Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Declining levels of miR-382-3p at puberty trigger the onset of spermatogenesis.


ABSTRACT: A major change in the transcriptome of testicular Sertoli cells (Scs) at the onset of puberty enables them to induce robust spermatogenesis. Through comprehensive literature mining, we generated a list of genes crucial for Sc functioning and computationally predicted the microRNAs regulating them. Differential expression analysis of microRNAs in infant and pubertal rat Scs showed that miR-382-3p levels decline significantly in pubertal Scs. Interestingly, miR-382-3p was found to regulate genes like Ar and Wt1, which are crucial for functional competence of Scs. We generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse model in which pubertal decline of miR-382-3p was prevented by its overexpression in pubertal Scs. Elevated miR-382-3p restricted the functional maturation of Scs at puberty, leading to infertility. Prevention of decline in miR-382-3p expression in pubertal Scs was responsible for defective blood-testis barrier (BTB) formation, severe testicular defects, low epididymal sperm counts and loss of fertility in these mice. This provided substantial evidence that decline in levels of miR-382-3p at puberty is the essential trigger for onset of robust spermatogenesis at puberty. Hence, sustained high levels of miR-382-3p in pubertal Scs could be one of the underlying causes of idiopathic male infertility and should be considered for diagnosis and treatment of infertility.

SUBMITTER: Gupta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8413679 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC6863565 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7722789 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6686024 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6323715 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7487636 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9185802 | biostudies-literature
| 2260465 | ecrin-mdr-crc
| S-EPMC8453890 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4773865 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4471167 | biostudies-literature