1
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Pisciottano F, Campos MC, Penna C, Bruque CD, Gabaldón T, Saragüeta P. Positive selection in gamete interaction proteins in Carnivora. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17263. [PMID: 38318732 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17263] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The absence of robust interspecific isolation barriers among pantherines, including the iconic South American jaguar (Panthera onca), led us to study molecular evolution of typically rapidly evolving reproductive proteins within this subfamily and related groups. In this study, we delved into the evolutionary forces acting on the zona pellucida (ZP) gamete interaction protein family and the sperm-oocyte fusion protein pair IZUMO1-JUNO across the Carnivora order, distinguishing between Caniformia and Feliformia suborders and anticipating few significant diversifying changes in the Pantherinae subfamily. A chromosome-resolved jaguar genome assembly facilitated coding sequences, enabling the reconstruction of protein evolutionary histories. Examining sequence variability across more than 30 Carnivora species revealed that Feliformia exhibited significantly lower diversity compared to its sister taxa, Caniformia. Molecular evolution analyses of ZP2 and ZP3, subunits directly involved in sperm-recognition, unveiled diversifying positive selection in Feliformia, Caniformia and Pantherinae, although no significant changes were linked to sperm binding. Structural cross-linking ZP subunits, ZP4 and ZP1 exhibited lower levels or complete absence of positive selection. Notably, the fusion protein IZUMO1 displayed prominent positive selection signatures and sites in basal lineages of both Caniformia and Feliformia, extending along the Caniformia subtree but absent in Pantherinae. Conversely, JUNO did not exhibit any positive selection signatures across tested lineages and clades. Eight Caniformia-specific positive selected sites in IZUMO1 were detected within two JUNO-interaction clusters. Our findings provide for the first time insights into the evolutionary trajectories of ZP proteins and the IZUMO1-JUNO gamete interaction pair within the Carnivora order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Pisciottano
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Clara Campos
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clementina Penna
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos David Bruque
- Unidad de Conocimiento Traslacional Hospitalaria Patagónica, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Calafate SAMIC, El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Saragüeta
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Choucair F, Avella M. Basic, translational and clinical studies in reproductive medicine and clinical reproductive sciences. J Transl Med 2023; 21:534. [PMID: 37563678 PMCID: PMC10416518 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04108-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Choucair
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Matteo Avella
- Maternal & Child Health Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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3
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Nixon B, Schjenken JE, Burke ND, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hart HM, De Iuliis GN, Martin JH, Lord T, Bromfield EG. New horizons in human sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1145533. [PMID: 36909306 PMCID: PMC9992892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a commonly encountered pathology that is estimated to be a contributory factor in approximately 50% of couples seeking recourse to assisted reproductive technologies. Upon clinical presentation, such males are commonly subjected to conventional diagnostic andrological practices that rely on descriptive criteria to define their fertility based on the number of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa encountered within their ejaculate. Despite the virtual ubiquitous adoption of such diagnostic practices, they are not without their limitations and accordingly, there is now increasing awareness of the importance of assessing sperm quality in order to more accurately predict a male's fertility status. This realization raises the important question of which characteristics signify a high-quality, fertilization competent sperm cell. In this review, we reflect on recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sperm biology and function, which are contributing to a growing armory of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat male infertility. In particular we review progress toward the implementation of precision medicine; the robust clinical adoption of which in the setting of fertility, currently lags well behind that of other fields of medicine. Despite this, research shows that the application of advanced technology platforms such as whole exome sequencing and proteomic analyses hold considerable promise in optimizing outcomes for the management of male infertility by uncovering and expanding our inventory of candidate infertility biomarkers, as well as those associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Similarly, the development of advanced imaging technologies in tandem with machine learning artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the fertility care paradigm by advancing our understanding of the molecular and biological causes of infertility to provide novel avenues for future diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan D. Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hanah M. Hart
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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4
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Qin Y, Feng S, Zheng M, Liu X, Zhao J, Zhao Q, Ye J, Mi J, Zhong Y. Progesterone Promotes In Vitro Maturation of Domestic Dog Oocytes Leading to Successful Live Births. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111778. [PMID: 36362933 PMCID: PMC9698205 DOI: 10.3390/life12111778] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene-edited dogs are promising models for biomedical research because they have hundreds of genetic diseases that are similar to humans. A common method for producing gene-edited dogs is assisted reproductive technology (ART) using in vivo oocytes or embryos, but it is much more inefficient and has a higher cost. ART for dogs has lagged mostly because of the lack of an efficient in vitro maturation system. Because early maturation of canine oocytes occurs in follicles with extremely high concentrations of progesterone (P4), we hypothesize that P4 has an important role during maturation. In this study, we obtained ovaries of female dogs and collected cumulus−oocyte complexes, which were cultured in vitro in microdrops containing different P4 concentrations (0, 10, 40, 100 or 200 µg/mL). We found that 40 µg/mL P4 produced the highest oocyte maturation rate (29.7% ± 7.1%, p < 0.05). We also evaluated the quality of in vitro matured oocytes by in vitro fertilization and single-cell RNA sequencing, and both indicated an improvement in oocyte developmental potential. In conclusion, we successfully obtained the first live dogs using in vitro matured oocytes by adding P4 to optimize the in vitro maturation system of canine oocytes, and established a new and low-cost method to produce dogs via in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shenjiong Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Beijing SINOGENE Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- Beijing SINOGENE Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Jianping Zhao
- Beijing SINOGENE Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
| | - Qintao Zhao
- Nanchang Police-dog Base of the Ministry of Public Security of PRC, Nanchang 330100, China
| | - Junhua Ye
- Nanchang Police-dog Base of the Ministry of Public Security of PRC, Nanchang 330100, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (J.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jidong Mi
- Beijing SINOGENE Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102200, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (J.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yougang Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (J.M.); (Y.Z.)
