Testes and duct deferens of mice during space flight: cytoskeleton structure, sperm-specific proteins and epigenetic events

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 5;9(1):9730. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46324-3.

Abstract

To analyze the effect of gravity on the structure of germinal tissues, we examined tissues of the testes and duct deferens of mice that were exposed to space flight conditions for 21-24 days (experiment Rodent Research-4, SpaceX-10 mission, February 2017, USA). We evaluated the levels of cytoskeletal proteins, sperm-specific proteins, and epigenetic events; in particular, we evaluated levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and of enzymes that regulate DNA methylation/demethylation. We did not detect changes in the levels of cytoskeletal proteins, sperm-specific proteins, DNA-methylases, DNA demethylases, DNA acetylases, or histone deacetylases. However, there were changes at the gene expression level. In particular, there was an increase in the demethylase Tet2 and a decrease in the histone deacetylase Hdac1. These gene expression changes may be of key importance during the early period of readaptation since they could lead to an increase in the expression of target genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methylcytosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 5-Methylcytosine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Dioxygenases
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / genetics*
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylases / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Organ Specificity
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Space Flight
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Vas Deferens / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
  • 5-Methylcytosine
  • Dioxygenases
  • Tet2 protein, mouse
  • Hdac1 protein, mouse
  • Histone Deacetylase 1
  • Histone Deacetylases