Self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provides the foundation for spermatogenesis. Worldwide, millions of men experience infertility or sub-fertility which may be due to impairment of SSC functions. Also, spermatogenesis is a classic stem cell-dependent process which can serve as a model for other tissue-specific stem cell systems. Thus, deciphering the mechanisms that regulate SSC fate decisions is of critical importance. Similar to other adult stem cell populations, SSC functions are controlled extrinsically by influence of a niche microenvironment and intrinsically via activation of specific molecular networks. Previous studies have determined that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) is an essential growth factor regulating self-renewal of mammalian SSCs. The influence of growth factors on stem cell fate decisions is mediated via regulating specific intrinsic molecular networks, which are currently poorly understood in SSCs. We showed that Gdnf stimulates expression of the transcriptional repressor, inhibitor of differentiation 4 (Id4) in the Thy1+ germ cell population of mouse testes which is composed of SSCs and non-stem cell spermatogonia. Additionally, we determined that lack of Id4 expression in vivo disrupts normal spermatogenesis in mice resulting in depletion of the proliferating spermatogonia population. Furthermore, reduction of Id4 expression in wild-type SSCs abolishes their ability to self-renew in vitro. These observations indicate that Id4 is an essential intrinsic regulator of SSC fate decisions;however, its mechanism of action is unknown. Id4 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription regulators, but lacks a DNA binding domain. In other tissues, the Id family of proteins maintain progenitor cells in an undifferentiated state by binding to and repressing the activity of specific bHLH transcription factors that stimulate differentiation. In the mouse male germline, Id4 is the only Id family protein expressed by spermatogonia and the bHLH transcription factors neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) and spermatogenesis and oogenesis helix-loop-helix 1 (Sohlh1) are regulators of early spermatogonial differentiation. Interaction between Id4 and these bHLH transcription factors in SSCs has not been examined. Our central hypothesis is that balance between self-renewal and differentiation of mouse SSCs is controlled by an intrinsic molecular pathway in which Id4 promotes self-renewal by repressing the activity of specific bHLH transcription factors that induce spermatogonial differentiation such as Ngn3 and Sohlh1. This hypothesis will be tested by;1) determining whether Id4 has the singular capacity to control SSC self-renewal, 2) determining whether Ngn3 and Sohlh1 are regulators of SSC differentiation, and 3) determining whether Id4 represses the transcription factor activity of Ngn3 and Sohlh1.

Public Health Relevance

Deciphering the role of Id4, Ngn3, and Sohlh1 in control of SSC fate decisions will enhance overall understanding of foundation processes regulating spermatogenesis and male fertility. This information may be useful in diagnosing and treating specific incidences of reproductive failure in human males. Also, this research will expand general knowledge of stem cell biology that may be applicable to other tissue-specific stem cell populations important for sustaining life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD061665-06
Application #
8508986
Study Section
Cellular, Molecular and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR)
Program Officer
Moss, Stuart B
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$296,645
Indirect Cost
$98,220
Name
Washington State University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041485301
City
Pullman
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
99164
Lord, Tessa; Oatley, Melissa J; Oatley, Jon M (2018) Testicular Architecture Is Critical for Mediation of Retinoic Acid Responsiveness by Undifferentiated Spermatogonial Subtypes in the Mouse. Stem Cell Reports 10:538-552
Hermann, Brian P; Cheng, Keren; Singh, Anukriti et al. (2018) The Mammalian Spermatogenesis Single-Cell Transcriptome, from Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Spermatids. Cell Rep 25:1650-1667.e8
Lord, Tessa; Oatley, Jon M (2017) A revised Asingle model to explain stem cell dynamics in the mouse male germline. Reproduction 154:R55-R64
Agrimson, Kellie S; Oatley, Melissa J; Mitchell, Debra et al. (2017) Retinoic acid deficiency leads to an increase in spermatogonial stem number in the neonatal mouse testis, but excess retinoic acid results in no change. Dev Biol 432:229-236
Helsel, Aileen R; Oatley, Melissa J; Oatley, Jon M (2017) Glycolysis-Optimized Conditions Enhance Maintenance of Regenerative Integrity in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells during Long-Term Culture. Stem Cell Reports 8:1430-1441
Helsel, Aileen R; Yang, Qi-En; Oatley, Melissa J et al. (2017) ID4 levels dictate the stem cell state in mouse spermatogonia. Development 144:624-634
Mutoji, Kazadi; Singh, Anukriti; Nguyen, Thu et al. (2016) TSPAN8 Expression Distinguishes Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Prepubertal Mouse Testis. Biol Reprod 95:117
Zhang, Teng; Oatley, Jon; Bardwell, Vivian J et al. (2016) DMRT1 Is Required for Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cell Maintenance and Replenishment. PLoS Genet 12:e1006293
Yang, Qi-En; Nagaoka, So I; Gwost, Ivy et al. (2015) Inactivation of Retinoblastoma Protein (Rb1) in the Oocyte: Evidence That Dysregulated Follicle Growth Drives Ovarian Teratoma Formation in Mice. PLoS Genet 11:e1005355
Vrooman, Lisa A; Oatley, Jon M; Griswold, Jodi E et al. (2015) Estrogenic exposure alters the spermatogonial stem cells in the developing testis, permanently reducing crossover levels in the adult. PLoS Genet 11:e1004949

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