Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L-1 Is Essential for the Early Apoptotic Wave of Germinal Cells and for Sperm Quality Control During Spermatogenesis

• Published in: Biology of reproduction 2005-07, Vol.73 (1), p.29-35
• Main Authors: KWON, Jungkee, MOCHIDA, Keiji, WANG, Yu-Lai, SEKIGUCHI, Satoshi, SANKAI, Tadashi, AOKI, Shunsuke, OGURA, Atsuo, YOSHIKAWA, Yasuhiro, WADA, Keiji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - physiology; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; bcl-X Protein; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Caspase 3; Caspases - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germ Cells - enzymology; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Morphology. Physiology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sperm Motility - physiology; Spermatogenesis - physiology; Spermatozoa - enzymology; Spermatozoa - physiology; Testis - enzymology; Testis - physiology; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - genetics; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - physiology; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0006-3363; 1529-7268
• DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.037077

Ubiquitination is required throughout all developmental stages of mammalian spermatogenesis. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) L1 is thought to associate with monoubiquitin to control ubiquitin levels. Previously, we found that UCHL1-deficient testes of gad mice have reduced ubiquitin levels and are resistant to cryptorchid stress-related injury. Here, we analyzed the function of UCHL1 during the first round of spermatogenesis and during sperm maturation, both of which are known to require ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Testicular germ cells in the immature testes of gad mice were resistant to the early apoptotic wave that occurs during the first round of spermatogenesis. TUNEL staining and cell quantitation demonstrated decreased germ cell apoptosis and increased numbers of premeiotic germ cells in gad mice between Postnatal Days 7 and 14. Expression of the apoptotic proteins TRP53, Bax, and caspase-3 was also significantly lower in the immature testes of gad mice. In adult gad mice, cauda epididymidis weight, sperm number in the epididymis, and sperm motility were reduced. Moreover, the number of defective spermatozoa was significantly increased; however, complete infertility was not detected. These data indicate that UCHL1 is required for normal spermatogenesis and sperm quality control and demonstrate the importance of UCHL1-dependent apoptosis in spermatogonial cell and sperm maturation. Abstract UCHL1 functions during the early apoptotic wave and in the control of sperm quality during spermatogenesis