Global deletion of the RNA decapping enzyme Dcp2 postnatally in male mice results in infertility.

The post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression plays an important role in many essential biological processes. The RNA decapping enzyme Dcp2 is a crucial enzyme involved in RNA degradation. Dcp2 proteins are highly expressed in the testis and brain in adult mice. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo functions of Dcp2. An inducible Dcp2 knockout mouse model was established. No obvious health abnormalities were observed after postnatal global deletion of Dcp2 in male mice. However, Dcp2-deleted male mice were infertile and showed Sertoli cell vacuolization and germ cell degeneration. Dcp2 deletion resulted in testicular atrophy, reduced number of epididymal sperm, and increased apoptosis in seminiferous tubules. However, spermatocyte-specific deletion of Dcp2 did not compromise the fertility. The findings of this study indicated that Dcp2 was important for spermatogenesis and male fertility.