Dataset Information

A functional variant in the UBE2B gene promoter is associated with idiopathic azoospermia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A variety of genetic variants lead to abnormal human spermatogenesis. The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2B (UBE2B) plays a significant role in spermatogenesis as Ube2b-knockout male mice are infertile.

Methods

In this study, we sequenced the exon and promoter region of UBE2B in 776 patients diagnosed with idiopathic azoospermia (IA) and 709 proven fertile men to examine whether UBE2B is involved in the pathogenesis of IA.

Results

In the exon region, two novel synonymous variants were detected in the patient group. In the promoter region, four known variants and four novel variants were identified in the patient group. Of the novel variants in the promoter region, three were located at the binding site of specificity protein 1 (SP1) transcription factor analyzed by TRANSFAC software. Luciferase assays demonstrated that one heterozygous variant (Chr5.133706925 A?>?G) inhibited the transcriptional regulation activity of SP1.

Conclusions

A novel variant (Chr5.133706925 A?>?G) residing in the UBE2B gene promoter region confers a high risk for IA in a Chinese population. These results support a role for UBE2B in the pathogenesis of IA.

SUBMITTER: Mou L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4520152 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A functional variant in the UBE2B gene promoter is associated with idiopathic azoospermia.

Mou Lisha L Zhang Qiang Q Diao Ruiying R Cai Zhiming Z Gui Yaoting Y

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E 20150730

<h4>Background</h4>A variety of genetic variants lead to abnormal human spermatogenesis. The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2B (UBE2B) plays a significant role in spermatogenesis as Ube2b-knockout male mice are infertile.<h4>Methods</h4>In this study, we sequenced the exon and promoter region of UBE2B in 776 patients diagnosed with idiopathic azoospermia (IA) and 709 proven fertile men to examine whether UBE2B is involved in the pathogenesis of IA.<h4>Results</h4>In the exon region, two novel syn ...[more]

PMID: 26223869

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Project description:RationaleGrowth arrest DNA damage inducible alpha (GADD45a) is a stress-induced gene we have shown to participate in the pathophysiology of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) via regulation of mechanical stress-induced Akt ubiquitination and phosphorylation. The regulation of GADD45a expression by mechanical stress and its relationship with acute lung injury (ALI) susceptibility and severity, however, remains unknown.ObjectivesWe examined mechanical stress-dependent regulatory elements (MSRE) in the GADD45a promoter and the contribution of promoter polymorphisms in GADD45a expression and ALI susceptibility.Methods and resultsInitial studies in GADD45a knockout and heterozygous mice confirmed the relationship of GADD45a gene dose to VILI severity. Human lung endothelial cells (EC) transfected with a luciferase vector containing the full length GADD45a promoter sequence (-771 to +223) demonstrated a >4 fold increase in GADD45a expression in response to 18% cyclic stretch (CS, 4 h) compared to static controls while specific promoter regions harboring CS-dependent MSRE were identified using vectors containing serial deletion constructs of the GADD45a promoter. In silico analyses of GADD45a promoter region (-371 to -133) revealed a potential binding site for specificity protein 1 (SP1), a finding supported by confirmed SP1 binding with the GADD45a promoter and by the significant attenuation of CS-dependent GADD45a promoter activity in response to SP1 silencing. Separately, case-control association studies revealed a significant association of a GADD45a promoter SNP at -589 (rs581000, G>C) with reduced ALI susceptibility. Subsequently, we found allelic variation of this SNP is associated with both differential GADD45a expression in mechanically stressed EC (18% CS, 4 h) and differential binding site of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) at this site.ConclusionThese results strongly support a functional role for GADD45a in ALI/VILI and identify a specific gene variant that confers risk for ALI.

Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between promoter DNA methylation and discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) gene expression in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).DesignComparing fibroblasts cultured from testicular biopsies using a high resolution Infinium 450K methylation array.SettingBasic research laboratory.Patient(s)Men with NOA (n = 16) and with normal spermatogenesis (n = 5).Intervention(s)None.Main outcome measure(s)Bisulfite clonal sequencing for validation and quantification of CpG methylation of DDR1; gene expression analysis of DDR1 with quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry to validate the array results at mRNA and protein levels.Result(s)We validated promoter methylation, mRNA and protein levels of the CpG sites identified from array results. Differentially methylated CpG sites (∼20K) were identified using an F-test in the NOA samples. We identified 20 genes with >30% difference in DNA methylation within the promoter region of men with NOA and fertile controls. Of the aberrantly methylated genes, 10 were hypomethylated and 10 were hypermethylated genes. From the top 10 hypermethylated genes, six genes (MRI1, DCAF12L1, TMEM95, CECR2, DDR1, and NPHS2) were selected for validation because they were shown to be expressed in the testis. Of the six genes expressed in the fibroblasts cultured from testis, DDR1 showed an abnormal gene expression pattern. Three patients (19%) out of the 16 men with NOA for whom gene expression data were available had lower DDR1 expression levels (1.8x fold decrease) than the fertile men, whereas four (25%) men had higher expression levels (2x fold increase) of DDR1 compared with the levels in fertile men. Quantitative analysis by bisulfite clonal sequencing showed that one of the CpG sites (cg13329862) of DDR1 promoter was hypermethylated in NOA patients compared with fertile controls (53% vs. 15%). Immunohistochemical analysis suggests presence of DDR1 within cytoplasm of germ cells and peritubular connective tissue (in men with hypospermatogenesis) and decreased expression of the protein in men with Sertoli-cell only syndrome.Conclusion(s)Abnormal gene expression of DDR1 is associated with NOA. The functional relevance of aberrant methylation of DDR1 to expression of DDR1 in men with NOA warrants further investigation.

Dataset Information

A functional variant in the UBE2B gene promoter is associated with idiopathic azoospermia.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A functional variant in the UBE2B gene promoter is associated with idiopathic azoospermia.

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