Acyl-CoA synthetase 6 regulates long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids in spermatids and supports normal spermatogenic processes in mice.

ABSTRACT: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5), have versatile physiologic functions. Studies have suggested that DHA and DPA are beneficial for maintaining sperm quality. However, their mechanisms of action are still unclear because of the poor understanding of DHA/DPA metabolism in the testis. DHA and DPA are mainly stored as LCPUFA-containing phospholipids and support normal spermatogenesis. Long-chain acyl-conenzyme A (CoA) synthetase (ACSL) 6 is an enzyme that preferentially converts LCPUFA into LCPUFA-CoA. Here, we report that ACSL6 knockout (KO) mice display severe male infertility due to attenuated sperm numbers and function. ACSL6 is highly expressed in differentiating spermatids, and ACSL6 KO mice h

SUBMITTER: Shishikura K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6894091 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature