DOT1L regulates chromatin reorganization and gene expression during sperm differentiation
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Spermatozoa have a unique genome organization: their chromatin is almost completely devoid of histones and is formed instead of protamines which confer a high level of compaction and preserve paternal genome integrity until fertilization. Histone-to-protamine transition takes place in spermatids and is indispensable for the production of functional sperm. Here we show that the H3K79-methyltransferase DOT1L controls spermatid chromatin remodelling and subsequent reorganization and compaction of spermatozoon genome. Using a mouse model in which Dot1l is knocked-out (KO) in postnatal male germ cells, we found that Dot1l-KO sperm chromatin is less compact and has an abnormal content, characterized by the presence of transition proteins, immature protamine 2 forms and a higher level of histones. Proteomics and transcriptomics analyses performed on spermatids reveal that Dot1l-KO modifies the chromatin prior to histone removal, and leads to the deregulation of genes involved in flagellum formation and apoptosis during spermatid differentiation. As a consequence of these chromatin and gene expression defects, Dot1l-KO spermatozoa have less compact heads and are less motile, which results in impaired fertility.
INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive HF
ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus (mouse)
TISSUE(S): Testis
SUBMITTER: Delphine PFLIEGER
LAB HEAD: Yohann Couté
PROVIDER: PXD030734 | Pride | 2023-03-30
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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