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Zhao C, Liu X, Liu L, Li J, Liu X, Tao W, Wang D, Wei J. Smoothened mediates medaka spermatogonia proliferation via Gli1-Rgcc-Cdk1 axis†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:772-784. [PMID: 37552059 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad090] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The proliferation of spermatogonia directly affects spermatogenesis and male fertility, but its underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, Smoothened (Smo), the central transducer of Hedgehog signaling pathway, was characterized in medaka (Oryzias latipes), and its role and underlying mechanisms in the proliferation of spermatogonia were investigated. Smo was highly expressed in spermatogonia. In ex vivo testicular organ culture and a spermatogonial cell line (SG3) derived from medaka mature testis, Smo activation promoted spermatogonia proliferation, while its inhibition induced apoptosis. The expression of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (gli1) and regulator of cell cycle (rgcc) was significantly upregulated in SG3 after Smo activation. Furthermore, Gli1 transcriptionally upregulated the expression of rgcc, and Rgcc overexpression rescued cell apoptosis caused by Smo or Gli1 inhibition. Co-immunoprecipitation assay indicated that Rgcc could interact with cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) to regulate the cell cycle of spermatogonia. Collectively, our study firstly reveals that Smo mediates the proliferation of spermatogonia through Gli1-Rgcc-Cdk1 axis. In addition, Smo and Gli1 are necessary of the survival of spermatogonia. This study deepens our understanding of spermatogonia proliferation and survival at the molecular level, and provides insights into male fertility control and reproductive disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changle Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianeng Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingyong Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjing Tao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Hala D. The use of in silico extreme pathway (ExPa) analysis to identify conserved reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks in humans, mice, and zebrafish. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:271-287. [PMID: 37023256 PMCID: PMC10461611 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2188996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate sex determination and differentiation are coordinated by the activations and maintenance of reproductive transcriptional-regulatory networks (TRNs). There is considerable interest in studying the conserved design principles and functions of reproductive TRNs given that their intricate regulation is susceptible to disruption by gene mutations or exposures to exogenous endocrine disrupting chemicals (or EDCs). In this manuscript, the Boolean rules describing reproductive TRNs in humans, mice, and zebrafish, were represented as a pseudo-stoichiometric matrix model. This model mathematically described the interactions of 35 transcription factors with 21 sex determination and differentiation genes across the three species. The in silico approach of Extreme Pathway (ExPa) analysis was used to predict the extent of TRN gene activations subject to the species-specific transcriptomics data, from across various developmental life-stages. A goal of this work was to identify conserved and functional reproductive TRNs across the three species. ExPa analyses predicted the sex differentiation genes, DHH, DMRT1, and AR, to be highly active in male humans, mice, and zebrafish. Whereas FOXL2 was the most active gene in female humans and mice; and CYP19A1A in female zebrafish. These results agree with the expectation that regardless of a lack of sex determination genes in zebrafish, the TRNs responsible for canalizing male vs. female sexual differentiation are conserved with mammalian taxa. ExPa analysis therefore provides a framework with which to study the TRNs that influence the development of sexual phenotypes. And the in silico predicted conservation of sex differentiation TRNs between mammals and zebrafish identifies the piscine species as an effective in vivo model to study mammalian reproductive systems under normal or perturbed pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hala
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, TX, USA
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Girardet L, Cyr DG, Belleannée C. Arl13b controls basal cell stemness properties and Hedgehog signaling in the mouse epididymis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:556. [PMID: 36261680 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04570-1] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells orchestrate a series of intercellular signaling events in response to tissue damage. While the epididymis is composed of a pseudostratified epithelium that controls the acquisition of male fertility, the maintenance of its integrity in the context of tissue damage or inflammation remains largely unknown. Basal cells of the epididymis contain a primary cilium, an organelle that controls cellular differentiation in response to Hedgehog signaling cues. Hypothesizing its contribution to epithelial homeostasis, we knocked out the ciliary component ARL13B in keratin 5-positive basal cells. In this model, the reduced size of basal cell primary cilia was associated with impaired Hedgehog signaling and the loss of KRT5, KRT14, and P63 basal cell markers. When subjected to tissue injury, the epididymal epithelium from knock-out mice displayed imbalanced rates of cell proliferation/apoptosis and failed to properly regenerate in vivo. This response was associated with changes in the transcriptomic landscape related to immune response, cell differentiation, cell adhesion, and triggered severe hypoplasia of the epithelium. Together our results indicate that the ciliary GTPase, ARL13B, participates in the transduction of the Hedgehog signaling pathway to maintain basal cell stemness needed for tissue regeneration. These findings provide new insights into the role of basal cell primary cilia as safeguards of pseudostratified epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Girardet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel G Cyr
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Clémence Belleannée
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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A patched1 gene homologue participates in female differentiation of Cynoglossus semilaevis. Gene Expr Patterns 2022; 45:119265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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5
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Wyss P, Song C, Bina M. Along the Bos taurus genome, uncover candidate imprinting control regions. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:478. [PMID: 35764919 PMCID: PMC9241299 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08694-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mammals, Imprinting Control Regions (ICRs) regulate a subset of genes in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. In both human and mouse, previous studies identified a set of CpG-rich motifs occurring as clusters in ICRs and germline Differentially Methylated Regions (gDMRs). These motifs consist of the ZFP57 binding site (ZFBS) overlapping a subset of MLL binding units known as MLL morphemes. MLL or MLL1 (Mixed Lineage Leukemia 1) is a relatively large multidomain protein that plays a central role in the regulation of transcription. The structures of both MLL1 and MLL2 include a domain (MT) that binds CpG-rich DNA and a conserved domain (SET) that methylates lysine 4 in histone H3 producing H3K4me3 marks in chromatin. Results Since genomic imprinting impacts many developmental and key physiological processes, we followed a previous bioinformatics strategy to pinpoint ICR positions in the Bos taurus genome. Initial genome-wide analyses involved finding the positions of ZFP57 binding sites, and the CpG-rich motifs (ZFBS-morph overlaps) along cattle chromosomal DNA. By creating plots displaying the density of ZFBS-morph overlaps, we removed background noise and thus improved signal detection. With the density-plots, we could view the positions of peaks locating known and candidate ICRs in cattle DNA. Our evaluations revealed the correspondence of peaks in plots to reported known and inferred ICRs/DMRs in cattle. Beside peaks pinpointing such ICRs, the density-plots also revealed additional peaks. Since evaluations validated the robustness of our approach, we inferred that the additional peaks may correspond to candidate ICRs for imprinted gene expression. Conclusion Our bioinformatics strategy offers the first genome-wide approach for systematically localizing candidate ICRs. Furthermore, we have tailored our datasets for upload onto the UCSC genome browser so that researchers could find known and candidate ICRs with respect to a wide variety of annotations at all scales: from the positions of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), to positions of genes, transcripts, and repeated DNA elements. Furthermore, the UCSC genome browser offers tools to produce enlarged views: to uncover the genes in the vicinity of candidate ICRs and thus discover potential imprinted genes for experimental validations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08694-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Wyss
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Carol Song
- Information Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Minou Bina
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Pachernegg S, Georges E, Ayers K. The Desert Hedgehog Signalling Pathway in Human Gonadal Development and Differences of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2021; 16:98-111. [PMID: 34518472 DOI: 10.1159/000518308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While the Hedgehog signalling pathway is implicated in numerous developmental processes and maladies, variants in the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) ligand underlie a condition characterised by 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis with or without peripheral neuropathy. We discuss here the role and regulation of DHH and its signalling pathway in the developing gonads and examine the current understanding of how disruption to this pathway causes this difference of sex development (DSD) in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Pachernegg
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Georges
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie Ayers
- Reproductive Development Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kothandapani A, Larsen MC, Lee J, Jorgensen JS, Jefcoate CR. Distinctive functioning of STARD1 in the fetal Leydig cells compared to adult Leydig and adrenal cells. Impact of Hedgehog signaling via the primary cilium. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 531:111265. [PMID: 33864885 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
STARD1 stimulates cholesterol transfer to mitochondrial CYP11A1 for conversion to pregnenolone. A cholesterol-binding START domain is guided by an N-terminal domain in a cell selective manner. Fetal and adult Leydig cells (FLC, ALC) show distinct Stard1 regulation. sm- FISH microscopy, which resolves individual molecules of Stard1 mRNA, shows uniformly high basal expression in each FLC. In ALC, in vivo, and cultured MA-10 cells, basal Stard1 expression is minimal. PKA activates loci asynchronously, with delayed splicing/export of 3.5 kb mRNA to mitochondria. After 60 min, ALC transition to an integrated mRNA delivery to mitochondria that is seen in FLC. Sertoli cells cooperate in Stard1 stimulation in FLC by delivering DHH to the primary cilium. There PTCH, SMO and cholesterol cooperate to release GLI3 to activate the Stard1 locus, probably by directing histone changes. ALC lack cilia. PKA then primes locus activation. FLC and ALC share similar SIK/CRTC/CREB regulation characterized for adrenal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anbarasi Kothandapani
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Michele Campaigne Larsen
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Joan S Jorgensen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Colin R Jefcoate
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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Enhanced Negative Regulation of the DHH Signaling Pathway as a Potential Mechanism of Ascrotal Testes in Laurasiatherians. Evol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-021-09542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Mehta P, Singh P, Gupta NJ, Sankhwar SN, Chakravarty B, Thangaraj K, Rajender S. Mutations in the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene in the disorders of sexual differentiation and male infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1871-1878. [PMID: 33712994 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02140-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the contribution of mutations in the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) gene to the disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD) and male infertility. METHODS The study included a total 430 subjects, including 47 gonadal dysgenesis cases, 6 patients with undescended testis and infertility characterized by azoospermia, 125 infertile male patients characterized by oligoasthenozoospermia, 24 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and 200 ethnically matched normozoospermic fertile men who had fathered a child in the last two years. Sequencing of the complete coding region of the DHH gene was undertaken to find its contribution to the DSD and male infertility. RESULTS We observed four novel mutations in the DHH gene in the cases with different reproductive anomalies. A synonymous substitution, c. 543C>T (p.His181His) was observed in 6.6% oligoasthenozoospermic infertile males and 1.5% normozoospermic fertile control samples (RR = 4.4077, 95%CI 1.19-16.29). Another synonymous substitution, c.990G>A (p.Ala330Ala) was observed in an infertile patient with unilateral undescended testis (case #12). Insertion of G at c.1156insG (p.Arg385fs) was observed in a case with bilateral undescended testis and azoospermia (case #23). In gonadal dysgenesis category, two mutations, insertion of G at c.1156insG (p.Arg385fs) and c.997A>G (p.Thr333Ala) substitution were observed in one case (case #34). These mutations were completely absent in control samples. CONCLUSION Mutations in the DHH gene impact reproduction with mild mutations affecting fertility, and severe or multiple mutations resulting in gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Mehta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Kumarasamy Thangaraj
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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Chai S, Tian R, Bi J, Xu S, Yang G, Ren W. Rapid evolution and molecular convergence in cryptorchidism-related genes associated with inherently undescended testes in mammals. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:22. [PMID: 33568072 PMCID: PMC7877101 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01753-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mammalian testis is an important male exocrine gland and spermatozoa-producing organ that usually lies in extra-abdominal scrotums to provide a cooler environment for spermatogenesis and sperm storage. Testicles sometimes fail to descend, leading to cryptorchidism. However, certain groups of mammals possess inherently ascrotal testes (i.e. testes that do not descend completely or at all) that have the same physiological functions as completely descended scrotal testes. Although several anatomical and hormonal factors involved in testicular descent have been studied, there is still a paucity of comprehensive research on the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of testicular descent in mammals and how mammals with ascrotal testes maintain their reproductive health. RESULTS We performed integrative phenotypic and comparative genomic analyses of 380 cryptorchidism-related genes and found that the mammalian ascrotal testes trait is derived from an ancestral scrotal state. Rapidly evolving genes in ascrotal mammals were enriched in the Hedgehog pathway-which regulates Leydig cell differentiation and testosterone secretion-and muscle development. Moreover, some cryptorchidism-related genes in ascrotal mammals had undergone positive selection and contained specific mutations and indels. Genes harboring convergent/parallel amino acid substitutions between ascrotal mammals were enriched in GTPase functions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the scrotal testis is an ancestral state in mammals, and the ascrotal phenotype was derived multiple times in independent lineages. In addition, the adaptive evolution of genes involved in testicular descent and the development of the gubernaculum contributed to the evolution of ascrotal testes. Accurate DNA replication, the proper segregation of genetic material, and appropriate autophagy are the potential mechanisms for maintaining physiological normality during spermatogenesis in ascrotal mammals. Furthermore, the molecular convergence of GTPases is probably a mechanism in the ascrotal testes of different mammals. This study provides novel insights into the evolution of the testis and scrotum in mammals and contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Chai
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ran Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juanjuan Bi
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shixia Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guang Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wenhua Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
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Liu Y, Wu Y, Qin G, Chen Y, Wang X, Lin Q. Bioaccumulation and reproductive toxicity of bisphenol A in male-pregnant seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) at environmentally relevant concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:141805. [PMID: 32911163 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seahorses, with brood pouch in adult males, are a bioindicator species that exhibit specialized reproductive strategy of "male pregnancy". Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the most pervasive endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), is hazardous for reproductive, immune, and neurological systems. However, no evidence of BPA toxicity to the male-pregnant animals is available. Herein, the reproductive toxicity of BPA was evaluated in lined seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) following exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 μg/L) through physiological, histological, and transcriptional analyses. Our results indicated BPA bioaccumulation to be positively correlated with exposure doses in both sexes. Ovarian failure was only observed in the high-dose BPA treatment group, accompanied by the apoptosis of follicular cells and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes. However, brood pouches maintenance were surprisingly inhibited at low concentration, and transcriptomic analysis revealed disturbed profiles of genes involved in the extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion pathways. Interestingly, seahorse testes were less sensitive to BPA exposure than that in other teleosts. Thus, our study suggests that BPA at environmentally relevant concentrations might cause reproductive dysfunction in seahorses, potentially exerting adverse effects on the seahorse population since most of them inhabit shallow coastal areas with prevalent estrogenic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, PR China
| | - Yongli Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Geng Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, PR China
| | - Qiang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, PR China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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Qi Q, Dong Z, Zhang N, Wang L, Shao C, Xu W. Cloning, expression and functional analysis of the desert hedgehog (dhh) gene in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Gene Expr Patterns 2020; 39:119163. [PMID: 33359643 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2020.119163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Desert hedgehog (dhh) is a gene that is crucial for spermatogenesis and Leydig cell differentiation, but little is known regarding its influence on gonadal differentiation and development in fish. To understand its function, we cloned and characterized the dhh gene from Cynoglossus semilaevis (csdhh). The full length csdhh cDNA was 2473 bp, including a 1386 bp open reading frame (ORF), a 475 bp 5'-UTR, and a 612 bp 3'-UTR, encoding a predicted protein of 461 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the putative protein belongs to the hedgehog (HH) family, and contains typical HH-N and HH-C domains. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that CsDhh shares many features with Dhh analogues in other teleost species. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that csdhh was detected in eight different tissues in male and female tongue sole. During early embryonic development, the relative expression of the csdhh was significantly higher in the neural stage than in other embryonic developmental stages (P < 0.05). csdhh was detected at 20 days after hatching (dah) and at the critical period of male gonadal differentiation (80-95 dah), the relative expression of the csdhh was significantly higher in the male gonads than the female gonads. In 5, 8, and 12 month old gonads, the relative expression of the csdhh was significantly higher in male and pseudo-male than in female fish. The in situ hybridization (ISH) results showed that the hybridization signal was strongly expressed in primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, and sertoli cells of the 1-year-old fish testis, with only weak signal expression in the corresponding ovarian tissue. These results suggest that csdhh is highly conserved in evolution and plays an important role in spermatogenesis in males and pseudo-males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Qi
- Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhongdian Dong
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Yantai Marine Economic Research Institute, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Changwei Shao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science (CAFS), Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, 266071, China.
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The transcriptome of the newt Cynops orientalis provides new insights into evolution and function of sexual gene networks in sarcopterygians. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5445. [PMID: 32214214 PMCID: PMC7096497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians evolved in the Devonian period about 400 Mya and represent a transition step in tetrapod evolution. Among amphibians, high-throughput sequencing data are very limited for Caudata, due to their largest genome sizes among terrestrial vertebrates. In this paper we present the transcriptome from the fire bellied newt Cynops orientalis. Data here presented display a high level of completeness, comparable to the fully sequenced genomes available from other amphibians. Moreover, this work focused on genes involved in gametogenesis and sexual development. Surprisingly, the gsdf gene was identified for the first time in a tetrapod species, so far known only from bony fish and basal sarcopterygians. Our analysis failed to isolate fgf24 and foxl3, supporting the possible loss of both genes in the common ancestor of Rhipidistians. In Cynops, the expression analysis of genes described to be sex-related in vertebrates singled out an expected functional role for some genes, while others displayed an unforeseen behavior, confirming the high variability of the sex-related pathway in vertebrates.
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14
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González Morales SR, Liu C, Blankenship H, Zhu GZ. Mouse Ptchd3 is a non-essential gene. Gene 2020; 763S:100032. [PMID: 32550558 PMCID: PMC7285965 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.100032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mouse Ptchd3 (patched domain containing 3) was previously identified as a male germ-cell specific gene. The protein product of this gene has been found on the surface of mouse, rat and human sperm. Since Ptchd3 contains a conserved patched domain, we hypothesize that it functions as a membrane receptor for the hedgehog ligand. Herein, we used a Ptchd3 knockout mouse model to study its function in mouse development and spermatogenesis. We found that Ptchd3 knockout mice were born and lived normally. The fertility and sperm production of knockout males were not changed. Moreover, our data indicated that the expression levels of several hedgehog signaling genes were not affected in mutant testis. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Ptchd3 is a non-essential gene in mouse development and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chengjing Liu
- Department of Biology, Marshall University, Huntington WV25755, USA
| | | | - Guo-Zhang Zhu
- Department of Biology, Marshall University, Huntington WV25755, USA
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15
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Xia T, Zhang H, Zhang L, Yang X, Sun G, Chen J, Xu D, Zhao C. Comparative and evolutionary analysis of the reptilian hedgehog gene family ( Shh, Dhh, and Ihh). PeerJ 2019; 7:e7613. [PMID: 31531274 PMCID: PMC6718155 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog signaling pathway plays a vital role in human and animal patterning and cell proliferation during the developmental process. The hedgehog gene family of vertebrate species includes three genes, Shh, Dhh, and Ihh, which possess different functions and expression patterns. Despite the importance of hedgehog genes, genomic evidence of this gene family in reptiles is lacking. In this study, the available genomes of a number of representative reptile species were explored by utilizing adaptive evolutionary analysis methods to characterize the evolutionary patterns of the hedgehog gene family. Altogether, 33 sonic hedgehog (Shh), 25 desert hedgehog (Dhh), and 20 Indian hedgehog (Ihh) genes were obtained from reptiles, and six avian and five mammalian sequences were added to the analysis. The phylogenetic maximum likelihood (ML) tree of the Shh, Dhh, and Ihh genes revealed a similar topology, which is approximately consistent with the traditional taxonomic group. No shared positive selection site was identified by the PAML site model or the three methods in the Data Monkey Server. Branch model and Clade model C analyses revealed that the Dhh and Ihh genes experienced different evolutionary forces in reptiles and other vertebrates, while the Shh gene was not significantly different in terms of selection pressure. The different evolutionary rates of the Dhh and Ihh genes suggest that these genes may be potential contributors to the discrepant sperm and body development of different clades. The different adaptive evolutionary history of the Shh, Dhh, and Ihh genes among reptiles may be due to their different functions in regulating cellular events of development from the embryonic stages to adulthood. Overall, this study has provided meaningful information regarding the evolution of the hedgehog gene family in reptiles and a theoretical foundation for further analyses on the functional and molecular mechanisms that have shaped the reptilian hedgehog genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Xia
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Xiufeng Yang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Guolei Sun
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of Qingdao, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Dajie Xu
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China
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16
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Melo TP, Fortes MRS, Fernandes Junior GA, Albuquerque LG, Carvalheiro R. RAPID COMMUNICATION: Multi-breed validation study unraveled genomic regions associated with puberty traits segregating across tropically adapted breeds1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:3027-3033. [PMID: 30997484 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An efficient strategy to improve QTL detection power is performing across-breed validation studies. Variants segregating across breeds are expected to be in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with causal mutations affecting economically important traits. The aim of this study was to validate, in a Tropical Composite cattle (TC) population, QTL associations identified for sexual precocity traits in a Nellore and Brahman meta-analysis genome-wide association study. In total, 2,816 TC, 8,001 Nellore, and 2,210 Brahman animals were available for the analysis. For that, genomic regions significantly associated with puberty traits in the meta-analysis study were validated for the following sexual precocity traits in TC: age at first corpus luteum (AGECL), first postpartum anestrus interval (PPAI), and scrotal circumference at 18 months of age (SC). We considered validated QTL those underpinned by significant markers from the Nellore and Brahman meta-analysis (P ≤ 10-4) that were also significant for a TC trait, i.e., presenting a P-value of ≤10-3 for AGECL, PPAI, or SC. We also considered as validated QTL those regions where significant markers in the reference population were at ±250 kb from significant markers in the validation population. Using this criteria, 49 SNP were validated for AGECL, 4 for PPAI, and 14 for SC, from which 5 were in common with AGECL, totaling 62 validated SNP for these traits and 30 candidate genes surrounding them. Considering just candidate genes closest to the top SNP of each chromosome, for AGECL 8 candidate genes were identified: COL8A1, PENK, ENSBTAG00000047425, BPNT1, ADAMTS17, CCHCR1, SUFU, and ENSBTAG00000046374. For PPAI, 3 genes emerged as candidates (PCBP3, KCNK10, and MRPS5), and for SC 8 candidate genes were identified (SNORA70, TRAC, ASS1, BPNT1, LRRK1, PKHD1, PTPRM, and ENSBTAG00000045690). Several candidate regions presented here were previously associated with puberty traits in cattle. The majority of emerging candidate genes are related to biological processes involved in reproductive events, such as maintenance of gestation, and some are known to be expressed in reproductive tissues. Our results suggested that some QTL controlling early puberty seem to be segregating across cattle breeds adapted to tropical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaise P Melo
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, FCAV/UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina R S Fortes
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gerardo A Fernandes Junior
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, FCAV/UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia G Albuquerque
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, FCAV/UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Roberto Carvalheiro
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, FCAV/UNESP - Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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17
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Shimizu N, Matsuda M. Identification of a Novel Zebrafish Mutant Line that Develops Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Zebrafish 2018; 16:15-28. [PMID: 30300574 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2018.1604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular tumors are the most common solid malignant tumors in men 20-35 years of age. Although most of testicular tumors are curable, current treatments still fail in 15%-20% of patients. However, insufficient understanding of the molecular basis and lack of animal models limit development of more effective treatments. This study reports the identification of a novel zebrafish mutant line, ns1402, which develops testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). While both male and female ns1402 mutants were fertile at young age, male ns1402 mutants became infertile as early as 9 months of age. This infertility was associated with progressive loss of mature sperm. Failure of spermatogenesis was, at least in part, explained by progressive loss of mature Leydig cells, a source of testosterone that is essential for spermatogenesis. Interestingly, TGCTs in ns1402 mutants contained a large number of Sertoli cells and gene expression profiles of Sertoli cells were altered before loss of mature Leydig cells. This suggests that changes in Sertoli cell properties happened first, followed by loss of mature Leydig cells and failure of spermatogenesis. Taken together, this study emphasizes the importance of cell-cell interactions and cell signaling in the testis for spermatogenesis and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Miho Matsuda
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey
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18
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l-arginine alters the proteome of frozen-thawed bovine sperm during in vitro capacitation. Theriogenology 2018; 119:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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19
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Role of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Regulating the Behavior of Germline Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:5714608. [PMID: 28883837 PMCID: PMC5572616 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5714608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are adult stem cells that are responsible for the production of gametes and include spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and ovarian germline stem cells (OGSCs). GSCs are located in a specialized microenvironment in the gonads called the niche. Many recent studies have demonstrated that multiple signals in the niche jointly regulate the proliferation and differentiation of GSCs, which is of significance for reproductive function. Previous studies have demonstrated that the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway participates in the proliferation and differentiation of various stem cells, including GSCs in Drosophila and male mammals. Furthermore, the discovery of mammalian OGSCs challenged the traditional opinion that the number of primary follicles is fixed in postnatal mammals, which is of significance for the reproductive ability of female mammals and the treatment of diseases related to germ cells. Meanwhile, it still remains to be determined whether the Hh signaling pathway participates in the regulation of the behavior of OGSCs. Herein, we review the current research on the role of the Hh signaling pathway in mediating the behavior of GSCs. In addition, some suggestions for future research are proposed.
