中华绒螯蟹组蛋白H2A基因的克隆及其在精子发生中的定位

精子发生是指由精原细胞发育为成熟精子的过程。在大多数的物种中,此过程涉及到与DNA结合的碱性蛋白的变化。体细胞类型的组蛋白全部或者部分被过渡蛋白替代,随后又被碱性更强的鱼精蛋白替代,伴随蛋白的逐级替换,此类动物精子核为浓缩的,染色质包装紧密。中华绒螯蟹的精子染色质呈松散的结构,其具体机制尚不明确。本实验利用PCR技术克隆了中华绒螯蟹组蛋白H2A基因的编码区,制备了其多克隆抗体,通过免疫荧光检测了组蛋白H2A在精子发生中的变化特征。结果显示,中华绒螯蟹组蛋白H2A基因编码区为369 bp,编码123个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为13.1 ku。氨基酸序列比对发现,H2A与凡纳滨对虾和斑节对虾的同源性极高,均为99.19%。免疫荧光显示,H2A存在于中华绒螯蟹精子发生的整个过程,精原细胞和精母细胞的H2A在细胞核和细胞质均有表达,在精细胞和成熟的精子中的H2A主要存在于细胞核。中华绒螯蟹成熟精子核内组蛋白H2A的保留可能与其非浓缩核有一定关联。     

中华鳖dazl基因克隆及在生殖细胞中的表达

为探索龟鳖类生殖细胞的发育分化机制,实验通过特异性引物克隆了中华鳖dazl基因的cDNA片段,长1 007 bp,其中包括5′端非编码区197 bp,3′端非编码区33 bp,开放阅读框777 bp,编码258个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对显示其与西部锦龟Dazl同源性最高,达96%;与小鼠Dazl同源性达75%。荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,中华鳖dazl mRNA主要在精巢和卵巢中表达,在体细胞组织中仅检测到微量表达。冰冻切片原位杂交结果显示,中华鳖dazl mRNA在生殖细胞中特异表达,且在不同时期的生殖细胞中呈动态表达模式。在精巢中,中华鳖dazl mRNA在初级和次级精母细胞中表达最强,在精原干细胞中表达水平次之,在精子细胞中未检测到信号;在卵巢中,中华鳖dazl mRNA信号在初级卵母细胞胞质中均匀分布且在最早期的初级卵母细胞中信号最强,随着卵母细胞的增大,信号逐渐聚集并逐渐减弱。研究表明,dazl基因可能对中华鳖两性生殖细胞的发生具有重要的调控作用。     

外源性促性腺激素诱导日本鳗鲡精子发生和成熟的作用机制

用兔抗血清对抗促黄体素生成素受体（LHR）或称绒毛膜促性腺激素受体（CGR）和雄激素受体（AR）进行LHR和AR免疫组织化学定位,以揭示外源性促性腺激素（鲤脑垂体激素和hCG）诱发日本鳗鲡精子发生及其内分泌机制。结果表明,经过注射激素处理后的实验组与注射前的对照组相比较,其精巢发育和精子发生出现十分显著的变化。组织学切片观察显示,激素处理前鳗鲡精巢处于精原细胞增殖期,而两种激素混合注射后第10天,实验组可见精小叶中精原细胞的有丝分裂和初级与次级精母细胞的数量显著的增加。注射后第35天,靠近生殖上皮除有少量精原细胞外,精小叶中有大量初级精母细胞和次级精母细胞和少数精子细胞以及管腔中存在少量精子。在注射后第83天,日本鳗鲡完成了精子发生和精巢发育成熟以及释精。免疫组织化学染色结果进一步揭示,激素处理前,LH受体免疫活性分布在生殖上皮,显示强的免疫阳性反应;激素处理后,LH受体定位在Sertoli细胞和间质细胞以及精原细胞和初级与次级精母细胞的胞膜上,均显示强的免疫阳性反应。激素处理前,雄激素受体定位在生殖上皮和早期生精细胞的胞膜上;激素处理后,AR则定位在这些生精细胞的核或胞质,而精子细胞和精子显示免疫阴性反应。这些结果首次证明了这两种激素诱导鳗鲡精子发生和成熟的作用机制是通过LH受体和雄激素受体的介导。     

