JMJD1C, a JmjC domain-containing protein, is required for long-term maintenance of male germ cells in mice

Biol Reprod. 2013 Oct 17;89(4):93. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.108597. Print 2013 Oct.

Abstract

JmjC domain-containing proteins are a class of enzymes responsible for histone demethylation. Previous studies revealed that the JmjC domain-containing protein KDM3A possesses intrinsic demethylase activity toward lysine 9 of histone H3 and plays essential roles in spermiogenesis. In contrast, the biological roles of JMJD1C, a KDM3A homolog in mice, are largely unknown. Here we present the crucial role of JMJD1C in male gametogenesis. Jmjd1c-deficient males became infertile due to the progressive reduction of germ cells after 3 mo of age. Importantly, Jmjd1c-deficient testes frequently contained abnormal tubules lacking developmentally immature germ cells. JMJD1C is most abundantly expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia in mouse testis. The numbers of ZBTB16-positive spermatogonia and apoptotic germ cells in Jmjd1c-deficient testes decreased and increased in an age-dependent manner, respectively. Our studies demonstrated that JMJD1C contributes to the long-term maintenance of the male germ line.

Keywords: aging; epigenetics; histone modifications; male infertility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Adult Stem Cells / pathology
  • Aging*
  • Alternative Splicing
  • Androstenedione / blood
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Apoptosis*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Infertility, Male / blood
  • Infertility, Male / enzymology
  • Infertility, Male / metabolism
  • Infertility, Male / pathology
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes / deficiency
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / deficiency
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / genetics
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Spermatogonia / cytology
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism*
  • Spermatogonia / pathology
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / growth & development
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testis / pathology
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Testosterone
  • Androstenedione
  • JMJD1c protein, mouse
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases