1
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Luna-Arias JP, Castro-Muñozledo F. Participation of the TBP-associated factors (TAFs) in cell differentiation. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31167. [PMID: 38126142 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of the mechanisms that regulate gene expression to establish differentiation programs and determine cell lineages, is one of the major challenges in Developmental Biology. Besides the participation of tissue-specific transcription factors and epigenetic processes, the role of general transcription factors has been ignored. Only in recent years, there have been scarce studies that address this issue. Here, we review the studies on the biological activity of some TATA-box binding protein (TBP)-associated factors (TAFs) during the proliferation of stem/progenitor cells and their involvement in cell differentiation. Particularly, the accumulated evidence suggests that TAF4, TAF4b, TAF7L, TAF8, TAF9, and TAF10, among others, participate in nervous system development, adipogenesis, myogenesis, and epidermal differentiation; while TAF1, TAF7, TAF15 may be involved in the regulation of stem cell proliferative abilities and cell cycle progression. On the other hand, evidence suggests that TBP variants such as TBPL1 and TBPL2 might be regulating some developmental processes such as germ cell maturation and differentiation, myogenesis, or ventral specification during development. Our analysis shows that it is necessary to study in greater depth the biological function of these factors and its participation in the assembly of specific transcription complexes that contribute to the differential gene expression that gives rise to the great diversity of cell types existing in an organism. The understanding of TAFs' regulation might lead to the development of new therapies for patients which suffer from mutations, alterations, and dysregulation of these essential elements of the transcriptional machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, México City, Mexico
| | - Federico Castro-Muñozledo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, México City, Mexico
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2
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Bhat SA, Malla AB, Oddi V, Sen J, Bhandari R. Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 is essential for cell junction integrity in the mouse seminiferous epithelium. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119596. [PMID: 37742721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) are enzymes that catalyse the synthesis of the inositol pyrophosphate 5-IP7 which is involved in the regulation of many physiological processes in mammals. The IP6K paralog IP6K1 is expressed at high levels in the mammalian testis, and its deletion leads to sterility in male mice. Here, we show that the loss of IP6K1 in mice causes a delay in the first wave of spermatogenesis. Testes from juvenile Ip6k1 knockout mice show downregulation of transcripts that are involved in cell adhesion and formation of the testis-specific inter-Sertoli cell impermeable junction complex known as the blood-testis barrier (BTB). We demonstrate that loss of IP6K1 in the mouse testis causes BTB disruption associated with transcriptional misregulation of the tight junction protein claudin 3, and subcellular mislocalization of the gap junction protein connexin 43. In addition to BTB disruption, we also observe a loss of germ cell adhesion in the seminiferous epithelium of Ip6k1 knockout mice, ultimately resulting in premature sloughing of round spermatids into the epididymis. Mechanistically, we show that loss of IP6K1 in the testis enhances cofilin dephosphorylation in conjunction with increased AKT/ERK and integrin signalling, resulting in destabilization of the actin-based cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells and germ cell loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ahmed Bhat
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India
| | - Aushaq Bashir Malla
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India; Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Vineesha Oddi
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India
| | - Jayraj Sen
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India; Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Rashna Bhandari
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, India.
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3
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Quinn EB, Hsiao CJ, Maisha FM, Mulligan CJ. Prenatal maternal stress is associated with site-specific and age acceleration changes in maternal and newborn DNA methylation. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2222473. [PMID: 37300821 PMCID: PMC10259347 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2222473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stress has a negative impact on child health but the mechanisms through which maternal stress affects child health are unclear. Epigenetic variation, such as DNA methylation, is a likely mechanistic candidate as DNA methylation is sensitive to environmental insults and can regulate long-term changes in gene expression. We recruited 155 mother-newborn dyads in the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the effects of maternal stress on DNA methylation in mothers and newborns. We used four measures of maternal stress to capture a range of stressful experiences: general trauma, sexual trauma, war trauma, and chronic stress. We identified differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with general trauma, sexual trauma, and war trauma in both mothers and newborns. No DMPs were associated with chronic stress. Sexual trauma was positively associated with epigenetic age acceleration across several epigenetic clocks in mothers. General trauma and war trauma were positively associated with newborn epigenetic age acceleration using the extrinsic epigenetic age clock. We tested the top DMPs for enrichment of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHS) and found no enrichment in mothers. In newborns, top DMPs associated with war trauma were enriched for DHS in embryonic and foetal cell types. Finally, one of the top DMPs associated with war trauma in newborns also predicted birthweight, completing the cycle from maternal stress to DNA methylation to newborn health outcome. Our results indicate that maternal stress is associated with site-specific changes in DNAm and epigenetic age acceleration in both mothers and newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B. Quinn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chu J. Hsiao
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Felicien M. Maisha
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Democratic Republic of Congo, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, USA
- Democratic Republic of Congo, Maisha Institute, Goma, USA
| | - Connie J. Mulligan
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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4
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Felício D, du Mérac TR, Amorim A, Martins S. Functional implications of paralog genes in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1651-1676. [PMID: 37845370 PMCID: PMC10676324 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02607-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise a group of autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by (CAG/CAA)n expansions. The elongated stretches of adjacent glutamines alter the conformation of the native proteins inducing neurotoxicity, and subsequent motor and neurological symptoms. Although the etiology and neuropathology of most polyQ SCAs have been extensively studied, only a limited selection of therapies is available. Previous studies on SCA1 demonstrated that ATXN1L, a human duplicated gene of the disease-associated ATXN1, alleviated neuropathology in mice models. Other SCA-associated genes have paralogs (i.e., copies at different chromosomal locations derived from duplication of the parental gene), but their functional relevance and potential role in disease pathogenesis remain unexplored. Here, we review the protein homology, expression pattern, and molecular functions of paralogs in seven polyQ dominant ataxias-SCA1, SCA2, MJD/SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA17, and DRPLA. Besides ATXN1L, we highlight ATXN2L, ATXN3L, CACNA1B, ATXN7L1, ATXN7L2, TBPL2, and RERE as promising functional candidates to play a role in the neuropathology of the respective SCA, along with the parental gene. Although most of these duplicates lack the (CAG/CAA)n region, if functionally redundant, they may compensate for a partial loss-of-function or dysfunction of the wild-type genes in SCAs. We aim to draw attention to the hypothesis that paralogs of disease-associated genes may underlie the complex neuropathology of dominant ataxias and potentiate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Felício
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tanguy Rubat du Mérac
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - António Amorim
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Martins
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
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5
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Navarrete-López P, Maroto M, Pericuesta E, Fernández-González R, Lombó M, Ramos-Ibeas P, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Loss of the importin Kpna2 causes infertility in male mice by disrupting the translocation of testis-specific transcription factors. iScience 2023; 26:107134. [PMID: 37456838 PMCID: PMC10338237 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Karyopherins mediate the movement between the nucleus and cytoplasm of specific proteins in diverse cellular processes. Through a loss-of-function approach, we here examine the role of Karyopherin Subunit Alpha 2 (Kpna2) in spermatogenesis. Knockout male mice exhibited reduced body size and sperm motility, increased sperm abnormalities, and led to the dysregulation of testis gene expression and ultimately to infertility. Impaired mRNA expression mainly affected clusters of genes expressed in spermatids and spermatocytes. Downregulated genes included a set of genes that participate in cell adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. We detected both the enrichment of some transcription factors that bind to regions around transcription start sites of downregulated genes and the impaired transport of specific factors to the nucleus of spermatid cells. We propose that Kpna2 is essential in the seminiferous tubules for promoting the translocation of testis-specific transcription factors that control the expression of genes related to ECM organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Maroto
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Lombó
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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6
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Zhao Y, Li XN, Zhang H, Cui JG, Wang JX, Chen MS, Li JL. Phthalate-induced testosterone/androgen receptor pathway disorder on spermatogenesis and antagonism of lycopene. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129689. [PMID: 36104915 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility is an attracting growing concern owing to decline in sperm quality of men worldwide. Phthalates, in particular to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or its main metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), affect male reproductive development and function, which mainly accounts for reduction in male fertility. Lycopene (LYC) is a natural antioxidant agent that has been recognized as a possible therapeutic option for treating male infertility. Testosterone (T)/androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is involved in maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. How DEHP causes spermatogenesis disturbance and whether LYC could prevent DEHP-induced male reproductive toxicity have remained unclear. Using in vivo and vitro approaches, we demonstrated that DEHP caused T biosynthesis reduction in Leydig cell and secretory function disorder in Sertoli cell, and thereby resulted in spermatogenic impairment. Results also showed that MEHP caused mitochondrial damage and oxidative damage, which imposes a serious threat to the progress of spermatogenesis. However, LYC supplement reversed these changes. Mechanistically, DEHP contributed to male infertility via perturbing T/AR signaling pathway during spermatogenesis. Overall, our study reveals critical role for T/AR signal transduction in male fertility and provides promising insights into the protective role of LYC in phthalate-induced male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Xue-Nan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jia-Gen Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Ming-Shan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jin-Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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7
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Role of the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) and associated family members in transcription regulation. Gene X 2022; 833:146581. [PMID: 35597524 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The assembly of transcription complexes on eukaryotic promoters involves a series of steps, including chromatin remodeling, recruitment of TATA-binding protein (TBP)-containing complexes, the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme, and additional basal transcription factors. This review describes the transcriptional regulation by TBP and its corresponding homologs that constitute the TBP family and their interactions with promoter DNA. The C-terminal core domain of TBP is highly conserved and contains two structural repeats that fold into a saddle-like structure, essential for the interaction with the TATA-box on DNA. Based on the TBP C-terminal core domain similarity, three TBP-related factors (TRFs) or TBP-like factors (TBPLs) have been discovered in metazoans, TRF1, TBPL1, and TBPL2. TBP is autoregulated, and once bound to DNA, repressors such as Mot1 induce TBP to dissociate, while other factors such as NC2 and the NOT complex convert the active TBP/DNA complex into inactive, negatively regulating TBP. TFIIA antagonizes the TBP repressors but may be effective only in conjunction with the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme recruitment to the promoter by promoter-bound activators. TRF1 has been discovered inDrosophila melanogasterandAnophelesbut found absent in vertebrates and yeast. TBPL1 cannot bind to the TATA-box; instead, TBPL1 prefers binding to TATA-less promoters. However, TBPL1 shows a stronger association with TFIIA than TBP. The TCT core promoter element is present in most ribosomal protein genes inDrosophilaand humans, and TBPL1 is required for the transcription of these genes. TBP directly participates in the DNA repair mechanism, and TBPL1 mediates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. TBPL2 is closely related to its TBP paralog, showing 95% sequence similarity with the TBP core domain. Like TBP, TBPL2 also binds to the TATA-box and shows interactions with TFIIA, TFIIB, and other basal transcription factors. Despite these advances, much remains to be explored in this family of transcription factors.
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8
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Yu C, Cvetesic N, Hisler V, Gupta K, Ye T, Gazdag E, Negroni L, Hajkova P, Berger I, Lenhard B, Müller F, Vincent SD, Tora L. TBPL2/TFIIA complex establishes the maternal transcriptome through oocyte-specific promoter usage. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6439. [PMID: 33353944 PMCID: PMC7755920 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
During oocyte growth, transcription is required to create RNA and protein reserves to achieve maternal competence. During this period, the general transcription factor TATA binding protein (TBP) is replaced by its paralogue, TBPL2 (TBP2 or TRF3), which is essential for RNA polymerase II transcription. We show that in oocytes TBPL2 does not assemble into a canonical TFIID complex. Our transcript analyses demonstrate that TBPL2 mediates transcription of oocyte-expressed genes, including mRNA survey genes, as well as specific endogenous retroviral elements. Transcription start site (TSS) mapping indicates that TBPL2 has a strong preference for TATA-like motif in core promoters driving sharp TSS selection, in contrast with canonical TBP/TFIID-driven TATA-less promoters that have broader TSS architecture. Thus, we show a role for the TBPL2/TFIIA complex in the establishment of the oocyte transcriptome by using a specific TSS recognition code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwei Yu
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Nevena Cvetesic
- Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Vincent Hisler
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Kapil Gupta
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Tao Ye
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Emese Gazdag
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Luc Negroni
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Petra Hajkova
- Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Imre Berger
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Boris Lenhard
- Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ferenc Müller
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Stéphane D Vincent
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France.
| | - László Tora
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France.
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9
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Miyamoto Y, Sasaki M, Miyata H, Monobe Y, Nagai M, Otani M, Whiley PAF, Morohoshi A, Oki S, Matsuda J, Akagi KI, Adachi J, Okabe M, Ikawa M, Yoneda Y, Loveland KL, Oka M. Genetic loss of importin α4 causes abnormal sperm morphology and impacts on male fertility in mouse. FASEB J 2020; 34:16224-16242. [PMID: 33058343 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000768rr] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Importin α proteins play a central role in the transport of cargo from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In this study, we observed that male knock-out mice for importin α4, which is encoded by the Kpna4 gene (Kpna4-/- ), were subfertile and yielded smaller litter sizes than those of wild-type (WT) males. In contrast, mice lacking the closely related importin α3 (Kpna3-/- ) were fertile. In vitro fertilization and sperm motility assays demonstrated that sperm from Kpna4-/- mice had significantly reduced quality and motility. In addition, acrosome reaction was also impaired in Kpna4-/- mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed striking defects, including abnormal head morphology and multiple axoneme structures in the flagella of Kpna4-/- mice. A five-fold increase in the frequency of abnormalities in Kpna4-/- mice compared to WT mice indicates the functional importance of importin α4 in normal sperm development. Moreover, Nesprin-2, which is a component of the linker of nucleus and cytoskeleton complex, was expressed at lower levels in sperm from Kpna4-/- mice and was localized with abnormal axonemes, suggesting incorrect formation of the nuclear membrane-cytoskeleton structure during spermiogenesis. Proteomics analysis of Kpna4-/- testis showed significantly altered expression of proteins related to sperm formation, which provided evidence that genetic loss of importin α4 perturbed chromatin status. Collectively, these findings indicate that importin α4 is critical for establishing normal sperm morphology in mice, providing new insights into male germ cell development by highlighting the requirement of importin α4 for normal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuho Sasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoko Monobe
- Section of Laboratory Equipment, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayumi Otani
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Penny A F Whiley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinya Oki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junichiro Matsuda
- Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Akagi
- Section of Laboratory Equipment, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteome Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Masahiro Oka
- Laboratory of Nuclear Transport Dynamics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
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10
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TATA box-binding protein-related factor 3 drives the mesendoderm specification of human embryonic stem cells by globally interacting with the TATA box of key mesendodermal genes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:196. [PMID: 32448362 PMCID: PMC7245780 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01711-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesendodermal formation during early gastrulation requires the expression of lineage-specific genes, while the regulatory mechanisms during this process have not yet been fully illustrated. TATA box-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-like factors are general transcription factors responsible for the transcription initiation by recruiting the preinitiation complex to promoter regions. However, the role of TBP family members in the regulation of mesendodermal specification remains largely unknown. METHODS We used an in vitro mesendodermal differentiation system of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), combining with the microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, loss of function and gain of function to determine the function of the TBP family member TBP-related factor 3 (TRF3) during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and biochemistry analysis were used to determine the binding of TRF3 to the promoter region of key mesendodermal genes. RESULTS The mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs was confirmed by the microarray gene expression profile, qRT-PCR, and immunocytochemical staining. The expression of TRF3 mRNA was enhanced during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. The TRF3 deficiency did not affect the pluripotent marker expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and cell cycle distribution of undifferentiated hESCs or the expression of early neuroectodermal genes during neuroectodermal differentiation. During the mesendodermal differentiation, the expression of pluripotency markers decreased in both wild-type and TRF3 knockout (TRF3-/-) cells, while the TRF3 deficiency crippled the expression of the mesendodermal markers. The reintroduction of TRF3 into the TRF3-/- hESCs rescued inhibited mesendodermal differentiation. Mechanistically, the TRF3 binding profile was significantly shifted to the mesendodermal specification during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs based on the ChIP-seq data. Moreover, ChIP and ChIP-qPCR analysis showed that TRF3 was enriched at core promoter regions of mesendodermal developmental genes, EOMESODERMIN, BRACHYURY, mix paired-like homeobox, and GOOSECOID homeobox, during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal that the TBP family member TRF3 is dispensable in the undifferentiated hESCs and the early neuroectodermal differentiation. However, it directs mesendodermal lineage commitment of hESCs via specifically promoting the transcription of key mesendodermal transcription factors. These findings provide new insights into the function and mechanisms of the TBP family member in hESC early lineage specification.
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Gustafson EA, Seymour KA, Sigrist K, Rooij DGDE, Freiman RN. ZFP628 Is a TAF4b-Interacting Transcription Factor Required for Mouse Spermiogenesis. Mol Cell Biol 2020; 40:e00228-19. [PMID: 31932482 PMCID: PMC7076252 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00228-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
TAF4b is a subunit of the TFIID complex that is highly expressed in the ovary and testis and required for mouse fertility. TAF4b-deficient male mice undergo a complex series of developmental defects that result in the inability to maintain long-term spermatogenesis. To decipher the transcriptional mechanisms upon which TAF4b functions in spermatogenesis, we used two-hybrid screening to identify a novel TAF4b-interacting transcriptional cofactor, ZFP628. Deletion analysis of both proteins reveals discrete and novel domains of ZFP628 and TAF4b protein that function to bridge their direct interaction in vitro Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation of ZFP628 and TAF4b proteins in testis-derived protein extracts supports their endogenous association. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we disrupted the expression of ZFP628 in the mouse and uncovered a postmeiotic germ cell arrest at the round spermatid stage in the seminiferous tubules of the testis in ZFP628-deficient mice that results in male infertility. Coincident with round spermatid arrest, we find reduced mRNA expression of transition protein (Tnp1 and Tnp2) and protamine (Prm1 and Prm2) genes, which are critical for the specialized maturation of haploid male germ cells called spermiogenesis. These data delineate a novel association of two transcription factors, TAF4b and ZFP628, and identify ZFP628 as a novel transcriptional regulator of stage-specific spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Gustafson
- Brown University, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kimberly A Seymour
- Brown University, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kirsten Sigrist
- Brown University, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Dirk G D E Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard N Freiman
- Brown University, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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12
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Dai P, Wang X, Gou LT, Li ZT, Wen Z, Chen ZG, Hua MM, Zhong A, Wang L, Su H, Wan H, Qian K, Liao L, Li J, Tian B, Li D, Fu XD, Shi HJ, Zhou Y, Liu MF. A Translation-Activating Function of MIWI/piRNA during Mouse Spermiogenesis. Cell 2019; 179:1566-1581.e16. [PMID: 31835033 PMCID: PMC8139323 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is a highly orchestrated developmental process during which chromatin condensation decouples transcription from translation. Spermiogenic mRNAs are transcribed earlier and stored in a translationally inert state until needed for translation; however, it remains largely unclear how such repressed mRNAs become activated during spermiogenesis. We previously reported that the MIWI/piRNA machinery is responsible for mRNA elimination during late spermiogenesis in preparation for spermatozoa production. Here we unexpectedly discover that the same machinery is also responsible for activating translation of a subset of spermiogenic mRNAs to coordinate with morphological transformation into spermatozoa. Such action requires specific base-pairing interactions of piRNAs with target mRNAs in their 3' UTRs, which activates translation through coupling with cis-acting AU-rich elements to nucleate the formation of a MIWI/piRNA/eIF3f/HuR super-complex in a developmental stage-specific manner. These findings reveal a critical role of the piRNA system in translation activation, which we show is functionally required for spermatid development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lan-Tao Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0651, USA
| | - Zhi-Tong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ze Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zong-Gui Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Min-Min Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Pharmacy School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ai Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Pharmacy School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Haiyang Su
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Huida Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Kun Qian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Lujian Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Dangsheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0651, USA
| | - Hui-Juan Shi
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Pharmacy School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yu Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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13
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The RNA Polymerase II Core Promoter in Drosophila. Genetics 2019; 212:13-24. [PMID: 31053615 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II initiates at the core promoter, which is sometimes referred to as the "gateway to transcription." Here, we describe the properties of the RNA polymerase II core promoter in Drosophila The core promoter is at a strategic position in the expression of genes, as it is the site of convergence of the signals that lead to transcriptional activation. Importantly, core promoters are diverse in terms of their structure and function. They are composed of various combinations of sequence motifs such as the TATA box, initiator (Inr), and downstream core promoter element (DPE). Different types of core promoters are transcribed via distinct mechanisms. Moreover, some transcriptional enhancers exhibit specificity for particular types of core promoters. These findings indicate that the core promoter is a central component of the transcriptional apparatus that regulates gene expression.
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14
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Genetic Factors Affecting Sperm Chromatin Structure. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1166:1-28. [PMID: 31301043 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spermatozoa genome has unique features that make it a fascinating field of investigation: first, because, with oocyte genome, it can be transmitted generation after generation; second, because of genetic shuffling during meiosis, each spermatozoon is virtually unique in terms of genetic content, with consequences for species evolution; and finally, because its chromatin organization is very different from that of somatic cells or oocytes, as it is not based on nucleosomes but on nucleoprotamines which confer a higher order of packaging. Histone-to-protamine transition involves many actors, such as regulators of spermatid gene expression, components of the nuclear envelop, histone-modifying enzymes and readers, chaperones, histone variants, transition proteins, protamines, and certainly many more to be discovered.In this book chapter, we will present what is currently known about sperm chromatin structure and how it is established during spermiogenesis, with the aim to list the genetic factors that regulate its organization.
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15
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Zhang D, Xie D, Lin X, Ma L, Chen J, Zhang D, Wang Y, Duo S, Feng Y, Zheng C, Jiang B, Ning Y, Han C. The transcription factor SOX30 is a key regulator of mouse spermiogenesis. Development 2018; 145:145/11/dev164723. [PMID: 29848638 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The postmeiotic development of male germ cells, also known as spermiogenesis, features the coordinated expression of a large number of spermatid-specific genes. However, only a limited number of key transcription factors have been identified and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report that SOX30, the most-divergent member of the Sry-related high-motility group box (SOX) family of transcription factors, is essential for mouse spermiogenesis. The SOX30 protein was predominantly expressed in spermatids, while its transcription was regulated by retinoic acid and by MYBL1 before and during meiosis. Sox30 knockout mice arrested spermiogenesis at step 3 round spermatids, which underwent apoptosis and abnormal chromocenter formation. We also determined that SOX30 regulated the expression of hundreds of spermatid-specific protein-coding and long non-coding RNA genes. SOX30 bound to the proximal promoter of its own gene and activated its transcription. These results reveal SOX30 as a novel key regulator of spermiogenesis that regulates its own transcription to enforce and activate this meiotic regulatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Longfei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Daoqi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuguang Duo
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanmin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Binjie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yan Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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16
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Zuo X, Rong B, Li L, Lv R, Lan F, Tong MH. The histone methyltransferase SETD2 is required for expression of acrosin-binding protein 1 and protamines and essential for spermiogenesis in mice. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9188-9197. [PMID: 29716999 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is precisely controlled by complex gene expression programs and involves epigenetic reprogramming, including histone modification and DNA methylation. SET domain-containing 2 (SETD2) is the predominant histone methyltransferase catalyzing the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36me3) and plays key roles in embryonic stem cell differentiation and somatic cell development. However, its role in male germ cell development remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate an essential role of Setd2 for spermiogenesis, the final stage of spermatogenesis. Using RNA-seq, we found that, in postnatal mouse testes, Setd2 mRNA levels dramatically increase in 14-day-old mice. Using a germ cell-specific Setd2 knockout mouse model, we also found that targeted Setd2 knockout in germ cells causes aberrant spermiogenesis with acrosomal malformation before step 8 of the round-spermatid stage, resulting in complete infertility. Furthermore, we noted that the Setd2 deficiency results in complete loss of H3K36me3 and significantly decreases expression of thousands of genes, including those encoding acrosin-binding protein 1 (Acrbp1) and protamines, required for spermatogenesis. Our findings thus reveal a previously unappreciated role of the SETD2-dependent H3K36me3 modification in spermiogenesis and provide clues to the molecular mechanisms in epigenetic disorders underlying male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Zuo
- From the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bowen Rong
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Shanghai Ministry of Education, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China, and
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Ruitu Lv
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Shanghai Ministry of Education, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China, and
| | - Fei Lan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Shanghai Ministry of Education, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China, and
| | - Ming-Han Tong
- From the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,
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17
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Berg SS, Forester JD, Craft ME. Infectious Disease in Wild Animal Populations: Examining Transmission and Control with Mathematical Models. ADVANCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY 2018. [PMCID: PMC7123867 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-92373-4_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mathematical modeling of ecological interactions is an essential tool in predicting the behavior of complex systems across landscapes. The scientific literature is growing with examples of models used to explore predator-prey interactions, resource selection, population growth, and dynamics of disease transmission. These models provide managers with an efficient alternative means of testing new management and control strategies without resorting to empirical testing that is often costly, time-consuming, and impractical. This chapter presents a review of four types of mathematical models used to understand and predict the spread of infectious diseases in wild animals: compartmental, metapopulation, spatial, and contact network models. Descriptions of each model’s uses and limitations are used to provide a look at the complexities involved in modeling the spread of diseases and the trade-offs that accompany selecting one modeling approach over another. Potential avenues for the improvement and use of these models in future studies are also discussed, as are specific examples of how each type of model has improved our understanding of infectious diseases in populations of wild animals.
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18
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Chowdhury ZS, Sato K, Yamamoto D. The core-promoter factor TRF2 mediates a Fruitless action to masculinize neurobehavioral traits in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1480. [PMID: 29133872 PMCID: PMC5684138 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01623-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In fruit flies, the male-specific fruitless (fru) gene product FruBM plays a central role in establishing the neural circuitry for male courtship behavior by orchestrating the transcription of genes required for the male-type specification of individual neurons. We herein identify the core promoter recognition factor gene Trf2 as a dominant modifier of fru actions. Trf2 knockdown in the sexually dimorphic mAL neurons leads to the loss of a male-specific neurite and a reduction in male courtship vigor. TRF2 forms a repressor complex with FruBM, strongly enhancing the repressor activity of FruBM at the promoter region of the robo1 gene, whose function is required for inhibiting the male-specific neurite formation. In females that lack FruBM, TRF2 stimulates robo1 transcription. Our results suggest that TRF2 switches its own role from an activator to a repressor of transcription upon binding to FruBM, thereby enabling the ipsilateral neurite formation only in males.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kosei Sato
- Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, 9808577, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamamoto
- Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, 9808577, Japan.
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Kashiwabara SI, Tsuruta S, Yamaoka Y, Oyama K, Iwazaki C, Baba T. PAPOLB/TPAP regulates spermiogenesis independently of chromatoid body-associated factors. J Reprod Dev 2017; 64:25-31. [PMID: 29109362 PMCID: PMC5830355 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2017-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutant mice lacking a testis-specific cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase, PAPOLB/TPAP, exhibit spermiogenesis arrest and male infertility. However, the mechanism by which PAPOLB regulates spermiogenesis remains unclear. In
this study, we examined the relationships between PAPOLB and other spermiogenesis regulators present in the chromatoid body (CB). The loss of PAPOLB had no impact either on the abundance of CB components such as PIWIL1,
TDRD6, YBX2, and piRNAs, or on retrotransposon expression. In addition, localization of CB proteins and CB architecture were both normal in PAPOLB-null mice. No interactions were observed between PAPOLB and PIWIL1 or
YBX2. While PIWIL1 and YBX2 were associated with translationally inactive messenger ribonucleoproteins and translating polyribosomes, PAPOLB was present almost exclusively in the mRNA-free fractions of sucrose gradients.
These results suggest that PAPOLB may regulate spermiogenesis through a pathway distinct from that mediated by CB-associated factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Kashiwabara
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,PhD Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,Life Science Center, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Satsuki Tsuruta
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yutaro Yamaoka
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kanako Oyama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,PhD Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Chieko Iwazaki
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tadashi Baba
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,PhD Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,Life Science Center, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
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Differential regulation of spermatogenic process by Lkb1 isoforms in mouse testis. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3121. [PMID: 29022902 PMCID: PMC5682689 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Liver serine/threonine kinase B1 (LKB1) is a tumor suppressor associated with the pathogenesis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Affected males are at increased risk of developing Sertoli cell tumors and display defective spermatogenesis. Male mice lacking the short isoform (Lkb1S) of Lkb1 were sterile and exhibited abnormal spermiogenesis. In addition to the short isoform, the long isoform of Lkb1 (Lkb1L) is also expressed in testis; however, the requirement of the long isoform for fertility and the functional difference between the isoforms remain unknown. Herein, different from the spermiation failure reported in Lkb1S knockout mice, conditional deletion (cKO) of both isoforms of Lkb1 in germ cells resulted in male sterility stemming from defects in acrosome formation, as well as nuclear elongation and condensation during spermatid differentiation. Additionally, cKO mice showed a progressive germ cell loss that was never reported in mice with Lkb1S deletion. Further experiments revealed that the defect resulted from the failure of spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) maintenance. Although increased mTORC1 activity in postnatal cKO testes was consistent with a tendency toward germline stem cell differentiation, in vivo inhibition of the pathway by rapamycin treatment failed to rescue the phenotype. Concurrently, we detected a significant reduction of mitochondrial activity in Lkb1deficient SPCs. The results suggest that the regulation of LKB1 on SPCs' maintenance is associated with mitochondrial functions but not through the mTOR signaling pathway. In summary, our study supports different roles of Lkb1 isoforms in spermatogenesis with Lkb1L directing SPCs maintenance, and Lkb1L and Lkb1S coordinately regulating spermatid differentiation.
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Abstract
This review by Vo ngoc et al. expands the view of the RNA polymerase II core promoter, which is comprised of classical DNA sequence motifs, sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors, chromatin signals, and DNA structure. The signals that direct the initiation of transcription ultimately converge at the core promoter, which is the gateway to transcription. Here we provide an overview of the RNA polymerase II core promoter in bilateria (bilaterally symmetric animals). The core promoter is diverse in terms of its composition and function yet is also punctilious, as it acts with strict rules and precision. We additionally describe an expanded view of the core promoter that comprises the classical DNA sequence motifs, sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors, chromatin signals, and DNA structure. This model may eventually lead to a more unified conceptual understanding of the core promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Vo Ngoc
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Yuan-Liang Wang
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - George A Kassavetis
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - James T Kadonaga
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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22
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A heterochromatin-dependent transcription machinery drives piRNA expression. Nature 2017; 549:54-59. [PMID: 28847004 PMCID: PMC5590728 DOI: 10.1038/nature23482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear small RNA pathways safeguard genome integrity by establishing transcription-repressing heterochromatin at transposable elements. This inevitably also targets the transposon-rich source loci of the small RNAs themselves. How small RNA source loci are efficiently transcribed while transposon promoters are potently silenced is not understood. Here we show that, in Drosophila, transcription of PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters-small RNA source loci in animal gonads-is enforced through RNA polymerase II pre-initiation complex formation within repressive heterochromatin. This is accomplished through Moonshiner, a paralogue of a basal transcription factor IIA (TFIIA) subunit, which is recruited to piRNA clusters via the heterochromatin protein-1 variant Rhino. Moonshiner triggers transcription initiation within piRNA clusters by recruiting the TATA-box binding protein (TBP)-related factor TRF2, an animal TFIID core variant. Thus, transcription of heterochromatic small RNA source loci relies on direct recruitment of the core transcriptional machinery to DNA via histone marks rather than sequence motifs, a concept that we argue is a recurring theme in evolution.