The C-terminal kinesin motor KIFC1 may participate in nuclear reshaping and flagellum formation during spermiogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larimichthys crocea</Emphasis>

Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered process in the differentiation of male germ cells. Nuclear morphogenesis is one of the most fundamental cellular transformations to take place during spermatogenesis. These striking transformations from spermatogonia to spermatozoa are a result of phase-specific adaption of the cytoskeleton and its association with molecular motor proteins. KIFC1 is a C-terminal kinesin motor protein that plays an essential role in acrosome formation and nuclear reshaping during spermiogenesis in mammals. To explore its functions during the same process in Larimichthys crocea, we cloned and characterized the cDNA of a mammalian KIFC1 homolog (termed lc-KIFC1) from the total RNA of the testis. The 2481 bp complete lc-KIFC1 cDNA contained a 53 bp 5′ untranslated region, a 535 bp 3′ untranslated region, and a 1893 bp open reading frame that encoded a special protein of 630 amino acids. The predicted lc-KIFC1 protein possesses a divergent tail region, stalk region, and conserved carboxyl motor region. Protein alignment demonstrated that lc-KIFC1 had 73.2, 49.8, 49.3, 54.6, 56.5, 53.1, and 52.1% identity with its homologs in Danio rerio, Eriocheir sinensis, Octopus tankahkeei, Gallus gallus, Xenopus laevis, Mus musculus, and Homo sapiens, respectively. Tissue expression analysis revealed that lc-kifc1 mRNA was mainly expressed in the testis. The trend of lc-kifc1 mRNA expression at different growth stages of the testis showed that the expression increased first and then decreased, in the stage IV of testis, its expression quantity achieved the highest level. In situ hybridization and immunofluorescence results showed that KIFC1 was localized around the nucleus in early spermatids. As spermatid development progressed, the signals increased substantially. These signals peaked and were concentrated at one end of the nucleus when the spermatids began to undergo dramatic changes. In the mature sperm, the signal for KIFC1 gradually became weak and was mainly localized in the tail. In summary, evaluation of the expression pattern for lc-KIFC1 at specific stages of spermiogenesis has shed light on the potential functions of this motor protein in major cytological transformations. In addition, this study may provide a model for researching the molecular mechanisms involved in spermatogenesis in other teleost species, which will lead to a better understanding of the teleost fertilization process.     

Food-deprivation-induced suppression of pituitary–testicular-axis in the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

In the present study, the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus were exposed to food deprivation for a period of 6 or 12 days and changes in the luteinizing hormone (LH) immunoreactivity in the proximal pars distalis (PPD) of the pituitary gland and the testicular activity were examined. Intensely immunoreactive LH content was noticed in the PPD of the pituitary gland in the initial controls, controls on days 6 and 12, and fasting fish on day 6, whereas the LH immunoreactivity was moderate or weak in fasting fish on day 12. In addition, although the mean gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices among different experimental groups did not show any statistically significant difference, the mean numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids were significantly lower in food-deprived fish on days 6 or 12 compared to those of controls. The inhibition of the spermatogenesis was accompanied by the presence of abundant spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules of the testis in food-deprived fish, whereas the occurrence of spermatozoa was relatively infrequent in initial controls and controls. Furthermore, refeeding to food-deprived fish on day 6 onwards resulted in occurrence of few intensely stained LH secreting cells and significantly higher numbers of spermatocytes and spermatids concomitant with sparse spermatozoa in majority of tubules compared to those of food-deprived fish. These results suggest that prolonged exposure to food-deprivation causes suppression of the LH secretory activity in the pituitary gland and disruption in the spermatogenesis in O. mossambicus.

     

Cell-cell interactions in the testis of the dogfish: stage-related changes in protein synthesis

Previous studies have shown that the testis of Selachians is a very suited model to study stage-dependent changes in Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis (Dubois and Callard 1989; Sourdaine et al. 1990). In the dogfish testis (here: Scyliorhinus canicula), germ cells, at an identical stage of spermatogenesis, are associated with Sertoli cells to form spermatocysts, which are arranged in zones corresponding to the different stages of spermatogenesis. Using previously described methods for the isolation and culture of spermatocysts from four spermatogenic stages (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, early spermatids and late spermatids; Sourdaine and Jégou 1989; Sourdaine and Garnier 1992) and electrophoresis techniques (1D and 2D-SDS-PAGE) we have investigated the [³⁵S] methionine incorporation into proteins in the dogfish testis. Our results indicate that protein synthesis reaches a maximum in spermatocysts with spermatocytes. Marked stage-related changes of protein synthesis and secretion were also observed on the autoradiograms of 1D and 2D-SDS-PAGE. Further investigations of the paracrine control of germ cells on Sertoli cell protein synthesis requires the identification of specific Sertoli cell proteins in the dogfish.     

Characterization and expression of SLO1 potassium channels during spermatogenesis in Eriocheir sinensis

SLO1 potassium channels are pivotal to many aspects of spermatogenic cell. Experiments were conducted to assess physiology and function of SLO1 potassium channels in different developmental stages of spermatogenic cell in Eriocheir sinensis. First, the expression of SLO1 protein was examined via Western blot, RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. The results showed that the expression of the SLO1 protein was not uniform in the spermatogenic cells of E. sinensis. Second, whole‐cell patch clamp technique was used to record the potassium current of spermatogenic cells and to analyse the electrophysiological characteristics of the potassium channels with the aid of inhibitors. It is proved that the potassium current in E. sinensis germ cells is associated with intracellular Ca²⁺, and the calcium‐activated potassium channel mediated by SLO1 protein is mainly large‐conductance Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ channels (BK_Ca). Based on these researches, the cDNA of SLO1 from testis was cloned and sequenced. The SLO1 protein contained domains bound to calcium ions, and the spatial structure formed by its tetramers constituted potassium channels. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SLO1 was much closer to Scylla paramamosain than other examined species. Finally, iberiotoxin (IbTX) and CdCl₂ were used to inhibit the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by A23187 and to explore the role of SLO1 potassium channels in the AR of E. sinensis. The experimental results showed that SLO1 potassium channels were expressed in E. sinensis spermatogenic cells and played an important role in the AR of crab sperm (SP).     

中华绒螯蟹围食膜结构观察及其主要蛋白质种类的鉴定

为揭示中华绒螯蟹围食膜的分泌、形态和功能,实验采用组织切片技术和电镜技术观察了中华绒螯蟹消化道及围食膜的基本形态,采用几丁质酶溶解法和SDS-PAGE电泳法研究了围食膜的基本组成成分,采用液相色谱电离串联质谱(LC-ESI-MS/MS)分析了围食膜蛋白的种类。显微切片结果显示,中华绒螯蟹整个消化道表面都有围食膜存在,除中肠外围食膜区室化作用明显;围食膜与上皮细胞分离时,柱状细胞变成不规则圆形,核消失。电镜结果显示,围食膜形成时上皮细胞内含有大量线粒体和分泌泡;中肠上皮细胞表面密生微绒毛。围食膜能被几丁质酶溶解,围食膜蛋白质SDS-PAGE图谱显示有7条比较清晰的电泳条带,蛋白质分子量主要分布在40 ku以上。LC-ESI-MS/MS分析结果发现,中华绒螯蟹围食膜蛋白主要包括钠、钾-ATP酶、ATP合成酶、肌动蛋白、微管蛋白、硫氧还原蛋白、加氧酶等。研究表明,中华绒螯蟹的围食膜由上皮细胞分泌形成,可能参与免疫、渗透调节和营养物质转运等生理过程。     

Hollow sperm syndrome during spermatogenesis in the giant tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Fabricius 1798) from eastern Australia

