N<sup>6</sup>-Methyladenosine Modification-Related Genes Express Differentially in Sterile Male Cattle-Yaks
N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A), an RNA post-transcriptional modification, plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis. Cattle-yaks are interspecific hybrid offsprings of yak and cattle, and male cattle-yaks are sterile. This study aims to investigate the role of m...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-09-01
|
| Series: | Life |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/9/1155 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A), an RNA post-transcriptional modification, plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis. Cattle-yaks are interspecific hybrid offsprings of yak and cattle, and male cattle-yaks are sterile. This study aims to investigate the role of m<sup>6</sup>A modification in male cattle-yak infertility. Herein, testicular tissues were analyzed via histological observations, immunohistochemical assays, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays. The results revealed that male cattle-yaks presented smaller testes (5.933 ± 0.4885 cm vs. 7.150 ± 0.3937 cm), with only single cell layers in seminiferous tubules, and weakened signals of m<sup>6</sup>A regulators such as METTL14 (methyltransferase-like 14), ALKBH5 (alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent hydroxylase homolog 5), FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated protein), and YTHDF2 (YTH N<sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine RNA binding protein F2), both at the RNA and protein levels, compared with those of yaks. Altogether, these findings suggest that m<sup>6</sup>A modification may play a crucial role in male cattle-yak sterility, providing a basis for future studies. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2075-1729 |