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20
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MicroRNAs in Sertoli cells: implications for spermatogenesis and fertility. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 370:335-346. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2667-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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21
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Zhang X, Tian Y, Yang Y, Hao J. Development of anticancer agents targeting the Hedgehog signaling. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:2773-2782. [PMID: 28314894 PMCID: PMC11107598 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2497-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway which is essential in embryonic and postnatal development as well as adult organ homeostasis. Abnormal regulation of Hedgehog signaling is implicated in many diseases including cancer. Consequently, substantial efforts have made in the past to develop potential therapeutic agents that specifically target the Hedgehog signaling for cancer treatment. Here, we review the therapeutic agents for inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling and their clinical advances in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Zhang
- College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jijun Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA.
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA.
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22
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Chen H, Wang Y, Ge R, Zirkin BR. Leydig cell stem cells: Identification, proliferation and differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 445:65-73. [PMID: 27743991 PMCID: PMC5346484 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Adult Leydig cells develop from undifferentiated mesenchymal-like stem cells (stem Leydig cells, SLCs) present in the interstitial compartment of the early postnatal testis. Putative SLCs also have been identified in peritubular and perivascular locations of the adult testis. The latter cells, which normally are quiescent, are capable of regenerating new Leydig cells upon the loss of the adult cells. Recent studies have identified several protein markers to identify these cells, including nestin, PDGFRα, COUP-TFII, CD51 and CD90. We have shown that the proliferation of the SLCs is stimulated by DHH, FGF2, PDGFBB, activin and PDGFAA. Suppression of proliferation occurred with TGFβ, androgen and PKA signaling. The differentiation of the SLCs into testosterone-producing Leydig cells was found to be regulated positively by DHH (Desert hedgehog), lithium-induced signaling and activin; and negatively by TGFβ, PDGFBB, FGF2, Notch and Wnt signaling. DHH, by itself, was found to induce SLC differentiation into LH-responsive steroidogenic cells, suggesting that DHH plays a critical role in the commitment of SLC into the Leydig lineage. These studies, taken together, address the function and regulation of low turnover stem cells in a complex, adult organ, and also have potential application to the treatment of androgen deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Chen
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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23
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Migone FF, Hung PH, Cowan RG, Selvaraj V, Suarez SS, Quirk SM. Overactivation of hedgehog signaling in the developing Müllerian duct interferes with duct regression in males and causes subfertility. Reproduction 2017; 153:481-492. [PMID: 28123059 PMCID: PMC5328643 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The influence of the hedgehog signaling pathway on reproduction was studied in transgenic mice in which a dominant active allele of the hedgehog signal transducer, smoothened (Smo), was conditionally expressed in the developing Müllerian duct and gonads through recombination mediated by anti-Müllerian hormone receptor 2-cre (Amhr2cre ). Previous studies showed that development of the oviduct and uterus are abnormal in female Amhr2cre/+SmoM2 mice. In the current study, focusing on mutant males, litter size was reduced 53% in crosses with wild-type females. An extra band of undifferentiated tissue extended along each epididymis and vas deferens, a position suggesting derivation from Müllerian ducts that failed to regress fully. Hedgehog signaling was elevated in this tissue, based on mRNA levels of target genes. Amhr2 mRNA was dramatically reduced in the uterus of mutant females and in the extra tissue in the tract of mutant males, suggesting that AMHR2 signaling was inadequate for complete Müllerian duct regression. Spermatogenesis and sperm motility were normal, but testis weight was reduced 37% and epididymal sperm number was reduced 36%. The number of sperm recovered from the uteri of wild-type females after mating with mutant males was reduced 78%. This suggested that sperm transport through the male tract was reduced, resulting in fewer sperm in the ejaculate. Consistent with this, mutant males had unusually tortuous vas deferentia with constrictions within the lumen. We concluded that persistence of a relatively undifferentiated remnant of Müllerian tissue is sufficient to cause subtle changes in the male reproductive tract that reduce fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pei-Hsuan Hung
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Susan S Suarez
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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24
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Yao C, Sun M, Yuan Q, Niu M, Chen Z, Hou J, Wang H, Wen L, Liu Y, Li Z, He Z. MiRNA-133b promotes the proliferation of human Sertoli cells through targeting GLI3. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2201-19. [PMID: 26755652 PMCID: PMC4823029 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells play critical roles in regulating spermatogenesis and they can be reprogrammed to the cells of other lineages, highlighting that they have significant applications in reproductive and regenerative medicine. The fate determinations of Sertoli cells are regulated precisely by epigenetic factors. However, the expression, roles, and targets of microRNA (miRNA) in human Sertoli cells remain unknown. Here we have for the first time revealed that 174 miRNAs were distinctly expressed in human Sertoli cells between Sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS) patients and obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients with normal spermatogenesis using miRNA microarrays and real time PCR, suggesting that these miRNAs may be associated with the pathogenesis of SCOS. MiR-133b is upregulated in Sertoli cells of SCOS patients compared to OA patients. Proliferation assays with miRNA mimics and inhibitors showed that miR-133b enhanced the proliferation of human Sertoli cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that GLI3 was a direct target of miR-133b and the expression of Cyclin B1 and Cyclin D1 was enhanced by miR-133b mimics but decreased by its inhibitors. Gene silencing of GLI3 using RNA inference stimulated the growth of human Sertoli cells. Collectively, miR-133b promoted the proliferation of human Sertoli cells by targeting GLI3. This study thus sheds novel insights into epigenetic regulation of human Sertoli cells and the etiology of azoospermia and offers new targets for treating male infertility
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Affiliation(s)
- Chencheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuping He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
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25
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Crespo D, Assis LHC, Furmanek T, Bogerd J, Schulz RW. Expression profiling identifies Sertoli and Leydig cell genes as Fsh targets in adult zebrafish testis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 437:237-251. [PMID: 27566230 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells are quiescent, undergo self-renewal or differentiating divisions, thereby forming the cellular basis of spermatogenesis. This cellular development is orchestrated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), through the production of Sertoli cell-derived factors, and by Leydig cell-released androgens. Here, we investigate the transcriptional events induced by Fsh in a steroid-independent manner on the restart of zebrafish (Danio rerio) spermatogenesis ex vivo, using testis from adult males where type A spermatogonia were enriched by estrogen treatment in vivo. Under these conditions, RNA sequencing preferentially detected differentially expressed genes in somatic/Sertoli cells. Fsh-stimulated spermatogonial proliferation was accompanied by modulating several signaling systems (i.e. Tgf-β, Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch pathways). In silico protein-protein interaction analysis indicated a role for Hedgehog family members potentially integrating signals from different pathways during fish spermatogenesis. Moreover, Fsh had a marked impact on metabolic genes, such as lactate and fatty acid metabolism, or on Sertoli cell barrier components. Fish Leydig cells express the Fsh receptor and one of the most robust Fsh-responsive genes was insulin-like 3 (insl3), a Leydig cell-derived growth factor. Follow-up work showed that recombinant zebrafish Insl3 mediated pro-differentiation effects of Fsh on spermatogonia in an androgen-independent manner. Our experimental approach allowed focusing on testicular somatic genes in zebrafish and showed that the activity of signaling systems known to be relevant in stem cells was modulated by Fsh, providing promising leads for future work, as exemplified by the studies on Insl3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Crespo
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luiz H C Assis
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tomasz Furmanek
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Bogerd
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway.
