Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Xu Xu, Ying Zhang, Hanhua Cheng, Rongjia Zhou
Summary: SPATA33 acts as a novel receptor for mitophagy in male germline cells, mediating the interaction of VDAC2 and ATG16L1 during the autophagic process. It plays a crucial role in priming mitochondria for degradation and promoting mitophagy, providing cargo selectivity in the process. This study sheds new light on selective autophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donghui Yang, Mengfei Zhang, Wenbo Chen, Qizhong Lu, Shicheng Wan, Xiaomin Du, Yunxiang Li, Balun Li, Wenping Wu, Congliang Wang, Na Li, Sha Peng, Haiyang Tang, Jinlian Hua
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in maintaining immune homeostasis and spermatogenesis. UCHL1 shows anti-inflammatory and antiviral functions in the testes.
Article
Cell Biology
Fu-Rong Bai, Qi-Qian Wu, Yu-Jie Wu, Yan-Qin Hu, Zhi-Xuan Jiang, Hao Lv, Wen-Zhe Qian, Chang Cai, Jing-Wen Wu
Summary: This study investigated the role and mechanism of FOXJ2 in spermatogenesis regulation and found that its overexpression led to spermatogenesis failure and male infertility. The study also discovered that FOXJ2 affects chaperone-mediated autophagy through upregulation of LAMP2A.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paschalia Kapli, Paschalis Natsidis, Daniel J. Leite, Maximilian Fursman, Nadia Jeffrie, Imran A. Rahman, Herve Philippe, Richard R. Copley, Maximilian J. Telford
Summary: Bilaterally symmetric animals are divided into Protostomia and Deuterostomia, with Protostomia consistently receiving strong support in phylogenetic studies. However, support for Deuterostomia is equivocal and may be influenced by systematic errors, suggesting that the common ancestor of bilaterians and deuterostomes may have been deuterostome-like.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Millissia Ben Maamar, Eric E. Nilsson, Michael K. Skinner
Summary: The development of gametes (sperm and egg) is crucial in transmitting optimized physiological adaptations and phenotypes to subsequent generations. Environmental factors actively regulate epigenetics, impacting the physiology and phenotype of cellular and biological systems. The integration of genetics and epigenetics is essential for developmental biology systems at the cellular and organism level.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sandrine Floriot, Laura Bellutti, Johan Castille, Pauline Moison, Sebastien Messiaen, Bruno Passet, Laurent Boulanger, Abdelhak Boukadiri, Sophie Tourpin, Christian Beauvallet, Marthe Vilotte, Julie Riviere, Christine Pechoux, Maud Bertaud, Jean-Luc Vilotte, Gabriel Livera
Summary: This study reveals the essential role of centrosome cohesion in male gametogenesis. Mutant mice lacking the Cep250 gene exhibit male infertility due to a reduction in the spermatogonial pool and the blockade of meiotic divisions. The findings provide new insights into the function of centrosome cohesion in male germline development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucie A. Bergeron, Soren Besenbacher, Jiao Zheng, Panyi Li, Mads Frost Bertelsen, Benoit Quintard, Joseph I. Hoffman, Zhipeng Li, Judy St Leger, Changwei Shao, Josefin Stiller, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Mikkel H. Schierup, Guojie Zhang
Summary: We sequenced and compared high-coverage genomes of 151 parent-offspring trios from 68 species of vertebrates and found that the per-generation mutation rate varies greatly among species, with males having higher rates than females in mammals and birds. We identified generation time, age at maturity, and species-level fecundity as key factors influencing this variation. Species with larger long-term effective population sizes tend to have lower mutation rates, supporting the drift barrier hypothesis. Domesticated animals with shorter generation times display exceptionally high yearly mutation rates, emphasizing the importance of generation time in mutation rate evolution.
