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Abstract

RBM and DAZ/SPGY are two families of genes located on the Y chromosome that encode proteins containing RNA-binding motifs, and both have been described as candidate human spermatogenesis genes. Transmission of deletions from father to son has been observed in the case of DAZ, but neither gene family has been shown to be essential for spermatogenesis in human males. The DAZ/SPGY genes are particularly amenable to a knockout approach, as they are found on the Y chromosome in Old World primates and apes, but in other mammals, they are represented only by an autosomal gene, DAZLA, which is also present in Old World primates and apes. It has also been shown that a Dazla homologue is essential for spermatogenesis in Drosophila. Here we show that Dazla protein is cytoplasmic in male and female germ cells, unlike the nuclear RBM protein. Disruption of the Dazla gene leads to loss of germ cells and complete absence of gamete production, demonstrating that Dazla is essential for the differentiation of germ cells.

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Diverse spermatogenic defects in humans caused by Y chromosome deletions encompassing a novel RNA-binding protein gene.

Tara L. Brown, O Hovatta, S Rozen … (1995)

We have detected deletions of portions of the Y chromosome long arm in 12 of 89 men with azoospermia (no sperm in semen). No Y deletions were detected in their male relatives or in 90 other fertile males. The 12 deletions overlap, defining a region likely to contain one or more genes required for spermatogenesis (the Azoospermia Factor, AZF). Deletion of the AZF region is associated with highly variable testicular defects, ranging from complete absence of germ cells to spermatogenic arrest with occasional production of condensed spermatids. We find no evidence of YRRM genes, recently proposed as AZF candidates, in the AZF region. The region contains a single-copy gene, DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia), which is transcribed in the adult testis and appears to encode an RNA binding protein. The possibility that DAZ is AZF should now be explored.

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The DAZ gene cluster on the human Y chromosome arose from an autosomal gene that was transposed, repeatedly amplified and pruned.

M Reeve, Phillip T Hawkins, C Disteche … (1996)

It is widely believed that most or all Y-chromosomal genes were once shared with the X chromosome. The DAZ gene is a candidate for the human Y-chromosomal Azoospermia Factor (AZF). We report multiple copies of DAZ (> 99% identical in DNA sequence) clustered in the AZF region and a functional DAZ homologue (DAZH) on human chromosome 3. The entire gene family appears to be expressed in germ cells. Sequence analysis indicates that the Y-chromosomal DAZ cluster arose during primate evolution by (i) transposing the autosomal gene to the Y, (ii) amplifying and pruning exons within the transposed gene and (iii) amplifying the modified gene. These results challenge prevailing views of sex chromosome evolution, suggesting that acquisition of autosomal fertility genes is an important process in Y chromosome evolution.

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Meiotic cell cycle requirement for a fly homologue of human Deleted in Azoospermia.

C Eberhart, Jean Maines, S S Wasserman (1996)

Infertility resulting from a severe defect in sperm production affects 2% of men worldwide. Of these men with azoospermia, the absence of sperm in semen, one in eight carry de novo deletions for a specific region of the Y chromosome. A candidate gene for the Y-chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) has been identified and named Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ). Here we describe the cloning and characterization of the Drosophila gene boule, which is a homologue of DAZ. The two genes encode closely related proteins that contain a predicted RNA-binding motif, and both loci are expressed exclusively in the testis. Loss of boule function results in azoospermia; meiotic divisions are blocked, although limited spermatid differentiation occurs. Histological examination of boule testes with cell-cycle markers indicates that the primary defect is at the meiotic G2/M transition. These results support the hypothesis that DAZ is the human AZF, and indicate that Boule and DAZ have an essential meiotic function in fly and human spermatogenesis.

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PubMed ID:: 9288969

DOI:: 10.1038/37987

ScienceOpen disciplines: Chemistry

Keywords: Animals,Cytoplasm,physiology,Female,Gametogenesis,genetics,Gene Targeting,Heterozygote,Infertility,Male,Mice,Ovary,cytology,metabolism,Proteins,RNA-Binding Proteins,Sperm Count,Spermatozoa,abnormalities,Testis

The mouse Dazla gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein essential for gametogenesis.

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Journal of Circulating Biomarkers

Most cited references 11

Diverse spermatogenic defects in humans caused by Y chromosome deletions encompassing a novel RNA-binding protein gene.

The DAZ gene cluster on the human Y chromosome arose from an autosomal gene that was transposed, repeatedly amplified and pruned.

Meiotic cell cycle requirement for a fly homologue of human Deleted in Azoospermia.

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