Testicular origin of epigenetic inheritance independent of sperm mitochondrial DNA and epididymal exposure
Abstract
Paternal epigenetic inheritance remains mechanistically unresolved. Recent studies propose that environmental exposures induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-dependent transcription in sperm during epididymal transit, altering small RNA content and offspring phenotypes. Here, we show that mature murine sperm are effectively devoid of mtDNA, precluding mtDNA-dependent transcription, and that sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs originate during spermatogenesis. Testicular sperm transmitted diet-induced metabolic traits as efficiently as, and in most cohorts more efficiently than, epididymal sperm. These findings establish testicular inheritance independent of sperm mtDNA transcription and epididymal exposure.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (6)
Zhuqing Wang
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University
Yasuhiro Yamauchi
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering
Sheng Chen
Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Huili Zheng
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University
Monika A. Ward
Yanagimachi Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii
Wei Yan