METTL5 deficiency induces oligoasthenoteratozoospermia via impaired 18S rRNA m6A methylation in humans and mice

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted RNA modifications as integral regulators of gene expression during spermatogenesis. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are the most abundant RNA in cells, while the function and clinical relevance of rRNA modifications in spermatogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we identified 4 pathogenic heterozygous variants of METTL5 in 1,427 patients with male infertility characterized as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). The pathogenic variants of METTL5 led to the significantly decreased expression level of METTL5. Null mutation of 18S rRNA methyltransferase Mettl5 led to male infertility attributed to OAT during spermiogenesis, presenting defects in both the sperm head and tail. Notwithstanding the absence of notable changes in global translation after Mettl5 loss, we observed a compromised translational efficiency of mRNAs encoding proteins crucial for spermiogenesis, including Gk2, Akap4, Fsip2, Odf2, and Pgk2. Intriguingly, therapeutic interventions via intracytoplasmic sperm injection in OAT couples with these variants resulted in successful pregnancies. These insights not only identify METTL5-mediated 18S rRNA m⁶A modification as a novel genetic determinant for OAT but also offer a new target to the genetic counseling, clinical diagnosis, and potential treatment strategies for male infertility.

Keywords: METTL5 variants; m(6)A; modification; oligoasthenoteratozoospermia; rRNA N6-methyladenosine; spermiogenesis.