Profiling of epididymal small non-protein-coding RNAs

Brett Nixon; Geoffry N De Iuliis; Matthew D Dun; W Zhou; Natalie A Trigg; Andrew Eamens

doi:10.1111/andr.12640

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Profiling of epididymal small non-protein-coding RNAs

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Profiling of epididymal small non-protein-coding RNAs

Brett Nixon, Geoffry N De Iuliis, Matthew D Dun, W Zhou, Natalie A Trigg and Andrew Eamens

Andrology, Vol.7(5), pp.669-680

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12640

PMID: 31020794

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Abstract

epididymis

epididymosomes

microRNAs,Piwi-interacting RNA

small non-protein-codingRNAs

small-interfering RNAs

spermatozoa

transfer RNA-derived fragments

Background Our understanding of epididymal physiology and function has been transformed over the three decades in which the International Meeting Series on the Epididymis has been hosted. This transformation has occurred along many fronts, but among the most significant advances has been the unexpected discovery of the diversity of small non-protein-coding RNAs (sRNAs) expressed in the epididymal epithelium and differentially accumulated in the luminal population of spermatozoa. Objectives Here we survey recent literature pertaining to profiling the sRNA landscape of the mammalian epididymis with the goal of demonstrating the contribution that these key regulatory elements, and their associated pathways, make to epididymal physiology and sperm maturation. Results and discussion High throughput sequencing strategies have fueled an unprecedented advance in our understanding of RNA biology. In the last decade, such high throughput profiling tools have been increasingly applied to study the mammalian epididymis, presaging the discovery of diverse classes of sRNA expressed along the length of the tract. Among the best studied sRNA classes are the microRNAs (miRNA), a sRNA species shown to act in concert with endocrine signals to fine-tune the segmental patterning of epididymal gene expression. In addition to performing this homeostatic role, epithelial cell-derived sRNAs also selectively accumulate into the epididymosomes and spermatozoa that occupy the duct lumen. This exciting discovery alludes to a novel form of intracellular communication that contributes to the establishment of the sperm epigenome and its modification under conditions of paternal stress. Conclusion Compelling literature has identified sRNAs as a crucial regulatory tier that allows the epididymis to fulfill its combined roles of sperm transport, maturation, and storage. Continued research in this emerging field will contribute to our growing understanding of the etiology of male factor infertility and potentially allow for the future design of rational therapeutic options for these individuals.

Details

Title: Profiling of epididymal small non-protein-coding RNAs
Authors: Brett Nixon (Corresponding Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Geoffry N De Iuliis (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Matthew D Dun (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
W Zhou (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Natalie A Trigg (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Andrew Eamens (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Publication details: Andrology, Vol.7(5), pp.669-680
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12640
ISSN: 2047-2927
PMID: 31020794
Organisation Unit: School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Biomedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99656592202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Andrology

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