Sperm nuclear protamines: A checkpoint to control sperm chromatin quality.
Abstract: Protamines are nuclear proteins which are specifically expressed in haploid male germ cells. Their replacement of histones and binding to DNA is followed by chromatin hypercondensation that protects DNA from negative influences by environmental factors. Mammalian sperm contain two types of protamines: PRM1 and PRM2. While the proportion of the two protamines is highly variable between different species, abnormal ratios within a species are known to be associated with male subfertility. Therefore, it is more than likely that correct protamine expression represents a kind of chromatin checkpoint during sperm development rendering protamines as suitable biomarkers for the estimation of sperm quality. This review presents an overview of our current knowledge on protamines comparing gene and protein structures between different mammalian species with particular consideration given to man, mouse and stallion. At last, recent insights into the possible role of inherited sperm histones for early embryo development are provided.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2018-05-23 PubMed ID: 29797354DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12361Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The paper explores the role of protamines – specific nuclear proteins found in male reproductive cells – in protecting DNA and influencing sperm quality. It highlights that abnormal ratios of two protamine types can cause male subfertility, and suggests that protamines may serve as quality indicators for sperm. The paper compares protamine structures across different mammalian species and discusses the potential of inherited sperm histones in initial embryo development.
Role of Protamines
Protamines are nuclear proteins that are specifically expressed in haploid male germ cells. In this study, it is highlighted that:
- They replace histones and bind to DNA, causing DNA hypercondensation which protects the genetic material from potential environmental damage.
- Protaminan expression is critical for sperm development and may possibly be used as a biomarker for sperm quality.
Variations of Protamines: PRM1 and PRM2
There are two types of protamines present in mammalian sperm, PRM1 and PRM2. This paper deliberates on:
- The proportions of these two protamines vary greatly between species.
- Within a specific species, abnormal ratios of the two protamines are seen to be linked with male subfertility, a situation where a male is less likely to make his partner pregnant.
Comparative Study among Mammalian Species
The paper conducts a comparison of protamines in different mammalian species, particularly focusing on humans, mice, and stallions. The areas of comparison include gene and protein structures. This comparison aims to deepen our understanding of the nature and functionality of protamines across various species.
Potential Role of Inherited Sperm Histones
In addition to protamines, the paper also discusses the possible role of inherited sperm histones – proteins that package and order the DNA into structural units – in early embryo development. However, this aspect calls for further investigation and research. This acknowledges the significance of not just protamines but also histones in determining sperm quality and resultant fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Steger K, Balhorn R.
(2018).
Sperm nuclear protamines: A checkpoint to control sperm chromatin quality.
Anat Histol Embryol, 47(4), 273-279.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12361 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
- Briar Patch Biosciences LLC, Livermore, CA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biological Evolution
- Chromatin / physiology
- Fertility / genetics
- Gene Expression
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Protamines / chemistry
- Protamines / classification
- Protamines / genetics
- Spermatozoa / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Akbari H, Elyasi L, Khaleghi AA, Mohammadi M. The effect of zinc supplementation on improving sperm parameters in infertile diabetic men.. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2023 Aug;73(4):316-321.
- Nagaki CAP, Hamilton TRDS, Assumpção MEODÁ. What is known so far about bull sperm protamination: a review.. Anim Reprod 2022;19(4):e20210109.
- Buttress T, He S, Wang L, Zhou S, Saalbach G, Vickers M, Li G, Li P, Feng X. Histone H2B.8 compacts flowering plant sperm through chromatin phase separation.. Nature 2022 Nov;611(7936):614-622.
- Chhetri KB, Jang YH, Lansac Y, Maiti PK. Effect of phosphorylation of protamine-like cationic peptide on the binding affinity to DNA.. Biophys J 2022 Dec 20;121(24):4830-4839.
- Ren S, Chen X, Tian X, Yang D, Dong Y, Chen F, Fang X. The expression, function, and utilization of Protamine1: a literature review.. Transl Cancer Res 2021 Nov;10(11):4947-4957.
- Finelli R, Darbandi S, Pushparaj PN, Henkel R, Ko E, Agarwal A. In Silico Sperm Proteome Analysis to Investigate DNA Repair Mechanisms in Varicocele Patients.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021;12:757592.
- Berg E, Houska P, Nesheim N, Schuppe HC, Pilatz A, Fijak M, Manthey M, Steger K, Wagenlehner F, Schagdarsurengin U. Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Leads to Impaired Semen Parameters, Increased Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Unfavorable Changes of Sperm Protamine mRNA Ratio.. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Jul 23;22(15).
- Teves ME, Roldan ERS. Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection.. Physiol Rev 2022 Jan 1;102(1):7-60.
- Lettieri G, Marra F, Moriello C, Prisco M, Notari T, Trifuoggi M, Giarra A, Bosco L, Montano L, Piscopo M. Molecular Alterations in Spermatozoa of a Family Case Living in the Land of Fires. A First Look at Possible Transgenerational Effects of Pollutants.. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Sep 13;21(18).
- Mohammadi Z, Tavalaee M, Gharagozloo P, Drevet JR, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Could high DNA stainability (HDS) be a valuable indicator of sperm nuclear integrity?. Basic Clin Androl 2020;30:12.
- Torres-Flores U, Hernández-Hernández A. The Interplay Between Replacement and Retention of Histones in the Sperm Genome.. Front Genet 2020;11:780.
- Ukogu OA, Smith AD, Devenica LM, Bediako H, McMillan RB, Ma Y, Balaji A, Schwab RD, Anwar S, Dasgupta M, Carter AR. Protamine loops DNA in multiple steps.. Nucleic Acids Res 2020 Jun 19;48(11):6108-6119.
- Pardede BP, Agil M, Supriatna I. Protamine and other proteins in sperm and seminal plasma as molecular markers of bull fertility.. Vet World 2020 Mar;13(3):556-562.
- Powell CD, Kirchoff DC, DeRouchey JE, Moseley HNB. Entropy based analysis of vertebrate sperm protamines sequences: evidence of potential dityrosine and cysteine-tyrosine cross-linking in sperm protamines.. BMC Genomics 2020 Apr 3;21(1):277.
- Akmal M, Gholib G, Rinidar R, Fitriani F, Helmi TZ, Sugito S, Isa M, Nurliana N, Wahyuni S, Dasrul D, Yaman MA. The concentration of testosterone, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and protamine 1 in the serum of male chicken following administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination.. Vet World 2019 Jul;12(7):1101-1107.
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- Schulz KN, Harrison MM. Mechanisms regulating zygotic genome activation.. Nat Rev Genet 2019 Apr;20(4):221-234.
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