scholarly journals Original Research: Expression Profile of CAPZA3 And TR-KIT Genes in Men with Globozoospermia & Asthenoteratospermia that Undergo ICSI Protocol

Author(s):  
Dhuha. S. Namaa ◽  
Miriam Jasim Shehab ◽  
Rasha Sadeq Ameen

Objective(s): Sperm-mediated oocyte activation depends upon suitable expression and assembly of sperm-borne oocyte-activating factors (SOAFs) during spermiogenesis. Several factors have been considered as candidates for oocyte activation in recent years. Globozoospermia is a severe sperm morphology disorder that is a rare type of teratozoospermia with an incidence of 0.1% among infertile individuals. testis-specific genes including CAPZA3 [capping protein (actin filament) muscle Z-line, alpha, which is considered as a nominee for sperm associated oocyte activating factors, an actin-capping protein, controlling actin polymerization during spermiogenesis. They contain a common bidirectional promoter. Another gene TR-KIT (a truncated form of the KIT receptor) which is a major sperm-associated oocyte-activating factor. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profile of CAPZA3 and TR-KIT mRNA, in men with total globozoospermia, Asthenoteratospermia, and fertile individuals. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were collected from three groups including 25 fertile men, 20 Asthenoteratospermia and 12 Globozoospermia that undergo intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Expression of CAPZA3 and TR-KIT were assessed by Real time PCR. Results: Individuals with Globozoospermia have presented significantly lower expression of CAPZA3 and TR-KIT mRNA when compared with fertile men. Asthenoteratospermia (male factor) showed significantly lower expression of CAPZA3 mRNA, whereas non-significantly of TR-KIT mRNA.  Levels of CAPZA3 and TR-KIT mRNA in the spermatozoa of fertile men were significantly higher than the corresponding values of the globozoospermic and Asthenoteratospermia subjects. Conclusion: Analysis mRNA of CAPZA3 gene maybe assist the researcher to identify individuals with a lack of ability to induce oocyte activation and make them a candidate for artificial oocyte activation and help researcher to identify genetic defects associated with failed fertilization. whereas, mRNA of TR-KIT gene appears inability to induce oocyte activation

Author(s):  
Smriti Kala ◽  
Ksenia Meteleva ◽  
Lena Serghides

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 binding receptor ACE2 and the spike protein priming protease TMPRSS2 are co-expressed in human placentae. It is unknown whether their expression is altered in the context of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We compared mRNA levels of SARS-CoV-2 cell-entry mediators ACE2, TMPRSS2 and L-SIGN (an alternative entry receptor) by qPCR in 105 placentae: 45 from pregnant women with HIV (WHIV) exposed to protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART, 17 from WHIV on non-PI-based ART, and 43 from HIV-uninfected women. Results ACE2 levels were lower, while L-SIGN levels were higher in placentae from WHIV on PI-based ART as compared to those on non-PI-based ART and to HIV-uninfected women. TMPRSS2 levels were similar between groups. Black race was significantly associated with lower expression of ACE2 and higher expression of L-SIGN. ACE2 levels were significantly higher in placentae of female fetuses. Discussion We have identified pregnant women of Black race and WHIV who are on PI-based ART to have relatively lower expression of placental ACE2 than those of White race and HIV-uninfected women. This effect may potentially contribute to altered susceptibility to COVID-19 in these women, either favorably; by reduced viral entry, or detrimentally; by loss of ACE2 protection against hyperinflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yu ◽  
Miao Liu ◽  
Zhenxin Wang ◽  
Te Liu ◽  
Suying Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder with various manifestations and complex etiology. Follicular fluid (FF) serves as the complex microenvironment for follicular development. However, the correlation between the concentration of steroid in FF and the pathogenesis of PCOS is still unclear. Methods Twenty steroid levels in FF from ten patients with PCOS and ten women with male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization were tested by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to explore their possibly correlation with PCOS. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of core enzymes in steroid synthesis pathway from exosomes of FF were also detected by qPCR. Results The estriol (p < 0.01), estradiol (p < 0.05) and prenenolone (p < 0.01) levels in FF of PCOS group were significantly increased, compared to the normal group, and the progesterone levels (p < 0.05) were decreased in PCOS group. Increased mRNA levels of CYP11A, CYP19A and HSD17B2 of exosomes were accompanied by the hormonal changes in FF. Correlation analysis showed that mRNA levels of CYP11A and HSD17B2 were negatively correlated with percent of top-quality embryos and rate of embryos develop to blastocyst. Conclusion Our results suggest that increased levels of estrogen and pregnenolone in follicular fluid may affect follicle development in PCOS patients, and the mechanism is partially related to HSD17B1, CYP19A1 and CYP11A1 expression change in FF exosomes.