During spermatogenesis, giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) from Queensland, eastern Australia had a high proportion of testicular spermatids that appeared ‘hollow’ because their nuclei were not visible with the haematoxylin and eosin stain. When examined by transmission electron microscopy, the nuclei of hollow spermatids contained highly decondensed chromatin, with large areas missing fibrillar chromatin. Together with hollow spermatids, testicular pale enlarged (PE) spermatids with weakly staining and marginated chromatin were observed. Degenerate‐eosinophilic‐clumped (DEC) spermatids that appeared as aggregated clumps were also present in testes tubules. Among 171 sub‐adult and adult P. monodon examined from several origins, 43% displayed evidence of hollow spermatids in the testes, 33% displayed PE spermatids and 15% displayed DEC spermatids. These abnormal sperm were also found at lower prevalence in the vas deferens and spermatophore. We propose ‘Hollow Sperm Syndrome (HSS)’ to describe this abnormal sperm condition as these morphological aberrations have yet to be described in penaeid shrimp. No specific cause of HSS was confirmed by examining either tank or pond cultured shrimp exposed to various stocking densities, temperatures, salinities, dietary and seasonal factors. Compared with wild broodstock, HSS occurred at higher prevalence and severity among sub‐adults originating from farms, research ponds and tanks. Further studies are required to establish what physiological, hormonal or metabolic processes may cause HSS and whether it compromises the fertility of male P. monodon.     

中华绒螯蟹眼柄神经多肽激素的分离纯化及活性鉴定

采用RACE-PCR技术结合SMART cDNA合成技术，从银鲫中克隆到Ran的全长cDNA并对其编码区全长进行了原核表达、相应抗体制备及其时空表达特征分析。RT-PCR结果表明，Ran基因除在脑组织的转录水平较低外，其它组织中的转录水平几乎相同；Ran基因在不同发育阶段的胚胎中都有mRNA转录。但其mRNA的量在原肠期以后呈下降趋势。Western blot结果表明，Ran在卵巢和精巢中均高水平表达，在心、脑、肝、脾、肾中有较低水平表达，在肌肉中则不表达。同时检测到Ran在不同胚胎发育阶段均有较强表达。这表明，Ran基因在银鲫中可能起着多种作用，尤其在生殖细胞的发生中具有重要作用。最后，采用免疫耗竭对该基因编码的蛋白在精核解凝中的作用进行了初步研究，结果表明，Ran蛋白可能与精核解凝相关。     

Label‐free quantification proteomics reveals the effects of dietary fish oil and soybean oil on the immune response of Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

The replacement of fish oil (FO) in Eriocheir sinensis can significantly reduce the cost of E. sinensis cultivation, while several studies have indicated that replacing FO with soybean oil (SO) could significantly reduce the resistance of E. sinensis to disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, crabs were fed two diets containing FO or SO, following which a label‐free quantification proteomic analysis was employed. And the activity of enzymes involved in the nonspecific immune response was also measured. Growth performance was undifferentiated between the crabs fed with FO and SO. A total of 519 proteins were identified, and 70 proteins were significantly altered between the crabs fed the two different diets. Five proteins related to the immune response were identified to be differently expressed. C‐type lectin, haemocyanin subunit 6 and cryptocyanin were significantly downregulated, while fatty acid‐binding protein and catalase were highly expressed in the crabs fed SO. The activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and phenoloxidase were all significantly changed in crab fed with different diets. These findings will provide novel insight into the molecular mechanism regarding the replacement of FO on the immune response of E. sinensis and provide evidences for the relationship between nutrition and immunity in E. sinensis.     

Immunohistochemical localization of rainbow trout androgen receptors in the testis

SUMMARY: We examined the distribution of two rainbow trout androgen receptors (rtAR: rtAR-α and rtAR-β) in the testis immunohistochemically using a specific antibody to clarify the target cells of androgen in spermatogenesis. Positive rtAR immunoreactivity in paraffin-embedded sections was revealed using microwave treatment, and was detected in the nuclei of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and other interstitial cells. The presence of rtAR in Leydig cells suggested that fish androgens regulate Leydig cell activity in an autocrine fashion similar to mammalian androgens. In addition, we found that not all Leydig cells exhibited rtAR immunoreactivity in the mature testis by double staining using anti-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) antibody. Furthermore, rtAR immunoreactivity was also detected in the nuclei of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The intensity of rtAR immunoreactivity in the nuclei of spermatogonia seemed to be weaker than those of spermatocytes and spermatids. These results suggested that androgens act directly on both germ cells and somatic cells in the regulation of spermatogenesis in the rainbow trout.     

