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Cells
Special Issues
Germ Cells, Their Regulation and Their Niches
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Germ Cells, Their Regulation and Their Niches

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 6798

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Artur Mayerhofer

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Guest Editor
Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
Interests: testis; ovary; peritubular cells; granulosa cells; granulosa cell tumor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Male and female germ cells are unique and indispensable for reproduction. In the adult, they reside in a specific environment within the testis and the ovary, which is primarily provided by the neighboring cells. In the case of the testis, Sertoli cells and peritubular cells are to be mentioned, whereas in the case of the ovary, granulosa and theca cells play a key role. Other factors, derived from the blood supply, for example, also contribute to the microenvironment and, thus, to the regulation of germ cells, their development and, in the case of the testis, to the regulation of spermatogonial stem cells.

In adult mammalian species, germ stem cells exist only in the testis (most likely). They ensure lifelong spermatogenesis. Knowledge about the regulation of the spermatogonial stem cell niche is of outmost importance, as derangements of the integrity and functionality may result in impairments of spermatogenesis and infertility.

In contrast, in the adult ovary, the postnatal lack of germ stem cells has severe consequences and leads to the depletion of the established germ cell pool over time, due to growth and atresia of follicles. The regulation of these fate decisions is not well understood.

The topic of this Special Issues aims to improve our understanding of the regulation of male and female germ cells and their changing gonadal microenvironments. The focus is on mammalian species. Original research papers as well as reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Artur Mayerhofer
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • germ cells
  • germ stem cells
  • gonadal microenvironment
  • follicle
  • granulosa cells
  • theca cells
  • Sertoli cells
  • testicular peritubular cells
  • spermatogenesis
  • atresia
  • infertility

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4001 KiB  
Article
Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Tissue Biomarker Analysis: A Comparison of Human Protein Atlas and Individual Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Component Immunohistochemistry
by Jure Krasic, Lucija Skara Abramovic, Marta Himelreich Peric, Vedran Vanjorek, Marko Gangur, Dragana Zovko, Marina Malnar, Silvija Masic, Alma Demirovic, Bernardica Juric, Monika Ulamec, Marijana Coric, Davor Jezek, Tomislav Kulis and Nino Sincic
Cells 2023, 12(14), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12141841 - 13 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1920
Abstract
The accurate management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) depends on identifying the individual histological tumor components. Currently available data on protein expression in TGCTs are limited. The human protein atlas (HPA) is a comprehensive resource presenting the expression and localization of proteins [...] Read more.
The accurate management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) depends on identifying the individual histological tumor components. Currently available data on protein expression in TGCTs are limited. The human protein atlas (HPA) is a comprehensive resource presenting the expression and localization of proteins across tissue types and diseases. In this study, we have compared the data from the HPA with our in-house immunohistochemistry on core TGCT diagnostic genes to test reliability and potential biomarker genes. We have compared the protein expression of 15 genes in TGCT patients and non-neoplastic testicles with the data from the HPA. Protein expression was converted into diagnostic positivity. Our study discovered discrepancies in three of the six core TGCT diagnostic genes, POU5F1, KIT and SOX17 in HPA. DPPA3, CALCA and TDGF1 were presented as potential novel TGCT biomarkers. MGMT was confirmed while RASSF1 and PRSS21 were identified as biomarkers of healthy testicular tissue. Finally, SALL4, SOX17, RASSF1 and PRSS21 dysregulation in the surrounding testicular tissue with complete preserved spermatogenesis of TGCT patients was detected, a potential early sign of neoplastic transformation. We highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to fully understand the protein landscape of human testis and its pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Germ Cells, Their Regulation and Their Niches)
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17 pages, 2044 KiB  
Article
miRNA Expression Profiles of Mouse Round Spermatids in GRTH/DDX25-Mediated Spermiogenesis: mRNA–miRNA Network Analysis
by Rajakumar Anbazhagan, Raghuveer Kavarthapu, Ryan Dale, Kiersten Campbell, Fabio R. Faucz and Maria L. Dufau
Cells 2023, 12(5), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12050756 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1984
Abstract
GRTH/DDX25 is a testis-specific DEAD-box family of RNA helicase, which plays an essential role in spermatogenesis and male fertility. There are two forms of GRTH, a 56 kDa non-phosphorylated form and a 61 kDa phosphorylated form (pGRTH). GRTH-KO and GRTH Knock-In (KI) mice [...] Read more.
GRTH/DDX25 is a testis-specific DEAD-box family of RNA helicase, which plays an essential role in spermatogenesis and male fertility. There are two forms of GRTH, a 56 kDa non-phosphorylated form and a 61 kDa phosphorylated form (pGRTH). GRTH-KO and GRTH Knock-In (KI) mice with R242H mutation (lack pGRTH) are sterile with a spermatogenic arrest at step 8 of spermiogenesis due to failure of round spermatids (RS) to elongate. We performed mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis on RS of WT, KI, and KO to identify crucial microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs during RS development by establishing a miRNA–mRNA network. We identified increased levels of miRNAs such as miR146, miR122a, miR26a, miR27a, miR150, miR196a, and miR328 that are relevant to spermatogenesis. mRNA–miRNA target analysis on these DE-miRNAs and DE-mRNAs revealed miRNA target genes involved in ubiquitination process (Ube2k, Rnf138, Spata3), RS differentiation, and chromatin remodeling/compaction (Tnp1/2, Prm1/2/3, Tssk3/6), reversible protein phosphorylation (Pim1, Hipk1, Csnk1g2, Prkcq, Ppp2r5a), and acrosome stability (Pdzd8). Post-transcriptional and translational regulation of some of these germ-cell-specific mRNAs by miRNA-regulated translation arrest and/or decay may lead to spermatogenic arrest in KO and KI mice. Our studies demonstrate the importance of pGRTH in the chromatin compaction and remodeling process, which mediates the differentiation of RS into elongated spermatids through miRNA–mRNA interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Germ Cells, Their Regulation and Their Niches)
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15 pages, 18855 KiB  
Article
Two Novel lncRNAs Regulate Primordial Germ Cell Development in Zebrafish
by Wenjing Li, Wei Liu, Chengyu Mo, Meisheng Yi and Jianfang Gui
Cells 2023, 12(4), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12040672 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2183
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory transcripts in various biological processes. However, the role of lncRNAs in germline development remains poorly understood, especially for fish primordial germ cell (PGC) development. In this study, the lncRNA profile of zebrafish PGC was revealed by single [...] Read more.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory transcripts in various biological processes. However, the role of lncRNAs in germline development remains poorly understood, especially for fish primordial germ cell (PGC) development. In this study, the lncRNA profile of zebrafish PGC was revealed by single cell RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic prediction. We established the regulation network of lncRNA-mRNA associated with PGC development, from which we identified three novel lncRNAs—lnc172, lnc196, and lnc304—highly expressing in PGCs and gonads. Fluorescent in situ hybridization indicated germline-specific localization of lnc196 and lnc304 in the cytoplasm and nucleus of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and occyte, and they were co-localized with vasa in the cytoplasm of the spermatogonia. By contrast, lnc172 was localized in the cytoplasm of male germline, myoid cells and ovarian somatic cells. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that knockdown and PGC-specific overexpression of lnc304 as well as universal overexpression of lnc172 significantly disrupted PGC development. In summary, the present study revealed the lncRNA profile of zebrafish PGC and identified two novel lncRNAs associated with PGC development, providing new insights for understanding the regulatory mechanism of PGC development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Germ Cells, Their Regulation and Their Niches)
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