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Swanepoel CM, Mueller JL. Out with the old, in with the new: Meiotic driving of sex chromosome evolution. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 163:14-21. [PMID: 38664120 PMCID: PMC11351068 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Chromosomal regions with meiotic drivers exhibit biased transmission (> 50 %) over their competing homologous chromosomal region. These regions often have two prominent genetic features: suppressed meiotic crossing over and rapidly evolving multicopy gene families. Heteromorphic sex chromosomes (e.g., XY) often share these two genetic features with chromosomal regions exhibiting meiotic drive. Here, we discuss parallels between meiotic drive and sex chromosome evolution, how the divergence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes can be influenced by meiotic drive, experimental approaches to study meiotic drive on sex chromosomes, and meiotic drive in traditional and non-traditional model organisms with high-quality genome assemblies. The newly available diversity of high-quality sex chromosome sequences allows us to revisit conventional models of sex chromosome evolution through the lens of meiotic drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie M Swanepoel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, 1241 E. Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob L Mueller
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, 1241 E. Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Owens MC, Yanas A, Liu KF. Sex chromosome-encoded protein homologs: current progress and open questions. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:1156-1166. [PMID: 39123067 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01362-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
The complexity of biological sex differences is markedly evident in human physiology and pathology. Although many of these differences can be ascribed to the expression of sex hormones, another contributor to sex differences lies in the sex chromosomes beyond their role in sex determination. Although largely nonhomologous, the human sex chromosomes express seventeen pairs of homologous genes, referred to as the 'X-Y pairs.' The X chromosome-encoded homologs of these Y-encoded proteins are crucial players in several cellular processes, and their dysregulation frequently results in disease development. Many diseases related to these X-encoded homologs present with sex-biased incidence or severity. By contrast, comparatively little is known about the differential functions of the Y-linked homologs. Here, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of five of these X-Y paired proteins, with recent evidence of differential functions and of having a potential link to sex biases in disease, highlighting how amino acid-level sequence differences may differentiate their functions and contribute to sex biases in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Owens
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amber Yanas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathy Fange Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Center for Genome Integrity, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Zhang Y, Tang J, Zheng Y, Guo W, Guo Y, Chang M, Wang H, Li Y, Chang Z, Xu Y, Wang Z. Evolutionary and Expression Analysis of the Pig MAGE Gene Family. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2095. [PMID: 39061557 PMCID: PMC11274276 DOI: 10.3390/ani14142095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family found in eukaryotes plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and differentiation, spermatogenesis, neural development, etc. This study explored the validation and evolution of MAGE genes in eukaryotic genomes and their distribution and expression patterns in pigs. In total, 249 MAGE genes were found on 13 eukaryotic species. In total, 33, 25, and 18 genes were located on human, mouse, and pig genomes, respectively. We found eight, four, and three tandemly duplicated gene clusters on the human, mouse, and pig genomes, respectively. The majority of MAGE genes in mammals are located on the X chromosome. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the MAGE family genes were classified into 11 subfamilies. The NDN gene in zebrafish (DreNDN) was the root of this evolutionary tree. In total, 10 and 11 MAGE genes on human and mouse genomes, respectively, exhibited a collinearity relationship with the MAGE genes on pig genomes. Taking the MAGE family genes in pigs, the MAGE subfamilies had similar gene structures, protein motifs, and biochemical attributes. Using the RNA-seq data of Duroc pigs and Rongchang pigs, we detected that the expression of type I MAGE genes was higher in reproductive tissues, but type II MAGE genes were predominantly expressed in the brain tissue. These findings are a valuable resource for gaining insight into the evolution and expression of the MAGE family genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jian Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yiwen Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Wanshu Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Minghang Chang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Zhaoyue Chang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.); (Y.Z.); (W.G.); (Y.G.); (M.C.); (H.W.); (Y.L.); (Z.C.)
- Center for Bioinformatics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
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4
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Dakal TC, Dhabhai B, Pant A, Moar K, Chaudhary K, Yadav V, Ranga V, Sharma NK, Kumar A, Maurya PK, Maciaczyk J, Schmidt‐Wolf IGH, Sharma A. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: functions and roles in cancers. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e582. [PMID: 38827026 PMCID: PMC11141506 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, being the most formidable ailment, has had a profound impact on the human health. The disease is primarily associated with genetic mutations that impact oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Recently, growing evidence have shown that X-linked TSGs have specific role in cancer progression and metastasis as well. Interestingly, our genome harbors around substantial portion of genes that function as tumor suppressors, and the X chromosome alone harbors a considerable number of TSGs. The scenario becomes even more compelling as X-linked TSGs are adaptive to key epigenetic processes such as X chromosome inactivation. Therefore, delineating the new paradigm related to X-linked TSGs, for instance, their crosstalk with autosome and involvement in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis becomes utmost importance. Considering this, herein, we present a comprehensive discussion of X-linked TSG dysregulation in various cancers as a consequence of genetic variations and epigenetic alterations. In addition, the dynamic role of X-linked TSGs in sex chromosome-autosome crosstalk in cancer genome remodeling is being explored thoroughly. Besides, the functional roles of ncRNAs, role of X-linked TSG in immunomodulation and in gender-based cancer disparities has also been highlighted. Overall, the focal idea of the present article is to recapitulate the findings on X-linked TSG regulation in the cancer landscape and to redefine their role toward improving cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tikam Chand Dakal
- Department of BiotechnologyGenome and Computational Biology LabMohanlal Sukhadia UniversityUdaipurRajasthanIndia
| | - Bhanupriya Dhabhai
- Department of BiotechnologyGenome and Computational Biology LabMohanlal Sukhadia UniversityUdaipurRajasthanIndia
| | - Anuja Pant
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Kareena Moar
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Kanika Chaudhary
- School of Life Sciences. Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Vikas Yadav
- School of Life Sciences. Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Vipin Ranga
- Dearptment of Agricultural BiotechnologyDBT‐NECAB, Assam Agricultural UniversityJorhatAssamIndia
| | | | - Abhishek Kumar
- Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology ParkBangaloreIndia
| | - Pawan Kumar Maurya
- Department of BiochemistryCentral University of HaryanaMahendergarhHaryanaIndia
| | - Jarek Maciaczyk
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Ingo G. H. Schmidt‐Wolf
- Department of Integrated OncologyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO)University Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional NeurosurgeryUniversity Hospital of BonnBonnGermany
- Department of Integrated OncologyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO)University Hospital BonnBonnGermany
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5
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Greshnova A, Pál K, Martinez JFI, Canzar S, Makova KD. Transcript Isoform Diversity of Y Chromosome Ampliconic Genes of Great Apes Uncovered Using Long Reads and Telomere-to-Telomere Reference Genome Assemblies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.02.587783. [PMID: 38617276 PMCID: PMC11014635 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.02.587783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Y chromosomes of great apes harbor Ampliconic Genes (YAGs)-multi-copy gene families (BPY2, CDY, DAZ, HSFY, PRY, RBMY, TSPY, VCY, and XKRY) that encode proteins important for spermatogenesis. Previous work assembled YAG transcripts based on their targeted sequencing but not using reference genome assemblies, potentially resulting in an incomplete transcript repertoire. Here we used the recently produced gapless telomere-to-telomere (T2T) Y chromosome assemblies of great ape species (bonobo, chimpanzee, human, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, and Sumatran orangutan) and analyzed RNA data from whole-testis samples for the same species. We generated hybrid transcriptome assemblies by combining targeted long reads (Pacific Biosciences), untargeted long reads (Pacific Biosciences) and untargeted short reads (Illumina)and mapping them to the T2T reference genomes. Compared to the results from the reference-free approach, average transcript length was more than two times higher, and the total number of transcripts decreased three times, improving the quality of the assembled transcriptome. The reference-based transcriptome assemblies allowed us to differentiate transcripts originating from different Y chromosome gene copies and from their non-Y chromosome homologs. We identified two sources of transcriptome diversity-alternative splicing and gene duplication with subsequent diversification of gene copies. For each gene family, we detected transcribed pseudogenes along with protein-coding gene copies. We revealed previously unannotated gene copies of YAGs as compared to currently available NCBI annotations, as well as novel isoforms for annotated gene copies. This analysis paves the way for better understanding Y chromosome gene functions, which is important given their role in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Greshnova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Current address: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Karol Pál
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Juan Francisco Iturralde Martinez
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Stefan Canzar
- Faculty of Informatics and Data Science, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
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6
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Pinto-Pinho P, Soares J, Esteves P, Pinto-Leite R, Fardilha M, Colaço B. Comparative Bioinformatic Analysis of the Proteomes of Rabbit and Human Sex Chromosomes. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:217. [PMID: 38254386 PMCID: PMC10812427 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Studying proteins associated with sex chromosomes can provide insights into sex-specific proteins. Membrane proteins accessible through the cell surface may serve as excellent targets for diagnostic, therapeutic, or even technological purposes, such as sperm sexing technologies. In this context, proteins encoded by sex chromosomes have the potential to become targets for X- or Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. Due to the limited availability of proteomic studies on rabbit spermatozoa and poorly annotated databases for rabbits compared to humans, a bioinformatic analysis of the available rabbit X chromosome proteome (RX), as well as the human X (HX) and Y (HY) chromosomes proteome, was conducted to identify potential targets that could be accessible from the cell surface and predict which of the potential targets identified in humans might also exist in rabbits. We identified 100, 211, and 3 proteins associated with the plasma membrane or cell surface for RX, HX, and HY, respectively, of which 61, 132, and 3 proteins exhibit potential as targets as they were predicted to be accessible from the cell surface. Cross-referencing the potential HX targets with the rabbit proteome revealed an additional 60 proteins with the potential to be RX targets, resulting in a total of 121 potential RX targets. In addition, at least 53 possible common HX and RX targets have been previously identified in human spermatozoa, emphasizing their potential as targets of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. Further proteomic studies on rabbit sperm will be essential to identify and validate the usefulness of these proteins for application in rabbit sperm sorting techniques as targets of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pinto-Pinho
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, IPO Porto Research Center, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto Francisco Gentil, E.P.E., 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Soares
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.E.)
