Testicular lactate content is compromised in men with Klinefelter Syndrome
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Alves, Marco G.; Martins, Ana D.; Jarak, Ivana; Barros, Alberto; Silva, Joaquina; Sousa, Mario; Oliveira, Pedro F.
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most common genetic cause of human infertility, but the mechanism(s) responsible for its phenotype remain largely unknown. KS is associated with alterations in body composition and with a higher risk of developing metabolic diseases. We therefore hypothesized that KS men seeking fertility treatment possess an altered testicular metabolism profile that may hamper the nutritional support of spermatogenesis. Testicular biopsies from control (46, XY) (n=6) and KS (47, XXY) (n=6) individuals were collected and analyzed by proton high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The mRNA and protein expression of crucial glycolysis-associated enzymes and transporters were evaluated in parallel by quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Our data revealed altered regulation of glucose transporters (GLUT1 and GLUT3); phosphofructokinase 1, liver isoform (PFKL); and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression in the testis of KS patients. Moreover, we detected a severe reduction in lactate and creatine accumulation within testicular tissue from KS men. The aberrant levels of the biomarkers detected in testicular biopsies of KS men may therefore be associated with the infertility phenotypes presented by these men. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 208-216, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Potential Candidate Genes for Alveolar Hypoxia Identified by Transcriptome Network Analysis
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
Authors: Zhang, Bi-li; Xu, Rong-liang; Qin, Yong-wen; Zheng, Xing; Wu, Hong; You, Xiao-hua; Cao, Jiang; Hu, Jian-qiang; Zhao, Xian-xian
Abstract
Background. Alveolar hypoxia is an important condition related to many disorders such as chronic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The aim of present study was to disclose the biological response and the potential transcriptome networks regulating the hypoxia response in the lungs. Materials and Methods. In this study, the microarray dataset GSE11341 was used to construct a regulatory network and identify the potential genes related to alveolar hypoxia. In addition, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analyses were also performed. Results. Hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells (NF-kappa B) were to be the hub nodes in the transcriptome network. HIF-1 alpha may regulate potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member (5KCNA5), solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member (1SLC2A1), and heme oxygenase (decycling) 1 (HMOX1) expression through the regulation of membrane potential, glucose metabolism, and anti-inflammation pathways. HMOX-1 mediates signaling pathways that relate to NF-kappa B. CCND1 (cyclin D1) expression could be regulated by PPAR gamma and HIF-1 alpha via the cell cycle pathway. In addition, new transcriptional factors and target genes, such as phosphofructokinase (PFKL, liver), aldolase A (ALDOA, fructose-bisphosphate), and trefoil factor 3 (intestinal) (TFF3), were also identified. Conclusions. Transcriptome network analysis is a helpful method for the identification of the candidate genes in alveolar hypoxia. The KEGG pathway and GO term analysis are beneficial in the prediction of the underlying molecular mechanism of these identified genes in alveolar hypoxia.