Article
Cell Biology
Masaki Kawase, Kenji Ichiyanagi
Summary: In mammals, germ cells produce small regulatory RNAs called piRNAs, which have different characteristics and expression dynamics during development. The length of piRNAs is correlated with PIWI-like proteins, and retrotransposon-derived piRNAs are abundantly produced but decline in abundance as development proceeds.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pravrutha Raman, Mary C. Rominger, Janet M. Young, Antoine Molaro, Toshio Tsukiyama, Harmit S. Malik
Summary: Histones and their posttranslational modifications play diverse chromatin functions in eukaryotes. This study reveals the presence of five H2B variants widely present in mammalian genomes, with two new variants identified. These variants are broadly retained in mammals and expressed in germline cells. The findings suggest that H2B variants likely have important roles in mammalian germline cells through unconventional chromatin packaging or nonchromatin functions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Grigor Varuzhanyan, Mark S. Ladinsky, Shun-ichi Yamashita, Manabu Abe, Kenji Sakimura, Tomotake Kanki, David C. Chan
Summary: Male germline development involves coordinated changes in mitochondrial number, morphology, and organization, with processes such as fusion, fission, and mitophagy playing important roles. Disruption of Fis1 in mouse male germline results in abnormal mitochondrial structure and increased content, leading to defects in spermatid maturation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Abik Nandi, Debapratim Kar Chowdhuri
Summary: The study revealed that cadmium can alter the number of male GSCs, affecting sperm quantity and reproductive performance, with overexpression of sod showing a rescuing effect. The results emphasize the pivotal role of redox imbalance in Cd-induced male infertility.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hue M. La, Jinyue Liao, Julien M. D. Legrand, Fernando J. Rossello, Ai-Leen Chan, Vijesh Vaghjiani, Jason E. Cain, Antonella Papa, Tin Lap Lee, Robin M. Hobbs
Summary: This study uncovers the roles of growth factor signalling and mTORC1 in the regeneration of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Single-cell analysis reveals the unique molecular features of regenerative SSCs and the changes in the composition of undifferentiated spermatogonia during germline recovery. The data suggest that transient mTORC1 activation is critical for the regenerative response, while sustained mTORC1 signalling is detrimental for SSC maintenance. Inhibition of growth factor signalling disrupts the regenerative state and limits germline recovery.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Richard J. Wang, Yadira Pena-Garcia, Madeleine G. Bibby, Muthuswamy Raveendran, R. Alan Harris, Heiko T. Jansen, Charles T. Robbins, Jeffrey Rogers, Joanna L. Kelley, Matthew W. Hahn
Summary: This study examines the per-generation mutation rate in a brown bear pedigree and finds that both male bias and per-generation mutation rates are similar to that of non-hibernating species, contradicting previous theories. These findings provide new evidence for the determinants of mutation rates and mutation biases.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lindy Jensen, Zsolt G. Venkei, George J. Watase, Bitarka Bisai, Scott Pletcher, Cheng-Yu Lee, Yukiko M. Yamashita
Summary: The translational regulator me31B plays a critical role in preventing excess dedifferentiation in the Drosophila male germline, leading to spermatogonia dedifferentiating into germline stem cells (GSCs) at a dramatically elevated frequency in its absence. The excess dedifferentiation is likely due to misregulation of nos, a key regulator of germ cell identity and GSC maintenance. These findings reveal negative regulation of dedifferentiation to balance stem cell maintenance with differentiation.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yoshifumi Mori, Seiji Takashima, Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara, Zheng Yi, Takashi Shinohara
Summary: The study found that Cdc42 is essential for the development of the germline niche, as its deficiency results in a significant reduction in the number of spermatogonial stem cells in the testes, affecting GDNF expression and Sertoli cell development.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. Evens, A. Jacot, T. Artois, E. Ulenaers, T. Neyens, L. Rappaz, C. Theux, Jean-Nicolas Pradervand
Summary: Understanding species' ecological requirements is crucial for effective conservation; research found that nightjars utilize multiple habitats and are influenced by habitat configuration and composition; national-level land use changes contribute to the long-term decline of the Swiss nightjar population.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Armando J. Cruz-Laufer, Tom Artois, Karen Smeets, Antoine Pariselle, Maarten P. M. Vanhove
Summary: Species interactions, particularly driven by parasites, play a crucial role in shaping species communities and impacting biosecurity and public health. Utilizing recent interacting host-parasite radiations as macroevolutionary models can provide insights into the evolution of species interactions, but it is important to address issues such as data resolution, sampling bias, and reporting quality to enhance understanding in this field.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Karolien Bijnens, Sofie Thijs, Nathalie Leynen, Vincent Stevens, Breanne McAmmond, Jonathan Van Hamme, Jaco Vangronsveld, Tom Artois, Karen Smeets
Summary: The study reveals that silver nanoparticles can impact the microbiome of freshwater planarians at a concentration of 10μg/ml. However, the effect of AgNP exposure on the microbiome of regenerating worms is less pronounced, possibly due to developmental changes masking the AgNP-induced effect. The presence of a PVP coating did not significantly alter the outcomes of the experiments compared to uncoated particles.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
V Jaenen, S. Fraguas, K. Bijnens, M. Heleven, T. Artois, R. Romero, K. Smeets, F. Cebria
Summary: Research has found that wound-induced ROS, particularly H2O2, act as upstream cues in activating regeneration in planarians. The study reveals new relationships between regeneration-related ROS production and MAPK/ERK activation at the earliest stages of regeneration, as well as the involvement of the EGFR-signaling pathway.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Raquel Hermans, Maarten P. M. Vanhove, Oleg Ditrich, Tomas Tyml, Milan Gelnar, Tom Artois, Nikol Kmentova
Summary: This study fills the knowledge gap on monogenean parasites infecting thorny skate in the northern part of its range, identifying two species of parasites and confirming their distribution in the area. There is relatively high morphological variation in Acanthocotyle verrilli compared to its congeners, and sclerotised structures are found to have high diagnostic significance in the identification of Rajonchocotyle, suggesting further genetic studies are needed to assess migration patterns.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Stefan Gobert, Yander L. Diez, Marlies Monnens, Patrick Reygel, Niels W. L. Van Steenkiste, Brian S. Leander, Tom Artois
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive morphological and taxonomic account of the members of the genus Cheliplana, introducing six new species and discussing the systematic position and synonymy within the genus. The total number of Cheliplana species is increased to 49, and an identification key based on field characteristics is provided for species level identification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolien Bijnens, Vincent Jaenen, Annelies Wouters, Nathalie Leynen, Nicky Pirotte, Tom Artois, Karen Smeets
Summary: In this study, in vivo imaging was used to locate and analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) during different physiological stages in the regenerative planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, revealing a well-equipped redox system in the gut and epidermis. The pharmacological inhibition or RNA interference of the redox balance showed alterations in the regeneration process, affecting tails more significantly. Focusing on glutathione, a reduction in its content led to regenerative failure with tissue lesions and underlying stem cell alterations. This highlights the intertwined relationship between ROS and antioxidants in animal physiology.
