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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

In vitro fertilization-conceived offspring exhibit altered Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 retrotransposition dynamics associated with long-term disease risks.

BACKGROUND: In vitro fertilization has transformed reproductive medicine, yet offspring conceived through in vitro fertilization display elevated risks for diverse long-term health conditions, with underlying mechanisms unclear. Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1, a mobile genetic element responsive to environmental stress, represents a potential mediator. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that in vitro fertilization procedures may act as an embryonic stressor that alters Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 dynamics, potentially contributing to genomic instability associated with long-term disease susceptibility. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical cord blood or peripheral blood from 33 in vitro fertilization and 42 naturally conceived neonates were collected for whole-genome sequencing. Total Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 proportion in individual genome was counted with Bowtie2 software. De novo Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 insertion and Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 deletion were detected with Mobile Element Locator Tool. Three parent-matched in vitro fertilization-naturally conceived sibling pairs were included to control for genetic background. Disease association analysis was performed for genes within 500 kb of differential Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 sites in The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Statistical analysis was performed using the R language. RESULTS: In vitro fertilization offspring demonstrate elevated global Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 content compared to naturally conceived controls (P=.04). This finding was corroborated in 3 sibling pairs from identical genetic backgrounds, where in vitro fertilization-conceived children consistently exhibited higher Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 levels than their naturally conceived siblings. Eleven genomic loci with differential Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 insertion frequencies and 14 loci with differential Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 deletion frequencies between in vitro fertilization offspring and naturally conceived controls were identified. Notably, these differential Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 sites demonstrated significant enrichment near genes implicated in metabolic, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and neoplastic diseases, conditions associated with in vitro fertilization conception. CONCLUSION: These findings provide preliminary evidence that in vitro fertilization conception is associated with increased Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 content and altered genomic distribution of Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 elements. The proximity of these differential Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements-1 sites to disease-associated genes suggests a plausible genomic mechanism linking in vitro fertilization-associated embryonic stress to elevated disease risk. This work provides valuable molecular insights that may inform the ongoing discussion about assisted reproductive technology safety and suggests that continued attention to genomic integrity in in vitro fertilization-conceived individuals would be beneficial.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Phenotyping of post-fertilization sperm mitophagy determinants discovered in a mammalian gamete-based cell-free system.

The targeted, substrate-specific degradation of paternal mitochondria inside the zygote, known as post-fertilization sperm mitophagy, is a crucial and evolutionarily conserved early embryonic event. It ensures the exclusive maternal inheritance of the mitochondrial genome. Post-fertilization sperm mitophagy was initially thought to only be achieved via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Until pro-autophagic receptor proteins such as SQSTM1, GABARAP, as well as the proteasome-interacting ubiquitinated protein dislocase VCP, were identified as contributors to the degradation of the sperm mitochondria early after mammalian fertilization. This synergy of proteasomal and autophagic pathways ensures a timely degradation of sperm mitochondria shortly after fertilization. The discovery of these autophagic receptors lead researchers to believe there might be other autophagic receptors and determinants necessary for proper post-fertilization sperm mitophagy. Based on the established inventory of proteins from mass spectrometry trials of boar spermatozoa exposed to porcine oocyte extracts in an intra-specific porcine cell-free system (CFS), five candidate mitophagy determinants were further investigated in this study, namely LACTB, PRDX3, PSMA8, TOMM34, and FUNDC1. These proteins of interest were studied and validated by using in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols, cell imaging of spermatids, spermatozoa, oocytes and zygotes, protein interactome analysis, and the porcine CFS. The proteins PSMA8 and TOMM34 behaved in accordance with our proteomic study predictions. The PSMA8 labeling increased after exposure to CFS; in agreement with the classification PSMA8 was given from the mass spectrometry findings. TOMM34 underwent a visible decrease in labeling after exposure to CFS, which also agreed with its proteomic classification; this labeling persisted in IVF zygotes. Except for LACTB, the examined proteins showed mutual interactions as well as interactions with previously identified sperm mitophagy factors in the STRING interactome analysis. Results from this study validate the novel porcine CFS as a valuable tool for the exploration of early fertilization events at a molecular level. Future phenotyping and functional studies using porcine CFS will advance the understanding of mitochondrial inheritance and zygotic development and potentially shed light on the origins of certain mitochondrial diseases arising from the failure of post-fertilization sperm mitophagy.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

The Rhizosphere Microbiome: A Key Mediator of Crop Responses to Fertilization Strategies.

The rhizosphere microbiome, the plant's "second genome" is pivotal for crop nutrient acquisition, health, and stress responses. While fertilization ensures high agricultural yields, a key challenge is reshaping this microbiome to boost crop performance. This review synthesizes how mineral, organic, and bio-organic/microbial inoculant fertilizers affect rhizosphere microbial structure, diversity, and function. Long-term excessive mineral fertilizers (especially nitrogen) reduce microbial diversity, diminish beneficial groups (e.g., diazotrophs, PGPR), and disrupt microbial networks via soil acidification and altered root exudates, causing continuous cropping obstacles. In contrast, organic fertilizers improve soil microenvironments, maintaining high microbial diversity, enriching beneficial taxa (e.g., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria), and enhancing community complexity. Bio-organic fertilizers/microbial inoculants "engineer" the microbiome by introducing exogenous beneficial microbes (e.g., Bacillus, Pseudomonas, AMF), directly promoting growth, suppressing diseases, and "reconditioning" indigenous beneficial communities. We also clarify how fertilization regulates plant-microbe dialog via root exudates and rhizosphere chemistry (e.g., pH, ion balance), discuss current challenges (causality, lab-to-field translation, genotype-microbiome-fertilization interactions), and outline future directions. Integrating rhizosphere microbiome management into fertilization is crucial for reducing chemical fertilizer reliance and advancing agricultural green transformation.

fertilization strategies microbial community assem↗
PubMed2026

Parenting styles and fertility intention: Mediating effects of childbearing beliefs and psychological resilience.

China's declining fertility rate is partly due to low fertility intention among childbearing population. To understand family influence on young people's fertility intention and its underlying mechanisms, this study examines how parenting styles (authoritarian vs. permissive) affect Chinese college students' fertility intention, with traditional childbearing beliefs and resilience as mediators. Data were collected from 839 participants (Age: M = 21.1, SD = 1.7 years) using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression found that a positive correlation between permissive parenting style and fertility intention, with authoritarian parenting having no impact. Mediation analysis showed the association between permissive parenting style and fertility intention was fully mediated through resilience ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]) and greater childbearing beliefs ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]). The findings indicate that permissive parenting is related to higher fertility intention in youth via resilience and childbearing beliefs. Promoting positive family environments and permissive parenting may enhance childbearing intention.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Reproductive Intentions and Fertility Preservation Among Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated reproductive intentions, fertility-related knowledge, prior fertility counseling, and factors associated with reproductive intentions among transgender and nonbinary individuals receiving care at a Brazilian public reference center. METHODS: This cross-sectional study with a qualitative component was conducted between July and November 2025 in a specialized gender-affirming care clinic in Brazil. Quantitative data included sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and fertility-related variables. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with desire for future parenthood. Responses to a single open-ended question regarding perceived effects of GAHT on fertility were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two participants were included (mean age 27.5 ± 7.4 years). Most identified as transgender men (65.9%), followed by transgender women (26.8%) and nonbinary individuals (7.3%); 79.3% were receiving GAHT. Although 63.4% expressed a desire for future parenthood, only 7.3% had children. Current interest in fertility preservation was reported by 20.8% (15/72). Having children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.62; p = 0.023) and each additional year of GAHT duration (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.99; p = 0.038) were associated with lower odds of desiring future parenthood. Sex assigned at birth was not independently associated with reproductive intentions. Qualitative analysis revealed misconceptions, uncertainty, and conditional beliefs regarding fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Desire for future parenthood was common among transgender and nonbinary individuals, whereas engagement with fertility preservation remained limited. These findings highlight the need for longitudinal, patient-centered reproductive counseling integrated into gender-affirming care.

fertility preservation↗
PubMed2026

Beyond survival: Testicular tissue cryopreservation for fertility preservation during childhood cancer, experiences from a single center.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 30% of all male childhood cancer survivors receive gonadotoxic therapy increasing their risk for infertility. The only current option for potential fertility preservation in prepubertal males is through testicular tissue cryopreservation (TTC), available through clinical trials. Our aim was to evaluate our experience and identify barriers to enrollment in the TTC study. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted to describe a single center experience with TTC, including an assessment of factors impacting the decision to enroll or not enroll in the TTC trial. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were found to be eligible for enrollment in the TTC trial, with 23 patients (34%) choosing to enroll and undergo testicular tissue cryopreservation including 19 (83%) oncology patients. In patients who underwent TTC there were no unexpected delays in starting disease directed therapy. For families that declined enrollment, many did not see fertility preservation as a priority at the time of counseling. (n = 17, 44%). Other barriers included concerns about post-operative complications and a feeling of being overwhelmed at the time of counseling. DISCUSSION: Despite being the only preservation option for pre-pubertal boys facing risk of infertility, TTC enrollment was not pursued by a majority of eligible patients and families. Identifying potential barriers or misconceptions, particularly in regard to post operative complication risks, offer opportunities for improved counseling and education. Early introduction of the Fertility Navigation team allows for procedural coordination success and access for patients that are interested. Success is not measured in how many patients proceed with TTC, rather that all patients have the opportunity for counseling and discussion. CONCLUSION: TTC can be offered and completed safely without delays in disease-directed treatment timelines. A Fertility Navigation Program allows for equal opportunity for education and enrollment on TTC protocol which should be the goal for pediatric institutions, though is not pursued by many patients. A majority of those who declined the study did not see fertility as a priority at the time of treatment while others were concerned regarding peri-operative risks.

Humans↗
PubMed2024

Decoding the trajectory of antibiotic resistance genes in saline and alkaline soils: Insights from different fertilization regimes.

The soil salinity and alkalinity play an important role in the occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Yet, little is known the underlying mechanism by which soil salinity and alkalinity affect antibiotic resistance evolution. Here we investigated the ARGs variation in soil salinity and alkalinity environments created by different fertilization, and explored the biological mechanisms that salinity and alkalinity alter the evolutionary paradigm of antibiotic resistance. The results showed the soil treated by organic fertilizer exhibited a low salinity, neutral level (TSD 239.20 μS/cm, pH 7.17). The ARG abundance in the OF treatment was the highest, keeping an average of 67.83 TPM. Beside the effect of direct input of organic fertilizer at the beginning, it was important to note that, ARGs abundance during planting showed significant correlations with pH and electric conductivity. We observed that changes in microbial survival strategies under different salinity and alkalinity conditions further affected ARG hosts abundance. Indoor experiments demonstrated that there was a survival trade-off between the growth of resistant bacteria and the evolution of antibiotic resistance in salinity and alkalinity environments. Meta-genomic and Meta-transcriptomic analysis consistently demonstrated bacterial antibiotic resistance was primarily associated with pyruvate, energy and lipid metabolic pathways. The functional gene related to salinity and alkalinity, like cysH, cysK, plsB and plsC showed negative correlations with MDR. Prokaryotic transcription assays validated these relations. This study well explains the prevalence of soil ARGs after different fertilization regimes and will give a deeper understanding for the effect of soil salinity and alkalinity on antibiotic resistance evolution.

Soil↗
PubMed2026

Circadian- and light-regulated oscillatory expression of CSA in rice leaves is required for pollen fertility.

The oscillatory expression of CSA in rice leaves is regulated by the circadian clock and red/far-red light signals, mediated through DOF5 and PIL11, and is required for normal pollen fertility. Photoperiod-sensitive male-sterile lines represent a pivotal innovation in the development of hybrid rice. However, the underlying mechanisms governing photoperiod-sensitive male reproductive development remain poorly understood. Our previous studies demonstrated that the carbon starved anther (csa) mutant exhibits male sterility under short-day (SD) conditions but partial fertility under long-day (LD) conditions. In this study, we report that CSA expression follows an oscillatory rhythm in rice leaves under both SD and LD conditions, a pattern regulated by both circadian clock and light signals. Tissue-specific RNA interference knockdown of CSA in leaves was associated with reduced pollen viability, suggesting that CSA expression in leaves contributes to normal male fertility. Promoter truncation assay results indicate that distinct regions of the CSA promoter contribute differentially to the regulation of CSA expression in leaves versus anthers, and that both the CSA expression level in anthers and the rhythmic expression pattern of CSA in leaves are associated with the restoration of male fertility. Using dual-luciferase, yeast one-hybrid, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we identified two proteins, PIL11 and DOF5, which directly bind to specific motifs (an E-box and T/AAAAG motif) within the CSA promoter truncation, thereby regulating its transcription. These findings elucidate novel mechanisms linking light sensing to the expression of circadian-controlled genes, thus connecting photoperiod with male reproductive development in rice.

Oryza↗
PubMed2026

Genetic trade-offs in fertility and longevity explain the maintenance of disease-associated alleles in humans.

Genetic variants that increase the risk for complex diseases persist in human populations, despite adverse effects on health and longevity. Life-history theory predicts that such alleles can be maintained by trade-offs arising from pleiotropy, yet direct genomic evidence has been limited. We asked whether disease-associated variants persist because they enhance reproduction, despite costs to health and lifespan. By analysing genome-wide data across 62 diseases, longevity and fertility, we show that disease-risk alleles are, on average, associated with reduced longevity and increased fertility. Moreover, the subset of alleles that increase both fertility and disease risk appear to have been favoured by natural selection over the past 50,000 years. Using Mendelian randomization, we detect a causal effect of genetic liability to disease on longevity, but no robust evidence for a causal effect on fertility; importantly, these estimates remain stable after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. At the individual level, we compared offspring numbers between affected and unaffected individuals with high polygenic disease risk. For most diseases, affected individuals had more children than unaffected ones. But for early-onset diseases, the pattern reverses, indicating reproductive costs of early morbidity. Together, these results support antagonistic pleiotropy and help explain the persistence of disease-risk alleles in human populations.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Research progress on multi-mechanism analysis and protection strategies of ovarian aging and fertility decline.

Age-related fertility decline is an increasingly important challenge in reproductive medicine, driven largely by progressive ovarian aging. The aging ovary undergoes functional deterioration characterized by reduced ovarian reserve and declining oocyte quality, ultimately limiting female reproductive lifespan. Although multiple molecular and cellular processes associated with ovarian aging have been identified, these mechanisms are often discussed independently, limiting an integrated understanding of how they interact within the ovary. In this review, we propose an ovary-centered, multi-mechanistic framework to organize current evidence on ovarian aging and fertility decline. We discuss how genomic instability, telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, chronic cellular stress responses, and alterations in ovarian signaling and microenvironmental homeostasis collectively contribute to follicle depletion and impaired oocyte competence. Particular emphasis is placed on signaling pathways involved in follicle activation and stress adaptation, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, FOXO3, Hippo, and AMPK-Sirtuin networks, while acknowledging that many mechanistic relationships remain incompletely defined in physiological ovarian aging. Building on this integrative perspective, we further evaluate mechanism-oriented intervention strategies, including mitigation of cellular stress, metabolic and signaling modulation, optimization of the ovarian microenvironment, established fertility preservation technologies, and emerging exploratory approaches. By integrating current mechanistic and translational evidence, this review provides a conceptual framework for understanding ovarian aging and highlights future directions for evidence-based fertility preservation and reproductive health management in the context of aging.

Humans↗
PubMed2024

Diverse phenotypes and fertility outcomes of patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome in a Chinese family harboring identical AR gene variant.

BACKGROUND: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by resistance to androgens, mainly due to mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. It can manifest as complete AIS, partial AIS and mild AIS. While there have been studies linking specific AR gene mutations to AIS phenotypes, different clinical AIS phenotypes are also reported in patients with the same AR gene mutation. So far, the precise correlations between phenotypes and genotypes remain incompletely understood. METHODS: We conducted a thorough investigation involving four patients diagnosed with different types of AIS from a single Chinese family. Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and fertility outcomes were well-documented. Furthermore, we performed genetic sequencing to detect possible pathogenetic variants. RESULTS: Whole exome sequencing identified a hemizygous missense variant (c.2263T > C; p.Phe755Leu) of AR gene in all four affected patients with different degrees of undermasculinisation and heterogeneous spermatogenesis. The proband, diagnosed with partial AIS, opted for treatment with donated sperm due to non-obstructive azoospermia, while their older sibling, diagnosed with complete AIS, was raised as a girl. His two maternal uncles were both diagnosed with mild AIS, the older uncle fathered two girls naturally, whereas the younger uncle utilized assisted reproductive technology to conceive a boy because of severe oligoasthenozoospermia. CONCLUSION: Our study first identified the same AR variant (c.2263T > C;p.Phe755Leu) in four affected patients displaying highly diverse phenotypes of AIS and fertility outcomes, thereby significantly expanding the phenotypic spectrum of AIS. Notably, we presented a clear insight into different fertility outcomes of AIS patients with identical AR (c.2263T > C;p.Phe755Leu) variant, which provided reliable evidence that males harboring this variant may obtain biological offspring naturally or in combination with assisted reproductive technology. Furthermore, our study underscored the potential role of androgen concentration in shaping the phenotypic diversity of AIS, warranting further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2025

Tdrd15 is dispensable for male fertility and spermatogenesis in the golden hamster.

Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs) constitute an evolutionarily conserved protein family and are critical for germline development and piRNA pathway regulation, with established roles in male fertility. While multiple TDRD family members have been functionally linked to spermatogenic impairment, the precise biological role of TDRD15 remains to be elucidated. We used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to generate Tdrd15 knockout (KO) golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), a model necessitated by the absence of a functional Tdrd15 ortholog in the mouse genome, to investigate its function in male reproduction. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that TDRD15 is strongly conserved among eutherian mammals, with testis-restricted expression patterns in hamsters. Despite the successful induction of frameshift mutations and significant transcriptional knockdown, Tdrd15 KO males maintained normal fertility parameters, including unaltered testicular architecture, spermatogenic progression (confirmed by periodic acidic-Schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry), and sperm quality metrics determined using a computer-assisted analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed compensatory overexpression of paralogous Tdrd genes in KO testes, implying functional redundancy within this protein family. This study provides the first experimental evidence that TDRD15 is dispensable for male fertility in golden hamsters under physiological conditions, thereby challenging the prevailing assumptions of its obligatory function in spermiogenesis. Altogether, these findings support a more targeted allocation of research efforts within the field of male reproductive biology.

Animals↗
PubMed2022

In vitro germ cell induction from fertile and infertile monozygotic twin research participants.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) enable reproductive diseases to be studied when the reproductive health of the participant is known. In this study, monozygotic (MZ) monoamniotic (MA) twins discordant for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) consent to research to address the hypothesis that discordant POI is due to a shared primordial germ cell (PGC) progenitor pool. If this is the case, reprogramming the twin's skin cells to hiPSCs is expected to restore equivalent germ cell competency to the twins hiPSCs. Following reprogramming, the infertile MA twin's cells are capable of generating human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) and amniotic sac-like structures equivalent to her fertile twin sister. Using these hiPSCs together with genome sequencing, our data suggest that POI in the infertile twin is not due to a genetic barrier to amnion or germ cell formation and support the hypothesis that during gestation, amniotic PGCs are likely disproportionately allocated to the fertile twin with embryo splitting.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

L-glutamine supplementation improves porcine sperm quality and early embryo development during in vitro fertilization.

L-glutamine (Gln), as a key additive in porcine sperm capacitation medium and in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems, has been shown to significantly improve sperm motility and survival rates. However, its precise roles during porcine IVF and subsequent early embryonic development remain elusive. This study utilized an IVF model in pigs to investigate the effects of glutamine on sperm quality and embryonic development. We found that Gln supplementation during sperm treatment significantly improved sperm quality, as evidenced by reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and early apoptosis, while enhancing calcium ion levels and endoplasmic reticulum activity. Supplementing glutamine during embryo culture reduced polyspermy rates, promoted zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and accumulation of 5-ethynyluridine (EU) and histone modifications (H3K4me3 and H3K27ac) at the two-cell and four-cell stages, increased blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers, while simultaneously reducing DNA damage and early apoptosis during the blastocyst stage. In summary, these findings demonstrate that Gln enhances porcine IVF outcomes by improving sperm quality, reducing polyspermy, and facilitating early embryonic development, thereby providing a basis for optimizing culture systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2024

Misregulation of bromotyrosine compromises fertility in male Drosophila.

