A novel protein encoded by circRsrc1 regulates mitochondrial ribosome assembly and translation during spermatogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of mammalian RNAs. Several protein products translated by circRNAs have been reported to be involved in the development of various tissues and systems; however, their physiological functions in male reproduction have yet not been explored. Here, we report an endogenous circRNA (circRsrc1) that encodes a novel 161-amino-acid protein which we named Rsrc1-161aa through circRNA sequencing coupled with mass spectrometry analysis on mouse testicular tissues. Deletion of Rsrc1-161aa in mice impaired male fertility with a significant decrease in sperm count and motility due to dysfunctions of mitochondrial energy metabolism. A series of in vitro rescue experiments revealed that circRsrc1 regulates mitochondrial functions via its encoded protein Rsrc1-161a

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10127071 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature