NEDD4 controls spermatogonial stem cell homeostasis and stress response by regulating messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes

Nat Commun. 2017 Jun 6:8:15662. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15662.

Abstract

P bodies (PBs) and stress granules (SGs) are conserved cytoplasmic aggregates of cellular messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) that are implicated in mRNA metabolism and play crucial roles in adult stem cell homeostasis and stress responses. However, the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of mRNP granules are poorly understood. Here, we report NEDD4, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a key regulator of mRNP dynamics that controls the size of the spermatogonial progenitor cell (SPC) pool. We find that NEDD4 targets an RNA-binding protein, NANOS2, in spermatogonia to destabilize it, leading to cell differentiation. In addition, NEDD4 is required for SG clearance. NEDD4 targets SGs and facilitates their rapid clearance through the endosomal-lysosomal pathway during the recovery period. Therefore, NEDD4 controls the turnover of mRNP components and inhibits pathological SG accumulation. Accordingly, we propose that a NEDD4-mediated mechanism regulates mRNP dynamics, and facilitates SPC homeostasis and viability under normal and stress conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases / physiology*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Ribonucleoproteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermatogonia / physiology*
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Temperature
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / physiology
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Nanos2 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • messenger ribonucleoprotein
  • Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases
  • Nedd4 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases