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Merges GE, Arévalo L, Kovacevic A, Lohanadan K, de Rooij DG, Simon C, Jokwitz M, Witke W, Schorle H. Actl7b deficiency leads to mislocalization of LC8 type dynein light chains and disruption of murine spermatogenesis. Development 2023; 150:dev201593. [PMID: 37800308 PMCID: PMC10652042 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Actin-related proteins (Arps) are classified according to their similarity to actin and are involved in diverse cellular processes. ACTL7B is a testis-specific Arp, and is highly conserved in rodents and primates. ACTL7B is specifically expressed in round and elongating spermatids during spermiogenesis. Here, we have generated an Actl7b-null allele in mice to unravel the role of ACTL7B in sperm formation. Male mice homozygous for the Actl7b-null allele (Actl7b-/-) were infertile, whereas heterozygous males (Actl7b+/-) were fertile. Severe spermatid defects, such as detached acrosomes, disrupted membranes and flagella malformations start to appear after spermiogenesis step 9 in Actl7b-/- mice, finally resulting in spermatogenic arrest. Abnormal spermatids were degraded and levels of autophagy markers were increased. Co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry experiments identified an interaction between ACTL7B and the LC8 dynein light chains DYNLL1 and DYNLL2, which are first detected in step 9 spermatids and mislocalized when ACTL7B is absent. Our data unequivocally establish that mutations in ACTL7B are directly related to male infertility, pressing for additional research in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina E. Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andjela Kovacevic
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Keerthika Lohanadan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dirk G. de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla Simon
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Melanie Jokwitz
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Walter Witke
- Cell Migration Unit, Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Jeanne F, Bernay B, Sourdaine P. Comparative Proteome Analysis of Four Stages of Spermatogenesis in the Small-Spotted Catshark ( Scyliorhinus canicula), Using High-Resolution NanoLC-ESI-MS/MS. J Proteome Res 2023. [PMID: 37290099 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly specialized process of cell proliferation and differentiation leading to the production of spermatozoa from spermatogonial stem cells. Due to its testicular anatomy, Scyliorhinus canicula is an interesting model to explore stage-based changes in proteins during spermatogenesis. The proteomes of four testicular zones corresponding to the germinative niche and to spermatocysts (cysts) with spermatogonia (zone A), cysts with spermatocytes (zone B), cysts with young spermatids (zone C), and cysts with late spermatids (zone D) have been analyzed by nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS. Gene ontology and KEGG annotations were also performed. A total of 3346 multiple protein groups were identified. Zone-specific protein analyses highlighted RNA-processing, chromosome-related processes, cilium organization, and cilium activity in zones A, D, C, and D, respectively. Analyses of proteins with zone-dependent abundance revealed processes related to cellular stress, ubiquitin-dependent degradation by the proteasome, post-transcriptional regulation, and regulation of cellular homeostasis. Our results also suggest that the roles of some proteins, such as ceruloplasmin, optineurin, the pregnancy zone protein, PA28β or the Culling-RING ligase 5 complex, as well as some uncharacterized proteins, during spermatogenesis could be further explored. Finally, the study of this shark species allows one to integrate these data in an evolutionary context of the regulation of spermatogenesis. Mass spectrometry data are freely accessible via iProX-integrated Proteome resources (https://www.iprox.cn/) for reuse purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Jeanne
- Université de Caen Normandie, MNHN, SU, UA, CNRS, IRD, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), UMR 8067, 14032 Caen cedex 5, France
| | - Benoît Bernay
- Université de Caen Normandie - Plateforme PROTEOGEN, US EMerode, 14032 Caen cedex 5, France
| | - Pascal Sourdaine
- Université de Caen Normandie, MNHN, SU, UA, CNRS, IRD, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), UMR 8067, 14032 Caen cedex 5, France
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3
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Liu A, Li F, Xu P, Chen Y, Liang X, Zheng S, Meng H, Zhu Y, Mo J, Gong C, Zhou JC. Gpx4, Selenov, and Txnrd3 Are Three Most Testis-Abundant Selenogenes Resistant to Dietary Selenium Concentrations and Actively Expressed During Reproductive Ages in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:250-259. [PMID: 35076866 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03118-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Almost all selenogenes are expressed in the testis, and those have the highest and constant expressions will be the primary candidates for functional analysis of selenium (Se) in male reproduction. This study aimed to profile the mRNA expressions of the testis-abundant selenogenes of rat models in responses to growth and dietary Se concentrations. Forty-eight weaning SD male rats were fed Se deficient basal diet (BD) for 5 weeks and then randomly grouped (n = 12/group) for being fed BD or BD plus 0.25, 3, or 5 mg Se/kg for 4 more weeks before sacrifice. Abundances