1
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Houston BJ, Nguyen J, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Lopes AM, Nagirnaja L, Friedrich C, Kliesch S, Tüttelmann F, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Hobbs RM, Dunleavy JEM, O'Bryan MK. AXDND1 is required to balance spermatogonial commitment and for sperm tail formation in mice and humans. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:499. [PMID: 38997255 PMCID: PMC11245616 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06874-5] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Dynein complexes are large, multi-unit assemblies involved in many biological processes via their critical roles in protein transport and axoneme motility. Using next-generation sequencing of infertile men presenting with low or no sperm in their ejaculates, we identified damaging variants in the dynein-related gene AXDND1. We thus hypothesised that AXDND1 is a critical regulator of male fertility. To test this hypothesis, we produced a knockout mouse model. Axdnd1-/- males were sterile at all ages but presented with an evolving testis phenotype wherein they could undergo one round of histologically replete spermatogenesis followed by a rapid depletion of the seminiferous epithelium. Marker experiments identified a role for AXDND1 in maintaining the balance between differentiation-committed and self-renewing spermatogonial populations, resulting in disproportionate production of differentiating cells in the absence of AXDND1 and increased sperm production during initial spermatogenic waves. Moreover, long-term spermatogonial maintenance in the Axdnd1 knockout was compromised, ultimately leading to catastrophic germ cell loss, destruction of blood-testis barrier integrity and immune cell infiltration. In addition, sperm produced during the first wave of spermatogenesis were immotile due to abnormal axoneme structure, including the presence of ectopic vesicles and abnormalities in outer dense fibres and microtubule doublet structures. Sperm output was additionally compromised by a severe spermiation defect and abnormal sperm individualisation. Collectively these data identify AXDND1 as an atypical dynein complex-related protein with a role in protein/vesicle transport of relevance to spermatogonial function and sperm tail formation in mice and humans. This study underscores the importance of studying the consequences of gene loss-of-function on both the establishment and maintenance of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Joseph Nguyen
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Genética Preditiva e Preventiva, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Centre of Medical Genetics, Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica E M Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) Consortium, Beaverton, OR, USA.
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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2
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Li C, Shen C, Xiong W, Ge H, Shen Y, Chi J, Zhang H, Tang L, Lu S, Wang J, Fei J, Wang Z. Spem2, a novel testis-enriched gene, is required for spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:108. [PMID: 38421455 PMCID: PMC10904452 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05147-w] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is considered to be crucial for the production of haploid spermatozoa with normal morphology, structure and function, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SPEM family member 2 (Spem2), as a novel testis-enriched gene, is essential for spermiogenesis and male fertility. Spem2 is predominantly expressed in the haploid male germ cells and is highly conserved across mammals. Mice deficient for Spem2 develop male infertility associated with spermiogenesis impairment. Specifically, the insufficient sperm individualization, failure of excess cytoplasm shedding, and defects in acrosome formation are evident in Spem2-null sperm. Sperm counts and motility are also significantly reduced compared to controls. In vivo fertilization assays have shown that Spem2-null sperm are unable to fertilize oocytes, possibly due to their impaired ability to migrate from the uterus into the oviduct. However, the infertility of Spem2-/- males cannot be rescued by in vitro fertilization, suggesting that defective sperm-egg interaction may also be a contributing factor. Furthermore, SPEM2 is detected to interact with ZPBP, PRSS21, PRSS54, PRSS55, ADAM2 and ADAM3 and is also required for their processing and maturation in epididymal sperm. Our findings establish SPEM2 as an essential regulator of spermiogenesis and fertilization in mice, possibly in mammals including humans. Understanding the molecular role of SPEM2 could provide new insights into future therapeutic treatment of human male infertility and development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haoyang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Chi
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lingyun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shunyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jinjin Wang
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Engineering and Technology Research Center for Model Animals, Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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3
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Houston BJ, Nguyen J, Merriner DJ, O’Connor AE, Lopes AM, Nagirnaja L, Friedrich C, Kliesch S, Tüttelmann F, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Hobbs RM, Dunleavy JEM, O’Bryan MK. AXDND1 is required to balance spermatogonial commitment and for sperm tail formation in mice and humans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.02.565050. [PMID: 38014244 PMCID: PMC10680566 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Dynein complexes are large, multi-unit assemblies involved in many biological processes including male fertility via their critical roles in protein transport and axoneme motility. Previously we identified a pathogenic variant in the dynein gene AXDND1 in an infertile man. Subsequently we identified an additional four potentially compound heterozygous variants of unknown significance in AXDND1 in two additional infertile men. We thus tested the role of AXDND1 in mammalian male fertility by generating a knockout mouse model. Axdnd1-/- males were sterile at all ages but could undergo one round of histologically complete spermatogenesis. Subsequently, a progressive imbalance of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis over self-renewal occurred, ultimately leading to catastrophic germ cell loss, loss of blood-testis barrier patency and immune cell infiltration. Sperm produced during the first wave of spermatogenesis were immotile due to abnormal axoneme structure, including the presence of ectopic vesicles and abnormalities in outer dense fibres and microtubule doublet structures. Sperm output was additionally compromised by a severe spermiation defect and abnormal sperm individualisation. Collectively, our data highlight the essential roles of AXDND1 as a regulator of spermatogonial commitment to spermatogenesis and during the processes of spermiogenesis where it is essential for sperm tail development, release and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J. Houston