1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Barkalow ◽  
W Witke ◽  
D J Kwiatkowski ◽  
J H Hartwig

Exposure of cryptic actin filament fast growing ends (barbed ends) initiates actin polymerization in stimulated human and mouse platelets. Gelsolin amplifies platelet actin assembly by severing F-actin and increasing the number of barbed ends. Actin filaments in stimulated platelets from transgenic gelsolin-null mice elongate their actin without severing. F-actin barbed end capping activity persists in human platelet extracts, depleted of gelsolin, and the heterodimeric capping protein (CP) accounts for this residual activity. 35% of the approximately 5 microM CP is associated with the insoluble actin cytoskeleton of the resting platelet. Since resting platelets have an F-actin barbed end concentration of approximately 0.5 microM, sufficient CP is bound to cap these ends. CP is released from OG-permeabilized platelets by treatment with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or through activation of the thrombin receptor. However, the fraction of CP bound to the actin cytoskeleton of thrombin-stimulated mouse and human platelets increases rapidly to approximately 60% within 30 s. In resting platelets from transgenic mice lacking gelsolin, which have 33% more F-actin than gelsolin-positive cells, there is a corresponding increase in the amount of CP associated with the resting cytoskeleton but no change with stimulation. These findings demonstrate an interaction between the two major F-actin barbed end capping proteins of the platelet: gelsolin-dependent severing produces barbed ends that are capped by CP. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate release of gelsolin and CP from platelet cytoskeleton provides a mechanism for mediating barbed end exposure. After actin assembly, CP reassociates with the new actin cytoskeleton.


Author(s):  
Naila Umer ◽  
Lena Arévalo ◽  
Sharang Phadke ◽  
Keerthika Lohanadan ◽  
Gregor Kirfel ◽  
...  

Profilins (PFNs) are key regulatory proteins for the actin polymerization in cells and are encoded in mouse and humans by four Pfn genes. PFNs are involved in cell mobility, cell growth, neurogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells. The testes-specific PFN3 is localized in the acroplaxome–manchette complex of developing spermatozoa. We demonstrate that PFN3 further localizes in the Golgi complex and proacrosomal vesicles during spermiogenesis, suggesting a role in vesicle transport for acrosome formation. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated mice deficient for Pfn3. Pfn3–/– males are subfertile, displaying a type II globozoospermia. We revealed that Pfn3–/– sperm display abnormal manchette development leading to an amorphous sperm head shape. Additionally, Pfn3–/– sperm showed reduced sperm motility resulting from flagellum deformities. We show that acrosome biogenesis is impaired starting from the Golgi phase, and mature sperm seems to suffer from a cytoplasm removal defect. An RNA-seq analysis revealed an upregulation of Trim27 and downregulation of Atg2a. As a consequence, mTOR was activated and AMPK was suppressed, resulting in the inhibition of autophagy. This dysregulation of AMPK/mTOR affected the autophagic flux, which is hallmarked by LC3B accumulation and increased SQSTM1 protein levels. Autophagy is involved in proacrosomal vesicle fusion and transport to form the acrosome. We conclude that this disruption leads to the observed malformation of the acrosome. TRIM27 is associated with PFN3 as determined by co-immunoprecipitation from testis extracts. Further, actin-related protein ARPM1 was absent in the nuclear fraction of Pfn3–/– testes and sperm. This suggests that lack of PFN3 leads to destabilization of the PFN3–ARPM1 complex, resulting in the degradation of ARPM1. Interestingly, in the Pfn3–/– testes, we detected increased protein levels of essential actin regulatory proteins, cofilin-1 (CFL1), cofilin-2 (CFL2), and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). Taken together, our results reveal the importance for PFN3 in male fertility and implicate this protein as a candidate for male factor infertility in humans.


2003 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Yi Xie ◽  
Quan-Sheng Du ◽  
Xiao-Jun Wu ◽  
Xu Feng ◽  
...  

Osteoclast activation is important for bone remodeling and is altered in multiple bone disorders. This process requires cell adhesion and extensive actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), a major cell adhesion–activated tyrosine kinase in osteoclasts, plays an important role in regulating this event. The mechanisms by which PYK2 regulates actin cytoskeletal organization and osteoclastic activation remain largely unknown. In this paper, we provide evidence that PYK2 directly interacts with gelsolin, an actin binding, severing, and capping protein essential for osteoclastic actin cytoskeletal organization. The interaction is mediated via the focal adhesion–targeting domain of PYK2 and an LD motif in gelsolin's COOH terminus. PYK2 phosphorylates gelsolin at tyrosine residues and regulates gelsolin bioactivity, including decreasing gelsolin binding to actin monomer and increasing gelsolin binding to phosphatidylinositol lipids. In addition, PYK2 increases actin polymerization at the fibroblastic cell periphery. Finally, PYK2 interacts with gelsolin in osteoclasts, where PYK2 activation is required for the formation of actin rings. Together, our results suggest that PYK2 is a regulator of gelsolin, revealing a novel PYK2–gelsolin pathway in regulating actin cytoskeletal organization in multiple cells, including osteoclasts.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
B. R. Sessions ◽  
A. H. Bayles ◽  
J. Collier ◽  
K. Perry ◽  
L. S. Whitaker ◽  
...  

Phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms stimulate the hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) to produce diacylglycerol (DAG) and 1,4,5 inositol trisphosphate (IP3), with IP3 regulating the release of calcium (Ca2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum. This release of calcium is essential for oocyte activation, and a sperm-specific PLC isoform, PLCγ;, has been proposed as the primary agent that initiates the activation process. However, the oocyte contains many endogenous PLC isoforms (PLC β, γ, and δ) that could also be involved in regulating or initiating these calcium oscillations downstream of other initiating events. In order to better elucidate the involvement of endogenous PLC isoforms as well as the specific role of the sperm-specific form, small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against the specific bovine PLC isoforms (PLCζ;, PLCγ1, PLCγ2, PLCδ1, PLCδ3, PLCδ4, PLCβ1, PLCβ3) were microinjected into bovine oocytes, and the subsequent effects on PLC mRNA levels and bovine fertilization were evaluated. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to quantify the levels of PLC message present in bovine oocytes at the time of injection (15 h post-maturation) and 6, 10, and 14 h post-injection. The qPCR results indicated a near-complete knockdown of mRNA levels in bovine oocytes 10 h post-injection for the isotypes PLCγ1, PLCγ2, PLCδ3, PLCδ4, PLCβ1, PLCβ3, but only partial knockdown of PLCS 1 mRNA. Oocytes microinjected with PLC siRNA were also fertilized and cultured in vitro according to our standard laboratory procedures (Reed et al. 1996 Theriogenology 45, 439-449). The oocytes microinjected with PLCζ;, PLCδ1, PLCδ3, PLCδ4, PLCβ1, PLCβ3 siRNA resulted in cleavage rates similar to the negative control siRNA, non-injected, and sham-injected treatment groups, whereas bovine oocytes microinjected with PLCγ1 and PLCγ2 siRNA had significantly lower cleavage rates compared with the controls. Additionally, complementary cRNA for each specific PLC isoform was microinjected into bovine oocytes to ascertain each isoform’s ability to induce parthenogenetic activation. Development was observed in oocytes microinjected with a variety of cRNAs, and the activating effects of the cRNA were negligible if the oocytes were microinjected with the corresponding siRNA before microinjection with cRNA. Interestingly, siRNA specific for PLCζ; failed to reduce cleavage when treated bovine oocytes were fertilized. These data illustrate the potential involvement of multiple endogenous PLC isoforms and not just the sperm-specific PLCζ; isoform in bovine oocyte activation during fertilization.


1984 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 994-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hosoya ◽  
I Mabuchi

A one-to-one complex of a 45,000-mol-wt protein and actin was purified from unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, by means of DNase l-Sepharose affinity and gel filtration column chromatographies. Effects of the complex on the polymerization of actin were studied by viscometry, spectrophotometry, and electron microscopy. The results are summarized as follows: (a) The initial rate of actin polymerization is inhibited at a very low molar ratio of the complex to actin. (b) Acceleration of the initial rate of polymerization occurs at a relatively high, but still substoichiometric, molar ratio of the complex to actin. (c) Annealing of F-actin fragments is inhibited by the complex. (d) The complex prevents actin filaments from depolymerizing. (e) Growth of the actin filament is inhibited at the barbed end. In all cases except b, a molar ratio of less than 1:100 of the 45,000-mol-wt protein-actin complex to actin is sufficient to produce these significant effects. These results indicate that the 45,000-mol-wt protein-actin complex from the sea urchin egg regulates the assembly of actin by binding to the barbed end (preferred end or rapidly growing end) of the actin filament. The 45,000-mol-wt protein-actin complex can thus be categorized as a capping protein.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 783-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Sanusi ◽  
Yuansong Yu ◽  
Michail Nomikos ◽  
F. Anthony Lai ◽  
Karl Swann

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (1) ◽  
pp. R208-R218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Rinaldi ◽  
Fadia Haddad ◽  
Paul W. Bodell ◽  
Anqi X. Qin ◽  
Weihua Jiang ◽  
...  

