Regulatory effects of autophagy on spermatogenesis.
Abnormal spermatogenesis is an important pathophysiological process underlying male infertility. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and disruption of ectoplasmic specialization (ES) have been characterized as the key biological events of this disorder. Under physiological and pathophysiological conditions (such as exposure to starvation, environmental chemicals, radiation), autophagy is activated in spermatogenic or Sertoli cells in order to maintain survival of the spermatogenic cells by inhibiting spermatogenic cell apoptosis and stabilizing the integrity of ES via degradation of PDZ and LIM domain 1 (PDLIM1), a negative regulator of cytoskeletal organization. Here, we review the most recent research progress towards understanding the pivotal effects of autophagy on spermatogenesis.
Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment Medicine, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Jun
J
Yin
Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment Medicine, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Bing
B
Ni
Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Zhi-Qiang
ZQ
Tian
Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment Medicine, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Fan
F
Yang
Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment Medicine, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Wei-Gong
WG
Liao
Institute of Medicine and Hygienic Equipment for High Altitude Region, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment Medicine, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
Yu-Qi
YQ
Gao
D001343:Autophagy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis
Sertoli cells; apoptosis; autophagy; spermatogenesis; spermatogenic cells; stress