從D-box突變到精子異常的發展途徑
最後,研究人員想有沒有什麼辦法能阻止這一「悲劇」的發生呢?於是他們嘗試了將能和Miwi蛋白結合的,RNF8上的一段RNF8-N肽用載體轉進了小鼠體內。結果顯示,RNF8-N肽順利地與精子中「滯留」的Miwi蛋白結合,而其餘的RNF8就「逃過一劫」,像正常發育時一樣進入了精子細胞核中,由此產生的精子形態恢復了正常,而且研究人員還觀察到了它們能正常地「遊動」。也就是說,這種方法「拯救」了無精症小鼠!
總的來說,這項研究為我們揭示了由Piwi基因突變到精子異常型不育的「蝴蝶效應」,而且還驗證了一種「幹預手段」,儘管這一手段還只是在小鼠體內適用。我們也希望研究能早日進入臨床,造福廣大有困擾的夫妻!
參考文獻:
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