Coevolution and Adaptation of Transition Nuclear Proteins and Protamines in Naturally Ascrotal Mammals Support the Black Queen Hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: Protamines (PRMs) and transition nuclear proteins (TNPs) are two key classes of sperm nuclear basic proteins that regulate chromatin reorganization and condensation in the spermatozoon head, playing crucial roles in mammalian spermatogenesis. In scrotal mammals, such as humans, cryptorchidism, the failure of the testes to descend into the scrotal sac is generally associated with higher rates of defective spermatozoon quality and function. However, ascrotal mammals, such as cetaceans, with naturally undescended testes, produce normal spermatozoa similar to their scrotal counterparts. This study investigates the evolutionary pattern and functional changes in PRMs and TNPs to explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis in naturally ascrotal mammals. Although we found

SUBMITTER: Chai S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652718 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature