es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 regulate spermatogenesis via microfilaments in the seminiferous tubule of Eriocheir sinensis

• Published in: Tissue & cell 2023-04, Vol.81, p.102028-102028, Article 102028
• Main Authors: Wang, Jia-Ming, Li, Zhen-Fang, Qi, Hong-Yu, Zhao, Zhan, Yang, Wan-Xi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Actin-Related Protein 3 - metabolism; Animals; Blood-Testis Barrier - metabolism; Cell adhesion; Eriocheir sinensis; es-Arp3; es-Eps8; Male; Mammals - metabolism; Microfilament Proteins - metabolism; Microfilaments; Seminiferous Tubules - metabolism; Spermatids; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenesis - physiology; Testis
• ISSN: 0040-8166; 1532-3072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102028

Spermatogenesis is a complicated process that includes spermatogonia differentiation, spermatocytes meiosis, spermatids spermiogenesis and final release of spermatozoa. Actin-related protein 3 (Arp3) and epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) are two actin binding proteins that regulate cell adhesion in seminiferous tubules during mammalian spermatogenesis. However, the functions of these two proteins during spermatogenesis in nonmammalian species, especially Crustacea, are still unknown. Here, we cloned es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 from the testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 were located in spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. Knockdown of es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 in vivo caused morphological changes to seminiferous tubules including delayed spermatozoa release, shedding of germ cells and vacuoles. Filamentous-actin (F-actin) filaments network was disorganized due to deficiency of es-Arp3 and es-Eps8. Accompanying this, four junctional proteins (α-catenin, β-catenin, pinin and ZO1) displayed abnormal expression levels as well as penetrating biotin signals in seminiferous tubules. We also used the Arp2/3 complex inhibitor CK666 to block es-Arp3 activity and supported es-Arp3 knockdown results. In summary, our study demonstrated for the first time that es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 are important for spermatogenesis via regulating microfilament-mediated cell adhesion in Eriocheir sinensis. •es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 were expressed in testis of Eriocheir sinensis.•es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 maintained appropriate microfilament organization in testis.•es-Arp3 and es-Eps8 regulated cell adhesion protein homeostasis.