Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for testis development and male fertility in mice

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Jun 11;12(6):604. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03885-4.

Abstract

Kindlin-2 is known to play important roles in the development of mesoderm-derived tissues including myocardium, smooth muscle, cartilage and blood vessels. However, nothing is known for the role of Kindlin-2 in mesoderm-derived reproductive organs. Here, we report that loss of Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells caused severe testis hypoplasia, abnormal germ cell development and complete infertility in male mice. Functionally, loss of Kindlin-2 inhibits proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs phagocytosis in Sertoli cells and destroyed the integration of blood-testis barrier structure in testes. Mechanistically, Kindlin-2 interacts with LATS1 and YAP, the key components of Hippo pathway. Kindlin-2 impedes LATS1 interaction with YAP, and depletion of Kindlin-2 enhances LATS1 interaction with YAP, increases YAP phosphorylation and decreases its nuclear translocation. For clinical relevance, lower Kindlin-2 expression and decreased nucleus localization of YAP was found in SCOS patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for sperm development and male reproduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology*
  • Fertility / genetics*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / genetics
  • Infertility, Male / metabolism
  • Infertility, Male / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology*
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / physiology
  • Testis / growth & development*
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • kindlin-2 protein, mouse