Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wan-Sheng Liu, Chen Lu, Bhavesh V. Mistry
Summary: PRAME proteins, encoded by the PRAME gene family, are involved not only in transcriptional regulation in the nucleus but may also participate in nucleocytoplasmic transport and in the formation and function of germ cell-specific organelles during spermatogenesis.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kailun Fang, Qidan Li, Yu Wei, Changyang Zhou, Wenhui Guo, Jiaqi Shen, Ruoxi Wu, Wenqin Ying, Lu Yu, Jin Zi, Yuxing Zhang, Hui Yang, Siqi Liu, Charlie Degui Chen
Summary: This study used machine learning to rank meiosis-essential genes in mammalian based on global protein abundance data and successfully validated 4 genes as essential for meiosis. This provides a new paradigm for discovering other functional genes from related protein abundance datasets.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Tae-Ryong Riew, Soojin Kim, Xuyan Jin, Hong Lim Kim, Won Chan Hwang, Minju Kang, Eun Sun Yang, Mun-Yong Lee, Do Sik Min
Summary: Phospholipase D6 is localized to the Golgi apparatus in pachytene spermatocytes and developing spermatids, interacting with tesmin and potentially playing a role in specific functions of the Golgi during spermatogenesis.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Michael D. Crabtree, Jack Holland, Arvind S. Pillai, Purnima S. Kompella, Leon Babl, Noah N. Turner, James T. Eaton, Georg K. A. Hochberg, Dirk G. A. L. Aarts, Christina Redfield, Andrew J. Baldwin, Timothy J. Nott
Summary: Membraneless organelles, or biomolecular condensates, compartmentalize material and processes into unique biochemical environments. The stability, dynamics, interfaces, and selective partitioning of molecules in biomolecular condensates are regulated by repulsive and attractive electrostatic interactions. Signaling ions, such as calcium, can alter repulsions between condensate proteins by changing their charge through binding to negatively charged amino acid sidechains. A polymerization model combined with generalized stickers and spacers accurately quantifies and predicts condensate stability over a wide range of conditions.
Article
Andrology
Opeyemi Olotu, Mark Dowling, David Homolka, Magdalena N. Wojtas, Panyi Tran, Tiina Lehtiniemi, Matteo Da Ros, Ramesh S. Pillai, Noora Kotaja
Summary: In this study, the function of the intermitochondrial cement (IMC) in piRNA biogenesis was clarified by identifying proteins that form complexes with PIWIL2/MILI. The two identified proteins, EXD1 and EXD2, were found to be involved in piRNA biogenesis and located in the IMC. Furthermore, the mutation of Exd2 exonuclease domain was shown to disrupt the regulation of specific pachytene piRNA clusters but not male fertility.
Article
Cell Biology
Meimei Zheng, Xu Chen, Yiqiang Cui, Wen Li, Haiqian Dai, Qiuling Yue, Hao Zhang, Ying Zheng, Xuejiang Guo, Hui Zhu
Summary: TULP2, a newly identified RNA-binding protein, plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis by regulating specific transcripts related to cytoskeleton, apoptosis, RNA metabolism, biosynthesis, and energy metabolism. Its loss leads to male sterility by causing defects in sperm differentiation and function. Additionally, TULP2 may be recognized and folded correctly by the CCT complex to exert its function in sperm development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinshui Tan, Caihong Zheng, Yinghua Zhuang, Pengpeng Jin, Fengchao Wang
Summary: The m6A reader PRRC2A plays a critical role in male fertility and meiotic cell cycle. It regulates RNA abundance and translation efficiency of target transcripts, especially spermatogonia-specific ones. PRRC2A also interacts with proteins involved in mRNA metabolism and translation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Siwen Wu, Lixiu Lv, Linxi Li, Lingling Wang, Baiping Mao, Jun Li, Xian Shen, Renshan Ge, Chris K. C. Wong, Fei Sun, C. Yan Cheng
Summary: This study investigated the role of MT-dependent and microtubule plus end-directed motor protein kinesin 15 (KIF15) in the testis. KIF15 showed stage-specific expression and association with MTs in the seminiferous epithelium, playing a crucial role in supporting spermatid transport. Knockdown of KIF15 in Sertoli cells disrupted the barrier function and cytoskeletal organization, indicating that KIF15 regulates cellular functions beyond microtubules.
Article
Cell Biology
Qing Xia, Guizhong Cui, Ye Fan, Xiuqin Wang, Gongcheng Hu, Lisha Wang, Xi Luo, Lele Yang, Qingqing Cai, Kaibiao Xu, Wenjing Guo, Minghui Gao, Yingying Li, Ji Wu, Wei Li, Jiayu Chen, Huayu Qi, Guangdun Peng, Hongjie Yao
Summary: The study demonstrates the critical role of Ddx5 in the fate determination of gonocytes, with Ddx5(-/-) mice showing infertility due to the absence of germ cells, and the ablation of Ddx5 impeding the proliferation of gonocytes.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenzhen Du, Kun Shi, Jordan S. Brown, Tao He, Wei-Sheng Wu, Ying Zhang, Heng-Chi Lee, Donglei Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the functional significance of interactions between biomolecular condensates in vivo. The cooperation between germ granules and P bodies is required for transgenerational gene silencing in C. elegans. The findings reveal that cooperation between condensates enables the establishment of heritable memory in germ cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Mengneng Xiong, Lisha Yin, Yiqian Gui, Chunyu Lv, Xixiang Ma, Shuangshuang Guo, Yanqing Wu, Shenglei Feng, Xv Fan, Shumin Zhou, Lingjuan Wang, Yujiao Wen, Xiaoli Wang, Qingzhen Xie, Satoshi H. Namekawa, Shuiqiao Yuan
Summary: A testis-specific protein, ADAD2, interacts with a TDRD family member protein RNF17 and directs it to suppress Ping-pong activity in pachytene piRNA biogenesis. The P-body localization of RNF17 relies on the intrinsically disordered domain of ADAD2. Deletion of Adad2 or Rnf17 leads to mislocalization of each other, derepression of Ping-pong activity, overproduction of secondary piRNAs, and disruption of P-body integrity, resulting in spermatogenesis arrest at the round spermatid stage.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Bongki Kim, Sylvie Breton
Summary: This study aimed to clarify the role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in regulating the expression and localization of Cx43 in the mouse proximal epididymis. The results showed that PD325901 treatment significantly increased the localization of Cx43 on tight junctions, where it colocalized with ZO-1.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Runzhi Hu, Chenjuan Yao, Yanli Li, Jianhua Qu, Shali Yu, Yu Han, Gang Chen, Juan Tang, Haiyan Wei
Summary: Microplastics and nanoplastics can disrupt the blood-testis barrier, but the molecular mechanism is unclear. This study found that polystyrene nanoparticles degrade tight junction proteins in the testis by activating the IRE1α/XBP1s/CHIP pathway, leading to blood-testis barrier destruction. These findings reveal the potential harm of microplastics and nanoplastics to organisms.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoyu Zhang, Yan Liu, Froylan Sosa, Sumedha Gunewardena, Peter A. Crawford, Amanda C. Zielen, Kyle E. Orwig, Ning Wang
Summary: Nutrient transporter genes are downregulated in germ cells during meiotic initiation, and this process requires the presence of Stra8. Stra8 binds to these genes and induces their H3K27 deacetylation. In the absence of Stra8, germ cells continue to uptake glutamine and glucose, leading to hyperactive mTORC1/PKA activities.
Article
Toxicology
Yasukazu Takanezawa, Ryosuke Nakamura, Takuro Sugimoto, Yuka Ohshiro, Shimpei Uraguchi, Masako Kiyono
Summary: The study reveals that methylmercury induces the expression of p62 protein in cells, which in turn protects against methylmercury toxicity by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress responses.
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)