In silico sperm proteome analysis to investigate dna repair mechanisms in varicocele patients
File(s)Finelli et al - Front Endocrinol 2021.pdf (4.49 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Varicocele, a condition associated with increased oxidative stress, negatively affects sperm DNA integrity and reduces pregnancy rates. However, the molecular mechanisms related to DNA integrity, damage, and repair in varicocele patients remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of DNA repair molecular mechanisms in varicocele-related infertility by combining an in silico proteomics approach with wet-laboratory techniques. Proteomics results previously generated from varicocele patients (n=50) and fertile controls (n=10) attending our Andrology Center were reanalyzed using bioinformatics tools, including the WEB-based Gene SeT AnaLysis Toolkit, Open Target Platform, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in DNA repair. Subsequently, selected DEPs in spermatozoa were validated using western blotting in varicocele (n = 13) and fertile control (n = 5) samples. We identified 99 DEPs mainly involved in male reproductive system disease (n=66) and male infertility (n=47). IPA analysis identified five proteins [fatty acid synthase (FASN), myeloperoxidase (MPO), mitochondrial aconitate hydratase (ACO2), nucleoporin 93 (NUP93), and 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 14 (PSMD14)] associated with DNA repair deficiency, which showed altered expression in varicocele (P <0.03). We validated ACO2 downregulation (fold change=0.37, change%=-62.7%, P=0.0001) and FASN overexpression (fold change = 4.04, change %= 303.7%, P = 0.014) in men with varicocele compared to controls. This study combined a unique in silico approach with an in vitro validation of the molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for varicocele-associated infertility. We identified ACO2 and FASN as possible proteins involved in DNA repair, whose altered expression may contribute to DNA damage in varicocele pathophysiology.
Date Issued
2021-12-17
Date Acceptance
2021-11-30
Citation
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2021, 12, pp.1-10
ISSN
1664-2392
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Start Page
1
End Page
10
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Endocrinology
Volume
12
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.757592
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
757592
Date Publish Online
2021-12-17