[Role of CYCS in the cytogenesis and apoptosis of male germ cells and its clinical application].

In order to maintain the stability of intracellular environment, various cells die autonomously in vivo, which is called apoptosis. As a key factor of cell apoptosis in the mitochondrial pathway, cytochrome c, somatic (CYCS) plays an important role in the process of male spermatogenesis. Based on more than 40 recent studies on CYCS by Chinese and foreign scholars, this review focuses on the involvement of CYCS in the mechanisms of the apoptosis and anti-apoptosis of germ cells and in the regulation of their quality and activity and also outlines the role of CYCS in marking male reproductive performance as well as in male infertility and its underlying mechanisms.

Characteristics of Circular RNA Expression Profiles of Porcine Granulosa Cells in Healthy and Atretic Antral Follicles.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are thought to play essential roles in multiple biological processes, including apoptosis, an important process in antral follicle atresia. We aimed to investigate the potential involvement of circRNAs in granulosa cell apoptosis and thus antral follicle atresia. CircRNA expression profiles were generated from porcine granulosa cells isolated from healthy antral (HA) and atretic antral (AA) follicles. Over 9632 circRNAs were identified, of which 62 circRNAs were differentially expressed (DE-circRNAs). Back-splicing, RNase R resistance, and stability of DE-circRNAs were validated, and miRNA binding sites and related target genes were predicted. Two exonic circRNAs with low false discovery rate (FDR) high fold change, miRNA binding sites, and relevant biological functions-circ_CBFA2T2 and circ_KIF16B-were selected for further characterization. qRT-PCR and linear regression analysis confirmed expression and correlation of the targeted genes-the antioxidant gene GCLC (potential target of circ_CBFA2T2) and the apoptotic gene TP53 (potential target of circ_KIF16B). Increased mRNA content of TP53 in granulosa cells of AA follicles was further confirmed by strong immunostaining of both p53 and its downstream target pleckstrin homology like domain family a member 3 (PHLDA3) in AA follicles compared to negligible staining in granulosa cells of HA follicles. Therefore, we concluded that aberrantly expressed circRNAs presumably play a potential role in antral follicular atresia.