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Joseph Nguyen
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - D. Jo Merriner
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne E. O’Connor
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alexandra M. Lopes
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CGPP-IBMC – Centro de Genética Preditiva e Preventiva, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) consortium
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) consortium
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, USA
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) consortium
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
| | - Robin M. Hobbs
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jessica EM Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative (GEMINI) consortium
- International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC)
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4
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Sato B, Kim J, Morohoshi K, Kang W, Miyado K, Tsuruta F, Kawano N, Chiba T. Proteasome-Associated Proteins, PA200 and ECPAS, Are Essential for Murine Spermatogenesis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040586. [PMID: 37189334 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteasomes are highly sophisticated protease complexes that degrade non-lysosomal proteins, and their proper regulation ensures various biological functions such as spermatogenesis. The proteasome-associated proteins, PA200 and ECPAS, are predicted to function during spermatogenesis; however, male mice lacking each of these genes sustain fertility, raising the possibility that these proteins complement each other. To address this issue, we explored these possible roles during spermatogenesis by producing mice lacking these genes (double-knockout mice; dKO mice). Expression patterns and quantities were similar throughout spermatogenesis in the testes. In epididymal sperm, PA200 and ECPAS were expressed but were differentially localized to the midpiece and acrosome, respectively. Proteasome activity was considerably reduced in both the testes and epididymides of dKO male mice, resulting in infertility. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed LPIN1 as a target protein for PA200 and ECPAS, which was confirmed via immunoblotting and immunostaining. Furthermore, ultrastructural and microscopic analyses demonstrated that the dKO sperm displayed disorganization of the mitochondrial sheath. Our results indicate that PA200 and ECPAS work cooperatively during spermatogenesis and are essential for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ban Sato
- Master's and Doctoral Program in Biology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
| | - Jiwoo Kim
- College of Biological Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Kazunori Morohoshi
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
| | - Woojin Kang
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya 157-8535, Japan
| | - Kenji Miyado
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya 157-8535, Japan
| | - Fuminori Tsuruta
- Master's and Doctoral Program in Biology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Natsuko Kawano
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
| | - Tomoki Chiba
- Master's and Doctoral Program in Biology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
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5
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Zhang Y, Qi J, Zhao J, Li M, Zhang Y, Hu H, Wei L, Zhou K, Qin H, Qu P, Cao W, Liu E. Effect of Dietetic Obesity on Testicular Transcriptome in Cynomolgus Monkeys. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030557. [PMID: 36980830 PMCID: PMC10048326 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental and heritable causes, and can have a negative impact on male reproduction. There have been few experiments in mice, rats, and rabbits on the effects of obesity on reproduction, which has inhibited the development of better treatments for male subfertility caused by obesity. Nonhuman primates are most similar to human beings in anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and biochemistry and are appropriate subjects for obesity studies. In this investigation, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of the testes of cynomolgus monkeys on high-fat, high-fructose, and cholesterol-rich diets to determine the effect of obesity on gene expression in testes. The results showed that the testes of obese monkeys had abnormal morphology, and their testes transcriptome was significantly different from that of non-obese animals. We identified 507 differentially abundant genes (adjusted p value < 0.01, log2 [FC] > 2) including 163 up-regulated and 344 down-regulated genes. Among the differentially abundant genes were ten regulatory genes, including IRF1, IRF6, HERC5, HERC6, IFIH1, IFIT2, IFIT5, IFI35, RSAD2, and UBQLNL. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis was conducted, and we found that processes and pathways associated with the blood testes barrier (BTB), immunity, inflammation, and DNA methylation in gametes were preferentially enriched. We also found abnormal expression of genes related to infertility (TDRD5, CLCN2, MORC1, RFX8, SOHLH1, IL2RB, MCIDAS, ZPBP, NFIA, PTPN11, TSC22D3, MAPK6, PLCB1, DCUN1D1, LPIN1, and GATM) and down-regulation of testosterone in monkeys with dietetic obesity. This work not only provides an important reference for research and treatment on male infertility caused by obesity, but also valuable insights into the effects of diet on gene expression in testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Jia Qi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Miaojing Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Huizhong Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Hongyu Qin
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Wenbin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi’an 710049, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (E.L.)
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (E.L.)
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6
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Kiyozumi D, Ikawa M. Proteolysis in Reproduction: Lessons From Gene-Modified Organism Studies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:876370. [PMID: 35600599 PMCID: PMC9114714 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.876370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological roles of proteolysis are not limited to degrading unnecessary proteins. Proteolysis plays pivotal roles in various biological processes through cleaving peptide bonds to activate and inactivate proteins including enzymes, transcription factors, and receptors. As a wide range of cellular processes is regulated by proteolysis, abnormalities or dysregulation of such proteolytic processes therefore often cause diseases. Recent genetic studies have clarified the inclusion of proteases and protease inhibitors in various reproductive processes such as development of gonads, generation and activation of gametes, and physical interaction between gametes in various species including yeast, animals, and plants. Such studies not only clarify proteolysis-related factors but the biological processes regulated by proteolysis for successful reproduction. Here the physiological roles of proteases and proteolysis in reproduction will be reviewed based on findings using gene-modified organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
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7
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Tao L, Wang X, Zhong Y, Liu Q, Xia Q, Chen S, He X, Di R, Chu M. Combined approaches identify known and novel genes associated with sheep litter size and non-seasonal breeding. Anim Genet 2021; 52:857-867. [PMID: 34494299 DOI: 10.1111/age.13138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of ewe reproduction is considerable by appropriately increasing litter size and sustaining non-seasonal breeding. However, their genetic makeups have not been entirely elucidated. Genome-wide analyses of 821 individuals were performed by combining three genomic approaches (genome-wide association study, XP-nSL, and runs of homozygosity). Consequently, 35 candidate genes including three domestication genes (TSHR, GTF2A1, and KITLG) were identified. Other than the FecB mutation at BMPR1B, we described a significant association of a missense mutation rs406686139 at seasonal lambing-associated TSHR gene with litter size. Some promising novel genes may be relevant for sheep reproduction by multitude biological processes, such as FETUB functioning in fertilization, HNRNPA1 in oogenesis, DCUN1D1 in spermatogenesis, and HRG in fertility outcome. The present study suggests that improvement of ewe reproduction is attributed to selective breeding, and casts light on the genetic basis and improvement of sheep reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yingjie Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiuyue Liu
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Si Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ran Di
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
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8
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Huang Q, Liu Y, Zhang S, Yap YT, Li W, Zhang D, Gardner A, Zhang L, Song S, Hess RA, Zhang Z. Autophagy core protein ATG5 is required for elongating spermatid development, sperm individualization and normal fertility in male mice. Autophagy 2020; 17:1753-1767. [PMID: 32677505 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1783822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is the longest phase of spermatogenesis, with dramatic morphological changes and a final step of spermiation, which involves protein degradation and the removal of excess cytoplasm; therefore, we hypothesized that macroautophagy/autophagy might be involved in the process. To test this hypothesis, we examined the function of ATG5, a core autophagy protein in male germ cell development. Floxed Atg5 and Stra8- iCre mice were crossed to conditionally inactivate Atg5 in male germ cells. In Atg5flox/flox; Stra8- iCre mutant mice, testicular expression of the autophagosome marker LC3A/B-II was significantly reduced, and expression of autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62 was significantly increased, indicating a decrease in testicular autophagy activity. The fertility of mutant mice was dramatically reduced with about 70% being infertile. Sperm counts and motility were also significantly reduced compared to controls. Histological examination of the mutant testes revealed numerous, large residual bodies in the lumen of stages after their normal resorption within the seminiferous epithelium. The cauda epididymal lumen was filled with sloughed germ cells, large cytoplasmic bodies, and spermatozoa with disorganized heads and tails. Examination of cauda epididymal sperm by electron microscopy revealed misshapen sperm heads, a discontinuous accessory structure in the mid-piece and abnormal acrosome formation and loss of sperm individualization. Immunofluorescence staining of epididymal sperm showed abnormal mitochondria and acrosome distribution in the mutant mice. ATG5 was shown to induce autophagy by mediating multiple signals to maintain normal developmental processes. Our study demonstrated ATG5 is essential for male fertility and is involved in various aspects of spermiogenesis.Abbreviations: AKAP4: a-kinase anchoring protein 4; ATG5: autophagy-related 5; ATG7: autophagy-related 7; ATG10: autophagy-related 10; ATG12: autophagy-related 12; cKO: conditional knockout; DDX4: DEAD-box helicase 4; MAP1LC3/LC3/tg8: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PIWIL2/MILI: piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2; RT-PCR: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBC: tubulobulbar complexes; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yunhao Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiyang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yi Tian Yap
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David Zhang
- School of Arts and Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
| | - Ahmad Gardner
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit High School, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shizheng Song
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rex A Hess
- Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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