Transcriptomic landscape of GC-2spd(ts) cell in response to the downregulation of piR-1207/2107

Spermatogenesis is a highly orchestrated dynamic developmental process, during which piRNAs play an indispensable role. Our previous studies have confirmed that the levels of piR-1207 and piR-2107 were significantly decreased in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of patients with asthenozoospermia, compared with the fertile controls. In order to explore the function of piR-1207 and piR-2107 in human spermatogenesis and their potential regulatory downstream genes, we examined the transcriptomic landscape in mouse spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd(ts) transfected with anti-piR-1207 and anti-piR-2107 by RNA sequencing. The result showed that 86 and 75 differential expression genes (DEGs) in anti-piR-1207 and anti-piR-2107 group, respectively. Among the DEGs, three genes including Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 were identified as potential key genes playing important roles in mediating sperm motility and morphology in anti-piR-1207 or anti-piR-2107 transfected transcriptomic response. Next, the expression levels of Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 were confirmed by qRT-PCR. These results showed that Pbp2, Pde3a and Cage1 may serve as the potential regulatory genes of piR-1207 or piR-2107. In summary, piR-1207 and piR-2107 might have an implication in modulating the process of spermatogenesis through regulating the expression of potential genes.