Conserved Spermatogonial Gene Networks Couple to Glutathione and Pentose Phosphate Metabolism but not Cysteine Biosynthesis

Here, gene profiles in rat spermatogonial stem cell lines are compared to publicly available mouse, monkey and human spermatogonial gene profiles. Interestingly, rat spermatogonia expressed metabolic control factors Foxa1, Foxa2 and Foxa3. Germline Foxa2 was enriched in Gfra1Hi and Gfra1Low undifferentiated A-single spermatogonia. Foxa2-bound loci in spermatogonial chromatin were over-represented by conserved stemness genes (Dusp6, Gfra1, Etv5, Rest, Nanos2, Foxp1) that intersect bioinformatically with conserved glutathione/pentose phosphate metabolism genes (Tkt, Gss, Gclc, Gclm, Gpx1, Gpx4, Fth), marking elevated spermatogonial GSH:GSSG. Cystine-uptake and intracellular conversion to cysteine typically couple glutathione biosynthesis to pentose phosphate metabolism. Rat spermatogonia, curiously, displayed poor germline stem cell viability in cystine-containing media, and, like primate spermatogonia, exhibited reduced transsulfuration pathway markers. Exogenous cysteine, cysteine-like mercaptans, somatic testis cells and ferroptosis inhibitors counteracted the cysteine starvation-induced spermatogonial death and stimulated spermatogonial growth factor activity in vitro.