Molecular control mechanisms of fish spermatogenesis

Fish spermatogenesis, from spermatogonial stem-cell renewal to sperm maturation, is controlled by the sex steroid hormones. Mitotic divisions of spermatogonia can be categorized by spermatogonial stem cell renewal and spermatogonial proliferation. Spermatogonial renewal is regulated by estradiol-17β (E₂; the natural estrogen in vertebrates), and spermatogonial proliferation toward meiosis is promoted by 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), the main androgen in teleost. The action of E2 and 11-KT is mediated by other factors produced by Sertoli cells; E2 is mediated by spermatogonial stem-cell renewal factor and 11-KT is mediated by spermatogenesis preventing substance and activin B. Although 11-KT also induce meiosis and spermiogenesis, the control mechanisms of these processe are not clear. After spermiogenesis, immature spermatozoa undergo sperm maturation. Sperm maturation is regulated by 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), which is progestin in teleost. The DHP acts directly on spermatozoa to active the carbonic anhydrase existed in the spermatozoa. This enzymatic activation causes an increase in the seminal plasma pH, enabling spermatozoa to motile.     

四川华鳊精子发生显微及超微结构观察

对四川华鳊(Sinibrama taeniatus)精子发生过程进行了显微及超微结构观察。结果显示:在四川华鳊精子发生过程中,生精细胞嗜碱性逐渐增强,细胞体积渐小;精原细胞可分为两种,二者在显微及超微结构上均有明显区别;从精原细胞分裂开始就出现胞质不完全分裂,相邻细胞通过细胞质桥连接,并在精子细胞变态中后期消失;初级精母细胞核仁在减数第一次分裂开始后会逐渐消失;精子细胞变态过程中可观察到互相垂直的基体和近端中心粒,晚期出现中心粒附属物并在精子成熟前逐渐萎缩至消失,近端中心粒也在精子成熟时消失;四川华鳊精子头部近圆形或稍不规则,无顶体,核空泡小,核凹窝不发达,尾部具两侧对称的侧鳍,轴丝为"9+2"双联体微管结构。     

Characterization of the testicular semen of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), and its short-term storage

Semen of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), was investigated with respect to its cellular composition, sperm cell density, maturation grade, motility and fertility. Storage conditions were tested, whereby sperm viability was assessed by measurement of the motility after activation and by fertility tests. Testicular semen differed in its composition, i.e. the sperm density and numbers of spermatids, according to the maturity grade of the testis. Two semen types could be distinguished: semen type I was characterized by high sperm densities and low numbers of spermatids and semen type II had lower sperm densities and higher numbers of spermatids. Two semen types did not differ in motility and fertility (when adjusted for differences in sperm density). During storage, the sperm viability was influenced by the sodium concentration of the storage medium, temperature, membrane stabilizers as bovine serum albumen (BSA) or hen egg yolk, antibiotics and oxygen. Semen viability was maintained best when it was diluted at a ratio of 1:5 in storage solution (150 mmol L^?1 NaCl, 2.5 mmol L^?1 KCl, 1 mmol L^?1 CaCl₂, 1 mmol L^?1 MgSO₄, 20 mmol L^?1 Tris (pH 8.5) and 0.5% BSA or 0.5% hen egg yolk) and stored at 4 °C. Oxygen gassing and addition of antibiotics (1 mg mL^?1 gentamycine sulphate) to the storage solution affected the two semen types in different ways. Antibiotics had no effect on type I semen, but had a positive effect on type II semen. Oxygen gassing had a positive effect on type I semen but a negative effect on type II semen.     

