ACROSIN deficiency causes total fertilization failure in humans by preventing the sperm from penetrating the zona pellucida

Abstract

Study question: Does a homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR lead to total fertilization failure (TFF) resulting in male infertility in humans?

Summary answer: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation of ACR (c.167G>A, p.Trp56X) was identified in two infertile brothers and shown to cause human TFF.

What is known already: ACROSIN, encoded by ACR, is a major acrosomal enzyme expressed only in the acrosome of the sperm head. Inhibition of acrosin prevents sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (ZP) in several species, including humans. Acr-knockout in hamsters causes male infertility with completely blocked fertilization. Of note, there are no reports of ACR mutations associated with TFF in humans.

Study design, size, duration: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used for the identification of pathogenic genes for male factor TFF in eight involved couples.

Participants/materials, setting, methods: Data from eight infertile couples who had experienced TFF during their IVF or ICSI attempts were collected. Functional assays were used to verify the pathogenicity of the potential genetic factors identified by WES. Subzonal insemination (SUZI) and IVF assays were performed to determine the exact pathogenesis of TFF caused by deficiencies in ACROSIN.

Main results and the role of chance: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR, c.167G>A, p.Trp56X, was identified in two additional primary infertile brothers whose parents were first cousins. This rare mutation caused ACROSIN deficiency and acrosomal ultrastructural defects in the affected sperm. Spermatozoa lacking ACROSIN were unable to penetrate the ZP, rather than hampering sperm binding, disrupting gamete fusion, or preventing oocyte activation. These findings were supported by the fertilization success of SUZI and ICSI attempts, as well as the normal expression of ACTL7A and PLCζ in the mutant sperm, suggesting that ICSI without remedial assisted oocyte activation is an optimal treatment for ARCOSIN-deficient TFF.

Limitations, reasons for caution: The absence of another independent pedigree to support our argument is a limitation of this study.

Wider implications of the findings: The findings expand our understanding of the genes involved in human TFF, providing information for appropriate genetic counseling and fertility guidance for these patients.

Study funding/competing interest(s): This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82201803, 81901541, 82271639, and 32000584), University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province (GXXT-2019-044), and the Nonprofit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (grant no. 2019PT310002). The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Trial registration number: N/A.

Keywords: ACROSIN; male infertility; spermatozoa penetration; total fertilization failure; zona pellucida.