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23
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Drosophila TRF2 and TAF9 regulate lipid droplet size and phospholipid fatty acid composition. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006664. [PMID: 28273089 PMCID: PMC5362240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The general transcription factor TBP (TATA-box binding protein) and its associated factors (TAFs) together form the TFIID complex, which directs transcription initiation. Through RNAi and mutant analysis, we identified a specific TBP family protein, TRF2, and a set of TAFs that regulate lipid droplet (LD) size in the Drosophila larval fat body. Among the three Drosophila TBP genes, trf2, tbp and trf1, only loss of function of trf2 results in increased LD size. Moreover, TRF2 and TAF9 regulate fatty acid composition of several classes of phospholipids. Through RNA profiling, we found that TRF2 and TAF9 affects the transcription of a common set of genes, including peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes that affect phospholipid fatty acid composition. We also found that knockdown of several TRF2 and TAF9 target genes results in large LDs, a phenotype which is similar to that of trf2 mutants. Together, these findings provide new insights into the specific role of the general transcription machinery in lipid homeostasis. Lipid droplets (LD) are main lipid storage structures in most cells. The size of LDs varies greatly in different cell types or different metabolic states to accommodate cellular functions and metabolism demands. How cells regulate the lipid storage and LD dynamics is not fully understood. Here, we identified that general transcription factors, including a specific TBP (TATA-box binding protein) family protein TRF2 (TBP-related factor 2) and several TAFs (TBP-associated factors), regulate LD size in the fruitfly larval fat body. Moreover, quantitated lipid analysis reveals that TRF2 and TAF9 affect the fatty acid composition of several classes of phospholipids. We showed that TRF2 and TAF9 regulate transcription of several target genes, including peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes which likely mediate the effect of TRF2 and TAF9 on phospholipid fatty acid composition. We also found that overexpression of some target genes restores the LD phenotype in trf2 mutants. Our findings therefore reveal specific roles of general transcription factors in lipid homeostasis.
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24
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Nakazato A, Maeda R, Ishikawa K, Suzuki H, Tamura TA. TBP-like protein (TLP) represses myogenesis via inhibition of the myogenin promoter. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 479:814-819. [PMID: 27680312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TBP-like protein (TLP) is one of the metazoan-restricted transcription factors participating in development and differentiation, though the molecular mechanism by which TLP regulates these processes remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between TLP and myogenesis of mouse C2C12 myoblasts. We found that TLP gene expression decreases during myogenic differentiation. Overexpression and knockdown of TLP revealed that the levels of muscle-specific myosin heavy chain and the myogenic transcription factor myogenin are downregulated by TLP. TLP inhibits the progression of morphological change from myoblasts to myotubes, thereby suppressing myogenesis. We further show that TLP represses the promoter activity of myogenin. The proximal AT-rich sequence of the myogenin promoter is responsible for TLP-mediated transcriptional repression. The results of this study suggest that TLP inhibits myogenesis through downregulation of the myogenin gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Nakazato
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Kohei Ishikawa
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Suzuki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Taka-Aki Tamura
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
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25
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Isogai M, Suzuki H, Maeda R, Tamura TA. Ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of TBP-like protein is prevented by direct binding of TFIIA. Genes Cells 2016; 21:1223-1232. [PMID: 27696626 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the majority of gene expression is driven by TATA-binding protein (TBP)-based transcription machinery, it has been reported that TBP-related factors (TRFs) are also involved in the regulation of gene expression. TBP-like protein (TLP), which is one of the TRFs and exhibits the highest affinity to TFIIA among known proteins, has recently been showed to have significant roles in gene regulation. However, how the level of TLP is maintained in vivo has remained unknown. In this study, we explored the mechanism by which TLP protein is turned over in vivo and the factor that maintains the amount of TLP. We showed that TLP is rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system and that tight interaction with TFIIA results in protection of TLP from ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation. The half-life of TLP was shown to be less than a few hours, and the proteasome inhibitor MG132 specifically suppressed TLP degradation. Moreover, knockdown and over-expression experiments showed that TFIIA is engaged in stabilization of TLPin vivo. Thus, we showed a novel characteristic of TLP, that is, interaction with TFIIA is essential to suppress proteasome-dependent turnover of TLP, providing a further insight into TLP-governed gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoko Isogai
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Suzuki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Taka-Aki Tamura
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
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26
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TRF2 is recruited to the pre-initiation complex as a testis-specific subunit of TFIIA/ALF to promote haploid cell gene expression. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32069. [PMID: 27576952 PMCID: PMC5006001 DOI: 10.1038/srep32069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian genomes encode two genes related to the TATA-box binding protein (TBP), TBP-related factors 2 and 3 (TRF2 and TRF3). Male Trf2−/− mice are sterile and characterized by arrested spermatogenesis at the transition from late haploid spermatids to early elongating spermatids. Despite this characterization, the molecular function of murine Trf2 remains poorly characterized and no direct evidence exists to show that it acts as a bona fide chromatin-bound transcription factor. We show here that Trf2 forms a stable complex with TFIIA or the testis expressed paralogue ALF chaperoned in the cytoplasm by heat shock proteins. We demonstrate for the first time that Trf2 is recruited to active haploid cell promoters together with Tbp, Taf7l and RNA polymerase II. RNA-seq analysis identifies a set of genes activated in haploid spermatids during the first wave of spermatogenesis whose expression is down-regulated by Trf2 inactivation. We therefore propose that Trf2 is recruited to the preinitiation complex as a testis-specific subunit of TFIIA/ALF that cooperates with Tbp and Taf7l to promote haploid cell gene expression.
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27
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Wang CY, Tang MC, Chang WC, Furushima K, Jang CW, Behringer RR, Chen CM. PiggyBac Transposon-Mediated Mutagenesis in Rats Reveals a Crucial Role of Bbx in Growth and Male Fertility. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:51. [PMID: 27465138 PMCID: PMC5394979 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.141739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bobby sox homolog (Bbx) is an evolutionally conserved gene, but its biological function remains elusive. Here, we characterized defects of Bbx mutant rats that were created by PiggyBac-mediated insertional mutagenesis. Smaller body size and male infertility were the two major phenotypes of homozygous Bbx mutants. Bbx expression profile analysis showed that Bbx was more highly expressed in the testis and pituitary gland than in other organs. Histology and hormonal gene expression analysis of control and Bbx-null pituitary glands showed that loss of Bbx appeared to be dispensable for pituitary histogenesis and the expression of major hormones. BBX was localized in the nuclei of postmeiotic spermatids and Sertoli cells in wild-type testes, but absent in mutant testes. An increased presence of aberrant multinuclear giant cells and apoptotic cells was observed in mutant seminiferous tubules. TUNEL-positive cells costained with CREM (round spermatid marker), but not PLZF (spermatogonia marker), gammaH2Ax (meiotic spermatocyte marker), or GATA4 (Sertoli cell marker). Finally, there were drastically reduced numbers and motility of epididymal sperm from Bbx-null rats. These results suggest that loss of BBX induces apoptosis of postmeiotic spermatids and results in spermiogenesis defects and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Ying Wang
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chu Tang
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Laboratory Animal Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Chang
- Laboratory Animal Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kenryo Furushima
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chuan-Wei Jang
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Richard R Behringer
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chun-Ming Chen
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Laboratory Animal Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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28
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NF-YB Regulates Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Proliferation in the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006109. [PMID: 27304889 PMCID: PMC4909293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametes are the source and carrier of genetic information, essential for the propagation of all sexually reproducing organisms. Male gametes are derived from a progenitor stem cell population called spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs give rise to male gametes through the coordination of two essential processes: self-renewal to produce more SSCs, and differentiation to produce mature sperm. Disruption of this equilibrium can lead to excessive proliferation of SSCs, causing tumorigenesis, or can result in aberrant differentiation, leading to infertility. Little is known about how SSCs achieve the fine balance between self-renewal and differentiation, which is necessary for their remarkable output and developmental potential. To understand the mechanisms of SSC maintenance, we examine the planarian homolog of Nuclear Factor Y-B (NF-YB), which is required for the maintenance of early planarian male germ cells. Here, we demonstrate that NF-YB plays a role in the self-renewal and proliferation of planarian SSCs, but not in their specification or differentiation. Furthermore, we characterize members of the NF-Y complex in Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic flatworm related to the free-living planarian. We find that the function of NF-YB in regulating male germ cell proliferation is conserved in schistosomes. This finding is especially significant because fecundity is the cause of pathogenesis of S. mansoni. Our findings can help elucidate the complex relationship between self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs, and may also have implications for understanding and controlling schistosomiasis.