Studies on the ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and spermatozoon of tongue fish,Cynoglossus semilaevis günther

Ultrastructures of spermiogenesis and spermatozoon of commercially valuable tongue fish Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. The study shows that the spermiogenesis of C. semilaevis can be divided into four stages, and the course of spermatid differentiation included flagellum development, chromatin compaction, nuclear fossa formation, migration of diplosome and mitochondria with structural change and disappearance of residual cytoplasm. No acrosome was observed in spermatozoon of C. semilaevis. The nucleus of sperm was U‐shaped; the nuclear fossa was deep with a centriolar complex at the bottom composed by proximal centriole and basal body. Five to six mitochondria were located behind the nucleus in a circle, forming the midpiece of sperm. The sperm tail, 43±2.4 μm (n=5) long, had lateral fins and sacciform tissues in some parts of the tail, with axoneme shown of a typical ‘9+2’ pattern. The ultrastructural observation revealed that the sperm of C. semilaevis is of a primitive type among teleostean fish species.     

注射中华绒螯蟹及锯缘青蟹促雄性腺提取物对中华绒螯蟹雌蟹雄性化的影响

该论文首次报道了经由促雄性腺提取物的注射而在蟹类中引起的性逆转现象。此前关于蟹类促雄性腺活性研究的报道极少，而且蟹类的雄性化均是由促雄性腺的移植所产生。本实验中将锯缘青蟹和中华绒螯蟹的促雄性腺提取物分别注射到刚刚完成性别分化的中华绒螯蟹雌性幼蟹体内，此时幼蟹处于4至5期，壳宽为5～8 mm。注射之后，幼蟹经过大约1～2次蜕皮，此时在注射锯缘青蟹以及中华绒螯蟹的促雄性腺提取物的两组实验幼蟹中均能观察到雄性化现象，而注射生理盐水的对照组实验幼蟹中未能观察到相同现象。由此本实验可以证明促雄性腺确实是蟹类的一种雄性激素，注射促雄性腺提取物能引起雌性幼蟹发生性逆转；同时根据锯缘青蟹和中华绒螯蟹的促雄性腺提取物均能引起中华绒螯蟹雌性幼蟹发生性逆转的现象推测，锯缘青蟹和中华绒螯蟹两种间可能存在促雄性腺的交叉活性；不仅如此，性逆转还能在极低的注射剂量下获得，相当于中华绒螯蟹0.14促雄性腺当量和锯缘青蟹0.06促雄性腺当量。     

New insights into the evolution,hormonal regulation,and spatiotemporal expression profiles of genes involved in the Gfra1/Gdnf and Kit/Kitlg regulatory pathways in rainbow trout testis

The present study aimed to investigate whether the Gfra1/Gdnf and/or Kit/Kitlg regulatory pathways could be involved in the regulation of spermatogonial cell proliferation and/or differentiation in fish. Homologs of the mammalian gfra1, gdnf, kitr, and kitlg genes were identified in gnathostomes and reliable orthologous relationships were established using phylogenetic reconstructions and analyses of syntenic chromosomal fragments. Gene duplications and losses occurred specifically in teleost fish and members of the Salmoninae family including rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Some duplicated genes exhibited distinct spatiotemporal expression profiles and were differently regulated by hormones in rainbow trout. Undifferentiated type A spermatogonia expressed higher levels of kitrb and kitra2 making them possible target cells for the gonadal kitlgb and somatic kitlga before the onset of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, gdnfa and gdnfb ohnologous genes were poorly expressed before the onset of spermatogenesis. The expression level of gdnfb was correlated with that of the vasa gene suggesting that the late increased abundance of gdnfb during spermatogenesis onset was due to the increased number of spermatogonial cells. gfra1a2 was expressed in undifferentiated type A spermatogonia whereas gfra1a1 was mainly detected in somatic cells. These observations indicate that the germinal gdnfb ligand could exert autocrine and paracrine functions on spermatogonia and on testicular somatic cells, respectively. Fsh and androgens inhibited gfra1a2 and gdnfb whereas gfra1a1 was stimulated by Fsh, androgens, and 17α, 20β progesterone. Finally, our data provide evidences that the molecular identity of the male germ stem cells changes during ontogenesis prior to spermatogenesis onset.