- Center for Research in Advanced Computing Systems, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (CRACS—INESC TEC), 4150-179 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Esteves
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.E.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO—Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Rosário Pinto-Leite
- Laboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, IPO Porto Research Center, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto Francisco Gentil, E.P.E., 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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7
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EL Nagar AG, Salem MMI, Amin AMS, Khalil MH, Ashour AF, Hegazy MM, Abdel-Shafy H. A Single-Step Genome-Wide Association Study for Semen Traits of Egyptian Buffalo Bulls. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3758. [PMID: 38136796 PMCID: PMC10740893 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to contribute to the limited research on buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen traits by incorporating genomic data. A total of 8465 ejaculates were collected. The genotyping procedure was conducted using the Axiom® Buffalo Genotyping 90 K array designed by the Affymetrix Expert Design Program. After conducting a quality assessment, we utilized 67,282 SNPs genotyped in 192 animals. We identified several genomic loci explaining high genetic variance by employing single-step genomic evaluation. The aforementioned regions were located on buffalo chromosomes no. 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 16, 20, 22, and the X-chromosome. The X-chromosome exhibited substantial influence, accounting for 4.18, 4.59, 5.16, 5.19, and 4.31% of the genomic variance for ejaculate volume, mass motility, livability, abnormality, and concentration, respectively. In the examined genomic regions, we identified five novel candidate genes linked to male fertility and spermatogenesis, four in the X-chromosome and one in chromosome no. 16. Additional extensive research with larger sample sizes and datasets is imperative to validate these findings and evaluate their applicability for genomic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman G. EL Nagar
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Benha University, Benha 13736, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed M. I. Salem
- Department of Animal and Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt;
| | - Amin M. S. Amin
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12619, Egypt; (A.M.S.A.); (A.F.A.); (M.M.H.)
| | - Maher H. Khalil
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, Benha University, Benha 13736, Egypt;
| | - Ayman F. Ashour
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12619, Egypt; (A.M.S.A.); (A.F.A.); (M.M.H.)
| | - Mohammed M. Hegazy
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12619, Egypt; (A.M.S.A.); (A.F.A.); (M.M.H.)
| | - Hamdy Abdel-Shafy
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, El-Gamma Street, Giza 12613, Egypt;
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8
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Jevit MJ, Castaneda C, Paria N, Das PJ, Miller D, Antczak DF, Kalbfleisch TS, Davis BW, Raudsepp T. Trio-binning of a hinny refines the comparative organization of the horse and donkey X chromosomes and reveals novel species-specific features. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20180. [PMID: 37978222 PMCID: PMC10656420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47583-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We generated single haplotype assemblies from a hinny hybrid which significantly improved the gapless contiguity for horse and donkey autosomal genomes and the X chromosomes. We added over 15 Mb of missing sequence to both X chromosomes, 60 Mb to donkey autosomes and corrected numerous errors in donkey and some in horse reference genomes. We resolved functionally important X-linked repeats: the DXZ4 macrosatellite and ampliconic Equine Testis Specific Transcript Y7 (ETSTY7). We pinpointed the location of the pseudoautosomal boundaries (PAB) and determined the size of the horse (1.8 Mb) and donkey (1.88 Mb) pseudoautosomal regions (PARs). We discovered distinct differences in horse and donkey PABs: a testis-expressed gene, XKR3Y, spans horse PAB with exons1-2 located in Y and exon3 in the X-Y PAR, whereas the donkey XKR3Y is Y-specific. DXZ4 had a similar ~ 8 kb monomer in both species with 10 copies in horse and 20 in donkey. We assigned hundreds of copies of ETSTY7, a sequence horizontally transferred from Parascaris and massively amplified in equids, to horse and donkey X chromosomes and three autosomes. The findings and products contribute to molecular studies of equid biology and advance research on X-linked conditions, sex chromosome regulation and evolution in equids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Jevit
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Caitlin Castaneda
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Nandina Paria
- Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX, 75219, USA
| | - Pranab J Das
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam, 781131, India
| | - Donald Miller
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Douglas F Antczak
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Theodore S Kalbfleisch
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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9
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Martí E, Larracuente AM. Genetic conflict and the origin of multigene families: implications for sex chromosome evolution. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231823. [PMID: 37909083 PMCID: PMC10618873 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are havens for intragenomic conflicts. The absence of recombination between sex chromosomes creates the opportunity for the evolution of segregation distorters: selfish genetic elements that hijack different aspects of an individual's reproduction to increase their own transmission. Biased (non-Mendelian) segregation, however, often occurs at a detriment to their host's fitness, and therefore can trigger evolutionary arms races that can have major consequences for genome structure and regulation, gametogenesis, reproductive strategies and even speciation. Here, we review an emerging feature from comparative genomic and sex chromosome evolution studies suggesting that meiotic drive is pervasive: the recurrent evolution of paralogous sex-linked gene families. Sex chromosomes of several species independently acquire and co-amplify rapidly evolving gene families with spermatogenesis-related functions, consistent with a history of intragenomic conflict over transmission. We discuss Y chromosome features that might contribute to the tempo and mode of evolution of X/Y co-amplified gene families, as well as their implications for the evolution of complexity in the genome. Finally, we propose a framework that explores the conditions that might allow for recurrent bouts of fixation of drivers and suppressors, in a dosage-sensitive fashion, and therefore the co-amplification of multigene families on sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Martí
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
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10
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Zhao LY, Li P, Yao CC, Tian RH, Tang YX, Chen YZ, Zhou Z, Li Z. Low XIST expression in Sertoli cells of Klinefelter syndrome patients causes high susceptibility of these cells to an extra X chromosome. Asian J Androl 2023; 25:662-673. [PMID: 37202929 DOI: 10.4103/aja202315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most common genetic cause of human male infertility. However, the effect of the extra X chromosome on different testicular cell types remains poorly understood. Here, we profiled testicular single-cell transcriptomes from three KS patients and normal karyotype control individuals. Among the different somatic cells, Sertoli cells showed the greatest transcriptome changes in KS patients. Further analysis showed that X-inactive-specific transcript ( XIST ), a key factor that inactivates one X chromosome in female mammals, was widely expressed in each testicular somatic cell type but not in Sertoli cells. The loss of XIST in Sertoli cells leads to an increased level of X chromosome genes, and further disrupts their transcription pattern and cellular function. This phenomenon was not detected in other somatic cells such as Leydig cells and vascular endothelial cells. These results proposed a new mechanism to explain why testicular atrophy in KS patients is heterogeneous with loss of seminiferous tubules but interstitial hyperplasia. Our study provides a theoretical basis for subsequent research and related treatment of KS by identifying Sertoli cell-specific X chromosome inactivation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yu Zhao
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Chen-Cheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Ru-Hui Tian
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yu-Xin Tang
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yu-Zhuo Chen
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, The Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
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11
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Sharma S, Kajjo S, Harra Z, Hasaj B, Delisle V, Ray D, Gutierrez RL, Carrier I, Kleinman C, Morris Q, Hughes TR, McInnes R, Fabian MR. Uncovering a mammalian neural-specific poly(A) binding protein with unique properties. Genes Dev 2023; 37:760-777. [PMID: 37704377 PMCID: PMC10546976 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350597.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The mRNA 3' poly(A) tail plays a critical role in regulating both mRNA translation and turnover. It is bound by the cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein (PABPC), an evolutionarily conserved protein that can interact with translation factors and mRNA decay machineries to regulate gene expression. Mammalian PABPC1, the prototypical PABPC, is expressed in most tissues and interacts with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) to stimulate translation in specific contexts. In this study, we uncovered a new mammalian PABPC, which we named neural PABP (neuPABP), as it is predominantly expressed in the brain. neuPABP maintains a unique architecture as compared with other PABPCs, containing only two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and maintaining a unique N-terminal domain of unknown function. neuPABP expression is activated in neurons as they mature during synaptogenesis, where neuPABP localizes to the soma and postsynaptic densities. neuPABP interacts with the noncoding RNA BC1, as well as mRNAs coding for ribosomal and mitochondrial proteins. However, in contrast to PABPC1, neuPABP does not associate with actively translating mRNAs in the brain. In keeping with this, we show that neuPABP has evolved such that it does not bind eIF4G and as a result fails to support protein synthesis in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that mammals have expanded their PABPC repertoire in the brain and propose that neuPABP may support the translational repression of select mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Sharma
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Sam Kajjo
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Zineb Harra
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Benedeta Hasaj
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Victoria Delisle
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Debashish Ray
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Rodrigo L Gutierrez
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Isabelle Carrier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Claudia Kleinman
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Quaid Morris
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Timothy R Hughes
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Roderick McInnes
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Marc R Fabian
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
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12
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Rücklé C, Körtel N, Basilicata MF, Busch A, Zhou Y, Hoch-Kraft P, Tretow K, Kielisch F, Bertin M, Pradhan M, Musheev M, Schweiger S, Niehrs C, Rausch O, Zarnack K, Keller Valsecchi CI, König J. RNA stability controlled by m 6A methylation contributes to X-to-autosome dosage compensation in mammals. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1207-1215. [PMID: 37202476 PMCID: PMC10442230 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00997-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, X-chromosomal genes are expressed from a single copy since males (XY) possess a single X chromosome, while females (XX) undergo X inactivation. To compensate for this reduction in dosage compared with two active copies of autosomes, it has been proposed that genes from the active X chromosome exhibit dosage compensation. However, the existence and mechanisms of X-to-autosome dosage compensation are still under debate. Here we show that X-chromosomal transcripts have fewer m6A modifications and are more stable than their autosomal counterparts. Acute depletion of m6A selectively stabilizes autosomal transcripts, resulting in perturbed dosage compensation in mouse embryonic stem cells. We propose that higher stability of X-chromosomal transcripts is directed by lower levels of m6A, indicating that mammalian dosage compensation is partly regulated by epitranscriptomic RNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadine Körtel
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - M Felicia Basilicata
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anke Busch
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - You Zhou
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS) & Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Marco Bertin
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Susann Schweiger
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Kathi Zarnack
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS) & Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Julian König
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
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13
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Zhou Y, Zhan X, Jin J, Zhou L, Bergman J, Li X, Rousselle MMC, Belles MR, Zhao L, Fang M, Chen J, Fang Q, Kuderna L, Marques-Bonet T, Kitayama H, Hayakawa T, Yao YG, Yang H, Cooper DN, Qi X, Wu DD, Schierup MH, Zhang G. Eighty million years of rapid evolution of the primate Y chromosome. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1114-1130. [PMID: 37268856 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The Y chromosome usually plays a critical role in determining male sex and comprises sequence classes that have experienced unique evolutionary trajectories. Here we generated 19 new primate sex chromosome assemblies, analysed them with 10 existing assemblies and report rapid evolution of the Y chromosome across primates. The pseudoautosomal boundary has shifted at least six times during primate evolution, leading to the formation of a Simiiformes-specific evolutionary stratum and to the independent start of young strata in Catarrhini and Platyrrhini. Different primate lineages experienced different rates of gene loss and structural and chromatin change on their Y chromosomes. Selection on several Y-linked genes has contributed to the evolution of male developmental traits across the primates. Additionally, lineage-specific expansions of ampliconic regions have further increased the diversification of the structure and gene composition of the Y chromosome. Overall, our comprehensive analysis has broadened our knowledge of the evolution of the primate Y chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Long Zhou
- Centre for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juraj Bergman
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C., Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus C., Denmark
| | - Xuemei Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Lan Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | | | | | - Qi Fang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lukas Kuderna
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Haruka Kitayama
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Japan Monkey Centre, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Huanming Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Academician Workstation of BGI Synthetic Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - David N Cooper
- Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Xiaoguang Qi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | | | - Guojie Zhang
- Centre for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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14
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Laufer VA, Glover TW, Wilson TE. Applications of advanced technologies for detecting genomic structural variation. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2023; 792:108475. [PMID: 37931775 PMCID: PMC10792551 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2023.108475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal structural variation (SV) encompasses a heterogenous class of genetic variants that exerts strong influences on human health and disease. Despite their importance, many structural variants (SVs) have remained poorly characterized at even a basic level, a discrepancy predicated upon the technical limitations of prior genomic assays. However, recent advances in genomic technology can identify and localize SVs accurately, opening new questions regarding SV risk factors and their impacts in humans. Here, we first define and classify human SVs and their generative mechanisms, highlighting characteristics leveraged by various SV assays. We next examine the first-ever gapless assembly of the human genome and the technical process of assembling it, which required third-generation sequencing technologies to resolve structurally complex loci. The new portions of that "telomere-to-telomere" and subsequent pangenome assemblies highlight aspects of SV biology likely to develop in the near-term. We consider the strengths and limitations of the most promising new SV technologies and when they or longstanding approaches are best suited to meeting salient goals in the study of human SV in population-scale genomics research, clinical, and public health contexts. It is a watershed time in our understanding of human SV when new approaches are expected to fundamentally change genomic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent A Laufer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Thomas W Glover
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Thomas E Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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15
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Tan WLA, Neto LRP, Reverter A, McGowan M, Fortes MRS. Sequence level genome-wide associations for bull production and fertility traits in tropically adapted bulls. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:365. [PMID: 37386436 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09475-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetics of male fertility is complex and not fully understood. Male subfertility can adversely affect the economics of livestock production. For example, inadvertently mating bulls with poor fertility can result in reduced annual liveweight production and suboptimal husbandry management. Fertility traits, such as scrotal circumference and semen quality are commonly used to select bulls before mating and can be targeted in genomic studies. In this study, we conducted genome-wide association analyses using sequence-level data targeting seven bull production and fertility traits measured in a multi-breed population of 6,422 tropically adapted bulls. The beef bull production and fertility traits included body weight (Weight), body condition score (CS), scrotal circumference (SC), sheath score (Sheath), percentage of normal spermatozoa (PNS), percentage of spermatozoa with mid-piece abnormalities (MP) and percentage of spermatozoa with proximal droplets (PD). RESULTS After quality control, 13,398,171 polymorphisms were tested for their associations with each trait in a mixed-model approach, fitting a multi-breed genomic relationship matrix. A Bonferroni genome-wide significance threshold of 5 × 10- 8 was imposed. This effort led to identifying genetic variants and candidate genes underpinning bull fertility and production traits. Genetic variants in Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 5 were associated with SC, Sheath, PNS, PD and MP. Whereas chromosome X was significant for SC, PNS, and PD. The traits we studied are highly polygenic and had significant results across the genome (BTA 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23, 28, and 29). We also highlighted potential high-impact variants and candidate genes associated with Scrotal Circumference (SC) and Sheath Score (Sheath), which warrants further investigation in future studies. CONCLUSION The work presented here is a step closer to identifying molecular mechanisms that underpin bull fertility and production. Our work also emphasises the importance of including the X chromosome in genomic analyses. Future research aims to investigate potential causative variants and genes in downstream analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liang Andre Tan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Chemistry Bld, 68 Cooper Rd, Brisbane City, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | | | - Antonio Reverter
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Michael McGowan
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | - Marina Rufino Salinas Fortes
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Chemistry Bld, 68 Cooper Rd, Brisbane City, QLD, 4072, Australia
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16
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Otsuka K, Sakashita A, Maezawa S, Schultz RM, Namekawa SH. KRAB-zinc-finger proteins regulate endogenous retroviruses to sculpt germline transcriptomes and genome evolution. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.24.546405. [PMID: 37720031 PMCID: PMC10503828 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.24.546405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
As transposable elements (TEs) coevolved with the host genome, the host genome exploited TEs as functional regulatory elements. What remains largely unknown are how the activity of TEs, namely, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), are regulated and how TEs evolved in the germline. Here we show that KRAB domain-containing zinc-finger proteins (KZFPs), which are highly expressed in mitotically dividing spermatogonia, bind to suppressed ERVs that function following entry into meiosis as active enhancers. These features are observed for independently evolved KZFPs and ERVs in mice and humans, i.e., are evolutionarily conserved in mammals. Further, we show that meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) antagonizes the coevolution of KZFPs and ERVs in mammals. Our study uncovers a mechanism by which KZFPs regulate ERVs to sculpt germline transcriptomes. We propose that epigenetic programming in the mammalian germline during the mitosis-to-meiosis transition facilitates coevolution of KZFPs and TEs on autosomes and is antagonized by MSCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Otsuka
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - So Maezawa
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Richard M. Schultz
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
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17
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Nin DS, Deng LW. Biology of Cancer-Testis Antigens and Their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060926. [PMID: 36980267 PMCID: PMC10047177 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-specific antigens have been an area of interest in cancer therapy since their discovery in the middle of the 20th century. In the era of immune-based cancer therapeutics, redirecting our immune cells to target these tumour-specific antigens has become even more relevant. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of antigens with an expression specific to the testis and cancer cells. CTAs have also been demonstrated to be expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Due to their frequency and specificity of expression in a multitude of cancers, CTAs have been particularly attractive as cancer-specific therapeutic targets. There is now a rapid expansion of CTAs being identified and many studies have been conducted to correlate CTA expression with cancer and therapy-resistant phenotypes. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of clinical trials involving using some of these CTAs as molecular targets in pharmacological and immune-targeted therapeutics for various cancers. This review will summarise the current knowledge of the biology of known CTAs in tumorigenesis and the regulation of CTA genes. CTAs as molecular targets and the therapeutic implications of these CTA-targeted anticancer strategies will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Sijin Nin
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Lih-Wen Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
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18
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Skov L, Coll Macià M, Lucotte EA, Cavassim MIA, Castellano D, Schierup MH, Munch K. Extraordinary selection on the human X chromosome associated with archaic admixture. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100274. [PMID: 36950386 PMCID: PMC10025451 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The X chromosome in non-African humans shows less diversity and less Neanderthal introgression than expected from neutral evolution. Analyzing 162 human male X chromosomes worldwide, we identified fourteen chromosomal regions where nearly identical haplotypes spanning several hundred kilobases are found at high frequencies in non-Africans. Genetic drift alone cannot explain the existence of these haplotypes, which must have been associated with strong positive selection in partial selective sweeps. Moreover, the swept haplotypes are entirely devoid of archaic ancestry as opposed to the non-swept haplotypes in the same genomic regions. The ancient Ust'-Ishim male dated at 45,000 before the present (BP) also carries the swept haplotypes, implying that selection on the haplotypes must have occurred between 45,000 and 55,000 years ago. Finally, we find that the chromosomal positions of sweeps overlap previously reported hotspots of selective sweeps in great ape evolution, suggesting a mechanism of selection unique to X chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurits Skov
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-5800, USA
| | - Moisès Coll Macià
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Elise Anne Lucotte
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - David Castellano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Kasper Munch
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Corresponding author
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19
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Liu C, Si W, Tu C, Tian S, He X, Wang S, Yang X, Yao C, Li C, Kherraf ZE, Ye M, Zhou Z, Ma Y, Gao Y, Li Y, Liu Q, Tang S, Wang J, Saiyin H, Zhao L, Yang L, Meng L, Chen B, Tang D, Zhou Y, Wu H, Lv M, Tan C, Lin G, Kong Q, Shi H, Su Z, Li Z, Yao YG, Jin L, Zheng P, Ray PF, Tan YQ, Cao Y, Zhang F. Deficiency of primate-specific SSX1 induced asthenoteratozoospermia in infertile men and cynomolgus monkey and tree shrew models. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:516-530. [PMID: 36796361 PMCID: PMC10027476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Primate-specific genes (PSGs) tend to be expressed in the brain and testis. This phenomenon is consistent with brain evolution in primates but is seemingly contradictory to the similarity of spermatogenesis among mammals. Here, using whole-exome sequencing, we identified deleterious variants of X-linked SSX1 in six unrelated men with asthenoteratozoospermia. SSX1 is a PSG expressed predominantly in the testis, and the SSX family evolutionarily expanded independently in rodents and primates. As the mouse model could not be used for studying SSX1, we used a non-human primate model and tree shrews, which are phylogenetically similar to primates, to knock down (KD) Ssx1 expression in the testes. Consistent with the phenotype observed in humans, both Ssx1-KD models exhibited a reduced sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology. Further, RNA sequencing indicated that Ssx1 deficiency influenced multiple biological processes during spermatogenesis. Collectively, our experimental observations in humans and cynomolgus monkey and tree shrew models highlight the crucial role of SSX1 in spermatogenesis. Notably, three of the five couples who underwent intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection treatment achieved a successful pregnancy. This study provides important guidance for genetic counseling and clinical diagnosis and, significantly, describes the approaches for elucidating the functions of testis-enriched PSGs in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Si
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chaofeng Tu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Shixiong Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | - Maosen Ye
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zixue Zhou
- Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhua Ma
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Qiwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxiong Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Hexige Saiyin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liqun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lanlan Meng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Bingbing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yiling Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Qingpeng Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zhixi Su
- Singlera Genomics (Shanghai) Limited, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, UM GI-DPI, Grenoble, France
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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20
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San Roman AK, Godfrey AK, Skaletsky H, Bellott DW, Groff AF, Harris HL, Blanton LV, Hughes JF, Brown L, Phou S, Buscetta A, Kruszka P, Banks N, Dutra A, Pak E, Lasutschinkow PC, Keen C, Davis SM, Tartaglia NR, Samango-Sprouse C, Muenke M, Page DC. The human inactive X chromosome modulates expression of the active X chromosome. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100259. [PMID: 36819663 PMCID: PMC9932992 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The "inactive" X chromosome (Xi) has been assumed to have little impact, in trans, on the "active" X (Xa). To test this, we quantified Xi and Xa gene expression in individuals with one Xa and zero to three Xis. Our linear modeling revealed modular Xi and Xa transcriptomes and significant Xi-driven expression changes for 38% (162/423) of expressed X chromosome genes. By integrating allele-specific analyses, we found that modulation of Xa transcript levels by Xi contributes to many of these Xi-driven changes (≥121 genes). By incorporating metrics of evolutionary constraint, we identified 10 X chromosome genes most likely to drive sex differences in common disease and sex chromosome aneuploidy syndromes. We conclude that human X chromosomes are regulated both in cis, through Xi-wide transcriptional attenuation, and in trans, through positive or negative modulation of individual Xa genes by Xi. The sum of these cis and trans effects differs widely among genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander K. Godfrey
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | | | - Hannah L. Harris
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Laura Brown
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Sidaly Phou
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ashley Buscetta
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paul Kruszka
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicole Banks
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amalia Dutra
- Cytogenetics and Microscopy Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Evgenia Pak
- Cytogenetics and Microscopy Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | - Shanlee M. Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nicole R. Tartaglia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Developmental Pediatrics, eXtraOrdinarY Kids Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80011, USA
| | - Carole Samango-Sprouse
- Focus Foundation, Davidsonville, MD 21035, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Maximilian Muenke
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David C. Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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21
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Porto-Neto LR, Alexandre PA, Hudson NJ, Bertram J, McWilliam SM, Tan AWL, Fortes MRS, McGowan MR, Hayes BJ, Reverter A. Multi-breed genomic predictions and functional variants for fertility of tropical bulls. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279398. [PMID: 36701372 PMCID: PMC9879470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, most beef breeding herds are naturally mated. As such, the ability to identify and select fertile bulls is critically important for both productivity and genetic improvement. Here, we collected ten fertility-related phenotypes for 6,063 bulls from six tropically adapted breeds. Phenotypes were comprised of four bull conformation traits and six traits directly related to the quality of the bull's semen. We also generated high-density DNA genotypes for all the animals. In total, 680,758 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes were analyzed. The genomic correlation of the same trait observed in different breeds was positive for scrotal circumference and sheath score on most breed comparisons, but close to zero for the percentage of normal sperm, suggesting a divergent genetic background for this trait. We confirmed the importance of a breed being present in the reference population to the generation of accurate genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) in an across-breed validation scenario. Average GEBV accuracies varied from 0.19 to 0.44 when the breed was not included in the reference population. The range improved to 0.28 to 0.59 when the breed was in the reference population. Variants associated with the gene HDAC4, six genes from the spermatogenesis-associated (SPATA) family of proteins, and 29 transcription factors were identified as candidate genes. Collectively these results enable very early in-life selection for bull fertility traits, supporting genetic improvement strategies currently taking place within tropical beef production systems. This study also improves our understanding of the molecular basis of male fertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - John Bertram
- Agriculture Consultant, Livestock Management and Breeding, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Andre W. L. Tan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Marina R. S. Fortes
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael R. McGowan
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Ben J. Hayes
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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22
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Murat F, Mbengue N, Winge SB, Trefzer T, Leushkin E, Sepp M, Cardoso-Moreira M, Schmidt J, Schneider C, Mößinger K, Brüning T, Lamanna F, Belles MR, Conrad C, Kondova I, Bontrop R, Behr R, Khaitovich P, Pääbo S, Marques-Bonet T, Grützner F, Almstrup K, Schierup MH, Kaessmann H. The molecular evolution of spermatogenesis across mammals. Nature 2023; 613:308-316. [PMID: 36544022 PMCID: PMC9834047 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The testis produces gametes through spermatogenesis and evolves rapidly at both the morphological and molecular level in mammals1-6, probably owing to the evolutionary pressure on males to be reproductively successful7. However, the molecular evolution of individual spermatogenic cell types across mammals remains largely uncharacterized. Here we report evolutionary analyses of single-nucleus transcriptome data for testes from 11 species that cover the three main mammalian lineages (eutherians, marsupials and monotremes) and birds (the evolutionary outgroup), and include seven primates. We find that the rapid evolution of the testis was driven by accelerated fixation rates of gene expression changes, amino acid substitutions and new genes in late spermatogenic stages, probably facilitated by reduced pleiotropic constraints, haploid selection and transcriptionally permissive chromatin. We identify temporal expression changes of individual genes across species and conserved expression programs controlling ancestral spermatogenic processes. Genes predominantly expressed in spermatogonia (germ cells fuelling spermatogenesis) and Sertoli (somatic support) cells accumulated on X chromosomes during evolution, presumably owing to male-beneficial selective forces. Further work identified transcriptomal differences between X- and Y-bearing spermatids and uncovered that meiotic sex-chromosome inactivation (MSCI) also occurs in monotremes and hence is common to mammalian sex-chromosome systems. Thus, the mechanism of meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin, which underlies MSCI, is an ancestral mammalian feature. Our study illuminates the molecular evolution of spermatogenesis and associated selective forces, and provides a resource for investigating the biology of the testis across mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Murat
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. .,INRAE, LPGP, Rennes, France.
