1
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Gong X, He W, Jin W, Ma H, Wang G, Li J, Xiao Y, Zhao Y, Chen Q, Guo H, Yang J, Qi Y, Dong W, Fu M, Li X, Liu J, Liu X, Yin A, Zhang Y, Wei Y. Disruption of maternal vascular remodeling by a fetal endoretrovirus-derived gene in preeclampsia. Genome Biol 2024; 25:117. [PMID: 38715110 PMCID: PMC11075363 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03265-z] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia, one of the most lethal pregnancy-related diseases, is associated with the disruption of uterine spiral artery remodeling during placentation. However, the early molecular events leading to preeclampsia remain unknown. RESULTS By analyzing placentas from preeclampsia, non-preeclampsia, and twin pregnancies with selective intrauterine growth restriction, we show that the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is attributed to immature trophoblast and maldeveloped endothelial cells. Delayed epigenetic reprogramming during early extraembryonic tissue development leads to generation of excessive immature trophoblast cells. We find reduction of de novo DNA methylation in these trophoblast cells results in selective overexpression of maternally imprinted genes, including the endoretrovirus-derived gene PEG10 (paternally expressed gene 10). PEG10 forms virus-like particles, which are transferred from the trophoblast to the closely proximate endothelial cells. In normal pregnancy, only a low amount of PEG10 is transferred to maternal cells; however, in preeclampsia, excessive PEG10 disrupts maternal vascular development by inhibiting TGF-beta signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the intricate epigenetic mechanisms that regulate trans-generational genetic conflict and ultimately ensure proper maternal-fetal interface formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei He
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan Jin
- Euler Technology, Beijing, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongwei Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangyu Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Jiexia Yang
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiming Qi
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Maternity Ward, Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Euler Technology, Beijing, China
- Present Address: International Max Planck Research School for Genome Science, and University of Göttingen, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Xinghui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.
| | - Aihua Yin
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Euler Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Yuan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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2
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Oomen ME, Torres-Padilla ME. Jump-starting life: balancing transposable element co-option and genome integrity in the developing mammalian embryo. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1721-1733. [PMID: 38528171 PMCID: PMC11015026 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00118-5] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Remnants of transposable elements (TEs) are widely expressed throughout mammalian embryo development. Originally infesting our genomes as selfish elements and acting as a source of genome instability, several of these elements have been co-opted as part of a complex system of genome regulation. Many TEs have lost transposition ability and their transcriptional potential has been tampered as a result of interactions with the host throughout evolutionary time. It has been proposed that TEs have been ultimately repurposed to function as gene regulatory hubs scattered throughout our genomes. In the early embryo in particular, TEs find a perfect environment of naïve chromatin to escape transcriptional repression by the host. As a consequence, it is thought that hosts found ways to co-opt TE sequences to regulate large-scale changes in chromatin and transcription state of their genomes. In this review, we discuss several examples of TEs expressed during embryo development, their potential for co-option in genome regulation and the evolutionary pressures on TEs and on our genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies E Oomen
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany.
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany.
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3
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Yu M, Hu X, Pan Z, Du C, Jiang J, Zheng W, Cai H, Wang Y, Deng W, Wang H, Lu J, Sun MA, Cao B. Endogenous retrovirus-derived enhancers confer the transcriptional regulation of human trophoblast syncytialization. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:4745-4759. [PMID: 36864754 PMCID: PMC10250217 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have been proposed as a driving force for the evolution of the mammalian placenta, however, the contribution of ERVs to placental development and the underlying regulatory mechanism remain largely elusive. A key process of placental development is the formation of multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) in direct contact with maternal blood, through which constitutes the maternal-fetal interface critical for nutrient allocation, hormone production and immunological modulation during pregnancy. We delineate that ERVs profoundly rewire the transcriptional program of trophoblast syncytialization. Here, we first determined the dynamic landscape of bivalent ERV-derived enhancers with dual occupancy of H3K27ac and H3K9me3 in human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs). We further demonstrated that enhancers overlapping several ERV families tend to exhibit increased H3K27ac and reduced H3K9me3 occupancy in STBs relative to hTSCs. Particularly, bivalent enhancers derived from the Simiiformes-specific MER50 transposons were linked to a cluster of genes important for STB formation. Importantly, deletions of MER50 elements adjacent to several STB genes, including MFSD2A and TNFAIP2, significantly attenuated their expression concomitant to compromised syncytium formation. Together, we propose that ERV-derived enhancers, MER50 specifically, fine-tune the transcriptional networks accounting for human trophoblast syncytialization, which sheds light on a novel ERV-mediated regulatory mechanism underlying placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Xiaoqian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Zihang Pan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Cui Du
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu225009, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu225009, China
| | - Wanshan Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Han Cai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
| | - Ming-an Sun
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Cao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian361002, China
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4
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Richard Albert J, Kobayashi T, Inoue A, Monteagudo-Sánchez A, Kumamoto S, Takashima T, Miura A, Oikawa M, Miura F, Takada S, Hirabayashi M, Korthauer K, Kurimoto K, Greenberg MVC, Lorincz M, Kobayashi H. Conservation and divergence of canonical and non-canonical imprinting in murids. Genome Biol 2023; 24:48. [PMID: 36918927 PMCID: PMC10012579 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-02869-1] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic imprinting affects gene expression in a parent-of-origin manner and has a profound impact on complex traits including growth and behavior. While the rat is widely used to model human pathophysiology, few imprinted genes have been identified in this murid. To systematically identify imprinted genes and genomic imprints in the rat, we use low input methods for genome-wide analyses of gene expression and DNA methylation to profile embryonic and extraembryonic tissues at allele-specific resolution. RESULTS We identify 14 and 26 imprinted genes in these tissues, respectively, with 10 of these genes imprinted in both tissues. Comparative analyses with mouse reveal that orthologous imprinted gene expression and associated canonical DNA methylation imprints are conserved in the embryo proper of the Muridae family. However, only 3 paternally expressed imprinted genes are conserved in the extraembryonic tissue of murids, all of which are associated with non-canonical H3K27me3 imprints. The discovery of 8 novel non-canonical imprinted genes unique to the rat is consistent with more rapid evolution of extraembryonic imprinting. Meta-analysis of novel imprinted genes reveals multiple mechanisms by which species-specific imprinted expression may be established, including H3K27me3 deposition in the oocyte, the appearance of ZFP57 binding motifs, and the insertion of endogenous retroviral promoters. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we provide an expanded list of imprinted loci in the rat, reveal the extent of conservation of imprinted gene expression, and identify potential mechanisms responsible for the evolution of species-specific imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toshihiro Kobayashi
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Azusa Inoue
- YCI Laboratory for Metabolic Epigenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Soichiro Kumamoto
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Asuka Miura
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Oikawa
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumihito Miura
- Department of Biochemistry, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Keegan Korthauer
- Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kazuki Kurimoto
- Department of Embryology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | | | - Matthew Lorincz
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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5
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Calero-Layana M, López-Cruz C, Ocaña A, Tejera E, Armijos-Jaramillo V. Evolutionary analysis of endogenous intronic retroviruses in primates reveals an enrichment in transcription binding sites associated with key regulatory processes. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14431. [PMID: 36575684 PMCID: PMC9790151 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14431] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are the result of the integration of retroviruses into host DNA following germline infection. Endogenous retroviruses are made up of three main genes: gag, pol, and env, each of which encodes viral proteins that can be conserved or not. ERVs have been observed in a wide range of vertebrate genomes and their functions are associated with viral silencing and gene regulation. Results In this work, we studied the evolutionary history of endogenous retroviruses associated with five human genes (INPP5B, DET1, PSMA1, USH2A, and MACROD2), which are located within intron sections. To verify the retroviral origin of the candidates, several approaches were used to detect and locate ERV elements. Both orthologous and paralogous genes were identified by Ensembl and then analyzed for ERV presence using RetroTector. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to identify the minimum time point of ERV acquisition. From that search, we detected ERVs throughout the primate lineage and in some other groups. Also, we identified the minimum origin of the ERVs from the parvorder Catarrhini to the Homininae subfamily. Conclusions With the data collected, and by observing the transcription factors annotated inside ERVs, we propose that these elements play a relevant role in gene expression regulation and they probably possess important features for tumorigenesis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Calero-Layana
- Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carmen López-Cruz
- Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Agustín Ocaña
- Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Eduardo Tejera
- Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador,Grupo de Bio-Quimioinformática, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Vinicio Armijos-Jaramillo
- Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador,Grupo de Bio-Quimioinformática, Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
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6
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Chesnokova E, Beletskiy A, Kolosov P. The Role of Transposable Elements of the Human Genome in Neuronal Function and Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5847. [PMID: 35628657 PMCID: PMC9148063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) have been extensively studied for decades. In recent years, the introduction of whole-genome and whole-transcriptome approaches, as well as single-cell resolution techniques, provided a breakthrough that uncovered TE involvement in host gene expression regulation underlying multiple normal and pathological processes. Of particular interest is increased TE activity in neuronal tissue, and specifically in the hippocampus, that was repeatedly demonstrated in multiple experiments. On the other hand, numerous neuropathologies are associated with TE dysregulation. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of literature about the role of TEs in neurons published over the last three decades. The first chapter of the present review describes known mechanisms of TE interaction with host genomes in general, with the focus on mammalian and human TEs; the second chapter provides examples of TE exaptation in normal neuronal tissue, including TE involvement in neuronal differentiation and plasticity; and the last chapter lists TE-related neuropathologies. We sought to provide specific molecular mechanisms of TE involvement in neuron-specific processes whenever possible; however, in many cases, only phenomenological reports were available. This underscores the importance of further studies in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Chesnokova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia; (A.B.); (P.K.)
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7
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Vuoristo S, Bhagat S, Hydén-Granskog C, Yoshihara M, Gawriyski L, Jouhilahti EM, Ranga V, Tamirat M, Huhtala M, Kirjanov I, Nykänen S, Krjutškov K, Damdimopoulos A, Weltner J, Hashimoto K, Recher G, Ezer S, Paluoja P, Paloviita P, Takegami Y, Kanemaru A, Lundin K, Airenne TT, Otonkoski T, Tapanainen JS, Kawaji H, Murakawa Y, Bürglin TR, Varjosalo M, Johnson MS, Tuuri T, Katayama S, Kere J. DUX4 is a multifunctional factor priming human embryonic genome activation. iScience 2022; 25:104137. [PMID: 35402882 PMCID: PMC8990217 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Double homeobox 4 (DUX4) is expressed at the early pre-implantation stage in human embryos. Here we show that induced human DUX4 expression substantially alters the chromatin accessibility of non-coding DNA and activates thousands of newly identified transcribed enhancer-like regions, preferentially located within ERVL-MaLR repeat elements. CRISPR activation of transcribed enhancers by C-terminal DUX4 motifs results in the increased expression of target embryonic genome activation (EGA) genes ZSCAN4 and KHDC1P1. We show that DUX4 is markedly enriched in human zygotes, followed by intense nuclear DUX4 localization preceding and coinciding with minor EGA. DUX4 knockdown in human zygotes led to changes in the EGA transcriptome but did not terminate the embryos. We also show that the DUX4 protein interacts with the Mediator complex via the C-terminal KIX binding motif. Our findings contribute to the understanding of DUX4 as a regulator of the non-coding genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Vuoristo
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shruti Bhagat
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Instutute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | | | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lisa Gawriyski
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva-Mari Jouhilahti
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vipin Ranga
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mahlet Tamirat
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mikko Huhtala
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ida Kirjanov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sonja Nykänen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Competence Centre for Health Technologies, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.,University of Tartu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Jere Weltner
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kosuke Hashimoto
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Gaëlle Recher
- Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, CNRS, Institut d'Optique Graduate School, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5298, 33400 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sini Ezer
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Priit Paluoja
- Competence Centre for Health Technologies, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia.,University of Helsinki, Doctoral Program in Population Health, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pauliina Paloviita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomi T Airenne
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Timo Otonkoski
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00290
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Reproductive Medicine Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Oulu University Hospital, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako 351-0198, Japan.,Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Instutute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,IFOM, The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Systems Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Thomas R Bürglin
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mark S Johnson
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Reproductive Medicine Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shintaro Katayama
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
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8
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Soares SC, Eler ES, E Silva CEF, da Silva MNF, Araújo NP, Svartman M, Feldberg E. LINE-1 and SINE-B1 mapping and genome diversification in Proechimys species (Rodentia: Echimyidae). Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/6/e202101104. [PMID: 35304430 PMCID: PMC8932440 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to understand the impact of LINE-1 and SINE-B1 retroelements on the architecture and karyotypic diversification of five rodent species of the genus Proechimys from different regions of the Amazon. Karyotype comparisons were performed using fluorescent interspecific in situ hybridization. The L1 and B1 retroelements showed a non-random arrangement and a conserved pattern when the genomes of the five species of Proechimys were compared, including the two cytotypes of Proechimys guyannensis The signal homeology among the chromosomes and the degree of similarity among the formed clusters indicate rearrangements such as fusion/fission, and demonstrates that these retroelements can behave as derived characters shared in Proechimys The differentiated distribution and organization of these retroelements in the karyotypes and in the chromosomal fiber, respectively, may represent a strong indication of their role as generating sources of karyotypic diversity in the genus Proechimys and provide insights into the evolutionary relationships between taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cardoso Soares
- Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil .,Laboratório de Genética Animal (LGA), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil.,Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Schmidt Eler
- Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Faresin E Silva
- Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil.,Laboratório de Genética Animal (LGA), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Naiara Pereira Araújo
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia campus Jaru, Jaru, Brazil
| | - Marta Svartman
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eliana Feldberg
- Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil.,Laboratório de Genética Animal (LGA), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
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9
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Zhou X, Sam TW, Lee AY, Leung D. Mouse strain-specific polymorphic provirus functions as cis-regulatory element leading to epigenomic and transcriptomic variations. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6462. [PMID: 34753915 PMCID: PMC8578388 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymorphic integrations of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have been previously detected in mouse and human genomes. While most are inert, a subset can influence the activity of the host genes. However, the molecular mechanism underlying how such elements affect the epigenome and transcriptome and their roles in driving intra-specific variation remain unclear. Here, by utilizing wildtype murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) derived from distinct genetic backgrounds, we discover a polymorphic MMERGLN (GLN) element capable of regulating H3K27ac enrichment and transcription of neighboring loci. We demonstrate that this polymorphic element can enhance the neighboring Klhdc4 gene expression in cis, which alters the activity of downstream stress response genes. These results suggest that the polymorphic ERV-derived cis-regulatory element contributes to differential phenotypes from stimuli between mouse strains. Moreover, we identify thousands of potential polymorphic ERVs in mESCs, a subset of which show an association between proviral activity and nearby chromatin states and transcription. Overall, our findings elucidate the mechanism of how polymorphic ERVs can shape the epigenome and transcriptional networks that give rise to phenotypic divergence between individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng Zhou
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tsz Wing Sam
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ah Young Lee
- Center for Epigenomics Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Danny Leung
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Center for Epigenomics Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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10
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Dechaud C, Miyake S, Martinez-Bengochea A, Schartl M, Volff JN, Naville M. Clustering of Sex-Biased Genes and Transposable Elements in the Genome of the Medaka Fish Oryzias latipes. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6384576. [PMID: 34623422 PMCID: PMC8633743 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although genes with similar expression patterns are sometimes found in the same genomic regions, almost nothing is known about the relative organization in genomes of genes and transposable elements (TEs), which might influence each other at the regulatory level. In this study, we used transcriptomic data from male and female gonads of the Japanese medaka Oryzias latipes to define sexually biased genes and TEs and analyze their relative genomic localization. We identified 20,588 genes expressed in the adult gonads of O. latipes. Around 39% of these genes are differentially expressed between male and female gonads. We further analyzed the expression of TEs using the program SQuIRE and showed that more TE copies are overexpressed in testis than in ovaries (36% vs. 10%, respectively). We then developed a method to detect genomic regions enriched in testis- or ovary-biased genes. This revealed that sex-biased genes and TEs are not randomly distributed in the genome and a part of them form clusters with the same expression bias. We also found a correlation of expression between TE copies and their closest genes, which increases with decreasing intervening distance. Such a genomic organization suggests either that TEs hijack the regulatory sequences of neighboring sexual genes, allowing their expression in germ line cells and consequently new insertions to be transmitted to the next generation, or that TEs are involved in the regulation of sexual genes, and might therefore through their mobility participate in the rewiring of sex regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Dechaud
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Sho Miyake
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Manfred Schartl
- Entwicklungsbiochemie, Biozentrum, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Nicolas Volff
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Magali Naville
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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11
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Stefanetti V, Pascucci L, Wilsher S, Cappelli K, Capomaccio S, Reale L, Passamonti F, Coletti M, Crociati M, Monaci M, Marenzoni ML. Differential Expression Pattern of Retroviral Envelope Gene in the Equine Placenta. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:693416. [PMID: 34307531 PMCID: PMC8298818 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.693416] [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: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are proviral phases of exogenous retroviruses, which have coevolved with vertebrate genomes for millions of years. The conservation of ERV genes throughout evolution suggests their beneficial effects on their hosts' survival. An example of such positive selection is demonstrated by the syncytin gene, which encodes a protein with affinity for various mammalian placentas that is involved in the formation of syncytiotrophoblasts. Although the horse has an epitheliochorial placenta, in which the fetal trophoblasts are simply apposed to the intact uterine epithelium, we have previously demonstrated that the equine ERV (EqERV) env RNA is unexpectedly expressed in placental tissue. In the present study, we investigated the mRNA expression pattern of the EqERV env gene in different parts of the equine placenta, to gain more insight into its putative role in the fetal–maternal relationship. To this end, we used reverse transcription–quantitative PCR (RT–qPCR) and in situ hybridization assays to analyze different target areas of the equine placenta. The retroviral env gene is expressed in the equine placenta, even though there is no syncytium or erosion of the uterine endometrium. The gene is also expressed in all the sampled areas, although with some quantitative differences. We suggest that these differences are attributable to variations in the density, height, and degree of morphological complexity of the chorionic villi forming the microcotyledons. The involvement of the EqERV env gene in different functional pathways affecting the fetus–mother relationship can be hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luisa Pascucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sandra Wilsher
- The Paul Mellon Laboratory of Equine Reproduction, 'Brunswick', Newmarket, United Kingdom
| | - Katia Cappelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Capomaccio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lara Reale
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Coletti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Crociati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Monaci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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12
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Herpin A, Schartl M, Depincé A, Guiguen Y, Bobe J, Hua-Van A, Hayman ES, Octavera A, Yoshizaki G, Nichols KM, Goetz GW, Luckenbach JA. Allelic diversification after transposable element exaptation promoted gsdf as the master sex determining gene of sablefish. Genome Res 2021; 31:1366-1380. [PMID: 34183453 PMCID: PMC8327909 DOI: 10.1101/gr.274266.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Concepts of evolutionary biology suggest that morphological change may occur by rare punctual but rather large changes, or by more steady and gradual transformations. It can therefore be asked whether genetic changes underlying morphological, physiological, and/or behavioral innovations during evolution occur in a punctual manner, whereby a single mutational event has prominent phenotypic consequences, or if many consecutive alterations in the DNA over longer time periods lead to phenotypic divergence. In the marine teleost, sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria), complementary genomic and genetic studies led to the identification of a sex locus on the Y Chromosome. Further characterization of this locus resulted in identification of the transforming growth factor, beta receptor 1a (tgfbr1a) gene, gonadal somatic cell derived factor (gsdf), as the main candidate for fulfilling the master sex determining (MSD) function. The presence of different X and Y Chromosome copies of this gene indicated that the male heterogametic (XY) system of sex determination in sablefish arose by allelic diversification. The gsdfY gene has a spatio-temporal expression profile characteristic of a male MSD gene. We provide experimental evidence demonstrating a pivotal role of a transposable element (TE) for the divergent function of gsdfY. By insertion within the gsdfY promoter region, this TE generated allelic diversification by bringing cis-regulatory modules that led to transcriptional rewiring and thus creation of a new MSD gene. This points out, for the first time in the scenario of MSD gene evolution by allelic diversification, a single, punctual molecular event in the appearance of a new trigger for male development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Herpin
- INRAE, LPGP, 35000, Rennes, France.,State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Manfred Schartl
- University of Wuerzburg, Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA
| | | | | | | | - Aurélie Hua-Van
- Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes Comportement, Ecologie, CNRS Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9191, IRD UMR 247, F-91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Edward S Hayman
- Ocean Associates Incorporated, under contract to Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA
| | - Anna Octavera
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Goro Yoshizaki
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Krista M Nichols
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA
| | - Giles W Goetz
- Cooperative Institutes for Climate, Ocean, and Environmental Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA
| | - J Adam Luckenbach
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
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13
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Netter Z, Boyd CM, Silvas TV, Seed KD. A phage satellite tunes inducing phage gene expression using a domesticated endonuclease to balance inhibition and virion hijacking. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4386-4401. [PMID: 33823541 PMCID: PMC8096241 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria persist under constant threat of predation by bacterial viruses (phages). Bacteria-phage conflicts result in evolutionary arms races often driven by mobile genetic elements (MGEs). One such MGE, a phage satellite in Vibrio cholerae called PLE, provides specific and robust defense against a pervasive lytic phage, ICP1. The interplay between PLE and ICP1 has revealed strategies for molecular parasitism allowing PLE to hijack ICP1 processes in order to mobilize. Here, we describe the mechanism of PLE-mediated transcriptional manipulation of ICP1 structural gene transcription. PLE encodes a novel DNA binding protein, CapR, that represses ICP1’s capsid morphogenesis operon. Although CapR is sufficient for the degree of capsid repression achieved by PLE, its activity does not hinder the ICP1 lifecycle. We explore the consequences of repression of this operon, demonstrating that more stringent repression achieved through CRISPRi restricts both ICP1 and PLE. We also discover that PLE transduces in modified ICP1-like particles. Examination of CapR homologs led to the identification of a suite of ICP1-encoded homing endonucleases, providing a putative origin for the satellite-encoded repressor. This work unveils a facet of the delicate balance of satellite-mediated inhibition aimed at blocking phage production while successfully mobilizing in a phage-derived particle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Netter
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Caroline M Boyd
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Tania V Silvas
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kimberley D Seed
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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14
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Miller WB, Enguita FJ, Leitão AL. Non-Random Genome Editing and Natural Cellular Engineering in Cognition-Based Evolution. Cells 2021; 10:1125. [PMID: 34066959 PMCID: PMC8148535 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neo-Darwinism presumes that biological variation is a product of random genetic replication errors and natural selection. Cognition-Based Evolution (CBE) asserts a comprehensive alternative approach to phenotypic variation and the generation of biological novelty. In CBE, evolutionary variation is the product of natural cellular engineering that permits purposive genetic adjustments as cellular problem-solving. CBE upholds that the cornerstone of biology is the intelligent measuring cell. Since all biological information that is available to cells is ambiguous, multicellularity arises from the cellular requirement to maximize the validity of available environmental information. This is best accomplished through collective measurement purposed towards maintaining and optimizing individual cellular states of homeorhesis as dynamic flux that sustains cellular equipoise. The collective action of the multicellular measurement and assessment of information and its collaborative communication is natural cellular engineering. Its yield is linked cellular ecologies and mutualized niche constructions that comprise biofilms and holobionts. In this context, biological variation is the product of collective differential assessment of ambiguous environmental cues by networking intelligent cells. Such concerted action is enabled by non-random natural genomic editing in response to epigenetic impacts and environmental stresses. Random genetic activity can be either constrained or deployed as a 'harnessing of stochasticity'. Therefore, genes are cellular tools. Selection filters cellular solutions to environmental stresses to assure continuous cellular-organismal-environmental complementarity. Since all multicellular eukaryotes are holobionts as vast assemblages of participants of each of the three cellular domains (Prokaryota, Archaea, Eukaryota) and the virome, multicellular variation is necessarily a product of co-engineering among them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco J. Enguita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Ana Lúcia Leitão
- MEtRICs, Department of Sciences and Technology of Biomass, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
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15
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Ferrari R, Grandi N, Tramontano E, Dieci G. Retrotransposons as Drivers of Mammalian Brain Evolution. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050376. [PMID: 33922141 PMCID: PMC8143547 DOI: 10.3390/life11050376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons, a large and diverse class of transposable elements that are still active in humans, represent a remarkable force of genomic innovation underlying mammalian evolution. Among the features distinguishing mammals from all other vertebrates, the presence of a neocortex with a peculiar neuronal organization, composition and connectivity is perhaps the one that, by affecting the cognitive abilities of mammals, contributed mostly to their evolutionary success. Among mammals, hominids and especially humans display an extraordinarily expanded cortical volume, an enrichment of the repertoire of neural cell types and more elaborate patterns of neuronal connectivity. Retrotransposon-derived sequences have recently been implicated in multiple layers of gene regulation in the brain, from transcriptional and post-transcriptional control to both local and large-scale three-dimensional chromatin organization. Accordingly, an increasing variety of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions are being recognized to be associated with retrotransposon dysregulation. We review here a large body of recent studies lending support to the idea that retrotransposon-dependent evolutionary novelties were crucial for the emergence of mammalian, primate and human peculiarities of brain morphology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ferrari
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy;
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (N.G.); (E.T.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (N.G.); (E.T.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dieci
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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16
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Etchegaray E, Naville M, Volff JN, Haftek-Terreau Z. Transposable element-derived sequences in vertebrate development. Mob DNA 2021; 12:1. [PMID: 33407840 PMCID: PMC7786948 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-020-00229-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of all vertebrate genomes that can cause deleterious insertions and genomic instability. However, depending on the specific genomic context of their insertion site, TE sequences can sometimes get positively selected, leading to what are called "exaptation" events. TE sequence exaptation constitutes an important source of novelties for gene, genome and organism evolution, giving rise to new regulatory sequences, protein-coding exons/genes and non-coding RNAs, which can play various roles beneficial to the host. In this review, we focus on the development of vertebrates, which present many derived traits such as bones, adaptive immunity and a complex brain. We illustrate how TE-derived sequences have given rise to developmental innovations in vertebrates and how they thereby contributed to the evolutionary success of this lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ema Etchegaray
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 46 allee d'Italie, F-69364, Lyon, France.
| | - Magali Naville
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 46 allee d'Italie, F-69364, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Nicolas Volff
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 46 allee d'Italie, F-69364, Lyon, France
| | - Zofia Haftek-Terreau
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Univ Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 46 allee d'Italie, F-69364, Lyon, France
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17
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Mulholland CB, Nishiyama A, Ryan J, Nakamura R, Yiğit M, Glück IM, Trummer C, Qin W, Bartoschek MD, Traube FR, Parsa E, Ugur E, Modic M, Acharya A, Stolz P, Ziegenhain C, Wierer M, Enard W, Carell T, Lamb DC, Takeda H, Nakanishi M, Bultmann S, Leonhardt H. Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5972. [PMID: 33235224 PMCID: PMC7686362 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide DNA demethylation is a unique feature of mammalian development and naïve pluripotent stem cells. Here, we describe a recently evolved pathway in which global hypomethylation is achieved by the coupling of active and passive demethylation. TET activity is required, albeit indirectly, for global demethylation, which mostly occurs at sites devoid of TET binding. Instead, TET-mediated active demethylation is locus-specific and necessary for activating a subset of genes, including the naïve pluripotency and germline marker Dppa3 (Stella, Pgc7). DPPA3 in turn drives large-scale passive demethylation by directly binding and displacing UHRF1 from chromatin, thereby inhibiting maintenance DNA methylation. Although unique to mammals, we show that DPPA3 alone is capable of inducing global DNA demethylation in non-mammalian species (Xenopus and medaka) despite their evolutionary divergence from mammals more than 300 million years ago. Our findings suggest that the evolution of Dppa3 facilitated the emergence of global DNA demethylation in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Mulholland
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Atsuya Nishiyama
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Joel Ryan
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ryohei Nakamura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Merve Yiğit
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ivo M Glück
- Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience, Nanosystems Initiative Munich and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Carina Trummer
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Weihua Qin
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Michael D Bartoschek
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Franziska R Traube
- Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM) at the Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Edris Parsa
- Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM) at the Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Enes Ugur
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Miha Modic
- The Francis Crick Institute and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Aishwarya Acharya
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Paul Stolz
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christoph Ziegenhain
- Department of Biology II, Anthropology and Human Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Michael Wierer
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Enard
- Department of Biology II, Anthropology and Human Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Thomas Carell
- Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM) at the Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Don C Lamb
- Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience, Nanosystems Initiative Munich and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakanishi
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Sebastian Bultmann
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Heinrich Leonhardt
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Human Biology and BioImaging, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
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18
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Zhang X, Pavlicev M, Jones HN, Muglia LJ. Eutherian-Specific Gene TRIML2 Attenuates Inflammation in the Evolution of Placentation. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:507-523. [PMID: 31633784 PMCID: PMC6993854 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolution of highly invasive placentation in the stem lineage of eutherians and subsequent extension of pregnancy set eutherians apart from other mammals, that is, marsupials with short-lived placentas, and oviparous monotremes. Recent studies suggest that eutherian implantation evolved from marsupial attachment reaction, an inflammatory process induced by the direct contact of fetal placenta with maternal endometrium after the breakdown of the shell coat, and shortly before the onset of parturition. Unique to eutherians, a dramatic downregulation of inflammation after implantation prevents the onset of premature parturition, and is critical for the maintenance of gestation. This downregulation likely involved evolutionary changes on maternal as well as fetal/placental side. Tripartite-motif family-like2 (TRIML2) only exists in eutherian genomes and shows preferential expression in preimplantation embryos, and trophoblast-derived structures, such as chorion and placental disc. Comparative genomic evidence supports that TRIML2 originated from a gene duplication event in the stem lineage of Eutheria that also gave rise to eutherian TRIML1. Compared with TRIML1, TRIML2 lost the catalytic RING domain of E3 ligase. However, only TRIML2 is induced in human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG3 with poly(I:C) treatment to simulate inflammation during viral infection. Its knockdown increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines and reduces trophoblast survival during poly(I:C) stimulation, while its overexpression reduces proinflammatory cytokine production, supporting TRIML2’s role as a regulatory inhibitor of the inflammatory pathways in trophoblasts. TRIML2’s potential virus-interacting PRY/SPRY domain shows significant signature of selection, suggesting its contribution to the evolution of eutherian-specific inflammation regulation during placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuzhe Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.,March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Mihaela Pavlicev
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.,March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Helen N Jones
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.,Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.,March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, OH
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19
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Xian Y, Xiao C. Current capsid assembly models of icosahedral nucleocytoviricota viruses. Adv Virus Res 2020; 108:275-313. [PMID: 33837719 PMCID: PMC8328511 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2020.09.006] [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] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocytoviricota viruses (NCVs) belong to a newly established phylum originally grouped as Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. NCVs are unique because of their large and complicated genomes that contain cellular genes with homologs from all kingdoms of life, raising intensive debates on their evolutional origins. Many NCVs pack their genomes inside massive icosahedral capsids assembled from thousands of proteins. Studying the assembly mechanism of such capsids has been challenging until breakthroughs from structural studies. Subsequently, several models of the capsid assembly were proposed, which provided some interesting insights on this elaborate process. In this review, we discuss three of the most recent assembly models as well as supporting experimental observations. Furthermore, we propose a new model that combines research developments from multiple sources. Investigation of the assembly process of these vast NCV capsids will facilitate future deciphering of the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of similar supramolecular complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejiao Xian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States
| | - Chuan Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States.
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20
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Orozco-Arias S, Tobon-Orozco N, Piña JS, Jiménez-Varón CF, Tabares-Soto R, Guyot R. TIP_finder: An HPC Software to Detect Transposable Element Insertion Polymorphisms in Large Genomic Datasets. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E281. [PMID: 32917036 PMCID: PMC7563458 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are non-static genomic units capable of moving indistinctly from one chromosomal location to another. Their insertion polymorphisms may cause beneficial mutations, such as the creation of new gene function, or deleterious in eukaryotes, e.g., different types of cancer in humans. A particular type of TE called LTR-retrotransposons comprises almost 8% of the human genome. Among LTR retrotransposons, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) bear structural and functional similarities to retroviruses. Several tools allow the detection of transposon insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) but fail to efficiently analyze large genomes or large datasets. Here, we developed a computational tool, named TIP_finder, able to detect mobile element insertions in very large genomes, through high-performance computing (HPC) and parallel programming, using the inference of discordant read pair analysis. TIP_finder inputs are (i) short pair reads such as those obtained by Illumina, (ii) a chromosome-level reference genome sequence, and (iii) a database of consensus TE sequences. The HPC strategy we propose adds scalability and provides a useful tool to analyze huge genomic datasets in a decent running time. TIP_finder accelerates the detection of transposon insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) by up to 55 times in breast cancer datasets and 46 times in cancer-free datasets compared to the fastest available algorithms. TIP_finder applies a validated strategy to find TIPs, accelerates the process through HPC, and addresses the issues of runtime for large-scale analyses in the post-genomic era. TIP_finder version 1.0 is available at https://github.com/simonorozcoarias/TIP_finder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Orozco-Arias
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia; (N.T.-O.); (J.S.P.)
- Department of Systems and Informatics, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170002, Colombia
| | - Nicolas Tobon-Orozco
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia; (N.T.-O.); (J.S.P.)
| | - Johan S. Piña
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia; (N.T.-O.); (J.S.P.)
| | | | - Reinel Tabares-Soto
- Department of Electronics and Automation, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia;
| | - Romain Guyot
- Department of Electronics and Automation, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia;
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France
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21
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Legault LM, Doiron K, Lemieux A, Caron M, Chan D, Lopes FL, Bourque G, Sinnett D, McGraw S. Developmental genome-wide DNA methylation asymmetry between mouse placenta and embryo. Epigenetics 2020; 15:800-815. [PMID: 32056496 PMCID: PMC7518706 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1722922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In early embryos, DNA methylation is remodelled to initiate the developmental program but for mostly unknown reasons, methylation marks are acquired unequally between embryonic and placental cells. To better understand this, we generated high-resolution DNA methylation maps of mouse mid-gestation (E10.5) embryo and placenta. We uncovered specific subtypes of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that contribute directly to the developmental asymmetry existing between mid-gestation embryonic and placental DNA methylation patterns. We show that the asymmetry occurs rapidly during the acquisition of marks in the post-implanted conceptus (E3.5-E6.5), and that these patterns are long-lasting across subtypes of DMRs throughout prenatal development and in somatic tissues. We reveal that at the peri-implantation stages, the de novo methyltransferase activity of DNMT3B is the main driver of methylation marks on asymmetric DMRs, and that DNMT3B can largely compensate for lack of DNMT3A in the epiblast and extraembryonic ectoderm, whereas DNMT3A can only partially compensate in the absence of DNMT3B. However, as development progresses and as DNMT3A becomes the principal de novo methyltransferase, the compensatory DNA methylation mechanism of DNMT3B on DMRs becomes less effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- LM Legault
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - K Doiron
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
| | - A Lemieux
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - M Caron
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - D Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - FL Lopes
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Aracatuba, Brazil
| | - G Bourque
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Center for Computational Genomics, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - D Sinnett
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université De Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - S McGraw
- Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université De Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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22
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Smith R, Paul JW, Tolosa JM. Sharpey-Schafer Lecture 2019: From retroviruses to human birth. Exp Physiol 2020; 105:555-561. [PMID: 31856312 DOI: 10.1113/ep088155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? The timing of birth is an important determinant of future health and well-being. This review examines the role of endogenous retroviruses as upstream regulators of key biological functions of the placenta, including cell-cell fusion, modulation of the maternal immune system, and the production of key pregnancy hormones. What advances does it highlight? Endogenous retroviruses are an obligate requirement for successful human reproduction. The products of retroviral elements, incorporated into the germline millions of years ago, have been co-opted to serve vital biological roles within the placenta that ultimately dictate the length of human pregnancy and therefore well-being trajectories. ABSTRACT Gestational length at the time of birth is an important determinant of future health and well-being, yet the physiological regulation of the onset of labour in humans remains obscure. The evolution of egg formation and internal fertilisation in amniotes required a mechanism to suppress the contractile activity of the oviduct that is provided by progesterone. Delivery of the egg is then associated with the withdrawal of progesterone and a return of contractile activity to the reproductive tract. In mammals, the process of pregnancy is complicated further by the need to protect the fetus from potential attack by the maternal immune system. There is increasing evidence that retroviruses incorporated into the mammalian germline in the evolutionary past play a key role in suppressing the maternal immune reaction to the developing conceptus, organising the development of the placenta and perhaps, in humans, modulating the action of progesterone, determining gestational length and the onset of labour. It seems that the presence of an endogenous retrovirus is an obligate requirement for human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Smith
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.,John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Jonathan W Paul
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Jorge M Tolosa
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
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23
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Sordino P, D'Aniello S, Pelletier E, Wincker P, Nittoli V, Stemmann L, Mazzocchi MG, Lombard F, Iudicone D, Caputi L. Into the bloom: Molecular response of pelagic tunicates to fluctuating food availability. Mol Ecol 2019; 29:292-307. [PMID: 31793138 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The planktonic tunicates appendicularians and thaliaceans are highly efficient filter feeders on a wide range of prey size including bacteria and have shorter generation times than any other marine grazers. These traits allow some tunicate species to reach high population densities and ensure their success in a favourable environment. However, there are still few studies focusing on which genes and gene pathways are associated with responses of pelagic tunicates to environmental variability. Herein, we present the effect of food availability increase on tunicate community and gene expression at the Marquesas Islands (South-East Pacific Ocean). By using data from the Tara Oceans expedition, we show that changes in phytoplankton density and composition trigger the success of a dominant larvacean species (an undescribed appendicularian). Transcriptional signature to the autotroph bloom suggests key functions in specific physiological processes, i.e., energy metabolism, muscle contraction, membrane trafficking, and proteostasis. The relative abundance of reverse transcription-related Pfams was lower at bloom conditions, suggesting a link with adaptive genetic diversity in tunicates in natural ecosystems. Downstream of the bloom, pelagic tunicates were outcompeted by copepods. Our work represents the first metaomics study of the biological effects of phytoplankton bloom on a key zooplankton taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eric Pelletier
- CEA - Institut Francois Jacob, Genoscope, Evry, France.,CNRS, UMR, Evry, France.,Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France.,Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Wincker
- CEA - Institut Francois Jacob, Genoscope, Evry, France.,CNRS, UMR, Evry, France.,Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France.,Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, Paris, France
| | | | - Lars Stemmann
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 7093, Institut de la Mer de Villefranche sur mer, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | | | - Fabien Lombard
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 7093, Institut de la Mer de Villefranche sur mer, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
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24
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Bergner LM, Orton RJ, Benavides JA, Becker DJ, Tello C, Biek R, Streicker DG. Demographic and environmental drivers of metagenomic viral diversity in vampire bats. Mol Ecol 2019; 29:26-39. [PMID: 31561274 PMCID: PMC7004108 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Viruses infect all forms of life and play critical roles as agents of disease, drivers of biochemical cycles and sources of genetic diversity for their hosts. Our understanding of viral diversity derives primarily from comparisons among host species, precluding insight into how intraspecific variation in host ecology affects viral communities or how predictable viral communities are across populations. Here we test spatial, demographic and environmental hypotheses explaining viral richness and community composition across populations of common vampire bats, which occur in diverse habitats of North, Central and South America. We demonstrate marked variation in viral communities that was not consistently predicted by a null model of declining community similarity with increasing spatial or genetic distances separating populations. We also find no evidence that larger bat colonies host greater viral diversity. Instead, viral diversity follows an elevational gradient, is enriched by juvenile-biased age structure, and declines with local anthropogenic food resources as measured by livestock density. Our results establish the value of linking the modern influx of metagenomic sequence data with comparative ecology, reveal that snapshot views of viral diversity are unlikely to be representative at the species level, and affirm existing ecological theories that link host ecology not only to single pathogen dynamics but also to viral communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Bergner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard J Orton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Julio A Benavides
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Carlos Tello
- Association for the Conservation and Development of Natural Resources, Lima, Peru.,Yunkawasi, Lima, Peru
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Daniel G Streicker
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
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25
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Shapiro JA. No genome is an island: toward a 21st century agenda for evolution. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1447:21-52. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Chicago Chicago Illinois
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26
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Apari P, Müller V. Paradoxes of tumour complexity: somatic selection, vulnerability by design, or infectious aetiology? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:1075-1088. [PMID: 30592143 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12490] [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: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of cancer involves intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms that apparently emerge on the short timescale of a single lifetime. Some of these traits are remarkable not only for their complexity, but also because it is hard to conceive selection pressures that would favour their evolution within the local competitive microenvironment of the tumour. Examples include 'niche construction' (re-programming of tumour-specific target sites) to create permissive conditions for distant metastases; long-range feedback loops of tumour growth; and remarkably 'plastic' phenotypes (e.g. density-dependent dispersal) associated with metastatic cancer. These traits, which we term 'paradoxical tumour traits', facilitate the long-range spread or long-term persistence of the tumours, but offer no apparent benefit, and might even incur costs in the competition of clones within the tumour. We discuss three possible scenarios for the origin of these characters: somatic selection driven by specific selection regimes; non-adaptive emergence due to inherent vulnerabilities in the organism; and manipulation by putative transmissible agents that contribute to and benefit from these traits. Our work highlights a lack of understanding of some aspects of tumour development, and offers alternative hypotheses that might guide further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Apari
- Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary.,Evolutionary Systems Research Group, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany 8237, Hungary
| | - Viktor Müller
- Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary.,Evolutionary Systems Research Group, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany 8237, Hungary
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27
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Abstract
