Functions of PIWI proteins in spermatogenesis

Bak, Chong Won; Yoon, Tae Hoon; Choi, Youngsok

doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.2.61

Cited by 49 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…PIWIL1 and PIWIL2 are members of the mouse Piwi family proteins (MIWI, MILI, and MIWI2) that play important roles in spermatogenesis through transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Acting as a functional partner of Piwi family proteins, TDRD group of Tudor proteins were reported to be physiological binding partners of Piwi family proteins and coordinately work together in the regulation of spermiogenesis [54], [57]. Here in our findings, the fact that both PIWIs and TDRDs were identified among the male-biased genes is intriguing, suggesting that they may similarly work side by side in coordination of spermatogenesis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 47%

Male-Biased Genes in Catfish as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis of the Testis Transcriptome

et al. 2013

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BackgroundCatfish has a male-heterogametic (XY) sex determination system, but genes involved in gonadogenesis, spermatogenesis, testicular determination, and sex determination are poorly understood. As a first step of understanding the transcriptome of the testis, here, we conducted RNA-Seq analysis using high throughput Illumina sequencing.Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 269.6 million high quality reads were assembled into 193,462 contigs with a N50 length of 806 bp. Of these contigs, 67,923 contigs had hits to a set of 25,307 unigenes, including 167 unique genes that had not been previously identified in catfish. A meta-analysis of expressed genes in the testis and in the gynogen (double haploid female) allowed the identification of 5,450 genes that are preferentially expressed in the testis, providing a pool of putative male-biased genes. Gene ontology and annotation analysis suggested that many of these male-biased genes were involved in gonadogenesis, spermatogenesis, testicular determination, gametogenesis, gonad differentiation, and possibly sex determination.Conclusion/SignificanceWe provide the first transcriptome-level analysis of the catfish testis. Our analysis would lay the basis for sequential follow-up studies of genes involved in sex determination and differentiation in catfish.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 47%

Male-Biased Genes in Catfish as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis of the Testis Transcriptome

et al. 2013

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“…Their contribution has been shown to be significant for processes ranging from protection of genome against transposon activity during spermatogenesis [11], [12] and stem cell maintenance [13], [14] to somatic regulation and establishment of epigenetic states [15]–[18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression Profiles of PIWIL2 Short Isoforms Differ in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors of Various Differentiation Subtypes

et al. 2014

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PIWI family proteins have recently emerged as essential contributors in numerous biological processes including germ cell development, stem cell maintenance and epigenetic reprogramming. Expression of some of the family members has been shown to be elevated in tumors. In particular, PIWIL2 has been probed as a potential neoplasia biomarker in many cancers in humans. Previously, PIWIL2 was shown to be expressed in most tumours as a set of its shorter isoforms. In this work, we demonstrated the presence of its 60 kDa (PL2L60A) and 80 kDa (PL2L80A) isoforms in testicular cancer cell lines. We also ascertained the transcriptional boundaries of mRNAs and alternative promoter regions for these PIWIL2 isoforms. Further, we probed a range of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) samples and found PIWIL2 to be predominantly expressed as PL2L60A in most of them. Importantly, the levels of both PL2L60A mRNA and protein products were found to vary depending on the differentiation subtype of TGCTs, i.e., PL2L60A expression is significantly higher in undifferentiated seminomas and appears to be substantially decreased in mixed and nonseminomatous TGCTs. The higher level of PL2L60A expression in undifferentiated TGCTs was further validated in the model system of retinoic acid induced differentiation in NT2/D1 cell line. Therefore, both PL2L60A mRNA and protein abundance could serve as an additional marker distinguishing between seminomas and nonseminomatous tumors with different prognosis and therapy approaches.

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“…Recent studies have indicated that miRNAs, endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs), and piRNAs are all expressed in the male germ cells and are required for spermatogenesis in animals [93,94]. miRNAs and endo-siRNAs are abundantly expressed in male germ cells throughout spermatogenesis, whereas piRNAs are only present in spermatocytes at the pachytene stage and in round spermatids [92,94]. The absolute requirement for miRNAs and endo-siRNAs for spermatogenesis has been shown by two initial studies where Dicer1 gene was knocked out in two different mouse models [95,96].…”

Section: Role Of Protamination In Male Infertilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In comparison to miRNAs and siRNAs, piRNAs are longer (approximately 26-31 nucleotides in length), and their biogenesis, although not well understood, is independent of Dicer [91]. piRNAs and PIWI proteins are known to be essential for germ cell development and silencing of repetitive elements such as transposons [92].…”

Section: Role Of Protamination In Male Infertilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of epigenetics in idiopathic male infertility

Güneş

Arslan

Hekim

et al. 2016

J Assist Reprod Genet

106

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Infertility is a complex disorder with multiple genetic and environmental causes. Although some specific mutations have been identified, other factors responsible for sperm defects remain largely unknown. Despite considerable efforts to identify the pathophysiology of the disease, we cannot explain the underlying mechanisms of approximately half of infertility cases. This study reviews current data on epigenetic regulation and idiopathic male infertility. Recent data have shown an association between epigenetic modifications and idiopathic infertility. In this regard, epigenetics has emerged as one of the promising research areas in understanding male infertility. Many studies have indicated that epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation in imprinted and developmental genes, histone tail modifications and short non-coding RNAs in spermatozoa may have a role in idiopathic male infertility.

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Functions of PIWI proteins in spermatogenesis

Cited by 49 publications

References 52 publications

Male-Biased Genes in Catfish as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis of the Testis Transcriptome

Male-Biased Genes in Catfish as Revealed by RNA-Seq Analysis of the Testis Transcriptome

Expression Profiles of PIWIL2 Short Isoforms Differ in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors of Various Differentiation Subtypes

The role of epigenetics in idiopathic male infertility

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