
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Falcone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Micelli
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Verrienti
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Minervini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Carini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pamela Pinzani
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Natali
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Wu X, Luo C, Hu L, Chen X, Chen Y, Fan J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Unraveling epigenomic abnormality in azoospermic human males by WGBS, RNA-Seq, and transcriptome profiling analyses. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:789-802. [PMID: 32056059 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine associations between genomic DNA methylation in testicular cells and azoospermia in human males. METHODS This was a case-control study investigating the differences and conservations in DNA methylation, genome-wide DNA methylation, and bulk RNA-Seq for transcriptome profiling using testicular biopsy tissues from NOA and OA patients. Differential methylation and different conserved methylation regions associated with azoospermia were identified by comparing genomic DNA methylation of testicular seminiferous cells derived from NOA and OA patients. RESULTS The genome methylation modification of testicular cells from NOA patients was disordered, and the reproductive-related gene expression was significantly different. CONCLUSION Our findings not only provide valuable knowledge of human spermatogenesis but also paved the way for the identification of genes/proteins involved in male germ cell development. The approach presented in this report provides a powerful tool to identify responsible biomolecules, and/or cellular changes (e.g., epigenetic abnormality) that induce male reproductive dysfunction such as OA and NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunhai Luo
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Longfei Hu
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Chen
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunmei Chen
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jue Fan
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, 10065, USA.
| | - Fei Sun
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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Kasak L, Laan M. Monogenic causes of non-obstructive azoospermia: challenges, established knowledge, limitations and perspectives. Hum Genet 2020; 140:135-154. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Evaluating genetic causes of azoospermia: What can we learn from a complex cellular structure and single-cell transcriptomics of the human testis? Hum Genet 2020; 140:183-201. [PMID: 31950241 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02116-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Azoospermia is a condition defined as the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, but the testicular phenotype of men with azoospermia may be very variable, ranging from full spermatogenesis, through arrested maturation of germ cells at different stages, to completely degenerated tissue with ghost tubules. Hence, information regarding the cell-type-specific expression patterns is needed to prioritise potential pathogenic variants that contribute to the pathogenesis of azoospermia. Thanks to technological advances within next-generation sequencing, it is now possible to obtain detailed cell-type-specific expression patterns in the testis by single-cell RNA sequencing. However, to interpret single-cell RNA sequencing data properly, substantial knowledge of the highly sophisticated data processing and visualisation methods is needed. Here we review the complex cellular structure of the human testis in different types of azoospermia and outline how known genetic alterations affect the pathology of the testis. We combined the currently available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets originating from the human testis into one dataset covering 62,751 testicular cells, each with a median of 2637 transcripts quantified. We show what effects the most common data-processing steps have, and how different visualisation methods can be used. Furthermore, we calculated expression patterns in pseudotime, and show how splicing rates can be used to determine the velocity of differentiation during spermatogenesis. With the combined dataset we show expression patterns and network analysis of genes known to be involved in the pathogenesis of azoospermia. Finally, we provide the combined dataset as an interactive online resource where expression of genes and different visualisation methods can be explored ( https://testis.cells.ucsc.edu/ ).
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Wen L, Liu Q, Xu J, Liu X, Shi C, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Xu H, Liu J, Yang H, Huang H, Qiao J, Tang F, Chen ZJ. Recent advances in mammalian reproductive biology. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 63:18-58. [PMID: 31813094 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive biology is a uniquely important topic since it is about germ cells, which are central for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in mammalian germ cell development, including preimplantation development, fetal germ cell development and postnatal development of oocytes and sperm. We also discuss the etiologies of female and male infertility and describe the emerging technologies for studying reproductive biology such as gene editing and single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chaoyi Shi
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zuwei Yang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yili Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, 250021, China.
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Meiotic arrest occurs most frequently at metaphase and is often incomplete in azoospermic men. Fertil Steril 2019; 112:1059-1070.e3. [PMID: 31767154 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish which meiotic checkpoints are activated in males with severe spermatogenic impairment to improve phenotypic characterization of meiotic defects. DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SETTING University medical center research laboratory and andrology clinic. PATIENT(S) Forty-eight patients with confirmed spermatogenic impairment (Johnsen scores 3-6) and 15 controls (Johnsen score 10). INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Quantitative assessment of immunofluorescent analyses of specific markers to determine meiotic entry, chromosome pairing, progression of DNA double-strand break repair, crossover formation, formation of meiotic metaphases, metaphase arrest, and spermatid formation, resulting in a novel classification of human meiotic arrest types. RESULT(S) Complete metaphase arrest was observed most frequently (27%), and the patients with the highest frequency of apoptotic metaphases also displayed a reduction in crossover number. Incomplete metaphase arrest was observed in 17% of the patients. Only four patients (8%) displayed a failure to complete meiotic chromosome pairing leading to pachytene arrest. Two new types of meiotic arrest were defined: premetaphase and postmetaphase arrest (15% and 13%, respectively). CONCLUSION(S) Meiotic arrest in men occurs most frequently at meiotic metaphase. This arrest can be incomplete, resulting in low numbers of spermatids, and often occurs in association with reduced crossover frequency. The phenotyping approach described here provides mechanistic insights to help identify candidate infertility genes and to assess genotype-phenotype correlations in individual cases.
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Araujo TF, Friedrich C, Grangeiro CHP, Martelli LR, Grzesiuk JD, Emich J, Wyrwoll MJ, Kliesch S, Simões AL, Tüttelmann F. Sequence analysis of 37 candidate genes for male infertility: challenges in variant assessment and validating genes. Andrology 2019; 8:434-441. [PMID: 31479588 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The routine genetic analysis for diagnosing male infertility has not changed over the last twenty years, and currently available tests can only determine the etiology of 4% of unselected infertile patients. Thus, to create new diagnostic assays, we must better understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms of male infertility. Although next-generation sequencing allows for simultaneous analysis of hundreds of genes and the discovery of novel candidates related to male infertility, so far only a few gene candidates have enough sound evidence to support the gene-disease relationship. OBJECTIVE Since complementary studies are required to validate genes, we aimed to analyze the presence of potentially pathogenic rare variants in a set of candidate genes related to azoospermia in a hitherto understudied South American population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We performed whole exome sequencing in a group of 16 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Based on a recent systematic review of monogenic causes of male infertility, we selected a set of 37 genes related to azoospermia, Sertoli-Cell-Only histology, and spermatogenic arrest to analyze. The identified variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and their functional consequence was predicted by in silico programs. RESULTS We identified potential pathogenic variants in seven genes in six patients. Two variants, c.671A>G (p.(Asn224Ser)) in DMRT1 and c.91C>T (p.(Arg31Cys)) in REC8, have already been described in association with azoospermia. We also found new variants in genes that already have moderate evidence of being linked to spermatogenic failure (TEX15, KLHL10), in genes with limited evidence (DNMT3B, TEX14) and in one novel promising candidate gene that has no evidence so far (SYCE1L). DISCUSSION Although this study included a small number of patients, the process of rationally selecting genes allowed us to detect rare potentially pathogenic variants, providing supporting evidence for validating candidate genes associated with azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Araujo
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - C H P Grangeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - L R Martelli
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J D Grzesiuk
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J Emich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - M J Wyrwoll
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A L Simões
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - F Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Wang X, Sha YW, Wang WT, Cui YQ, Chen J, Yan W, Hou XT, Mei LB, Yu CC, Wang J. Novel IFT140 variants cause spermatogenic dysfunction in humans. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e920. [PMID: 31397098 PMCID: PMC6732298 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intraflagellar transport protein 140 homolog (IFT140) is involved in the process of intraflagellar transport (IFT), a process that is essential for the formation and maintenance of most eukaryotic cilia and flagella. Variants IFT140 have been reported to account for ciliopathy but association with male fertility has never been described in humans. Here we report the identification of two novel variants of IFT140 which caused spermatogenic dysfunction and male infertility. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a 27-year-old infertile man presented with severe oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia (OAT) without other physical abnormality. Sanger sequencing was used to verify gene variants in the patient, his healthy brother, and their parents. Morphology and protein expression in the patient's sperm were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining. Function of gene variants was predicted by online databases. RESULTS Compound heterozygous variants of IFT140: exon16: c.1837G > A: p.Asp613Asn and exon31: c.4247G > A: p.Ser1416Asn were identified in the patient, both of which showed autosomal recessive inheritance in his family, and had extremely low allele frequency in the population. Morphological abnormalities of the head, nucleus, and tails and the absence of IFT140 from the neck and mid-piece of the patient's spermatozoa were observed. Mutation Taster database predicted a high probability of damage-causing by both variations. CONCLUSION This study for the first time reported IFT140 variants that cause infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China
| | - Yan-Wei Sha
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiamen Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wen-Ting Wang
- Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan-Qing Cui
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China
| | - Xiao-Tao Hou
- Pathology Department, Guangzhou KingMed Center for Clinical Laboratory Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Bin Mei
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiamen Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Cui-Cui Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Novel STAG3 mutations in a Caucasian family with primary ovarian insufficiency. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 294:1527-1534. [PMID: 31363903 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01594-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects ~ 1-3, 7% of women under forty and is a public health problem. Most causes are unknown, but an increasing number of genetic causes have been identified recently. The identification of such causes is essential for genetic and therapeutic counseling in patients and their families. We performed whole exome sequencing in two Caucasian sisters displaying non syndromic POI and their unaffected mother. We identified two novel pathogenic variants in STAG3 encoding a meiosis-specific subunit of the cohesin ring, which ensures correct sister chromatid cohesion: a c.3052delC truncating mutation in exon 28 yielding p.Arg1018Aspfs*14, and a c.659T > G substitution in exon seven yielding p.Leu220Arg. Leu220, highly conserved throughout species, belongs to the STAG domain conserved with other mitotic subunits of the cohesion complex STAG1 and 2. In silico analysis reveals that this substitution markedly impacts the structure of this domain. The truncation removes the last 206 C-terminal residues, not conserved in STAG1 and 2, supporting an important specific role in STAG3, especially meiosis. This is the first occurrence of STAG3 mutations in a Caucasian family. Very little is known about the function of STAG proteins domains. The "knock out-like" phenotype described here supports the crucial role of a single residue in the STAG domain and of the C-terminal region in STAG3 function. In conclusion, this observation shows the necessity to perform the genetic study of POI worldwide including STAG3. This could lead to appropriate genetic counseling and long term follow-up since these patients may develop ovarian tumors.
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