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29
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Gazdag E, Jacobi UG, van Kruijsbergen I, Weeks DL, Veenstra GJC. Activation of a T-box-Otx2-Gsc gene network independent of TBP and TBP-related factors. Development 2016; 143:1340-50. [PMID: 26952988 PMCID: PMC4852510 DOI: 10.1242/dev.127936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development relies on activating and repressing regulatory influences that are faithfully integrated at the core promoter of individual genes. In vertebrates, the basal machinery recognizing the core promoter includes TATA-binding protein (TBP) and two TBP-related factors. In Xenopus embryos, the three TBP family factors are all essential for development and are required for expression of distinct subsets of genes. Here, we report on a non-canonical TBP family-insensitive (TFI) mechanism of transcription initiation that involves mesoderm and organizer gene expression. Using TBP family single- and triple-knockdown experiments, α-amanitin treatment, transcriptome profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that TFI gene expression cannot be explained by functional redundancy, is supported by active transcription and shows normal recruitment of the initiating form of RNA polymerase II to the promoter. Strikingly, recruitment of Gcn5 (also known as Kat2a), a co-activator that has been implicated in transcription initiation, to TFI gene promoters is increased upon depletion of TBP family factors. TFI genes are part of a densely connected TBP family-insensitive T-box-Otx2-Gsc interaction network. The results indicate that this network of genes bound by Vegt, Eomes, Otx2 and Gsc utilizes a novel, flexible and non-canonical mechanism of transcription that does not require TBP or TBP-related factors. Highlighted article: A network of embryonic genes, many of which are expressed in the mesoderm and the organiser, can initiate transcription through a non-canonical mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Gazdag
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrike G Jacobi
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ila van Kruijsbergen
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel L Weeks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Gert Jan C Veenstra
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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30
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Al-Maghrebi M, Renno WM, Al-Somali HF, Botras MS, Qadhi IN. Lutein modulates transcription dysregulation of adhesion molecules and spermatogenesis transcription factors induced by testicular ischemia reperfusion injury: it could be SAFE. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2016; 389:539-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00210-016-1223-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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31
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Wu Y, Hu X, Li Z, Wang M, Li S, Wang X, Lin X, Liao S, Zhang Z, Feng X, Wang S, Cui X, Wang Y, Gao F, Hess RA, Han C. Transcription Factor RFX2 Is a Key Regulator of Mouse Spermiogenesis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20435. [PMID: 26853561 PMCID: PMC4745085 DOI: 10.1038/srep20435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulatory factor X (RFX) family of transcription factors is crucial for ciliogenesis throughout evolution. In mice, Rfx1-4 are highly expressed in the testis where flagellated sperm are produced, but the functions of these factors in spermatogenesis remain unknown. Here, we report the production and characterization of the Rfx2 knockout mice. The male knockout mice were sterile due to the arrest of spermatogenesis at an early round spermatid step. The Rfx2-null round spermatids detached from the seminiferous tubules, forming large multinucleated giant cells that underwent apoptosis. In the mutants, formation of the flagellum was inhibited at its earliest stage. RNA-seq analysis identified a large number of cilia-related genes and testis-specific genes that were regulated by RFX2. Many of these genes were direct targets of RFX2, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR assays. These findings indicate that RFX2 is a key regulator of the post-meiotic development of mouse spermatogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiangjing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Sisi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiuxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shangying Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhuqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xue Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Si Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiuhong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Rex A Hess
- Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802-6199, USA
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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32
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Yan J, Zhang H, Liu Y, Zhao F, Zhu S, Xie C, Tang TS, Guo C. Germline deletion of huntingtin causes male infertility and arrested spermiogenesis in mice. J Cell Sci 2015; 129:492-501. [PMID: 26659666 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.173666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Huntingtin (HTT), a Huntington's disease gene, is highly expressed in the mammalian brain and testis. Simultaneous knockout of mouse Huntingtin (Htt) in brain and testis impairs male fertility, providing evidence for a link between Htt and spermatogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To understand better the function of Htt in spermatogenesis, we restricted the genetic deletion specifically to the germ cells using the Cre/loxP site-specific recombination strategy and found that the resulting mice manifested smaller testes, azoospermia and complete male infertility. Meiotic chromosome spread experiments showed that the process of meiosis was normal in the absence of Htt. Notably, we found that Htt-deficient round spermatids did not progress beyond step 3 during the post-meiotic phase, when round spermatids differentiate into mature spermatozoa. Using an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic assay, we found that knockout of Htt significantly altered the testis protein profile. The differentially expressed proteins exhibited a remarkable enrichment for proteins involved in translation regulation and DNA packaging, suggesting that Htt might play a role in spermatogenesis by regulating translation and DNA packaging in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Feilong Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chengmei Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tie-Shan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Caixia Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Abstract
The adult mammalian ovary is devoid of definitive germline stem cells. As such, female reproductive senescence largely results from the depletion of a finite ovarian follicle pool that is produced during embryonic development. Remarkably, the crucial nature and regulation of follicle assembly and survival during embryogenesis is just coming into focus. This developmental pathway involves the coordination of meiotic progression and the breakdown of germ cell cysts into individual oocytes housed within primordial follicles. Recent evidence also indicates that genetic and environmental factors can specifically perturb primordial follicle assembly. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the mammalian ovarian reserve is established, highlighting the presence of a crucial checkpoint that allows survival of only the highest-quality oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Grive
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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34
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Danino YM, Even D, Ideses D, Juven-Gershon T. The core promoter: At the heart of gene expression. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:1116-31. [PMID: 25934543 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The identities of different cells and tissues in multicellular organisms are determined by tightly controlled transcriptional programs that enable accurate gene expression. The mechanisms that regulate gene expression comprise diverse multiplayer molecular circuits of multiple dedicated components. The RNA polymerase II (Pol II) core promoter establishes the center of this spatiotemporally orchestrated molecular machine. Here, we discuss transcription initiation, diversity in core promoter composition, interactions of the basal transcription machinery with the core promoter, enhancer-promoter specificity, core promoter-preferential activation, enhancer RNAs, Pol II pausing, transcription termination, Pol II recycling and translation. We further discuss recent findings indicating that promoters and enhancers share similar features and may not substantially differ from each other, as previously assumed. Taken together, we review a broad spectrum of studies that highlight the importance of the core promoter and its pivotal role in the regulation of metazoan gene expression and suggest future research directions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehuda M Danino
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Dan Even
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Diana Ideses
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Tamar Juven-Gershon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.
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35
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Wang XL, Wei YH, Fu GL, Yu L. Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) leads to cell apoptosis relying on its kinase activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 35:235-240. [PMID: 25877358 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-015-1417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Testis specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (TSSK4) belongs to the TSSK family, and its members play an important role in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Mouse TSSK4 has been reported to be expressed exclusively in the testis and can maintain its kinase activity through autophosphorylation at Thr-197. However, its biological function remains poorly understood. Here we found that GFP-TSSK4-overexpressed HeLa cells showed apoptotic bodies, indicating TSSK4 can lead to apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, TSSK4 induced apoptosis in different cell lines including HeLa, Cos-7 and H1299 tested by flow cytometry but not its kinase-dead mutant TSSK4-K54M. TSSK4 knockout mice showed increased testes weight and decreased apoptotic spermatogonia and spermatocytes at 21st day after birth tested by TUNEL technology. So TSSK4 was able to induce cell apoptosis in vitro depending on its kinase activity, which leads to abnormal testes weight and apoptosis, shedding light on its function in the process of spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - You-Heng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Guo-Long Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Takeda S, Sasagawa S, Oyama T, Searleman AC, Westergard TD, Cheng EH, Hsieh JJ. Taspase1-dependent TFIIA cleavage coordinates head morphogenesis by limiting Cdkn2a locus transcription. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:1203-14. [PMID: 25664857 DOI: 10.1172/jci77075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Head morphogenesis requires complex signal relays to enable precisely coordinated proliferation, migration, and patterning. Here, we demonstrate that, during mouse head formation, taspase1-mediated (TASP1-mediated) cleavage of the general transcription factor TFIIA ensures proper coordination of rapid cell proliferation and morphogenesis by maintaining limited transcription of the negative cell cycle regulators p16Ink4a and p19Arf from the Cdkn2a locus. In mice, loss of TASP1 function led to catastrophic craniofacial malformations that were associated with inadequate cell proliferation. Compound deficiency of Cdkn2a, especially p16Ink4a deficiency, markedly reduced the craniofacial anomalies of TASP1-deficent mice. Furthermore, evaluation of mice expressing noncleavable TASP1 targets revealed that TFIIA is the principal TASP1 substrate that orchestrates craniofacial morphogenesis. ChIP analyses determined that noncleaved TFIIA accumulates at the p16Ink4a and p19Arf promoters to drive transcription of these negative regulators. In summary, our study elucidates a regulatory circuit comprising proteolysis, transcription, and proliferation that is pivotal for construction of the mammalian head.
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Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is pivotal for development and differentiation of organisms. Transcription of eukaryotic protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) initiates at the core promoter. Core promoters, which encompass the transcription start site, may contain functional core promoter elements, such as the TATA box, initiator, TCT and downstream core promoter element. TRF2 (TATA-box-binding protein-related factor 2) does not bind TATA box-containing promoters. Rather, it is recruited to core promoters via sequences other than the TATA box. We review the recent findings implicating TRF2 as a basal transcription factor in the regulation of diverse biological processes and specialized transcriptional programs.
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Key Words
- BREd, downstream TFIIB recognition element
- BREu, upstream TFIIB recognition element
- ChIP, Chromatin immunoprecipitation
- DPE
- DPE, downstream core promoter element
- Inr, initiator
- MTE, motif ten element
- PIC, preinitiation complex
- Pol II, RNA polymerase II
- RNA Pol II transcription
- TAF, TBP-associated factor
- TBP, TATA-box binding protein
- TBP-related factors
- TCT
- TFIIA (transcription factor, RNA polymerase II A)
- TFIIB (transcription factor, RNA polymerase II B)
- TFIID (transcription factor, RNA polymerase II D)
- TRF, TATA-box-binding protein-related factor
- TRF2
- TSS, transcription start site
- core promoter elements/motifs
- embryonic development
- histone gene cluster
- ribosomal protein genes
- spermiogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonathan Zehavi
- a The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences , Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan , 5290002 , Israel
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38
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Pattabiraman S, Baumann C, Guisado D, Eppig JJ, Schimenti JC, De La Fuente R. Mouse BRWD1 is critical for spermatid postmeiotic transcription and female meiotic chromosome stability. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 208:53-69. [PMID: 25547156 PMCID: PMC4284233 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201404109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Exhibiting sexually dimorphic roles in mice, BRWD1 is essential for proper meiotic chromosome condensation and telomere structure during oogenesis and for haploid-specific gene transcription during postmeiotic sperm differentiation. Postmeiotic gene expression is essential for development and maturation of sperm and eggs. We report that the dual bromodomain-containing protein BRWD1, which is essential for both male and female fertility, promotes haploid spermatid–specific transcription but has distinct roles in oocyte meiotic progression. Brwd1 deficiency caused down-regulation of ∼300 mostly spermatid-specific transcripts in testis, including nearly complete elimination of those encoding the protamines and transition proteins, but was not associated with global epigenetic changes in chromatin, which suggests that BRWD1 acts selectively. In females, Brwd1 ablation caused severe chromosome condensation and structural defects associated with abnormal telomere structure but only minor changes in gene expression at the germinal vesicle stage, including more than twofold overexpression of the histone methyltransferase MLL5 and LINE-1 elements transposons. Thus, loss of BRWD1 function interferes with the completion of oogenesis and spermatogenesis through sexually dimorphic mechanisms: it is essential in females for epigenetic control of meiotic chromosome stability and in males for haploid gene transcription during postmeiotic sperm differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrivatsav Pattabiraman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Claudia Baumann
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Daniela Guisado
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Rabindranath De La Fuente
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602
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Abstract
Kadonaga and colleagues present novel molecular insights into TATA-box-binding protein (TBP) family members and the evolution of complex animal body plans. They demonstrate that the TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2), which activates TATA-less core promoters, first arose in a common ancestor to the bilaterians and hypothesize that this new TRF2-based transcription system facilitated the evolution of bilateria. The development of a complex body plan requires a diversity of regulatory networks. Here we consider the concept of TATA-box-binding protein (TBP) family proteins as “system factors” that each supports a distinct set of transcriptional programs. For instance, TBP activates TATA-box-dependent core promoters, whereas TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2) activates TATA-less core promoters that are dependent on a TCT or downstream core promoter element (DPE) motif. These findings led us to investigate the evolution of TRF2. TBP occurs in Archaea and eukaryotes, but TRF2 evolved prior to the emergence of the bilateria and subsequent to the evolutionary split between bilaterians and nonbilaterian animals. Unlike TBP, TRF2 does not bind to the TATA box and could thus function as a new system factor that is largely independent of TBP. We postulate that this TRF2-based system served as the foundation for new transcriptional programs, such as those involved in triploblasty and body plan development, that facilitated the evolution of bilateria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha H C Duttke
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Russell F Doolittle
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Yuan-Liang Wang
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - James T Kadonaga
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA;
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40
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Abstract
Transcription of protein-coding genes is highly dependent on the RNA polymerase II core promoter. Core promoters, generally defined as the regions that direct transcription initiation, consist of functional core promoter motifs (such as the TATA-box, initiator [Inr], and downstream core promoter element [DPE]) that confer specific properties to the core promoter. The known basal transcription factors that support TATA-dependent transcription are insufficient for in vitro transcription of DPE-dependent promoters. In search of a transcription factor that supports DPE-dependent transcription, we used a biochemical complementation approach and identified the Drosophila TBP (TATA-box-binding protein)-related factor 2 (TRF2) as an enriched factor in the fractions that support DPE-dependent transcription. We demonstrate that the short TRF2 isoform preferentially activates DPE-dependent promoters. DNA microarray analysis reveals the enrichment of DPE promoters among short TRF2 up-regulated genes. Using primer extension analysis and reporter assays, we show the importance of the DPE in transcriptional regulation of TRF2 target genes. It was previously shown that, unlike TBP, TRF2 fails to bind DNA containing TATA-boxes. Using microfluidic affinity analysis, we discovered that short TRF2-bound DNA oligos are enriched for Inr and DPE motifs. Taken together, our findings highlight the role of short TRF2 as a preferential core promoter regulator.
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Wang YL, Duttke SHC, Chen K, Johnston J, Kassavetis GA, Zeitlinger J, Kadonaga JT. TRF2, but not TBP, mediates the transcription of ribosomal protein genes. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1550-5. [PMID: 24958592 PMCID: PMC4102762 DOI: 10.1101/gad.245662.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The TCT core promoter element is present in most ribosomal protein (RP) genes in Drosophila and humans. Here we show that TBP (TATA box-binding protein)-related factor TRF2, but not TBP, is required for transcription of the TCT-dependent RP genes. In cells, TCT-dependent transcription, but not TATA-dependent transcription, increases or decreases upon overexpression or depletion of TRF2. In vitro, purified TRF2 activates TCT but not TATA promoters. ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation [ChIP] combined with deep sequencing) experiments revealed the preferential localization of TRF2 at TCT versus TATA promoters. Hence, a specialized TRF2-based RNA polymerase II system functions in the synthesis of RPs and complements the RNA polymerase I and III systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Liang Wang
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Sascha H C Duttke
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Kai Chen
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Jeff Johnston
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - George A Kassavetis
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Julia Zeitlinger
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - James T Kadonaga
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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42
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Abstract
Spermiogenesis in mammals is the process by which the newly formed products of meiosis, haploid spermatids, undergo a dramatic morphological transformation from round cells into flagellated spermatozoa. The underlying genetic control of spermiogenesis is complicated and not well-characterized. We have used forward genetic screens in mice to illuminate the mechanisms of spermatozoon development. Here, we report that the oligoasthenoteratospermia in a male-specific infertility mutant (esgd12d) is attributable to disruption of a gene called Iqcg (IQ motif-containing G). The causality of the mutation was confirmed with a targeted null allele. Loss of Iqcg disrupts spermiogenesis such that tail formation either occurs incompletely or breaks apart from the sperm heads. Orthologs are present in diverse species as distant as hemichordates, mollusks, and green algae. Consistent with a conserved role in flagellar formation and/or function, the orthologous Chlamydomonas protein is present in that organism's flagella. Because IQ motif-containing genes typically regulate calmodulin (CaM), which in turn can impact the actin cytoskeleton, these findings suggest a potential role for localized calcium signaling in sperm flagellum morphogenesis.
