Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) ›› 2019, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (2): 228-233. doi: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2019.02.005

Previous Articles     Next Articles

CMTM2 is involved in spermiogenesis in mice

Xiao-wei ZHANG1,Hua-qi YIN1,Qing LI1,Yong-ping ZHAO2,BRANDES Kite3,Wen-jun BAI1,Tao XU1,()   

  1. 1. Department of Urology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China;
    2. Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China;
  • Received:2017-03-11 Online:2019-04-18 Published:2019-04-26
  • Contact: Tao XU E-mail:xutao@pkuph.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Foundation of China(81472393);Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation(7194327)

RICH HTML

  

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate whether CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 2 (CMTM2) is involved in spermatogenesis in mice. CMTM2 is highly expressed in testis, and could possibly be a potential spermagogenesis specific gene.Methods: CMTM2-deficient mouse model was generated. Northern, RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were performed on total RNA derived from wild-type (WT, CMTM2 +/+) and CMTM2 +/- (heterozygote) and CMTM2 -/-(homozygote) mice to examine the CMTM2 level. The number of litters and the number of pups were counted and pregnancy rates calculated. The motility and morphology of the sperm and the histology of testes were analyzed. Se-rum testosterone and FSH concentrations were also measured. Standard t-tests were used and standard error of means were calculated.Results: CMTM2 was highly expressed in a finely regulated pattern in the mouse testis during spermatogenesis. The body weight of adult mice with CMTM2 deficiency was not significantly different from that of wild type mice. No obvious anatomical or behavioral abnormalities were observed. The testis of CMTM2 -/- was smaller than that of CMTM2 +/+ mice. The testis diameter in wild mice and CMTM2 null mice were (11.32±1.21) mm vs. (8.29±1.92) mm (P<0.05), and the weights were (101.63±2.33) mg vs. (85.22±2.84) mg (P<0.05), respectively. Female CMTM2 null mice were fertile, indicating that CMTM2 was not required for female gametogenesis. The CMTM2 -/- mice produced virtually no sperm, and CMTM2 +/- mice sperm count showed a significant decline. In terms of sperm morphorlogy study, more round spermatids could be observed in the heterozygote group, compared with the wild type group; while in the homozygote group, a large amount of round spermatids could be observed because of complete arrest of spermiogenesis. The hormone levels were not significantly different. The CMTM2 -/- male mice were sterile due to a late, complete arrest of spermiogenesis. The organized architecture of the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubules seen in CMTM2 +/+ mice was lost in CMTM2 -/- mice. Conclusion: This study suggests CMTM2 is not required for embryonic development in the mouse but is essential for spermiogenesis, however, further studies are required for more detailed mechanism study.

Key words: CMTM2, Sperm, Gene knockout mouse model, Spermiogenesis

CLC Number: 

  • R698

Figure 1

Genotype of some mice by PCR method M, marker (100 bp DNA ladder); N, negative control; KO, homozygote; HET, heterozygote; WT, wild type."

Figure 2

Analysis of testis gene expression in CMTM2 mutant mice A, northern blot analysis, the RNA from the mice whose genotype is shown above each lane was hybridized with a 32 P-labeled probe to detect the expression of the gene shown below each panel. The CMTM2 gene expression is abolished in CMTM2-/- animals; B, Western blot analysis, testes of CMTM2+/+, CMTM2+/- and CMTM2-/- were tested for CMTM2 protein expression. There was a dramatic reduction in the expression of CMTM2 in mutant mice. GAPDH was used as the loading control."

Figure 3

Comparison of the testis volume in CMTM2 mutant mice The testes of CMTM2-/- mice are smaller than those of CMTM2+/+."

Table 1

The comparison of testis weight, sperm count and motion parameters in different groups"

Genotype Age/weeks Testes weight/mg Sperm count /(×107/mL) Motility/% Morphology
CMTM2+/+ 8-12 101.63±2.33 3.28±0.34 86.33±2.98 Normal
CMTM2+/- 8-12 98.87±2.76 2.07±0.57 33.45±3.67* Many round sperms
CMTM2-/- 8-12 85.22±2.84* 0* 0* 0*

Table 2

The mating experiment in different groups"

Male mice genotype Female mice Plugged mice Pregnant mice Offspring (M ∶F) AOA FCP/% FC/%
CMTM2+/+ (n=5)
CMTM2+/- (n=5)
CMTM2-/-(n=5)
WT (n=49)
WT (n=51)
WT (n=50)
38
34
36
31
13
0*
249 (132 ∶117)
103 (50 ∶53)
0*
8.0
7.9
0*
77.6
66.7
72.0
63.3
25.5
0*

Figure 4

Testis histology in CMTM2 mutant mice A, histological staining of testis with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and nearly complete germ cell loss is apparent in CMTM2-/- testis, whereas CMTM2+/+, CMTM2+/- testes look normal; B, spermatogonial depletion CMTM2-/- mice, CMTM2+/- mice look normal in comparison with CMTM2+/+ animals, whereas a progressive germ cell loss is also could be observed."