| | - Noe Mbengue
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sofia Boeg Winge
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Timo Trefzer
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, University of Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Evgeny Leushkin
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mari Sepp
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Julia Schmidt
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Celine Schneider
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Mößinger
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thoomke Brüning
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesco Lamanna
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Christian Conrad
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, University of Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ivanela Kondova
- Biomedical Primate Research Center (BPRC), Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Bontrop
- Biomedical Primate Research Center (BPRC), Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- German Primate Center (DPZ), Platform Degenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Khaitovich
- Center for Neurobiology and Brain Restoration, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Svante Pääbo
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.,CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Miquel Crusafont Catalan Institute of Paleontology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frank Grützner
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biological Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Kaessmann
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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23
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Kopania EEK, Watson EM, Rathje CC, Skinner BM, Ellis PJI, Larson EL, Good JM. The contribution of sex chromosome conflict to disrupted spermatogenesis in hybrid house mice. Genetics 2022; 222:iyac151. [PMID: 36194004 PMCID: PMC9713461 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Incompatibilities on the sex chromosomes are important in the evolution of hybrid male sterility, but the evolutionary forces underlying this phenomenon are unclear. House mice (Mus musculus) lineages have provided powerful models for understanding the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility. X chromosome-autosome interactions cause strong incompatibilities in M. musculus F1 hybrids, but variation in sterility phenotypes suggests a more complex genetic basis. In addition, XY chromosome conflict has resulted in rapid expansions of ampliconic genes with dosage-dependent expression that is essential to spermatogenesis. Here, we evaluated the contribution of XY lineage mismatch to male fertility and stage-specific gene expression in hybrid mice. We performed backcrosses between two house mouse subspecies to generate reciprocal Y-introgression strains and used these strains to test the effects of XY mismatch in hybrids. Our transcriptome analyses of sorted spermatid cells revealed widespread overexpression of the X chromosome in sterile F1 hybrids independent of Y chromosome subspecies origin. Thus, postmeiotic overexpression of the X chromosome in sterile F1 mouse hybrids is likely a downstream consequence of disrupted meiotic X-inactivation rather than XY gene copy number imbalance. Y chromosome introgression did result in subfertility phenotypes and disrupted expression of several autosomal genes in mice with an otherwise nonhybrid genomic background, suggesting that Y-linked incompatibilities contribute to reproductive barriers, but likely not as a direct consequence of XY conflict. Collectively, these findings suggest that rapid sex chromosome gene family evolution driven by genomic conflict has not resulted in strong male reproductive barriers between these subspecies of house mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E K Kopania
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Eleanor M Watson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Claudia C Rathje
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | | | - Peter J I Ellis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Erica L Larson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Good
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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24
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Abe H, Yeh YH, Munakata Y, Ishiguro KI, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. Active DNA damage response signaling initiates and maintains meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7212. [PMID: 36443288 PMCID: PMC9705562 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34295-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is an essential process in the male germline. While genetic experiments have established that the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway directs MSCI, due to limitations to the experimental systems available, mechanisms underlying MSCI remain largely unknown. Here we establish a system to study MSCI ex vivo, based on a short-term culture method, and demonstrate that active DDR signaling is required both to initiate and maintain MSCI via a dynamic and reversible process. DDR-directed MSCI follows two layers of modifications: active DDR-dependent reversible processes and irreversible histone post-translational modifications. Further, the DDR initiates MSCI independent of the downstream repressive histone mark H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), thereby demonstrating that active DDR signaling is the primary mechanism of silencing in MSCI. By unveiling the dynamic nature of MSCI, and its governance by active DDR signals, our study highlights the sex chromosomes as an active signaling hub in meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Abe
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA ,grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Paul R. Andreassen
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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25
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Cabrera Zapata LE, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA. Genetics and Epigenetics of the X and Y Chromosomes in the Sexual Differentiation of the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012288. [PMID: 36293143 PMCID: PMC9603441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For many decades to date, neuroendocrinologists have delved into the key contribution of gonadal hormones to the generation of sex differences in the developing brain and the expression of sex-specific physiological and behavioral phenotypes in adulthood. However, it was not until recent years that the role of sex chromosomes in the matter started to be seriously explored and unveiled beyond gonadal determination. Now we know that the divergent evolutionary process suffered by X and Y chromosomes has determined that they now encode mostly dissimilar genetic information and are subject to different epigenetic regulations, characteristics that together contribute to generate sex differences between XX and XY cells/individuals from the zygote throughout life. Here we will review and discuss relevant data showing how particular X- and Y-linked genes and epigenetic mechanisms controlling their expression and inheritance are involved, along with or independently of gonadal hormones, in the generation of sex differences in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas E. Cabrera Zapata
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Cátedra de Biología Celular, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
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Riera-Escamilla A, Vockel M, Nagirnaja L, Xavier MJ, Carbonell A, Moreno-Mendoza D, Pybus M, Farnetani G, Rosta V, Cioppi F, Friedrich C, Oud MS, van der Heijden GW, Soave A, Diemer T, Ars E, Sánchez-Curbelo J, Kliesch S, O’Bryan MK, Ruiz-Castañe E, Azorín F, Veltman JA, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Tüttelmann F, Krausz C. Large-scale analyses of the X chromosome in 2,354 infertile men discover recurrently affected genes associated with spermatogenic failure. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1458-1471. [PMID: 35809576 PMCID: PMC9388793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the evolutionary history of the X chromosome indicates its specialization in male fitness, its role in spermatogenesis has largely been unexplored. Currently only three X chromosome genes are considered of moderate-definitive diagnostic value. We aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of all X chromosome-linked protein-coding genes in 2,354 azoospermic/cryptozoospermic men from four independent cohorts. Genomic data were analyzed and compared with data in normozoospermic control individuals and gnomAD. While updating the clinical significance of known genes, we propose 21 recurrently mutated genes strongly associated with and 34 moderately associated with azoospermia/cryptozoospermia not previously linked to male infertility (novel). The most frequently affected prioritized gene, RBBP7, was found mutated in ten men across all cohorts, and our functional studies in Drosophila support its role in germ stem cell maintenance. Collectively, our study represents a significant step towards the definition of the missing genetic etiology in idiopathic severe spermatogenic failure and significantly reduces the knowledge gap of X-linked genetic causes of azoospermia/cryptozoospermia contributing to the development of future diagnostic gene panels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Matthias Vockel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Miguel J. Xavier
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Albert Carbonell
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Daniel Moreno-Mendoza
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain,Department of Urology, Hospital del Oriente de Asturias, Arriondas, 33540 Asturias, Spain
| | - Marc Pybus
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ginevra Farnetani
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Viktoria Rosta
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Manon S. Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen 6525, the Netherlands
| | | | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Thorsten Diemer
- Clinic for Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Gießen 35392, Germany
| | - Elisabet Ars
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- The School of BioScience that the Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Eduard Ruiz-Castañe
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Azorín
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joris A. Veltman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy,Corresponding author
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27
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Meisel RP, Asgari D, Schlamp F, Unckless RL. Induction and inhibition of Drosophila X chromosome gene expression are both impeded by the dosage compensation complex. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6632659. [PMID: 35792851 PMCID: PMC9434221 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sex chromosomes frequently differ from the autosomes in the frequencies of genes with sexually dimorphic or tissue-specific expression. Multiple hypotheses have been put forth to explain the unique gene content of the X chromosome, including selection against male-beneficial X-linked alleles, expression limits imposed by the haploid dosage of the X in males, and interference by the dosage compensation complex on expression in males. Here, we investigate these hypotheses by examining differential gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster following several treatments that have widespread transcriptomic effects: bacterial infection, viral infection, and abiotic stress. We found that genes that are induced (upregulated) by these biotic and abiotic treatments are frequently under-represented on the X chromosome, but so are those that are repressed (downregulated) following treatment. We further show that whether a gene is bound by the dosage compensation complex in males can largely explain the paucity of both up- and downregulated genes on the X chromosome. Specifically, genes that are bound by the dosage compensation complex, or close to a dosage compensation complex high-affinity site, are unlikely to be up- or downregulated after treatment. This relationship, however, could partially be explained by a correlation between differential expression and breadth of expression across tissues. Nonetheless, our results suggest that dosage compensation complex binding, or the associated chromatin modifications, inhibit both up- and downregulation of X chromosome gene expression within specific contexts, including tissue-specific expression. We propose multiple possible mechanisms of action for the effect, including a role of Males absent on the first, a component of the dosage compensation complex, as a dampener of gene expression variance in both males and females. This effect could explain why the Drosophila X chromosome is depauperate in genes with tissue-specific or induced expression, while the mammalian X has an excess of genes with tissue-specific expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Meisel
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 3455 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-5001, USA
| | - Danial Asgari
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 3455 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-5001, USA
| | - Florencia Schlamp
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 435 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Robert L Unckless
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 4055 Haworth Hall, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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28
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Bellott DW, Cho TJ, Jackson EK, Skaletsky H, Hughes JF, Page DC. SHIMS 3.0: Highly efficient single-haplotype iterative mapping and sequencing using ultra-long nanopore reads. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269692. [PMID: 35700171 PMCID: PMC9197060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The reference sequence of structurally complex regions can only be obtained through a highly accurate clone-based approach that we call Single-Haplotype Iterative Mapping and Sequencing (SHIMS). In recent years, improvements to SHIMS have reduced the cost and time required by two orders of magnitude, but internally repetitive clones still require extensive manual effort to transform draft assemblies into reference-quality finished sequences. Here we describe SHIMS 3.0, using ultra-long nanopore reads to augment the Illumina data from SHIMS 2.0 assemblies and resolve internally repetitive structures. This greatly minimizes the need for manual finishing of Illumina-based draft assemblies, allowing a small team with no prior finishing experience to sequence challenging targets with high accuracy. This protocol proceeds from clone-picking to finished assemblies in 2 weeks for about $80 (USD) per clone. We recently used this protocol to produce reference sequence of structurally complex palindromes on chimpanzee and rhesus macaque X chromosomes. Our protocol provides access to structurally complex regions that would otherwise be inaccessible from whole-genome shotgun data or require an impractical amount of manual effort to generate an accurate assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Bellott
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ting-Jan Cho
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily K. Jackson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - David C. Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Hughes JF, Skaletsky H, Nicholls PK, Drake A, Pyntikova T, Cho TJ, Bellott DW, Page DC. A gene deriving from the ancestral sex chromosomes was lost from the X and retained on the Y chromosome in eutherian mammals. BMC Biol 2022; 20:133. [PMID: 35676717 PMCID: PMC9178871 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01338-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mammalian X and Y chromosomes originated from a pair of ordinary autosomes. Over the past ~180 million years, the X and Y have become highly differentiated and now only recombine with each other within a short pseudoautosomal region. While the X chromosome broadly preserved its gene content, the Y chromosome lost ~92% of the genes it once shared with the X chromosome. PRSSLY is a Y-linked gene identified in only a few mammalian species that was thought to be acquired, not ancestral. However, PRSSLY’s presence in widely divergent species—bull and mouse—led us to further investigate its evolutionary history. Results We discovered that PRSSLY is broadly conserved across eutherians and has ancient origins. PRSSLY homologs are found in syntenic regions on the X chromosome in marsupials and on autosomes in more distant animals, including lizards, indicating that PRSSLY was present on the ancestral autosomes but was lost from the X and retained on the Y in eutherian mammals. We found that across eutheria, PRSSLY’s expression is testis-specific, and, in mouse, it is most robustly expressed in post-meiotic germ cells. The closest paralog to PRSSLY is the autosomal gene PRSS55, which is expressed exclusively in testes, involved in sperm differentiation and migration, and essential for male fertility in mice. Outside of eutheria, in species where PRSSLY orthologs are not Y-linked, we find expression in a broader range of somatic tissues, suggesting that PRSSLY has adopted a germ-cell-specific function in eutherians. Finally, we generated Prssly mutant mice and found that they are fully fertile but produce offspring with a modest female-biased sex ratio compared to controls. Conclusions PRSSLY appears to be the first example of a gene that derives from the mammalian ancestral sex chromosomes that was lost from the X and retained on the Y. Although the function of PRSSLY remains to be determined, it may influence the sex ratio by promoting the survival or propagation of Y-bearing sperm. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01338-8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Peter K Nicholls
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Present Address: Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, BD71DP, Bradford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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30
