A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the productio...

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Main Authors: Shan Li, Ying Yuan, Ke-Yu Zhang, Yi-Dan Guo, Lu-Tong Wang, Xiao-Yuan Zhang, Shu Zhang, Qi Yan, Rong Zhang, Jie Chen, Feng-Tang Yang, Jing-Rui Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-03-01
Series:Asian Journal of Andrology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/aja202453
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author Shan Li
Ying Yuan
Ke-Yu Zhang
Yi-Dan Guo
Lu-Tong Wang
Xiao-Yuan Zhang
Shu Zhang
Qi Yan
Rong Zhang
Jie Chen
Feng-Tang Yang
Jing-Rui Li
author_facet Shan Li
Ying Yuan
Ke-Yu Zhang
Yi-Dan Guo
Lu-Tong Wang
Xiao-Yuan Zhang
Shu Zhang
Qi Yan
Rong Zhang
Jie Chen
Feng-Tang Yang
Jing-Rui Li
author_sort Shan Li
collection DOAJ
description Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Asian Journal of Andrology
spelling doaj-art-4cab749265a84d41b7b1d08df03699252025-08-20T02:05:16ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsAsian Journal of Andrology1008-682X1745-72622025-03-0127226126710.4103/aja202453A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesisShan LiYing YuanKe-Yu ZhangYi-Dan GuoLu-Tong WangXiao-Yuan ZhangShu ZhangQi YanRong ZhangJie ChenFeng-Tang YangJing-Rui LiSpermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/aja202453jmjd1ajmjd2ch3k9me2spermatogenesisspermatogonial stem cell
spellingShingle Shan Li
Ying Yuan
Ke-Yu Zhang
Yi-Dan Guo
Lu-Tong Wang
Xiao-Yuan Zhang
Shu Zhang
Qi Yan
Rong Zhang
Jie Chen
Feng-Tang Yang
Jing-Rui Li
A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
Asian Journal of Andrology
jmjd1a
jmjd2c
h3k9me2
spermatogenesis
spermatogonial stem cell
title A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
title_full A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
title_fullStr A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
title_full_unstemmed A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
title_short A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
title_sort convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis
topic jmjd1a
jmjd2c
h3k9me2
spermatogenesis
spermatogonial stem cell
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/aja202453
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