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43
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Oyama T, Sasagawa S, Takeda S, Hess RA, Lieberman PM, Cheng EH, Hsieh JJ. Cleavage of TFIIA by Taspase1 activates TRF2-specified mammalian male germ cell programs. Dev Cell 2014; 27:188-200. [PMID: 24176642 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of tissue-specific general transcription factors (GTFs), such as testis-specific TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2), enables the spatiotemporal expression of highly specialized genetic programs. Taspase1 is a protease that cleaves nuclear factors MLL1, MLL2, TFIIAα-β, and ALFα-β (TFIIAτ). Here, we demonstrate that Taspase1-mediated processing of TFIIAα-β drives mammalian spermatogenesis. Both Taspase1(-/-) and noncleavable TFIIAα-βnc/nc testes release immature germ cells with impaired transcription of Transition proteins (Tnp) and Protamines (Prm), exhibiting chromatin compaction defects and recapitulating those observed with TRF2(-/-) testes. Although the unprocessed TFIIA still complexes with TRF2, this complex is impaired in targeting and thus activating Tnp1 and Prm1 promoters. The current study presents a paradigm in which a protease (Taspase1) cleaves a ubiquitously expressed GTF (TFIIA) to enable tissue-specific (testis) transcription, meeting the demand for sophisticated regulation of distinct subsets of genes in higher organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinao Oyama
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Satoru Sasagawa
- Department of Biology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan
| | - Shugaku Takeda
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rex A Hess
- Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | | | - Emily H Cheng
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - James J Hsieh
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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44
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Abstract
Recent studies have revealed unexpected subunit diversity and specificity in the general transcription machinery for orchestrating multicellular differentiation. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Oyama et al. (2013) report a requirement for Taspase 1-dependent TFIIA proteolytic processing in the mouse testis to enable TRF2 targeting to genes regulating spermatogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard N Freiman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
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45
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Abstract
TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 7l (Taf7l; a paralogue of Taf7) and TBP-related factor 2 (Trf2) are components of the core promoter complex required for gene/tissue-specific transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II. Previous studies reported that Taf7l knockout (KO) mice exhibit structurally abnormal sperm, reduced sperm count, weakened motility, and compromised fertility. Here we find that continued backcrossing of Taf7l(-/Y) mice from N5 to N9 produced KO males that are essentially sterile. Genome-wide expression profiling by mRNA-sequencing analysis of wild-type (WT) and Taf7l(-/Y) (KO) testes revealed that Taf7l ablation impairs the expression of many postmeiotic spermatogenic-specific as well as metabolic genes. Importantly, histological analysis of testes revealed that Taf7l(-/Y) mice develop postmeiotic arrest at the first stage of spermiogenesis, phenotypically similar to Trf2(-/-) mice, but distinct from Taf4b(-/-) mice. Indeed, we find that Taf7l and Trf2 coregulate postmeiotic genes, but none of Taf4b-regulated germ stem cell genes in testes. Genome-wide ChIP-sequencing studies indicate that TAF7L binds to promoters of activated postmeiotic genes in testis. Moreover, biochemical studies show that TAF7L associates with TRF2 both in vitro and in testis, suggesting that TAF7L likely cooperates directly with TRF2 at promoters of a subset of postmeiotic genes to regulate spermiogenesis. Our findings thus provide a previously undescribed mechanism for cell-type-specific transcriptional control involving an interaction between a "nonprototypic" core promoter recognition factor (Trf2) and an orphan TAF subunit (Taf7l) in mammalian testis-specific gene transcription.
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46
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Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species and TATA Box-binding Protein-related Factor 2 in Testicular Torsion/Detorsion-induced Injury. Urology 2013; 81:466.e9-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2012.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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47
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Suzuki H, Ito R, Ikeda K, Tamura TA. TATA-binding protein (TBP)-like protein is required for p53-dependent transcriptional activation of upstream promoter of p21Waf1/Cip1 gene. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:19792-803. [PMID: 22511763 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.369629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
TATA-binding protein-like protein (TLP) is involved in development, checkpoint, and apoptosis through potentiation of gene expression. TLP-overexpressing human cells, especially p53-containing cells, exhibited a decreased growth rate and increased proportion of G(1) phase cells. TLP stimulated expression of several growth-related genes including p21 (p21(Waf1/Cip1)). TLP-mediated activation of the p21 upstream promoter in cells was shown by a promoter-luciferase reporter assay. The p53-binding sequence located in the p21 upstream promoter and p53 itself are required for TLP-mediated transcriptional activation. TLP and p53 bound to each other and synergistically enhanced activity of the upstream promoter. TLP specifically activated transcription from the endogenous upstream promoter, and p53 was required for this activation. Etoposide treatment also resulted in activation of the upstream promoter as well as nuclear accumulation of TLP and p53. Moreover, the upstream promoter was associated with endogenous p53 and TLP, and the p53 recruitment was enhanced by TLP. The results of the present study suggest that TLP mediates p53-governed transcriptional activation of the p21 upstream promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
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48
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Jan SZ, Hamer G, Repping S, de Rooij DG, van Pelt AMM, Vormer TL. Molecular control of rodent spermatogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:1838-50. [PMID: 22366765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Revised: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex developmental process that ultimately generates mature spermatozoa. This process involves a phase of proliferative expansion, meiosis, and cytodifferentiation. Mouse models have been widely used to study spermatogenesis and have revealed many genes and molecular mechanisms that are crucial in this process. Although meiosis is generally considered as the most crucial phase of spermatogenesis, mouse models have shown that pre-meiotic and post-meiotic phases are equally important. Using knowledge generated from mouse models and in vitro studies, the current review provides an overview of the molecular control of rodent spermatogenesis. Finally, we briefly relate this knowledge to fertility problems in humans and discuss implications for future research. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Molecular Genetics of Human Reproductive Failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Z Jan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Yabuta Y, Ohta H, Abe T, Kurimoto K, Chuma S, Saitou M. TDRD5 is required for retrotransposon silencing, chromatoid body assembly, and spermiogenesis in mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 192:781-95. [PMID: 21383078 PMCID: PMC3051809 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201009043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tdrd5-deficient mice develop a functional haploid genome despite spermiogenesis arrest at the round spermatid stage. The Tudor domain–containing proteins (TDRDs) are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins involved in germ cell development. We show here that in mice, TDRD5 is a novel component of the intermitochondrial cements (IMCs) and the chromatoid bodies (CBs), which are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules involved in RNA processing for spermatogenesis. Tdrd5-deficient males are sterile because of spermiogenic arrest at the round spermatid stage, with occasional failure in meiotic prophase. Without TDRD5, IMCs and CBs are disorganized, with mislocalization of their key components, including TDRD1/6/7/9 and MIWI/MILI/MIWI2. In addition, Tdrd5-deficient germ cells fail to repress LINE-1 retrotransposons with DNA-demethylated promoters. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element modulator (CREM) and TRF2, key transcription factors for spermiogenesis, are expressed in Tdrd5-deficient round spermatids, but their targets, including Prm1/Prm2/Tnp1, are severely down-regulated, which indicates the importance of IMC/CB-mediated regulation for postmeiotic gene expression. Strikingly, Tdrd5-deficient round spermatids injected into oocytes contribute to fertile offspring, demonstrating that acquisition of a functional haploid genome may be uncoupled from TDRD5 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Yabuta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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50
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White-Cooper H, Davidson I. Unique aspects of transcription regulation in male germ cells. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2011; 3:cshperspect.a002626. [PMID: 21555408 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a002626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and ordered differentiation process in which the spermatogonial stem cell population gives rise to primary spermatocytes that undergo two successive meiotic divisions followed by a major biochemical and structural reorganization of the haploid cells to generate mature elongate spermatids. The transcriptional regulatory programs that orchestrate this process have been intensively studied in model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and mouse. Genetic and biochemical approaches have identified the factors involved and revealed mechanisms of action that are unique to male germ cells. In a well-studied example, cofactors and pathways distinct from those used in somatic tissues mediate the action of CREM in male germ cells. But perhaps the most striking feature concerns the paralogs of somatically expressed transcription factors and of components of the general transcription machinery that act in distinct regulatory mechanisms in both Drosophila and murine spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen White-Cooper
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
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