Article
Developmental Biology
Jessica E. M. Dunleavy, Anne E. O'Connor, Hidenobu Okuda, D. Jo Merriner, Moira K. O'Bryan
Summary: The study highlights the essential regulatory role of KATNB1 in mammalian spermatogenesis, showing its importance in maintaining the abundance of Katanin A-subunits and revealing new functions in male meiosis, acrosome formation, sperm tail assembly, cytoskeleton regulation, and epithelium integrity maintenance. Through interaction with a 'toolbox' of neofunctionalized katanin A-subunits, KATNB1 is able to differentially regulate various microtubule-based structures during mammalian male germ cell development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoli Wang, Lisha Yin, Yujiao Wen, Shuiqiao Yuan
Summary: Mitochondria adjust their morphology to suit different cell types and environments, playing important roles in spermatogenesis. Deficiencies in mitochondria can cause male infertility and regulate piRNA biogenesis. This review describes the characteristics of mitochondria, focusing on key mitochondrial factors and the underlying molecular mechanisms in spermatogenesis.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mark E. Gill, Hubertus Kohler, Antoine H. F. M. Peters
Summary: This study presents a method for simultaneous isolation of cells at different stages of spermatogenesis, using the specific spectral properties of two different DNA dyes. The protocol allows for the purification of high-purity cell populations and will facilitate immunocytological and molecular characterization studies of germ cells in wild type and genetically mutant animals.
Article
Agronomy
Jian Wang, Yuexuan Cao, Kejian Wang, Chaolei Liu
Summary: The panel of multiple-heading-date mtl haploid inducer lines developed in this study can address the issue of asynchronous heading dates between haploid inducers and pollen acceptors, accelerating the use of in vivo DH technology in rice breeding.
Article
Biology
Hongmei Gao, Mingrui Zhang, Jiankang Guo, Zhiguo Liu, Fei Guo, Bingyuan Wang, Yulian Mu
Summary: This study investigated the regulatory role of Prmt7 in spermatogonial proliferation through miRNA and target genes. The authors identified 48 differentially expressed miRNAs and predicted their target genes. They further confirmed the expression of Col6a3 as a target gene of mmu-miR-877-3p, suggesting that Prmt7 downregulation might function through miR-877-3p/Col6a3 in mouse spermatogonia.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Won-Young Lee, Heyon Woo Sim, Hyun Jung Park
Summary: Understanding the mechanism of male reproductive system aging and developing anti-aging therapies is vital for preventing male infertility caused by age. Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on testicular function in D-galactose-induced aging models. The results showed that melatonin administration suppressed the decline in body weight, sperm vitality, motility, and expression levels of spermatozoa markers. Melatonin also prevented the decrease in the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaopeng Hu, Hu Wang, Geng G. Tian, Changliang Hou, Bo Xu, Xinyan Zhao, Yongqiang Zhao, Qian Fang, Xinyue Li, Lin He, Xuejin Chen, Shangang Li, Ji Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that sperm can be produced from FGSCs without a Y chromosome. This suggests a strategy for dairy cattle breeding to produce only female offspring with a high-quality genetic background.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lucia A. Torres-Fernandez, Jana Emich, Yasmine Port, Sibylle Mitschka, Marius Woeste, Simon Schneider, Daniela Fietz, Manon S. Oud, Sara Di Persio, Nina Neuhaus, Sabine Kliesch, Michael Hoelzel, Hubert Schorle, Corinna Friedrich, Frank Tuettelmann, Waldemar Kolanus
Summary: Research reveals the crucial role of TRIM71 in germ cell development, promoting differentiation in mouse germ cells and seminoma cells, and associating TRIM71 deficiency with male infertility in humans.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Zhan Ma, Fengyu Zhang, Aiping Liu, Huikuan Lin, Chunfang Liu
Summary: It has been suggested that embryonic/germ cell developmental axis and related genes are crucial for tumorigenicity. This study found that the acquisition of embryonic/germ cell-like state is essential for tumorigenicity in 4T1, 168FARN, and 67NR cells derived from the same mouse breast cancer. The activation of somatic to PGC-like transformation (SPLT) in 4T1 cells and the repression of splenocyte PGC-like transformation and tumorigenicity by depleting pluripotency and/or PGC specification-related genes were demonstrated.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margaux Wieckowski, Stephanie Ranga, Delphine Moison, Sebastien Messiaen, Sonia Abdallah, Sylvie Granon, Rene Habert, Virginie Rouiller-Fabre, Gabriel Livera, Marie-Justine Guerquin
Summary: This study demonstrates that co-exposure to BPA and gamma-ray in mice can induce DNA damage in fetal germ cells, leading to a decrease in germ cell abundance and impact testicular function. Additionally, exposure to gamma-ray alone significantly alters adult steroidogenesis, affecting courtship behavior. The findings highlight the importance of considering physical agents as endocrine disruptors and the need for reevaluation of risk management and regulatory decisions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Eugenia Guida, Valentina Tassinari, Ambra Colopi, Federica Todaro, Valeriana Cesarini, Benedetto Jannini, Manuela Pellegrini, Flavia Botti, Gabriele Rossi, Pellegrino Rossi, Emmanuele A. Jannini, Susanna Dolci
Summary: This study found that overactivation of MAPK in fetal germ cells can lead to neoplastic transformation and metastatic behavior.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Xiao-Bing Long, Wen-Jun Shi, Chong-Rui Yao, Si-Ying Li, Jin-Ge Zhang, Zhi-Jie Lu, Dong-Dong Ma, Yu-Xia Jiang, Guang-Guo Ying
Summary: Progestins have been widely used and detected in surface waters, and can affect the gonadal development and sexual differentiation in fish. The mechanisms by which progestins induce sexual differentiation are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of norethindrone (NET) and androgen receptor (AR) antagonist flutamide (FLU) on gonadal differentiation in zebrafish, and found that NET caused male bias while FLU resulted in female bias. The results suggest that binding to AR is the molecular initiating event of sex differentiation induced by NET. Understanding the molecular initiation of sex differentiation in progestins is important for ecological risk assessment.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Lingtong Liu, Tai Wang
Summary: This review discusses the cytological and metabolic differences between vegetative cells and male germ cells in angiosperms, focusing on transcriptional repression, intercellular RNA movement, and the impact of transposon element expression on male germ cells.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Juho-Antti Makela, Jorma Toppari
Summary: The RB protein family members play crucial roles in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. RB proteins exert their effects through interaction with E2F transcription factors. RB and E2F family members are widely and dynamically expressed in the testis and have versatile roles during spermatogenesis. RB-E2F interaction is critical for male fertility and proper germline maintenance and lifelong sperm production.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Baglietto-Vargas, Stefania Forner, Lena Cai, Alessandra C. Martini, Laura Trujillo-Estrada, Vivek Swarup, Marie Minh Thu Nguyen, Kelly Do Huynh, Dominic Javonillo, Kristine Minh Tran, Jimmy Phan, Shan Jiang, Eniko A. Kramar, Cristina Nunez-Diaz, Gabriela Balderrama-Gutierrez, Franklin Garcia, Jessica Childs, Carlos J. Rodriguez-Ortiz, Juan Antonio Garcia-Leon, Masashi Kitazawa, Mohammad Shahnawaz, Dina P. Matheos, Xinyi Ma, Celia Da Cunha, Ken C. Walls, Rahasson R. Ager, Claudio Soto, Antonia Gutierrez, Ines Moreno-Gonzalez, Ali Mortazavi, Andrea J. Tenner, Grant R. MacGregor, Marcelo Wood, Kim N. Green, Frank M. LaFerla
Summary: The researchers created a mouse model that expresses wildtype human A β, demonstrating effects on cognition, synaptic plasticity, brain changes, inflammation, PAS granules, and gene expression. Furthermore, excision of exon 14 through Cre-mediated methods reduced A β expression and rescued cognitive impairments.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. S. Oud, R. M. Smits, H. E. Smith, F. K. Mastrorosa, G. S. Holt, B. J. Houston, P. F. de Vries, B. K. S. Alobaidi, L. E. Batty, H. Ismail, J. Greenwood, H. Sheth, A. Mikulasova, G. D. N. Astuti, C. Gilissen, K. McEleny, H. Turner, J. Coxhead, S. Cockell, D. D. M. Braat, K. Fleischer, K. W. M. D'Hauwers, E. Schaafsma, L. Nagirnaja, D. F. Conrad, C. Friedrich, S. Kliesch, K. I. Aston, A. Riera-Escamilla, C. Krausz, C. Gonzaga-Jauregui, M. Santibanez-Koref, D. J. Elliott, L. E. L. M. Vissers, F. Tuettelmann, M. K. O'Bryan, L. Ramos, M. J. Xavier, G. W. van der Heijden, J. A. Veltman
Summary: This study examines the role of de novo mutations in severe male infertility. Through trio-based exome sequencing, the researchers identified a significant enrichment of loss-of-function de novo mutations in infertile men. They also identified a new candidate gene, RBM5, which is associated with male infertility. This study provides evidence for the importance of de novo mutations in male infertility and identifies potential genetic causes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Samuel R. Cheers, Anne E. O'Connor, Travis K. Johnson, D. Jo Merriner, Moira K. O'Bryan, Jessica E. M. Dunleavy
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of spastin, a member of the meiotic AAA ATPase protein clade, in regulating microtubule dynamics during spermatogenesis. Spastin loss leads to a complete loss of functional germ cells, enlarged spermatid nuclei with aneuploidy, and severe abnormalities in manchette structure and acrosome biogenesis. These findings have potential relevance to individuals carrying spastin variants and to the medically assisted reproductive technology industry.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah N. Biggs, Joanne Kennedy, Sharon L. Lewis, Stephen Hearps, Moira K. O'Bryan, Robert McLachlan, Simon von Saldern, Georgina Chambers, Jane Halliday
Summary: Approximately 1 in 20 men are sub-fertile or infertile, but the causes of male infertility are not well understood. This study aims to recruit 1000 Australian male partners seeking help from fertility clinics to investigate the factors associated with male infertility. The findings will provide important information for clinicians and inform public policy on prevention and treatment strategies for infertile men.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nicola D. Kolaitis, Bethany J. Finger, D. Jo Merriner, Joseph Nguyen, Brendan J. Houston, Moira K. O'Bryan, Jessica M. Stringer, Nadeen Zerafa, Ngoc Nguyen, Karla J. Hutt, Gerard A. Tarulli, Mark P. Green
Summary: This study found that chronic exposure to an environmentally relevant concentration of the herbicide atrazine affects male fertility in mice, particularly by altering the expression of steroidogenic genes in the testicles. Further research should be conducted to investigate the multigenerational effects of atrazine on male fertility.
