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Asian Journal of Andrology Dec 2023RING finger 187 (RNF187), a ubiquitin-ligating (E3) enzyme, plays a crucial role in the proliferation of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether RNF187...
RING finger 187 (RNF187), a ubiquitin-ligating (E3) enzyme, plays a crucial role in the proliferation of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether RNF187 exhibits comparable functionality in the development of germline cells. To investigate the potential involvement of RNF187 in germ cell development, we conducted interference and overexpression assays using GC-2 cells, a mouse spermatocyte-derived cell line. Our findings reveal that the interaction between RNF187 and histone H3 increases the viability, proliferation, and migratory capacity of GC-2 cells. Moreover, we provide evidence demonstrating that RNF187 interacts with H3 and mediates the ubiquitination of H3 at lysine 57 (K57) or lysine 80 (K80), directly or indirectly resulting in increased cellular transcription. This is a study to report the role of RNF187 in maintaining the development of GC-2 cells by mediating histone H3 ubiquitination, thus highlighting the involvement of the K57 and K80 residues of H3 in the epistatic regulation of gene transcription. These discoveries provide a new theoretical foundation for further comprehensive investigations into the function of RNF187 in the reproductive system.
PubMed: 38156805
DOI: 10.4103/aja202368 -
Genes Dec 2023is the most widely distributed freshwater shrimp in China, with important economic value and great potential for development. The forkheadboxL2 () gene has been found...
is the most widely distributed freshwater shrimp in China, with important economic value and great potential for development. The forkheadboxL2 () gene has been found to be involved in the reproductive development of many crustaceans. To understand the role of the gene in the gonad development of , we designed CDS-specific primers for the () gene and cloned its CDS sequence using RT-PCR. The nucleotide and protein sequence information was then analyzed through bioinformatics analysis. The expression and subcellular localization of in various tissues were detected using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The effects of knockdown on gonad development were investigated using RNA interference. The results showed that the CDS length of the gene was 1614 bp and encoded 537 amino acids. Protein sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that was the closest relative to Crayfish. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression level of in the testis was significantly higher (>40 fold) than that in the ovary ( < 0.01). The in situ hybridization results showed that was expressed in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of egg cells, and that the expression was strongest in egg cells at the early stage of yolk synthesis, while weak in the secondary oocytes. The positive signal was strongest in the spermatocyte nucleolus, while only a trace signal was observed in the cytoplasm. After interfering with the gene using dsRNA, the expression of in the RNA interference group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and this interference effect lasted for one week. Moreover, the gonad index of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( < 0.05) after 10 days of cultivation following knockdown. The expression levels of the and genes, which are related to gonad development, decreased significantly after gene interference. The results suggest that the gene is involved in the growth and development of gonads, particularly in the development of testis, and is related to the early development of oocytes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the artificial breeding of .
Topics: Male; Animals; Female; Astacoidea; Phylogeny; Amino Acid Sequence; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cloning, Molecular
PubMed: 38137012
DOI: 10.3390/genes14122190 -
Genome Research Dec 2023In mammals, the adult testis is the tissue with the highest diversity in gene expression. Much of that diversity is attributed to germ cells, primarily meiotic...
In mammals, the adult testis is the tissue with the highest diversity in gene expression. Much of that diversity is attributed to germ cells, primarily meiotic spermatocytes and postmeiotic haploid spermatids. Exploiting a newly developed cell purification method, we profiled the transcriptomes of such postmitotic germ cells of mice. We used a de novo transcriptome assembly approach and identified thousands of novel expressed transcripts characterized by features distinct from those of known genes. Novel loci tend to be short in length, monoexonic, and lowly expressed. Most novel genes have arisen recently in evolutionary time and possess low coding potential. Nonetheless, we identify several novel protein-coding genes harboring open reading frames that encode proteins containing matches to conserved protein domains. Analysis of mass-spectrometry data from adult mouse testes confirms protein production from several of these novel genes. We also examine overlap between transcripts and repetitive elements. We find that although distinct families of repeats are expressed with differing temporal dynamics during spermatogenesis, we do not observe a general mode of regulation wherein repeats drive expression of nonrepetitive sequences in a cell type-specific manner. Finally, we observe many fairly long antisense transcripts originating from canonical gene promoters, pointing to pervasive bidirectional promoter activity during spermatogenesis that is distinct and more frequent compared with somatic cells.
PubMed: 38129075
DOI: 10.1101/gr.278060.123 -
Cell Death & Disease Dec 2023Glutathione synthetase (GSS) catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), a well-established antioxidant. Research on the specific roles of the Gss...
