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Zhang S, Pei Z, Lei C, Zhu S, Deng K, Zhou J, Yang J, Lu D, Sun X, Xu C, Xu C. Detection of cryptic balanced chromosomal rearrangements using high-resolution optical genome mapping. J Med Genet 2023; 60:274-284. [PMID: 35710108 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2022-108553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal rearrangements have profound consequences in diverse human genetic diseases. Currently, the detection of balanced chromosomal rearrangements (BCRs) mainly relies on routine cytogenetic G-banded karyotyping. However, cryptic BCRs are hard to detect by karyotyping, and the risk of miscarriage or delivering abnormal offspring with congenital malformations in carrier couples is significantly increased. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential of single-molecule optical genome mapping (OGM) in unravelling cryptic chromosomal rearrangements. METHODS Eleven couples with normal karyotypes that had abortions/affected offspring with unbalanced rearrangements were enrolled. Ultra-high-molecular-weight DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells and processed via OGM. The genome assembly was performed followed by variant calling and annotation. Meanwhile, multiple detection strategies, including FISH, long-range-PCR amplicon-based next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were implemented to confirm the results obtained from OGM. RESULTS High-resolution OGM successfully detected cryptic reciprocal translocation in all recruited couples, which was consistent with the results of FISH and sequencing. All high-confidence cryptic chromosomal translocations detected by OGM were confirmed by sequencing analysis of rearrangement breakpoints. Moreover, OGM revealed additional complex rearrangement events such as inverted aberrations, further refining potential genetic interpretation. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study wherein OGM facilitate the rapid and robust detection of cryptic chromosomal reciprocal translocations in clinical practice. With the excellent performance, our findings suggest that OGM is well qualified as an accurate, comprehensive and first-line method for detecting cryptic BCRs in routine clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenle Pei
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caixia Lei
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Saijuan Zhu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Deng
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning, Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Daru Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning, Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxi Sun
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenming Xu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Congjian Xu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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FertilityOnline: A Straightforward Pipeline for Functional Gene Annotation and Disease Mutation Discovery. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 20:455-465. [PMID: 34954426 PMCID: PMC9801063 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the genetic basis of human infertility is currently under intensive investigation. However, only a handful of genes have been validated in animal models as disease-causing genes in infertile men. Thus, to better understand the genetic basis of human spermatogenesis and bridge the knowledge gap between humans and other animal species, we construct the FertilityOnline, a database integrating the literature-curated functional genes during spermatogenesis into an existing spermatogenic database, SpermatogenesisOnline 1.0. Additional features, including the functional annotation and genetic variants of human genes, are also incorporated into FertilityOnline. By searching this database, users can browse the functional genes involved in spermatogenesis and instantly narrow down the number of candidates of genetic mutations underlying male infertility in a user-friendly web interface. Clinical application of this database was exampled by the identification of novel causative mutations in synaptonemal complex central element protein 1 (SYCE1) and stromal antigen 3 (STAG3) in azoospermic men. In conclusion, FertilityOnline is not only an integrated resource for spermatogenic genes but also a useful tool facilitating the exploration of the genetic basis of male infertility. FertilityOnline can be freely accessed at http://mcg.ustc.edu.cn/bsc/spermgenes2.0/index.html.
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Ling L, Li F, Yang P, Oates RD, Silber S, Kurischko C, Luca FC, Leu NA, Zhang J, Yue Q, Skaletsky H, Brown LG, Rozen S, Page DC, Wang PJ, Zheng K. Genetic characterization of a missense mutation in the X-linked TAF7L gene identified in an oligozoospermic man. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:157-167. [PMID: 35554494 PMCID: PMC9310510 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While hundreds of knockout mice show infertility as a major phenotype, causative genic mutations of male infertility in humans remain rather limited. Here we report the identification of a missense mutation (D136G) in the X-linked TAF7L gene as a potential cause of oligozoospermia in men. The human aspartate (D136) is evolutionally conserved across species, and its change to glycine (G) is predicted to be detrimental. Genetic complementation experiments in budding yeast demonstrate that the conserved aspartate or its analogous asparagine (N) residue in yeast TAF7 is essential for cell viability and thus its mutation to glycine is lethal. Although the corresponding D144G substitution in the mouse Taf7l gene does not affect male fertility, RNA-seq analyses reveal alterations in transcriptome profiles in the Taf7l (D144G) mutant testes. These results support this TAF7L mutation as a risk factor for oligozoospermia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Pinglan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Robert D Oates
- Department of Urology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63017, USA
| | - Cornelia Kurischko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Francis C Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jinwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qiuling Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Laura G Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Steve Rozen
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore
| | - David C Page
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - P Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ke Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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4
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Cavarocchi E, Whitfield M, Saez F, Touré A. Sperm Ion Transporters and Channels in Human Asthenozoospermia: Genetic Etiology, Lessons from Animal Models, and Clinical Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073926. [PMID: 35409285 PMCID: PMC8999829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, sperm fertilization potential relies on efficient progression within the female genital tract to reach and fertilize the oocyte. This fundamental property is supported by the flagellum, an evolutionarily conserved organelle that provides the mechanical force for sperm propulsion and motility. Importantly several functional maturation events that occur during the journey of the sperm cells through the genital tracts are necessary for the activation of flagellar beating and the acquisition of fertilization potential. Ion transporters and channels located at the surface of the sperm cells have been demonstrated to be involved in these processes, in particular, through the activation of downstream signaling pathways and the promotion of novel biochemical and electrophysiological properties in the sperm cells. We performed a systematic literature review to describe the currently known genetic alterations in humans that affect sperm ion transporters and channels and result in asthenozoospermia, a pathophysiological condition defined by reduced or absent sperm motility and observed in nearly 80% of infertile men. We also present the physiological relevance and functional mechanisms of additional ion channels identified in the mouse. Finally, considering the state-of-the art, we discuss future perspectives in terms of therapeutics of asthenozoospermia and male contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Cavarocchi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (E.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Marjorie Whitfield
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (E.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Fabrice Saez
- UMR GReD Institute (Génétique Reproduction & Développement) CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Team «Mécanismes de L’Infertilité Mâle Post-Testiculaire», Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Aminata Touré
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France; (E.C.); (M.W.)
