bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Oct. 1, 2023
ABSTRACT
Sperm
small
RNAs
have
emerged
as
important
non-genetic
contributors
to
embryogenesis
and
offspring
health.
A
subset
of
sperm
are
thought
be
acquired
during
epididymal
transit.
However,
the
transfer
from
somatic
epididymis
has
been
questioned,
identity
specific
transferred
remains
unclear.
Here,
we
employ
Cre/Lox
genetics
generate
germline-
epididymal-specific
Dgcr8
conditional
knockout
mice
investigate
dynamics
microRNAs
their
function
in
early
embryo.
Testicular
germline
reduced
levels
98
microRNAs.
Enthrallingly,
following
transit
abundance
59%
these
restored
control
levels.
Conversely,
knockouts
displayed
a
reduction
>
3.4-fold
25
miRNAs.
This
substantial
loss
miRNAs
was
accompanied
by
transcriptomic
changes
embryo
which
rescued
microinjection
These
findings
ultimately
demonstrate
acquisition
soma
subsequent
regulation
post-fertilization
embryonic
gene
expression.
Molecular Psychiatry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 3, 2025
Abstract
Childhood
maltreatment
exposure
(CME)
increases
the
risk
of
adverse
long-term
health
consequences
for
exposed
individual.
Animal
studies
suggest
that
CME
may
also
influence
and
behaviour
in
next
generation
offspring
through
CME-driven
epigenetic
changes
germ
line.
Here
we
investigated
associated
between
early
life
stress
on
epigenome
sperm
humans
with
history
CME.
We
measured
paternal
using
Trauma
Distress
Scale
(TADS)
questionnaire
mapped
sperm-borne
sncRNAs
expression
by
small
RNA
sequencing
(small
RNA-seq)
DNA
methylation
(DNAme)
spermatozoa
reduced-representation
bisulfite
(RRBS-seq)
males
from
FinnBrain
Birth
Cohort
Study.
The
study
design
was
a
(nested)
case-control
study,
high-TADS
(TADS
≥
39,
n
=
25
DNAme
14
low-TADS
≤
10,
30
16
RNA-seq).
identified
3
genomic
regions
differential
low
68
tRNA-derived
RNAs
(tsRNAs)
miRNAs
different
levels
high
(False
discovery
rate,
FDR
corrected
p
<
0.05).
Of
potential
interest,
miRNA
hsa-mir-34c-5p
near
CRTC1
GBX2
genes,
which
are
documented
to
control
brain
development.
Our
results
provide
further
evidence
influences
germline
supports
possible
effect
modulating
development
central
nervous
system
generation.
Animal Reproduction,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
20(2)
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Paternal
programming
is
the
concept
that
environmental
signals
from
sire's
experiences
leading
up
to
mating
can
alter
semen
and
ultimately
affect
phenotype
of
resulting
offspring.
Potential
mechanisms
carrying
paternal
effects
offspring
be
associated
with
epigenetic
signatures
(DNA
methylation,
histone
modification
non-coding
RNAs),
oxidative
stress,
cytokines,
seminal
microbiome.
Several
opportunities
exist
for
sperm/semen
influenced
during
development;
these
are
within
testicle,
epididymis,
or
accessory
sex
glands.
Epigenetic
sperm
impacted
pre-natal
pre-pubertal
periods,
sexual
maturity
advancing
sire
age.
Sperm
susceptible
alterations
as
dictated
by
their
developmental
stage
at
time
perturbation,
plasma
likely
have
both
dependent
independent
on
Research
using
rodent
models
has
revealed
many
factors
including
over/under
nutrition,
dietary
fat,
protein,
ingredient
composition
(e.g.,
macro-
micronutrients),
exercise,
exposure
drugs,
alcohol,
endocrine
disruptors
all
elicit
responses
evident
in
phenotype.
livestock
species
also
age,
fertility
level,
plane
heat
stress
induce
epigenetic,
cytokine,
microbiome
profiles
and/or
plasma.
In
addition,
recent
findings
pigs,
sheep,
cattle
indicated
blastocysts
post-fertilization
some
continuing
into
post-natal
life
Our
research
group
focused
understanding
common
management
scenarios
nutrition
growth
rates
bulls
rams
subsequent
outcomes.
Understanding
implication
imperative
short-term
feeding
decisions
potential
impact
productivity
profitability
our
herds
generations
come.
Life,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(1), P. 98 - 98
Published: Jan. 8, 2024
Post-traumatic
stress
disorder
(PTSD)
is
a
psychiatric
that
causes
debilitating
functional
impairment
in
patients.
Observations
from
survivors
of
traumatic
historical
events
solidify
this
disease
not
only
associated
with
personal
experiences
but
can
also
be
inherited
familial
traumas.
Over
the
past
decades,
researchers
have
focused
on
epigenetic
inheritance
to
understand
how
responses
adverse
passed
down
future
generations.
This
review
aims
present
recent
findings
markers
related
PTSD
and
research
intergenerational
trauma.
By
understanding
information,
we
hope
act
as
biochemical
measurements
for
clinical
practice.