of selenogenomic mRNAs in the liver and testis were determined with relative qPCR and those of the testis-abundant selenogenes in 13 kinds of tissues were assayed with a molecular beacon-based qPCR. Spatiotemporal expressions of rat selenogenome were also analyzed with the RNA-Seq transcriptomic data published by NCBI. mRNA abundances of glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), nuclear Gpx4 (nGpx4), selenoprotein V (Selenov), and thioredoxin reductase 3 (Txnrd3) in the testis were significantly higher than that in any other tissues (P < 0.05). Moreover, testicular mRNA abundances of Gpx4, Selenov, and Txnrd3 were not affected by levels of dietary Se supplementation (P > 0.05), and much higher at 6-21 weeks old than at 2 and 104 weeks old (P < 0.05). The result showed that Gpx4, Selenov, and Txnrd3 were most highly expressed in the testis of rats especially at reproductive ages and resistant to the impact of dietary Se levels, which suggested their specific importance in male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Liu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
- Nanjing Gulou District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengna Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Xu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, 518028, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanmei Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiongshun Liang
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Shijie Zheng
- Service Center for Public Health of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518018, Guangdong, China
| | - Huicui Meng
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yumei Zhu
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Junluan Mo
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunmei Gong
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Ji-Chang Zhou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China.
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Ahn J, Kim DH, Park MR, Suh Y, Lee H, Hwang S, Mamuad LL, Lee SS, Lee K. A novel testis-enriched gene, Samd4a, regulates spermatogenesis as a spermatid-specific factor. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:978343. [PMID: 36274854 PMCID: PMC9579339 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.978343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the highly orchestrated process involving expression of a series of testicular genes. Testis-enriched genes are critical for cellular processes during spermatogenesis whose disruption leads to impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility. Nevertheless, among poorly investigated testicular genes are the mouse Samd4a and human SAMD4A which were identified in the current study as novel testis-enriched genes through transcriptomic analyses. In particular, as orthologous alternative splicing isoforms, mouse Samd4a E-form and human SAMD4AC-form containing the SAM domain were specific to testes. Western blot analyses revealed that the murine SAMD4AE-form was predominantly found in the testis. Analyses on GEO2R and single-cell RNA-seq datasets revealed that the Samd4a/SAMD4A expression was enriched in spermatids among various types of cells in adult testes. To investigate in vivo functions of Samd4a, Samd4a knockout mice were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The Samd4a deficiency resulted in lower testis weight, absence of elongated spermatids, and an increased number of apoptotic cells. Profiling of gene expression in human testis samples revealed that the SAMD4A expression was comparable between obstructive azoospermia patients and normal controls, but significantly lowered in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Among three subgroups of NOA, pre-meiotic arrest (NOA-pre), meiotic arrest (NOA-mei), and post-meiotic arrest (NOA-post), expression level of SAMD4A was higher in the NOA-post than the NOA-mei, but there was no difference between the NOA-pre and NOA-mei. The current studies demonstrated spermatid stage-specific expression of Samd4a/SAMD4A, and impairment of the late stages of spermatogenesis by disruption of the mouse Samd4a gene. These data suggest that Samd4a/SAMD4A plays an essential role in normal spermatogenesis, and SAMD4A, as a spermatid specific marker, can be used for subcategorizing NOA patients. Further understanding the molecular role of SAMD4A will advance our knowledge on genetic regulations in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Ahn
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Dong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mi-Ryung Park
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Yeunsu Suh
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Haesun Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Seongsoo Hwang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Lovelia L. Mamuad
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sang Suk Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Sang Suk Lee, ; Kichoon Lee,
| | - Kichoon Lee
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sang Suk Lee, ; Kichoon Lee,
