Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Weihao Sun, Xinhui Zhang, Lei Wang, Guanyu Ren, Shuguang Piao, Chenghua Yang, Zhiyong Liu
Summary: The study investigated the histological changes and molecular mechanisms in cryptorchidism patients aged 20 to 40 years. Results showed a significant atrophy and decline in spermatogenic cells in the testes of patients with longer disease duration, with downregulation of genes related to sperm development and differentiation, providing insights into the decline in fertility in adult cryptorchidism.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pengxiang Tian, Zhiming Zhao, Yanli Fan, Na Cui, Baojun Shi, Guimin Hao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of stress on male reproductive function by observing changes in the testes of rats exposed to stress. It found that chronic stress can lead to pathological changes in the testes, decreased expression of key marker genes related to spermatogenesis, and alterations in the population of spermatogenic cells, which may contribute to male reproductive dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maryam Khanehzad, Roya Abbaszadeh, Marzieh Holakuyee, Mohammad Hossein Modarressi, Seyed Mehdi Nourashrafeddin
Summary: The interaction between FSH and RA signaling may trigger and influence the differentiation and initiation of meiosis in spermatogonia.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
M. Christine Schleif, Shelby L. Havel, Michael D. Griswold
Summary: Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays important roles in the developmental processes of mammals, especially in spermatogenesis. It is crucial for the formation of the blood-testis barrier and spermatogonial differentiation, spermiation, and assisting in meiotic completion in male reproduction. However, research results on female oogenesis have shown varying outcomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunlan Long, Yu Zhou, Lianju Shen, Yihang Yu, Dong Hu, Xing Liu, Tao Lin, Dawei He, Tao Xu, Deying Zhang, Jing Zhu, Guanghui Wei
Summary: This study found that RA supplementation can up-regulate the expression of c-Kit, Stra8, and Sycp3 by activating RARa in neonatal cryptorchid infertile rats. RA can also inhibit the protein expression of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and promote autophagy in cryptorchid testes.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Traci Topping, Michael D. Griswold
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of retinoic acid in the transition of undifferentiated A spermatogonia to differentiated spermatogonia, with retinoic acid synthesis by Sertoli cells being essential for the initial round of spermatogonial differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Oleksandr Kirsanov, Taylor A. Johnson, Bryan A. Niedenberger, Taylor N. Malachowski, Benjamin J. Hale, Qing Chen, Brad Lackford, Jiajia Wang, Anukriti Singh, Karen Schindler, Brian P. Hermann, Guang Hu, Christopher B. Geyer
Summary: Retinoic acid (RA) is proposed as the substance that induces meiosis in mammals, but the evidence for this role is based on studies in fetal ovaries where germ cell differentiation and meiotic initiation are inseparable. However, in postnatal testes, these events are separated by more than 1 week. This study found that while RA is necessary for spermatogonial differentiation, it is not essential for meiotic initiation, progression, and completion in the testis, indicating an independent model for male meiotic initiation.
Review
Reproductive Biology
Michael Griswold, Cathryn Hogarth
Summary: The formation of spermatozoa starts with germ-line stem cells creating a pool of undifferentiated spermatogonia. These cells need to be stimulated by retinoic acid (RA) to differentiate and ultimately form mature spermatozoa. By using specific drugs and injecting RA, the process of spermatogenesis can be synchronized with one to three stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Taylor A. Johnson, Bryan A. Niedenberger, Oleksandr Kirsanov, Ellen Harrington, Taylor Malachowski, Christopher B. Geyer
Summary: The foundation of mammalian spermatogenesis is formed by undifferentiated spermatogonia, which includes spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and transit-amplifying progenitors that differentiate in response to retinoic acid (RA). Our study reveals that both progenitor and differentiating spermatogonia in the adult testis can respond to exogenous RA, but their fate is different-undifferentiated progenitors precociously differentiate and proceed into meiosis, while differentiating spermatogonia are unable to hasten their entry into meiosis. These findings provide insights into the regulation of spermatogonial fate by RA during steady-state spermatogenesis.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xueni You, Tianjiao Li, Youjie Cui, Wei Liu, Zechao Cheng, Wenxian Zeng, Peng Wang, Yi Zheng
Summary: This study isolated and enriched porcine prospermatogonia from neonatal pig testes and exposed them to retinoic acid, finding that it can induce porcine prospermatogonial differentiation. RNA sequencing analysis revealed transcriptomic alterations associated with this differentiation. The study also identified a pig-specific long non-coding RNA, lncRNA-106504875, which positively regulates porcine spermatogonial proliferation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruixian Guo, Junping Lv, Huibo Xu, Yinghui Bai, Binan Lu, Ying Han
Summary: This study evaluated the potential effect of gatifloxacin (GAT) on testis damage in mice and found that GAT administration induced a dose-dependent spermatogenesis abnormality, with mRNA levels being more sensitive for detecting testicular toxicity. Additionally, GAT was shown to induce testicular damage by regulating candidate genes associated with spermatogenesis, germ cell movement, testicular fibrosis, and reproductive axis development. Further research is needed to fully understand the molecular mechanism behind these effects.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Luca Guarrera, Mami Kurosaki, Silvio-Ken Garattini, Maurizio Gianni', Gianpiero Fasola, Luca Rossit, Michele Prisciandaro, Maria Di Bartolomeo, Marco Bolis, Paola Rizzo, Claudia Nastasi, Marika Foglia, Adriana Zanetti, Gabriela Paroni, Mineko Terao, Enrico Garattini
Summary: This study provides pre-clinical evidence supporting the use of All-Trans Retinoic-acid (ATRA) in the treatment of gastric cancer. It demonstrates that approximately half of the gastric cancer cell lines are sensitive to ATRA and identifies a gene model that predicts ATRA sensitivity in gastric cancer patients. The study also reveals the immune-modulatory effects of ATRA and suggests potential combination therapies for gastric cancer management.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Christine Schleif, Rachel Gewiss, Michael Griswold
Summary: Spermatogonial differentiation is regulated by retinoic acid and involves significant morphological and transcriptional changes. This study aimed to investigate the timing and dynamics of chromatin organization during spermatogonial development and its relationship with transcriptional changes. By using ATAC-seq, the researchers found that 50% of accessible regions in undifferentiated spermatogonia were condensed within 18 hours of retinoic acid action. Surprisingly, genes relevant to spermatogonial development remained accessible at all times, indicating that chromatin state does not directly impact transcription.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Candice Bohaud, Jholy De La Cruz, Claudia Terraza, Audrey Barthelaix, Beryl Laplace-Builhe, Christian Jorgensen, Yoan Arribat, Farida Djouad
Summary: This study using zebrafish model and caudal fin resection investigated the crucial role of lactate in macrophage response and fin regeneration. The findings suggest that lactate plays a key role in activating and modulating macrophage phenotype, promoting inflammatory response and tissue regeneration.
Article
Developmental Biology
Mingyao Yang, Wenzhi Ma, Jon Oatley, Wan-Sheng Liu
Summary: This study reveals the involvement of PRAMEL1 in the initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis by regulating the responsiveness of prospermatogonia to retinoic acid (RA) and their homing process during spermatogenesis initiation. Pramel1 deficiency leads to altered fecundity in males and the occurrence of a Sertoli cell-only phenotype.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jorge Sanchez, Carlos Canales-Cerro, Daly Noll, Diego Safian, Juan Manuel Estrada
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA
(2020)
Article
Biology
Diego Crespo, Luiz H. C. Assis, Yu Ting Zhang, Diego Safian, Tomasz Furmanek, Kai Ove Skaftnesmo, Birgitta Norberg, Wei Ge, Yung-Ching Choi, Marjo J. den Broeder, Juliette Legler, Jan Bogerd, Rudiger W. Schulz
Summary: Insl3, under the control of Fsh in the pituitary, regulates spermatogonia differentiation and apoptosis via the Pparg and retinoic acid pathways in zebrafish. The Insl3 receptors are expressed in A-type spermatogonia, Sertoli and myoid cells in zebrafish testes.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kai O. Skaftnesmo, Diego Crespo, Lene Kleppe, Eva Andersson, Rolf B. Edvardsen, Birgitta Norberg, Per Gunnar Fjelldal, Tom J. Hansen, Rudiger W. Schulz, Anna Wargelius
Summary: The study showed that the function of the stra8 gene in Atlantic salmon plays a crucial role in the development of germ cells in the testis, with its loss leading to increased germ cell apoptosis. However, most mutants were still able to produce functional sperm.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Diego Safian, Geert F. Wiegertjes, Bart J. A. Pollux
Summary: Fish are an interesting model for studying regeneration, with the Poeciliidae family proposed as a new model system to investigate the evolution of fin regeneration. Current research has focused on the mechanisms and evolutionary pressures of fin regeneration, introducing three new theories for the evolution of this capacity.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Sandra Navarro, Rail Guillot, Diego Crespo, Rudiger W. Schulz, Wei Ge, Josep Rotllant, Jose Miguel Cerda-Reverter, Ana Rocha
Summary: The study investigated the impact of the melanocortin system on puberty onset and adult reproductive performance in zebrafish using a transgenic line overexpressing asip1. The results showed that decreased activity of the melanocortin system delayed early growth in transgenic animals but did not change the timing of puberty. Transgenic fish also exhibited differences in egg production, hatching time, and body size at hatching compared to wild-type siblings, suggesting that the inhibition of the melanocortin system through asip overexpression is a useful strategy for promoting growth in fish without altering puberty timing.
Review
Cell Biology
Luiz H. C. Assis, Debora Andrade-Silva, Mark E. Shiburah, Beatriz C. D. de Oliveira, Stephany C. Paiva, Bryan E. Abuchery, Yete G. Ferri, Veronica S. Fontes, Leilane S. de Oliveira, Marcelo S. da Silva, Maria Isabel N. Cano
Summary: Leishmaniases, neglected tropical diseases caused by over 20 species of Leishmania parasites, continue to impact millions of people, especially those with low incomes. Molecular biology research, particularly on telomeres, plays a vital role in understanding parasite maintenance and its impact on the cell cycle.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Diego Crespo, Kai Ove Skaftnesmo, Erik Kjaerner-Semb, Ozlem Yilmaz, Birgitta Norberg, Sara Olausson, Petra Vogelsang, Jan Bogerd, Lene Kleppe, Rolf B. Edvardsen, Eva Andersson, Anna Wargelius, Tom J. Hansen, Per Gunnar Fjelldal, Ruediger W. Schulz
Summary: Precocious male maturation in Atlantic salmon aquaculture leads to reduced welfare and increased production costs. Research on the regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) production in male salmonids revealed up-regulation of gonadotropin-related genes in the pituitaries of maturing males exposed to certain environmental conditions. Ex vivo studies showed the influence of hormones and growth factors on gene expression levels in pituitaries from both immature and maturing males.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
L. Kleppe, P. G. Fjelldal, E. Andersson, T. Hansen, M. Sanden, A. Bruvik, K. O. Skaftnesmo, T. Furmanek, E. Kjaerner-Semb, D. Crespo, S. Flavell, A. O. Pedersen, P. Vogelsang, A. Torsvik, K. A. Kvestad, S. Olausson, B. Norberg, R. W. Schulz, J. Bogerd, N. Santi, R. B. Edvardsen, A. Wargelius
