News Release

Keqin Zhang/Chenggang Zou revealed that Vitellogenin accumulation leads to reproductive senescence by impairing lysosomal function in C. elegans

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Science China Press

Vitellogenin accumulation leads to reproductive senescence by impairing lysosomal function

image: Yolk proteins are the most abundant proteins in eggs, which are composed of lipids and lipid-binding proteins called vitellogenins (vit) . In both vertebrates and invertebrates, the yolk proteins are synthesized by a tissue outside the gonad, and deposited into oocytes by a vitellogenin receptor RME-2 to provide essential nutrients to support the development of the embryo in a process called vitellogenesis. With the increase of nematode age, excess vitellogenin is accumulated in the intestine and transported into the germline via RME-2, impairing lysosomal activity in these tissues,which leads to the deterioration of oocyte quality. Downregulation of vitellogenin vit gene expression by knockout or silencing promoted the expression of lysosomal acid lipase gene lipl-4 . lipl-4 may promote the activity of lysosomes by increasing the content of PUFAs, inhibit the accumulation of vitellogenin in the germline, improve the quality of oocytes, and delay the reproductive aging of C. elegans. view more 

Credit: ©Science China Press

Recently, the Science China -Life Sciences published the research results of Keqin Zhang's team online.The maintenance of proteostasis is essential for cellular and organism healthspan. How proteostasis collapse influences reproductive span remains largely unclear.

This study, using fluorescent expression and knockdown of the vitellogenin gene, found that during reproductive aging, excessive vitellogenin accumulation occurs and is widespread throughout the body, leading to reproductive arrest. By knocking down the vitellogenin receptor RME-2 and lysosomal activity assays, it was found that excess vitellogenin is accumulated in the intestine and transported into the germline, impairing lysosomal activity in these tissues. And find that the lysosomal function in the germline is required for reproductive span by maintaining oocyte quality. In contrast, autophagy and sperm depletion are not involved in vitellogenin accumulation-induced reproductive aging. This study provide insights into how proteome imbalance has an impact on reproductive aging and imply that improvement of lysosomal function is an effective approach for mid-life intervention for maintaining reproductive health in mammals.

See the article:

Tang, J., Ma, Y.C., Chen, Y.L., Yang, R.Q., Liu, H.C., Wang, X., Ni, B., Zou, C.G., and Zhang, K.Q. (2023). Vitellogenin accumulation leads to reproductive senescence by impairing lysosomal function. Sci China Life Sci 66, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-022-2242-8


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