scholarly journals Prss55 but not Prss51 is required for male fertility in mice†

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyonori Kobayashi ◽  
Tsutomu Endo ◽  
Takafumi Matsumura ◽  
Yonggang Lu ◽  
Zhifeng Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serine Protease ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Idiopathic Male Infertility ◽  
Impaired Ability ◽  
Fertilizing Ability ◽  
Sperm Migration ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
Single Knockout ◽  
Mammalian Spermatozoa

Abstract Mammalian spermatozoa are produced in the testis through spermatogenesis and matured in the epididymis to acquire fertilizing ability. Spermatozoa are ejaculated and migrate from the uterus to the oviducts to fuse with oocytes. Although over 2000 genes are expressed abundantly in mouse testes, the genes responsible for male fertility are not yet fully clarified. Here, we focused on two testis-enriched serine protease genes, Serine protease (Prss) 51 and Prss55, which overlap their gene loci partially in both mice and humans. To characterize their functions in male fertility, we first generated Prss51 and Prss55 double knockout (DKO) mice by CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the DKO mice were sterile. DKO spermatozoa exhibit impaired migration from the uterus to the oviduct and impaired ability to bind the zona pellucida (ZP) of oocytes. Moreover, a sperm membrane protein, ADAM3 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 3), which plays a role in sperm migration through uterotubal junction (UTJ) and sperm–ZP binding, disappeared in the DKO spermatozoa from the epididymis. We next generated single knockout (KO) mice lacking Prss51 and found that Prss51 KO mice are fertile. We also generated single KO mice lacking Prss55 and found that Prss55 KO mice phenocopy the DKO mice, demonstrating impaired sperm migration and sperm–ZP binding and a severe defect in fertility. We conclude that Prss55, but not Prss51, is required for male fertility in mice, by stabilizing ADAM3 protein for efficient sperm–UTJ migration and sperm–ZP binding. Our findings have implications for understanding additional genetic causes of the idiopathic male infertility and for the development of male or female contraceptives.

scholarly journals Sperm membrane proteins DCST1 and DCST2 are required for the sperm-egg fusion process in mice and fish

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taichi Noda ◽  
Andreas Blaha ◽  
Yoshitaka Fujihara ◽  
Krista R. Gert ◽  
Chihiro Emori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Male Sterility ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Essential Factor ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
Single Knockout

AbstractThe process of sperm-egg fusion is critical for successful fertilization, yet the underpinning mechanisms that regulate these steps have remained unclear in vertebrates. Here, we show that both mouse and zebrafish DCST1 and DCST2 are necessary in sperm to fertilize the egg, similar to their orthologs SPE-42 and SPE-49 in C. elegans and Sneaky in D. melanogaster. Mouse Dcst1 and Dcst2 single knockout (KO) spermatozoa are able to undergo the acrosome reaction and show normal relocalization of IZUMO1, an essential factor for sperm-egg fusion, to the equatorial segment. While both single KO spermatozoa can bind to the oolemma, they rarely fuse with oocytes, resulting in male sterility. Similar to mice, zebrafish dcst1 KO males are subfertile and dcst2 and dcst1/2 double KO males are sterile. Zebrafish dcst1/2 KO spermatozoa are motile and can approach the egg, but rarely bind to the oolemma. These data demonstrate that DCST1/2 are essential for male fertility in two vertebrate species highlighting their crucial role as conserved factors in fertilization.

scholarly journals Identification of multiple male reproductive tract-specific proteins that regulate sperm migration through the oviduct in mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18498-18506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Fujihara ◽  
Taichi Noda ◽  
Kiyonori Kobayashi ◽  
Asami Oji ◽  
Sumire Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Migration ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Multiple Male

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology enables researchers to efficiently generate and analyze genetically modified animals. We have taken advantage of this game-changing technology to uncover essential factors for fertility. In this study, we generated knockouts (KOs) of multiple male reproductive organ-specific genes and performed phenotypic screening of these null mutant mice to attempt to identify proteins essential for male fertility. We focused on making large deletions (dels) within 2 gene clusters encoding cystatin (CST) and prostate and testis expressed (PATE) proteins and individual gene mutations in 2 other gene families encoding glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain (GDPD) containing and lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly6)/Plaur domain (LYPD) containing proteins. These gene families were chosen because many of the genes demonstrate male reproductive tract-specific expression. AlthoughGdpd1andGdpd4mutant mice were fertile, disruptions ofCstandPategene clusters andLypd4resulted in male sterility or severe fertility defects secondary to impaired sperm migration through the oviduct. While absence of the epididymal protein families CST and PATE affect the localization of the sperm membrane protein A disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 3 (ADAM3), the sperm acrosomal membrane protein LYPD4 regulates sperm fertilizing ability via an ADAM3-independent pathway. Thus, use of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies has allowed us to quickly rule in and rule out proteins required for male fertility and expand our list of male-specific proteins that function in sperm migration through the oviduct.

scholarly journals CK1α ablation in keratinocytes induces p53-dependent, sunburn-protective skin hyperpigmentation

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (38) ◽  
pp. E8035-E8044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Hsing Chang ◽  
Che-Jung Kuo ◽  
Takamichi Ito ◽  
Yu-Ya Su ◽  
Si-Tse Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Kit Ligand ◽  
Skin Physiology ◽  
P53 Activation ◽  
P53 Target Genes ◽  
Single Knockout

Casein kinase 1α (CK1α), a component of the β-catenin destruction complex, is a critical regulator of Wnt signaling; its ablation induces both Wnt and p53 activation. To characterize the role of CK1α (encoded byCsnk1a1) in skin physiology, we crossed mice harboring floxedCsnk1a1with mice expressing K14–Cre–ERT2to generate mice in which tamoxifen induces the deletion ofCsnk1a1exclusively in keratinocytes [single-knockout (SKO) mice]. As expected, CK1α loss was accompanied by β-catenin and p53 stabilization, with the preferential induction of p53 target genes, but phenotypically most striking was hyperpigmentation of the skin, importantly without tumorigenesis, for at least 9 mo afterCsnk1a1ablation. The number of epidermal melanocytes and eumelanin levels were dramatically increased in SKO mice. To clarify the putative role of p53 in epidermal hyperpigmentation, we established K14–Cre–ERT2CK1α/p53 double-knockout (DKO) mice and found that coablation failed to induce epidermal hyperpigmentation, demonstrating that it was p53-dependent. Transcriptome analysis of the epidermis revealed p53-dependent up-regulation of Kit ligand (KitL). SKO mice treated with ACK2 (a Kit-neutralizing antibody) or imatinib (a Kit inhibitor) abrogated the CK1α ablation-induced hyperpigmentation, demonstrating that it requires the KitL/Kit pathway. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), a precursor of α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone (α-MSH), was not activated in the CK1α ablation-induced hyperpigmentation, which is in contrast to the mechanism of p53-dependent UV tanning. Nevertheless, acute sunburn effects were successfully prevented in the hyperpigmented skin of SKO mice. CK1α inhibition induces skin-protective eumelanin but no carcinogenic pheomelanin and may therefore constitute an effective strategy for safely increasing eumelanin via UV-independent pathways, protecting against acute sunburn.

scholarly journals Cooperative effects of genes controlling the G2/M checkpoint

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 1584-1588
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Chan ◽  
Paul M. Hwang ◽  
Heiko Hermeking ◽  
Kenneth W. Kinzler ◽  
Bert Vogelstein
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Growth Arrest ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Specific Test ◽  
Cooperative Effects ◽  
Exogenous Expression ◽  
Induced Genes ◽  
Single Knockout

It is believed that multiple effectors independently control the checkpoints permitting transitions between cell cycle phases. However, this has not been rigorously demonstrated in mammalian cells. The p53-induced genes p21 and 14-3-3ς are each required for the G2 arrest and allow a specific test of this fundamental tenet. We generated human cells deficient in bothp21 and 14-3-3ς and determined whether the double knockout was more sensitive to DNA damage than either single knockout.p21−/−14-3-3ς−/− cells were significantly more sensitive to DNA damage or to the exogenous expression of p53 than cells lacking only p21 or only 14-3-3ς. Thus, p21 and 14-3-3ς play distinct but complementary roles in the G2/M checkpoint, and help explain why genes at the nodal points of growth arrest pathways, like p53, are the targets of mutation in cancer cells.

scholarly journals Seminal vesicle proteins SVS3 and SVS4 facilitate SVS2 effect on sperm capacitation

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Araki ◽  
Natsuko Kawano ◽  
Woojin Kang ◽  
Kenji Miyado ◽  
Kaoru Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
Vesicle Secretion ◽  
Mammalian Spermatozoa

Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability in the female reproductive tract (sperm capacitation). On the other hand, seminal vesicle secretion, which is a major component of seminal plasma, inhibits the initiation of sperm capacitation (capacitation inhibition) and reduces the fertility of the capacitated spermatozoa (decapacitation). There are seven major proteins involved in murine seminal vesicle secretion (SVS1-7), and we have previously shown that SVS2 acts as both a capacitation inhibitor and a decapacitation factor, and is indispensable forin vivofertilization. However, the effects of SVSs other than SVS2 on the sperm have not been elucidated. Since mouseSvs2–Svs6genes evolved by gene duplication belong to the same gene family, it is possible that SVSs other than SVS2 also have some effects on sperm capacitation. In this study, we examined the effects of SVS3 and SVS4 on sperm capacitation. Our results showed that both SVS3 and SVS4 are able to bind to spermatozoa, but SVS3 alone showed no effects on sperm capacitation. On the other hand, SVS4 acted as a capacitation inhibitor, although it did not show decapacitation abilities. Interestingly, SVS3 showed an affinity for SVS2 and it facilitated the effects of SVS2. Interaction of SVS2 and spermatozoa is mediated by the ganglioside GM1 in the sperm membrane; however, both SVS3 and SVS4 had weaker affinities for GM1 than SVS2. Therefore, we suggest that separate processes may cause capacitation inhibition and decapacitation, and SVS3 and SVS4 act on sperm capacitation cooperatively with SVS2.

scholarly journals Contributions of A2A and A2B adenosine receptors in coronary flow responses in relation to the KATP channel using A2B and A2A/2B double-knockout mice

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (6) ◽  
pp. H2322-H2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Sharifi Sanjani ◽  
Bunyen Teng ◽  
Thomas Krahn ◽  
Stephen Tilley ◽  
Catherine Ledent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Flow ◽  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Cgs 21680 ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Sch 58261 ◽  
Single Knockout

Adenosine plays a role in physiological and pathological conditions, and A2 adenosine receptor (AR) expression is modified in many cardiovascular disorders. In this study, we elucidated the role of the A2BAR and its relationship to the A2AAR in coronary flow (CF) changes using A2B single-knockout (KO) and A2A/2B double-KO (DKO) mice in a Langendorff setup. We used two approaches: 1) selective and nonselective AR agonists and antagonists and 2) A2AKO and A2BKO and A2A/2BDKO mice. BAY 60-6583 (a selective A2B agonist) had no effect on CF in A2BKO mice, whereas it significantly increased CF in wild-type (WT) mice (maximum of 23.3 ± 9 ml·min−1·g−1). 5′- N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine (NECA; a nonselective AR agonist) increased CF in A2BKO mice (maximum of 34.6 ± 4.7 ml·min−1·g−1) to a significantly higher degree compared with WT mice (maximum of 23.1 ± 2.1 ml·min−1·g−1). Also, CGS-21680 (a selective A2A agonist) increased CF in A2BKO mice (maximum of 29 ± 1.9 ml·min−1·g−1) to a significantly higher degree compared with WT mice (maximum of 25.1 ± 2.3 ml·min−1·g−1). SCH-58261 (an A2A-selective antagonist) inhibited the NECA-induced increase in CF to a significantly higher degree in A2BKO mice (19.3 ± 1.6 vs. 0.5 ± 0.4 ml·min−1·g−1) compared with WT mice (19 ± 3.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5 ml·min−1·g−1). NECA did not induce any increase in CF in A2A/2BDKO mice, whereas a significant increase was observed in WT mice (maximum of 23.1 ± 2.1 ml·min−1·g−1). Furthermore, the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate had no effect on the NECA-induced increase in CF in WT mice, whereas the NECA-induced increase in CF in WT (17.6 ± 2 ml·min−1·g−1), A2AKO (12.5 ± 2.3 ml·min−1·g−1), and A2BKO (16.2 ± 0.8 ml·min−1·g−1) mice was significantly blunted by the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (to 0.7 ± 0.7, 2.3 ± 1.1, and 0.9 ± 0.4 ml·min−1·g−1, respectively). Also, the CGS-21680-induced (22 ± 2.3 ml·min−1·g−1) and BAY 60-6583-induced (16.4 ± 1.60 ml·min−1·g−1) increase in CF in WT mice was significantly blunted by glibenclamide (to 1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 1.2 ml·min−1·g−1, respectively). In conclusion, this is the first evidence supporting the compensatory upregulation of A2AARs in A2BKO mice and demonstrates that both A2AARs and A2BARs induce CF changes through KATP channels. These results identify AR-mediated CF responses that may lead to better therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

scholarly journals Disruption of foxc1 genes in zebrafish results in dosage-dependent phenotypes overlapping Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (16) ◽  
pp. 2723-2735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús-José Ferre-Fernández ◽  
Elena A Sorokina ◽  
Samuel Thompson ◽  
Ross F Collery ◽  
Emily Nordquist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Segment ◽  
Vertebrate Development ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Rieger Syndrome ◽  
Forkhead Box ◽  
Combined Genotypes ◽  
Craniofacial Defects ◽  
Winged Helix Transcription Factor ◽  
Single Knockout

