CEP112 coordinates translational regulation of essential fertility genes during spermiogenesis through phase separation in humans and mice

CEP112 通过人类和小鼠的相分离来协调精子发生过程中必需生育基因的翻译调控

阅读:3
作者:Xueguang Zhang #, Gelin Huang #, Ting Jiang #, Lanlan Meng #, Tongtong Li #, Guohui Zhang, Nan Wu, Xinyi Chen, Bingwang Zhao, Nana Li, Sixian Wu, Junceng Guo, Rui Zheng, Zhiliang Ji, Zhigang Xu, Zhenbo Wang, Dong Deng, Yueqiu Tan, Wenming Xu

Abstract

Spermiogenesis, the complex transformation of haploid spermatids into mature spermatozoa, relies on precise spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The mechanisms underlying this critical process remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify centrosomal protein 112 (CEP112) as an essential regulator of mRNA translation during this critical developmental process. Mutations in CEP112 are discovered in oligoasthenoteratospermic patients, and Cep112-deficient male mice recapitulate key phenotypes of human asthenoteratozoospermia. CEP112 localizes to the neck and atypical centrioles of mature sperm and forms RNA granules during spermiogenesis, enriching target mRNAs such as Fsip2, Cfap61, and Cfap74. Through multi-omics analyses and the TRICK reporter assay, we demonstrate that CEP112 orchestrates the translation of target mRNAs. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry identify CEP112's interactions with translation-related proteins, including hnRNPA2B1, EEF1A1, and EIF4A1. In vitro, CEP112 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation, forming condensates that recruit essential proteins and mRNAs. Moreover, variants in patient-derived CEP112 disrupt phase separation and impair translation efficiency. Our results suggest that CEP112 mediates the assembly of RNA granules through liquid-liquid phase separation to control the post-transcriptional expression of fertility-related genes. This study not only clarifies CEP112's role in spermatogenesis but also highlights the role of phase separation in translational regulation, providing insights into male infertility and suggesting potential therapeutic targets.

特别声明

1、本文转载旨在传播信息,不代表本网站观点,亦不对其内容的真实性承担责任。

2、其他媒体、网站或个人若从本网站转载使用,必须保留本网站注明的“来源”,并自行承担包括版权在内的相关法律责任。

3、如作者不希望本文被转载,或需洽谈转载稿费等事宜,请及时与本网站联系。

4、此外,如需投稿,也可通过邮箱info@biocloudy.com与我们取得联系。