Loss of the adaptor protein Sh3bgrl initiates ovarian fibrosis in zebrafish

Ovarian fibrosis is a reproduction obstacle leading to female infertility in vertebrates, but the cause underlying the cellular events is unclear. Here, we found that the small adaptor protein SH3-domain-binding glutamate-rich protein like (Sh3bgrl) plays an important role in female reproduction in zebrafish. Two sh3bgrl mutant alleles that result in sh3bgrl depletion contribute to female spawning inability. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that sh3bgrl knockout mechanistically causes the upregulation of genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) and fiber generation in the zebrafish ovary. Consequently, extra ECM or fibers accumulate and are deposited in the ovary, resulting in eventual spawning inability. Our findings thus provide insights into understanding the underlying mechanism of infertility by ovarian fibrosis and provide a novel and valuable model to study female reproduction abnormality.

Automated summary

Ovarian fibrosis is a reproductive obstacle causing female infertility in vertebrates. A study in zebrafish found that a small adaptor protein called SH3-domain-binding glutamate-rich protein like (Sh3bgrl) plays an important role in female reproduction. Knockout of the sh3bgrl gene leads to upregulation of genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) and fiber generation in the fish's ovary, resulting in accumulation of ECM or fibers and eventual spawning inability.