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (A.T.)
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5
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Kherraf ZE, Cazin C, Bouker A, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Hennebicq S, Septier A, Coutton C, Raymond L, Nouchy M, Thierry-Mieg N, Zouari R, Arnoult C, Ray PF. Whole-exome sequencing improves the diagnosis and care of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:508-517. [PMID: 35172124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe and frequent cause of male infertility, often treated by testicular sperm extraction followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The aim of this study is to improve the genetic diagnosis of NOA, by identifying new genes involved in human NOA and to better assess the chances of successful sperm extraction according to the individual's genotype. Exome sequencing was performed on 96 NOA-affected individuals negative for routine genetic tests. Bioinformatics analysis was limited to a panel of 151 genes selected as known causal or candidate genes for NOA. Only highly deleterious homozygous or hemizygous variants were retained as candidates. A likely causal defect was identified in 16 genes in a total of 22 individuals (23%). Six genes had not been described in man (DDX25, HENMT1, MCMDC2, MSH5, REC8, TDRKH) and 10 were previously reported (C14orf39, DMC1, FANCM, GCNA, HFM1, MCM8, MEIOB, PDHA2, TDRD9, TERB1). Seven individuals had defects in genes from piwi or DNA repair pathways, three in genes involved in post-meiotic maturation, and 12 in meiotic processes. Interestingly, all individuals with defects in meiotic genes had an unsuccessful sperm retrieval, indicating that genetic diagnosis prior to TESE could help identify individuals with low or null chances of successful sperm retrieval and thus avoid unsuccessful surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France; Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | - Amine Bouker
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Sylviane Hennebicq
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM laboratoire d'aide à la procréation-CECOS, 38 000 Grenoble, France
| | - Amandine Septier
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR5525, TIMC, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Laure Raymond
- Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | - Marc Nouchy
- Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Département de Génétique Moléculaire, 69 007 Lyon, France
| | | | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, 1003 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, 38000 Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France.
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6
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Cazin C, Neirijnck Y, Loeuillet C, Wehrli L, Kühne F, Lordey I, Mustapha SFB, Bouker A, Zouari R, Thierry-Mieg N, Nef S, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Kherraf ZE. Combined Use of Whole Exome Sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 to Study the Etiology of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Demonstration of the Dispensable Role of the Testis-Specific Genes C1orf185 and CCT6B. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010118. [PMID: 35011680 PMCID: PMC8750304 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010118] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly complex. It is estimated that at least 4000 genes are involved in human spermatogenesis, but only few have so far been extensively studied. In this study, we investigated by whole exome sequencing two cases of idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) due to severe hypospermatogenesis. After variant filtering and prioritizing, we retained for each patient a homozygous loss-of-function (LoF) variant in a testis-specific gene, C1orf185 (c.250C>T; p.Gln84Ter) and CCT6B (c.615-2A>G), respectively. Both variants are rare according to the gnomAD database and absent from our local control cohort (n = 445). To verify the implication of these candidate genes in NOA, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to invalidate the mouse orthologs 4930522H14Rik and Cct6b and produced two knockout (KO) mouse lines. Sperm and testis parameters of homozygous KO adult male mice were analyzed and compared with those of wild-type animals. We showed that homozygous KO males were fertile and displayed normal sperm parameters and a functional spermatogenesis. Overall, these results demonstrate that not all genes highly and specifically expressed in the testes are essential for spermatogenesis, and in particular, we conclude that bi-allelic variants of C1orf185 and CCT6B are most likely not to be involved in NOA and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cazin
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (Y.N.); (L.W.); (F.K.); (S.N.)
| | - Corinne Loeuillet
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (P.F.R.)
| | - Lydia Wehrli
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (Y.N.); (L.W.); (F.K.); (S.N.)
| | - Françoise Kühne
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (Y.N.); (L.W.); (F.K.); (S.N.)
| | | | - Selima Fourati Ben Mustapha
- Centre d’Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (S.F.B.M.); (A.B.); (R.Z.)
| | - Amin Bouker
- Centre d’Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (S.F.B.M.); (A.B.); (R.Z.)
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Centre d’Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (S.F.B.M.); (A.B.); (R.Z.)
| | | | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (Y.N.); (L.W.); (F.K.); (S.N.)
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (P.F.R.)