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5
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Hou M, Zhu L, Jiang J, Liu Z, Li Z, Jia W, Hu J, Zhou X, Zhang D, Luo Y, Peng X, Xi Q, Jin L, Zhang X. Novel Heterozygous Mutations in ZP2 Cause Abnormal Zona Pellucida and Female Infertility. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:3047-3054. [PMID: 35595959 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00958-3] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) which is an extracellular matrix consisting of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 plays a vital role in oocyte maturity, early embryonic development, and fertilization process. Any alterations of structure or function may lead to the abnormal formation of ZP and female infertility. Two novel heterozygous mutations c.1859G > A (p.Cys620Tyr) and c.1421 T > C (p.Leu474Pro) in ZP2 gene were recognized in three patients from two unrelated families with abnormal ZP and female infertility in this study. The expression constructs carrying wild-type ZP2 gene, c.1859G > A (p.Cys620Tyr) mutant ZP2 gene, and c.1421 T > C (p.Leu474Pro) mutant ZP2 gene were transfected into CHO cells respectively. There was a remarkable decrease in the expression of p.Cys620Tyr mutant protein with western blot. In addition, secretion of p.Leu474Pro mutant protein in the culture medium reduced markedly compared with that of wild-type ZP2 protein. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation showed that the p.Leu474Pro mutation affected the interaction between ZP2 and ZP3. Prediction of three-dimensional (3D) structure of the proteins showed that p.Cys620Tyr mutation altered the disulfide bond of ZP2 protein and may affect its function. These findings extend the ranges of mutations of ZP2 gene. Meanwhile, it will be helpful to the precise diagnosis of abnormal ZP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jinghang Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jingmen No. 2 People's Hospital, Jingmen, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weimin Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Juan Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaopei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Yalin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Xuejie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
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6
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Wiesehöfer C, Wiesehöfer M, Dankert JT, Chung JJ, von Ostau NE, Singer BB, Wennemuth G. CatSper and its CaM-like Ca 2+ sensor EFCAB9 are necessary for the path chirality of sperm. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22288. [PMID: 35438819 PMCID: PMC9835897 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101656rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Successful fertilization depends on sperm motility adaptation. Ejaculated and activated sperm beat symmetrically in high frequency, move linearly, and swim with clockwise chirality. After capacitation, sperm beat asymmetrically with lower amplitude and a high lateral head excursion. This motility change called hyperactivation requires CatSper activation and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ . However, whether CatSper-mediated Ca2+ influx participates in controlling the swim path chirality is unknown. In this study, we show that the clockwise path chirality is preserved in mouse sperm regardless of capacitation state but is lost in the sperm either lacking the entire CatSper channel or its Ca2+ sensor EFCAB9. Pharmacological inhibition of CatSper with either mibefradil or NNC 55-0396 leads to the same loss in swim path chirality. Exposure of sperm to the recombinant N-terminal part of the zona pellucida protein 2 randomizes chirality in capacitated cells, but not in non-capacitated ones. We conclude that Ca2+ sensitive regulation of CatSper activity orchestrates clockwise swim path chirality of sperm and any substantial change, such as the physiological stimulus of zona pellucida glycoproteins, results in a loss of chirality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc Wiesehöfer
- Department of Anatomy, University Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Nicola Edith von Ostau
- Department of Anatomy, University Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany,Department of Urology, University Hospital Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Gunther Wennemuth
- Department of Anatomy, University Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany,Correspondence to
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7
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Johnston DS, Goldberg E. Preclinical contraceptive development for men and women. Biol Reprod 2021; 103:147-156. [PMID: 32561907 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This manuscript endeavors to present research considerations for the preclinical development of non-hormonal contraceptives. Topics include (1) how advances in genomics and bioinformatics impact the identification of novel targets for non-hormonal contraception, (2) the importance of target validation prior to investment in a contraceptive development campaign, (3) considerations on targeting gametogenesis vs gamete maturation/function, (4) how targets from the male reproductive system are expanding women's options for 'on demand' contraception, and (5) some emerging non-hormonal methods that are not based on a specific molecular target. Also presented are ideas for developing a pipeline of non-hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-acting contraceptives for men and women while balancing risk and innovation, and our perspective on the pros and cons of industry and academic environments on contraceptive development. Three product development programs are highlighted that are biologically interesting, innovative, and likely to influence the field of contraceptive development in years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Johnston
- Contraception Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erwin Goldberg
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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8
