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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
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An RNA-binding motif (RBM) gene family has been identified on the human Y chromosome that maps to the same deletion interval as the 'azoospermia factor' (AZF). We have identified the homologous gene family (Rbm) on the mouse Y with a view to investigating the proposal that this gene family plays a role in spermatogenesis. At least 25 and probably >50 copies of Rbm are present on the mouse Y chromosome short arm located between Sry and the centromere. As in the human, a role in spermatogenesis is indicated by a germ cell-specific pattern of expression in the testis, but there are distinct differences in the pattern of expression between the two species. Mice carrying the deletion Yd1, that maps to the proximal Y short arm, are female due to a position effect resulting in non-expression of Sry ; sex-reversing such mice with an Sry transgene produces males with a high incidence of abnormal sperm, making this the third deletion interval on the mouse Y that affects some aspect of spermatogenesis. Most of the copies of Rbm map to this deletion interval, and the Yd1males have markedly reduced Rbm expression, suggesting that RBM deficiency may be responsible for, or contribute to, the abnormal sperm development. In man, deletion of the functional copies of RBM is associated with meiotic arrest rather than sperm anomalies; however, the different effects of deletion are consistent with the differences in expression between the two species.
Hum Mol Genet 1998 Apr
PMID:Mouse homologues of the human AZF candidate gene RBM are expressed in spermatogonia and spermatids, and map to a Y chromosome deletion interval associated with a high incidence of sperm abnormalities. 949 27

Mice lacking the functional cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) gene, a component of cAMP-mediated signal transduction, exhibit a specific arrest of round spermatid development although follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and androgen secretion are not impaired. We studied testicular expression of CREM protein by immunocytochemistry in four patients with complete spermatogenesis (obstructive azoospermia), in 20 infertile patients with round spermatid maturation arrest (n = 10) or mixed atrophy (n = 10) and in six prostate cancer patients undergoing orchidectomy. Concentrations of testosterone were below normal in three patients. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were lowered in two patients and elevated in one patient. FSH concentrations were above normal in ten patients. During normal spermatogenesis, CREM was expressed in nuclei of round spermatids in stages I-III of spermatogenesis but not in elongating spermatids. Western blot analysis of testes from prostate cancer patients indicated a major CREM band of approximately 35 kDa. Among patients with predominant round spermatid maturation arrest, CREM expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) or undetectable as revealed by quantitative image analysis. CREM-negative spermatids failed to progress beyond stage III of spermatogenesis. Our observations suggest a role for CREM in human spermatid development and raise the possibility that altered CREM expression could be associated with spermatid maturation defects in some cases of idiopathic male infertility.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Jan
PMID:Testicular cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) protein is expressed in round spermatids but is absent or reduced in men with round spermatid maturation arrest. 951 6

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) found in otherwise healthy infertile males, is associated with a high incidence of mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) alleles, and is considered a genital form of cystic fibrosis (CF). The CF gene may also be involved in the aetiology of male infertility in cases other than CBAVD. The present study was undertaken to test the involvement of CFTR gene mutations in 14 CBAVD males and additionally in cases of male infertility caused by obstructive azoospermia (n = 10) and severe oligozoospermia (n = 3). The entire coding region of the CFTR gene was analysed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The three allele (5T, 7T, 9T) polymorphic tract of thymidines in intron 8 (IVS8-polyT) of which the 5T allele acts as a mild mutation, causing reduced levels of normal CFTR mRNA due to deletion of exon 9, was also analysed. Of the 14 CBAVD cases, four (28.6%) were found to have mutations in both copies of the CFTR gene, six (42.8%) had one CFTR mutation, and in the remaining four (28.6%) no CFTR mutations were found. Of the 10 cases with obstructive azoospermia, three (30%) had one CFTR mutation and in the remaining seven (70%) no mutations were found. None of the three severe oligozoospermia cases carried a CFTR mutation. The frequency of the IVS8(5T) allele was 14.3% (4/28) for the CBAVD cases and 5% (1/20) for the obstructive azoospermia cases, none of the severe oligozoospermia males carried the IVS8-5(5T) allele. The data indicate that while there is a strong association between male infertility caused by CBAVD and mutations in the CFTR gene, cases of obstructive azoospermia without CBAVD also seem to be associated with CFTR gene mutations.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Apr
PMID:Cystic fibrosis mutation screening in CBAVD patients and men with obstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. 962 Aug 32

Human chromosome deletions in Yq11 seem to occur frequently as de novo mutation events in men with idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. However, the molecular extensions of these deletions are variable. They can be large and therefore visible under the microscope or small, not visible under the microscope, and containing the deletion of one or more DNA loci recently mapped in an apparently consecutive order along the Yq11 chromosome region. The results of 20 extensive microdeletion screening programmes have now corroborated the prevalence of the deletion of three non-overlapping DNA regions in proximal, middle and distal Yq11, which were designated earlier as AZFa, AZFb and AZFc. Deletions of single DNA loci were also reported, but as de novo and as polymorphic mutation events. Their clinical significance with regard to the men's infertility should therefore initially be handled with caution. Multiple Y genes expressed in human testis have now been mapped to each AZF region. At least one of them should be functional in human spermatogenesis and, if mutated, cause azoospermia. However, gene-specific mutations leading to the azoospermia phenotype have not yet been found for any of these AZF candidate genes. This might raise the question as to whether an AZF gene really exists in Yq11 or if the azoospermia phenotypes are only observed after deletion of a complete AZF region, after deletion of its complete gene content.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Aug
PMID:Human chromosome deletions in Yq11, AZF candidate genes and male infertility: history and update. 973 30

Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated in 11 men suffering from nonobstructive azoospermia and enrolled in a spermatid conception programme. In six of these patients, round spermatids (Sa stage) were the most advanced spermatogenic cells recovered from testicular biopsy samples. This condition is referred to as complete spermiogenesis failure. In the remaining five men, a few late elongated spermatids (Sd stage) were unexpectedly found in the testicular biopsy samples on the day of treatment. This condition is referred to as incomplete spermiogenesis failure. Germ cell apoptosis in both groups of patients was examined by analysing cell smears prepared from mechanically disintegrated testicular tissues using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL), which detects apoptosis-specific DNA fragmentation, and annexin-V binding, detecting apoptosis-related translocation of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine to the membrane's outer surface. Both methods were combined, in double-fluorescence labelling preparations, with immunocytochemical detection of proacrosin, a specific germline marker. Patients with complete spermiogenesis failure had significantly higher frequencies of primary spermatocytes and round spermatids carrying the apoptosis-specific DNA damage in comparison with patients with incomplete spermiogenesis failure. Surprisingly, apoptosis-related phosphatidylserine externalization occurs rarely until the advanced stages of spermiogenesis. Since externalized phosphatidylserine is expected to be involved in the recognition of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, apoptotic spermatocytes and round spermatids may not be removed easily by phagocytosis. The high frequency of DNA damage in round spermatids from patients with complete spermiogenesis failure explains the low success rates of spermatid conception in these cases. The evaluation of apoptosis can help predict success rates of spermatid conception.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Aug
PMID:Germ cell apoptosis in men with complete and incomplete spermiogenesis failure. 973 32

Submicroscopic deletions of the Y chromosome and polymorphisms of the androgen receptor (AR) gene in the X chromosome have been observed in men with defective spermatogenesis. To further define the subregions/genes in the Y chromosome causing male infertility and its relationship to polymorphisms of the AR polyglutamine tract, we screened the genomic DNA of 202 subfertile males and 101 healthy fertile controls of predominantly Chinese ethnic origin. Y microdeletions were examined with 16 sequence-tagged site (STS) probes, including the RBM and DAZ genes, spanning the AZFb and AZFc subregions of Yq11, and related to the size of trinucleotide repeat encoding the AR polyglutamine tract. Y microdeletions were detected and confirmed in three out of 44 (6.8%) of azoospermic and three out of 86 (3.5%) severely oligozoospermic patients. No deletions were detected in any of the patients with sperm counts of >0.5 x 10(6)/ml, nor in any of the 101 fertile controls. All six affected patients had almost contiguous Y microdeletions spanning the entire AZFc region including the DAZ gene. The AZFb region, containing the RBM1 gene, was intact in five of the six subjects. Y deletions were not found in those with long AR polyglutamine tracts. Our study, the first in a Chinese population, suggest a cause and effect relationship between Y microdeletions in the AZFc region (possibly DAZ), and azoospermia or near-azoospermia. Y microdeletions and long AR polyglutamine tracts appear to be independent contributors to male infertility.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Aug
PMID:Y chromosome microdeletions, in azoospermic or near-azoospermic subjects, are located in the AZFc (DAZ) subregion. 973 33

Spermatogenesis is regulated by hormones, local regulatory factors in the testes and specific gene expression of spermatogenic cells in humans. In this study, we have detected the expression of the deleted in azoospermia (DAZ), the DAZ-like autosome (DAZL1), and the protamine-2 genes in spermatogenic cells. Spermatogenesis in 38 male infertility patients was evaluated by the semen analysis and histological examination. Patients were diagnosed as Sertoli cell-only syndrome (n = 20), maturation arrest (n = 6), hypospermatogenesis (n = 6), and obstructive azoospermic patients with normal spermatogenesis (n = 6). After microscopic observation of the wet preparation of the testis tissues, seminiferous tubule contents were used for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of DAZ, DAZL1 and protamine-2. In cases with Sertoli-cell only syndrome, we found spermatogenic cells in 30% of patients (6/20) by the wet preparation method. There was no difference between the histology and the wet preparation results in maturation arrest and obstructive azoospermia; however, in one case of hypospermatogenesis, spermatozoa were not detectable by the wet preparation method. Using in-situ hybridization with DAZ and protamine-2 ribonuclear probes, we confirmed spermatogenic cell-specific expression of DAZ (spermatogonia/early spermatocyte) and protamine-2 (spermatid/spermatozoon). DAZ and protamine-2 expression can therefore be considered spermatogenic cell markers and could be useful in molecular diagnosis of spermatogenesis. In 13 patients with spermatozoa under the wet preparation, the expression of DAZ, DAZL1 and protamine-2 was detected in all the preparations. In one wet preparation showing only spermatogonia/spermatocyte, only DAZ and DAZL1 RNA were detected. In 14 wet preparations showing no spermatogenic cells, DAZ, DAZL1 and protamine-2 were not detected except in one preparation where DAZL1 expression was detected. In 10 wet preparations representing spermatogonia/spermatocyte to spermatids, but showing no spermaozoa, DAZ and DAZL1 were detected in eight and nine preparations respectively, and protamine-2 was detected in six preparations. These results of gene expression were similar to the wet preparation results. RT-PCR for DAZ, DAZL1 and protamine-2 was informative for the existence of germ cells, germ cell physiology and differentiation. From these results, we suggest that the analysis of DAZ, DAZL1 and protamine-2 expression by RT-PCR and wet preparation might offer a better method for finding the spermatogenic cells compared to the histological method.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Sep
PMID:Expression of DAZ (deleted in azoospermia), DAZL1 (DAZ-like) and protamine-2 in testis and its application for diagnosis of spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermia. 978 41

Defects in spermatogenesis have been found associated with deletions of different portions of Y chromosome long arm (Yq), suggesting the presence of the azoospermia factor in the control of spermatogenesis. We studied 67 men with idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, cytogenetically normal, for the presence of microdeletions on Yq chromosome. By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting techniques we analysed the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc loci on Yq, where deletions have been associated with defects in spermatogenesis. Deletions of a portion of the Y chromosome were detected in five patients. Four of these patients shared deletions in distal Yq11 interval 6, including the DAZ gene, while one patient lacked loci in the proximal Yq11. Testicular histology of two patients bearing distal Yq11 deletions showed two different spermatogenic defects including Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome and maturation arrest, while the patient with microdeletions in the proximal Yq11 showed a SCO phenotype.
Mol Hum Reprod 1998 Dec
PMID:Analysis of Yq microdeletions in infertile males by PCR and DNA hybridization techniques. 987 61