| | - Pierre F. Ray
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (C.L.); (C.A.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)4-7676-8303
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Huang Z, Chen F, Xie M, Zhang H, Zhuang Y, Huang C, Li X, Liu H, Chen Z. The I510V mutation in KLHL10 in a patient with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. J Reprod Dev 2021; 67:313-318. [PMID: 34433733 PMCID: PMC8568611 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is a human infertility syndrome caused by defects in spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis, and sperm maturation, and its etiology remains unclear. Kelch-like 10
(KLHL10) is a component of ubiquitin ligase E3 10 (KLHL10) and plays an important role in male fertility. Deletion or mutation of the Klhl10 gene in
Drosophila or mice results in defects in spermatogenesis or sperm maturation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which KLHL10 functions remain elusive. In this study, we
identified a missense mutation (c.1528A→G, p.I510V) in exon 5 of KLHL10, which is associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in humans. To investigate the effects of this
mutation on KLHL10 function and spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis, we generated mutant mice duplicating the amino acid conversion using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic
repeat/caspase 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system and designated them Klhl10I510V mice. However, the Klhl10I510V mice did not exhibit any defects in testis development,
spermatogenesis, or sperm motility at ten-weeks-of-age, suggesting that this mutation does not disrupt the KLHL10 function, and may not be the cause of male infertility in the affected
individual with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zicong Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Feilong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Panyu Maternal and Child Care Service Centre of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 511499, P. R. China
| | - Minyu Xie
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Hanbin Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Yuge Zhuang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Chuyu Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Reproductive center, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University (Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital), Shenzhen 518017, P. R. China
| | - Hong Liu
- Reproductive center, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University (Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital), Shenzhen 518017, P. R. China
| | - Zhenguo Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
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8
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Arafah K, Lopez F, Cazin C, Kherraf ZE, Tassistro V, Loundou A, Arnoult C, Thierry-Mieg N, Bulet P, Guichaoua MR, Ray PF. Defect in the nuclear pore membrane glycoprotein 210-like gene is associated with extreme uncondensed sperm nuclear chromatin and male infertility: a case report. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:693-701. [PMID: 33332558 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
After the two meiotic divisions, haploid round spermatids undergo dramatic changes to become mature spermatozoa. One of the main transformations consists of compacting the cell nucleus to confer the sperm its remarkable hydrodynamic property and to protect its DNA from the oxidative stress it will encounter during its reproductive journey. Here, we studied an infertile subject with low sperm count, poor motility and highly abnormal spermatozoa with strikingly large heads due to highly uncondensed nuclear sperm DNA. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the subject's DNA to identify the genetic defect responsible for this severe sperm anomaly. Bioinformatics analysis of exome sequence data uncovered a homozygous loss of function variant, ENST00000368559.7:c.718-1G>A, altering a consensus splice site expected to prevent the synthesis of the nucleoporin 210 like (NUP210L) protein. High-resolution mass spectrometry of sperm protein extracts did not reveal any NUP210L peptide sequence in the patient's sperm, contrary to what was observed in control donors, thus confirming the absence of NUP210L in the patient's sperm. Interestingly, homozygous Nup210l knock-out mice have been shown to be infertile due to a reduced sperm count, a high proportion of round-headed sperm, other head and flagella defects and a poor motility. NUP210L is almost exclusively expressed in the testis and sequence analogy suggests that it encodes a nuclear pore membrane glycoprotein. The protein might be crucial to regulate nuclear trafficking during and/or before spermiogenesis, its absence potentially impeding adequate nuclear compaction by preventing the entry of histone variants/transition proteins/protamines into the nucleus and/or by preventing the adequate replacement of core histones. This work describes a new gene necessary for male fertility, potentially improving the efficiency of the genetic diagnosis of male infertility. The function of NUP210L still remains to be resolved and its future investigation will help to understand the complex mechanisms necessary for sperm compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Cazin
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Team « Génétique, Épigénétique et Thérapies de l'infertilité », Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Team « Génétique, Épigénétique et Thérapies de l'infertilité », Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Virginie Tassistro
- Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, France
| | - Anderson Loundou
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Methodological Assistance Unity for Clinical Research, Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Team « Génétique, Épigénétique et Thérapies de l'infertilité », Grenoble, France
| | | | - Philippe Bulet
- Plateforme BioPark d'Archamps, Archamps, France.,Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Team « Immunologie Analytique des Pathologies Chroniques », Grenoble, France
| | | | - Pierre F Ray
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Team « Génétique, Épigénétique et Thérapies de l'infertilité », Grenoble, France.,CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble 38000, France
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9
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Greither T, Schumacher J, Dejung M, Behre HM, Zischler H, Butter F, Herlyn H. Fertility Relevance Probability Analysis Shortlists Genetic Markers for Male Fertility Impairment. Cytogenet Genome Res 2020; 160:506-522. [PMID: 33238277 DOI: 10.1159/000511117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairment of male fertility is one of the major public health issues worldwide. Nevertheless, genetic causes of male sub- and infertility can often only be suspected due to the lack of reliable and easy-to-use routine tests. Yet, the development of a marker panel is complicated by the large quantity of potentially predictive markers. Actually, hundreds or even thousands of genes could have fertility relevance. Thus, a systematic method enabling a selection of the most predictive markers out of the many candidates is required. As a criterion for marker selection, we derived a gene-specific score, which we refer to as fertility relevance probability (FRP). For this purpose, we first categorized 2,753 testis-expressed genes as either candidate markers or non-candidates, according to phenotypes in male knockout mice. In a parallel approach, 2,502 genes were classified as candidate markers or non-candidates based on phenotypes in men. Subsequently, we conducted logistic regression analyses with evolutionary rates of genes (dN/dS), transcription levels in testis relative to other organs, and connectivity of the encoded proteins in a protein-protein interaction network as covariates. In confirmation of the procedure, FRP values showed the expected pattern, thus being overall higher in genes with known relevance for fertility than in their counterparts without corresponding evidence. In addition, higher FRP values corresponded with an increased dysregulation of protein abundance in spermatozoa of 37 men with normal and 38 men with impaired fertility. Present analyses resulted in a ranking of genes according to their probable predictive power as candidate markers for male fertility impairment. Thus, AKAP4, TNP1, DAZL, BRDT, DMRT1, SPO11, ZPBP, HORMAD1, and SMC1B are prime candidates toward a marker panel for male fertility impairment. Additional candidate markers are DDX4, SHCBP1L, CCDC155, ODF1, DMRTB1, ASZ1, BOLL, FKBP6, SLC25A31, PRSS21, and RNF17. FRP inference additionally provides clues for potential new markers, thereunder TEX37 and POU4F2. The results of our logistic regression analyses are freely available at the PreFer Genes website (https://prefer-genes.uni-mainz.de/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Greither
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Julia Schumacher
- Anthropology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mario Dejung
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Hans Zischler
- Anthropology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Falk Butter
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Holger Herlyn
- Anthropology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany,
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10
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Nasirshalal M, Tahmasebi-Birgani M, Dadfar M, Nikbakht R, Saberi A, Ghandil P. Identification of the PRM1 gene mutations in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13872. [PMID: 33118225 DOI: 10.1111/and.13872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations or altered expression of PRM1 gene have been associated with male infertility. This study aimed to analyse pathogenic variations of PRM1 gene in Iranian Arab infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia that was carried out for the first time in this population. Genomic DNA was used to perform PCR sequencing in PRM1 untranslated regions, exons and intron. Also, bioinformatics analysis was recruited to discover the possible effect of detected variations. Two pathogenic variations were seen in two men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, which were not found in the control group. The cDNA.384G>C variation is novel and was located in the 3' untranslated region, and cDNA.42G>A variation is reported for the first time related to male infertility and was found in 5' untranslated regions. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the minimum free energy was increased from -19.9kcal/mol to -13.1kcal/mol due to the cDNA.384G>C variation at hsa-miR-4326's seed site. More analysis revealed cDNA.42G>A located in transcription factors binding site, E1 and MYOD, which was detected as a promoter-associated region, and generally have regulatory features for acetylation and methylation. In conclusion, two pathogenic variations were recognised in regulatory areas of PRM1 gene, which might interfere with some critical factors related to PRM1 gene expression, hence cause male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahzad Nasirshalal
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Tahmasebi-Birgani
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Dadfar
- Department of Urology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Roshan Nikbakht
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Alihossein Saberi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Pegah Ghandil
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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11
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Cerván-Martín M, Castilla JA, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD. Genetic Landscape of Nonobstructive Azoospermia and New Perspectives for the Clinic. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020300. [PMID: 31973052 PMCID: PMC7074441 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the most severe expression of male infertility, involving around 1% of the male population and 10% of infertile men. This condition is characterised by the inability of the testis to produce sperm cells, and it is considered to have an important genetic component. During the last two decades, different genetic anomalies, including microdeletions of the Y chromosome, karyotype defects, and missense mutations in genes involved in the reproductive function, have been described as the primary cause of NOA in many infertile men. However, these alterations only explain around 25% of azoospermic cases, with the remaining patients showing an idiopathic origin. Recent studies clearly suggest that the so-called idiopathic NOA has a complex aetiology with a polygenic inheritance, which may alter the spermatogenic process. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NOA, the use of the new technologies for genetic analysis has enabled a considerable increase in knowledge during the last years. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the genetic basis of NOA, with a special focus on the possible application of the recent insights in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
- CEIFER Biobanco—NextClinics, Calle Maestro Bretón 1, 18004 Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Av. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-958-241-000 (ext 20170)
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12
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Wu XL, Yun DM, Gao S, Liang AJ, Duan ZZ, Wang HS, Wang GS, Sun F. The testis-specific gene 1700102P08Rik is essential for male fertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:231-240. [PMID: 31930642 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a rising problem around the world. Often the cause of male infertility is unclear, and this hampers diagnosis and treatment. Spermatogenesis is a complex process under sophisticated regulation by many testis-specific genes. Here, we report the testis-specific gene 1700102P08Rik is conserved in both the human and mouse and highly expressed in spermatocytes. To investigate the role of 1700102P08Rik in male fertility, knockout mice were generated by CRISPR-Cas9. 1700102P08Rik knockout male mice were infertile with smaller testis and epididymis, but female knockout mice retained normal fertility. Spermatogenesis in the 1700102P08Rik knockout male mouse was arrested at the spermatocyte stage, and no sperm were found in the epididymis. The deletion of 1700102P08Rik causes apoptosis in the testis but did not affect the serum concentration of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone or the synapsis and recombination of homologous chromosomes. We also found that 1700102P08Rik is downregulated in spermatocyte arrest in men. Together, these results indicate that the 1700102P08Rik gene is essential for spermatogenesis and its dysfunction leads to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Wu
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Da-Min Yun
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sheng Gao
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - A-Juan Liang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng-Zheng Duan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han-Shu Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Shuan Wang
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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13
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A contiguous microdeletion syndrome at Xp23.13 with non-obstructive azoospermia and congenital cataracts. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:471-475. [PMID: 31916079 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01685-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia accounts for 10-15% of male infertility, resulting in 60% of all cases of azoospermia and affecting about 1% of the male population. About 30% of these cases are due to Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome abnormalities, or hormonal disorders. Pathogenic variants in genes on the sex chromosomes have key roles in spermatogenic failure. The co-occurrence of azoospermia and congenital cataracts ranges between 1 in 165,000 and 1 in 500,000. Our 28-year-old patient with normal intelligence and abnormally shaped teeth presented with both disorders. A microarray revealed a microdeletion at Xp23.13 with a whole NHS gene deletion as well as a contiguous deletion of two other genes [SCML1 and RAI2]. This observation represents the first report of non-obstructive azoospermia with congenital cataracts and a contiguous deletion of the SCML1 gene, a transcript of which is exclusively expressed in the testis. SCML1 is the putative culprit gene, which requires functional study or animal experiments. Our analysis of 60 known spermatogenesis failure-related genes by whole-exome sequencing revealed no other candidate. The Nance-Horan syndrome due to pathogenic variants in the NHS gene at Xp23.13 including whole gene deletion does not have azoospermia as a feature. Our report adds to the completeness of genetic counseling for an individual with azoospermia and congenital cataracts.