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TCFL5 deficiency impairs the pachytene to diplotene transition during spermatogenesis in the mouse. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10956. [PMID: 35768632 PMCID: PMC9242989 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex, multistep process during which spermatogonia give rise to spermatozoa. Transcription Factor Like 5 (TCFL5) is a transcription factor that has been described expressed during spermatogenesis. In order to decipher the role of TCFL5 during in vivo spermatogenesis, we generated two mouse models. Ubiquitous removal of TCFL5 generated by breeding TCFL5fl/fl with SOX2-Cre mice resulted in sterile males being unable to produce spermatozoa due to a dramatic alteration of the testis architecture presenting meiosis arrest and lack of spermatids. SYCP3, SYCP1 and H1T expression analysis showed that TCFL5 deficiency causes alterations during pachytene/diplotene transition resulting in a meiotic arrest in a diplotene-like stage. Even more, TCFL5 deficient pachytene showed alterations in the number of MLH1 foci and the condensation of the sexual body. In addition, tamoxifen-inducible TCFL5 knockout mice showed, besides meiosis phenotype, alterations in the spermatids elongation process resulting in aberrant spermatids. Furthermore, TCFL5 deficiency increased spermatogonia maintenance genes (Dalz, Sox2, and Dmrt1) but also increased meiosis genes (Syce1, Stag3, and Morc2a) suggesting that the synaptonemal complex forms well, but cannot separate and meiosis does not proceed. TCFL5 is able to bind to the promoter of Syce1, Stag3, Dmrt1, and Syce1 suggesting a direct control of their expression. In conclusion, TCFL5 plays an essential role in spermatogenesis progression being indispensable for meiosis resolution and spermatids maturation.
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Astro V, Alowaysi M, Fiacco E, Saera-Vila A, Cardona-Londoño KJ, Aiese Cigliano R, Adamo A. Pseudoautosomal Region 1 Overdosage Affects the Global Transcriptome in iPSCs From Patients With Klinefelter Syndrome and High-Grade X Chromosome Aneuploidies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801597. [PMID: 35186953 PMCID: PMC8850648 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most prevalent aneuploidy in males and is characterized by a 47,XXY karyotype. Less frequently, higher grade sex chromosome aneuploidies (HGAs) can also occur. Here, using a paradigmatic cohort of KS and HGA induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying 49,XXXXY, 48,XXXY, and 47,XXY karyotypes, we identified the genes within the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) as the most susceptible to dosage-dependent transcriptional dysregulation and therefore potentially responsible for the progressively worsening phenotype in higher grade X aneuploidies. By contrast, the biallelically expressed non-PAR escape genes displayed high interclonal and interpatient variability in iPSCs and differentiated derivatives, suggesting that these genes could be associated with variable KS traits. By interrogating KS and HGA iPSCs at the single-cell resolution we showed that PAR1 and non-PAR escape genes are not only resilient to the X-inactive specific transcript (XIST)-mediated inactivation but also that their transcriptional regulation is disjointed from the absolute XIST expression level. Finally, we explored the transcriptional effects of X chromosome overdosage on autosomes and identified the nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) as a key regulator of the zinc finger protein X-linked (ZFX). Our study provides the first evidence of an X-dosage-sensitive autosomal transcription factor regulating an X-linked gene in low- and high-grade X aneuploidies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Astro
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Alowaysi
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elisabetta Fiacco
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Kelly J. Cardona-Londoño
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Antonio Adamo
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Antonio Adamo,
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7
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Abstract
Background As a result of decades of effort by many investigators we now have an advanced level of understanding about several molecular systems involved in the control of gene expression. Examples include CpG islands, promoters, mRNA splicing and epigenetic signals. It is less clear, however, how such systems work together to integrate the functions of a living organism. Here I describe the results of a study to test the idea that a contribution might be made by focusing on genes specifically expressed in a particular tissue, the human testis. Experimental design A database of 239 testis-specific genes was accumulated and each was examined for the presence of features relevant to control of gene expression. These include: (1) the presence of a promoter, (2) the presence of a CpG island (CGI) within the promoter, (3) the presence in the promoter of a transcription factor binding site near the transcription start site, (4) the level of gene expression, and (5) the above features in genes of testis-specific cell types such as spermatocyte and spermatid that differ in their extent of differentiation. Results Of the 107 database genes with an annotated promoter, 56 were found to have one or more transcription factor binding sites near the transcription start site. Three of the binding sites observed, Pax-5, AP-2αA and GRα, stand out in abundance suggesting they may be involved in testis-specific gene expression. Compared to less differentiated testis-specific cells, genes of more differentiated cells were found to be (1) more likely to lack a CGI, (2) more likely to lack introns and (3) higher in expression level. The results suggest genes of more differentiated cells have a reduced need for CGI-based regulatory repression, reduced usage of gene splicing and a smaller set of expressed proteins.
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8
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Ahn J, Woodfint RM, Lee J, Wu H, Ma J, Suh Y, Hwang S, Cressman M, Lee K. Comparative identification, nutritional, and physiological regulation of chicken liver-enriched genes. Poult Sci 2019; 98:3007-3013. [PMID: 30796787 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver performs a number of vital functions in the chicken. In order to identify unique gene expression patterns and link them to potential functions in the chicken liver, genes enriched in the liver of chickens needed to be investigated in a comparative manner. In this study, 41 liver-enriched genes were identified through chicken microarray, and many of them were validated through comparative analysis of mice and humans. Thirteen of them were unique in chickens, and their liver enhancement was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR. Furthermore, the expression of those 13 chicken liver-enriched genes was investigated, in response to nutritional and physiological challenges. Real-time PCR revealed that expression of PIT54 (P < 0.01), phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 2 (PRPS2) (P < 0.05), sulfotransferase (SULT) (P < 0.05), and cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C, polypeptide 18 (CYP2C18) (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the liver during fasting compared to ad libitum control. During the post-laying stage, expression of GAL8 was significantly increased (P < 0.01), but CYP2C18 expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Liver-enriched genes that were identified in this study and their expression patterns under fasting and the post-laying stage will serve as future targets to gain a better understanding of liver physiology, function and development in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ahn
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - R M Woodfint
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - J Lee
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - H Wu
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - J Ma
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Y Suh
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - S Hwang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - M Cressman
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - K Lee
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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Abu-Halima M, Ayesh BM, Hart M, Alles J, Fischer U, Hammadeh M, Keller A, Huleihel M, Meese E. Differential expression of miR-23a/b-3p and its target genes in male patients with subfertility. Fertil Steril 2019; 112:323-335.e2. [PMID: 31056312 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the potential regulatory function of miR-23a/b-3p on spermatogenesis-specific genes. DESIGN Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validation, Northern blot, dual luciferase assay, and Western blot confirmation. SETTING University research and clinical institutes. PATIENT(S) A total of 115 men presenting at an infertility clinic. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Significant higher abundance levels of miR-23a/b-3p and lower abundance levels of PFKFB4, HMMR, SPATA6, and TEX15 in oligoasthenozoospermic men compared with those in normozoospermic men. RESULT(S) In oligoasthenozoospermic men, the abundance levels of miR-23a/b-3p were significantly higher when compared with controls as determined by RT-qPCR. After in silico prediction of potential targets of miR-23a/b-3p, PFKFB4, HMMR, SPATA6, and TEX15 have been identified as direct targets by dual luciferase assays. Mutations in the miR-23a/b-3p binding site within the 3'UTRs resulted in abrogated responsiveness to miR-23a/b-3p. PFKFB4, HMMR, SPATA6, and TEX15 mRNA and HMMR and SPATA6 protein levels were significantly lower in oligoasthenozoospermic men compared with in normozoospermic men. Correlation analysis showed that the sperm count, motility, and morphology were negatively correlated with miR-23a/b-3p and positively correlated with PFKFB4, HMMR, SPATA6, and TEX15 abundance levels (lower ΔCt, the higher abundance levels). CONCLUSION(S) This study establishes a link between up-regulation of miR-23a/b-3p and the coincident down-regulation of four expressed genes in the sperm of men with oligoasthenozoospermia, compared with men with normozoospermia. This study provides a novel insight into some of the mechanisms leading to male subfertility, offering a possible therapeutic target for treatment, or even for male contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masood Abu-Halima
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
| | - Basim M Ayesh
- Department of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Alaqsa University, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Martin Hart
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Julia Alles
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Ulrike Fischer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Mohamad Hammadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF and Andrology Laboratory, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Huleihel
- Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics and the Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Eckart Meese
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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