Biogenesis and function of tRNA fragments during sperm maturation and fertilization in mammals

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aad6780
• Publication Date: 2016-01-01T03:33:48Z
• Authors: Upasna Sharma; Colin C. Conine; Jeremy M. Shea; Ana Boskovic; Alan G. Derr; Xin Y. Bing; Clemence Belleannee; Alper Kucukural; Ryan W. Serra; Fengyun Sun; Lina Song; Benjamin R. Carone; Emiliano P. Ricci; Xin Z. Li; Lucas Fauquier; Melissa J. Moore; Robert Sullivan; Craig C. Mello; Manuel Garber; Oliver J. Rando
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; 570; Retroelements; *Gene Expression Regulation; *Fertilization; [SDV.BBM]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry; 610; Protein-Restricted; [SDV.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology; Biochemistry; Gly; Molecular Genetics; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Testis; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Animals; [SDV.BBM]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; UMCCTS funding; Translational Medical Research; Molecular Biology; Epididymis; 2. Zero hunger; Cell Biology; RNA, Transfer, Gly; Spermatozoa; Diet; Transfer; *Sperm Maturation; Cellular and Molecular Physiology; Sperm Maturation; MicroRNAs; Blastocyst; Gene Expression Regulation; Fertilization; RNA; Developmental Biology

Offspring affected by sperm small RNAs

Paternal dietary conditions in mammals influence the metabolic phenotypes of offspring. Although prior work suggests the involvement of epigenetic pathways, the mechanisms remains unclear. Two studies now show that altered paternal diet affects the level of small RNAs in mouse sperm. Chen et al. injected sperm transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments from males that had been kept on a high-fat diet into normal oocytes. The progeny displayed metabolic disorders and concomitant alteration of genes in metabolic pathways. Sharma et al. observed the biogenesis and function of small tRNA-derived fragments during sperm maturation. Further understanding of the mechanisms by which progeny are affected by parental exposure may affect human diseases such as diet-induced metabolic disorders.

Science , this issue p. 397 , p. 391