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Hamze JG, Jiménez-Movilla M, Romar R. Sperm-Binding Assay Using an In Vitro 3D Model of the Mammalian Cumulus-Oocyte Complex. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 86:e100. [PMID: 33331693 DOI: 10.1002/cptx.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We have recently described a new model to study gamete interaction in mammalian species. The model recreates the spherical surface of the oocyte by using magnetic Sepharose beads coated with a layer of a recombinant protein involved in gamete interaction (such as ZP2, or the IZUMO1 receptor JUNO) and an external layer of cumulus oophorus cells, thus mimicking, to some extent, a native cumulus-oocyte complex. Once generated, this 3D model can be used in a sperm-binding assay to obtain valuable information about the molecular basis of gamete interaction, since different recombinant proteins can be used to coat the bead surface, thus generating a variety of models to be used for several species. Furthermore, thanks to the ability of the model to decoy sperm, the physiological status of the bound sperm can be studied, making this a powerful tool to select sperm with high fertilizing capacity, to unmask subfertile animals in livestock breeding centers, or for toxicological studies. Here, we describe how to generate and use this model for sperm-binding assays, using porcine sperm as an example, and ZP2, a protein from zona pellucida, as the recombinant protein of interest. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of the in vitro 3D model Alternate Protocol 1: Binding cumulus oophorus cells to the model Basic Protocol 2: Quality control of the model by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and western blot Support Protocol 1: Immunochemistry to confirm proper protein distribution on surface of beads Support Protocol 2: Elution of recombinant conjugated proteins Basic Protocol 3: Sperm-binding assay Alternate Protocol 2: Sperm preparation by the swim-up method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Gabriela Hamze
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Romar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
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9
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Wang Y, Zhao W, Mei S, Chen P, Leung TY, Lee CL, Yeung WSB, Ou JP, Liang X, Chiu PCN. Identification of Sialyl-Lewis(x)-Interacting Protein on Human Spermatozoa. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:700396. [PMID: 34354992 PMCID: PMC8329450 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.700396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Capacitated spermatozoa initiate fertilization by binding to the zona pellucida (ZP). Defective spermatozoa-ZP binding causes infertility. The sialyl-Lewis(x) (SLeX) sequence is the most abundant terminal sequence on the glycans of human ZP glycoproteins involving in spermatozoa-ZP binding. This study aimed to identify and characterize the SLeX-binding proteins on human spermatozoa. By using affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometric analysis, chromosome 1 open reading frame 56 (C1orf56) was identified to be a SLeX-binding protein of capacitated spermatozoa. The acrosomal region of spermatozoa possessed C1orf56 immunoreactive signals with intensities that increased after capacitation indicating translocation of C1orf56 to the cell surface during capacitation. Treatment with antibody against C1orf56 inhibited spermatozoa-ZP binding and ZP-induced acrosome reaction. Purified C1orf56 from capacitated spermatozoa bound to human ZP. A pilot clinical study was conducted and found no association between the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa with C1orf56 expression and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in assisted reproduction treatment. However, the percentage of C1orf56 positive spermatozoa in the acrosome-reacted population was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cycles with a fertilization rate < 60% when compared to those with a higher fertilization rate, suggesting that C1orf56 may have functions after ZP-binding and acrosome reaction. A larger clinical trial is needed to determine the possible use of sperm C1orf56 content for the prediction of fertilization potential of sperm samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weie Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si Mei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Department of Physiology, Medical College, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Panyu Chen
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tsz-Ying Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cheuk-Lun Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - William S B Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Ping Ou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Philip C N Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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10
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Killingbeck EE, Wilburn DB, Merrihew GE, MacCoss MJ, Swanson WJ. Proteomics support the threespine stickleback egg coat as a protective oocyte envelope. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:500-515. [PMID: 34148267 PMCID: PMC8362008 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ancestrally marine threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have undergone an adaptive radiation into freshwater environments throughout the Northern Hemisphere, creating an excellent model system for studying molecular adaptation and speciation. Ecological and behavioral factors have been suggested to underlie stickleback reproductive isolation and incipient speciation, but reproductive proteins mediating gamete recognition during fertilization have so far remained unexplored. To begin to investigate the contribution of reproductive proteins to stickleback reproductive isolation, we have characterized the stickleback egg coat proteome. We find that stickleback egg coats are comprised of homologs to the zona pellucida (ZP) proteins ZP1 and ZP3, as in other teleost fish. Our molecular evolutionary analyses indicate that across teleosts, ZP3 but not ZP1 has experienced positive Darwinian selection. Mammalian ZP3 is also rapidly evolving, and surprisingly some residues under selection in stickleback and mammalian ZP3 directly align. Despite broad homology, however, we find differences between mammalian and stickleback ZP proteins with respect to glycosylation, disulfide bonding, and sites of synthesis. Taken together, the changes we observe in stickleback ZP protein architecture suggest that the egg coats of stickleback fish, and perhaps fish more generally, have evolved to fulfill a more protective functional role than their mammalian counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Damien B Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gennifer E Merrihew
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael J MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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11
