Unraveling the sperm proteome and post-genomic pathways associated with sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics Vol. 30; no. 9; pp. 1187 - 1202
• Main Authors: Intasqui, Paula, Camargo, Mariana, Del Giudice, Paula T., Spaine, Deborah M., Carvalho, Valdemir M., Cardozo, Karina H. M., Cedenho, Agnaldo P., Bertolla, Ricardo P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.09.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Biomarkers; Cell Nucleus; Comet Assay; DNA - chemistry; DNA - genetics; DNA damage; DNA Fragmentation; Fertility; Gamete Biology; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Humans; Infertility; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Networks and Pathways - genetics; Olea; Oxidative stress; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein expression; Proteins; Proteome; Proteomics; Reproductive Medicine; Sperm; Spermatozoa - chemistry; Spermatozoa - metabolism; Brazil; Biomarkers; Sperm; DNA fragmentation; Proteomics
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-0054-6

Purpose Sperm DNA fragmentation has been suggested as a marker for infertility diagnosis and prognosis. Hence, understanding its impact on male physiology and post-genomic pathways would be clinically important. We performed the proteomics and functional enrichment analyses of viable spermatozoa from ejaculates with low and high sperm DNA fragmentation to identify protein expression and pathways altered in association with sperm DNA fragmentation. Methods Sperm DNA fragmentation using the Comet assay and the Komet 6.0.1 software was assessed in raw samples from 89 subjects from a human reproduction service. The Low and High sperm DNA fragmentation groups were formed according to the Olive Tail Moment variable. Spermatozoa proteins from these groups were pooled and analyzed by a shotgun proteomic approach (2D nanoUPLC-ESI-MS E ). Differentially expressed proteins were used for a functional enrichment study. Results Two hundred and fifty-seven proteins were identified or quantified in sperm from the Low and High sperm DNA fragmentation groups. Of these, seventy-one proteins were exclusively or overexpressed in the Low group, whereas twenty-three proteins were exclusively or overexpressed in the High group. One hundred and sixty-three proteins were conserved between these groups. We also functionally related the differentially expressed proteins in viable spermatozoa from the groups. Processes such as triacylglycerol metabolism, energy production, protein folding, response to unfolded proteins, and cellular detoxification were found to be altered in these cells. Conclusions Sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with differential protein expression in viable spermatozoa. These proteins may potentially be used as biomarkers for sperm DNA integrity.