Glutathione synthetase (GSS) catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), a well-established antioxidant. Research on the specific roles of the Gss gene during spermatogenesis remains limited due to the intricate structure of testis. In this study, we identified pachytene spermatocytes as the primary site of GSS expression and generated a mouse model with postnatal deletion of Gss using Stra8-Cre (S8) to investigate the role of GSS in germ cells. The impact of Gss knockout on reducing male fertility is age-dependent and caused by ferroptosis in the testis. The 2-month-old S8/Gss male mice exhibited normal fertility, due to a compensatory increase in GPX4, which prevented the accumulation of ROS. With aging, there was a decline in GPX4 and an increase in ALOX15 levels observed in 8-month-old S8/Gss mice, resulting in the accumulation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and ultimately testicular ferroptosis. We found that testicular ferroptosis did not affect spermatogonia, but caused meiosis disruption and acrosome heterotopia. Then the resulting aberrant sperm showed lower concentration and abnormal morphology, leading to reduced fertility. Furthermore, these injuries could be functionally rescued by inhibiting ferroptosis through intraperitoneal injection of GSH or Fer-1. In summary, Gss in germ cells play a crucial role in the resistance to oxidative stress injury in aged mice. Our findings deepen the understanding of ferroptosis during spermatogenesis and suggest that inhibiting ferroptosis may be a potential strategy for the treatment of male infertility.
Topics: Glutathione Synthase; Spermatocytes; Infertility, Male; Testis; Reactive Oxygen Species; Ferroptosis; Gene Knockout Techniques; Germ Cells; Meiosis; Spermatogenesis; Acrosome; Autophagy; Male; Female; Animals; Mice; Age Factors
PubMed: 38114454
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06359-x -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2023Actin is a multi-functional protein that is involved in numerous cellular processes including cytoskeleton regulation, cell migration, and cellular integrity. In these... (Review)
Review
Actin is a multi-functional protein that is involved in numerous cellular processes including cytoskeleton regulation, cell migration, and cellular integrity. In these processes, actin's role in respect to its structure, complex mechanical, and protein-binding properties has been studied primarily in the cytoplasmic and cellular membrane compartments. However, its role in somatic cell nuclei has recently become evident where it participates in transcription, chromatin remodeling, and DNA damage repair. What remains enigmatic is the involvement of nuclear actin in physiological processes that lead to the generation of germ cells, in general, and primary spermatocytes, in particular. Here, we will discuss the possible role and nuclear localization of actin during meiotic prophase I and its interaction with chromatin remodeling complexes, the latter being essential for the control of pairing of homologous chromosomes, cross-over formation, and recombination. It is our hope that this perspective article will extend the scope of actin's nuclear function in germ cells undergoing meiotic division.
PubMed: 38078006
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1295452 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Dec 2023Spermatogenesis is a unidirectional differentiation process that generates haploid sperm, but how the gene expression program that directs this process is established is...
Spermatogenesis is a unidirectional differentiation process that generates haploid sperm, but how the gene expression program that directs this process is established is largely unknown. Here we determine the high-resolution 3D chromatin architecture of male germ cells during spermatogenesis and show that CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin predetermines the gene expression program required for spermatogenesis. In undifferentiated spermatogonia, CTCF-mediated chromatin contacts on autosomes pre-establish meiosis-specific super-enhancers (SE). These meiotic SE recruit the master transcription factor A-MYB in meiotic spermatocytes, which strengthens their 3D contacts and instructs a burst of meiotic gene expression. We also find that at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition, the germline-specific Polycomb protein SCML2 resolves chromatin loops that are specific to mitotic spermatogonia. Moreover, SCML2 and A-MYB establish the unique 3D chromatin organization of sex chromosomes during meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. We propose that CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin organization enforces epigenetic priming that directs unidirectional differentiation, thereby determining the cellular identity of the male germline.
PubMed: 38076840
DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569508 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Kisspeptin, a neuropeptide encoded by the gene, combines with its receptor Kiss1R to regulate the onset of puberty and male fertility by the...
Kisspeptin, a neuropeptide encoded by the gene, combines with its receptor Kiss1R to regulate the onset of puberty and male fertility by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. However, little is known regarding the expression signatures and molecular functions of in the testis. H&E staining revealed that well-arranged spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round and elongated spermatids, and spermatozoa, were observed in 4-, 6-, and 8-month-old testes compared to 1- and 3-month-old testes of Hezuo pigs; however, these were not observed in Landrance until 6 months. The diameter, perimeter, and cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules and the perimeter and area of the tubular lumen increased gradually with age in both pigs. Still, Hezuo pigs grew faster than Landrance. The cloning results suggested that the Hezuo pigs' CDS region is 417 bp in length, encodes 138 amino acids, and is highly conserved in the kisspeptin-10 region. qRT-PCR and Western blot indicated that the expression trends of mRNA and protein were essentially identical, with higher expression levels at post-pubertal stages. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the Kiss1 protein was mainly located in Leydig cells and post-pubertal spermatogenic cells, ranging from round spermatids to spermatozoa. These studies suggest that Kiss1 is an essential regulator in the onset of puberty and spermatogenesis of boars.
Topics: Male; Animals; Swine; Testis; Kisspeptins; Sexual Maturation; Spermatids; Reproduction
PubMed: 38069021
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316700 -
PLoS Genetics Dec 2023Haploid males of hymenopteran species produce gametes through an abortive meiosis I followed by meiosis II that can either be symmetric or asymmetric in different...
Haploid males of hymenopteran species produce gametes through an abortive meiosis I followed by meiosis II that can either be symmetric or asymmetric in different species. Thus, one spermatocyte could give rise to two spermatids with either equal or unequal amounts of cytoplasm. It is currently unknown what molecular features accompany these postmeiotic sperm cells especially in species with asymmetric meiosis II such as bees. Here we present testis single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from the honeybee (Apis mellifera) drones of 3 and 14 days after emergence (3d and 14d). We show that, while 3d testes exhibit active, ongoing spermatogenesis, 14d testes only have late-stage spermatids. We identify a postmeiotic bifurcation in the transcriptional roadmap during spermatogenesis, with cells progressing toward the annotated spermatids (SPT) and small spermatids (sSPT), respectively. Despite an overall similarity in their transcriptomic profiles, sSPTs express the fewest genes and the least RNA content among all the sperm cell types. Intriguingly, sSPTs exhibit a relatively high expression level for Hymenoptera-restricted genes and a high mutation load, suggesting that the special meiosis II during spermatogenesis in the honeybee is accompanied by phylogenetically young gene activities.
Topics: Bees; Male; Animals; Semen; Spermatogenesis; Spermatids; Testis; Spermatocytes; Meiosis
PubMed: 38048317
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011081 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2023Most mammals tolerate exposure to hypobaric hypoxia poorly as it may affect multiple regulatory mechanisms and inhibit cell proliferation, promote apoptosis, limit...
Most mammals tolerate exposure to hypobaric hypoxia poorly as it may affect multiple regulatory mechanisms and inhibit cell proliferation, promote apoptosis, limit tissue vascularization, and disrupt the acid-base equilibrium. Here, we quantified the functional state of germ cell development and demonstrated the interaction between the germ and somatic cells via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The present study elucidated the regulatory effects of hypobaric hypoxia exposure on germ cell formation and sperm differentiation by applying enrichment analysis to genomic regions. Hypobaric hypoxia downregulates the genes controlling granule secretion and organic matter biosynthesis, upregulates tektin 1 (TEKT1) and kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C), and downregulates 60S ribosomal protein 11 (RPL11) and cilia- and flagella-associated protein 206 (CFAP206). Our research indicated that prosaposin-G protein-coupled receptor 37 (PSAP-GPR37) ligands mediate the damage to supporting cells caused by hypobaric hypoxic exposure. The present work revealed that hypoxia injures peritubular myoid (PTM) cells and spermatocytes in the S phase. It also showed that elongating spermatids promote maturation toward the G2 phase and increase their functional reserve for sperm-egg binding. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for future investigations on prophylactic and therapeutic approaches toward protecting the reproductive system against the harmful effects of hypobaric hypoxic exposure.
PubMed: 38033870
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1282119 -
ELife Nov 2023Spermatogenesis in the male germline proceeds through a unique transcriptional program controlled both by germline-specific transcription factors and by testis-specific...
Spermatogenesis in the male germline proceeds through a unique transcriptional program controlled both by germline-specific transcription factors and by testis-specific versions of core transcriptional machinery. This program includes the activation of genes on the heterochromatic chromosome, and reduced transcription from the chromosome, but how expression from these sex chromosomes is regulated has not been defined. To resolve this, we profiled active chromatin features in the testes from wildtype and meiotic arrest mutants and integrate this with single-cell gene expression data from the Fly Cell Atlas. These data assign the timing of promoter activation for genes with germline-enriched expression throughout spermatogenesis, and general alterations of promoter regulation in germline cells. By profiling both active RNA polymerase II and histone modifications in isolated spermatocytes, we detail widespread patterns associated with regulation of the sex chromosomes. Our results demonstrate that the chromosome is not enriched for silencing histone modifications, implying that sex chromosome inactivation does not occur in the male germline. Instead, a lack of dosage compensation in spermatocytes accounts for the reduced expression from this chromosome. Finally, profiling uncovers dramatic ubiquitinylation of histone H2A and lysine-16 acetylation of histone H4 across the chromosome in spermatocytes that may contribute to the activation of this heterochromatic chromosome.
Topics: Male; Animals; Drosophila; Epigenome; X Chromosome; Chromatin; Histones; Spermatocytes
PubMed: 38032818
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.89373