Transfer of MicroRNAs From Epididymal Epithelium to Equine Spermatozoa.
Abstract: All epididymal regions are lined with multiple epithelial cell types, each with different functions to provide the luminal environment for spermatozoal maturation. Epithelial cells also create apical blebs, which are released from the apical surface via apocrine secretion and disintegrate in the lumen, thereby releasing epididymosomes. Epididymosomes transport proteins to spermatozoa and contain microRNAs. We hypothesized that epididymosomes also transfer miRNA from epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine miRNA profiles of epididymal tissue from caput and cauda, epididymal spermatozoa from caput and cauda, and epididymosomes and from caput, proximal corpus, distal corpus, and cauda. Pathway analysis was performed using DIANA tools on the miRNA unique to caudal spermatozoa. We found 66 newly acquired miRNAs in spermatozoa located in the caudal epididymis. Predicted pathways targeted by these miRNAs suggest a role in cell motility and viability and factors in oocyte and embryo maturation and development. These findings suggest that miRNAs are transported to spermatozoa from epididymal epithelium via epididymosomes.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-11-12 PubMed ID: 32172902DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102841Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research studied how microRNAs (miRNAs) are transported from the epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa in horses. It found that epididymosomes, secreted by the epithelial cells, deliver these miRNAs, which play a role in cell motility, viability, and the maturation of oocytes and embryos.
Objective and Hypothesis
- The researchers were interested in understanding how miRNAs are transported from the epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa.
- They hypothesized that this transportation is driven by epididymosomes, which are released from the surface of epithelial cells, disintegrate in the lumen, and transport proteins to spermatozoa.
Methodology
- The research team used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine miRNA profiles. PCR is a common lab technique used to make multiple copies of a specific segment of DNA, in this case, the miRNA.
- PCR analysis was performed on samples from various sections of the epididymis, including the caput (head), the proximal corpus (near-body), the distal corpus (far-body), the cauda (tail), and on epididymosomes.
Results
- The researchers identified 66 newly acquired miRNAs in spermatozoa located in the caudal epididymis.
- Using DIANA, a set of bioinformatics tools, the team conducted a pathway analysis on miRNAs unique to caudal spermatozoa. This process helped them understand the functions these miRNAs might serve.
Interpretation and Conclusion
- Predicted pathways suggest that these miRNAs are involved in cell motility (movement) and viability (ability to live and grow).
- Furthermore, they also play roles in oocyte (immature egg cells) maturation and embryo development, emphasizing the integral role of miRNAs in the reproductive process.
- The findings support the initial hypothesis that miRNAs are transported from epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa via epididymosomes. This highlights the significant role epididymosomes may play in spermatozoa maturation and equine reproduction overall.
Cite This Article
APA
Twenter H, Klohonatz K, Davis K, Bass L, Coleman SJ, Bouma GJ, Bruemmer JE.
(2019).
Transfer of MicroRNAs From Epididymal Epithelium to Equine Spermatozoa.
J Equine Vet Sci, 87, 102841.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102841 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Electronic address: Jason.Bruemmer@colostate.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epididymis
- Epithelium
- Horses
- Male
- MicroRNAs / genetics
- Sperm Maturation
- Spermatozoa
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Liu S, Sharma U. Sperm RNA Payload: Implications for Intergenerational Epigenetic Inheritance. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Mar 20;24(6).
- Yu M, Zhang X, Yan J, Guo J, Zhang F, Zhu K, Liu S, Sun Y, Shen W, Wang J. Transcriptional Specificity Analysis of Testis and Epididymis Tissues in Donkey. Genes (Basel) 2022 Dec 11;13(12).
- Lee GS, Conine CC. The Transmission of Intergenerational Epigenetic Information by Sperm microRNAs. Epigenomes 2022 Apr 7;6(2).
- Conine CC, Rando OJ. Soma-to-germline RNA communication. Nat Rev Genet 2022 Feb;23(2):73-88.
- Foot NJ, Kumar S. The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Sperm Function and Male Fertility. Subcell Biochem 2021;97:483-500.
- Zarski LM, Giessler KS, Jacob SI, Weber PSD, McCauley AG, Lee Y, Soboll Hussey G. Identification of Host Factors Associated with the Development of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy by Transcriptomic Analysis of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Horses. Viruses 2021 Feb 24;13(3).
- Xing K, Chen Y, Wang L, Lv X, Li Z, Qi X, Wang X, Xiao L, Ni H, Guo Y, Sheng X. Epididymal mRNA and miRNA transcriptome analyses reveal important genes and miRNAs related to sperm motility in roosters. Poult Sci 2022 Jan;101(1):101558.
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