Summary: Using germ cell-free (GCF), sterile, dnd-knockout salmon for farming can solve the problems associated with precocious maturation and genetic intmgression of farmed breeds into wild populations. The GCF phenotype of salmon is similar to wild type (WT) counterparts in terms of growth and welfare, with the advantage of never maturing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lionel Mendes Dias, Mark J. de Keijzer, Daniel Ernst, Farangis Sharifi, Daniel J. de Klerk, Tony G. Kleijn, Emilie Desclos, Jakub A. Kochan, Lianne R. de Haan, Leonardo P. Franchi, Albert C. van Wijk, Enzo M. Scutigliani, Marcel H. Fens, Arjan D. Barendrecht, Jose E. B. Cavaco, Xuan Huang, Ying Xu, Weiwei Pan, Marjo J. den Broeder, Jan Bogerd, Rudiger W. Schulz, Kitty C. Castricum, Victor L. Thijssen, Shuqun Cheng, Baoyue Ding, Przemek M. Krawczyk, Michal Heger
Summary: The study developed a comprehensive tumor targeting and photosensitizer delivery platform. It was found that photodynamically active PSs effectively photosensitized cancer cells and non-cancerous cells without notable systemic toxicity. ZnPC and AlPC delivered by ITLs demonstrated strong tumor-killing capacity in human breast cancer xenografts.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sandra Navarro, Diego Crespo, Rudiger W. Schulz, Wei Ge, Josep Rotllant, Jose Miguel Cerda-Reverter, Ana Rocha
Summary: Reproduction in both males and females is complex and controlled by various hormonal systems that communicate with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) system. This study provides new insights into the effects of melanocortin system on gonadal physiology, highlighting the modulatory role of ACTH and MSH on steroid secretion and the need for further research to fully understand the impact of melanocortins on reproductive function. Our results suggest that melanocortins play a role in regulating vitellogenesis in females and testosterone production in males, indicating a potential endocrine involvement in the reproductive system.
Article
Cell Biology
F. L. Almeida, K. O. Skaftnesmo, E. Andersson, L. Kleppe, R. B. Edvardsen, B. Norberg, P. G. Fjelldal, T. J. Hansen, R. W. Schulz, A. Wargelius
Summary: The genetic introgression of farmed salmon into wild populations can harm genetic integrity. To address this issue, researchers have identified the potential role of the Piwil1 protein in germ cell survival in Atlantic salmon. By inducing mutations in Piwil1 using CRISPR-Cas9, they observed a mosaic pattern of mutations in the F0 generation of salmon. These mutants still carried germ cells but exhibited partial germ cell loss and delays in spermatogenesis. Further analysis revealed the importance of the N domain of Piwil1 for its function. By generating F1 fish with different combinations of mutated alleles, they found that complete loss of Piwil1 led to the absence of germ cells, while heterozygous fish displayed an intermediate phenotype with a higher ratio of somatic cells to germ cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Luiz Henrique de Castro Assis, Stephany Cacete de Paiva, Maria Isabel Nogueira Cano
Summary: Base J is a modified thymidine base found in kinetoplastids and some related organisms. Its distribution in the genome varies depending on the organism and its life stage. Base J is mainly found at telomeric repeats, inactive VSG expression sites, RNA polymerase II termination sites, and sub-telomeric regions. The synthesis of Base J involves two thymidine hydroxylases (JBP1 and JBP2) and a beta-glucosyl transferase, while a third J-binding protein (JBP3) is involved in gene expression regulation. This review explores the role of Base J as a regulator of RNA polymerase II transcription termination and summarizes the characteristics of JBP proteins in pathogenic trypanosomatids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego Safian, Marwa Ahmed, Henri van Kruistum, Andrew I. Furness, David N. Reznick, Geert F. Wiegertjes, Bart J. A. Pollux
Summary: A key question in biology is the extent to which convergent evolution produces similar but not identical complex phenotypic solutions. The placenta is a complex organ that has independently evolved multiple times in the livebearing fish family Poeciliidae. This study applied comparative approaches to investigate the similarities and differences in placental phenotypes within Poeciliidae, and whether these phenotypes correlate with convergence at the molecular level. The results reveal two distinct placental phenotypes that have evolved divergently, and each phenotype has evolved multiple times across the family, providing evidence for repeated convergence. Furthermore, the comparative genomic analysis suggests that species with different placentas are evolving at different rates. The study also demonstrates that these two placental phenotypes are associated with contrasting life-history strategies. Overall, this study highlights the high evolvability of the placenta within closely related species, with both divergent and convergent evolution playing a role.