Mouse Tspyl5 promotes spermatogonia proliferation through enhancing Pcna-mediated DNA replication

Context The human TSPY1 (testis-specific protein, Y-linked 1) gene is critical for spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, there have been difficulties with studying the mechanism underlying its function, partly due to the presence of the Tspy1 pseudogene in mice. Aims TSPYL5 (TSPY-like 5), an autosomal homologous gene of TSPY1 showing a similar expression pattern in both human and mouse testes, is also speculated to play a role in male spermatogenesis. It is beneficial to understand the role of TSPY1 in spermatogenesis by investigating Tspyl5 functions. Methods Tspyl5-knockout mice were generated to investigate the effect of TSPYL5 knockout on spermatogenesis. Key results Tspyl5 deficiency caused a decline in fertility and decreased the numbers of spermatogonia and spermatozoa in aged male mice. Trancriptomic detection of spermatogonia derived from aged Tspyl5-knockout mice revealed that the Pcna-mediated DNA replication pathway was downregulated. Furthermore, Tspyl5 was proven to facilitate spermatogonia proliferation and upregulate Pcna expression by promoting the ubiquitination-degradation of the TRP53 protein. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Tspyl5 is a positive regulator for the maintenance of the spermatogonia pool by enhancing Pcna-mediated DNA replication. Implications This observation provides an important clue for further investigation of the spermatogenesis-related function of TSPY1.