Review
Andrology
Nilendu Paul, Thirumala Rao Talluri, Pradeep Nag, Arumugam Kumaresan
Summary: Epididymosomes play a crucial role in the maturation and fertilizing ability of sperm by transferring proteins, RNA, and lipids from the epididymis to sperm cells. Research on epididymosomes has gained increasing attention in recent years and has the potential to be utilized as a tool for male fertility assessment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joachim Krebs
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge of the structural and functional properties of the mammalian plasma membrane calcium pump (PMCA), and outlines how the cellular expression of different spliced isoforms of the four genes is regulated under normal and pathological conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
F. Barrachina, M. A. Battistone, J. Castillo, C. Mallofre, M. Jodar, S. Breton, R. Oliva
Summary: The study demonstrates that sperm acquire proteins from epididymosomes during post-testicular maturation, providing insights into the mechanisms of sperm maturation and potential therapeutic strategies for male infertility. The results highlight the novel role of epididymal clear cells in producing epididymosomes, contributing to a better understanding of male reproductive health.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Andrology
Suheyla Esra Ozkocer, Ece Konac
Summary: Male infertility affects around 30% of infertile couples, with sperm maturation in the epididymis playing a crucial role in fertility. The epididymal epithelium provides a suitable environment for sperm maturation through ion transport, vesicle secretion, and protein matrix formation. Altered gene expression in the epididymis can lead to decreased sperm motility, morphological abnormalities, and subfertility, highlighting the importance of genetic factors in male infertility.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Junjie Hu, Wenbo Ge, Longfei Xiao, Jianlin Zeng, Jianshu Lv, Ziqiang Ding, Wenjuan Wang, Hongwei Duan, Fadi Li
Summary: The study investigated the regulatory mechanism of progesterone on the secretion of dihydrotestosterone in sheep epididymis, revealing different synthesis abilities of P4 in different parts of the epididymis and higher PGR expression levels in the cauda. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that inhibition of DHT secretion and 5 alpha-reductase 1 and 2 expression by P4 could be partially mitigated by RU486.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Isabel Barranco, Christian M. Sanchez-Lopez, Diego Bucci, Alberto Alvarez-Barrientos, Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez, Antonio Marcilla, Jordi Roca
Summary: This study aims to define and analyze subsets of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in pig seminal plasma. Using ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography, EV subsets were isolated and their proteomic profiles were decoded. The results showed that the subsets, S-EVs and L-EVs, have different sources and biological functions, with S-EVs involved in modulating the immune environment of the female reproductive tract and sperm-oocyte interaction, and L-EVs involved in sperm physiological processes.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Anar Alshanbayeva, Deepak K. Tanwar, Martin Roszkowski, Francesca Manuella, Isabelle M. Mansuy
Summary: Exposure to stress in early postnatal life may alter sperm RNA and have an impact on the small RNA signature of epididymal EVs in adult males. These changes in miRNA could affect gene expression in sperm and zygotes, thereby partly transmitting the effects of stress exposure to offspring.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangxin Yao, Shengsong Xie, Xiaofeng Wan, Ling Zhang, Qiang Liu, Shuanggang Hu
Summary: The study identifies and characterizes rLcn13, a member of the rat epididymal lipocalin family. rLcn13 is found to be an epididymis-specific gene expressed predominantly in the initial segment and proximal caput epididymis, and influenced by androgen. The protein rLCN13 is modified by N-glycosylation, secreted into the epididymal lumen, and binds to the acrosome region of the sperm. The findings highlight the specific expression pattern and potential roles of rLcn13 in sperm maturation.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ziqiang Ding, Lin Xiong, Xingdong Wang, Shaoke Guo, Mengli Cao, Yandong Kang, Yongfu La, Pengjia Bao, Jie Pei, Xian Guo
Summary: In this study, key genes regulating the development of the epididymal cauda and sperm maturation in yak were identified using RNA-seq and proteomics. These findings provide a theoretical basis for improving the reproductive potential of yak.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Katarzyna Dyrda, Aleksandra Orzolek, Joanna Ner-Kluza, Pawel Wysocki
Summary: Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins play crucial roles in sperm maturation during epididymal transit. Differences in phosphorylation status were observed in certain proteins, potentially impacting sperm maturation and fertilization capability.