The biosynthesis of estrogens is catalyzed by an enzyme known as aromatase (aromatase cytochrome P450; P450 arom; the product of the CYP19 gene). In recent years a number of patients have been described suffering from aromatase deficiency due to mutations in the CYP19 gene, resulting in the synthesis of a non-functional gene product and a resulting failure to synthesize estrogens. Males with this condition have sustained linear growth into adulthood resulting from failure of epiphyseal closure. Osteopenia and reduced bone mineral density and bone age are also characteristic. Lack of circulating estrogens is accompanied by elevated testosterone and gonadotropins. One of the men had macroorchidism with testicular volumes in excess of 25 ml (Morishima et al. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 80, 3689, 1995). Semen analysis was not performed on this patient, but it is of note that the one patient described with estrogen insensitivity due to a mutation in the estrogen receptor had a normal sperm count, although motility was decreased (Smith et al., New England J. Med. 331. 1056, 1994). By contrast, the other man with aromatase deficiency had testicular volumes of only 8 ml per testes, and was infertile. Sperm analysis revealed a count of 1 million/ml with 100% immotile sperm (Carani et al. New England J. Med. 337, 91, 1997). However, his clinical picture is confused by the fact that another male sibling has azoospermia, but has no CYP19 mutation, suggesting that the infertility problem may be due to a second genetic condition in this consanguineous family. Recently mice have been generated in which the aromatase (CYP19) gene and the gene encoding the estrogen receptor-alpha have been inactivated by targeted disruption (ArKO and ERKO mice, respectively). Male ERKO mice are infertile with atrophy of the testes and seminiferous tubule dysmorphogenesis resulting in decreased spermatogenesis and inacive sperm. By contrast the ArKO mice are initially fertile and sire litters of normal size ad frequency, however with advancing age the number of litters sired decreases relative to those of wild type litter ates. In contrast to the ERKO mice, light microscopic analysis of the testes of the ArKO mice reveals no gross morphological abnormalties and the testes are of normal size. Following recent observations that the estrogen receptor-beta isoform is highly expressed in seminiferous epthelium, spermatids and spermatocytes, it is conceivable that the relatively high levels of estrogens present in the ERKO mice can act through the ER-beta to cause infertility by a direct action on the testes. In this context it is well known that administration of high levels of estrogen to men results in infertility. It is apparent that studies of human and mouse models with disruptions of aromatase and the estrogen receptor have as yet failed to clarify the role of estrogens in male fertility and testicular function. Development of an ER-beta knockout mouse, or else a double, or even triple, knockout model, may be required in order to resolve these issues.
Mol Cell Endocrinol 1998 Oct 25
PMID:Genetic mutations resulting in estrogen insufficiency in the male. 992 99

Cytogenetic and molecular deletion analyses of azoospermic and oligozoospermic males have suggested the existence of AZoospermia Factor(s) (AZF) residing in deletion intervals 5 and 6 of the human Y-chromosome and coinciding with three functional regions associated with spermatogenic failure. Nonpolymorphic microdeletions in AZF are associated with a broad spectrum of testicular phenotypes. Unfortunately, Sequence Tagged Sites (STSs) employed in screening protocols range broadly in number and mapsite and may be polymorphic. To thoroughly analyze the AZF region(s) and any correlations that may be drawn between genotype and phenotype, we describe the design of nine multiplex PCR reactions derived from analysis of 136 loci. Each multiplex contains 4-8 STS primer pairs, amplifying a total of 48 Y-linked STSs. Each multiplex consists of one positive control: either SMCX or MIC2. We screened four populations of males with these STSs. Population I consisted of 278 patients diagnosed as having significant male factor infertility: either azoospermia, severe oligozoospermia associated with hypogonadism and spermatogenic arrest or normal sperm counts associated with abnormal sperm morphology. Population II consisted of 200 unselected infertile patients. Population III consisted of 36 patients who had previously been shown to have aneuploidy, cytological deletions or translocations involving the Y-chromosome or normal karyotypes associated with severe phenotype abnormalities. Population IV consisted of 920 fertile (control) males. The deletion rates in populations I, II and III were 20.5%, 7% and 58.3%, respectively. A total of 92 patients with deletions were detected. The deletion rate in population IV was 0.87% involving 8 fertile individuals and 4 STSs which were avoided in multiplex panel construction. The ability of the nine multiplexes to detect pathology associated microdeletions is equal to or greater than screening protocols used in other studies. Furthermore, the data suggest a fourth AZF region between AZFb and AZFc, which we have termed AZFd. Patients with microdeletions restricted to AZFd may present with mild oligozoospermia or even normal sperm counts associated with abnormal sperm morphology. Though a definitive genotype/phenotype correlation does not exist, large deletions spanning multiple AZF regions or microdeletions restricted to AZFa usually result in patients with Sertoli Cell Only (SCO) or severe oligozoospermia, whereas microdeletions restricted to AZFb or AZFc can result in patients with phenotypes which range from SCO to moderate oligozoospermia. The panel of nine multiplexed reactions, the Y-deletion Detection System (YDDS), provides a fast, efficient and accurate method of assessing the integrity of the Y-chromosome. To date, this study provides the most extensive screening of a proven fertile male population in tandem with 514 infertile males, derived from three different patient selection protocols.
Mol Reprod Dev 1999 May
PMID:Defining regions of the Y-chromosome responsible for male infertility and identification of a fourth AZF region (AZFd) by Y-chromosome microdeletion detection. 1023 Aug 14


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