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New Advances of the Molecular Mechanisms of Gonad Development, Gametogenesis, and Fertilization

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 3151

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kenji Murata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Heal and Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: sperm-egg binding (cellular recognition); sperm penetration through the egg envelope; alteration of the egg envelope by components of the egg cortical granules to effect a block to polyspermy; modification of the egg envelope to protect and regulate the environment for the developing embryo
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The molecular mechanisms of gonad development and fertilization have been studied for many years using different species. Since Chiquoine identified mammalian primordial germ cells (PGCs) in 1954, the molecular mechanisms of germline establishment via embryogenic gonad development have been investigated. Investigations have focused on the roles of PGCs using many different species. As a result of these efforts, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of gonad development during embryogenesis, oogenesis and spermatogenesis in the developing ovary and testis, and fertilization has increased. However, research in these areas is still fragmented and/or limited for many animal species. To provide an integrated view of gonad development and fertilization and to further elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of gonad development and sperm-egg interactions (fertilization), authors are invited to submit manuscripts that will advance knowledge in the field of reproduction. Such knowledge may be applied to human reproduction and agricultural species and used to protect endangered species worldwide. Basic research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of gonad development, fertilization, and early development through hatching in invertebrate and vertebrate animals is applicable.

Dr. Kenji Murata
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • primordial germ cells
  • sex differentiation
  • extensive epigenetic reprogramming
  • Fertilization
  • oogenesis
  • spermatogenesis
  • vertebrate
  • imvertebrate
  • Sperm-egg interaction
  • folliculogenesis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2480 KiB  
Article
Differential Activity and Expression of Proteasome in Seminiferous Epithelium During Mouse Spermatogenesis
by Héctor Zapata-Carmona, Emilce Silvina Díaz, Patricio Morales and Marco Jara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020494 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
Proteasome-mediated protein degradation is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, particularly during spermatogenesis, where extensive cellular transformations, such as spermatid differentiation, require precise protein turnover. A key player in this process is the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). This study aimed to investigate proteasome enzymatic activity [...] Read more.
Proteasome-mediated protein degradation is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, particularly during spermatogenesis, where extensive cellular transformations, such as spermatid differentiation, require precise protein turnover. A key player in this process is the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). This study aimed to investigate proteasome enzymatic activity at different stages of the spermatogenic cycle within the seminiferous tubules of mice and explore the regulatory mechanisms that influence its proteolytic function. Specifically, we assessed the trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and peptidyl-glutamyl-peptide-hydrolyzing (PGPH) activities of the proteasome. Additionally, we examined the expression of catalytic and structural subunits of the 20S core, the assembly of the 20S core with regulatory complexes, and the phosphorylation status of proteasome subunits in various segments of the seminiferous tubules. Our findings demonstrated distinct patterns of proteasomal enzymatic activity in the analyzed segments. While the expression levels of structural and catalytic subunits of the 20S core remained consistent, significant differences were detected in the assembly of the 20S core, the expression of regulatory complexes, and the phosphorylation of proteasome subunits mediated by protein kinase A. These results indicate that proteasomal activity is finely regulated through multiple mechanisms depending on the specific stage of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, highlighting the complexity of proteostasis during spermatogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances of the Molecular Mechanisms of Gonad Development, Gametogenesis, and Fertilization)
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16 pages, 30704 KiB  
Article
Revealing Spermatogenesis in Smooth-Hound Sharks Mustelus mustelus: Insights into the Morphological and Macromolecular Composition of Spermatogenic Cells
by Giulia Chemello, Lorenzo Jacopo De Santis, Erica Trotta, Matteo Zarantoniello, Chiara Santoni, Francesca Maradonna, Ike Olivotto, Elisabetta Giorgini and Giorgia Gioacchini
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6230; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116230 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1294
Abstract
Elasmobranchs have an ancestral reproductive system, which offers insights into vertebrate reproductive evolution. Despite their unchanged design over 400 million years, they evolved complex mechanisms ensuring reproductive success. However, human activities induced a significant decline in elasmobranch populations worldwide. In the Mediterranean basin, [...] Read more.
Elasmobranchs have an ancestral reproductive system, which offers insights into vertebrate reproductive evolution. Despite their unchanged design over 400 million years, they evolved complex mechanisms ensuring reproductive success. However, human activities induced a significant decline in elasmobranch populations worldwide. In the Mediterranean basin, the smooth-hound shark (Mustelus mustelus) is one of the species that are considered vulnerable to human activities. Conservation efforts necessitate a thorough understanding of its reproductive strategy. This study focused on mature male specimens of smooth-hound sharks that were captured in the Adriatic area and successively analyzed to provide, for the first time, a histologically detailed description of testicular development in the species. Seven phases of the spermatogenesis process were identified, along with the macromolecular characterization of cells obtained using Fourier-transform infrared imaging. Histological analysis showed structural and cellular features similar to those documented in the spermatocysts of other elasmobranchs. The examination of the evolution and migration of both germinative and Sertoli cells at each phase revealed their close connection. Furthermore, different expression levels of lipids, proteins, and phosphates (DNA) at each spermatogenesis stage were observed. This research provided new information on spermatogenesis in the common smooth-hound shark, which is crucial for conservation efforts against population decline and anthropogenic pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances of the Molecular Mechanisms of Gonad Development, Gametogenesis, and Fertilization)
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Review

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20 pages, 1043 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Human Gametogenesis
by Nina Montik, Daniele Crescenzi, Carolina Marzocchini, Irene Lubinski, Linda Grementieri, Sonia Peruzzi, Marta Lombó, Andrea Ciavattini and Oliana Carnevali
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 3996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26093996 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex endocrine network involved in maintaining body homeostasis. It comprises endocannabinoids, their receptors (CB1 and CB2), and the enzymes and transporters responsible for their synthesis and degradation. While the ECS’s role in the nervous system is well [...] Read more.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex endocrine network involved in maintaining body homeostasis. It comprises endocannabinoids, their receptors (CB1 and CB2), and the enzymes and transporters responsible for their synthesis and degradation. While the ECS’s role in the nervous system is well established, its functions in other organs and peripheral tissues, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems, remain incompletely understood. With the increasing use of marijuana, particularly among individuals of reproductive age, concerns have emerged regarding its potential impact on male and female fertility. Phytocannabinoids (∆9tethrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), as well as synthetic cannabimimetic drugs, interact with the ECS, influencing sperm and oocyte physiology and reproductive outcomes. Recent research has identified ECS-related biomarkers with potential applications in infertility diagnosis, particularly in assessing male fertility with greater precision. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that ECS signaling pathways are involved in epigenetic modifications, which may influence health maintenance, disease susceptibility, and transgenerational inheritance patterns. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of ECS modulation in reproductive disorders and broader medical applications. This narrative review aims to elucidate the role of the ECS in human reproduction, with a particular focus on the influence of endocannabinoids on gametogenesis. While current research underscores the critical role of the ECS in fertility, further investigations are needed to fully elucidate its underlying mechanisms and its broader implications for reproductive health and therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances of the Molecular Mechanisms of Gonad Development, Gametogenesis, and Fertilization)
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