Epigenetic regulations in mammalian spermatogenesis: RNA-m6A modification and beyond

doi:10.1007/s00018-021-03823-9

Review

. 2021 Jun;78(11):4893-4905.

doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-03823-9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Epigenetic regulations in mammalian spermatogenesis: RNA-m⁶A modification and beyond

Yiqian Gui¹, Shuiqiao Yuan^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
² Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. shuiqiaoyuan@hust.edu.cn.
³ Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China. shuiqiaoyuan@hust.edu.cn.

PMID: 33835194
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03823-9

Review

Epigenetic regulations in mammalian spermatogenesis: RNA-m⁶A modification and beyond

Yiqian Gui et al. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021 Jun.

. 2021 Jun;78(11):4893-4905.

doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-03823-9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Authors

Yiqian Gui¹, Shuiqiao Yuan^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
² Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. shuiqiaoyuan@hust.edu.cn.
³ Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China. shuiqiaoyuan@hust.edu.cn.

PMID: 33835194
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03823-9

Abstract

Emerging evidence shows that m⁶A, one of the most abundant RNA modifications in mammals, is involved in the entire process of spermatogenesis, including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. "Writers" catalyze m⁶A formation on stage-specific transcripts during male germline development, while "erasers" remove m⁶A modification to maintain a balance between methylation and demethylation. The different functions of RNA-m⁶A transcripts depend on their recognition by "readers". m⁶A modification mediates RNA metabolism, including mRNA splicing, translation, and degradation, as well as the maturity and biosynthesis of non-coding RNAs. Sperm RNA profiles are easily affected by environmental exposure and can even be inherited for several generations, similar to epigenetic inheritance. Here, we review and summarize the critical role of m⁶A in different developmental stages of male germ cells, to understand of the mechanisms and epigenetic regulation of m⁶A modifications. In addition, we also outline and discuss the important role of non-coding RNAs in spermatogenesis and RNA modifications in epigenetic inheritance.

Keywords: Epigenetic inheritance; RNA modification; Sperm RNA; Spermatogenesis; m6A.

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References

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1. Lin Z, Tong MH (2019) m(6)A mRNA modification regulates mammalian spermatogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 1862(3):403–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.016 (Epub 2018/11/06) - DOI - PubMed
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[1] O’Donnell L, Nicholls PK, O’Bryan MK, McLachlan RI, Stanton PG (2011) Spermiation: The process of sperm release. Spermatogenesis. 1(1):14–35. https://doi.org/10.4161/spmg.1.1.14525 (Epub 2011/08/26) - DOI - PubMed - PMC

[2] O’Donnell L, Nicholls PK, O’Bryan MK, McLachlan RI, Stanton PG (2011) Spermiation: The process of sperm release. Spermatogenesis. 1(1):14–35. https://doi.org/10.4161/spmg.1.1.14525 (Epub 2011/08/26) - DOI - PubMed - PMC

[3] de Rooij DG (2001) Proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells. Reproduction 121(3):347–354. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.0.1210347 (Epub 2001/02/28) - DOI - PubMed

[4] de Rooij DG (2001) Proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells. Reproduction 121(3):347–354. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.0.1210347 (Epub 2001/02/28) - DOI - PubMed

[5] Griswold MD (2016) Spermatogenesis: The Commitment to Meiosis. Physiol Rev. 96(1):1–17. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00013.2015 (Epub 2015/11/06) - DOI - PubMed

[6] Griswold MD (2016) Spermatogenesis: The Commitment to Meiosis. Physiol Rev. 96(1):1–17. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00013.2015 (Epub 2015/11/06) - DOI - PubMed

[7] Lin Z, Tong MH (2019) m(6)A mRNA modification regulates mammalian spermatogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 1862(3):403–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.016 (Epub 2018/11/06) - DOI - PubMed

[8] Lin Z, Tong MH (2019) m(6)A mRNA modification regulates mammalian spermatogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 1862(3):403–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.016 (Epub 2018/11/06) - DOI - PubMed

[9] Abe K, Shen LS, Takano H (1991) The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and stages in spermatogenesis in dd-mice. [Hokkaido igaku zasshi] Hokkaido J Med Sci 66(3):286–299 (Epub 1991/05/01) - PubMed

[10] Abe K, Shen LS, Takano H (1991) The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and stages in spermatogenesis in dd-mice. [Hokkaido igaku zasshi] Hokkaido J Med Sci 66(3):286–299 (Epub 1991/05/01) - PubMed

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Epigenetic regulations in mammalian spermatogenesis: RNA-m⁶A modification and beyond

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Epigenetic regulations in mammalian spermatogenesis: RNA-m⁶A modification and beyond

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