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Jiménez-Movilla M, Hamze JG, Romar R. Oolemma Receptors in Mammalian Molecular Fertilization: Function and New Methods of Study. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662032. [PMID: 34095128 PMCID: PMC8170029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a key process in biology to the extent that a new individual will be born from the fusion of two cells, one of which leaves the organism in which it was produced to exert its function within a different organism. The structure and function of gametes, and main aspects of fertilization are well known. However, we have limited knowledge about the specific molecules participating in each of the steps of the fertilization process due to the transient nature of gamete interaction. Moreover, if we specifically focus in the fusion of both gametes’ membrane, we might say our molecular knowledge is practically null, despite that molecular mechanisms of cell-to-cell adhesion are well studied in somatic cells. Moreover, between both gametes, the molecular knowledge in the egg is even scarcer than in the spermatozoon for different reasons addressed in this review. Sperm-specific protein IZUMO1 and its oocyte partner, JUNO, are the first cell surface receptor pair essential for sperm–egg plasma membrane binding. Recently, thanks to gene editing tools and the development and validation of in vitro models, new oocyte molecules are being suggested in gamete fusion such as phosphatidylserine recognition receptors. Undoubtedly, we are in a new era for widening our comprehension on molecular fertilization. In this work, we comprehensively address the proposed molecules involved in gamete binding and fusion, from the oocyte perspective, and the new methods that are providing a better understanding of these crucial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Jiménez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Julieta G Hamze
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Romar
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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12
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New Insights into the Mammalian Egg Zona Pellucida. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063276. [PMID: 33806989 PMCID: PMC8005149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes are surrounded by an extracellular coat called the zona pellucida (ZP), which, from an evolutionary point of view, is the most ancient of the coats that envelope vertebrate oocytes and conceptuses. This matrix separates the oocyte from cumulus cells and is responsible for species-specific recognition between gametes, preventing polyspermy and protecting the preimplantation embryo. The ZP is a dynamic structure that shows different properties before and after fertilization. Until very recently, mammalian ZP was believed to be composed of only three glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3, as first described in mouse. However, studies have revealed that this composition is not necessarily applicable to other mammals. Such differences can be explained by an analysis of the molecular evolution of the ZP gene family, during which ZP genes have suffered pseudogenization and duplication events that have resulted in differing models of ZP protein composition. The many discoveries made in recent years related to ZP composition and evolution suggest that a compilation would be useful. Moreover, this review analyses ZP biosynthesis, the role of each ZP protein in different mammalian species and how these proteins may interact among themselves and with other proteins present in the oviductal lumen.
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13
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Gupta SK. Human Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins: Binding Characteristics With Human Spermatozoa and Induction of Acrosome Reaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:619868. [PMID: 33681199 PMCID: PMC7928326 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.619868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human zona pellucida (ZP) matrix is composed of four glycoproteins designated as ZP glycoprotein -1 (ZP1), -2 (ZP2), -3 (ZP3), and -4 (ZP4). Mutations in the genes encoding human ZP glycoproteins are one of the causative factors leading to abnormal ZP matrix and infertility in women. Relevance of the human ZP glycoproteins in 'sperm-oocyte' binding has been delineated by using either transgenic animal models expressing human zona proteins or purified native/recombinant human zona proteins. Studies based on the purified native/recombinant human zona proteins revealed that ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 primarily bind to the capacitated acrosome-intact human spermatozoa whereas ZP2 binds to acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. On the contrary, human spermatozoa binds to the eggs obtained from transgenic mouse lines expressing human ZP2 but not to those expressing human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 suggesting that ZP2 has an important role in human 'sperm-oocyte' binding. Further studies using transgenic mouse lines showed that the N-terminus of human ZP2 mediate the taxon-specific human sperm-oocyte binding. Both glycans and protein-protein interactions have a role in human gamete interaction. Further studies have revealed that the purified native/recombinant human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 are competent to induce acrosome reaction. Human sperm binds to the mouse transgenic eggs expressing human ZP1-4 instead of mouse ZP1-3 proteins, penetrated the ZP matrix and accumulated in the perivitelline space, which were acrosome-reacted suggesting that human ZP2 in transgenic mouse model also induce acrosome reaction. In humans N-linked glycosylation of zona proteins have been shown to play an important role in induction of the acrosome reaction. Hence in humans, based on studies using transgenic mouse model as well as purified native/recombinant zona proteins, it is likely that more than one zona protein is involved in the 'sperm-oocyte' binding and induction of the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Lab, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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14
