Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15(4):857-869. doi:10.7150/ijbs.30611 This issue Cite
Research Paper
1. Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
2. Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
3. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
4. State Key laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
* These authors contribute equally to this work
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. MicroRNAs (miRs) are key regulators of gene expression involved in self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the function and mechanisms of individual miR in regulating self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs remain unclear. Here, we report for the first time that miR-322 regulates self-renewal of SSCs. Functional assays revealed that miR-322 was essential for SSC self-renewal. Mechanistically, miR-322 promoted SSC self-renewal by targeting RASSF8 (ras association domain family 8). Moreover, the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway was involved in the miR-322-mediated regulation. Furthermore, miR-322 overexpression increased GFRα1, ETV5 and PLZF expression but decreased STRA8, C-KIT and BCL6 expression. Our study provides not only a novel insight into molecular mechanisms regulating SSC self-renewal but also a basis for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of male infertility.
Keywords: miRNA-322, Rassf8, SSCs, slef-renewal, WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway