Epigenetics is involved in regulating spermatogenesis and spermatogenesis. Acetylation of histone and non-histone plays a key role in the reconstruction of chromatin structure and sperm motility in spermatogenic cells. The binding protein (CBP) and P300 of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) reaction element connexin (CREB) are two acetylase enzymes, which can acetylate core histone, and their acetylation can be inhibited by the acetylase inhibitor (INHAT). Testicle-specific Bromo domain (BRDT) proteins are conserved nucleoproteins that recognize acetylated and non-acetylated histones. In the early stage of spermatogenesis, BRDT regulates gene transcription; in the spermatogenesis stage, BRDT recognizes highly acetylated histones, which are then replaced by protamine to form dense chromatin. Deacetylation of non-histone alpha tubulin (alpha-Tubulin) decreases sperm motility, and acetylated alpha-tubulin (Ac-alpha-Tu) decreases significantly in oligoasthenospermia patients.

Juan Zhang, Hui Li, Advances in the relationship between protein acetylation and sperm DNA stability and sperm motility. Frontiers in Medical Science Research (2019) Vol. 1 Issue 1: 42-47. https://doi.org/10.25236/FMSR.20190104.

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