Human chromatin remodeler cofactor, RNA interactor, eraser and writer sperm RNAs responding to obesity SwansonGrace M. EstillMolly DiamondMichael P. LegroRichard S. CoutifarisChristos BarnhartKurt T. HuangHao HansenKarl R. TrussellJ. C. CowardR. Matthew ZhangHeping GoodrichRobert KrawetzStephen A. 2020 <p>In the United States almost 33% of adults are considered obese (BMI > 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Both animal models and to a lesser extent human studies, have associated BMI, a measure of obesity, with alterations in sperm DNA methylation and RNAs. Sperm RNAs from the Assessment of Multiple Gestations from Ovarian Stimulation trial, were isolated and sequenced. A Generalized Linear Model identified 487 BMI associated human sperm RNA elements (short exon-sized sequences). They partitioned into four patterns; a continual increase with BMI, increase once obese (BMI>30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>); a steady decrease with BMI; and decrease once overweight (BMI 25 - 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Gene Ontology revealed a unique relationship between BMI and transcripts associated with chromosome organization, adipogenesis, cellular stress and obesity-related inflammation. Coregulatory networks linked by Chromatin remodeler cofactors, RNA interactors, Erasers and Writers (CREWs) were uncovered to reveal a hierarchical epigenetic response pathway.</p>