Cell Reports,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
43(9), P. 114698 - 114698
Published: Sept. 1, 2024
Highlights•Sperm
miRNA
loss
during
spermatogenesis
is
partially
recovered
epididymal
maturation•Loss
of
Dgcr8
in
the
epithelium
leads
to
a
reduction
27
miRNAs
sperm•Embryos
fertilized
by
sperm
without
exhibit
altered
gene
expression•Microinjection
rescues
post-fertilization
embryonic
expressionSummarySperm
small
RNAs
have
emerged
as
important
non-genetic
contributors
embryogenesis
and
offspring
health.
A
subset
thought
be
acquired
transit.
However,
identity
specific
transferred
remains
unclear.
Here,
we
employ
Cre/Lox
genetics
generate
germline-
epididymal-specific
knockout
(KO)
mice
investigate
dynamics
microRNAs
(miRNAs)
their
functions
post-fertilization.
Testicular
from
germline
KO
has
reduced
levels
116
miRNAs.
Enthrallingly,
following
transit,
abundance
72%
these
restored.
Conversely,
displayed
This
was
accompanied
transcriptomic
changes
embryos
this
sperm,
which
rescued
microinjection
These
findings
ultimately
demonstrate
acquisition
soma
transit
subsequent
regulation
expression.Graphical
abstract
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Oct. 5, 2024
ABSTRACT
Genetic
mechanisms
have
been
at
the
forefront
of
our
exploration
into
substrate
adaptive
evolution
and
phenotypic
diversification.
However,
genetic
variation
only
accounts
for
a
fraction
variation.
In
last
decade,
significance
RNA
modification
has
become
more
apparent
in
context
organismal
adaptation
to
rapidly
changing
environments.
m
6
A
methylation,
most
abundant
form
modification,
is
emerging
as
potentially
significant
player
various
biological
processes.
Despite
its
fundamental
function
regulate
other
major
post‐transcriptional
such
microRNA
alternative
splicing,
role
ecology
understudied.
This
review
highlights
potential
importance
methylation
ecological
adaptation,
emphasising
need
further
research,
especially
natural
systems.
We
focus
on
how
not
affects
mRNA
fate
but
also
influences
miRNA‐mediated
gene
regulation
contributing
adaptation.
The
aim
this
synthesise
key
background
information
enhance
understanding
driving
species
survival
dynamic
environments
motivate
future
research
dynamics
methylation.
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
41(06), P. 213 - 225
Published: Nov. 1, 2023
Abstract
Male
reproductive
functions
are
strictly
regulated
in
order
to
maintain
sperm
production
and
fertility.
All
processes
controlled
by
precise
regulation
of
gene
expression,
which
creates
specific
expression
programs
for
different
developmental
stages
cell
types,
forms
the
functional
basis
system.
Small
non-coding
RNAs
(sncRNAs)
involved
targeting
mRNAs
translational
repression
degradation
through
complementary
base
pairing
recognize
their
targets.
This
review
article
summarizes
current
knowledge
on
function
classes
sncRNAs,
particular
microRNAs
(miRNAs)
PIWI-interacting
(piRNAs),
during
male
germ
differentiation,
with
focus
sncRNAs
expressed
germline.
Although
transcriptionally
inactive,
mature
spermatozoa
contain
a
complex
population
we
also
discuss
recently
identified
role
intergenerational
transmission
epigenetic
information
father's
environmental
lifestyle
exposures
offspring.
Finally,
summarize
utility
as
potential
biomarkers
infertility
that
may
aid
diagnosis
prediction
outcomes
medically
assisted
reproduction.
Frontiers in Genetics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14
Published: April 17, 2023
R-loops
are
three-stranded
nucleic
acid
structures
consisting
of
an
RNA:DNA
hybrid
and
a
displaced
DNA
strand.
While
pose
potential
threat
to
genome
integrity,
they
constitute
5%
the
human
genome.
The
role
in
transcriptional
regulation,
replication,
chromatin
signature
is
becoming
increasingly
clear.
associated
with
various
histone
modifications,
suggesting
that
may
modulate
accessibility.
To
potentially
harness
transcription-coupled
repair
mechanisms
germline,
nearly
entire
expressed
during
early
stages
male
gametogenesis
mammals,
providing
ample
opportunity
for
formation
transcriptome-dependent
R-loop
landscape
germ
cells.
In
this
study,
our
data
demonstrated
presence
fully
mature
bonobo
sperm
heads
their
partial
correspondence
transcribed
regions
structure,
which
massively
reorganized
from
mainly
protamine-packed
sperm.
resembles
characteristic
patterns
somatic
Surprisingly,
we
detected
both
residual
localize
them
still-active
retroposons,
ALUs
SINE-VNTR-ALUs
(SVAs),
latter
has
recently
arisen
hominoid
primates.
We
evolutionarily
conserved
species-specific
localizations.
Comparing
DNA-RNA
immunoprecipitation
(DRIP)
published
methylation
(ChIP)
data,
hypothesize
epigenetically
reduce
SVAs.
Strikingly,
observe
strong
influence
on
transcriptomes
zygotes
developmental
before
zygotic
activation.
Overall,
these
findings
suggest
accessibility
influenced
by
represent
system
inherited
gene
regulation.
