The FASEB Journal: A gene for DNA repair linked to male infertility



[ad_1]

A key DNA repair gene known as the cross-complement X-ray repair complement group, or XRCC1, plays a vital role in maintaining genomic stability and is strongly expressed in the early stages of development. spermatozoa (also called spermatogenesis). To date, however, the exact mechanisms of XRCC1 were unclear.

A recent study on animals published in The FASEB newspaper examined the role of XRCC1 in mouse spermatogenesis. To conduct the experiment, a group of researchers observed a control group of wild type mice, as well as mice with conditionally inactivated XRCC1 in their primordial germ cells. Using these two groups, the researchers compared the expression of XRCC1 protein in the testes, testicular size and weight, body weight, sperm concentration and motility, and so on.

Overall, the study demonstrated that XRCC1 deficiency resulted in infertility in male mice due to impaired spermatogenesis. Specifically, the researchers found that XRCC1-knockout mice exhibited smaller testes, as well as a lower sperm concentration and motility than wild-type mice. They also demonstrated that a deficiency of XRCC1 in primordial germ cells was related to stem disruption, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Experience has shown that while treatment with N-acetylcysteine ​​(NAC) allowed to partially reverse many of these conditions, it was unable to restore fertility or reverse apoptosis caused by the deficit in XRCC1.

"Even modest damage to human sperm DNA can reduce fertility and increase the risk of disease in children," explained Aihua Gu, a researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine at the Institute of Toxicology ; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, School of Public Health Ministry of Education in China. "Now that we know that XRCC1 plays a crucial role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis in mice, additional studies should explore possible treatments that could reverse male infertility caused by a deficiency of XRCC1."

"XRCC1 has long been known as a guardian of genome integrity in many cell types, and this new study shifts its role in the important context of spermatogenesis," said Thoru Pederson, PhD, editor-in-chief. boss of The FASEB newspaper.

###

The FASEB newspaper is published by the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (FASEB). According to the Institute for Scientific Information, the world's most cited biology journal, it has been recognized by the Special Libraries Association as one of the 100 most influential biomedical journals of the last century.

FASEB is made up of 29 companies with more than 130,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research badociations in the United States. FASEB's mission is to advance health and well-being by promoting research and teaching in the biological and biomedical sciences through collaborative outreach and services to member societies and their members. .

Warning: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of the news releases published on EurekAlert! contributing institutions or for the use of any information via the EurekAlert system.

[ad_2]
Source link