Loss of mammalian glutaminase orthologs impairs sperm function in Caenorhabditis elegans

iScience, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106206 · Published: March 17, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the role of glutaminase, an enzyme, in sperm function using the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. By creating mutant worms lacking glutaminase activity, the researchers found that glutaminase is important for proper sperm function. The study further showed that glutaminase activity in the germline (where sperm cells develop) is crucial for sperm function. They also found that glutaminase helps maintain redox homeostasis, which is important for sperm. Because maintaining a low level of ROS is crucial to human sperm function it is likely that glutaminase plays a similar role in humans and can be a potential target for treating human male infertility.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Caenorhabditis elegans worms

Evidence Level

In vitro and in vivo experiments

Key Findings

1
Glutaminase gene activity is required for optimal sperm function in C. elegans.
2
Loss of glutaminases reduces hermaphrodite self-fertility and male sperm advantage.
3
Germline glutaminase activity is important for sperm function, maintaining cellular redox homeostasis.

Research Summary

The study found that glutaminase gene activity is required for optimal C. elegans sperm function. Tissue-specific gene manipulations showed that germline glutaminase activity plays an important role. Transcriptional profiling and antioxidant treatment suggested that glutaminase promotes sperm function by maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. The researchers propose that glutaminase may play a similar role in human sperm function, making it a potential target for treating male infertility.

Practical Implications

Potential Target for Male Infertility Treatment

Glutaminase could be a potential therapeutic target for addressing human male infertility due to its role in maintaining sperm function and redox homeostasis.

Conserved Role in Mammals

The study suggests a possible conserved role of glutaminase in mammalian sperm function, warranting further investigation in mammalian models.

Understanding Sperm Regulation

The research highlights the utility of C. elegans as a model organism for discovering genes and mechanisms that regulate sperm function.

Study Limitations

1
The study acknowledges that oocyte production may also be affected in the glutaminase mutant.
2
Whether oogenesis is independently affected by the glna mutations needs to be further addressed.
3
Mechanisms by which glutaminase gene activity regulates oocyte production need to be further addressed.

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