Meiotic gatekeeper STRA8 suppresses autophagy by repressing Nr1d1 expression during spermatogenesis in mice
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: The transition from mitotic to meiotic cell cycles is essential for haploid gamete formation and fertility. Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8) is an essential gatekeeper of meiotic initiation in vertebrates; yet, the molecular role of STRA8 remains principally unknown. Here we demonstrate that STRA8 functions as a suppressor of autophagy during spermatogenesis in mice. Stra8-deficient germ cells fail to enter meiosis and present aberrant upregulation of autophagy-lysosome genes, commensurate with autophagy activation. Biochemical assays show that ectopic expression of STRA8 alone is sufficient to inhibit both autophagy induction and maturation. Studies also revealed that, Nr1d1, a nuclear hormone receptor gene, is upregulated in Stra8-deficient testes and that STRA8 binds to the Nr1d1 promoter, indicating that Nr1d1 is a direct target of STRA8 transcriptional repression. In addition, it was found that NR1D1 binds to the promoter of Ulk1, a gene essential for autophagy initiation, and that Nr1d1 is required for the upregulated Ulk1 expression in Stra8-deficient testes. Furthermore, both genetic deletion of Nr1d1 and pharmacologic inhibition of NR1D1 by its synthetic antagonist SR8278 exhibit rescuing effects on the meiotic initiation defects observed in Stra8-deficient male germ cells. Together, the data suggest a novel link between STRA8-mediated autophagy suppression and meiotic initiation.
Source: PLoS Genetics
Authors: Ianina C. Ferder, Leslie Fung, Yasuyo Ohguchi, Xiaoyu Zhang, Kara G. Lassen, Diane Capen, Dennis Brown, Ramnik J. Xavier, Ning Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,350
Funders: Massachusetts General Hospital, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Monash University, National Institutes of Health, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Center for Research Resources, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: G1363658695, G171471675, G2002686939, G2114621081, G2300945415, Aging and Ovarian Stem Cell Niche Dysfunction, G3516087685, G3695525458, Novel Approaches for the Control of Microbial Pathogens, G3892861298, G4177459098, G4301597667, G4311781359, G5103375385, G5120470125, G5223966954, G738160294, G7743998994, Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, G942882960
OpenAlex ID: W2943525962