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14
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Schilit SL, Menon S, Friedrich C, Kammin T, Wilch E, Hanscom C, Jiang S, Kliesch S, Talkowski ME, Tüttelmann F, MacQueen AJ, Morton CC. SYCP2 Translocation-Mediated Dysregulation and Frameshift Variants Cause Human Male Infertility. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 106:41-57. [PMID: 31866047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Unexplained infertility affects 2%-3% of reproductive-aged couples. One approach to identifying genes involved in infertility is to study subjects with this clinical phenotype and a de novo balanced chromosomal aberration (BCA). While BCAs may reduce fertility by production of unbalanced gametes, a chromosomal rearrangement may also disrupt or dysregulate genes important in fertility. One such subject, DGAP230, has severe oligozoospermia and 46,XY,t(20;22)(q13.3;q11.2). We identified exclusive overexpression of SYCP2 from the der(20) allele that is hypothesized to result from enhancer adoption. Modeling the dysregulation in budding yeast resulted in disrupted structural integrity of the synaptonemal complex, a common cause of defective spermatogenesis in mammals. Exome sequencing of infertile males revealed three heterozygous SYCP2 frameshift variants in additional subjects with cryptozoospermia and azoospermia. In sum, this investigation illustrates the power of precision cytogenetics for annotation of the infertile genome, suggests that these mechanisms should be considered as an alternative etiology to that of segregation of unbalanced gametes in infertile men harboring a BCA, and provides evidence of SYCP2-mediated male infertility in humans.
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15
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Sex Determination Using RNA-Sequencing Analyses in Early Prenatal Pig Development. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10121010. [PMID: 31817322 PMCID: PMC6947224 DOI: 10.3390/genes10121010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is a relevant factor in animal science, since it can affect the gene expression of economically important traits. Eventually, the interest in the prenatal phase in a transcriptome study may not comprise the period of development in which male and female conceptuses are phenotypically divergent. Therefore, it would be interesting if sex differentiation could be performed using transcriptome data, with no need for extra techniques. In this study, the sex of pig conceptuses (embryos at 25 days-old and fetuses at 35 days-old) was determined by reads counts per million (CPM) of Y chromosome-linked genes that were discrepant among samples. Thus, ten genes were used: DDX3Y, KDM5D, ZFY, EIF2S3Y, EIF1AY, LOC110255320, LOC110257894, LOC396706, LOC100625207, and LOC110255257. Conceptuses that presented reads CPM sum for these genes (ΣCPMchrY) greater than 400 were classified as males and those with ΣCPMchrY below 2 were classified as females. It was demonstrated that the sex identification can be performed at early stages of pig development from RNA-sequencing analysis of genes mapped on Y chromosome. Additionally, these results reinforce that sex determination is a mechanism conserved across mammals, highlighting the importance of using pigs as an animal model to study sex determination during human prenatal development.
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16
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Schilit SLP. Recent advances and future opportunities to diagnose male infertility. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2019; 11:331-341. [PMID: 31853232 PMCID: PMC6919557 DOI: 10.1007/s11930-019-00225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Infertility affects 10-15% of couples, making it one of the most frequent health disorders for individuals of reproductive age. The state of childlessness and efforts to restore fertility cause substantial emotional, social, and financial stress on couples. Male factors contribute to about half of all infertility cases, and yet are understudied relative to female factors. The result is that the majority of men with infertility lack specific causal diagnoses, which serves as a missed opportunity to inform therapies for these couples. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we describe current standards for diagnosing male infertility and the various interventions offered to men in response to differential diagnoses. We then discuss recent advances in the field of genetics to identify novel etiologies for formerly unexplained infertility. SUMMARY With a specific genetic diagnosis, male factors can be addressed with appropriate reproductive counseling and with potential access to assisted reproductive technologies to improve chances of a healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. P. Schilit
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Leder Human Biology and Translational Medicine Program,
Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School Genetics Training Program, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Xie C, Ping P, Ma Y, Wu Z, Chen X. Correlation between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism and oligoasthenospermia and the effects of folic acid supplementation on semen quality. Transl Androl Urol 2019; 8:678-685. [PMID: 32038964 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2019.11.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The present study investigated the correlation between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and oligoasthenospermia, as well as the effects of folic acid supplementation on semen quality. Methods The present study was a case control study. The PCR-chip assay was applied to analyze the distribution characteristics of the frequencies and genotypes of the MTHFR C677T allele in 167 Han Chinese patients with idiopathic male infertility (including 86 patients with oligospermia and 81 patients with asthenospermia) and in 78 males with normal semen parameters. Moreover, homocysteine (Hcy) levels were assessed for the different groups. Semen quality was measured following three months of folic acid supplementation for the oligospermia and asthenospermia groups. Results The cytosine-thymine (CT) genotype (50% vs. 39.5%) and the thymine-thymine (TT) genotype (51.2% vs. 7.7%) carriers in the oligospermia group exhibited significantly higher percentages compared with those of the control group. The percentage of the CT genotype carriers in the asthenospermia group was significantly higher compared with that of the control group (59.3% vs. 50%), while the frequency of the TT genotype was significantly increased (22.2% vs. 7.7%). Furthermore, serum Hcy levels in the oligospermia and asthenospermia groups were significantly higher compared with those of the control group. The data also demonstrated that sperm density increased significantly following three months of folic acid supplementation to patients with oligospermia or asthenospermia. In these patients, the highest increase was noted for the subjects carrying the TT genotype. Conclusions The MTHFR C677T mutation and the elevated Hcy levels are important risk factors for the development of oligoasthenospermia. Folic acid supplementation can significantly improve sperm density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Xie
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Key laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ping Ping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Zhengmu Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Key laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xiangfeng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai 200135, China
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18
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Guerri G, Maniscalchi T, Barati S, Busetto GM, Del Giudice F, De Berardinis E, Cannarella R, Calogero AE, Bertelli M. Non-syndromic monogenic male infertility. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2019; 90:62-67. [PMID: 31577257 PMCID: PMC7233647 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v90i10-s.8762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a widespread clinical problem affecting 8-12% of couples worldwide. Of these, about 30% are diagnosed with idiopathic infertility since no causative factor is found. Overall 40-50% of cases are due to male reproductive defects. Numerical or structural chromosome abnormalities have long been associated with male infertility. Monogenic mutations have only recently been addressed in the pathogenesis of this condition. Mutations of specific genes involved in meiosis, mitosis or spermiohistogenesis result in spermatogenic failure, leading to the following anomalies: insufficient (oligozoospermia) or no (azoospermia) sperm production, limited progressive and/or total sperm motility (asthenozoospermia), altered sperm morphology (teratozoospermia), or combinations thereof. Androgen insensitivity, causing hormonal and sexual impairment in males with normal karyotype, also affects male fertility. The genetic causes of non-syndromic monogenic of male infertility are summarized in this article and a gene panel is proposed. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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19
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Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition affecting approximately 7% of the male population. The genetic landscape of male infertility is highly complex as semen and testis histological phenotypes are extremely heterogeneous, and at least 2,000 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. The highest frequency of known genetic factors contributing to male infertility (25%) is in azoospermia, but the number of identified genetic anomalies in other semen and aetiological categories is constantly growing. Genetic screening is relevant for its diagnostic value, clinical decision making, and appropriate genetic counselling. Anomalies in sex chromosomes have major roles in severe spermatogenic impairment. Autosome-linked gene mutations are mainly involved in central hypogonadism, monomorphic teratozoospermia or asthenozoospermia, congenital obstructive azoospermia, and familial cases of quantitative spermatogenic disturbances. Results from whole-genome association studies suggest a marginal role for common variants as causative factors; however, some of these variants can be important for pharmacogenetic purposes. Results of studies on copy number variations (CNVs) demonstrate a considerably higher CNV load in infertile patients than in normozoospermic men, whereas whole-exome analysis has proved to be a highly successful diagnostic tool in familial cases of male infertility. Despite such efforts, the aetiology of infertility remains unknown in about 40% of patients, and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is a major challenge for the field of androgenetics. Large, international, and consortium-based whole-exome and whole-genome studies are the most promising approach for the discovery of the missing genetic aetiology of idiopathic male infertility.
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20
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Kherraf ZE, Cazin C, Coutton C, Amiri-Yekta A, Martinez G, Boguenet M, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Kharouf M, Gourabi H, Hosseini SH, Daneshipour A, Touré A, Thierry-Mieg N, Zouari R, Arnoult C, Ray PF. Whole exome sequencing of men with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella reveals novel homozygous QRICH2 mutations. Clin Genet 2019; 96:394-401. [PMID: 31292949 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Multiple morphological anomalies of the sperm flagella (MMAF syndrome) is a severe male infertility phenotype which has so far been formally linked to the presence of biallelic mutations in nine genes mainly coding for axonemal proteins overexpressed in the sperm flagellum. Homozygous mutations in QRICH2, a gene coding for a protein known to be required for stabilizing proteins involved in sperm flagellum biogenesis, have recently been identified in MMAF patients from two Chinese consanguineous families. Here, in order to better assess the contribution of QRICH2 in the etiology of the MMAF phenotype, we analyzed all QRICH2 variants from whole exome sequencing data of a cohort of 167 MMAF-affected subjects originating from North Africa, Iran, and Europe. We identified a total of 14 potentially deleterious variants in 18 unrelated individuals. Two unrelated subjects, representing 1% of the cohort, carried a homozygous loss-of-function variant: c.3501C>G [p.Tyr1167Ter] and c.4614C>G [p.Tyr1538Ter], thus confirming the implication of QRICH2 in the MMAF phenotype and human male infertility. Sixteen MMAF patients (9.6%) carried a heterozygous QRICH2 potentially deleterious variant. This rate was comparable to what was observed in a control group (15.5%) suggesting that the presence of QRICH2 heterozygous variants is not associated with MMAF syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Cazin
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM de Génétique Chromosomique, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Amir Amiri-Yekta
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM de Génétique Chromosomique, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Magalie Boguenet
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Mahmoud Kharouf
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hamid Gourabi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Hanieh Hosseini
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Daneshipour
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aminata Touré
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,UMR8104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.,Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Raoudha Zouari
- Polyclinique les Jasmins, Centre d'Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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21
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Kumar K, Trzybulska D, Tsatsanis C, Giwercman A, Almstrup K. Identification of circulating small non-coding RNAs in relation to male subfertility and reproductive hormones. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 492:110443. [PMID: 31077744 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Male subfertility is often associated with sub-optimal health status and traditional semen and hormone analysis reveal only limited information about the reduced fertility potential. Circulating small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are paracrine and endocrine messengers, with prognostic potential. Here, we utilised small RNA-Seq to identify novel cell-free circulating sncRNAs that could act as potential biomarkers of male subfertility. We analysed sera from twelve subfertile men and four controls. The subfertile men were further sub-divided into the three groups based on reproductive hormone levels: group 1 (n = 4): hormone levels similar to the controls, group 2 (n = 4) showing elevated FSH levels, and group 3 (n = 4) with low total testosterone (TT). Total RNA was extracted from serum and sequenced to identify miRNAs and piRNAs. Selected sncRNAs were qPCR validated in a larger and independent cohort of subfertile men (n = 57) and normozoospermic controls (n = 19). RNA-Seq resulted in the identification of 1123 and 330 circulating miRNAs and piRNAs, respectively. Several miRNAs and piRNAs were differentially (p = 0.05) present between controls and subfertile men. Subfertile men with low TT appeared to have a distinct sncRNA profile, compared to group 1 and 2. Validation of two miRNAs (hsa-miR-542-5p and hsa-let-7i-3p) and one piRNA (hsa-piR-26399) in an independent cohort confirmed a significant difference in circulating levels between subfertile and control men. Enrichment analysis of the putative miRNA targets showed association with steroid biosynthesis pathway highlighting a potential regulatory role of these miRNAs. We propose that circulating sncRNAs may represent new important functional biomarkers in male reproductive endocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishlay Kumar
- Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorota Trzybulska
- Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christos Tsatsanis
- Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aleksander Giwercman
- Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Reproductive Medicine Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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22
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Kui F, Ye H, Chen XL, Zhang J. Microarray meta-analysis identifies candidate genes for human spermatogenic arrest. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13301. [PMID: 31037746 DOI: 10.1111/and.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately half of couples who have difficulty becoming pregnant, and its prevalence is continuously rising. Many studies have been performed using animal testes to reveal the mechanisms of male infertility, but few studies have investigated human testes due to various limitations. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression profile of impaired human testes through a meta-analysis of microarray data sets, which was accomplished by using 178 human testis samples and 7 microarray data sets. Impaired testes were categorised into four pathological phenotypes or the normal phenotype based on their Johnsen score. Then, a meta-analysis was performed to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each phenotype. The DEGs were used in a subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Our results identified several novel hub genes and pathways and suggested that G1 mitotic cell cycle arrest was a remarkable feature in pre-meiotic arrest. Furthermore, fifteen p53-interacting proteins, such as ABL1 and HDAC2, whose roles in spermatogenesis have not been well characterised, were selected from the DEGs through a strict screening procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Kui
- Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Ye
- Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi-Ling Chen
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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23
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Nsota Mbango JF, Coutton C, Arnoult C, Ray PF, Touré A. Genetic causes of male infertility: snapshot on morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagellum. Basic Clin Androl 2019; 29:2. [PMID: 30867909 PMCID: PMC6398242 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-019-0083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility due to Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the sperm Flagella (MMAF), is characterized by nearly total asthenozoospermia due to the presence of a mosaic of sperm flagellar anomalies, which corresponds to short, angulated, absent flagella and flagella of irregular calibre. In the last four years, 7 novel genes whose mutations account for 45% of a cohort of 78 MMAF individuals were identified: DNAH1, CFAP43, CFAP44, CFAP69, FSIP2, WDR66 (CFAP251), AK7. This successful outcome results from the efficient combination of high-throughput sequencing technologies together with robust and complementary approaches for functional validation, in vitro, and in vivo using the mouse and unicellular model organisms such as the flagellated parasite T. brucei. Importantly, these genes are distinct from genes responsible for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), an autosomal recessive disease associated with both respiratory cilia and sperm flagellum defects, and their mutations therefore exclusively lead to male infertility. In the future, these genetic findings will definitely improve the diagnosis efficiency of male infertility and might provide genotype-phenotype correlations, which could be helpful for the prognosis of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) performed with sperm from MMAF patients. In addition, functional study of these novel genes should improve our knowledge about the protein networks and molecular mechanisms involved in mammalian sperm flagellum structure and beating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Fabrice Nsota Mbango
- 1INSERMU1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, 75014 Paris, France.,2Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, 75014 Paris, France.,3Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Institut for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France.,5CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Institut for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Institut for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, 38000 Grenoble, France.,CHU de Grenoble, UM GI-DPI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Aminata Touré
- 1INSERMU1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, 75014 Paris, France.,2Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, 75014 Paris, France.,3Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
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24
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Nakamura S, Kobori Y, Ueda Y, Tanaka Y, Ishikawa H, Yoshida A, Katsumi M, Saito K, Nakamura A, Ogata T, Okada H, Nakai H, Miyado M, Fukami M. STX2 is a causative gene for nonobstructive azoospermia. Hum Mutat 2018; 39:830-833. [PMID: 29570232 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
STX2 encodes a sulfoglycolipid transporter. Although Stx2 nullizygosity is known to cause spermatogenic failure in mice, STX2 mutations have not been identified in humans. Here, we performed STX2 mutation analysis for 131 Japanese men clinically diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia. As a result, we identified a homozygous frameshift mutation [c.8_12delACCGG, p.(Asp3Alafs*8)] in one patient. The mutation-positive patient exhibited loss-of-heterozygosity for 58.4 Mb genomic regions involving STX2, suggesting possible parental consanguinity. The patient showed azoospermia, relatively small testes, and a mildly elevated follicle stimulating hormone level, but no additional clinical features. Testicular histology of the patient showed universal maturation arrest and multinucleated spermatocytes, which have also been observed in mice lacking Stx2. PCR-based cDNA screening revealed wildtype STX2 expression in various tissues including the testis. Our results indicate that STX2 nullizygosity results in nonsyndromic maturation arrest with multinucleated spermatocytes, and accounts for a small fraction of cases with nonobstructive azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Kobori
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Ueda
- Department of Pathology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - Yoko Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ishikawa
- Reproduction Center, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | | | - Momori Katsumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Saito
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akie Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Okada
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - Hideo Nakai
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Mami Miyado
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Dong FN, Amiri-Yekta A, Martinez G, Saut A, Tek J, Stouvenel L, Lorès P, Karaouzène T, Thierry-Mieg N, Satre V, Brouillet S, Daneshipour A, Hosseini SH, Bonhivers M, Gourabi H, Dulioust E, Arnoult C, Touré A, Ray PF, Zhao H, Coutton C. Absence of CFAP69 Causes Male Infertility due to Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Flagella in Human and Mouse. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:636-648. [PMID: 29606301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) phenotype is among the most severe forms of sperm defects responsible for male infertility. The phenotype is characterized by the presence in the ejaculate of immotile spermatozoa with severe flagellar abnormalities including flagella being short, coiled, absent, and of irregular caliber. Recent studies have demonstrated that MMAF is genetically heterogeneous, and genes thus far associated with MMAF account for only one-third of cases. Here we report the identification of homozygous truncating mutations (one stop-gain and one splicing variant) in CFAP69 of two unrelated individuals by whole-exome sequencing of a cohort of 78 infertile men with MMAF. CFAP69 encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein found at high levels in the testis. Immunostaining experiments in sperm from fertile control individuals showed that CFAP69 localized to the midpiece of the flagellum, and the absence of CFAP69 was confirmed in both individuals carrying CFPA69 mutations. Additionally, we found that sperm from a Cfap69 knockout mouse model recapitulated the MMAF phenotype. Ultrastructural analysis of testicular sperm from the knockout mice showed severe disruption of flagellum structure, but histological analysis of testes from these mice revealed the presence of all stages of the seminiferous epithelium, indicating that the overall progression of spermatogenesis is preserved and that the sperm defects likely arise during spermiogenesis. Together, our data indicate that CFAP69 is necessary for flagellum assembly/stability and that in both humans and mice, biallelic truncating mutations in CFAP69 cause autosomal-recessive MMAF and primary male infertility.
