IFRB 2017 POINTS OF IN- TEREST: 2017, ISSUE 1 The IFRB was orga- nized in 1992 and is one of the largest Repro- ductive Biology Pro- New IFRB Faculty Spotlight grams in the US Dr. Tracy Clement joined uniquely adapted cytoskeletal and Membership includes 39 the Department of Veterinary chromatin remodeling processes in faculty from 9 depart- Physiology and Pharmacology the spermatid. She has shown that ments, 4 colleges and 2 as an Assistant Professor in spermatid specific Actin Like 7B system components 2017 and is a new member of (ACTL7B) is required for spermio- the IFRB. Current research fo- genesis and male fertility, and more IFRB sponsored activi- cuses on molecular and cellular specifically for association of cyto- ties: 23rd Annual R.O. mechanisms of spermatid morpho- skeletal structures with spermatid Berry Lecture, 24 year genesis, to better understand male membranes including nuclear and old IFRB Repro Forum fertility and high fidelity transmis- acrosomal membranes. Specific dis- Seminar Series, 23nd sion of genetic and epigenetic infor- ruptions in filamentous actin struc- Texas Forum on Repro- mation to the next generation. tures and microtubule structures in ductive Sciences, An- Dr. Clement received her Doc- the developing spermatids are seen nual IFRB Retreat toral degree in Genetics and Cell in ACTL7B-null mice. Dr. Clement Biology at Washington State Uni- has identified protein-protein associ- versity. There, with Dr. Michael ations relevant to the observed de- Skinner, she studied programs in fects and is now using cell-free pro- INSIDE THIS gonadal fate decisions at sex deter- tein dynamics assays to assess the ISSUE: mination. Subsequently, she joined associations on a molecular and bio- the National Institute of Environ- chemical level in her on-going studies New IFRB Faculty 1 mental Health Sciences (NIEHS) funded through an NIH K99/R00 Spotlight working with Dr. Mitch Eddy for postdoctoral studies Pathways to independence grant. The relevance of focused on adult testis function, before joining Texas these associations in spermiogenesis and the overall IFRB Member & 3 cytoskeletal dynamics during spermiogenesis are also Postdoc Spotlights A&M University. 4 Dr. Clement’s current research on Actin Related Pro- being investigated in a testis explant culture system and tein (ARP) roles in cellular and nuclear morphogenesis, through generation of additional mouse models. IFRB Seminar 5 has implications for basic cellular processes as well as In addition to the cytoskeletal regulation in sperma- Series tids, Dr. Clement is investigating ARP mediated regula- male fertility. Novel investigations of male fertility are Trainee News 6 important because there remains a need for novel male tion of chromatin dynamics during spermiogene- contraceptive options. Conversely, approximately seven sis. Recent evidence suggests that nuclear actin and ARPs can modulate the function of chromatin interact- Snapshot of IFRB 7 percent of couples experience infertility due to male Research factor infertility contributions. Nearly half of the cases of ing complexes in somatic cells. Chromatin remodeling male infertility are idiopathic and frequently associated in spermatids is unique where histone-like protamines 23rd R.O. Berry 9 replace most nucleosomal complexes. Nucleosome-to- Memorial Lecture with abnormal sperm morphology. Morphogenesis of the mammalian spermatid includes significant cytoskele- protamine exchange results in chromatin six times more compact than metaphase chromosomes. Evi- IFRB Graduate tal remodeling, including rearrangements unique to sper- 11 dence suggests that these rearrangements are required Students miogenesis which contribute to the development of the sperm and fertility. These spermiogenic cytoskeletal for high fidelity transmission of the genome to the next generation, and for epigenetic regulation, alterations of Faculty Activities 12 rearrangements give rise to a microtubule based intra- cellular transport organelle called the Manchette, and an which can be inherited. Despite the importance of F-actin plate between the acrosome and the nucleus these chromatin rearrangements, mechanisms involved in spermatid histone replacement are not well under- 11th Annual IFRB 18 called the acroplaxome, both of which are dynamic dur- Retreat ing spermatid morphogenesis (see Figure 1, page 2). stood. Dr. Clement is investigating how testis enriched The family of ARPs at the heart of Dr. Clement’s cur- ARPs contribute to nucleosomal dynamics during sper- rent investigations are known to play roles in both cyto- miogenesis and the consequences for male fertility. skeletal regulation and chromatin remodeling processes Dr. Clement’s long term goal is to elucidate mecha- in somatic cells. Dr. Clement hypothesized that novel nisms regulating spermiogenesis by integrating molecu- testis enriched ARP family members contribute to the lar and cellular biology, and in vivo, ex situ, and in vitro (continued on page 2) PAGE 2 New Faculty, Tracy Clement (cont’d from page 1) approaches to investigate cytoskeletal and nuclear genesis which has shaped her research program. Texas Forum for Re- restructuring processes with the goal of increasing our In addition to Dr. Clement’s research and grantsman- productive Sciences understanding of male fertility and more generally, ship, she has a history of contributing through service, (TFRS) mechanisms of cellular restructuring. This line of re- outreach, and leadership. This includes serving on institu- search was influenced by, and built from, her previous tional strategic planning committees, leading student and research experiences. In Dr. Clement’s work with Dr. postdoctoral career development committees in govern- Skinner, she used transcriptomics, gonadal tissue cul- ment and academic institutions, and serving on the board ture models of testis differentiation, and promoter of directors for the Society for the Study of Reproduction mutational assays to identify novel direct transcription- as Trainee Representative to oversee the activities of, and al targets for the gonadal sex determining gene SRY, develop opportunities for, all of the societies graduate and and identified developmental alterations in the tran- postdoctoral trainee members. Dr. Clement particularly scriptome of gonads differentiating into testis or ovary enjoyed developing needs based programing such as facili- in normal and toxicant exposed gonads. For these tating grants workshops, networking events, and career studies, Dr. Clement was awarded support through fairs. One of Dr. Clement’s major service-leadership ac- SAVE THE DATE the peer reviewed NIH-CRP-LRP grant program. Dr. complishments was the development of an industry explo- Clement’s current interests were influenced by the ration program partnering with local industry in Research The Twenty-Fourth work in Dr. Skinner’s Laboratory on the phenomenon Triangle Park NC. It started as a program for trainees at TFRS meeting of environmental exposure induced transgenerational the NIEHS and has grown into a consortium serving multi- Honoring Dr. Barbara phenotypes. Identifying mechanistic links for such phe- ple institutions including the NIEHS, University of North Sanborn nomena has proven challenging because we still have Carolina Chapel Hill, and Duke University. This program will be held on April 5- so much to learn about epigenetics in general including gets trainees on-site exposure to a variety of industry 6, 2018 at the MD the regulation of chromatin dynamics. Dr. Clement career options to facilitate career exploration and devel- Anderson Onstead says, this is one of the reasons that the ARP family of opment. Dr. Clement is passionate about helping to train Auditorium, 6550 Bert- proteins is of interest as they are involved in chroma- the next generation of scientists for academia and beyond ner, tin remodeling and have the potential to mediate chro- in a broad range of careers. She is currently recruiting Houston, TX matin dynamics and epigenetics. Dr. Clement’s work graduate students for 2018 and looking forward to oppor- at the NIEHS with Dr. Mitch Eddy was also influential. tunities to contribute to the TAMU graduate education Thursday Plenary Here, she investigated genetic factors in meiotic and and research missions. Dr. Clement is also open to addi- Speaker, Dr. Dolores post-meiotic germ line development, identifying conse- tional collaborations investigating male germline develop- J. Lamb, PhD, HCLD , quences of spermatocyte meiotic arrest in nuclear ment, maturation, and fertility, and is enthusiastic to be Professor, Scott De- remodeling and novel factors in spermiogenic cytoskel- starting her lab at Texas A&M University with so many partment of Urology etal regulation for morphogenesis gaining an apprecia- fantastic colleagues in the IFRB faculty across the TAMU and Molecular and tion for the unique and complex process of spermio- Colleges and Departments. Cellullar Biology, Baylor College of Figure 1. The Dynamic Cytoskeleton of Medicine the Developing Spermatid. Upper panel: During spermiogenesis drastic restructuring of the haploid round sper- Friday Plenary Speaker matid is required to form fertilization Dr. Mala Mahendro, competent sperm. Among the altera- Professor, Department tions required for morphogenesis are of Obstetrics and the formation of spermatid specific Gynecology, University cytoskeletal structures. The F-actin of Texas Southwestern containing acroplaxome forms between Medical Center the developing acrosome and