• PMID: 30239785
• Gene Name: CATSPERE
• Condition: Compromised fertilizing ability
• Association: Associated
• Mutation: 6-bp deletion in exon 18 (c.2393_2398delCTATGG, rs761237686)
• Population size: 1
• Population details: 1 patient with loss of CatSper function and compromised fertilizing capacity
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: Catsper
• Other associated phenotypes: Compromised fertilizing ability

Homozygous in-frame deletion in CATSPERE in a man producing spermatozoa with loss of CatSper function and compromised fertilizing capacity

Brown SG, Miller MR, Lishko PV, Lester DH, Publicover SJ, Barratt CLR, Martins Da Silva S.

STUDY QUESTION: Does a man (patient 1) with a previously described deficiency in principle cation channel of sperm (CatSper) function have a mutation in the CatSper-epsilon (CATSPERE) and/or CatSper-zeta (CATSPERZ) gene? SUMMARY ANSWER: Patient 1 has a homozygous in-frame 6-bp deletion in exon 18 (c.2393_2398delCTATGG, rs761237686) of CATSPERE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: CatSper is the principal calcium channel of mammalian spermatozoa. Spermatozoa from patient 1 had a specific loss of CatSper function and were unable to fertilize at IVF. Loss of CatSper function could not be attributed to genetic abnormalities in coding regions of seven CatSper subunits. Two additional subunits (CatSper-epsilon (CATPSERE) and CatSper-zeta (CATSPERZ)) were recently identified, and are now proposed to contribute to the formation of the mature channel complex. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This was a basic medical research study analysing genomic data from a single patient (patient 1) for defects in CATSPERE and CATSPERZ. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The original exome sequencing data for patient 1 were analysed for mutations in CATSPERE and CATSPERZ. Sanger sequencing was conducted to confirm the presence of a rare variant. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Patient 1 is homozygous for an in-frame 6-bp deletion in exon 18 (c.2393_2398delCTATGG, rs761237686) of CATSPERE that is predicted to be highly deleterious. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The nature of the molecular deficit caused by the rs761237686 variant and whether it is exclusively responsible for the loss of CatSper function remain to be elucidated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Population genetics are available for a significant number of predicted deleterious variants of CatSper subunits. The consequence of homozygous and compound heterozygous forms on sperm fertilization potential could be significant. Selective targeting of CatSper subunit expression maybe a feasible strategy for the development of novel contraceptives. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by project grants from the MRC (MR/K013343/1 and MR/012492/1), Chief Scientist Office/NHS research Scotland. This work was also supported by NIH R01GM111802, Pew Biomedical Scholars Award 00028642 and Packer Wentz Endowment Will to P.V.L. C.L.R.B is the editor-in-chief of Molecular Human Reproduction, has received lecturing fees from Merck and Ferring, and is on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Ohana BioSciences. C.L.R.B was chair of the World Health Organization Expert Synthesis Group on Diagnosis of Male infertility (2012-2016). FAU - Brown, Sean G AU - Brown SG AD - School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK. FAU - Miller, Melissa R AU - Miller MR AD - Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. FAU - Lishko, Polina V AU - Lishko PV AD - Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. FAU - Lester, Douglas H AU - Lester DH AD - School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK. FAU - Publicover, Stephen J AU - Publicover SJ AD - School of Biosciences, the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. FAU - Barratt, Christopher L R AU - Barratt CLR AD - Reproductive and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. AD - Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.