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Li K, Li M, Luo Y, Zou D, Li Y, Mang X, Zhang Z, Li P, Lu Y, Miao S, Song W. Adeno-associated-virus-mediated delivery of CRISPR-CasRx induces efficient RNA knockdown in the mouse testis. Theranostics 2024; 14:3827-3842. [PMID: 38994027 PMCID: PMC11234267 DOI: 10.7150/thno.95633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: In male mammals, many developmental-stage-specific RNA transcripts (both coding and noncoding) are preferentially or exclusively expressed in the testis, where they play important roles in spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, a reliable platform for efficiently depleting various types of RNA transcripts to study their biological functions during spermatogenesis in vivo has not been developed. Methods: We used an adeno-associated virus serotype nine (AAV9)-mediated CRISPR-CasRx system to knock down the expression of exogenous and endogenous RNA transcripts in the testis. Virus particles were injected into the seminiferous tubules via the efferent duct. Using an autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), we optimized the AAV9 transduction efficiency in germ cells in vivo. Results: AAV9-mediated delivery of CRISPR-CasRx effectively and specifically induces RNA transcripts (both coding and noncoding) knockdown in the testis in vivo. In addition, we showed that the co-microinjection of AAV9 and 3-MA into the seminiferous tubules enabled long-term transgene expression in the testis. Finally, we found that a promoter of Sycp1 gene induced CRISPR-CasRx-mediated RNA transcript knockdown in a germ-cell-type-specific manner. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the efficacy and versatility of the AAV9-mediated CRISPR-CasRx system as a flexible knockdown platform for studying gene function during spermatogenesis in vivo. This approach may advance the development of RNA-targeting therapies for conditions affecting reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yanyun Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Dingfeng Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yahui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xinyu Mang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zexuan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Shiying Miao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
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Liu H, Wang X, Shen P, Ni Y, Han X. The basic functions of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 and its roles in cancer and other diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 920:174835. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Takesue H, Hirota T, Tachimura M, Tokashiki A, Ieiri I. Nucleosome Positioning and Gene Regulation of the SGLT2 Gene in the Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 94:953-962. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.111807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Kawai Y, Oda A, Kanai Y, Goitsuka R. Germ cell-intrinsic requirement for the homeodomain transcription factor PKnox1/Prep1 in adult spermatogenesis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190702. [PMID: 29293683 PMCID: PMC5749842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PKnox1 (also known as Prep1) belongs to the TALE family of homeodomain transcription factors that are critical for regulating growth and differentiation during embryonic and postnatal development in vertebrates. We demonstrate here that PKnox1 is required for adult spermatogenesis in a germ cell-intrinsic manner. Tamoxifen-mediated PKnox1 loss in the adult testes, as well as its germ cell-specific ablation, causes testis hypotrophy with germ cell apoptosis and, as a consequence, compromised spermatogenesis. In PKnox1-deficient testes, spermatogenesis was arrested at the c-Kit+ spermatogonia stage, with a complete loss of the meiotic spermatocytes, and was accompanied by compromised differentiation of the c-Kit+ spermatogonia. Taken together, these results indicate that PKnox1 is a critical regulator of maintenance and subsequent differentiation of the c-Kit+ stage of spermatogonia in the adult testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kawai
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akihisa Oda
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Goitsuka
- Division of Development and Aging, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
- Center for Animal Disease Models, Research Institute for Science & Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
- * E-mail:
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5
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Testis Transcriptome Modulation in Klinefelter Patients with Hypospermatogenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45729. [PMID: 28361989 PMCID: PMC5374630 DOI: 10.1038/srep45729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The main genetic cause of male infertility is represented by the Klinefelter Syndrome (KS), a condition accounting for 3% of all cases of infertility and up to15% of cases of azoospermia. KS is generally characterized by azoospermia; approximately 10% of cases have severe oligozoospermia. Among these, the 30-40% of patients show hypospermatogenesis. The mechanisms leading to adult testis dysfunctions are not completely understood. A microarray transcriptome analysis was performed on testis biopsies obtained from three KS patients with hypospermatogenesis and three control subjects. KS testis showed a differential up- and down-regulation of 303 and 747 transcripts, respectively, as compared to controls. The majority of down-regulated transcripts were involved in spermiogenesis failure and testis morphological defects, whereas up-regulated genes were responsible for testis apoptotic processes. Functional analysis of the transcriptionally altered genes indicated a deregulation in cell death, germ cell function and morphology as well as blood-testis-barrier maintenance and Leydig cells activity. These data support a complex scenario in which spermatogenic impairment is the result of functional and morphological alterations in both germinal and somatic components of KS testis. These findings could represent the basis for evaluating new markers of KS spermatogenesis and potential targets of therapeutic intervention to preserve residual spermatogenesis.
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McCormick NE, Forget SM, Syvitski RT, Jakeman DL. MgF 3- and AlF 4- transition state analogue complexes of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase. Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 95:295-303. [PMID: 27991832 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2016-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The phospho-transfer mechanism of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) has been probed through formation of trifluoromagnesate (MgF3-) and tetrafluoroaluminate (AlF4-) transition state analogue complexes and analyzed using 19F, 1H waterLOGSY and 1H chemical shift perturbation NMR spectroscopy. We observed the first 19F NMR spectroscopic evidence for the formation of metal fluoride transition state analogues of yeast PGK and also observed significant changes to proton chemical shifts of PGK in the presence, but not in the absence, of fluoride upon titration of ligands, providing indirect evidence of the formation of a closed ternary transition state. WaterLOGSY NMR spectroscopy experiments using an uncompetitive model were used in an attempt to measure ligand binding affinities within the transition state analogue complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E McCormick
- a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Forget
- b Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coberg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Raymond T Syvitski
- b Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coberg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - David L Jakeman
- a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.,b Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coberg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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Zhang C, Xue P, Gao L, Chen X, Lin K, Yang X, Dai Y, Xu EY. Highly conserved epigenetic regulation of BOULE and DAZL is associated with human fertility. FASEB J 2016; 30:3424-3440. [PMID: 27358391 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500167r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Separation of germ cells from somatic cells is a widespread feature of animal sexual reproduction, with a core set of germ cell factors conserved among diverse animals. It is not known what controls their conserved gonad-specific expression. Core components of epigenetic machinery are ancient, but its role in conserved tissue expression regulation remains unexplored. We found that promoters of the reproductive genes BOULE and DAZL exhibit differential DNA methylation, consistent with their gonad-specific expression in humans and mice. Low or little promoter methylation from the testicular tissue is attributed to spermatogenic cells of various stages in the testis. Such differential DNA methylation is present in the orthologous promoters not only of other mammalian species, but also of chickens and fish, supporting a highly conserved epigenetic mechanism. Furthermore, hypermethylation of DAZL and BOULE promoters in human sperm is associated with human infertility. Our data strongly suggest that epigenetic regulation may underlie conserved germ-cell-specific expression, and such a mechanism may play an important role in human fertility.-Zhang, C., Xue, P., Gao, L., Chen, X., Lin, K., Yang, X., Dai, Y., Xu, E. Y. Highly conserved epigenetic regulation of BOULE and DAZL is associated with human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenwang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
| | - Peng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liuze Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
| | - Xia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
| | - Kaibo Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
| | - Eugene Yujun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; and
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LncRNA, a new component of expanding RNA-protein regulatory network important for animal sperm development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 59:110-117. [PMID: 27345292 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is one of the fundamental processes of sexual reproduction, present in almost all metazoan animals. Like many other reproductive traits, developmental features and traits of spermatogenesis are under strong selective pressure to change, both at morphological and underlying molecular levels. Yet evidence suggests that some fundamental features of spermatogenesis may be ancient and conserved among metazoan species. Identifying the underlying conserved molecular mechanisms could reveal core components of metazoan spermatogenic machinery and provide novel insight into causes of human infertility. Conserved RNA-binding proteins and their interacting RNA network emerge to be a common theme important for animal sperm development. We review research on the recent addition to the RNA family - Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and its roles in spermatogenesis in the context of the expanding RNA-protein network.
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