The co-option of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) is increasingly recognized as a recurrent theme in placental biology, which has far-reaching implications for our understanding of mammalian evolution and reproductive health. Most research in this area has focused on ERV-derived proteins, which have been repeatedly co-opted to promote cell–cell fusion and immune modulation in the placenta. ERVs also harbor regulatory sequences that can potentially control placental gene expression, but there has been limited evidence to support this role. In a recent study, Dunn-Fletcher and colleagues discover a striking example of an ERV-derived enhancer element that has been co-opted to regulate a gene important for human pregnancy. Using genomic and experimental approaches, they firmly establish that a primate-specific ERV functions as a placenta-specific enhancer for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a hormone linked to the control of birth timing in humans. Their findings implicate an extensive yet understudied role for retroviruses in shaping the evolution of placental gene regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B. Chuong
- BioFrontiers Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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28
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Simonti CN, Pavličev M, Capra JA. Transposable Element Exaptation into Regulatory Regions Is Rare, Influenced by Evolutionary Age, and Subject to Pleiotropic Constraints. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 34:2856-2869. [PMID: 28961735 PMCID: PMC5850124 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable element (TE)-derived sequences make up approximately half of most mammalian genomes, and many TEs have been co-opted into gene regulatory elements. However, we lack a comprehensive tissue- and genome-wide understanding of how and when TEs gain regulatory activity in their hosts. We evaluated the prevalence of TE-derived DNA in enhancers and promoters across hundreds of human and mouse cell lines and primary tissues. Promoters are significantly depleted of TEs in all tissues compared with their overall prevalence in the genome (P < 0.001); enhancers are also depleted of TEs, though not as strongly as promoters. The degree of enhancer depletion also varies across contexts (1.5-3×), with reproductive and immune cells showing the highest levels of TE regulatory activity in humans. Overall, in spite of the regulatory potential of many TE sequences, they are significantly less active in gene regulation than expected from their prevalence. TE age is predictive of the likelihood of enhancer activity; TEs originating before the divergence of amniotes are 9.2 times more likely to have enhancer activity than TEs that integrated in great apes. Context-specific enhancers are more likely to be TE-derived than enhancers active in multiple tissues, and young TEs are more likely to overlap context-specific enhancers than old TEs (86% vs. 47%). Once TEs obtain enhancer activity in the host, they have similar functional dynamics to one another and non-TE-derived enhancers, likely driven by pleiotropic constraints. However, a few TE families, most notably endogenous retroviruses, have greater regulatory potential. Our observations suggest a model of regulatory co-option in which TE-derived sequences are initially repressed, after which a small fraction obtains context-specific enhancer activity, with further gains subject to pleiotropic constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mihaela Pavličev
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - John A. Capra
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
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29
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Rodrigues RAL, Andrade ACDSP, Boratto PVDM, Trindade GDS, Kroon EG, Abrahão JS. An Anthropocentric View of the Virosphere-Host Relationship. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1673. [PMID: 28912772 PMCID: PMC5582082 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
For over a century, viruses have been known as the most abundant and diverse group of organisms on Earth, forming a virosphere. Based on extensive meta-analyses, we present, for the first time, a wide and complete overview of virus–host network, covering all known viral species. Our data indicate that most of known viral species, regardless of their genomic category, have an intriguingly narrow host range, infecting only 1 or 2 host species. Our data also show that the known virosphere has expanded based on viruses of human interest, related to economical, medical or biotechnological activities. In addition, we provide an overview of the distribution of viruses on different environments on Earth, based on meta-analyses of available metaviromic data, showing the contrasting ubiquity of head-tailed phages against the specificity of some viral groups in certain environments. Finally, we uncovered all human viral species, exploring their diversity and the most affected organic systems. The virus–host network presented here shows an anthropocentric view of the virology. It is therefore clear that a huge effort and change in perspective is necessary to see more than the tip of the iceberg when it comes to virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A L Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana C Dos S P Andrade
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Paulo V de M Boratto
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Giliane de S Trindade
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Erna G Kroon
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jônatas S Abrahão
- Laboratório de Vírus, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
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30
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Jangam D, Feschotte C, Betrán E. Transposable Element Domestication As an Adaptation to Evolutionary Conflicts. Trends Genet 2017; 33:817-831. [PMID: 28844698 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are selfish genetic units that typically encode proteins that enable their proliferation in the genome and spread across individual hosts. Here we review a growing number of studies that suggest that TE proteins have often been co-opted or 'domesticated' by their host as adaptations to a variety of evolutionary conflicts. In particular, TE-derived proteins have been recurrently repurposed as part of defense systems that protect prokaryotes and eukaryotes against the proliferation of infectious or invasive agents, including viruses and TEs themselves. We argue that the domestication of TE proteins may often be the only evolutionary path toward the mitigation of the cost incurred by their own selfish activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diwash Jangam
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Esther Betrán
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
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Abstract
Many of the most important evolutionary variations that generated phenotypic adaptations and originated novel taxa resulted from complex cellular activities affecting genome content and expression. These activities included (i) the symbiogenetic cell merger that produced the mitochondrion-bearing ancestor of all extant eukaryotes, (ii) symbiogenetic cell mergers that produced chloroplast-bearing ancestors of photosynthetic eukaryotes, and (iii) interspecific hybridizations and genome doublings that generated new species and adaptive radiations of higher plants and animals. Adaptive variations also involved horizontal DNA transfers and natural genetic engineering by mobile DNA elements to rewire regulatory networks, such as those essential to viviparous reproduction in mammals. In the most highly evolved multicellular organisms, biological complexity scales with 'non-coding' DNA content rather than with protein-coding capacity in the genome. Coincidentally, 'non-coding' RNAs rich in repetitive mobile DNA sequences function as key regulators of complex adaptive phenotypes, such as stem cell pluripotency. The intersections of cell fusion activities, horizontal DNA transfers and natural genetic engineering of Read-Write genomes provide a rich molecular and biological foundation for understanding how ecological disruptions can stimulate productive, often abrupt, evolutionary transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, GCISW123B, 979 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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32
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Frank JA, Feschotte C. Co-option of endogenous viral sequences for host cell function. Curr Opin Virol 2017; 25:81-89. [PMID: 28818736 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are littered with sequences of diverse viral origins, termed endogenous viral elements (EVEs). Here we used examples primarily drawn from mammalian endogenous retroviruses to document how the influx of EVEs has provided a source of prefabricated coding and regulatory sequences that were formerly utilized for viral infection and replication, but have been occasionally repurposed for cellular function. While EVE co-option has benefited a variety of host biological functions, there appears to be a disproportionate contribution to immunity and antiviral defense. The mammalian embryo and placenta offer opportunistic routes of viral transmission to the next host generation and as such they represent hotbeds for EVE cooption. Based on these observations, we propose that EVE cooption is initially driven as a mean to mitigate conflicts between host and viruses, which in turn acts as a stepping-stone toward the evolution of cellular innovations serving host physiology and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Frank
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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33
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Abstract
With the advent of next-generation sequencing, paleogenetics has considerably expanded over the past few years and notably encompassed the characterization of the genomes of archaic humans who lived more than 30,000 years ago. These paleogenetics investigations have revealed that admixture between modern and archaic humans occurred, with Neanderthals having contributed to 1.5% to 2.1% of modern Eurasian genomes, and Denisovans to 3% to 6% of modern Melanesian genomes and to approximately 0.2% of modern Asian genomes. Although these contributions are modest, they played a major role in shaping immune gene families, such as the HLA class I genes, for which the archaic alleles now represent more than 50% of the alleles in Europe and Asia. Such a high frequency is consistent with these archaic HLA class I variants having been positively selected because of their protective effect against contagious and devastating epidemics, such as those due to the plague agent Yersinia pestis or to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is responsible for deadly tuberculosis. While the exact nature of the infectious agents that contributed to the selection of the archaic variants is unknown, we are entering an exciting period in which paleogenetics and paleomicrobiology data can be integrated to generate a clearer picture of how the immune system of modern populations was shaped and the role admixture and epidemics have played in such evolutions.
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Sundaram V, Choudhary MNK, Pehrsson E, Xing X, Fiore C, Pandey M, Maricque B, Udawatta M, Ngo D, Chen Y, Paguntalan A, Ray T, Hughes A, Cohen BA, Wang T. Functional cis-regulatory modules encoded by mouse-specific endogenous retrovirus. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14550. [PMID: 28348391 PMCID: PMC5379053 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cis-regulatory modules contain multiple transcription factor (TF)-binding sites and integrate the effects of each TF to control gene expression in specific cellular contexts. Transposable elements (TEs) are uniquely equipped to deposit their regulatory sequences across a genome, which could also contain cis-regulatory modules that coordinate the control of multiple genes with the same regulatory logic. We provide the first evidence of mouse-specific TEs that encode a module of TF-binding sites in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The majority (77%) of the individual TEs tested exhibited enhancer activity in mouse ESCs. By mutating individual TF-binding sites within the TE, we identified a module of TF-binding motifs that cooperatively enhanced gene expression. Interestingly, we also observed the same motif module in the in silico constructed ancestral TE that also acted cooperatively to enhance gene expression. Our results suggest that ancestral TE insertions might have brought in cis-regulatory modules into the mouse genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasavi Sundaram
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Mayank N. K. Choudhary
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Erica Pehrsson
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Christopher Fiore
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Manishi Pandey
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Brett Maricque
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Methma Udawatta
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Duc Ngo
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Asia Paguntalan
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Tammy Ray
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Ava Hughes
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Barak A. Cohen
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4515 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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35
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Chuong EB, Elde NC, Feschotte C. Regulatory activities of transposable elements: from conflicts to benefits. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 18:71-86. [PMID: 27867194 DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 777] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are a prolific source of tightly regulated, biochemically active non-coding elements, such as transcription factor-binding sites and non-coding RNAs. Many recent studies reinvigorate the idea that these elements are pervasively co-opted for the regulation of host genes. We argue that the inherent genetic properties of TEs and the conflicting relationships with their hosts facilitate their recruitment for regulatory functions in diverse genomes. We review recent findings supporting the long-standing hypothesis that the waves of TE invasions endured by organisms for eons have catalysed the evolution of gene-regulatory networks. We also discuss the challenges of dissecting and interpreting the phenotypic effect of regulatory activities encoded by TEs in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B Chuong
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
| | - Nels C Elde
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA
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36
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Roberts RM, Green JA, Schulz LC. The evolution of the placenta. Reproduction 2016; 152:R179-89. [PMID: 27486265 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The very apt definition of a placenta is coined by Mossman, namely apposition or fusion of the fetal membranes to the uterine mucosa for physiological exchange. As such, it is a specialized organ whose purpose is to provide continuing support to the developing young. By this definition, placentas have evolved within every vertebrate class other than birds. They have evolved on multiple occasions, often within quite narrow taxonomic groups. As the placenta and the maternal system associate more intimately, such that the conceptus relies extensively on maternal support, the relationship leads to increased conflict that drives adaptive changes on both sides. The story of vertebrate placentation, therefore, is one of convergent evolution at both the macromolecular and molecular levels. In this short review, we first describe the emergence of placental-like structures in nonmammalian vertebrates and then transition to mammals themselves. We close the review by discussing the mechanisms that might have favored diversity and hence evolution of the morphology and physiology of the placentas of eutherian mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Michael Roberts
- C.S. Bond Life Sciences CenterUniversity of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA Division of Animal SciencesUniversity of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jonathan A Green
- Division of Animal SciencesUniversity of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Laura C Schulz
- Department of ObstetricsGynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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37
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Ecco G, Cassano M, Kauzlaric A, Duc J, Coluccio A, Offner S, Imbeault M, Rowe HM, Turelli P, Trono D. Transposable Elements and Their KRAB-ZFP Controllers Regulate Gene Expression in Adult Tissues. Dev Cell 2016; 36:611-23. [PMID: 27003935 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) are early embryonic controllers of transposable elements (TEs), which they repress with their cofactor KAP1 through histone and DNA methylation, a process thought to result in irreversible silencing. Using a target-centered functional screen, we matched murine TEs with their cognate KRAB-ZFP. We found the paralogs ZFP932 and Gm15446 to bind overlapping but distinguishable subsets of ERVK (endogenous retrovirus K), repress these elements in embryonic stem cells, and regulate secondarily the expression of neighboring genes. Most importantly, we uncovered that these KRAB-ZFPs and KAP1 control TEs in adult tissues, in cell culture and in vivo, where they partner up to modulate cellular genes. Therefore, TEs and KRAB-ZFPs establish transcriptional networks that likely regulate not only development but also many physiological events. Given the high degree of species specificity of TEs and KRAB-ZFPs, these results have important implications for understanding the biology of higher vertebrates, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Ecco
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco Cassano
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Annamaria Kauzlaric
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Duc
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Coluccio
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Offner
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michaël Imbeault
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Helen M Rowe
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Priscilla Turelli
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Didier Trono
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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38
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Shapiro JA. Nothing in Evolution Makes Sense Except in the Light of Genomics: Read-Write Genome Evolution as an Active Biological Process. BIOLOGY 2016; 5:E27. [PMID: 27338490 PMCID: PMC4929541 DOI: 10.3390/biology5020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The 21st century genomics-based analysis of evolutionary variation reveals a number of novel features impossible to predict when Dobzhansky and other evolutionary biologists formulated the neo-Darwinian Modern Synthesis in the middle of the last century. These include three distinct realms of cell evolution; symbiogenetic fusions forming eukaryotic cells with multiple genome compartments; horizontal organelle, virus and DNA transfers; functional organization of proteins as systems of interacting domains subject to rapid evolution by exon shuffling and exonization; distributed genome networks integrated by mobile repetitive regulatory signals; and regulation of multicellular development by non-coding lncRNAs containing repetitive sequence components. Rather than single gene traits, all phenotypes involve coordinated activity by multiple interacting cell molecules. Genomes contain abundant and functional repetitive components in addition to the unique coding sequences envisaged in the early days of molecular biology. Combinatorial coding, plus the biochemical abilities cells possess to rearrange DNA molecules, constitute a powerful toolbox for adaptive genome rewriting. That is, cells possess "Read-Write Genomes" they alter by numerous biochemical processes capable of rapidly restructuring cellular DNA molecules. Rather than viewing genome evolution as a series of accidental modifications, we can now study it as a complex biological process of active self-modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, GCIS W123B, 979 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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39
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Stefanetti V, Marenzoni ML, Passamonti F, Cappelli K, Garcia-Etxebarria K, Coletti M, Capomaccio S. High Expression of Endogenous Retroviral Envelope Gene in the Equine Fetal Part of the Placenta. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155603. [PMID: 27176223 PMCID: PMC4866760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are proviral phases of exogenous retroviruses that have co-evolved with vertebrate genomes for millions of years. Previous studies have identified the envelope (env) protein genes of retroviral origin preferentially expressed in the placenta which suggests a role in placentation based on their membrane fusogenic capacity and therefore they have been named syncytins. Until now, all the characterized syncytins have been associated with three invasive placentation types: the endotheliochorial (Carnivora), the synepitheliochorial (Ruminantia), and the hemochorial placentation (human, mouse) where they play a role in the syncytiotrophoblast formation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether EqERV env RNA is expressed in horse tissues as well and investigate if the horse, possessing an epitheliochorial placenta, has "captured" a common retroviral env gene with syncytin-like properties in placental tissues. Interestingly, although in the equine placenta there is no syncytiotrophoblast layer at the maternal-fetal interface, our results showed that EqERV env RNA is highly expressed at that level, as expected for a candidate syncytin-like gene but with reduced abundance in the other somatic tissues (nearly 30-fold lower) thus suggesting a possible role in the placental tissue. Although the horse is one of the few domestic animals with a sequenced genome, few studies have been conducted about the EqERV and their expression in placental tissue has never been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Stefanetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Katia Cappelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Koldo Garcia-Etxebarria
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of Basque Country-UPV/EHU, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Leioa, Spain
| | - Mauro Coletti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Capomaccio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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40
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Garazha A, Ivanova A, Suntsova M, Malakhova G, Roumiantsev S, Zhavoronkov A, Buzdin A. New bioinformatic tool for quick identification of functionally relevant endogenous retroviral inserts in human genome. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:1476-84. [PMID: 25853282 PMCID: PMC4612461 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1022696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and LTR retrotransposons (LRs) occupy ∼8% of human genome. Deep sequencing technologies provide clues to understanding of functional relevance of individual ERVs/LRs by enabling direct identification of transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and other landmarks of functional genomic elements. Here, we performed the genome-wide identification of human ERVs/LRs containing TFBS according to the ENCODE project. We created the first interactive ERV/LRs database that groups the individual inserts according to their familial nomenclature, number of mapped TFBS and divergence from their consensus sequence. Information on any particular element can be easily extracted by the user. We also created a genome browser tool, which enables quick mapping of any ERV/LR insert according to genomic coordinates, known human genes and TFBS. These tools can be used to easily explore functionally relevant individual ERV/LRs, and for studying their impact on the regulation of human genes. Overall, we identified ∼110,000 ERV/LR genomic elements having TFBS. We propose a hypothesis of “domestication” of ERV/LR TFBS by the genome milieu including subsequent stages of initial epigenetic repression, partial functional release, and further mutation-driven reshaping of TFBS in tight coevolution with the enclosing genomic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Garazha
- a Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems ; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry ; Moscow , Russia
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41
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Recent advances in the study of active endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta. Virol Sin 2015; 30:239-48. [PMID: 26311491 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-015-3617-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are a component of the vertebrate genome and originate from exogenous infections of retroviruses in the germline of the host. ERVs have coevolved with their hosts over millions of years. Envelope glycoproteins of endogenous retroviruses are often expressed in the mammalian placenta, and their potential function has aroused considerable research interest, including the manipulation of maternal physiology to benefit the fetus. In most mammalian species, trophoblast fusion in the placenta is an important event, involving the formation of a multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layer to fulfill essential fetomaternal exchange functions. The key function in this process derives from the envelope genes of endogenous retroviruses, namely syncytins, which show fusogenic properties and placenta-specific expression. This review discusses the important role of the recognized endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta.
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42
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Orthologous endogenous retroviruses exhibit directional selection since the chimp-human split. Retrovirology 2015; 12:52. [PMID: 26088204 PMCID: PMC4477479 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-015-0172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are often viewed as selfish DNA that do not contribute to host phenotype. Yet ERVs have also been co-opted to play important roles in the maintenance of stem cell identity and placentation, amongst other things. This has led to debate over whether the typical ERV confers a cost or benefit upon the host. We studied the divergence of orthologous ERVs since the chimp-human split with the aim of assessing whether ERVs exert detectable fitness effects. Results ERVs have evolved faster than other selfish DNA in human and chimpanzee. The divergence of ERVs relative to neighbouring selfish DNA is positively correlated with the length of the long terminal repeat of an ERV and with the percentage of neighbouring DNA that is not selfish. ERVs from the HERV-H family have diverged particularly quickly and in a manner that correlates with their level of transcription in human stem cells. A substitution into a highly transcribed HERV-H has a selective coefficient of the order of 10−4. This is large enough to suggest these substitutions are not dominated by drift. Conclusions ERVs differ from other selfish DNA in the extent to which they diverge and appear to have measurable effects on hosts, even after fixation. The effects are strongest for HERV-H and suggest that the HERV-H transcriptome has recently evolved under the influence of directional selection. As there are many HERV-H loci distributed across the ape lineage, our results suggest that in future this family can be used to model the evolutionary consequences of ERV exaptation in primates and other mammals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-015-0172-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Pavlicev M, Hiratsuka K, Swaggart KA, Dunn C, Muglia L. Detecting endogenous retrovirus-driven tissue-specific gene transcription. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:1082-97. [PMID: 25767249 PMCID: PMC4419796 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise approximately half of the human genome, and several independent lines of investigation have demonstrated their role in rewiring gene expression during development, evolution, and oncogenesis. The identification of their regulatory effects has largely been idiosyncratic, by linking activity with isolated genes. Their distribution throughout the genome raises critical questions—do these elements contribute to broad tissue- and lineage-specific regulation? If so, in what manner, as enhancers, promoters, RNAs? Here, we devise a novel approach to systematically dissect the genome-wide consequences of TE insertion on gene expression, and test the hypothesis that classes of endogenous retrovirus long terminal repeats (LTRs) exert tissue-specific regulation of adjacent genes. Using correlation of expression patterns across 18 tissue types, we reveal the tissue-specific uncoupling of gene expression due to 62 different LTR classes. These patterns are specific to the retroviral insertion, as the same genes in species without the LTRs do not exhibit the same effect. Although the LTRs can be transcribed themselves, the most highly transcribed TEs do not have the largest effects on adjacent regulation of coding genes, suggesting they function predominantly as enhancers. Moreover, the tissue-specific patterns of gene expression that are detected by our method arise from a limited number of genes, rather than as a general consequence of LTR integration. These findings identify basic principles of co-opting LTRs for genome evolution, and support the utility of our method for the analysis of TE, or other specific gene sets, in relation to the rest of the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Pavlicev
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Kaori Hiratsuka
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Kayleigh A Swaggart
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Caitlin Dunn
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Louis Muglia
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
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44
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Lokossou AG, Toudic C, Barbeau B. Implication of human endogenous retrovirus envelope proteins in placental functions. Viruses 2014; 6:4609-27. [PMID: 25421890 PMCID: PMC4246240 DOI: 10.3390/v6114609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) represent 8% of the total human genome. Although the majority of these ancient proviral sequences have only retained non-coding long terminal repeats (LTRs), a number of “endogenized” retroviral genes encode functional proteins. Previous studies have underlined the implication of these ERV-derived proteins in the development and the function of the placenta. In this review, we summarize recent findings showing that two ERV genes, termed Syncytin-1 and Syncytin-2, which encode former envelope (Env) proteins, trigger fusion events between villous cytotrophoblasts and the peripheral multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layer. Such fusion events maintain the stability of this latter cell structure, which plays an important role in fetal development by the active secretion of various soluble factors, gas exchange and regulation of fetomaternal immunotolerance. We also highlight new studies showing that these ERV proteins, in addition to their localization at the cell surface of cytotrophoblasts, are also incorporated on the surface of various extracellular microvesicles, including exosomes. Such exosome-associated proteins could be involved in the various functions attributed to these vesicles and could provide a form of tropism. Additionally, through their immunosuppressive domains, these ERV proteins could also contribute to fetomaternal immunotolerance in a local and more distal manner. These various aspects of the implication of Syncytin-1 and -2 in placental function are also addressed in the context of the placenta-related disorder, preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjimon Gatien Lokossou
- Département des Sciences Biologiques and Centre de recherche BioMed, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2080 Saint-Urbain, Montréal, PQ H2X 3X8, Canada.
| | - Caroline Toudic
- Département des Sciences Biologiques and Centre de recherche BioMed, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2080 Saint-Urbain, Montréal, PQ H2X 3X8, Canada.
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Département des Sciences Biologiques and Centre de recherche BioMed, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2080 Saint-Urbain, Montréal, PQ H2X 3X8, Canada.
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Placental Evolution within the Supraordinal Clades of Eutheria with the Perspective of Alternative Animal Models for Human Placentation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/639274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Here a survey of placental evolution is conducted. Placentation is a key factor for the evolution of placental mammals that had evolved an astonishing diversity. As a temporary organ that does not allow easy access, it is still not well understood. The lack of data also is a restriction for better understanding of placental development, structure, and function in the human. Animal models are essential, because experimental access to the human placenta is naturally restricted. However, there is not a single ideal model that is entirely similar to humans. It is particularly important to establish other models than the mouse, which is characterised by a short gestation period and poorly developed neonates that may provide insights only for early human pregnancy. In conclusion, current evolutionary studies have contributed essentially to providing a pool of experimental models for recent and future approaches that may also meet the requirements of a long gestation period and advanced developmental status of the newborn in the human. Suitability and limitations of taxa as alternative animal models are discussed. However, further investigations especially in wildlife taxa should be conducted in order to learn more about the full evolutionary plasticity of the placenta system.
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Reid G, Brigidi P, Burton JP, Contractor N, Duncan S, Fargier E, Hill C, Lebeer S, Martín R, McBain AJ, Mor G, O'Neill C, Rodríguez JM, Swann J, van Hemert S, Ansell J. Microbes central to human reproduction. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 73:1-11. [PMID: 25250861 PMCID: PMC4282787 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As studies uncover the breadth of microbes associated with human life, opportunities will emerge to manipulate and augment their functions in ways that improve health and longevity. From involvement in the complexities of reproduction and fetal/infant development, to delaying the onset of disease, and indeed countering many maladies, microbes offer hope for human well-being. Evidence is emerging to suggest that microbes may play a beneficial role in body sites traditionally viewed as being sterile. Although further evidence is required, we propose that much of medical dogma is about to change significantly through recognition and understanding of these hitherto unrecognized microbe–host interactions. A meeting of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics held in Aberdeen, Scotland (June 2014), presented new views and challenged established concepts on the role of microbes in reproduction and health of the mother and infant. This article summarizes some of the main aspects of these discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Reid
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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47
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Garcia-Etxebarria K, Sistiaga-Poveda M, Jugo BM. Endogenous retroviruses in domestic animals. Curr Genomics 2014; 15:256-65. [PMID: 25132796 PMCID: PMC4133949 DOI: 10.2174/1389202915666140520003503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are genomic elements that are present in a wide range of vertebrates. Although the study of ERVs has been carried out mainly in humans and model organisms, recently, domestic animals have become important, and some species have begun to be analyzed to gain further insight into ERVs. Due to the availability of complete genomes and the development of new computer tools, ERVs can now be analyzed from a genome-wide viewpoint. In addition, more experimental work is being carried out to analyze the distribution, expression and interplay of ERVs within a host genome. Cats, cattle, chicken, dogs, horses, pigs and sheep have been scrutinized in this manner, all of which are interesting species in health and economic terms. Furthermore, several studies have noted differences in the number of endogenous retroviruses and in the variability of these elements among different breeds, as well as their expression in different tissues and the effects of their locations, which, in some cases, are near genes. These findings suggest a complex, intriguing relationship between ERVs and host genomes. In this review, we summarize the most important in silico and experimental findings, discuss their implications and attempt to predict future directions for the study of these genomic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koldo Garcia-Etxebarria
- Genetika, Antropologia Fisikoa eta Animalien Fisiologia Saila. Zientzia eta Teknologia Fakultatea. Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU). 644 Postakutxa , E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maialen Sistiaga-Poveda
- Genetika, Antropologia Fisikoa eta Animalien Fisiologia Saila. Zientzia eta Teknologia Fakultatea. Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU). 644 Postakutxa , E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Begoña Marina Jugo
- Genetika, Antropologia Fisikoa eta Animalien Fisiologia Saila. Zientzia eta Teknologia Fakultatea. Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU). 644 Postakutxa , E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
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Mourier T, Nielsen LP, Hansen AJ, Willerslev E. Transposable elements in cancer as a by-product of stress-induced evolvability. Front Genet 2014; 5:156. [PMID: 24910642 PMCID: PMC4038923 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes. Barbara McClintock's famous notion of TEs acting as controlling elements modifying the genetic response of an organism upon exposure to stressful environments has since been solidly supported in a series of model organisms. This requires the TE activity response to possess an element of specificity and be targeted toward certain parts of the genome. We propose that a similar TE response is present in human cells, and that this stress response may drive the onset of human cancers. As such, TE-driven cancers may be viewed as an evolutionary by-product of organisms' abilities to genetically adapt to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Mourier
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars P Nielsen
- Department of Virology and the Danish National Biobank, Statens Serum Institut Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders J Hansen
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eske Willerslev
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
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Chuong EB, Hannibal RL, Green SL, Baker JC. Evolutionary perspectives into placental biology and disease. Appl Transl Genom 2013; 2:64-69. [PMID: 27896057 PMCID: PMC5121266 DOI: 10.1016/j.atg.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In all mammals including humans, development takes place within the protective environment of the maternal womb. Throughout gestation, nutrients and waste products are continuously exchanged between mother and fetus through the placenta. Despite the clear importance of the placenta to successful pregnancy and the health of both mother and offspring, relatively little is understood about the biology of the placenta and its role in pregnancy-related diseases. Given that pre- and peri-natal diseases involving the placenta affect millions of women and their newborns worldwide, there is an urgent need to understand placenta biology and development. Here, we suggest that the placenta is an organ under unique selective pressures that have driven its rapid diversification throughout mammalian evolution. The high divergence of the placenta complicates the use of non-human animal models and necessitates an evolutionary perspective when studying its biology and role in disease. We suggest that diversifying evolution of the placenta is primarily driven by intraspecies evolutionary conflict between mother and fetus, and that many pregnancy diseases are a consequence of this evolutionary force. Understanding how maternal-fetal conflict shapes both basic placental and reproductive biology - in all species - will provide key insights into diseases of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B Chuong
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Roberta L Hannibal
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sherril L Green
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Julie C Baker
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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