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Izquierdo-Rico MJ, Moros-Nicolás C, Pérez-Crespo M, Laguna-Barraza R, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Veyrunes F, Ballesta J, Laudet V, Chevret P, Avilés M. ZP4 Is Present in Murine Zona Pellucida and Is Not Responsible for the Specific Gamete Interaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:626679. [PMID: 33537315 PMCID: PMC7848090 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.626679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian eggs are surrounded by an extracellular matrix called the zona pellucida (ZP). This envelope participates in processes such as acrosome reaction induction, sperm binding, protection of the oviductal embryo, and may be involved in speciation. In eutherian mammals, this coat is formed of three or four glycoproteins (ZP1–ZP4). While Mus musculus has been used as a model to study the ZP for more than 35 years, surprisingly, it is the only eutherian species in which the ZP is formed of three glycoproteins Zp1, Zp2, and Zp3, Zp4 being a pseudogene. Zp4 was lost in the Mus lineage after it diverged from Rattus, although it is not known when precisely this loss occurred. In this work, the status of Zp4 in several murine rodents was tested by phylogenetic, molecular, and proteomic analyses. Additionally, assays of cross in vitro fertilization between three and four ZP rodents were performed to test the effect of the presence of Zp4 in murine ZP and its possible involvement in reproductive isolation. Our results showed that Zp4 pseudogenization is restricted to the subgenus Mus, which diverged around 6 MYA. Heterologous in vitro fertilization assays demonstrate that a ZP formed of four glycoproteins is not a barrier for the spermatozoa of species with a ZP formed of three glycoproteins. This study identifies the existence of several mouse species with four ZPs that can be considered suitable for use as an experimental animal model to understand the structural and functional roles of the four ZP proteins in other species, including human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mª José Izquierdo-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Carla Moros-Nicolás
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Míriam Pérez-Crespo
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Laguna-Barraza
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Frédéric Veyrunes
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, UMR5554 CNRS/Université Montpellier/IRD/EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - José Ballesta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Pascale Chevret
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
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15
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Hamze JG, Sánchez JM, O’Callaghan E, McDonald M, Bermejo-Álvarez P, Romar R, Lonergan P, Jiménez-Movilla M. JUNO protein coated beads: A potential tool to predict bovine sperm fertilizing ability. Theriogenology 2020; 155:168-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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16
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Mammalian spermatozoa and cumulus cells bind to a 3D model generated by recombinant zona pellucida protein-coated beads. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17989. [PMID: 31784633 PMCID: PMC6884566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54501-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The egg is a spherical cell encapsulated by the zona pellucida (ZP) which forms a filamentous matrix composed of several glycoproteins that mediate gamete recognition at fertilization. Studies on molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg binding are limited in many mammalian species by the scarcity of eggs, by ethical concerns in harvesting eggs, and by the high cost of producing genetically modified animals. To address these limitations, we have reproduced a three-dimensional (3D) model mimicking the oocyte's shape, by means of magnetic sepharose beads coated with recombinant ZP glycoproteins (BZP) and cumulus cells. Three preparations composed of either ZP2 (C and N-termini; BZP2), ZP3 (BZP3) or ZP4 (BZP4) were obtained and characterized by protein SDS-PAGE, immunoblot and imaging with confocal and electron microscopy. The functionality of the model was validated by adhesion of cumulus cells, the ability of the glycoprotein-beads to support spermatozoa binding and induce acrosome exocytosis. Thus, our findings document that ZP-beads provide a novel 3D tool to investigate the role of specific proteins on egg-sperm interactions becoming a relevant tool as a diagnostic predictor of mammalian sperm function once transferred to the industry.
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17
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Bhakta HH, Refai FH, Avella MA. The molecular mechanisms mediating mammalian fertilization. Development 2019; 146:146/15/dev176966. [PMID: 31375552 DOI: 10.1242/dev.176966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization is a key biological process in which the egg and sperm must recognize one another and fuse to form a zygote. Although the process is a continuum, mammalian fertilization has been studied as a sequence of steps: sperm bind and penetrate through the zona pellucida of the egg, adhere to the egg plasma membrane and finally fuse with the egg. Following fusion, effective blocks to polyspermy ensure monospermic fertilization. Here, we review how recent advances obtained using genetically modified mouse lines bring new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian fertilization. We discuss models for these processes and we include studies showing that these mechanisms may be conserved across different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanisha H Bhakta
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Fares H Refai
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Matteo A Avella
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
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18
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The use of a virtual journal club to promote cross-cultural learning in the reproductive sciences. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:2141-2147. [PMID: 30246222 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1309-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Scientific literacy and communication are critical skills in the biological sciences. Journal clubs, in which peer-reviewed academic literature is discussed, are traditionally used to teach students to evaluate the literature, review scientific findings, and learn about historical, controversial, or current topics. METHODS We used a virtual journal club to facilitate the international interaction between two universities with master's degree programs in the reproductive sciences: the University of Murcia (Spain) and Northwestern University (USA). The virtual journal club occurred over a 2-hour period and was held using Blue Jeans Conferencing Service software and involved a total of 29 students. During this event, the students who were separated physically by thousands of miles discussed and exchanged ideas about a high-impact publication in real time. A survey assessment was administered to students at the University of Murcia following the event. RESULTS Positive perceptions included the establishment of cross-institutional interactions and the ability to practice scientific communication in another language. Areas noted for improvement included preparation time and engagement opportunities. CONCLUSION Overall, the virtual journal club is an innovative technology that can easily be broadened and has the potential to foster collaboration, ameliorate multilingual communication, improve cultural competencies, and expand professional global networks.
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19
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Moros-Nicolás C, Leza A, Chevret P, Guillén-Martínez A, González-Brusi L, Boué F, Lopez-Bejar M, Ballesta J, Avilés M, Izquierdo-Rico MJ. Analysis of ZP1 gene reveals differences in zona pellucida composition in carnivores. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 30:272-285. [PMID: 28679462 DOI: 10.1071/rd17022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular envelope that surrounds mammalian oocytes. This coat participates in the interaction between gametes, induction of the acrosome reaction, block of polyspermy and protection of the oviductal embryo. Previous studies suggested that carnivore ZP was formed by three glycoproteins (ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4), with ZP1 being a pseudogene. However, a recent study in the cat found that all four proteins were expressed. In the present study, in silico and molecular analyses were performed in several carnivores to clarify the ZP composition in this order of mammals. The in silico analysis demonstrated the presence of the ZP1 gene in five carnivores: cheetah, panda, polar bear, tiger and walrus, whereas in the Antarctic fur seal and the Weddell seal there was evidence of pseudogenisation. Molecular analysis showed the presence of four ZP transcripts in ferret ovaries (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4) and three in fox ovaries (ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4). Analysis of the fox ZP1 gene showed the presence of a stop codon. The results strongly suggest that all four ZP genes are expressed in most carnivores, whereas ZP1 pseudogenisation seems to have independently affected three families (Canidae, Otariidae and Phocidae) of the carnivore tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Moros-Nicolás
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Leza
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - P Chevret
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - A Guillén-Martínez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - L González-Brusi
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - F Boué
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, CS 40009, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - M Lopez-Bejar
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Ballesta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M J Izquierdo-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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20
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Tokuhiro K, Dean J. Glycan-Independent Gamete Recognition Triggers Egg Zinc Sparks and ZP2 Cleavage to Prevent Polyspermy. Dev Cell 2018; 46:627-640.e5. [PMID: 30122633 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs regulates monospermic fertilization necessary for successful development. Using mouse transgenesis, we document that the N terminus of ZP2 is sufficient for sperm binding to the zona matrix and for in vivo fertility. Sperm binding is independent of ZP2 glycans and does not occur after complete cleavage of ZP2 by ovastacin, a zinc metalloendopeptidase stored in egg cortical granules. Immediately following fertilization, a rapid block to sperm penetration of the zona pellucida is established that precedes ZP2 cleavage but requires ovastacin enzymatic activity. This block to penetration is associated with release of zinc from cortical granules coincident with exocytosis. High levels of zinc affect forward motility of sperm to prevent their passage through the zona matrix. This transient, post-fertilization block to sperm penetration provides a temporal window to complete the cleavage of ZP2, which prevents sperm binding to ensure monospermy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keizo Tokuhiro
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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21
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Comparative mRNA and miRNA expression in European mouflon (Ovis musimon) and sheep (Ovis aries) provides novel insights into the genetic mechanisms for female reproductive success. Heredity (Edinb) 2018; 122:172-186. [PMID: 29784930 PMCID: PMC6327046 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolific breeds of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are important genetic resources due to their reproductive performance, which is characterized by multiple lambs per birth and out-of-season breeding. However, the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the important reproductive traits, particularly from the evolutionary genomics perspective, has impeded the efficient advancement of sheep breeding. Here, for the first time, by performing RNA-sequencing we built a de novo transcriptome assembly of ovarian and endometrial tissues in European mouflon (Ovis musimon) and performed an mRNA–miRNA integrated expression profiling analysis of the wild species and a highly prolific domestic sheep breed, the Finnsheep. We identified several novel genes with differentially expressed mRNAs (e.g., EREG, INHBA, SPP1, AMH, TDRD5, and ZP2) between the wild and domestic sheep, which are functionally involved in oocyte and follicle development and fertilization, and are significantly (adjusted P-value < 0.05) enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) terms of various reproductive process, including the regulation of fertilization, oogenesis, ovarian follicle development, and sperm–egg recognition. Additionally, we characterized 58 differentially expressed miRNAs and 210 associated target genes that are essential for the regulation of female reproduction cycles through specific regulatory networks [e.g., (miR-136, miR-374a, miR-9-5p)-(EREG, INHBA)]. Furthermore, our integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiling analysis elucidated novel direct and indirect miRNA/mRNA causal regulatory relationships related to the reproductive traits of the Ovis species. This study provides in-depth insights into the genomic evolution underlying the reproductive traits of the Ovis species and valuable resources for ovine genomics.
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22
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Chinoy ZS, Friscourt F, Capicciotti CJ, Chiu P, Boons GJ. Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Asymmetrical Multi-Antennary N-Glycans to Dissect Glycan-Mediated Interactions between Human Sperm and Oocytes. Chemistry 2018; 24:7970-7975. [PMID: 29603480 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Complex N-glycans of glycoproteins of the zona pellucida (ZP) of human oocytes have been implicated in the binding of spermatozoa. The termini of these unusual bi-, tri-, and tetra-antennary N-glycans consist of the tetrasaccharide sialyl-Lewisx (SLex ), which was previously identified as the minimal epitope for sperm binding. We describe here the chemoenzymatic synthesis of highly complex triantennary N-glycans derived from ZP carrying SLex moieties at the C-2 and C-2' arm and a sialyl-Lewisx -Lewisx (SLex -Lex ) residue at the C-6 antenna and two closely related analogues. The compounds were examined for their ability to inhibit the interaction of human sperm to ZP. It was found that the SLex -Lex moiety is critical for inhibitory activity, whereas the other SLex moieties exerted minimal effect. Further studies with SLex -Lex and SLex showed that the extended structure is the more potent inhibitor. In addition, trivalent SLex -Lex and SLex were prepared which showed greater inhibitory activity compared to their monovalent counterparts. Our studies show that although SLex can inhibit the binding of spermatozoa, presenting this epitope in the context of a complex N-glycan results in a loss of inhibitory potential, and in this context only SLex -Lex can make productive interactions. It is not the multivalent display of SLex on a multi-antennary glycan but the presentation of multiple SLex -Lex on the various glycosylation sites of ZP that accounts for high avidity binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoeisha S Chinoy
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Frédéric Friscourt
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Chantelle J Capicciotti
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Philip Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Building, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences.,Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, Netherlands
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23
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Abstract
All animal oocytes are surrounded by a glycoproteinaceous egg coat, a specialized extracellular matrix that serves both structural and species-specific roles during fertilization. Egg coat glycoproteins polymerize into the extracellular matrix of the egg coat using a conserved protein-protein interaction module-the zona pellucida (ZP) domain-common to both vertebrates and invertebrates, suggesting that the basic structural features of egg coats have been conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Egg coat proteins, as with other proteins involved in reproduction, are frequently found to be rapidly evolving. Given that gamete compatibility must be maintained for the fitness of sexually reproducing organisms, this finding is somewhat paradoxical and suggests a role for adaptive diversification in reproductive protein evolution. Here we review the structure and function of metazoan egg coat proteins, with an emphasis on the potential role their evolution has played in the creation and maintenance of species boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
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24
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Sankaranarayanan S, Higashiyama T. Capacitation in Plant and Animal Fertilization. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 23:129-139. [PMID: 29170007 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction relies on the successful fusion of the sperm and egg cell. Despite the vast differences between plants and animals, there are similarities at a molecular level between plant and animal reproduction. While the molecular basis of fertilization has been extensively studied in plants, the process of capacitation has received little attention until recently. Recent research has started to uncover the molecular basis of plant capacitation. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that the key molecules in plants and animal fertilization are functionally conserved. Here, we review new insights for our understanding of capacitation of pollen tube and fertilization in plants and also propose that there are commonalities in the process of sexual reproduction between plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanian Sankaranarayanan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.
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Shin SW, Vogt EJ, Jimenez-Movilla M, Baibakov B, Dean J. Cytoplasmic cleavage of DPPA3 is required for intracellular trafficking and cleavage-stage development in mice. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1643. [PMID: 29158485 PMCID: PMC5696369 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01387-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Degradation of maternal proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) accompanies the maternal-to-zygotic transition. DPPA3/Stella/PGC7, encoded by a maternal effect gene, is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of zygotes and has been associated with protecting the female pronucleus from TET3-mediated demethylation. We now report that cytoplasmic DPPA3 is partially cleaved by the ubiquitin-proteasome system and an N-terminus fragment remains in the cytoplasm where it associates with early and re-cycling endosomes. If DPPA3 is absent or if cleavage is prevented, multiple vesicles coalesce/aggregate and markers of lysosomes are decreased. Fertilized eggs develop poorly into blastocysts, which results in significantly decreased fecundity of Dppa3 R60A transgenic mice. This phenocopies aspects of Lamp1/2 knockdowns and Dppa3 KO embryos can be partially rescued in vitro by DPPA31-60 and to a lesser extent by LAMP1/2. Thus, the N-terminus of DPPA3 has a significant role in cytoplasmic vesicular trafficking in addition to its previously reported nuclear function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Wook Shin
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Edgar John Vogt
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Maria Jimenez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, IMIB, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Boris Baibakov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Li S, Winuthayanon W. Oviduct: roles in fertilization and early embryo development. J Endocrinol 2017; 232:R1-R26. [PMID: 27875265 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animal oviducts and human Fallopian tubes are a part of the female reproductive tract that hosts fertilization and pre-implantation development of the embryo. With an increasing understanding of roles of the oviduct at the cellular and molecular levels, current research signifies the importance of the oviduct on naturally conceived fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. This review highlights the physiological conditions within the oviduct during fertilization, environmental regulation, oviductal fluid composition and its role in protecting embryos and supplying nutrients. Finally, the review compares different aspects of naturally occurring fertilization and assisted reproductive technology (ART)-achieved fertilization and embryo development, giving insight into potential areas for improvement in this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- School of Molecular BiosciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Wipawee Winuthayanon
- School of Molecular BiosciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Floehr J, Dietzel E, Schmitz C, Chappell A, Jahnen-Dechent W. Down-regulation of the liver-derived plasma protein fetuin-B mediates reversible female infertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 23:34-44. [PMID: 27733488 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated down-regulation of serum fetuin-B cause infertility like fetuin-B gene deficiency in female mice? SUMMARY ANSWER Pharmacological fetuin-B down-regulation by ASO therapy results in reversible infertility in female mice. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Female fetuin-B deficient (Fetub-/-) mice are infertile owing to premature zona pellucida (ZP) hardening. Enzyme activity studies demonstrated that fetuin-B is a potent and highly specific inhibitor of the zona proteinase ovastacin, which cleaves ZP protein 2 (ZP2) and thus mediates definitive ZP hardening. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Ten fetuin-B ASO boli (100 mg/kg) were injected s.c. over 20 days in 12 female mice, and 10 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice were used as control. At day 20 females were mated to evaluate fetuin-B as a potential molecular target for contraception. ASO and PBS treatment was continued for ten injections. After treatment cessation at day 50, mating was continued to investigate if infertility was reversible. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We generated fetuin-B/ovastacin double deficient (Fetub-/-, Astl-/-) mice by conventional breeding to test if fertility of Fetub-/- female mice was restored when the target proteinase would likewise be deleted. At least five matings with each female genotype (Fetub-/- single deficient, Astl-/- single deficient, Fetub-/-, Astl-/- double deficient) were performed. To test the contraceptive effect of fetuin-B down-regulation, 22 female mice (6-13 weeks old) were treated with repetitive boli of 100 mg/kg fetuin-B ASO (n = 12) or PBS (n = 10) and mated continuously. Serum fetuin-B was determined by immunoblot before, during and after the ASO treatment. After 3 weeks of ASO treatment, in 6 females Fetub mRNA in liver was analyzed by PCR, and six PBS-treated females were used as control. Aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also measured in serum of six mice in each group. To determine the minimum permissive serum fetuin-B concentration required for successful fertilization IVF was performed in five fetuin-B ASO-treated mice. As a control, six females were injected with control oligonucleotides and six females were left untreated. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Fertility of Fetub-/- female mice was restored by additional ovastacin deficiency (Astl-/-). Unlike Fetub-/- mice, female Fetub-/-, Astl-/- mice were fertile, confirming ovastacin as a primary molecular target of fetuin-B. At day 20, after receiving 10 fetuin-B ASO boli, serum fetuin-B was down-regulated to 8 ± 6% (mean ± SD) of baseline level. Fetuin-B down-regulation was confirmed at the mRNA level. Fetuin-B ASO-treated females had 12.1 ± 3.1% of the liver Fetub mRNA level seen in PBS-treated females. In the following mating study, 11 out of 12 mated females failed to become pregnant during 50 days of ASO treatment and continuous mating from day 20 onwards. IVF of oocytes derived from ASO-treated females suggested that a serum fetuin-B level of less than 10 µg/ml was required to prevent pregnancy. Withdrawal of ASO treatment normalized serum fetuin-B and restored fertility; all female mice became pregnant and had litters within 60.3 ± 35.9 days after cessation of ASO treatment. The first litter was significantly smaller than that of control mice (4.6 ± 2.3 versus 6.7 ± 1.8 pups, n = 20, P = 0.04) but the smaller litter size was only temporary. The size of the second litter was similar to the first litter of control mice (7.6 ± 1.3 versus 6.7 ± 1.8 pups, n = 18, P = 0.25). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The repeated dose of 100 mg/kg fetuin-B ASO boli caused an increased serum ALT and AST activity, suggesting hepatotoxicity. Daily vaginal plug checks indicated successful mating, but mating plugs in ASO-treated mice were less stable (vaginal tract not closed) than in control mice. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Pharmacological fetuin-B down-regulation in mice caused reversible infertility. Control of ovastacin proteinase activity by fetuin-B is a necessary determinant of female fertility that can serve as a target for female contraception. Although promising in terms of human contraception, further studies analyzing the balance between sufficient fetuin-B down-regulation and tolerable side effects are required to improve safety before transfer into human reproductive biology can be considered. LARGE SCALE DATA None. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS The research was supported by a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by the START program of the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University. The authors E.D., J.F. and W.J.-D. are named inventors on a patent application of RWTH Aachen University covering the use of fetuin-B in ovary and oocyte culture. No conflict of interest is declared by C.S. and A.C.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Floehr
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Biointerface Laboratory, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - E Dietzel
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Biointerface Laboratory, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - C Schmitz
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Biointerface Laboratory, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - A Chappell
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - W Jahnen-Dechent
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Biointerface Laboratory, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Dietzel E, Floehr J, Van de Leur E, Weiskirchen R, Jahnen-Dechent W. Recombinant fetuin-B protein maintains high fertilization rate in cumulus cell-free mouse oocytes. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 23:25-33. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Innovation: ZP2-coated beads decoy sperm. Nat Rev Urol 2016; 13:368. [PMID: 27184723 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Catching sperm for contraception. Nature 2016. [DOI: 10.1038/533011c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Dean J, VanHook AM. Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 27 April 2016. Sci Transl Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf8448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Peptide-coated beads could be used for contraception or to select the sperm best suited for use in assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Annalisa M. VanHook
- Web Editor, Science Signaling, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
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