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PAZ domain is critical for spermatogenesis in chicken

Guo Qi-Xin1, Xu Lu1,2, Bai Hao1,3

  • 1College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.

Animal Biotechnology
|December 31, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Piwi-like protein 1 (PIWIL1) is vital for chicken development. Mutations in its PAZ domain impair sperm quality and embryonic development, with double knockouts potentially halting embryogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Piwi-like protein 1 (PIWIL1) is essential for stem cell functions, embryogenesis, growth, and development.
  • The Piwi/Argonaute/Zwille (PAZ) domain is a critical component of PIWIL1, but its specific role in chicken embryogenesis remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of PIWIL1 and its PAZ domain during chicken embryogenesis.
  • To analyze the impact of PAZ domain mutations on PIWIL1 expression, spermatogenesis, and embryonic development.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to analyze PIWIL1 mRNA expression during spermatogenesis.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to create mutations in the PIWIL1 PAZ domain (amino acid residues 300-370).
  • Generation and analysis of PIWIL1 PAZ domain mutant chickens and cell clones.

Main Results:

  • PIWIL1 mRNA was specifically expressed in spermatogonium cells undergoing meiosis.
  • PAZ domain mutations resulted in delayed hatching, reduced semen quality, and decreased PIWIL1 and SOX2 expression in mutant embryos.
  • Attempts to generate PAZ double knockout chickens failed, suggesting a critical role in embryonic development.

Conclusions:

  • PIWIL1 plays a significant role in chicken meiosis.
  • PAZ domain mutations in PIWIL1 negatively impact sperm quality and embryonic development.
  • Complete knockout of the PIWIL1 PAZ domain may be lethal, arresting embryogenesis in chickens.

Keywords:
CRISPR/Cas9PAZ domainPIWIL1chickenspermatogenesis

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