Biological regulation often depends on reversible reactions such as phosphorylation, acylation, methylation, and glycosylation, but rarely halogenation. A notable exception is the iodination and deiodination of thyroid hormones. Here, we report detection of bromotyrosine and its subsequent debromination during Drosophila spermatogenesis. Bromotyrosine is not evident when Drosophila express a native flavin-dependent dehalogenase that is homologous to the enzyme responsible for iodide salvage from iodotyrosine in mammals. Deletion or suppression of the dehalogenase-encoding condet (cdt) gene in Drosophila allows bromotyrosine to accumulate with no detectable chloro- or iodotyrosine. The presence of bromotyrosine in the cdt mutant males disrupts sperm individualization and results in decreased fertility. Transgenic expression of the cdt gene in late-staged germ cells rescues this defect and enhances tolerance of male flies to bromotyrosine. These results are consistent with reversible halogenation affecting Drosophila spermatogenesis in a process that had previously eluded metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic analyses.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Functional genetics of rice PISTILLATA genes reveals new roles and target genes in flowering time, female fertility, and parthenocarpy.

Floral organ identity is controlled largely by the combinatorial action of MADS domain homeotic transcription factors. Lodicules are specialized plant organs in cereals and grasses that are involved in floret opening and facilitate pollination and fertility in rice (Oryza sativa L.). To understand the mechanisms underlying the specification of the rice lodicule, we investigated the developmental functions of the rice PISTILLATA (PI) paralogs, OsMADS2, and OsMADS4. Null osmads2 mutants reiterated OsMADS2 nonredundant lodicule specification roles and revealed new roles in flowering time and floral organ number and fate. Doubly perturbed osmads2 osmads4kd florets had severe abnormalities, were female infertile, yet could initiate parthenocarpy. Ubiquitous OsMADS4 overexpression rescued osmads2 abnormalities. We also utilized genome-wide binding analyses and transcriptome profiling to identify putative target genes contributing to OsMADS2 functions. In osmads2d8/d8 null mutant, we observed deregulated genes in a plethora of processes including lodicule and stamen development, floral organ number, and cell wall development. Some examples are cell division regulators (Cyclin D6, Cyclin-P4-1-like), an aquaporin (PIP1A), a peptide transporter, a vascular developmental regulator (HOX1), and a cell wall modulator (GH9B16). The deregulation of these genes may be associated with the disrupted cell division, tissue differentiation, and physiology of the malformed lodicules in osmads2 and osmads2 osmads4kd florets. Altogether, we reveal novel roles for the rice PI paralogs in flowering time, panicle exsertion, and embryo sac differentiation, identify gene targets for lodicule development, and provide mechanistic insights on the functional diversification of rice PI paralogs.

Oryza↗
PubMed2025

SLC35G3 is a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transporter for sperm glycoprotein formation and underpins male fertility in mice.

Despite the recognized importance of glycans in biological phenomena, their complex roles in spermatogenesis and sperm function remain unclear. SLC35G3, a 10-transmembrane protein specifically found in early round spermatids, belongs to the sugar-nucleotide transporter family, indicating its involvement in glycan formation. In this study, we found that Slc35g3 knockout male mice were sterile due to impaired sperm functions in uterotubal junction passage, zona pellucida binding, and oocyte fusion. Mouse SLC35G3 has UDP-GlcNAc transporter activity, and its ablation caused abnormal processing of the sperm plasma membrane and acrosome membrane proteins. Reported human SLC35G3 mutations (F267L and T179HfsTer27) diminished the UDP-GlcNAc transporter activity of SLC35G3, implying infertility risks in males carrying these mutations. Our findings unveil the vital roles of SLC35G3 in the glycan formation of sperm membrane proteins critical for sperm fertilizing ability.

Biological Sciences↗