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Stark-Dykema ER, Dulka EA, Gerlinger ER, Mueller JL. X-linked palindromic gene families 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5 are dispensable for male mouse fertility. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8554. [PMID: 35595785 PMCID: PMC9122934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12433-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sex chromosomes are enriched for large, nearly-identical, palindromic sequences harboring genes expressed predominately in testicular germ cells. Discerning if individual palindrome-associated gene families are essential for male reproduction is difficult due to challenges in disrupting all copies of a gene family. Here we generate precise, independent, deletions to assess the reproductive roles of two X-linked palindromic gene families with spermatid-predominant expression, 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5. Sequence analyses reveals mouse 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5 are orthologs of human HSFX3 and MAGEB5, respectively, where 4930567H17Rik/HSFX3 is harbored in a palindrome in humans and mice, while Mageb5 is not. Additional sequence analyses show 4930567H17Rik and HSFX3 are rapidly diverging in rodents and primates, respectively. Mice lacking either 4930567H17Rik or Mageb5 gene families do not have detectable defects in male fertility, fecundity, spermatogenesis, or in gene regulation, but do show differences in sperm head morphology, suggesting a potential role in sperm function. We conclude that while all palindrome-associated gene families are not essential for male fertility, large palindromes influence the evolution of their associated gene families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan R Stark-Dykema
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eden A Dulka
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Emma R Gerlinger
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jacob L Mueller
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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31
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The evolution of gene regulation on sex chromosomes. Trends Genet 2022; 38:844-855. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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32
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Kadri NK, Zhang J, Oget-Ebrad C, Wang Y, Couldrey C, Spelman R, Charlier C, Georges M, Druet T. High male specific contribution of the X-chromosome to individual global recombination rate in dairy cattle. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:114. [PMID: 35144552 PMCID: PMC8832838 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08328-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Meiotic recombination plays an important role in reproduction and evolution. The individual global recombination rate (GRR), measured as the number of crossovers (CO) per gametes, is a complex trait that has been shown to be heritable. The sex chromosomes play an important role in reproduction and fertility related traits. Therefore, variants present on the X-chromosome might have a high contribution to the genetic variation of GRR that is related to meiosis and to reproduction. Results We herein used genotyping data from 58,474 New Zealand dairy cattle to estimate the contribution of the X-chromosome to male and female GRR levels. Based on the pedigree-based relationships, we first estimated that the X-chromosome accounted for 30% of the total additive genetic variance for male GRR. This percentage was equal to 19.9% when the estimation relied on a SNP-BLUP approach assuming each SNP has a small contribution. We then carried out a haplotype-based association study to map X-linked QTL, and subsequently fine-mapped the identified QTL with imputed sequence variants. With this approach we identified three QTL with large effect accounting for 7.7% of the additive genetic variance of male GRR. The associated effects were equal to + 0.79, − 1.16 and + 1.18 CO for the alternate alleles. In females, the estimated contribution of the X-chromosome to GRR was null and no significant association with X-linked loci was found. Interestingly, two of the male GRR QTL were associated with candidate genes preferentially expressed in testis, in agreement with a male-specific effect. Finally, the most significant QTL was associated with PPP4R3C, further supporting the important role of protein phosphatase in double-strand break repair by homologous recombination. Conclusions Our study illustrates the important role the X-chromosome can have on traits such as individual recombination rate, associated with testis in males. We also show that contribution of the X-chromosome to such a trait might be sex dependent. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08328-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- N K Kadri
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium.,Animal Genomics, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - J Zhang
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - C Oget-Ebrad
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Y Wang
- Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd, Private Bag 3016, 3240, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - C Couldrey
- Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd, Private Bag 3016, 3240, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - R Spelman
- Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd, Private Bag 3016, 3240, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - C Charlier
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - M Georges
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - T Druet
- Unit of Animal Genomics, GIGA-R, 11 Avenue de l'Hôpital (B34), University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
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33
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Larson EL, Kopania EEK, Hunnicutt KE, Vanderpool D, Keeble S, Good JM. Stage-specific disruption of X chromosome expression during spermatogenesis in sterile house mouse hybrids. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkab407. [PMID: 34864964 PMCID: PMC9210296 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid sterility is a complex phenotype that can result from the breakdown of spermatogenesis at multiple developmental stages. Here, we disentangle two proposed hybrid male sterility mechanisms in the house mice, Mus musculus domesticus and M. m. musculus, by comparing patterns of gene expression in sterile F1 hybrids from a reciprocal cross. We found that hybrid males from both cross directions showed disrupted X chromosome expression during prophase of meiosis I consistent with a loss of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) and Prdm9-associated sterility, but that the degree of disruption was greater in mice with an M. m. musculus X chromosome consistent with previous studies. During postmeiotic development, gene expression on the X chromosome was only disrupted in one cross direction, suggesting that misexpression at this later stage was genotype-specific and not a simple downstream consequence of MSCI disruption which was observed in both reciprocal crosses. Instead, disrupted postmeiotic expression may depend on the magnitude of earlier disrupted MSCI, or the disruption of particular X-linked genes or gene networks. Alternatively, only hybrids with a potential deficit of Sly copies, a Y-linked ampliconic gene family, showed overexpression in postmeiotic cells, consistent with a previously proposed model of antagonistic coevolution between the X- and Y-linked ampliconic genes contributing to disrupted expression late in spermatogenesis. The relative contributions of these two regulatory mechanisms and their impact on sterility phenotypes await further study. Our results further support the hypothesis that X-linked hybrid sterility in house mice has a variable genetic basis, and that genotype-specific disruption of gene regulation contributes to overexpression of the X chromosome at different stages of development. Overall, these findings underscore the critical role of epigenetic regulation of the X chromosome during spermatogenesis and suggest that these processes are prone to disruption in hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Larson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Emily E K Kopania
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Kelsie E Hunnicutt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Dan Vanderpool
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Sara Keeble
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Good
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Bonito M, D’Atanasio E, Ravasini F, Cariati S, Finocchio A, Novelletto A, Trombetta B, Cruciani F. New insights into the evolution of human Y chromosome palindromes through mutation and gene conversion. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:2272-2285. [PMID: 34244762 PMCID: PMC8600007 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
About one-quarter of the euchromatic portion of the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome consists of large duplicated sequences that are organized in eight palindromes (termed P1-P8), which undergo arm-to arm gene conversion, a proposed mechanism for maintaining their sequence integrity. Although the relevance of gene conversion in the evolution of palindromic sequences has been profoundly recognized, the dynamic of this mechanism is still nuanced. To shed light into the evolution of these genomic elements, we performed a high-depth (50×) targeted next-generation sequencing of the palindrome P6 in 157 subjects belonging to the most divergent evolutionary lineages of the Y chromosome. We found 118 new paralogous sequence variants, which were placed into the context of a robust Y chromosome phylogeny based on 7240 SNPs of the X-degenerate region. We mapped along the phylogeny 80 gene conversion events that shaped the diversity of P6 arms during recent human history. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrated that arm-to-arm gene conversion, which occurs at a rate of 6.01 × 10 -6 conversions/base/year, is not biased toward the retention of the ancestral state of sequences. We also found a significantly lower mutation rate of the arms (6.18 × 10-10 mutations/base/year) compared with the spacer (9.16 × 10-10 mutations/base/year), a finding that may explain the observed higher inter-species conservation of arms, without invoking any bias of conversion. Finally, by formally testing the mutation/conversion balance in P6, we found that the arms of this palindrome reached a steady-state equilibrium between mutation and gene conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bonito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 0185, Italy
| | - Eugenia D’Atanasio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, Rome 0185, Italy
| | - Francesco Ravasini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 0185, Italy
| | - Selene Cariati
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 0185, Italy
| | - Andrea Finocchio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Andrea Novelletto
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Beniamino Trombetta
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 0185, Italy
| | - Fulvio Cruciani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 0185, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), CNR, Rome 0185, Italy
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35
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Jackson EK, Bellott DW, Skaletsky H, Page DC. GC-biased gene conversion in X-chromosome palindromes conserved in human, chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2021; 11:6317831. [PMID: 34849781 PMCID: PMC8981503 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Gene conversion is GC-biased across a wide range of taxa. Large palindromes on mammalian
sex chromosomes undergo frequent gene conversion that maintains arm-to-arm sequence
identity greater than 99%, which may increase their susceptibility to the effects of
GC-biased gene conversion. Here, we demonstrate a striking history of GC-biased gene
conversion in 12 palindromes conserved on the X chromosomes of human, chimpanzee, and
rhesus macaque. Primate X-chromosome palindrome arms have significantly higher GC content
than flanking single-copy sequences. Nucleotide replacements that occurred in human and
chimpanzee palindrome arms over the past 7 million years are one-and-a-half times as
GC-rich as the ancestral bases they replaced. Using simulations, we show that our observed
pattern of nucleotide replacements is consistent with GC-biased gene conversion with a
magnitude of 70%, similar to previously reported values based on analyses of human
meioses. However, GC-biased gene conversion since the divergence of human and rhesus
macaque explains only a fraction of the observed difference in GC content between
palindrome arms and flanking sequence, suggesting that palindromes are older than 29
million years and/or had elevated GC content at the time of their formation. This work
supports a greater than 2:1 preference for GC bases over AT bases during gene conversion
and demonstrates that the evolution and composition of mammalian sex chromosome
palindromes is strongly influenced by GC-biased gene conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Jackson
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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36
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Subrini J, Turner J. Y chromosome functions in mammalian spermatogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:67345. [PMID: 34606444 PMCID: PMC8489898 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome is critical for male sex determination and spermatogenesis. However, linking each Y gene to specific aspects of male reproduction has been challenging. As the Y chromosome is notoriously hard to sequence and target, functional studies have mostly relied on transgene-rescue approaches using mouse models with large multi-gene deletions. These experimental limitations have oriented the field toward the search for a minimum set of Y genes necessary for male reproduction. Here, considering Y-chromosome evolutionary history and decades of discoveries, we review the current state of research on its function in spermatogenesis and reassess the view that many Y genes are disposable for male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremie Subrini
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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37
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Mielke MM, Miller VM. Improving clinical outcomes through attention to sex and hormones in research. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2021; 17:625-635. [PMID: 34316045 PMCID: PMC8435014 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00531-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex, fluctuations in sex steroid hormones throughout life and gender as a social construct all influence every aspect of health and disease. Yet, for decades, most basic and clinical studies have included only male individuals. As modern health care moves towards personalized medicine, it is clear that considering sex and hormonal status in basic and clinical studies will bring precision to the development of novel therapeutics and treatment paradigms. To this end, funding, regulatory and policy agencies now require inclusion of female animals and women in basic and clinical studies. However, inclusion of female animals and women often does not mean that information regarding potential hormonal interactions with pharmacological treatments or clinical outcomes is available. All sex steroid hormones can interact with receptors for drug targets, metabolism and transport. Genetic variation in receptors or in enzymatic function might contribute to sex differences in therapeutic efficacy and adverse drug reactions. Outcomes from clinical trials are often not reported by sex, and, if the data are available, they are not translated into clinical practice guidelines. This Review will provide a historical perspective for the current state of research related to hormone trials and provide concrete strategies that, if implemented, will improve the health of all people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Mielke
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Mayo Clinic Specialized Center of Research Excellence, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Virginia M Miller
- Mayo Clinic Specialized Center of Research Excellence, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Women's Health Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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38
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Jay A, Reitz D, Namekawa SH, Heyer WD. Cancer testis antigens and genomic instability: More than immunology. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 108:103214. [PMID: 34481156 PMCID: PMC9196322 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens or genes (CTA, CTG) are predominantly expressed in adult testes while silenced in most or all somatic tissues with sporadic expression in many human cancers. Concerted misexpression of numerous CTA/CTGs is rarely observed. This finding argues against the germ cell theory of cancer. A surprising number of CTA/CTGs are involved in meiotic chromosome metabolism and specifically in meiotic recombination. Recent discoveries with a group of CTGs established that their misexpression in somatic cells results in genomic instability by interfering with homologous recombination (HR), a DNA repair pathway for complex DNA damage such as DNA double-stranded breaks, interstrand crosslinks, and single-stranded DNA gaps. HR-deficient tumors have specific vulnerabilities and show synthetic lethality with inhibition of polyADP-ribose polymerase, opening the possibility that expression of CTA/CTGs that result in an HR-defect could be used as an additional biomarker for HR status. Here, we review the repertoire of CTA/CTGs focusing on a cohort that functions in meiotic chromosome metabolism by interrogating relevant cancer databases and discussing recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ash Jay
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Diedre Reitz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA
| | - Wolf-Dietrich Heyer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616-8665, USA.
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39
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Jackson EK, Bellott DW, Cho TJ, Skaletsky H, Hughes JF, Pyntikova T, Page DC. Large palindromes on the primate X Chromosome are preserved by natural selection. Genome Res 2021; 31:1337-1352. [PMID: 34290043 PMCID: PMC8327919 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275188.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sex chromosomes carry large palindromes that harbor protein-coding gene families with testis-biased expression. However, there are few known examples of sex-chromosome palindromes conserved between species. We identified 26 palindromes on the human X Chromosome, constituting more than 2% of its sequence, and characterized orthologous palindromes in the chimpanzee and the rhesus macaque using a clone-based sequencing approach that incorporates full-length nanopore reads. Many of these palindromes are missing or misassembled in the current reference assemblies of these species' genomes. We find that 12 human X palindromes have been conserved for at least 25 million years, with orthologs in both chimpanzee and rhesus macaque. Insertions and deletions between species are significantly depleted within the X palindromes' protein-coding genes compared to their noncoding sequence, demonstrating that natural selection has preserved these gene families. The spacers that separate the left and right arms of palindromes are a site of localized structural instability, with seven of 12 conserved palindromes showing no spacer orthology between human and rhesus macaque. Analysis of the 1000 Genomes Project data set revealed that human X-palindrome spacers are enriched for deletions relative to arms and flanking sequence, including a common spacer deletion that affects 13% of human X Chromosomes. This work reveals an abundance of conserved palindromes on primate X Chromosomes and suggests that protein-coding gene families in palindromes (most of which remain poorly characterized) promote X-palindrome survival in the face of ongoing structural instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Jackson
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Ting-Jan Cho
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | | | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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40
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Brashear WA, Bredemeyer KR, Murphy WJ. Genomic architecture constrained placental mammal X Chromosome evolution. Genome Res 2021; 31:1353-1365. [PMID: 34301625 PMCID: PMC8327908 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275274.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Susumu Ohno proposed that the gene content of the mammalian X Chromosome should remain highly conserved due to dosage compensation. X Chromosome linkage (gene order) conservation is widespread in placental mammals but does not fall within the scope of Ohno's prediction and may be an indirect result of selection on gene content or selection against rearrangements that might disrupt X-Chromosome inactivation (XCI). Previous comparisons between the human and mouse X Chromosome sequences have suggested that although single-copy X Chromosome genes are conserved between species, most ampliconic genes were independently acquired. To better understand the evolutionary and functional constraints on X-linked gene content and linkage conservation in placental mammals, we aligned a new, high-quality, long-read X Chromosome reference assembly from the domestic cat (incorporating 19.3 Mb of targeted BAC clone sequence) to the pig, human, and mouse assemblies. A comprehensive analysis of annotated X-linked orthologs in public databases demonstrated that the majority of ampliconic gene families were present on the ancestral placental X Chromosome. We generated a domestic cat Hi-C contact map from an F1 domestic cat/Asian leopard cat hybrid and demonstrated the formation of the bipartite structure found in primate and rodent inactivated X Chromosomes. Conservation of gene order and recombination patterns is attributable to strong selective constraints on three-dimensional genomic architecture necessary for superloop formation. Species with rearranged X Chromosomes retain the ancestral order and relative spacing of loci critical for superloop formation during XCI, with compensatory inversions evolving to maintain these long-range physical interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley A Brashear
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.,Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Kevin R Bredemeyer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.,Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - William J Murphy
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.,Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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41
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Vegesna R, Tomaszkiewicz M, Ryder OA, Campos-Sánchez R, Medvedev P, DeGiorgio M, Makova KD. Ampliconic Genes on the Great Ape Y Chromosomes: Rapid Evolution of Copy Number but Conservation of Expression Levels. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:842-859. [PMID: 32374870 PMCID: PMC7313670 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicopy ampliconic gene families on the Y chromosome play an important role in spermatogenesis. Thus, studying their genetic variation in endangered great ape species is critical. We estimated the sizes (copy number) of nine Y ampliconic gene families in population samples of chimpanzee, bonobo, and orangutan with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, combined these estimates with published data for human and gorilla, and produced genome-wide testis gene expression data for great apes. Analyzing this comprehensive data set within an evolutionary framework, we, first, found high inter- and intraspecific variation in gene family size, with larger families exhibiting higher variation as compared with smaller families, a pattern consistent with random genetic drift. Second, for four gene families, we observed significant interspecific size differences, sometimes even between sister species—chimpanzee and bonobo. Third, despite substantial variation in copy number, Y ampliconic gene families’ expression levels did not differ significantly among species, suggesting dosage regulation. Fourth, for three gene families, size was positively correlated with gene expression levels across species, suggesting that, given sufficient evolutionary time, copy number influences gene expression. Our results indicate high variability in size but conservation in gene expression levels in Y ampliconic gene families, significantly advancing our understanding of Y-chromosome evolution in great apes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahulsimham Vegesna
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
| | | | - Oliver A Ryder
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, California
| | | | - Paul Medvedev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Center for Medical Genomics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
| | - Michael DeGiorgio
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Institute for Computational and Data Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
| | - Kateryna D Makova
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.,Center for Medical Genomics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
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42
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Couger MB, Roy SW, Anderson N, Gozashti L, Pirro S, Millward LS, Kim M, Kilburn D, Liu KJ, Wilson TM, Epps CW, Dizney L, Ruedas LA, Campbell P. Sex chromosome transformation and the origin of a male-specific X chromosome in the creeping vole. Science 2021; 372:592-600. [PMID: 33958470 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg7019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian sex chromosome system (XX female/XY male) is ancient and highly conserved. The sex chromosome karyotype of the creeping vole (Microtus oregoni) represents a long-standing anomaly, with an X chromosome that is unpaired in females (X0) and exclusively maternally transmitted. We produced a highly contiguous male genome assembly, together with short-read genomes and transcriptomes for both sexes. We show that M. oregoni has lost an independently segregating Y chromosome and that the male-specific sex chromosome is a second X chromosome that is largely homologous to the maternally transmitted X. Both maternally inherited and male-specific sex chromosomes carry fragments of the ancestral Y chromosome. Consequences of this recently transformed sex chromosome system include Y-like degeneration and gene amplification on the male-specific X, expression of ancestral Y-linked genes in females, and X inactivation of the male-specific chromosome in male somatic cells. The genome of M. oregoni elucidates the processes that shape the gene content and dosage of mammalian sex chromosomes and exemplifies a rare case of plasticity in an ancient sex chromosome system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Couger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, 02115, USA
| | - Scott W Roy
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Noelle Anderson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Landen Gozashti
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Stacy Pirro
- Iridian Genomes, Inc., Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Lindsay S Millward
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | | | | | | | - Todd M Wilson
- US Forest Service, PNW Research Station, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Clinton W Epps
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Laurie Dizney
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USA
| | - Luis A Ruedas
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA
| | - Polly Campbell
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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43
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Yang C, Zhou Y, Marcus S, Formenti G, Bergeron LA, Song Z, Bi X, Bergman J, Rousselle MMC, Zhou C, Zhou L, Deng Y, Fang M, Xie D, Zhu Y, Tan S, Mountcastle J, Haase B, Balacco J, Wood J, Chow W, Rhie A, Pippel M, Fabiszak MM, Koren S, Fedrigo O, Freiwald WA, Howe K, Yang H, Phillippy AM, Schierup MH, Jarvis ED, Zhang G. Evolutionary and biomedical insights from a marmoset diploid genome assembly. Nature 2021; 594:227-233. [PMID: 33910227 PMCID: PMC8189906 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03535-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The accurate and complete assembly of both haplotype sequences of a diploid organism is essential to understanding the role of variation in genome functions, phenotypes and diseases1. Here, using a trio-binning approach, we present a high-quality, diploid reference genome, with both haplotypes assembled independently at the chromosome level, for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), an primate model system that is widely used in biomedical research2,3. The full spectrum of heterozygosity between the two haplotypes involves 1.36% of the genome-much higher than the 0.13% indicated by the standard estimation based on single-nucleotide heterozygosity alone. The de novo mutation rate is 0.43 × 10-8 per site per generation, and the paternal inherited genome acquired twice as many mutations as the maternal. Our diploid assembly enabled us to discover a recent expansion of the sex-differentiation region and unique evolutionary changes in the marmoset Y chromosome. In addition, we identified many genes with signatures of positive selection that might have contributed to the evolution of Callithrix biological features. Brain-related genes were highly conserved between marmosets and humans, although several genes experienced lineage-specific copy number variations or diversifying selection, with implications for the use of marmosets as a model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chentao Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Stephanie Marcus
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giulio Formenti
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucie A Bergeron
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zhenzhen Song
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Juraj Bergman
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Yuan Deng
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Duo Xie
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | | | | | | | - Bettina Haase
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Balacco
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Arang Rhie
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martin Pippel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Systems Biology, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Sergey Koren
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Olivier Fedrigo
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Winrich A Freiwald
- Laboratory of Neural Systems, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Brains, Minds and Machines (CBMM), The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Huanming Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Academician Workstation of BGI Synthetic Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Adam M Phillippy
- Genome Informatics Section, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Erich D Jarvis
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China. .,China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China. .,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
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44
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Muyle A, Bachtrog D, Marais GAB, Turner JMA. Epigenetics drive the evolution of sex chromosomes in animals and plants. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200124. [PMID: 33866802 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We review how epigenetics affect sex chromosome evolution in animals and plants. In a few species, sex is determined epigenetically through the action of Y-encoded small RNAs. Epigenetics is also responsible for changing the sex of individuals through time, even in species that carry sex chromosomes, and could favour species adaptation through breeding system plasticity. The Y chromosome accumulates repeats that become epigenetically silenced which leads to an epigenetic conflict with the expression of Y genes and could accelerate Y degeneration. Y heterochromatin can be lost through ageing, which activates transposable elements and lowers male longevity. Y chromosome degeneration has led to the evolution of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in eutherians (placentals) and marsupials, and dosage compensation mechanisms in animals and plants. X-inactivation convergently evolved in eutherians and marsupials via two independently evolved non-coding RNAs. In Drosophila, male X upregulation by the male specific lethal (MSL) complex can spread to neo-X chromosomes through the transposition of transposable elements that carry an MSL-binding motif. We discuss similarities and possible differences between plants and animals and suggest future directions for this dynamic field of research. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Muyle
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Doris Bachtrog
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel A B Marais
- Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.,LEAF- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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45
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Swanepoel CM, Gerlinger ER, Mueller JL. Large X-Linked Palindromes Undergo Arm-to-Arm Gene Conversion across Mus Lineages. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:1979-1985. [PMID: 32145018 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Large (>10 kb), nearly identical (>99% nucleotide identity), palindromic sequences are enriched on mammalian sex chromosomes. Primate Y-palindromes undergo high rates of arm-to-arm gene conversion, a proposed mechanism for maintaining their sequence integrity in the absence of X-Y recombination. It is unclear whether X-palindromes, which can freely recombine in females, undergo arm-to-arm gene conversion and, if so, at what rate. We generated high-quality sequence assemblies of Mus molossinus and M. spretus X-palindromic regions and compared them with orthologous M. musculus X-palindromes. Our evolutionary sequence comparisons find evidence of X-palindrome arm-to-arm gene conversion at rates comparable to autosomal allelic gene conversion rates in mice. Mus X-palindromes also carry more derived than ancestral variants between species, suggesting that their sequence is rapidly diverging. We speculate that in addition to maintaining genes' sequence integrity via sequence homogenization, palindrome arm-to-arm gene conversion may also facilitate rapid sequence divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie M Swanepoel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Emma R Gerlinger
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jacob L Mueller
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
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46
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Song Z, Lin J, Li Z, Huang C. The nuclear functions of long noncoding RNAs come into focus. Noncoding RNA Res 2021; 6:70-79. [PMID: 33898883 PMCID: PMC8053782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), defined as untranslated and tightly-regulated transcripts with a length exceeding 200 nt, are common outputs of the eukaryotic genome. It is becoming increasingly apparent that many lncRNAs likely serve as important regulators in a variety of biological processes. In particular, some of them accumulate in the nucleus and function in diverse nuclear events, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, RNA processing, DNA damage repair, etc. Here, we unite recent progresses on the functions of nuclear lncRNAs and provide insights into the future research directions of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Song
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Center of Plant Functional Genomics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Jiamei Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Center of Plant Functional Genomics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Zhengguo Li
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Center of Plant Functional Genomics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Center of Plant Functional Genomics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
- Corresponding author. School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
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47
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Krausz C. Editorial for the special issue on the molecular genetics of male infertility. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1-5. [PMID: 33337534 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02245-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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48
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Murphy WJ, Foley NM, Bredemeyer KR, Gatesy J, Springer MS. Phylogenomics and the Genetic Architecture of the Placental Mammal Radiation. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2020; 9:29-53. [PMID: 33228377 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-061220-023149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The genomes of placental mammals are being sequenced at an unprecedented rate. Alignments of hundreds, and one day thousands, of genomes spanning the rich living and extinct diversity of species offer unparalleled power to resolve phylogenetic controversies, identify genomic innovations of adaptation, and dissect the genetic architecture of reproductive isolation. We highlight outstanding questions about the earliest phases of placental mammal diversification and the promise of newer methods, as well as remaining challenges, toward using whole genome data to resolve placental mammal phylogeny. The next phase of mammalian comparative genomics will see the completion and application of finished-quality, gapless genome assemblies from many ordinal lineages and closely related species. Interspecific comparisons between the most hypervariable genomic loci will likely reveal large, but heretofore mostly underappreciated, effects on population divergence, morphological innovation, and the origin of new species.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Murphy
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
| | - Nicole M Foley
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
| | - Kevin R Bredemeyer
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
| | - John Gatesy
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Mark S Springer
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
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49
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Florke Gee RR, Chen H, Lee AK, Daly CA, Wilander BA, Fon Tacer K, Potts PR. Emerging roles of the MAGE protein family in stress response pathways. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16121-16155. [PMID: 32921631 PMCID: PMC7681028 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) proteins all contain a MAGE homology domain. MAGE genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and have expanded from a single gene in lower eukaryotes to ∼40 genes in humans and mice. Whereas some MAGEs are ubiquitously expressed in tissues, others are expressed in only germ cells with aberrant reactivation in multiple cancers. Much of the initial research on MAGEs focused on exploiting their antigenicity and restricted expression pattern to target them with cancer immunotherapy. Beyond their potential clinical application and role in tumorigenesis, recent studies have shown that MAGE proteins regulate diverse cellular and developmental pathways, implicating them in many diseases besides cancer, including lung, renal, and neurodevelopmental disorders. At the molecular level, many MAGEs bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases and, thus, regulate their substrate specificity, ligase activity, and subcellular localization. On a broader scale, the MAGE genes likely expanded in eutherian mammals to protect the germline from environmental stress and aid in stress adaptation, and this stress tolerance may explain why many cancers aberrantly express MAGEs Here, we present an updated, comprehensive review on the MAGE family that highlights general characteristics, emphasizes recent comparative studies in mice, and describes the diverse functions exerted by individual MAGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R Florke Gee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anna K Lee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christina A Daly
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Benjamin A Wilander
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas, USA.
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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50
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Hughes JF, Skaletsky H, Pyntikova T, Koutseva N, Raudsepp T, Brown LG, Bellott DW, Cho TJ, Dugan-Rocha S, Khan Z, Kremitzki C, Fronick C, Graves-Lindsay TA, Fulton L, Warren WC, Wilson RK, Owens E, Womack JE, Murphy WJ, Muzny DM, Worley KC, Chowdhary BP, Gibbs RA, Page DC. Sequence analysis in Bos taurus reveals pervasiveness of X-Y arms races in mammalian lineages. Genome Res 2020; 30:1716-1726. [PMID: 33208454 PMCID: PMC7706723 DOI: 10.1101/gr.269902.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Studies of Y Chromosome evolution have focused primarily on gene decay, a consequence of suppression of crossing-over with the X Chromosome. Here, we provide evidence that suppression of X-Y crossing-over unleashed a second dynamic: selfish X-Y arms races that reshaped the sex chromosomes in mammals as different as cattle, mice, and men. Using super-resolution sequencing, we explore the Y Chromosome of Bos taurus (bull) and find it to be dominated by massive, lineage-specific amplification of testis-expressed gene families, making it the most gene-dense Y Chromosome sequenced to date. As in mice, an X-linked homolog of a bull Y-amplified gene has become testis-specific and amplified. This evolutionary convergence implies that lineage-specific X-Y coevolution through gene amplification, and the selfish forces underlying this phenomenon, were dominatingly powerful among diverse mammalian lineages. Together with Y gene decay, X-Y arms races molded mammalian sex chromosomes and influenced the course of mammalian evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | | | - Terje Raudsepp
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Laura G Brown
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | - Ting-Jan Cho
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Shannon Dugan-Rocha
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ziad Khan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Colin Kremitzki
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Catrina Fronick
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Tina A Graves-Lindsay
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Lucinda Fulton
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Wesley C Warren
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Richard K Wilson
- The McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
| | - Elaine Owens
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - James E Womack
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - William J Murphy
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kim C Worley
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bhanu P Chowdhary
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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