Article
Ecology
Jolien Wevers, Natalie Beenaerts, Jim Casaer, Fridolin Zimmermann, Tom Artois, Julien Fattebert
Summary: Habitat selection is scale-dependent and understanding the characteristic scale of environmental factors influencing species distribution is essential. Using camera trap data in the Swiss Jura Mountains, this study optimized characteristic scales of explanatory variables to construct multivariable, multiscale occupancy models for wild boar and roe deer. The findings suggest that the interaction between elevation, forest cover, ruggedness, and open landscape significantly influence species occupancy in the study area.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Bart Tessens, Marlies Monnens, Thierry Backeljau, Kurt Jordaens, Niels Van Steenkiste, Floris C. Breman, Karen Smeets, Tom Artois
Summary: The study on the micrometazoan flatworm Gyratrix hermaphroditus revealed a high species diversity, with 78 putative species identified by GMYC and 62 by ABGD methods. Shape and molecular data showed consistent classification results, indicating it as one of the most species-rich complexes known to date.
Article
Biology
Nikol Kmentova, Christoph Hahn, Stephan Koblmuller, Holger Zimmermann, Jiri Vorel, Tom Artois, Milan Gelnar, Maarten P. M. Vanhove
Summary: The study revealed the lake-wide occurrence of Cichlidogyrus casuarinus and highlighted the limitations of its magnifying potential for the focal host species. Additionally, the first assessment of the genetic variation of mitochondrial data in Cichlidogyrus was provided using different sequencing technologies. In bathybatine cichlid fishes, the lake-wide population differentiation pattern differs among species, indicating potential for further research on mechanisms driving host range and the role of phenotypic plasticity in diversification and speciation.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maarten P. M. Vanhove, Raquel Hermans, Tom Artois, Nikol Kmentova
Summary: Tropical African freshwater clupeids host a rich diversity of monogenean flatworms, with 11 new species discovered recently. These parasites provide valuable information about the ecology, evolutionary history, and introduction pathways of their hosts.
Article
Ecology
Jeffrey Jacobs, Matty Berg, Natalie Beenaerts, Tom Artois
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of springtails, a dominant group of soil fauna, on twelve extensive green roofs in Belgium. The results showed that the characteristics of the roofs did not significantly affect the species richness, abundance, or diversity of springtails. Roof communities were characterized by hemiedaphic life forms, preferring neutral to semi-moist conditions.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mare Geraerts, Tine Huyse, Maxwell Barson, Hassan Bassirou, Charles F. Bilong Bilong, Arnold R. Bitja Nyom, Auguste Chocha Manda, Armando J. Cruz-Laufer, Clement Kalombo Kabalika, Gyrhaiss Kapepula Kasembele, Fidel Muterezi Bukinga, Samuel Njom, Tom Artois, Maarten P. M. Vanhove
Summary: This study explored the origin of introduced Nile tilapia stocks in sub-Saharan Africa and tested the potential of monogeneans as biological tags and magnifying glasses. The results showed that dactylogyrids can be used as biological tags, and the magnifying glass hypothesis was confirmed only for certain dactylogyrid species. The study carried out a phylogeographic analysis based on the mitochondrial genomes of monogeneans, providing unprecedented diagnostic resolution.
Article
Zoology
Stefan Gobert, Werner Armonies, Yander L. Diez, Philippe Jouk, Marlies Monnens, Nathalie Revis, Patrick Reygel, Julian Smith, Niels Van Steenkiste, Tom Artois
Summary: The newly discovered genus Orostylis of dalytyphloplanid rhabdocoels has unique characteristics such as a sclerotised stylet, an anterior male copulatory organ, and direct emptying of the ovary into the intestinal lumen. The seven new species within Orostylis are distinguished by the structure of the sclerotised parts of the male copulatory organ. This new genus is placed in Neodalyellida Willems et al. 2006 based on molecular and morphological evidence, with discussions on similarities with other taxa.
Article
Plant Sciences
Albrecht M. Houben, Marlies Monnens, Willem Proesmans, Tom J. Artois
Summary: This article describes four new species of limnoterrestrial rhabdocoels and provides new data for nine known species. The new species are distinguished based on reproductive system differences, and one species could not be placed in an existing genus. The findings contribute to the understanding of this group of organisms.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2022)