Article
Developmental Biology
Jessica E. M. Dunleavy, Maddison Graffeo, Kathryn Wozniak, Anne E. O'Connor, D. Jo Merriner, Joseph Nguyen, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Brendan J. Houston, Moira K. O'Bryan
Summary: This study reveals that multiple katanin A-subunit paralogs play important roles in various processes during mammalian spermatogenesis, including the construction of the meiotic spindle, cytokinesis, midbody abscission, and spermatid remodelling. The study also identifies specific roles of certain genes in sperm flagellum development and interaction networks with other proteins.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sarah Kimmins, Richard A. Anderson, Christopher L. R. Barratt, Hermann M. Behre, Sarah R. Catford, Christopher J. De Jonge, Geraldine Delbes, Michael L. Eisenberg, Nicolas Garrido, Brendan J. Houston, Niels Jorgensen, Csilla Krausz, Ariane Lismer, Robert I. Mclachlan, Suks Minhas, Tim Moss, Allan Pacey, Laerke Priskorn, Stefan Schlatt, Jacquetta Trasler, Leonardo Trasande, Frank Tuettelmann, Monica Hebe Vazquez-Levin, Joris A. Veltman, Feng Zhang, Moira K. O'Bryan
Summary: Currently, there is a lack of understanding and awareness about the causes of male infertility and the importance of male reproductive health. This leads to standardized treatment strategies using medically assisted reproduction techniques, which overlook the potential co-morbidities and shift the burden to women. To improve male reproductive health, it is essential to establish centers for data and sample collection and study the effects of genetics, epigenetics, and environment on fertility and offspring health. Personalized treatment protocols should be developed and education about infertility should be increased.
NATURE REVIEWS UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Margot J. Wyrwoll, Godfried W. van der Heijden, Csilla Krausz, Kenneth I. Aston, Sabine Kliesch, Robert McLachlan, Liliana Ramos, Donald F. Conrad, Moira K. O'Bryan, Joris A. Veltman, Frank Tuettelmann
Summary: Discovering the genetic causes of non-syndromic male infertility and linking them with clinical data is crucial for better understanding the condition. The International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium has developed a standardized vocabulary based on the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) to facilitate communication and improve the classification of male infertility. This work will contribute to the systematic recording of patients' phenotypes and the discovery of novel genetic causes for non-syndromic male infertility.
NATURE REVIEWS UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Madeleine J. De Jong, Lesley A. Alton, Craig R. White, Moira K. O'Bryan, David G. Chapple, Bob B. M. Wong
Summary: Incubation temperature has lasting effects on growth, locomotor performance, and metabolic rate of skink offspring. Cool and hot incubation temperatures result in faster growth and larger maximum size, while hot incubation temperatures reduce locomotor performance. Effects on metabolic rate are present in sub-adults, with higher rates in cool-incubated lizards. Additionally, cool and hot incubation treatments result in shorter sperm midpieces and heads.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Farin Yazdan Parast, Avinash S. Gaikwad, Ranganathan Prabhakar, Moira K. O'Bryan, Reza Nosrati
Summary: Using microfluidics, this study investigates individual sperm flagellar dynamics under the influence of flow and viscosity. The findings suggest that viscosity has a more dominant influence on flagellar waveform, and the synergistic effect of flow and viscosity promotes energy-efficient beating behavior.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Vanessa Tsui, Ruqian Lyu, Stevan Novakovic, Jessica M. Stringer, Jessica E. M. Dunleavy, Elissah Granger, Tim Semple, Anna Leichter, Luciano G. Martelotto, D. Jo Merriner, Ruijie Liu, Lucy McNeill, Nadeen Zerafa, Eva R. Hoffmann, Moira K. O'Bryan, Karla Hutt, Andrew J. Deans, Jorg Heierhorst, Davis J. McCarthy, Wayne Crismani
Summary: Meiotic crossovers are necessary for accurate chromosome segregation and generating new allelic combinations. This study reveals the role of the tumor suppressor FANCM as an anti-crossover factor in mammals and shows that Fancm deficiency leads to an increase in crossover frequencies.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samuel Cheers, Miguel Xavier, Manon Oud, Petra de Vries, Bilal Alobaidi, Lois Batty, Liina Nagirnaja, Don Conrad, Kenneth Aston, Corinna Friedrich, Birgit Stallmeyer, Frank Tuettelmann, Godfried van der Heijden, Moira O'Bryan, Joris Veltman
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)