A small secreted protein NICOL regulates lumicrine-mediated sperm maturation and male fertility

Daiji Kiyozumi*, Kentaro Shimada, Michael Chalick, Chihiro Emori, Mayo Kodani, Seiya Oura, Taichi Noda, Tsutomu Endo, Martin M. Matzuk, Daniel H. Wreschner*, Masahito Ikawa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mammalian spermatozoa produced in the testis require functional maturation in the epididymis for their full competence. Epididymal sperm maturation is regulated by lumicrine signalling pathways in which testis-derived secreted signals relocate to the epididymis lumen and promote functional differentiation. However, the detailed mechanisms of lumicrine regulation are unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that a small secreted protein, NELL2-interacting cofactor for lumicrine signalling (NICOL), plays a crucial role in lumicrine signalling in mice. NICOL is expressed in male reproductive organs, including the testis, and forms a complex with the testis-secreted protein NELL2, which is transported transluminally from the testis to the epididymis. Males lacking Nicol are sterile due to impaired NELL2-mediated lumicrine signalling, leading to defective epididymal differentiation and deficient sperm maturation but can be restored by NICOL expression in testicular germ cells. Our results demonstrate how lumicrine signalling regulates epididymal function for successful sperm maturation and male fertility.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2354
JournalNature Communications
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023

Funding

FundersFunder number
Osaka University
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationINV-001902
Japan Science and Technology AgencyJPMJPR2143, JPMJCR21N1
Futaba foundation223074
Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceJP19H05750, JP21H05033, JP21H02487, JP21H00231, 21K19263
National Institutes of HealthR01HD088412, P01HD087157
Japan Foundation for Applied Enzymology2022-12

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