Microinjection of antisense oligonucleotides into living mouse testis enables lncRNA function study

Cell & Bioscience

Chaoyang Huang¹  Juan Ni²  Li Ling³  Xiaolian Shi³  Jiaqi Zhu³  Wu Li³  Yang Li³  Huicong Zhai³  Suni Ye³  Zhaohui Chen³  Ke Zheng³  Bangjin Zheng³  Hao Wang³  Zhenlong Kang³  Lingxiu Tong³ 

[1]Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310014, Zhejiang, China

[2]Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, 310015, Zhejiang, China

[3]State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China

关键词: lncRNA (long non-coding RNA);    Tsx;    ASO (antisense oligonucleotide);    Knock down;    Testis injection;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13578-021-00717-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been the focus of ongoing research in a diversity of cellular processes. LncRNAs are abundant in mammalian testis, but their biological function remains poorly known.ResultsHere, we established an antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)-based targeting approach that can efficiently knock down lncRNA in living mouse testis. We cloned the full-length transcript of lncRNA Tsx (testis-specific X-linked) and defined its testicular localization pattern. Microinjection of ASOs through seminiferous tubules in vivo significantly lowered the Tsx levels in both nucleus and cytoplasm. This effect lasted no less than 10 days, conducive to the generation and maintenance of phenotype. Importantly, ASOs performed better in depleting the nuclear Tsx and sustained longer effect than small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In addition to the observation of an elevated number of apoptotic germ cells upon ASOs injection, which recapitulates the documented description of Tsx knockout, we also found a specific loss of meiotic spermatocytes despite overall no impact on meiosis and male fertility.ConclusionsOur study detailed the characterization of Tsx and illustrates ASOs as an advantageous tool to functionally interrogate lncRNAs in spermatogenesis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY