Analysis of the small non-protein-coding RNA profile of mouse spermatozoa reveals specific enrichment of piRNAs within mature spermatozoa

Kate Hutcheon; Eileen A McLaughlin; Simone J Stanger; Ilana R. Bernstein; Matthew D Dun; Andrew Eamens; Brett Nixon

doi:10.1080/15476286.2017.1356569

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Analysis of the small non-protein-coding RNA profile of mouse spermatozoa reveals specific enrichment of piRNAs within mature spermatozoa

Kate Hutcheon, Eileen A McLaughlin, Simone J Stanger, Ilana R. Bernstein, Matthew D Dun, Andrew Eamens and Brett Nixon

RNA Biology, Vol.14(12), pp.1776-1790

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2017.1356569

PMCID: PMC5731817

PMID: 28816603

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Abstract

miRNA

piRNA

PIWIL

sperm

sperm maturation

sRNA

Small RNA Biology

Sperm Biology

Male Reproductive Biology

Post-testicular sperm maturation and storage within the epididymis is a key determinant of gamete quality and fertilization competence. Here we demonstrate that mouse spermatozoa possess a complex small non-protein-coding RNA (sRNA) profile, the composition of which is markedly influenced by their epididymal transit. Thus, although microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly represented in the spermatozoa of the proximal epididymis, this sRNA class is largely diminished in mature spermatozoa of the distal epididymis. Coincident with this, a substantial enrichment in Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) abundance in cauda spermatozoa was detected. Further, features of cauda piRNAs, including; predominantly 29-31 nts in length; preference for uracil at their 5' terminus; no adenine enrichment at piRNA nt 10, and; predominantly mapping to intergenic regions of the mouse genome, indicate that these piRNAs are generated by the PIWIL1-directed primary piRNA production pathway. Accordingly, PIWIL1 was detected via immunoblotting and mass spectrometry in epididymal spermatozoa. These data provide insight into the complexity and dynamic nature of the sRNA profile of spermatozoa and raise the intriguing prospect that piRNAs are generated in situ in maturing spermatozoa. Such information is of particular interest in view of the potential role for paternal sRNAs in influencing conception, embryo development and intergenerational inheritance.

Details

Title: Analysis of the small non-protein-coding RNA profile of mouse spermatozoa reveals specific enrichment of piRNAs within mature spermatozoa
Authors: Kate Hutcheon (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Eileen A McLaughlin (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Simone J Stanger (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Ilana R. Bernstein (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Matthew D Dun (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Andrew Eamens (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Brett Nixon (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Publication details: RNA Biology, Vol.14(12), pp.1776-1790
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc.
DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1356569
ISSN: 1555-8584
PMID: 28816603; PMC5731817
Organisation Unit: School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Biomedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99656591502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

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