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Pimenta JM, Pires VM, Nolasco S, Castelo-Branco P, Marques CC, Apolónio J, Azevedo R, Fernandes MT, Lopes-da-Costa L, Prates J, Pereira RM. Post-transcriptional silencing of Bos taurus prion family genes and its impact on granulosa cell steroidogenesis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 598:95-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Bi Y, Zhang S, Li J, He L, Kang Y, Chen H, Lan X, Pan C. The mRNA expression profile of the goat prion protein testis-specific (PRNT) gene and its associations with litter size. Theriogenology 2021; 165:69-75. [PMID: 33640588 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The goat PRNT gene was initially identified as a testis-specific gene with a role in spermatogenesis. In this study, we used quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to first determine the mRNA expression profile of this gene in different goat tissues. Surprisingly, we found that PRNT was expressed not only in the testis but also in nine other tissues in goats. Moreover, PRNT was weakly expressed in the testis, while its expression was strongest in the ovary. These results, combined with those of other studies, led us to hypothesize that the goat PRNT gene has a role in both male and female reproduction. We further used direct DNA sequencing to detect potential SNPs within this gene in Shaanbei whit cashmere (SBWC) rams and ewes, and identified three SNPs within the PRNT gene, namely, c.-58C > T, c.71A > G (p.Alanine24Valine), and c.102C > T (synonymous). In rams, c.-58C > T and c.102C > T were strongly linked with each other (D' = 1.000, r2 = 0.504), whereas no significant association (P > 0.05) was found between the three SNPs and semen quality, which was consistent with the low expression of the PRNT gene in the testis. Interestingly, in ewes (n = 502), c.-58C > T and c.71A > G were also strongly linked with each other (D' = 0.973, r2 = 0.537). Additionally, the c.71A > G locus, especially the AA genotype, had a significant influence on litter size (P = 0.006), consistent with the high PRNT expression in the ovary. Combined, the results of the expression profiling and analysis of the association between the SNPs and reproductive traits showed that two strongly linked nucleotide sequence variants within PRNT were significantly associated with goat litter size. These findings provide potential DNA markers for use in the marker-assisted selection (MAS) of goats with high-fertility traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Bi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Shaoli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Libang He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Yuxin Kang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Xianyong Lan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Chuanying Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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Pereira RM, Mesquita P, Pires VMR, Baptista MC, Barbas JP, Pimenta J, Horta AEM, Prates JAM, Marques CC. Prion protein testis specific (PRNT) gene polymorphisms and transcript level in ovine spermatozoa: Implications in freezability, fertilization and embryo production. Theriogenology 2018; 115:124-32. [PMID: 29754043 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
An essential role of prion protein testis specific (PRNT) and prion protein 2 dublet (PRND) genes in the male reproductive function has been highlighted, although a deeper knowledge for the mechanisms involved is still lacking. Our goal was to determine the importance of the PRNT haplotypic variants and mRNA expression levels in ovine spermatozoa freezability and ability for fertilization and embryo developmental processes. Their association with the PRND gene polymorphisms was also analyzed. DNA from rams belonging to three Portuguese sheep breeds (n = 28) was screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to identify the PRNT and PRND polymorphisms. Semen collected from these rams was cryopreserved and fertility traits evaluated. The SSCP analyses revealed polymorphisms in the codons 6, 38, 43 and 48 of the PRNT coding region - respectively c.17C > T (p.Ser6Phe, which disrupts a consensus arginine-X-X serine/threonine motif); c.112G > C (p.Gly38 > Arg); and synonymous c.129T > C and c.144A > G. The polymorphisms in codons 6, 38 and 48 occur simultaneously while the one in codon 43 occurs independently. Six haplotypes were identified in the PRNT coding region, resulting in three different amino acid polymorphic variants (6S-38G-43C-48V, S6F-G38R-43C-48V and 6F-38R-43C-48V). The PRNT gene mRNA transcript level in spermatozoa was related to the identified haplotypic variants, either considering the codons 6-38-48 (P ≤ 0.0001) or the codon 43 alone (P ≤ 0.0001) or altogether (P ≤ 0.0001). An interaction between PRNT haplotypes and PRND genotypes on PRNT transcript level was also identified (P = 0.0003). Rams carrying the 17C-112G-144A PRNT haplotype had sperm with the highest post-thawed individual motility (P ≤ 0.03). Combined PRNT and PRND polymorphic variation influenced the post-thawed individual motility (P = 0.01). The male PRNT haplotypic, either considering the codons 6-38-48 and 43 altogether or the codon 43 alone, interfered (P ≤ 0.04) in embryo production rates. In conclusion, our data confirm that the PRNT gene is highly polymorphic in sheep and that the PRNT and PRND genotypes are associated. The identified polymorphisms of PRNT coding region seems to interfere on the ram spermatozoa mRNA transcript level and on male fertility, specifically in sperm freezability and ability for embryo development.
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Ferreira LM, Garcia-Herreros M, Domingos A, Marques CC, Mesquita P, Barbas JP, Baptista MC, Pimenta J, Horta AEM, Prates JAM, Pereira RMLN. Prion protein 2 (dublet) gene (PRND): role in ovine semen capacitation, cryopreservation and fertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:985-997. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the role of Doppel protein in the capacitation process and fertilising ability of both fresh and frozen–thawed (FT) spermatozoa from rams carrying different prion protein 2 (dublet) (PRND) gene polymorphisms. The detection efficacy of new anti-Doppel monoclonal antibodies and PRND mRNA quantification were also explored in ovine spermatozoa. Three different genotypes (AA, GA, GG) were identified for codon 26 of ovine PRND-c.78G>A. Using flow cytometry, a higher fluorescence was detected in fresh compared with FT sperm samples incubated with anti-Doppel primary and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated secondary antibodies (P < 0.05). Capacitation was affected by semen treatment (fresh and FT) and male PRND genotype (P < 0.05). After IVF, the use of fresh semen resulted in a higher cleavage rate than the use of FT spermatozoa (P = 0.004). IVF using spermatozoa from individuals classified as carriers of the AA or GA PRND genotypes resulted in higher cleavage rates than seen using spermatozoa from GG carriers (P ≤ 0.0006). Finally, using semen from rams with the AA PRND genotype resulted in the highest Day 6 and Day 8 embryo rates (P ≤ 0.04). In conclusion, the results of the present study confirm that the identification of different PRND genotypes is important for studying the sperm capacitation process and for improving sperm cryoresistance and embryo production. Furthermore, the detection of Doppel in ejaculated ovine spermatozoa, along with its low expression after cryopreservation, strongly suggests an important physiological function of this protein in male fertility.
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Mesquita P, Garcia V, Marques MR, Santos Silva F, Oliveira Sousa MC, Carolino I, Pimenta J, Fontes CMGA, Horta AEM, Prates JAM, Pereira RM. The prion-related protein (testis-specific)
gene (PRNT
) is highly polymorphic in Portuguese sheep. Anim Genet 2015; 47:128-32. [DOI: 10.1111/age.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Mesquita
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
| | - V. Garcia
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
| | - M. R. Marques
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
| | - F. Santos Silva
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
| | | | - I. Carolino
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
| | - J. Pimenta
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
| | - C. M. G. A. Fontes
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
| | - A. E. M. Horta
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
| | - J. A. M. Prates
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
| | - R. M. Pereira
- INIAV; Quinta da Fonte Boa; 2005-048 Vale de Santarém Portugal
- CIISA; ULisboa; Avenida da Universidade Técnica; 1300-477 Lisboa Portugal
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Abstract
The prion-gene family comprises four members named PRNP (PRPc), PRND (Doppel), PRNT (PRT), and SPRN (Shadoo). According to species, PRND is located 16–52 kb downstream from the PRNP locus, whereas SPRN is located on another chromosome. The fourth prion-family gene, PRNT, belongs to the same genomic cluster as PRNP and PRND in humans and bovidae. PRNT and PRND possibly resulted from a duplication event of PRND and PRNP, respectively, that occurred early during eutherian species divergence. Although most of the studies concerning the prion-family has been done on PRPc and its involvement in transmissible neurodegenerative disorders, different works report some potential roles of these proteins in the reproductive function of both sexes. Among them, a clear role of PRND, that encodes for the Doppel protein, in male fertility has been demonstrated through gene targeting studies in mice. In other species, Doppel seems to play a role in testis and ovary development but its cellular localization is variable according to the gonadal developmental stage and to the mammalian species considered. For the other three genes, their roles in reproductive function appear ill-defined and/or controversial. The present review aimed to synthesize all the available data on these prion-family members and their relations with reproductive processes, mainly in the gonad of both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Allais-Bonnet
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198, Biologie du Développement et Reproduction Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198, Biologie du Développement et Reproduction Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Qin K, Ding T, Xiao Y, Ma W, Wang Z, Gao J, Zhao L. Differential responses of neuronal and spermatogenic cells to the doppel cytotoxicity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82130. [PMID: 24339999 PMCID: PMC3858285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although structurally and biochemically similar to the cellular prion (PrP(C)), doppel (Dpl) is unique in its biological functions. There are no reports about any neurodegenerative diseases induced by Dpl. However the artificial expression of Dpl in the PrP-deficient mouse brain causes ataxia with Purkinje cell death. Abundant Dpl proteins have been found in testis and depletion of the Dpl gene (Prnd) causes male infertility. Therefore, we hypothesize different regulations of Prnd in the nerve and male productive systems. In this study, by electrophoretic mobility shift assays we have determined that two different sets of transcription factors are involved in regulation of the Prnd promoter in mouse neuronal N2a and GC-1 spermatogenic (spg) cells, i.e., upstream stimulatory factors (USF) in both cells, Brn-3 and Sp1 in GC-1 spg cells, and Sp3 in N2a cells, leading to the expression of Dpl in GC-1 spg but not in N2a cells. We have further defined that, in N2a cells, Dpl induces oxidative stress and apoptosis, which stimulate ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-modulating bindings of transcription factors, p53 and p21, to Prnp promoter, resulting the PrP(C) elevation for counteraction of the Dpl cytotoxicity; in contrast, in GC-1 spg cells, phosphorylation of p21 and N-terminal truncated PrP may play roles in the control of Dpl-induced apoptosis, which may benefit the physiological function of Dpl in the male reproduction system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefeng Qin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Technology and Application of Model Organisms, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Microbiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tianbing Ding
- Department of Microbiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Microbiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenyu Ma
- Department of Microbiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Technology and Application of Model Organisms, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jimin Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Technology and Application of Model Organisms, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lili Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Technology and Application of Model Organisms, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Pimenta J, Domingos A, Santos P, Marques CC, Cantante C, Santos A, Barbas JP, Baptista MC, Horta AEM, Viegas A, Mesquita P, Gonçalves J, Fontes CA, Prates JAM, Pereira RMLN. Is prnt a pseudogene? Identification of ram Prt in testis and ejaculated spermatozoa. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42957. [PMID: 22937002 PMCID: PMC3427297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopaties is the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)), expressed by the prion gene (prnp), into an abnormally folded isoform (PrP(Sc)) with amyloid-like features that causes scrapie in sheep among other diseases. prnp together with prnd (which encodes a prion-like protein designated as Doppel), and prnt (that encodes the prion protein testis specific--Prt) with sprn (shadow of prion protein gene, that encodes Shadoo or Sho) genes, constitute the "prion gene complex". Whereas a role for prnd in the proper functioning of male reproductive system has been confirmed, the function of prnt, a recently discovered prion family gene, comprises a conundrum leading to the assumption that ruminant prnt is a pseudogene with no protein expression. The main objective of the present study was to identify Prt localization in the ram reproductive system and simultaneously to elucidate if ovine prnt gene is transcribed into protein-coding RNA. Moreover, as Prt is a prnp-related protein, the amyloid propensity was also tested for ovine and caprine Prt. Recombinant Prt was used to immunize BALB/c mice, and the anti-Prt polyclonal antibody (APPA) immune response was evaluated by ELISA and Western Blot. When tested by indirect immunofluorescence, APPA showed high avidity to the ram sperm head apical ridge subdomain, before and after induced capacitation, but did not show the same behavior against goat spermatozoa, suggesting high antibody specificity against ovine-Prt. Prt was also found in the testis when assayed by immunohistochemistry during ram spermatogenesis, where spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa, stained positive. These observations strongly suggest ovine prnt to be a translated protein-coding gene, pointing to a role for Prt protein in the ram reproductive physiology. Besides, caprine Prt appears to exhibit a higher amyloid propensity than ovine Prt, mostly associated with its phenylalanine residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Pimenta
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Domingos
- IHMT-CMDT – Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Centro de Malária e Doenças Tropicais, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Santos
- Hospital Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla C. Marques
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - Cátia Cantante
- Unidade de Retrovírus e Infecções Associadas (URIA), ADEIM-Centro de Patogénese Molecular/Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Santos
- Unidade de Retrovírus e Infecções Associadas (URIA), ADEIM-Centro de Patogénese Molecular/Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João P. Barbas
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - Maria C. Baptista
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - António E. M. Horta
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - Aldino Viegas
- REQUIMTE/CQFB Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Mesquita
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - João Gonçalves
- Unidade de Retrovírus e Infecções Associadas (URIA), ADEIM-Centro de Patogénese Molecular/Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos A. Fontes
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José A. M. Prates
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rosa M. L. N. Pereira
- Unidade de Recursos Genéticos, Reprodução e Melhoramento Animal, Instituto Nacional dos Recursos Biológicos (INRB) L-INIA Santarém, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
- Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Coimbra, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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