Article
Andrology
Yoo-Jin Park, Byeong-Mu Lee, Won-Ki Pang, Do-Yeal Ryu, Md Saidur Rahman, Myung-Geol Pang
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between sequential changes in protein expression during epididymal sperm maturation and sperm motility and fertility in bovine. The study found that irregular modifications of mitochondrial proteins during epididymal sperm maturation may lead to excessive ROS production and premature activation of spermatozoa, resulting in a decline in sperm motility and bull fertility.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Wangsheng Zhao, Siraj Ahmed, Junxia Liu, Saeed Ahmed, Eugene Quansah, Tajmal Hussain Solangi, Yitao Wu, Yueling Yangliu, Hongmei Wang, Jiangjiang Zhu, Xin Cai
Summary: This study utilized iTRAQ proteomics to analyze differentially abundant proteins in yak and cattleyak epididymis, revealing 151 up-regulated and 137 down-regulated proteins in cattleyak compared to yak. Gene Ontology analysis showed that down-regulated proteins in cattleyak were primarily enriched in protein component acetylation, as well as negative and positive regulatory activities.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cuiling Wu, Chunxin Wang, Bo Zhai, Yunhui Zhao, Zhuo Zhao, Zhiyu Yuan, Mingxin Zhang, Kechuan Tian, Xuefeng Fu
Summary: The study analyzed the miRNA expression profiles in different regions of ram epididymis, revealing important roles of multiple miRNAs in regulating sperm maturation in males. This provides valuable insights for studying the regulation mechanism of sperm maturation and improving reproductive performance.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Winnie Shum, Bao Li Zhang, Albert Shang Cao, Xin Zhou, Su Meng Shi, Ze Yang Zhang, Lou Yi Gu, Shuo Shi
Summary: The epididymis is an essential organ for sperm maturation, and the regulation of calcium homeostasis in this organ is crucial for proper sperm function and male fertility. Vitamins play a significant role in modulating calcium homeostasis in the epididymis and ensuring sperm maturation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessia Gloria, Alberto Contri, Elena Mele, Silvia Fasano, Riccardo Pierantoni, Rosaria Meccariello
Summary: The study found the presence of the Kisspeptin system in dog testis and spermatozoa, indicating a significant role of the system in sperm maturation and storage. The trafficking of Kiss1R towards the plasma membrane along the length of the epididymis and the presence of Kiss1 in epididymal fluid suggest a new functional role of the Kisspeptin system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Pradeepthi Bathala, Zeinab Fereshteh, Kun Li, Amal A. Al-Dossary, Deni S. Galileo, Patricia A. Martin-DeLeon
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zeinab Fereshteh, Skye A. Schmidt, Amal A. Al-Dossary, Monica Accerbi, Cecilia Arighi, Julie Cowart, Jia L. Song, Pamela J. Green, Kyungmin Choi, Soonmoon Yoo, Patricia A. Martin-DeLeon
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amy J. Lacroix, Deborah Stabley, Rebecca Sahraoui, Margaret P. Adam, Michele Mehaffey, Kelly Kernan, Candace T. Myers, Carrie Fagerstrom, George Anadiotis, Yassmine M. Akkari, Katherine M. Robbins, Karen W. Gripp, Wagner Ar Baratela, Michael B. Bober, Angela L. Duker, Dan Doherty, Jennifer C. Dempsey, Daniel G. Miller, Martin Kircher, Michael J. Bamshad, Deborah A. Nickerson, Heather C. Mefford, Katia Sol-Church
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amy R. Shikany, Laura Baker, Deborah L. Stabley, Katherine Robbins, Daniel Doyle, Karen W. Gripp, K. Nicole Weaver
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaopei Zhang, Amal Al-Dossary, Myer Hussain, Peter Setlow, Jiahe Li
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karen W. Gripp, Laura Baker, Katherine M. Robbins, Deborah L. Stabley, Gary A. Bellus, Verena Kolbe, Theresa Nauth, Georg Rosenberger
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Deborah L. Stabley, Jennifer Holbrook, Mena Scavina, Thomas O. Crawford, Kathryn J. Swoboda, Katherine M. Robbins, Matthew E. R. Butchbach
Summary: Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an early-onset motor neuron disease caused by deletion or disabling mutations of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) and affected by the copy number of paralog SMN2. Array digital PCR (dPCR) can accurately and reliably measure SMN1 and SMN2 copy numbers and detect gene conversion events and partial deletions of SMN1. In SMA, higher SMN2 copy numbers are associated with milder disease severity.
Article
Pediatrics
Diksha Shrestha, George Xiangyun Ye, Deborah Stabley, Suhita Gayen nee Betal, Yan Zhu, Lisa Glazewski, Jennifer Holbrook, Meharpreet Sethi, Anne Hesek, Thomas H. Shaffer, Zubair H. Aghai, Sankar Addya, Deepthi Alapati
Summary: The study found that lung inflammation in preterm infants with BPD during the perinatal period leads to short- and long-term dysregulation of genes associated with pulmonary-specific immune cells, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory morbidities associated with environmental pathogens in children and adults with BPD.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Munther Alomari, Arwa Almahasheer, Balasamy Rabindran Jermy, Amal A. Al-Dossary, Hiba Bahmdan, Vijaya Ravinayagam, Deena Ababneh, Mohamad Tarhini, Abdelhamid Elaissari
Summary: Polymer nanoparticles show promise in cancer treatment and can effectively combat colorectal and cervical cancer cells with minimal impact on normal cells, indicating their potential as safe drug delivery carriers.
Review
Oncology
Amal A. Al-Dossary, Essam A. Tawfik, Adaugo C. Isichei, Xin Sun, Jiahe Li, Abdullah A. Alshehri, Munther Alomari, Fahad A. Almughem, Ahmad M. Aldossary, Hussein Sabit, Abdulaziz M. Almalik
Summary: This review discusses the role of natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and the advantages of using engineered EV-mimetic nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle. It also highlights the challenges and promising directions in the clinical translation of these systems.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David D. Schwartz, Jennifer M. Katzenstein, Eric J. Highley, Deborah L. Stabley, Katia Sol-Church, Karen W. Gripp, Marni E. Axelrad
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A
(2017)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Debora Bertola, Michelle Buscarilli, Deborah L. Stabley, Laura Baker, Daniel Doyle, Dennis W. Bartholomew, Katia Sol-Church, Karen W. Gripp
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A
(2017)