This study investigated the dynamic regulation of IIx-IIb MHC genes in the fast white medial gastrocnemius (WMG) muscle in response to intermittent resistance exercise training (RE), a model associated with a rapid shift from IIb to IIx expression ( 11 ). We investigated the effect of 4 days of RE on the transcriptional activity across the skeletal MHC gene locus in the WMG in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Our results show that RE resulted in significant shifts from IIb to IIx observed at both the pre-mRNA and mRNA levels. An antisense RNA (xII NAT) was detected in the intergenic (IG) region between IIx and IIb, extending across the entire IIx gene and into its promoter. The expression of the xII NAT was positively correlated with IIb pre-mRNA ( R = +0.8), and negatively correlated with IIx pre-mRNA ( R = −0.8). Transcription mapping of the IIx–IIb IG region revealed the generation of sense IIb and xII NATs from a single promoter region. This bidirectional promoter is highly conserved among species and contains several regulatory elements that may be implicated in its regulation. These results suggest that the IIx and the IIb genes are physically and functionally linked via the bidirectional promoter. In order for the IIx MHC gene to be regulated, a feedback mechanism from the IG xII NAT is needed. In conclusion, the IG bidirectional promoter generating antisense RNA appears to be essential for the coordinated regulation of the skeletal muscle MHC genes during dynamic phenotype shifts.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3810-3810
Author(s):  
Sandra Muntión ◽  
Carlos Santamaría ◽  
Beatriz Roson ◽  
Carlos Romo ◽  
Olga López-Villar ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3810 Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are a non-hematopoietic BM cell population considered to be not only the osteoblastic progenitors, but also a key component of the hematopoietic microenvironment. Raaijmakers et al (Nature, 2010) have recently shown that deletion of Dicer1 in MSC-derived osteoprogenitors as well as its target gene SBDS resulted in myelodysplasia (MDS) in a murine model. We have previously confirmed these results in human MSC from MDS patients (ASH 2010, # 397). In a previous paper (Leukemia, 2009) we showed that MSC from 5q- syndrome patients were different from MSC from other types of MDS and could be involved in their development. We have hypothesized that lenalidomide, the standard treatment of 5q- patients could act not only on hematopoietic progenitors but also on the BM microenvironment. For this purpose BM-MSC from healthy donors (HD) (n=7) and 5q- syndrome patients (n=5) were expanded in vitro and treated with 50 uM lenalidomide or its solvent (DMSO) as control. RNA was obtained from MSC and DICER1, DROSHA and SBDS relative gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR using TaqMan® assay as well as several microRNAs with known role in hematopoiesis and immune system regulation. In addition, MSC gene expression profile was studied. Labeled samples were hybridized to affymetrix of oligonucleotide HU 1.OST arrays in 5q- patients (n=4) and compared with MSCs from HD (n=3). For this purpose the ratio lenalidomide-treated sample and its paired DMSO control was calculated and markers with a fold change >1.5 were selected for hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). MSCs from 5q-syndrome showed lower expression of DICER1 when compared with those from HD (.35 x10−3 vs.20 x10−3 p=0.03) but this expression was recovered when 5q-MSCs were treated with Lenalidomide (0.32 x10−3 p= 0.34). By contrast, no differences in DROSHA expression were observed. In addition, 5q-MSC showed SBDS lower expression than HD-MSC and in both groups the expression increased when they were treated with lenalidomide fig1). When microRNAs were analyzed, we observed a lower microRNA expression in lenalidomide-treated MSC from healthy donors when was compared to paired non-treated cells, especially for miRNA-155 (p=0.028), miRNA-222 (p=0.028),and miRNA-181a (p=0.075; Table 1). By contrast, lenalidomide-treated MSC from MDS showed a trend towards higher microRNA expression in comparison to paired non-treated MSC.Table 1.HD-MSC DMSO vs LENA5q-MSC DMSO vs LENAmiRNA 1460.50 vs 0.30p=0.2490.07 vs 0.10p=0.7miRNA 1500.004 vs 0.0065p=0.60.001 vs 0.006p=0.07miRNA 1550.90 vs 0.58p=0.0280.80 vs 0.96p=0.7miRNA 181a2.47 vs 1,83p=0.0751.66 vs 2.32p=0.07miRNA 22286.2 vs 68.0p=0.02843.2 vs 56.2p=0.07 When the gene expression profile was carried out based in 421 selected probes including 306 known genes, MSC-treated cells from 5q- were separated from HD MSC by HCA (Fig2). We can conclude that Lenalidomide not only acts on HPC from 5q- patients but also on microenvironment by modifying the expression of DICER-1 and SBDS as well as the expression of some microRNAs and genes. Disclosures: San Miguel: Celgene Corp.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. del Cañizo:Celgene Corp.: Spanishn Adviory committee.


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