Table 3

The comparison of spermatids in seminiferous tubule in different groups"

Genotype SG PSC SSC Spermatids Sperms Sertoli cells
CMTM2+/+(n=5)
CMTM2+/- (n=5)
CMTM2-/- (n=5)
39.11±2.98
37.73±4.55
14.22±5.01*
67.92±1.03
63.34±6.01
20.18±8.82*
2.96±0.73
2.29±0.74
0.00±0.00*
139.22±7.81
128.18±8.17
30.84±13.89*
40.84±5.92
29.28±3.44
0.00±0.00*
9.21±1.29
9.45±1.78
9.01±1.54
[1] Zhang Y, Xiao F, Lu S , et al. Research trends and perspectives of male infertility: a bibliometric analysis of 20 years of scientific literature[J]. Andrology, 2016,4(6):990-1001.
doi: 10.1111/andr.12204
[2] Kumar N, Singh AK . Trends of male factor infertility, an important cause of infertility: a review of literature[J]. J Hum Reprod Sci, 2015,8(4):191-196.
doi: 10.4103/0974-1208.170370
[3] Cho C, Willis WD, Goulding EH , et al. Haploinsufficiency of protamine-1 or-2 causes infertility in mice[J]. Nat Genet, 2001,28(1):82-86.
[4] Pan J, Goodheart M, Chuma S , et al. RNF17, a component of the mammalian germ cell nuage, is essential for spermiogenesis[J]. Development, 2005,132(18):4029-4039.
doi: 10.1242/dev.02003
[5] Yan W . Male infertility caused by spermiogenic defects: lessons from gene knockouts[J]. Mol Cell Endocrinol, 2009,306(1/2):24-32.
doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.03.003
[6] Liu G, Xin ZC, Chen L , et al. Expression and localization of CKLFSF2 in human spermatogenesis[J]. Asian J Androl, 2007,9(2):189-198.
doi: 10.1111/ajan.2007.9.issue-2
[7] Han W, Ding P, Xu M , et al. Identification of eight genes encoding chemokine-like factor superfamily members 1-8 (CKLFSF1-8) by in silico cloning and experimental validation[J]. Genomics, 2003,81(6):609-617.
doi: 10.1016/S0888-7543(03)00095-8
[8] Han W, Lou Y, Tang J , et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a novel human cytokine with unique structure and potential chemotactic activity[J]. Biochem J, 2001,357(Ptl):127-135.
doi: 10.1042/bj3570127
[9] Shi S, Rui M, Han W , et al. CKLFSF2 is highly expressed in testis and can be secreted into the seminiferous tubules[J]. Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 2005,37(8):1633-1640.
doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2004.04.028
[10] Zhang XD, Yin LL, Zheng Y , et al. Expression of a novel beta adaptin subunit mRNA splice variant in human testes[J]. Asian J Androl, 2005,7(2):179-188.
doi: 10.1111/ajan.2005.7.issue-2
[11] Noormets K, Kõks S, Kavak A , et al. Male mice with deleted Wolframin (Wfs1) gene have reduced fertility [J]. Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 2009,7:82.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-82
[12] Ramalho-Santos J, Moreno RD . Targeting and fusion proteins during mammalian spermiogenesis[J]. Biol Res, 2001,34(2):147-152.
[13] Sánchez-Pulido L, Martín-Belmonte F, Valencia A , et al. MARVEL: a conserved domain involved in membrane apposition events[J]. Trends Biochem Sci, 2002,27(12):599-601.
doi: 10.1016/S0968-0004(02)02229-6
[14] Centola GM . Semen assessment[J]. Urol Clin North Am, 2014,41(1):163-167.
doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2013.08.007
[15] Parmegiani L, Cognigni GE, Filicori M . Sperm selection: effect on sperm DNA quality[J]. Adv Exp Med Biol, 2014,791:151-172.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7783-9
[16] Skakkebaek NE, Jørgensen N, Main KM , et al. Is human fecundity declining[J]. Int J Androl, 2006,29(1):2-11.
doi: 10.1111/ija.2006.29.issue-1
[17] Shamsi MB, Kumar K, Dada R . Genetic and epigenetic factors: Role in male infertility[J]. Indian J Urol, 2011,27(1):110-120.
doi: 10.4103/0970-1591.78436
[18] 刘振华, 谢京, 萧云备 , 等. CMTM2改善环磷酰胺致转基因小鼠模型生殖毒性作用并影响StAR蛋白的表达[J]. 中华男科学杂志, 2013,19(3):210-213.
[19] 刘振华, 萧云备, 张晓威 , 等. CMTM2转基因小鼠的构建及其血清睾酮水平的变化[J]. 中华男科学杂志, 2012,18(6):483-486.
[20] Walker WH, Habener JE . Role of transcription factors CREB and CREM in cAMP-regulated transcription during spermatogenesis[J]. Trends Endocrinol Metab, 1996,7(4):133-138.
doi: 10.1016/1043-2760(96)00035-5
[21] Sassone-Corsi P . CREM: a master-switch governing male germ cells differentiation and apoptosis[J]. Semin Cell Dev Biol, 1998,9(4):475-482.
doi: 10.1006/scdb.1998.0200
[22] Schmidt EE, Schibler U . High accumulation of components of the RNA polymerase II transcription machinery in rodent spermatids[J]. Development, 1995,121(8):2373-2383.
[23] Kotaja N . MicroRNAs and spermatogenesis[J]. Fertil Steril, 2014,101(6):1552-1562.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.04.025
[1] Hailong HE,Qing LI,Tao XU,Xiaowei ZHANG. Construction of a predictive model for postoperative pain relief after microscopic spermatic cord surgery for spermatic cord pain [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2024, 56(4): 646-655.
[2] Wen-hao TANG,Chen-yao DENG,Jiang-man GAO,Zhi-chao LUO,Han WU,Sen-lin TIAN,Nan WEI,Bin Li,Qian-cheng ZHAO,Jian-fei SONG,Liang ZHANG,Lu-lin MA,Hui JIANG. Seasonal variations influenced the semen quality of the sperm donor in Beijing area [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2022, 54(4): 658-662.
[3] Jia-ming MAO,Lian-ming ZHAO,De-feng LIU,Hao-cheng LIN,Yu-zhuo YANG,Hai-tao ZHANG,Kai HONG,Rong LI,Hui JIANG. Analysis of clinical outcome of synchronous micro-dissection testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in male infertility with Y chromosome azoospermia factor c region deletion [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2022, 54(4): 652-657.
[4] PENG Jing,FANG Dong,ZHANG Zhi-chao,GAO Bing,YUAN Yi-ming,TANG Yuan,SONG Wei-dong,CUI Wan-shou. Testosterone levels in patients with varicocele and azoospermia [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2022, 54(2): 294-298.
[5] FENG Ke,NI Jing-jing,XIA Yan-qing,QU Xiao-wei,ZHANG Hui-juan,WAN Feng,HONG Kai,ZHANG Cui-lian,GUO Hai-bin. Genetic analysis of three cases of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome caused by SUN5 mutation and the outcome of assisted reproductive technology [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2021, 53(4): 803-807.
[6] Hong-bin WANG,Lian-ming ZHAO,Kai HONG,Jia-ming MAO,De-feng LIU,Hao-cheng LIN,Hui JIANG. Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia secondary incomplete ejaculatory duct obstruction: A report of 8 cases [J]. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 2020, 52(4): 642-645.
[7] Lian-ming ZHAO,Hui JIANG,Kai HONG,Hao-cheng LIN,Wen-hao TANG,De-feng LIU,Jia-ming MAO,Zhe ZHANG,Sheng-li LIN,Lu-lin MA. Analysis of intratesticular condition in micro-dissection testicular sperm extraction era [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2019, 51(4): 632-635.
[8] DAI Xiao-wei, XU Ying, ZHENG Lian-wen, LI Ling-yun, LI Dan-dan1 TAN Xin, GAO Fei, WANG Yan, WU Gui-jie. Analysis of chromosome in 1 324 patients with oligozoospermia or azoosperm [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2018, 50(5): 774-777.
[9] MAO Jia-ming, LIU De-feng,ZHAO Lian-ming,HONG Kai, ZHANG Li, MA Lu-lin, JIANG Hui, QIAO Jie. Effect of testicular puncture biopsy on the success rate of microdissection testicular sperm extraction for idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2018, 50(4): 613-616.
[10] ZHANG Xiao-wei, LAN Ke, YANG Wen-bo, LI Qing, ZHAO Yong-ping, YIN Hua-qi, Kite Brandes, BAI Wen-jun, XU Tao. Expression and localization of transmembrane protein CMTM2 in human testis and sperm [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2017, 49(4): 575-579.
[11] ZHANG Xiao-wei, DUN Yao-jun, TANG Xu, YIN Hua-qi, HU Zhi-ping, ZHAO Yong-ping, XU Tao, LI Qing. Expression of chemokine like factor-like myelin and lymphocyte and related proteins for vesicle trafficking and membrane link transmembrane domaincontaining protein 2 in rats with varicocele [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2016, 48(4): 579-583.
[12] YIN Zhuo, YANG Jin-Rui, WANG Zhao, WEI Yong-Bao, YAN Bin, ZHOU Ke-Qin. Application of scrotoscope in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular and epididymal diseases [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2015, 47(4): 648-652.
[13] WEN Meng-Meng, ZHU Guang-Rong, WANG Hai-Xue. Association between obesity and age at spermarche among Chinese Han boys aged 11-18 years [J]. Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences), 2015, 47(3): 406-409.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!