The lncRNA Gm8097 is associated with hypospermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Gm8097 (LncGm8097) is associated with male infertility. METHODS: The expression and bilogical role of LncGm8097 were investigated. RESULTS: LncGm8097 expression was down-regulated in the testis tissues with moderate and severe hypospermatogenesis compared with those with normal spermatogenesis and mild hypospermatogenesis (p<0.05). LncGm8097 down-regulation significantly promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in GC1 and GC2 cells. In addition, LncGm8097 was significantly down-regulated in mouse model of hypospermatogenesis and correlated with cell apoptosis and proliferation. LncGm8097 was located immediately upstream of PRPS2, and correlated with Bcl-2/P53/caspase 6/caspase 9 signal pathway. CONCLUSION: LncGm8097 down-regulation correlates with hypospermatogenesis, which may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of male infertility.