SEL1L is Dispensable for ER Homeostasis and Function in Spermatogenic Cells

The SEL1L-HRD1 complex is a critical component of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation (ERAD) pathway, essential for maintaining ER homeostasis and cellular function. While the importance of SEL1L and HRD1 in various physiological processes have been reported in mice and humans, their specific functions in male germ cells remain unexplored. This study aims to investigate the role of SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD in spermatogenesis process. To achieve this, we conducted whole genome RNA sequencing to identify genes differentially regulated in testes from male germ cell specific SEL1L-deficient mice. Transcriptomic analysis of testes from 7-week-old male germ cell-specific SEL1L knockout (Sel1Lflox/;Stra8-Cre, i.e. KOStra8) mice and heterozygous (Sel1Lflox/, i.e. HETStra8) littermates by unbiased whole genome RNA sequencing.SEL1L-HRD1复合物是内质网（endoplasmic reticulum, ER）相关蛋白降解（ER-associated protein degradation, ERAD）通路的核心组成部分，对维持内质网稳态与细胞功能不可或缺。尽管已有研究在小鼠与人类中报道了SEL1L与HRD1在多种生理过程中的重要作用，但二者在雄性生殖细胞中的具体功能仍未被探明。本研究旨在探究SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD在精子发生过程中的功能。为达成这一研究目标，我们开展了全基因组RNA测序，以鉴定雄性生殖细胞特异性SEL1L缺陷小鼠睾丸内的差异调控基因。我们通过无偏倚全基因组RNA测序，对7周龄雄性生殖细胞特异性SEL1L敲除（Sel1Lflox/;Stra8-Cre，即KOStra8）小鼠及其杂合子（Sel1Lflox/，即HETStra8）同窝对照小鼠的睾丸样本进行了转录组分析。