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26
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Krausz C, Cioppi F, Riera-Escamilla A. Testing for genetic contributions to infertility: potential clinical impact. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018. [PMID: 29540081 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1453358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Male infertility affects about 7% of the general male population, and it is a multifactorial, polygenic pathological condition. Known genetic factors, accounting for about 20-25% of male factor infertility, are present in each etiological category: i) hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction; ii) quantitative and qualitative alterations of spermatogenesis; iii) ductal obstruction/dysfunction. Areas covered: All routinely available genetic tests are described. Indication for testing for chromosomal anomalies and Y chromosome microdeletions is based on sperm count (severe oligozoospermia/azoospermia). Mutation screening in candidate genes is indicated in specific semen/testis phenotypes. In about 40% of infertile patients, the aetiology remains unknown ('idiopathic cases') and whole exome sequencing may reveal novel genetic causes. Expert commentary: Genetic testing is essential for its relevance in clinical decision-making. For instance, it helps to avoid unnecessary surgical or medical treatments and it may provide prediction for testicular sperm retrieval. The highest frequency of genetic anomalies is observed in severe spermatogenic impairment, which can be treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Given the risk of transmitting genetic disorders to the future offspring through IVF, the diagnosis of known and the discovery of novel genetic factors in idiopathic infertility is of outmost clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- a Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences Mario Serio, Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- a Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences Mario Serio, Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- b Andrology Department , Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau) , Barcelona , Spain
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27
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Bracke A, Peeters K, Punjabi U, Hoogewijs D, Dewilde S. A search for molecular mechanisms underlying male idiopathic infertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 36:327-339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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28
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Nakamura S, Miyado M, Saito K, Katsumi M, Nakamura A, Kobori Y, Tanaka Y, Ishikawa H, Yoshida A, Okada H, Hata K, Nakabayashi K, Okamura K, Ogata H, Matsubara Y, Ogata T, Nakai H, Fukami M. Next-generation sequencing for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia: implications for significant roles of monogenic/oligogenic mutations. Andrology 2018; 5:824-831. [PMID: 28718531 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Azoospermia affects up to 1% of adult men. Non-obstructive azoospermia is a multifactorial disorder whose molecular basis remains largely unknown. To date, mutations in several genes and multiple submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) have been identified in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. The aim of this study was to clarify the contribution of nucleotide substitutions in known causative genes and submicroscopic CNVs in the genome to the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. To this end, we conducted sequence analysis of 25 known disease-associated genes using next-generation sequencing and genome-wide copy-number analysis using array-based comparative genomic hybridization. We studied 40 Japanese patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Functional significance of molecular alterations was assessed by in silico analyses. As a result, we identified four putative pathogenic mutations, four rare polymorphisms possibly associated with disease risk, and four probable neutral variants in 10 patients. These sequence alterations included a heterozygous splice site mutation in SOHLH1 and a hemizygous missense substitution in TEX11, which have been reported as causes of non-obstructive azoospermia. Copy-number analysis detected five X chromosomal or autosomal CNVs of unknown clinical significance, in addition to one known pathogenic Y chromosomal microduplication. Five patients carried multiple molecular alterations. The results indicate that monogenic and oligogenic mutations, including those in SOHLH1 and TEX11, account for more than 10% of cases of idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Furthermore, this study suggests possible contributions of substitutions in various genes as well as submicroscopic CNVs on the X chromosome and autosomes to non-obstructive azoospermia, which require further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - M Miyado
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Saito
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Comprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Katsumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of NCCHD Child Health and Development, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Kobori
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - Y Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - H Ishikawa
- Reproduction Center, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - A Yoshida
- Reproduction Center, Kiba Park Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Okada
- Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Japan
| | - K Hata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Nakabayashi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Okamura
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Ogata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Matsubara
- National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Ogata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - H Nakai
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Jichi Medical University, Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan
| | - M Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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29
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Sudhakar DVS, Nizamuddin S, Manisha G, Devi JR, Gupta NJ, Chakravarthy BN, Deenadayal M, Singh L, Thangaraj K. NR5A1 mutations are not associated with male infertility in Indian men. Andrologia 2017; 50. [PMID: 29265478 DOI: 10.1111/and.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
NR5A1 or steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) is an autosomal gene, which encodes a protein that is a member of nuclear receptor family. NR5A1 regulates the transcription of numerous genes that are expressed in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and adrenal cortex which in turn, coordinate the gonadal development, steroidogenesis and sex differentiation. Several mutations in NR5A1 have been reported to cause gonadal dysgenesis with adrenal insufficiency in individuals with 46,XY karyotype. However, studies in the past few years have shown that NR5A1 mutations can also contribute to primary ovarian insufficiency and impaired spermatogenesis. As there is no genetic study on NR5A1 in Indian infertile men, we have sequenced the entire coding region (exons 2-7) of NR5A1 in 502 infertile men of which, 414 were non-obstructive azoospermic and 88 severe oligozoospermic, along with 427 ethnically matched fertile controls. Interestingly, none of the mutations reported to be associated with male infertility were found in our study, except one polymorphism, rs1110061. However, it was not significantly different between infertile and fertile groups (p = .76). In addition, we have identified six intronic variants; but none of them was significantly associated with male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V S Sudhakar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - S Nizamuddin
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - G Manisha
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - J R Devi
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - N J Gupta
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Kolkata, India
| | | | - M Deenadayal
- Infertility Institute and Research Center, Secunderabad, India
| | - L Singh
- Genome Foundation, Hyderabad, India
| | - K Thangaraj
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India
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