Ionizing Radiation-Induced RPL23a Reduction Regulates Apoptosis via RPL11-MDM2-p53 Pathway in Mouse Spermatogonia

Objective The expression patterns of ribosomal large subunit protein 23 a(RPL23 a)in mouse testes and GC-1 cells were analyzed to investigate the potential relationship between RPL23 a expression and spermatogonia apoptosis upon exposure to X-ray.Methods Male mice and GC-1 cells were irradiated with X-ray,terminal dUTP nick end-labelling(TUNEL)was performed to detect apoptotic spermatogonia in vivo.Apoptotic rate and cell cycle phase of GC-1 cells were analyzed with flow cytometry.Protein interactions were detected by Immunoprecipitation and protein localization as studied by immunofluorescence.Immunoblotting and real-time PCR were applied to analyze to protein and gene expression.Results Ionizing radiation(IR)increased spermatogonia apoptosis,the expression of RPL11,MDM2 and p53,and decreased RPL23 a expression in mice spermatogonia in vivo and in vitro.RPL23 a knockdown weakened the interaction between RPL23 a and RPL11,leading to p53 accumulation.Moreover,knockdown and IR decreased RPL23 a that induces spermatogonia apoptosis via RPL23 a-RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway in GC-1 cells.Conclusion These results suggested that IR reduced RPL23 a expression,leading to weakened the RPL23 a-RPL11 interactions,which may have activated p53,resulting in spermatogonia apoptosis.These results provide insights into environmental and clinical risks of radiotherapy following exposure to IR in male fertility.The graphical abstract was available in the web of www.besjournal.com.