Academic Journal
Epigenetic role of miR-574 in sperm chromatin remodeling and developmental gene networks in male infertility.
| Τίτλος: | Epigenetic role of miR-574 in sperm chromatin remodeling and developmental gene networks in male infertility. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Hekim N; Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Samsun, Turkey.; Ondokuz Mayis University, Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Samsun, Turkey., Gunes S; Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Samsun, Turkey.; Ondokuz Mayis University, Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Samsun, Turkey., Asci R; Ondokuz Mayis University, Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.; Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology (Retired)Samsun, Turkey. |
| Πηγή: | Reproduction, fertility, and development [Reprod Fertil Dev] 2026 Oct 15; Vol. 38 (15). |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 8907465 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1448-5990 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10313613 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Reprod Fertil Dev Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: East Melbourne, Vic., Australia : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, c1989- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | MicroRNAs*/genetics , MicroRNAs*/metabolism , Infertility, Male*/genetics , Infertility, Male*/metabolism , Spermatozoa*/metabolism , Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*/genetics , Epigenesis, Genetic* , Gene Regulatory Networks*, Varicocele/genetics ; Varicocele/metabolism ; Spermatogenesis/genetics ; Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies |
| Περίληψη: | Context: The epigenetic factors underlying varicocele and idiopathic infertility are still poorly understood, despite established pathophysiological mechanisms. Aims: This study assessed sperm miR-574 expression in infertile males with or without varicocele and fertile controls, evaluating its relationship with semen parameters and chromatin condensation. Methods: Thirty-eight participants were included, comprising idiopathic infertile men (n = 14), varicocele patients (n = 9), and fertile controls (n = 15). Aniline blue staining evaluated chromatin condensation; quantitative RT-PCR determined miR-574 expression. In silico analysis predicted target genes. Results: Idiopathic infertile men exhibited significantly lower expression of sperm miR-574, indicated by significantly higher ΔCq levels, than fertile controls (P = 0.031). The idiopathic group also showed a significantly higher ratio of aniline blue-positive, histone-rich spermatozoa than the controls (P = 0.002). Across the entire study cohort, a significant negative correlation was established between miR-574 ΔCq levels and the proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology (ρ = -0.465, P = 0.022). In silico analysis predicted that miR-574 targets key genes involved in chromatin regulation (H1FNT, CHD7), mitochondrial function (MRPS23, MARC2), and spermatogenesis (DAZL, SOHLH2). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential biological association where miR-574 downregulation may be a feature of idiopathic male infertility, potentially influencing gene networks involved in sperm formation and nuclear organization. Its precise regulatory mechanisms in male infertility subgroups warrant further large-scale validation. Implications: Sperm miR-574 targets critical spermatogenesis and mitochondrial genes, representing a potential epigenetic factor involved in germ cell differentiation. Although its direct utility as a diagnostic biomarker requires further validation, it provides a valuable conceptual framework for understanding the molecular complexity of idiopathic male factor infertility. (© 2026 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: aniline blue; epigenetic; histone; idiopathic male infertility; miR-574; sperm chromatin condensation; sperm epigenetics; varicocele |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (MicroRNAs) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260930 Date Completed: 20260930 Latest Revision: 20260930 |
| Update Code: | 20261001 |
| DOI: | 10.1071/RD26110 |
| PMID: | 42816179 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1448-5990 |
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| DOI: | 10.1071/RD26110 |