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26
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Kothandaraman N, Agarwal A, Abu-Elmagd M, Al-Qahtani MH. Pathogenic landscape of idiopathic male infertility: new insight towards its regulatory networks. NPJ Genom Med 2016; 1:16023. [PMID: 29263816 PMCID: PMC5685305 DOI: 10.1038/npjgenmed.2016.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic male infertility (IMI) affects nearly 10-15% of men in their prime reproductive age. More than 500 target genes were postulated to be associated with this disease condition through various genomic studies. The challenge is to determine the functional role of these genes and proteins that form part of a larger network leading to pathogenesis of the IMI phenotype in humans. In the current study, we have catalogued all of the genes associated with IMI from published studies, as well as looked at reactive oxygen species and antioxidant genes, the two key physiological determinants essential for normal spermatogenesis. Any imbalance in these genes through mutation, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or other forms could result in abnormal regulation of genes leading to infertility. SNPs catalogued in the current study, representing a third of the IMI genes, could possibly explain the various hidden factors associated with this condition. The enriched biological functions in SNPs, as well as functional analysis of IMI genes, resulted in the identification of novel gene pairs, from which we proposed new models to describe the underlying pathogenesis of this disease condition. The outcome of this study will give a new set of genes and proteins that could help explain the disease from a global perspective previously not addressed using standard approaches. Genes corresponding to proteins identified from the current study for spermatozoa and seminal plasma showed functional correlation based on their localization, which gave further confirmation of their roles in defective spermatogenesis as seen in IMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narasimhan Kothandaraman
- American Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Muhammad Abu-Elmagd
- Centre of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H Al-Qahtani
- Centre of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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27
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Abstract
Since its discovery nearly 30 years ago, the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been shown to be pivotal in many developmental and pathophysiological processes in several steroidogenic tissues, including the testis, ovary, adrenal cortex, and placenta. New evidence links the evolutionarily conserved Hh pathway to the steroidogenic organs, demonstrating how Hh signaling can influence their development and homeostasis and can act in concert with steroids to mediate physiological functions. In this review, we highlight the role of the components of the Hh signaling pathway in steroidogenesis of endocrine tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Finco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; , ,
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Sahin Z, Szczepny A, McLaughlin EA, Meistrich ML, Zhou W, Ustunel I, Loveland KL. Dynamic Hedgehog signalling pathway activity in germline stem cells. Andrology 2014; 2:267-74. [PMID: 24574096 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Although the contribution of Hedgehog (Hh) signalling to stem cell development and oncogenesis is well recognised, its importance for spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) has not been established. Here we interrogate adult rat SSCs using an established model in which only undifferentiated spermatogonial cells remain in the testis at 15 weeks following irradiation, and spermatogonial differentiation is induced within 4 weeks by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) administration. Synthesis of Hh pathway components in untreated adult rat testes was compared with that in irradiated testes prior to and after GnRH-ant exposure using in situ hybridization. In adult testes with complete spermatogenesis, the Desert Hedgehog ligand transcript, Dhh, was detected in Sertoli cells, some spermatogonia and in spermatocytes by in situ hybridization. Spermatogenic cells were identified as sites of Hh signalling through detection of transcripts encoding the Hh receptor, Ptc2 transcripts and proteins for the key downstream target of Hh signalling, Gli1 and the Hh transcriptional activator, Gli2. Remarkably, the undifferentiated spermatogonia present in irradiated adult rat testes contained Dhh in addition to Ptc2, Gli1 and Gli2, revealing the potential for an autocrine Hh signalling loop to sustain undifferentiated spermatogonial cells. These transcripts became undetectable by in situ hybridization following GnRH-ant induction of spermatogonial differentiation, however, detection of Gli1 protein in spermatogonia in all groups indicates that Hh signalling is sustained. This is the first evidence of active Hh signalling in mammalian male germline stem cells, as has been documented for some cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Sahin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Mersin-10, Turkey; Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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29
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Overlapping binding sites for importin β1 and suppressor of fused (SuFu) on glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (Gli1) regulate its nuclear localization. Biochem J 2014; 461:469-76. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20130709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog signalling protein Gli1 has overlapping binding sites for the proteins importin β1 and SuFu at its N-terminus. These proteins compete to regulate the nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of Gli1, with importin β promoting nuclear import and SuFu preventing it.
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30
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Busch AM, Galimberti F, Nehls KE, Roengvoraphoj M, Sekula D, Li B, Guo Y, Direnzo J, Fiering SN, Spinella MJ, Robbins DJ, Memoli VA, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. All-trans-retinoic acid antagonizes the Hedgehog pathway by inducing patched. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:463-72. [PMID: 24496080 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.27821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a model for a curable solid tumor. GCTs can differentiate into mature teratomas. Embryonal carcinomas (ECs) represent the stem cell compartment of GCTs and are the malignant counterpart to embryonic stem (ES) cells. GCTs and EC cells are useful to investigate differentiation therapy and chemotherapy response. This study explored mechanistic interactions between all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), which induces differentiation of EC and ES cells, and the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, a regulator of self-renewal and proliferation. RA was found to induce mRNA and protein expression of Patched 1 (Ptch1), the Hh ligand receptor and negative regulator of this pathway. PTCH1 is also a target gene of Hh signaling through Smoothened (Smo) activation. Yet, this observed RA-mediated Ptch1 induction was independent of Smo. It occurred despite co-treatment with RA and Smo inhibitors. Retinoid induction of Ptch1 also occurred in other RA-responsive cancer cell lines and in normal ES cells. Notably, this enhanced Ptch1 expression was preceded by induction of the homeobox transcription factor Meis1, a direct RA target. Direct interaction between Meis1 and Ptch1 was confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. To establish the translational relevance of this work, Ptch1 expression was shown to be deregulated in human ECs relative to mature teratoma and the normal seminiferous tubule. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism through which RA can inhibit the Hh pathway via Ptch1 induction. Engaging this pathway is a new way to repress the Hh pathway that can be translated into the cancer clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Busch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - Fabrizio Galimberti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | | | - Monic Roengvoraphoj
- Department of Medicine; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA
| | - David Sekula
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - Bin Li
- Molecular Oncology Program; Department of Surgery; Miller School of Medicine; University of Miami; Miami, FL USA
| | - Yongli Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - James Direnzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA
| | - Steven N Fiering
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA; Department of Immunology and Microbiology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Department of Genetics; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA
| | - David J Robbins
- Molecular Oncology Program; Department of Surgery; Miller School of Medicine; University of Miami; Miami, FL USA
| | - Vincent A Memoli
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA; Department of Pathology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Department of Medicine; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH USA
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31
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Herpin A, Adolfi MC, Nicol B, Hinzmann M, Schmidt C, Klughammer J, Engel M, Tanaka M, Guiguen Y, Schartl M. Divergent expression regulation of gonad development genes in medaka shows incomplete conservation of the downstream regulatory network of vertebrate sex determination. Mol Biol Evol 2013; 30:2328-46. [PMID: 23883523 PMCID: PMC3888023 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mst130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic control of male or female gonad development displays between different groups of organisms a remarkable diversity of "master sex-determining genes" at the top of the genetic hierarchies, whereas downstream components surprisingly appear to be evolutionarily more conserved. Without much further studies, conservation of sequence has been equalized to conservation of function. We have used the medaka fish to investigate the generality of this paradigm. In medaka, the master male sex-determining gene is dmrt1bY, a highly conserved downstream regulator of sex determination in vertebrates. To understand its function in orchestrating the complex gene regulatory network, we have identified targets genes and regulated pathways of Dmrt1bY. Monitoring gene expression and interactions by transgenic fluorescent reporter fish lines, in vivo tissue-chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vitro gene regulation assays revealed concordance but also major discrepancies between mammals and medaka, notably amongst spatial, temporal expression patterns and regulations of the canonical Hedgehog and R-spondin/Wnt/Follistatin signaling pathways. Examination of Foxl2 protein distribution in the medaka ovary defined a new subpopulation of theca cells, where ovarian-type aromatase transcriptional regulation appears to be independent of Foxl2. In summary, these data show that the regulation of the downstream regulatory network of sex determination is less conserved than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Herpin
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, Germany
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32
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Barsoum IB, Kaur J, Ge RS, Cooke PS, Yao HHC. Dynamic changes in fetal Leydig cell populations influence adult Leydig cell populations in mice. FASEB J 2013; 27:2657-66. [PMID: 23568777 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-225060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Testes contain two distinct Leydig cell populations during development: fetal and adult Leydig cells (FLCs and ALCs, respectively). ALCs are not derived from FLCs, and it is unknown whether these two populations share common progenitors. We discovered that hedgehog (Hh) signaling is responsible for transforming steroidogenic factor 1-positive (SF1(+)) progenitors into FLCs. However, not all SF1(+) progenitors become FLCs, and some remain undifferentiated through fetal development. We therefore hypothesized that if FLCs and ALCs share SF1(+) progenitors, increased Hh pathway activation in SF1(+) progenitor cells could change the dynamics and distribution of SF1(+) progenitors, FLCs, and ALCs. Using a genetic model involving constitutive activation of Hh pathway in SF1(+) cells, we observed reduced numbers of SF1(+) progenitor cells and increased FLCs. Conversely, increased Hh activation led to decreased ALC populations prepubertally, while adult ALC numbers were comparable to control testes. Hence, reduction in SF1(+) progenitors temporarily affects ALC numbers, suggesting that SF1(+) progenitors in fetal testes are a potential source of both FLCs and ALCs. Besides transient ALC defects, adult animals with Hh activation in SF1(+) progenitors had reduced testicular weight, oligospermia, and decreased sperm mobility. These defects highlight the importance of properly regulated Hh signaling in Leydig cell development and testicular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivraym B Barsoum
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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33
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Transcriptome profiling of the developing postnatal mouse testis using next-generation sequencing. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2012; 56:1-12. [PMID: 23269550 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-012-4411-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian testis development is a complex and highly sophisticated process. To study the dynamic change of normal testis development at the transcriptional level, we investigated mouse testes at three postnatal ages: 6 days postnatal, 4 weeks old, and 10 weeks old, representing infant (PN1), juvenile (PN2), and adult (PN3) stages, respectively. Using ultra high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, we obtained 211 million reads with a length of 35 bp. We identified 18837 genes that were expressed in mouse testes, and found that genes expressed at the highest level were involved in spermatogenesis. The gene expression pattern in PN1 was distinct from that in PN2 and PN3, which indicates that spermatogenesis has commenced in PN2. We analyzed a large number of genes related to spermatogenesis and somatic development of the testis, which play important roles at different developmental stages. We also found that the MAPK, Hedgehog, and Wnt signaling pathways were significantly involved at different developmental stages. These findings further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate testis development. Our study also demonstrates significant advantages of RNA-seq technology for studying transcriptome during development.
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34
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Franco HL, Yao HHC. Sex and hedgehog: roles of genes in the hedgehog signaling pathway in mammalian sexual differentiation. Chromosome Res 2012; 20:247-58. [PMID: 22105695 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-011-9254-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The chromosome status of the mammalian embryo initiates a multistage process of sexual development in which the bipotential reproductive system establishes itself as either male or female. These events are governed by intricate cell-cell and interorgan communication that is regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The hedgehog signaling pathway was originally identified for its key role in the development of Drosophila, but is now recognized as a critical developmental regulator in many species, including humans. In addition to its developmental roles, the hedgehog signaling pathway also modulates adult organ function, and misregulation of this pathway often leads to diseases, such as cancer. The hedgehog signaling pathway acts through its morphogenetic ligands that signal from ligand-producing cells to target cells over a specified distance. The target cells then respond in a graded manner based on the concentration of the ligands that they are exposed to. Through this unique mechanism of action, the hedgehog signaling pathway elicits cell fate determination, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and cellular homeostasis. Here, we review current findings on the roles of hedgehog signaling in the sexually dimorphic development of the reproductive organs with an emphasis on mammals and comparative evidence in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Franco
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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35
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Whiley PAF, Miyamoto Y, McLachlan RI, Jans DA, Loveland KL. Changing subcellular localization of nuclear transport factors during human spermatogenesis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY 2012; 35:158-69. [PMID: 21812786 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01202.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis requires progressive changes in gene expression mediated by hormonal and local factors. Regulated macromolecular movement between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments enables these essential responses to changing extracellular cues, and dynamic production of the nucleocytoplasmic transporters and importin proteins, throughout gametogenesis in rodents implicates them as key mediators of germline differentiation. We examined normal adult human testis expression profiles of six importins plus five additional proteins involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport. Although most were detected in the nucleus during germline differentiation, importin α4 was exclusively observed in Sertoli and germ cell cytoplasm. Many proteins were present in round spermatid nuclei (importins α1, α3, β1, β3; exportin-1, Nup62, Ran, RanBP1, RCC1), and remarkable intense nuclear and/or nuclear-associated signals were detected for importin α1, importin α3 and Nup62 in spermatocytes. This study identifies conserved aspects of nucleocytoplasmic transport during spermatogenesis and extends our knowledge of the dynamic presence of these proteins, which indicates that they contribute to germ cell-specific cargo trafficking and potentially to other functions during human spermatogenesis. We also demonstrate for the first time that importin α3 is nuclear in spermatocytes, when exportin-1 is cytoplasmic, suggesting that nuclear transport is altered during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A F Whiley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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36
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Sperry AO. The dynamic cytoskeleton of the developing male germ cell. Biol Cell 2012; 104:297-305. [PMID: 22276751 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is characterised by dramatic cellular change to transform the non-polar spermatogonium into a highly polarised and functional spermatozoon. The acquisition of cell polarity is a requisite step for formation of viable sperm. The polarity of the spermatozoon is clearly demonstrated by the acrosome at the apical pole of the cell and the flagellum at the opposite end. Spermatogenesis consists of three basic phases: mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesis. The final phase represents the period of greatest cellular change where cell-type specific organelles such as the acrosome and the flagellum form, the nucleus migrates to the plasma membrane and elongates, chromatin condenses and residual cytoplasm is removed. An important feature of spermatogenesis is the change in the cytoskeleton that occurs throughout this pathway. In this review, the author will provide an overview of these transformations and provide insight into possible modes of regulation of these rearrangements during spermatogenesis. Although primary focus will be given to the microtubule cytoskeleton, the importance of actin filaments to the cellular transformation of the male germ cell will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann O Sperry
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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37
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O'Hara WA, Azar WJ, Behringer RR, Renfree MB, Pask AJ. Desert hedgehog is a mammal-specific gene expressed during testicular and ovarian development in a marsupial. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2011; 11:72. [PMID: 22132805 PMCID: PMC3293750 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-11-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desert hedgehog (DHH) belongs to the hedgehog gene family that act as secreted intercellular signal transducers. DHH is an essential morphogen for normal testicular development and function in both mice and humans but is not present in the avian lineage. Like other hedgehog proteins, DHH signals through the patched (PTCH) receptors 1 and 2. Here we examine the expression and protein distribution of DHH, PTCH1 and PTCH2 in the developing testes of a marsupial mammal (the tammar wallaby) to determine whether DHH signalling is a conserved factor in gonadal development in all therian mammals. RESULTS DHH, PTCH1 and PTCH2 were present in the marsupial genome and highly conserved with their eutherian orthologues. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that DHH has recently evolved and is a mammal-specific hedgehog orthologue. The marsupial PTCH2 receptor had an additional exon (exon 21a) not annotated in eutherian PTCH2 proteins. Interestingly we found evidence of this exon in humans and show that its translation would result in a truncated protein with functions similar to PTCH1. We also show that DHH expression was not restricted to the testes during gonadal development (as in mice), but was also expressed in the developing ovary. Expression of DHH, PTCH1 and PTCH2 in the adult tammar testis and ovary was consistent with findings in the adult mouse. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that there is a highly conserved role for DHH signalling in the differentiation and function of the mammalian testis and that DHH may be necessary for marsupial ovarian development. The receptors PTCH1 and PTCH2 are highly conserved mediators of hedgehog signalling in both the developing and adult marsupial gonads. Together these findings indicate DHH is an essential therian mammal-specific morphogen in gonadal development and gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A O'Hara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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38
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Mäkelä JA, Saario V, Bourguiba-Hachemi S, Nurmio M, Jahnukainen K, Parvinen M, Toppari J. Hedgehog signalling promotes germ cell survival in the rat testis. Reproduction 2011; 142:711-21. [PMID: 21893610 PMCID: PMC3207727 DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signalling has a crucial role in testis development. Sertoli cell-derived desert hedgehog (DHH) guides the formation of testis cords and differentiation of foetal-type Leydig cells. Dhh mutant mice are infertile due to a block in germ cell differentiation, hypogonadism and hypoandrogenism. Hh signalling pathway components are also expressed in postnatal testis. In the rat testis the transcription factor of the Hh pathway, glioma-associated oncogene homologue (GLI1), is expressed by a wide variety of germ cells. This suggests that Hh signalling is involved in spermatogenesis at many different levels. Our data show that canonical Hh signalling is turned off in early condensing spermatids that strongly express the negative regulator of the pathway, suppressor of fused (SUFU). Most of the Hh pathway specific mRNAs display the highest values in stages II-VI of the rat seminiferous epithelial cycle. The key endocrine regulator of germ cell differentiation, FSH, down-regulates Dhh mRNA levels in vitro. Hh signalling inhibition in vitro leads to massive apoptosis of germ cells. In prepubertal rat testis imatinib mesylate-induced inhibition of tyrosine kinases impinges on Dhh transcript levels and Hh signalling. Our data indicate that Hh signalling is part of the paracrine signalling network in the rat testis. It promotes the survival of germ cells and is suppressed by FSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland.
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39
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Fustino N, Rakheja D, Ateek CS, Neumann JC, Amatruda JF. Bone morphogenetic protein signalling activity distinguishes histological subsets of paediatric germ cell tumours. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 34:e218-33. [PMID: 21696393 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01186.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are cancers of the testis, ovary or extragonadal sites that occur in infants, children and adults. Testicular GCT is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-40 years. Abnormalities in developmental signalling pathways such as wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β/BMP and Hedgehog have been described in many childhood tumours. To date, however, the status of BMP signalling in GCTs has not been described. Herein, we examine BMP-SMAD signalling in a set of clinically-annotated paediatric GCTs. We find that BMP signalling activity is absent in undifferentiated tumours such as seminomas and dysgerminomas, but robustly present in most yolk sac tumours, a differentiated tumour type. Gene expression profiling of TGF-β/BMP pathway genes in germinomas and yolk sac tumours reveals a set of genes that distinguish the two tumour types. There is significant intertumoural heterogeneity between tumours of the same histological subclass, implying that the BMP pathway can be differentially regulated in individual tumours. Finally, through miRNA expression profiling, we identify differential regulation of a set of miRNAs predicted to target the TGF-β/BMP pathway at multiple sites. Taken together, these results suggest that the BMP signalling pathway may represent a new therapeutical target for childhood GCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fustino
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-8534, USA
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40
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Morales CR, Fox A, El-Alfy M, Ni X, Argraves WS. Expression of Patched-1 and Smoothened in testicular meiotic and post-meiotic cells. Microsc Res Tech 2010; 72:809-15. [PMID: 19484749 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Desert hedgehog (Dhh) signaling plays an essential role in the normal development of the testis and in the process of spermatogenesis. Little is known about the involvement in spermatogenesis of the prototypic member of the family, Ptc1, which acts to suppress hedgehog signaling through Smoothened (Smo). Here, we have examined the expression of Ptc1, Smo, and Dhh in mouse and rat seminiferous epithelium. Our findings demonstrate that Ptc1 and Smo are expressed by primary spermatocytes and by round and condensing spermatids whereas Dhh is expressed by Sertoli cells. The findings suggest that Sertoli cells coordinate Dhh-dependent spermatogenesis events via Ptc1 and Smo prior to the first meiotic division and in postmeiotic (haploid) cells, particularly during the first half of spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R Morales
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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41
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Itman C, Miyamoto Y, Young J, Jans D, Loveland K. Nucleocytoplasmic transport as a driver of mammalian gametogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2009; 20:607-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2009.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Revised: 04/29/2009] [Accepted: 05/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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42
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Patterson VL, Damrau C, Paudyal A, Reeve B, Grimes DT, Stewart ME, Williams DJ, Siggers P, Greenfield A, Murdoch JN. Mouse hitchhiker mutants have spina bifida, dorso-ventral patterning defects and polydactyly: identification of Tulp3 as a novel negative regulator of the Sonic hedgehog pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:1719-39. [PMID: 19223390 PMCID: PMC2671985 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway is essential for embryonic development and the patterning of multiple organs. Disruption or activation of Shh signalling leads to multiple birth defects, including holoprosencephaly, neural tube defects and polydactyly, and in adults results in tumours of the skin or central nervous system. Genetic approaches with model organisms continue to identify novel components of the pathway, including key molecules that function as positive or negative regulators of Shh signalling. Data presented here define Tulp3 as a novel negative regulator of the Shh pathway. We have identified a new mouse mutant that is a strongly hypomorphic allele of Tulp3 and which exhibits expansion of ventral markers in the caudal spinal cord, as well as neural tube defects and preaxial polydactyly, consistent with increased Shh signalling. We demonstrate that Tulp3 acts genetically downstream of Shh and Smoothened (Smo) in neural tube patterning and exhibits a genetic interaction with Gli3 in limb development. We show that Tulp3 does not appear to alter expression or processing of Gli3, and we demonstrate that transcriptional regulation of other negative regulators (Rab23, Fkbp8, Thm1, Sufu and PKA) is not affected. We discuss the possible mechanism of action of Tulp3 in Shh-mediated signalling in light of these new data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Patterson
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxon, UK
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Payne CA, Maleki S, Messina M, O'Sullivan MG, Stone G, Hall NR, Parkinson JF, Wheeler HR, Cook RJ, Biggs MT, Little NS, Teo C, Robinson BG, McDonald KL. Loss of prostaglandin D2 synthase: a key molecular event in the transition of a low-grade astrocytoma to an anaplastic astrocytoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:3420-8. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Szczepny A, Hogarth CA, Young J, Loveland KL. Identification of Hedgehog signaling outcomes in mouse testis development using a hanging drop-culture system. Biol Reprod 2008; 80:258-63. [PMID: 18843087 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.067926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway affects fetal testis growth. Recently, we described the dynamic cellular production of Hh signaling pathway components in juvenile and adult rodent testes. The Hh signaling is understood to regulate cord formation in the fetal testis, but minimal knowledge exists regarding how Hh signaling impacts the postnatal testis. To investigate this, we employed hanging drop cultures, which are used routinely in embryoid body formation. This approach has the advantage of using small media volume, and we examined its suitability for short-term culture of both murine embryonic gonads and adult testis tubules. The effects of cyclopamine, a specific Hh signaling inhibitor, were examined following culture of Embryonic Day 11.5 urogenital ridges (as control) and adult seminiferous tubule fragments for 24-48 h using histological, cell proliferation, and gene expression analyses. Cultured embryonic testes displayed generally normal cord structure, anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh) expression, and cell proliferation; known Hh target gene expression (Gli1, osteopontin, official symbol Spp1, and Amh) was altered in response to cyclopamine. Cultured adult tubules exhibited some loss of seminiferous epithelium organization over 48 h. Spermatogonia continued to proliferate, however, and no significant loss of viability was noted overall. Addition of cyclopamine significantly affected levels of Gli1, Igfbp6, Ccnd2 (cyclin D2), Ccnb1 (cyclin B1), Spp1, Kit, and Amh mRNAs; these genes have been shown previously to be expressed in Sertoli and germ cells. These novel results identify Hh target genes in the testis and demonstrate this signaling pathway likely affects cell survival and differentiation in the context of normal adult testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Szczepny
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia
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Fowler PA, Cassie S, Rhind SM, Brewer MJ, Collinson JM, Lea RG, Baker PJ, Bhattacharya S, O'Shaughnessy PJ. Maternal smoking during pregnancy specifically reduces human fetal desert hedgehog gene expression during testis development. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008; 93:619-26. [PMID: 18000085 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-1860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Maternal cigarette smoking during gestation increases cryptorchidism and hypospadias and reduces testis size and fertility in sons by unknown mechanisms. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine whether maternal smoking is linked with changes in male human fetal endocrinology, testis gene expression, and liver concentrations of cigarette smoke chemicals. DESIGN This was an observational study of the male fetus, comparing pregnancies during which the mothers either did or did not smoke. SETTING The study was conducted at the universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Nottingham and Macaulay Institute (Aberdeen). PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Testes, blood, and livers were collected from 69 morphologically normal human male fetuses of women undergoing elective termination of normal second-trimester pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Testosterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, LH, and cotinine; expression of 30 reproductive/developmental genes; liver concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and Leydig, Sertoli. and germ cell numbers were determined. RESULTS There were no significant differences in fetal size, testis weight, cell numbers, seminiferous tubule diameter, or circulating LH and testosterone. Fetuses from smoking mothers had smoking range cotinine levels and liver concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that were significant predictors of maternal smoking (P < 0.001). Only the Sertoli cell-specific gene, desert hedgehog (DHH), was significantly altered by maternal smoking (reduced 1.8-fold, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS The consequences of reduced DHH signaling in men and mice are consistent with epidemiology for effects of gestational maternal smoking on sons. Given the absence of other observed effects of maternal smoking, we concluded that reduced DHH is part of a mechanism linking maternal gestational smoking with impaired reproductive development in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Fowler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
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Fan J, Akabane H, Zheng X, Zhou X, Zhang L, Liu Q, Zhang YL, Yang J, Zhu GZ. Male germ cell-specific expression of a novel Patched-domain containing gene Ptchd3. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 363:757-61. [PMID: 17904097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Accepted: 09/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an important role in various biological processes, including pattern formation, cell fate determination, proliferation, and differentiation. Hh function is mediated through its membrane receptor Patched. Herein, we have characterized a novel Patched-domain containing gene Ptchd3 in mouse. Messenger RNA of Ptchd3 was exclusively detected in the testis, and existed in two isoforms Ptchd3a and Ptchd3b. The expression of these two mRNA isoforms was shown to be developmentally regulated in testes, and specifically found in male germ cells. Further analysis revealed that the Ptchd3 protein was located on the midpiece of mouse, rat and human sperm. Collectively, these results indicate that Ptchd3 is a novel male germ cell-specific gene and may be involved in the Hh signaling to regulate sperm development and/or sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
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Rossi P, Lolicato F, Grimaldi P, Dolci S, Di Sauro A, Filipponi D, Geremia R. Transcriptome analysis of differentiating spermatogonia stimulated with kit ligand. Gene Expr Patterns 2007; 8:58-70. [PMID: 18036996 DOI: 10.1016/j.modgep.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2007] [Revised: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Kit ligand (KL) is a survival factor and a mitogenic stimulus for differentiating spermatogonia. However, it is not known whether KL also plays a role in the differentiative events that lead to meiotic entry of these cells. We performed a wide genome analysis of difference in gene expression induced by treatment with KL of spermatogonia from 7-day-old mice, using gene chips spanning the whole mouse genome. The analysis revealed that the pattern of RNA expression induced by KL is compatible with the qualitative changes of the cell cycle that occur during the subsequent cell divisions in type A and B spermatogonia, i.e. the progressive lengthening of the S phase and the shortening of the G2/M transition. Moreover, KL up-regulates in differentiating spermatogonia the expression of early meiotic genes (for instance: Lhx8, Nek1, Rnf141, Xrcc3, Tpo1, Tbca, Xrcc2, Mesp1, Phf7, Rtel1), whereas it down-regulates typical spermatogonial markers (for instance: Pole, Ptgs2, Zfpm2, Egr2, Egr3, Gsk3b, Hnrpa1, Fst, Ptch2). Since KL modifies the expression of several genes known to be up-regulated or down-regulated in spermatogonia during the transition from the mitotic to the meiotic cell cycle, these results are consistent with a role of the KL/kit interaction in the induction of their meiotic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pellegrino Rossi
- Dipartimento di Sanita' Pubblica e Biologia Cellulare, Universita' degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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Sarraj MA, McClive PJ, Szczepny A, Daggag H, Loveland KL, Sinclair AH. Expression of Wsb2 in the developing and adult mouse testis. Reproduction 2007; 133:753-61. [PMID: 17504919 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We present a detailed study of the expression pattern of WD repeat and SOCS box-containing 2 (Wsb2) in mouse embryonic and adult gonads. Wsb2 was previously identified in a differential screen aimed at identifying the genes involved in male- and female-specific gonadal development. Wsb2 expression was analysed during mouse gonadogenesis by real-time PCR, whole-mount and section in situ hybridisation and immunofluorescence. Wsb2 mRNA expression was initially detected in gonads of both sexes from 11.5 days post coitum (dpc) until 12.0 dpc. By 12.5 dpc and thereafter, Wsb2 expression rapidly decreased in the female, while persisting in the male gonads. In foetal, newborn and juvenile testes, Wsb2 mRNA and protein were readily detected in the seminiferous cords within both Sertoli and germ cells. Wsb2 mRNA was present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and in Sertoli cells of the adult mouse testis. The differential expression of Wsb2 in male versus female embryonic gonads suggests some male-specific role in gonad development, and its expression in the first wave of spermatogenesis indicates a role in germ cells. Real-time analysis of adult mouse testis tubules cultured in the presence of the Hedgehog signalling inhibitor, cyclopamine, showed a downregulation of Wsb2 mRNA after treatment which suggests that Wsb2 may be a target of Hedgehog signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Sarraj
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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