Sha Jiahao

Molecular cloning, identification and characteristics of NYD-SP9: Gene coding protein kinase presumably involved in spermatogenesis

Using cDNA microarray hybridization from a human testicular cDNA library, one gene exhibiting ten-fold difference at expression level between adult and embryo human testes was cloned and named NYD-SP9, which was believed to be involved in spermatogenesis. Southern blot hybridization results showed that NYD-SP9 expressed highly in testis but low in ovary. Protein motif analysis of this cDNA sequence revealed a cluster of phosphorylation sites, indicating its potential involvement in signal pathways during spermatogenesis. Furthermore, one transmembrane helix was predicted in N-terminal region, indicating that putative NYD-SP6 may be served as a transmembrane protein. The proximity of these potential phosphorylation sites to each other indicates that there may be interaction among these sites to regulate spermatogenesis. These findings suggested that protein kinase NYD-SP9 might play a role in male germ cell differentiation.

Fertility and reproductive health: the challenges and strategies in reproductive medicine—A summary of the 170th “Shuangqing Forum”

Reproductive health has been one of the most important topics in the area of population and heath, which deeply affects the economic and social development around the world and therefore is of universal concern. Currently, the fertility and reproductive health of human beings is seriously affected by gradually increased childbearing age, environment pollution, social stress, life style alteration, etc. In China, the “Second-Child” policy is also bringing new challenge for human reproductive health. To meet the challenge, the Department of Medical Science, Department of Information Science, Department of Chemical Science, Department of Life science, and Department of Policy in National Natural Science Foundation of China jointly hosted the 170th “Shuangqing Forum” focusing on “Fertility and reproductive health” on Dec 1–2, 2016. More than 40 experts in the fields of reproductive biology, reproductive medicine, reproductive engineering, genetics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, chemistry, imaging, and epidemiology were invited to attend the forum. The participants conducted full and in-depth discussion on five topics including “reproductive engineering and stem cells”, “germcell development and maturation”, “embryonic implantation and pregnancy maintain”, “fetal development and offspring health”, and “new technology in reproductive medicine”. The key scientific questions and major research directions in the field were subsequently summarized. This article reports the contents and scientific questions discussed in the forum, aiming to promote the development of the related areas.