Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 16 (Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein) (Zinc finger protein 145) (Zinc finger protein PLZF) [PLZF] [ZNF145]

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miR-19b-3p induces cell proliferation and reduces heterochromatin-mediated senescence through PLZF in goat male germline stem cells.

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger PLZF, known as ZBTB16 or ZFP145 is a critical zinc finger protein of male germline stem cells (mGSCs), it's an essential transcriptional factor for goat testis development and spermatogenesis. Loss of PLZF results in progressive depletion of SSCs after the first wave of spermatogenesis leading to eventual spermatogenic arrest, apparently the result of a shift in the balance in SSC fate away from self-renewal and toward differentiation. Cumulating evidences have demonstrated that microRNAs are expressed in a cell-specific or stage-specific manner during spermatogenesis and acts as regulators on specific makers such as Stra8, ETV5, and PLZF. However, the post transcriptional function of PLZF still poorly elucidate in mGSCs. Bioinformatic analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-19b-3p binds the 3'UTR of PLZF, suggesting that PLZF is a direct target of miR-19b-3p. The profile of miR-19b-3p and PLZF analyzed in dairy goat testis at different age showed that miR-19b-3p was significantly up-regulated in goat testis at 1, 3, 6 months and downregulated at 12, 18, and 24 months which was inversely correlated with PLZF in the same testis. Focusing on the role of miR-19b-3p, we found that miR-19b-3p changes c-KIT and mTOR signaling through PLZF to promote proliferation in goat nGSCs and infertile mice testes. Over-expression of PLZF significantly reversed miR-19b-3p-mediated proliferation in mice testes. We found also that miR-19b-3p reduced heterochromatin-mediated senescence through PLZF localized on HP1α. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-19b-3p promotes proliferation and reduces heterochromatin-mediated senescence through PLZF in mGSCs.

MeSH Terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adult Germline Stem Cells
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Goats
  • Heterochromatin
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Testis

Keywords

  • PLZF
  • mGSCs
  • miR-19b-3p
  • proliferation
  • senescence


Determination phase at transition of gonocytes to spermatogonial stem cells improves establishment efficiency of spermatogonial stem cells in domestic cats.

The development of germ cells has not been entirely documented in the cat especially the transition phase of the gonocyte to the spermatogonial stem cell (G/SSC). The aims of study were to examine testicular development and to identify the G/SSC transition in order to isolate and culture SSCs in vitro. Testes were divided into 3 groups according to donor age (I, < 4 months; II, 4-6 months; and III, > 6 months). In Exp. 1, we studied testicular development by histology, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In Exp. 2, we determined the expression of GFRα-1, DDX-4 and c-kit and performed flow cytometry. The SSCs isolated from groups II and III were characterized by RT-PCR and TEM (Exp. 3). Chronological changes in the G/SSC transition were demonstrated. The size, morphology and ultrastructure of SSCs were distinguishable from those of gonocytes. The results demonstrated that group II contained the highest numbers of SSCs per seminiferous cord/tubule (17.66 ± 2.20%) and GFRα-1( ) cells (14.89 ± 5.66%) compared with the other groups. The findings coincided with an increased efficiency of SSC derivation in group II compared with group III (74.33 ± 2.64% vs. 23.33 ± 2.23%). The colonies expressed mRNA for GFRA1, ZBTB16, RET and POU5F1. Our study found that the G/SSC transition occurs at 4-6 months of age. This period is useful for isolation and improves the establishment efficiency of cat SSCs in vitro.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult Stem Cells
  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Spermatogonia


JMJD1C, a JmjC domain-containing protein, is required for long-term maintenance of male germ cells in mice.

JmjC domain-containing proteins are a class of enzymes responsible for histone demethylation. Previous studies revealed that the JmjC domain-containing protein KDM3A possesses intrinsic demethylase activity toward lysine 9 of histone H3 and plays essential roles in spermiogenesis. In contrast, the biological roles of JMJD1C, a KDM3A homolog in mice, are largely unknown. Here we present the crucial role of JMJD1C in male gametogenesis. Jmjd1c-deficient males became infertile due to the progressive reduction of germ cells after 3 mo of age. Importantly, Jmjd1c-deficient testes frequently contained abnormal tubules lacking developmentally immature germ cells. JMJD1C is most abundantly expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia in mouse testis. The numbers of ZBTB16-positive spermatogonia and apoptotic germ cells in Jmjd1c-deficient testes decreased and increased in an age-dependent manner, respectively. Our studies demonstrated that JMJD1C contributes to the long-term maintenance of the male germ line.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult Stem Cells
  • Aging
  • Alternative Splicing
  • Androstenedione
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Apoptosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Infertility, Male
  • Isoenzymes
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermatogonia
  • Testis
  • Testosterone

Keywords

  • aging
  • epigenetics
  • histone modifications
  • male infertility