Abstract The Forkhead Box C1 (FOXC1) gene encodes a forkhead/winged helix transcription factor involved in embryonic development. Mutations in this gene cause dysgenesis of the anterior segment of the eye, most commonly Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS), often with other systemic features. The developmental mechanisms and pathways regulated by FOXC1 remain largely unknown. There are two conserved orthologs of FOXC1 in zebrafish, foxc1a and foxc1b. To further examine the role of FOXC1 in vertebrates, we generated foxc1a and foxc1b single knockout zebrafish lines and bred them to obtain various allelic combinations. Three genotypes demonstrated visible phenotypes: foxc1a−/− single homozygous and foxc1−/− double knockout homozygous embryos presented with similar characteristics comprised of severe global vascular defects and early lethality, as well as microphthalmia, periocular edema and absence of the anterior chamber of the eye; additionally, fish with heterozygous loss of foxc1a combined with homozygosity for foxc1b (foxc1a+/−;foxc1b−/−) demonstrated craniofacial defects, heart anomalies and scoliosis. All other single and combined genotypes appeared normal. Analysis of foxc1 expression detected a significant increase in foxc1a levels in homozygous and heterozygous mutant eyes, suggesting a mechanism for foxc1a upregulation when its function is compromised; interestingly, the expression of another ARS-associated gene, pitx2, was responsive to the estimated level of wild-type Foxc1a, indicating a possible role for this protein in the regulation of pitx2 expression. Altogether, our results support a conserved role for foxc1 in the formation of many organs, consistent with the features observed in human patients, and highlight the importance of correct FOXC1/foxc1 dosage for vertebrate development.

scholarly journals KSper, a pH-sensitive K+ current that controls sperm membrane potential

2007 ◽  
Vol 104 (18) ◽  
pp. 7688-7692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betsy Navarro ◽  
Yuriy Kirichok ◽  
David E. Clapham
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Flagellum ◽  
K Current ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
Principal Piece ◽  
Mammalian Spermatozoa

Mature mammalian spermatozoa are quiescent in the male reproductive tract. Upon ejaculation and during their transit through the female reproductive tract, they undergo changes that enable them to fertilize the egg. During this process of capacitation, they acquire progressive motility, develop hyperactivated motility, and are readied for the acrosome reaction. All of these processes are regulated by intracellular pH. In the female reproductive tract, the spermatozoan cytoplasm alkalinizes, which in turn activates a Ca2+-selective current (ICatSper) required for hyperactivated motility. Here, we show that alkalinization also has a dramatic effect on membrane potential, producing a rapid hyperpolarization. This hyperpolarization is primarily mediated by a weakly outwardly rectifying K+ current (IKSper) originating from the principal piece of the sperm flagellum. Alkalinization activates the pHi-sensitive IKSper, setting the membrane potential to negative potentials where Ca2+ entry via ICatSper is maximized. IKSper is one of two dominant ion currents of capacitated sperm cells.

scholarly journals Calcium Influx and Male Fertility in the Context of the Sperm Proteome: An Update

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Saidur Rahman ◽  
Woo-Sung Kwon ◽  
Myung-Geol Pang
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Channel Proteins ◽  
Sperm Proteins ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Ion Channel Proteins ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Mammalian Spermatozoa

Freshly ejaculated spermatozoa are incapable or poorly capable of fertilizing an oocyte. The fertilization aptness of spermatozoa depends on the appropriate and time-dependent acquisition of hyperactivation, chemotaxis, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction, where calcium (Ca2+) is extensively involved in almost every step. A literature review showed that several ion channel proteins are likely responsible for regulation of the Ca2+uptake in spermatozoa. Therefore, manipulation of the functions of channel proteins is closely related to Ca2+influx, ultimately affecting male fertility. Recently, it has been shown that, together with different physiological stimuli, protein-protein interaction also modifies the Ca2+influx mechanism in spermatozoa. Modern proteomic analyses have identified several sperm proteins, and, therefore, these findings might provide further insight into understanding the Ca2+influx, protein functions, and regulation of fertility. The objective of this review was to synthesize the published findings on the Ca2+influx mechanism in mammalian spermatozoa and its implications for the regulation of male fertility in the context of sperm proteins. Finally, Pathway Studio (9.0) was used to catalog the sperm proteins that regulate the Ca2+influx signaling by using the information available from the PubMed database following a MedScan Reader (5.0) search.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document