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Variant PNLDC1, Defective piRNA Processing, and Azoospermia
Liina Nagirnaja1, Nina Mørup1, John E Nielsen1
1From the Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton (L.N., D.F.C.); the Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (D.F.C.); the Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.M., J.E.N., R.S., I.G., S.B.W., N.E.S., E.R.-D.M., N.J., K.A.) and the International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (N.M., J.E.N., R.S., I.G., S.B.W., N.E.S., E.R.-D.M., N.J., K.A.), Rigshospitalet, and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (K.A.), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen; the Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute (R.S.), and the Institute of Biology Systems and Genetic Research (I.G.), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania; the Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior (M.S.O., G.W.H.), and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (G.W.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Serviço de Genética, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (F.C., C.J.M.), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (F.C., C.J.M., A.M.L.), and the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (A.M.L.) - all in Porto, Portugal; the Andrology and In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City (K.I.A.); the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.K.) and Urology (P.N.S.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York; and the Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom (J.A.V.).
Mutations in PNLDC1 cause male infertility by disrupting piRNA processing, leading to errors in meiosis and spermatogenesis. This study identifies PNLDC1 as a key gene in male fertility.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for regulating gene expression in germ cells.
- Poly(A)-specific RNase-like domain containing 1 (PNLDC1) is essential for piRNA processing, specifically trimming their 3' ends.
- Disruption of PNLDC1 in mice leads to azoospermia and male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PNLDC1 mutations in nonobstructive azoospermia in men.
- To elucidate the mechanistic link between PNLDC1 dysfunction, piRNA processing, and male infertility.
Main Methods:
- Exome sequencing of 924 men diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia.
- Histologic, immunohistochemical, in situ hybridization, RT-qPCR, and small-RNA sequencing of testicular biopsy samples.
- Genetic analysis of identified PNLDC1 variants.
Main Results:
- Four unrelated men with nonobstructive azoospermia were found to have mutations in PNLDC1.
- These mutations included stop-gain, missense, frameshift, and splice acceptor site variants.
- PNLDC1 mutation carriers exhibited impaired meiosis, spermatogenic arrest, diminished PNLDC1 and piRNA pathway protein expression, and altered piRNA profiles.
Conclusions:
- Faulty piRNA processing due to PNLDC1 mutations directly impacts meiosis and spermatogenesis.
- PNLDC1 is a critical gene for male fertility, and its mutations are a cause of nonobstructive azoospermia.
- These findings establish a mechanistic link between piRNA pathway dysfunction and male infertility.
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