The arginine methyltransferase CARM1 represses p300•ACT•CREMτ activity and is required for spermiogenesis

Nucleic Acids Res. 2018 May 18;46(9):4327-4343. doi: 10.1093/nar/gky240.

Abstract

CARM1 is a protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) that has been firmly implicated in transcriptional regulation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CARM1 orchestrates transcriptional regulation are not fully understood, especially in a tissue-specific context. We found that Carm1 is highly expressed in the mouse testis and localizes to the nucleus in spermatids, suggesting an important role for Carm1 in spermiogenesis. Using a germline-specific conditional Carm1 knockout mouse model, we found that it is essential for the late stages of haploid germ cell development. Loss of Carm1 led to a low sperm count and deformed sperm heads that can be attributed to defective elongation of round spermatids. RNA-seq analysis of Carm1-null spermatids revealed that the deregulated genes fell into similar categories as those impacted by p300-loss, thus providing a link between Carm1 and p300. Importantly, p300 has long been known to be a major Carm1 substrate. We found that CREMτ, a key testis-specific transcription factor, associates with p300 through its activator, ACT, and that this interaction is negatively regulated by the methylation of p300 by Carm1. Thus, high nuclear Carm1 levels negatively impact the p300•ACT•CREMτ axis during late stages of spermiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / metabolism*
  • Fertility
  • Gene Expression
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • LIM Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology
  • Spermatids / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Spermatozoa / enzymology
  • Testis / anatomy & histology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Crem protein, mouse
  • Fhl5 protein, mouse
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors
  • p300-CBP-associated factor