Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 is essential for normal spermatogenesis

GARCIA-FABIANI, MARIA BELEN; MONTANARO, MAURO A; STRINGA, PABLO; LACUNZA, EZEQUIEL; CATTANEO, ELIZABETH R; SANTANA, MARIANELA; PELLON-MAISON, MAGALI; GONZALEZ BARO, MARIA R.

BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL

PORTLAND PRESS LTD

Año: 2017

0264-6021

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases(GPAT) catalyze the first and rate-limiting step in the de novo glycerolipid synthesis.  The GPAT2 isoform differs from the otherisoforms because its expression is restricted to male germ cells and cancercells.  It has been recently reportedthat GPAT2 expression in mouse testis fluctuates during sexual maturation andthat it is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in combination with vitamin Aderivatives.  Despite progress made inthis field, information about GPAT2 role in the developing male germ cells remainsunclear.  The aim of this study was toconfirm the hypothesis that GPAT2 is required for the normal physiology oftestes and male germ cell maturation.  Thegene was silenced in vivo by inoculating lentiviral particles carrying thesequence of a short-hairpin RNA targeting Gpat2mRNA into mouse testis.  Histological andgene expression analysis showed impaired spermatogenesis and arrest at the pachytenestage.  Defects in reproductive fitnesswere also observed, and the analysis of apoptosis-related gene expressiondemonstrated the activation of apoptosis in Gpat2-silencedgerm cells.  These findings indicate thatGPAT2 protein is necessary for the normal development of male gonocytes, andthat its absence triggers apoptotic mechanisms, thereby decreasing the numberof dividing germ cells.