1
|
Bakhshalizadeh S, Afkhami F, Bell KM, Robevska G, van den Bergen J, Cronin S, Jaillard S, Ayers KL, Kumar P, Siebold C, Xiao Z, Tate EW, Danaei S, Farzadi L, Shahbazi S, Sinclair AH, Tucker EJ. Diverse genetic causes of amenorrhea in an ethnically homogeneous cohort and an evolving approach to diagnosis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 587:112212. [PMID: 38521400 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterised by amenorrhea associated with elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) under the age of 40 years and affects 1-3.7% women. Genetic factors explain 20-30% of POI cases, but most causes remain unknown despite genomic advancements. DESIGN We used whole exome sequencing (WES) in four Iranian families, validated variants via Sanger sequencing, and conducted the Acyl-cLIP assay to measure HHAT enzyme activity. RESULTS Despite ethnic homogeneity, WES revealed diverse genetic causes, including a novel homozygous nonsense variant in SYCP2L, impacting synaptonemal complex (SC) assembly, in the first family. Interestingly, the second family had two independent causes for amenorrhea - the mother had POI due to a novel homozygous loss-of-function variant in FANCM (required for chromosomal stability) and her daughter had primary amenorrhea due to a novel homozygous GNRHR (required for gonadotropic signalling) frameshift variant. WES analysis also provided cytogenetic insights. WES revealed one individual was in fact 46, XY and had a novel homozygous missense variant of uncertain significance in HHAT, potentially responsible for complete sex reversal although functional assays did not support impaired HHAT activity. In the remaining individual, WES indicated likely mosaic Turners with the majority of X chromosome variants having an allelic balance of ∼85% or ∼15%. Microarray validated the individual had 90% 45,XO. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the diverse causes of amenorrhea in a small, isolated ethnic cohort highlighting how a genetic cause in one individual may not clarify familial cases. We propose that, in time, genomic sequencing may become a single universal test required for the diagnosis of infertility conditions such as POI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Bakhshalizadeh
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fateme Afkhami
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Katrina M Bell
- Department of Bioinformatics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Sara Cronin
- Cyto-Molecular Diagnostic Research Laboratory, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France; CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - Katie L Ayers
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pramod Kumar
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Christian Siebold
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Zhangping Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Shahla Danaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Laya Farzadi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shirin Shahbazi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elena J Tucker
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao F, Yan L, Zhao X, Wu J, Fang Y, Xin Z, Wang H, Yang X. Aberrantly High FBXO31 Impairs Oocyte Quality in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Aging Dis 2024; 15:804-823. [PMID: 37611899 PMCID: PMC10917549 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which is defined as loss of ovarian function that occurs before the age of 40, causes menstrual disturbances, infertility, and diverse health problems in females. Despite the limited understanding of the molecular basis underlying POI pathology, we had previously demonstrated that the cooperation of miR-106a and FBXO31 plays a pivotal role in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), with FBXO31 serving as a putative target of miR-106a. In this study, we found that FBXO31 is aberrantly expressed in granulosa cells of POI patients, leading to accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis via the p53/ROS pathway. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that high levels of FBXO31 in mouse ovaries impair oocyte quality. Our study revealed that FBXO31 may serve as a novel indicator and play a significant role in the etiology of POI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feiyan Zhao
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Long Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuehan Zhao
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ying Fang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhimin Xin
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaokui Yang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bakhshalizadeh S, Bird AD, Sreenivasan R, Bell KM, Robevska G, van den Bergen J, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Kueh AJ, Touraine P, Lokchine A, Jaillard S, Ayers KL, Wilhelm D, Sinclair AH, Tucker EJ. A Human Homozygous HELQ Missense Variant Does Not Cause Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in a Mouse Model. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:333. [PMID: 38540391 PMCID: PMC10970702 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Disruption of meiosis and DNA repair genes is associated with female fertility disorders like premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). In this study, we identified a homozygous missense variant in the HELQ gene (c.596 A>C; p.Gln199Pro) through whole exome sequencing in a POI patient, a condition associated with disrupted ovarian function and female infertility. HELQ, an enzyme involved in DNA repair, plays a crucial role in repairing DNA cross-links and has been linked to germ cell maintenance, fertility, and tumour suppression in mice. To explore the potential association of the HELQ variant with POI, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to create a knock-in mouse model harbouring the equivalent of the human HELQ variant identified in the POI patient. Surprisingly, Helq knock-in mice showed no discernible phenotype, with fertility levels, histological features, and follicle development similar to wild-type mice. Despite the lack of observable effects in mice, the potential role of HELQ in human fertility, especially in the context of POI, should not be dismissed. Larger studies encompassing diverse ethnic populations and alternative functional approaches will be necessary to further examine the role of HELQ in POI. Our results underscore the potential uncertainties associated with genomic variants and the limitations of in vivo animal modelling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Bakhshalizadeh
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anthony D. Bird
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.D.B.); (D.W.)
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular & Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Rajini Sreenivasan
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Katrina M. Bell
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Gorjana Robevska
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Jocelyn van den Bergen
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi
- Biostatistics Unit, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia;
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Kueh
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Philippe Touraine
- Department of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Pitie Salpetriere Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne University Medicine, 75013 Paris, France;
| | - Anna Lokchine
- IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), INSERM/EHESP/Univ Rennes/CHU Rennes–UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.L.); (S.J.)
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, 35033 Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), INSERM/EHESP/Univ Rennes/CHU Rennes–UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; (A.L.); (S.J.)
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, 35033 Rennes, France
| | - Katie L. Ayers
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.D.B.); (D.W.)
| | - Andrew H. Sinclair
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Elena J. Tucker
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.B.); (R.S.); (K.M.B.); (G.R.); (J.v.d.B.); (K.L.A.); (A.H.S.)
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tire B, Talibova G, Ozturk S. The crosstalk between telomeres and DNA repair mechanisms: an overview to mammalian somatic cells, germ cells, and preimplantation embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:277-291. [PMID: 38165506 PMCID: PMC10894803 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-03008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are located at the ends of linear chromosomes and play a critical role in maintaining genomic stability by preventing premature activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Because of exposure to various genotoxic agents, telomeres can undergo shortening and genetic changes. In mammalian cells, the basic DNA repair mechanisms, including base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, double-strand break repair, and mismatch repair, function in repairing potential damages in telomeres. If these damages are not repaired correctly in time, the unfavorable results such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cancerous transition may occur. During lifespan, mammalian somatic cells, male and female germ cells, and preimplantation embryos experience a number of telomeric damages. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed the crosstalk between telomeres and the DNA repair mechanisms in the somatic cells, germ cells, and embryos. Infertility development resulting from possible defects in this crosstalk is also discussed in the light of existing studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Betul Tire
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gunel Talibova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu B, Liu L, Sulaiman Z, Wang C, Wang L, Zhu J, Liu S, Cheng Z. Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and key genes in granulosa cells of patients with biochemical primary ovarian insufficiency. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:15-29. [PMID: 37847421 PMCID: PMC10789704 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02937-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common condition leading to the pathological decline of ovarian function in women of reproductive age, resulting in amenorrhea, hypogonadism, and infertility. Biochemical premature ovarian insufficiency (bPOI) is an intermediate stage in the pathogenesis of POI in which the fertility of patients has been reduced. Previous studies suggest that granulosa cells (GCs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of POI, but their pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. To further explore the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of GCs in POI, we constructed a molecular long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) network using GC expression data collected from biochemical premature ovarian failure (bPOI) patients in the GEO database. We discovered that the GCs of bPOI patients had differential expression of 131 mRNAs, 191 lncRNAs, and 28 miRNAs. By systematic network analysis, we identified six key genes, including SRSF1, PDIA5, NEURL1B, UNK, CELF2, and CFL2, and five hub miRNAs, namely hsa-miR-27a-3p, hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-129-5p, and hsa-miR-17-5p, and the results suggest that the expression of these key genes may be regulated by two hub miRNAs, hsa-miR-27a-3p and hsa-miR-17-5p. Additionally, a POI model in vitro was created to confirm the expression of a few important genes. In this study, we discovered a unique lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on the ceRNA mechanism in bPOI for the first time, and we screened important associated molecules, providing a partial theoretical foundation to better understand the pathogenesis of POI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biting Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Institute of Gynecological Minimally Invasive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Zubaidan Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Institute of Gynecological Minimally Invasive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jihui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Institute of Gynecological Minimally Invasive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Shupeng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Institute of Gynecological Minimally Invasive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Zhongping Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Institute of Gynecological Minimally Invasive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao X, Shi W, Liu X, Zhang W. Emerging trends and research priorities in premature ovarian insufficiency genes: a bibliometric and visualization study. Gynecol Endocrinol 2023; 39:2283033. [PMID: 38010136 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2283033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To illustrate the results achieved by genes in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and collaborations in the field, and to explore key themes and future directions. METHODS Articles and reviews related to POI genes published between 1990 and 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science core collection (WoSCC) for the total bibliometric analysis. Tools were analyzed for publication, country, institution, journal, authors, reference, keywords, subject categories, funding agencies, and research hotspots using a bibliometric online analysis platform, Bibliographic Co-occurrence Matrix Builder (BICOMB), CiteSpace V, and VOSviewer. RESULTS A total of 2,232 papers were included in this study. Articles were published in 52 countries, with the United States publishing the most, followed by China. A total of 308 institutions contributed to relevant publications. Shandong University published the most papers. Qin Y's team published the most relevant papers. Human reproduction and fertility and sterility are the two journals with the most papers. X-chromosome abnormalities, transcription factor mutations, and FMR1 genes are the directions of more POI, and DNA repair is the keyword of the research frontier in recent years. CONCLUSIONS This study summarizes the relevant literature on POI gene research for the first time and analyzes the current hotspots and future trends in this field. The findings can further reveal the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of POI, which is beneficial for researchers to grasp the genetic dynamics of POI women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Wenying Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Adams IR, Davies OR. Meiotic Chromosome Structure, the Synaptonemal Complex, and Infertility. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2023; 24:35-61. [PMID: 37159901 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-110122-090239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In meiosis, homologous chromosome synapsis is mediated by a supramolecular protein structure, the synaptonemal complex (SC), that assembles between homologous chromosome axes. The mammalian SC comprises at least eight largely coiled-coil proteins that interact and self-assemble to generate a long, zipper-like structure that holds homologous chromosomes in close proximity and promotes the formation of genetic crossovers and accurate meiotic chromosome segregation. In recent years, numerous mutations in human SC genes have been associated with different types of male and female infertility. Here, we integrate structural information on the human SC with mouse and human genetics to describe the molecular mechanisms by which SC mutations can result in human infertility. We outline certain themes in which different SC proteins are susceptible to different types of disease mutation and how genetic variants with seemingly minor effects on SC proteins may act as dominant-negative mutations in which the heterozygous state is pathogenic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Adams
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
| | - Owen R Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen M, Jiang H, Zhang C. Selected Genetic Factors Associated with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054423. [PMID: 36901862 PMCID: PMC10002966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous disease resulting from non-functional ovaries in women before the age of 40. It is characterized by primary amenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea. As regards its etiology, although many POI cases are idiopathic, menopausal age is a heritable trait and genetic factors play an important role in all POI cases with known causes, accounting for approximately 20% to 25% of cases. This paper reviews the selected genetic causes implicated in POI and examines their pathogenic mechanisms to show the crucial role of genetic effects on POI. The genetic factors that can be found in POI cases include chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., X chromosomal aneuploidies, structural X chromosomal abnormalities, X-autosome translocations, and autosomal variations), single gene mutations (e.g., newborn ovary homeobox gene (NOBOX), folliculogenesis specific bHLH transcription factor (FIGLA), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), forkhead box L2 (FOXL2), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), etc., as well as defects in mitochondrial functions and non-coding RNAs (small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs). These findings are beneficial for doctors to diagnose idiopathic POI cases and predict the risk of POI in women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengchi Chen
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Haotian Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
LncRNA DANCR counteracts premature ovarian insufficiency by regulating the senescence process of granulosa cells through stabilizing the interaction between p53 and hNRNPC. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:41. [PMID: 36805799 PMCID: PMC9938559 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01115-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the common women reproductive endocrine diseases which adversely impacts female fertility, but the etiology and pathogenesis still remain elusive. Recently increasing researches focus on the roles of lncRNA in POI. LncRNA DANCR was involved in cell differentiation and multiple cancers. It's highly expressed in ovary while the role of DANCR in POI is still unknown. RESULTS Here, we identify a new POI related lncRNA DANCR, which negatively contributes to ovarian granulosa cells aging and follicular atresia. DANCR is proved to be decreasingly expressed in POI patients' granulosa cells. Additionally, Dancr knockout (Dancr-/-) mice were constructed and characterized with POI phenotypes and fertility decline, compared with Dancr+/+ mice. Further, in vitro experiments indicated that DANCR knockdown in granulosa cells led to cell aging and series of aging-related changes including proliferation inhibition, cell cycle G1 arrest and DNA damage. Mechanism research revealed DANCR binds with hNRNPC and p53, while DANCR knockdown attenuates the binding of hNRNPC and p53, thus enhancing protein level of p53 and promoting granulosa cells aging significantly. CONCLUSION The newly identified lncRNA DANCR inhibits p53-dependent granulosa cells aging by regulating hNRNPC-p53 interaction, and eventually counteracting POI. This provides new insights into the pathogenesis of POI and provides a potential target for future diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
|
10
|
Single cell epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis uncovers potential transcription factors regulating mitotic/meiotic switch. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:134. [PMID: 36797258 PMCID: PMC9935506 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05671-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
In order to reveal the complex mechanism governing the mitotic/meiotic switch in female germ cells at epigenomic and genomic levels, we examined the chromatin accessibility (scATAC-seq) and the transcriptional dynamics (scRNA-seq) in germ cells of mouse embryonic ovary between E11.5 to 13.5 at single-cell resolution. Adopting a strict transcription factors (TFs) screening framework that makes it easier to understand the single-cell chromatin signature and a TF interaction algorithm that integrates the transcript levels, chromatin accessibility, and motif scores, we identified 14 TFs potentially regulating the mitotic/meiotic switch, including TCFL5, E2F1, E2F2, E2F6, E2F8, BATF3, SP1, FOS, FOXN3, VEZF1, GBX2, CEBPG, JUND, and TFDP1. Focusing on TCFL5, we constructed Tcfl5+/- mice which showed significantly reduced fertility and found that decreasing TCFL5 expression in cultured E12.5 ovaries by RNAi impaired meiotic progression from leptotene to zygotene. Bioinformatics analysis of published results of the embryonic germ cell transcriptome and the finding that in these cells central meiotic genes (Stra8, Tcfl5, Sycp3, and E2f2) possess open chromatin status already at the mitotic stage together with other features of TCFL5 (potential capability to interact with core TFs and activate meiotic genes, its progressive activation after preleptotene, binding sites in the promoter region of E2f2 and Sycp3), indicated extensive amplification of transcriptional programs associated to mitotic/meiotic switch with an important contribution of TCFL5. We conclude that the identified TFs, are involved in various stages of the mitotic/meiotic switch in female germ cells, TCFL5 primarily in meiotic progression. Further investigation on these factors might give a significant contribution to unravel the molecular mechanisms of this fundamental process of oogenesis and provide clues about pathologies in women such as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) due at least in part to meiotic defects.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ke H, Tang S, Guo T, Hou D, Jiao X, Li S, Luo W, Xu B, Zhao S, Li G, Zhang X, Xu S, Wang L, Wu Y, Wang J, Zhang F, Qin Y, Jin L, Chen ZJ. Landscape of pathogenic mutations in premature ovarian insufficiency. Nat Med 2023; 29:483-492. [PMID: 36732629 PMCID: PMC9941050 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02194-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a major cause of female infertility due to early loss of ovarian function. POI is a heterogeneous condition, and its molecular etiology is unclear. To identify genetic variants associated with POI, here we performed whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of 1,030 patients with POI. We detected 195 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 59 known POI-causative genes, accounting for 193 (18.7%) cases. Association analyses comparing the POI cohort with a control cohort of 5,000 individuals without POI identified 20 further POI-associated genes with a significantly higher burden of loss-of-function variants. Functional annotations of these novel 20 genes indicated their involvement in ovarian development and function, including gonadogenesis (LGR4 and PRDM1), meiosis (CPEB1, KASH5, MCMDC2, MEIOSIN, NUP43, RFWD3, SHOC1, SLX4 and STRA8) and folliculogenesis and ovulation (ALOX12, BMP6, H1-8, HMMR, HSD17B1, MST1R, PPM1B, ZAR1 and ZP3). Cumulatively, pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in known POI-causative and novel POI-associated genes contributed to 242 (23.5%) cases. Further genotype-phenotype correlation analyses indicated that genetic contribution was higher in cases with primary amenorrhea compared to that in cases with secondary amenorrhea. This study expands understanding of the genetic landscape underlying POI and presents insights that have the potential to improve the utility of diagnostic genetic screenings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanni Ke
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Dong Hou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Xue Jiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Bingying Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Shidou Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Guangyu Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuhua Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China.
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China. .,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tian M, Cai X, Liu Y, Liucong M, Howard-Till R. A practical reference for studying meiosis in the model ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:595-608. [PMID: 37078080 PMCID: PMC10077211 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is a critical cell division program that produces haploid gametes for sexual reproduction. Abnormalities in meiosis are often causes of infertility and birth defects (e.g., Down syndrome). Most organisms use a highly specialized zipper-like protein complex, the synaptonemal complex (SC), to guide and stabilize pairing of homologous chromosomes in meiosis. Although the SC is critical for meiosis in many eukaryotes, there are organisms that perform meiosis without a functional SC. However, such SC-less meiosis is poorly characterized. To understand the features of SC-less meiosis and its adaptive significance, the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena was selected as a model. Meiosis research in Tetrahymena has revealed intriguing aspects of the regulatory programs utilized in its SC-less meiosis, yet additional efforts are needed for obtaining an in-depth comprehension of mechanisms that are associated with the absence of SC. Here, aiming at promoting a wider application of Tetrahymena for meiosis research, we introduce basic concepts and core techniques for studying meiosis in Tetrahymena and then suggest future directions for expanding the current Tetrahymena meiosis research toolbox. These methodologies could be adopted for dissecting meiosis in poorly characterized ciliates that might reveal novel features. Such data will hopefully provide insights into the function of the SC and the evolution of meiosis from a unique perspective. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-022-00149-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Tian
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237 China
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Xia Cai
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237 China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237 China
| | - Mingmei Liucong
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237 China
| | - Rachel Howard-Till
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kaune H, Montiel JF, Fenwick M, Williams SA. Rapid ovarian transcript changes during the onset of premature ovarian insufficiency. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:RAF-22-0036. [PMID: 35972313 PMCID: PMC9513667 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The manuscript has been submitted without altering abstract in line with Reproduction's Flexible Submission Process. The abstract is extended and thus does not fit this space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidy Kaune
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
- Program of Ethics and Public Policies in Human Reproduction, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan F Montiel
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Centre for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mark Fenwick
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang Y, Chen Q, Zhang F, Yang X, Shang L, Ren S, Pan Y, Zhou Z, Li G, Fang Y, Jin L, Wu Y, Zhang X. Whole exome sequencing identified a rare WT1 loss-of-function variant in a non-syndromic POI patient. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 10:e1820. [PMID: 34845858 PMCID: PMC8801142 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a highly heterogeneous disease, and up to 25% of cases can be explained by genetic causes. The transcription factor WT1 has long been reported to play a crucial role in ovary function. Wt1‐mutated female mice exhibited POI‐like phenotypes. Methods and Results In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to find the cause of POI in Han Chinese women. A nonsense variant in the WT1 gene: NM_024426.6:c.1387C>T(p.R463*) was identified in a non‐syndromic POI woman. The variant is a heterozygous de novo mutation that is very rare in the human population. The son of the patient inherited the mutation and developed Wilms’ tumor and urethral malformation at the age of 7. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines, the novel variant is categorized as pathogenic. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that the WT1 variant could produce a truncated WT1 isoform in vitro. Conclusions A rare heterozygous nonsense WT1 mutant is associated with non‐syndromic POI and Wilms’ tumor. Our finding characterized another pathogenic WT1 variant, providing insight into genetic counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingchen Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyue Shang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuting Ren
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuncheng Pan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixue Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqing Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunzheng Fang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhua Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McGlacken-Byrne SM, Conway GS. Premature ovarian insufficiency. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2021; 81:98-110. [PMID: 34924261 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The natural lifespan of the ovary is occasionally interrupted by pathological processes; some are known, but many are unknown. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) can be a devastating diagnosis for an adolescent or for someone who has yet to start a family. Common causes of POI include genetic and chromosomal defects, autoimmune damage, and cancer treatments. Knowledge of the pathogenesis of this condition and an awareness of contemporary hormone replacement and fertility options are required to design a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach comprising reproductive medicine, endocrinology, clinical psychology, and assisted fertility expertise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard S Conway
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Xie QE, Wang MY, Cao ZP, Du X, Ji DM, Liang D, Cao YX, Liu YJ. Melatonin protects against excessive autophagy-induced mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function deficiency though ERK signaling pathway in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Mitochondrion 2021; 61:44-53. [PMID: 34571250 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Excessive autophagy-induced follicular atresia of ovarian granulosa cells might be one of the pathogenesis of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), and melatonin (MT) exerted many beneficial effects on mitochondria. However, there was little report regarding the beneficial effects of MT on excessive autophagy-induced mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function deficiency, and the mechanisms have not been clearly identified. Autophagy played a protective role in cells survival, however, high level of autophagy could lead to cell death. In this report, firstly, Chinese hamster ovary cell damage model stably expressing EGFP-LC3 was established. Next, we systematically investigated the protective effects of MT on mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function and molecular mechanisms using this cell damage model. Our results revealed that 10-9 M MT not only protected against the decline of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) expression induced by excessive autophagy, but also rescued excessive autophagy-induced impairment of mitochondrial expression and mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, MT protected against excessive autophagy-induced decrease of nucleus-encoded proteins including SDHA and mitofilin, and mitochondrial dynamic-related proteins including OPA1, MFN2, and DRP1. MT also decreased mitochondrial oxidative stress, increased antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression and ameliorated the G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by excessive autophagy. Finally, MT inhibited excessive autophagy-induced activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. In conclusion, our study showed that MT rescued impairment of mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function, and production of mitochondrial ROS and cell cycle arrest induced by excessive autophagy through down-regulated ERK pathway, implying the potential therapeutic drug target for POI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Q E Xie
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - M Y Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Z P Cao
- The Third People's Hospital of Hefei, The Third Clinical Teaching Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, PR China
| | - X Du
- 901th hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, No 424 West Changjiang Road, Heifei 230031, Anhui, PR China
| | - D M Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - D Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
| | - Y X Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
| | - Y J Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fan X, Moustakas I, Torrens-Juaneda V, Lei Q, Hamer G, Louwe LA, Pilgram GSK, Szuhai K, Matorras R, Eguizabal C, van der Westerlaken L, Mei H, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM. Transcriptional progression during meiotic prophase I reveals sex-specific features and X chromosome dynamics in human fetal female germline. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009773. [PMID: 34499650 PMCID: PMC8428764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During gametogenesis in mammals, meiosis ensures the production of haploid gametes. The timing and length of meiosis to produce female and male gametes differ considerably. In contrast to males, meiotic prophase I in females initiates during development. Hence, the knowledge regarding progression through meiotic prophase I is mainly focused on human male spermatogenesis and female oocyte maturation during adulthood. Therefore, it remains unclear how the different stages of meiotic prophase I between human oogenesis and spermatogenesis compare. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomics data from human fetal germ cells (FGC) allowed us to identify the molecular signatures of female meiotic prophase I stages leptotene, zygotene, pachytene and diplotene. We have compared those between male and female germ cells in similar stages of meiotic prophase I and revealed conserved and specific features between sexes. We identified not only key players involved in the process of meiosis, but also highlighted the molecular components that could be responsible for changes in cellular morphology that occur during this developmental period, when the female FGC acquire their typical (sex-specific) oocyte shape as well as sex-differences in the regulation of DNA methylation. Analysis of X-linked expression between sexes during meiotic prophase I suggested a transient X-linked enrichment during female pachytene, that contrasts with the meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in males. Our study of the events that take place during meiotic prophase I provide a better understanding not only of female meiosis during development, but also highlights biomarkers that can be used to study infertility and offers insights in germline sex dimorphism in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Fan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Torrens-Juaneda
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Qijing Lei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Leoni A. Louwe
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonneke S. K. Pilgram
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Matorras
- IVIRMA, IVI Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain; Human Reproduction Unit, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basque Country University, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cristina Eguizabal
- Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues, Galdakao, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cao D, Shi F, Guo C, Liu Y, Lin Z, Zhang J, Li RHW, Yao Y, Liu K, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Wang T. A pathogenic DMC1 frameshift mutation causes nonobstructive azoospermia but not primary ovarian insufficiency in humans. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6369522. [PMID: 34515795 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) are two disorders that can lead to infertility in males and females. Genetic factors have been identified to contribute to NOA and DOR. However, the same genetic factor that can cause both NOA and DOR remains largely unknown. To explore the candidate pathogenic gene that causes both NOA and DOR, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a non-consanguineous family with two daughters with DOR and a son with NOA. We detected one pathogenic frameshift variant (NM_007068:c.28delG, p. Glu10Asnfs*31) following a recessive inheritance mode in a meiosis gene DMC1 (DNA meiotic recombinase 1). Clinical analysis showed reduced antral follicle number in both daughters with DOR, but metaphase II oocytes could be retrieved from one of them. For the son with NOA, no spermatozoa were found after microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. A further homozygous Dmc1 knockout mice study demonstrated total failure of follicle development and spermatogenesis. These results revealed a discrepancy of DMC1 action between mice and humans. In humans, DMC1 is required for spermatogenesis but is dispensable for oogenesis, although the loss of function of this gene may lead to DOR. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the homozygous frameshift mutation as causative for both NOA and DOR and demonstrating that DMC1 is dispensable in human oogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fu Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenxi Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zexiong Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juanhui Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Raymond Hang Wun Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kui Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ernest Hung Yu Ng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William Shu Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tianren Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Xie Q, Xing Y, Zhou J, Wang L, Wu J, Chian RC. The effect of lysophosphatidic acid-supplemented culture medium on human immature oocytes matured in vitro. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:83. [PMID: 34088325 PMCID: PMC8176579 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00771-8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysophosphatidic acid-supplemented culture medium significantly increases the oocyte maturation rate in vitro. However, potential targets and pathways involved remain unknown. METHODS A total of 43 women, who underwent cesarean section and aged between 18 and 35 years with good health, were included in this study. Immature oocytes were obtained and cultured with 10 µM lysophosphatidic acid. After culture, oocyte maturation was assessed and oocytes and cumulus cells were collected for RNA sequencing. Hierarchical indexing for spliced alignment of transcripts 2 method was used to align clean reads to the human genome. The featureCounts and edgeR package were used to calculate gene expression and analyze differences between groups respectively. ClusterProfiler program was used to perform Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. RESULTS Oocyte maturation rate increased significantly following 48 h culture with lysophosphatidic acid. In cumulus cells, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the top 20 items enriched by upregulated genes and downregulated genes respectively; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in TNF signaling and insulin secretion pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in TNF signaling and cell adhesion molecules. In oocytes, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the top 20 items enriched by upregulated genes and downregulated genes respectively; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in MAPK signaling, gap junction, and cell cycle pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in MAPK signaling, estrogen signaling, RAP1 signaling, and gap junction pathways. CONCLUSIONS Lysophosphatidic acid in culture medium enhances human oocyte maturation in vitro and the identified some potential pathways may associate with oocyte maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qigui Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaxin Xing
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, 301 Yanchang zhonglu, 200072, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhong Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, 301 Yanchang zhonglu, 200072, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ri-Cheng Chian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, 301 Yanchang zhonglu, 200072, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Geisinger A, Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Benavente R. Transcriptomics of Meiosis in the Male Mouse. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:626020. [PMID: 33748111 PMCID: PMC7973102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.626020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular studies of meiosis in mammals have been long relegated due to some intrinsic obstacles, namely the impossibility to reproduce the process in vitro, and the difficulty to obtain highly pure isolated cells of the different meiotic stages. In the recent years, some technical advances, from the improvement of flow cytometry sorting protocols to single-cell RNAseq, are enabling to profile the transcriptome and its fluctuations along the meiotic process. In this mini-review we will outline the diverse methodological approaches that have been employed, and some of the main findings that have started to arise from these studies. As for practical reasons most studies have been carried out in males, and mostly using mouse as a model, our focus will be on murine male meiosis, although also including specific comments about humans. Particularly, we will center on the controversy about gene expression during early meiotic prophase; the widespread existing gap between transcription and translation in meiotic cells; the expression patterns and potential roles of meiotic long non-coding RNAs; and the visualization of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation from the RNAseq perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Geisinger
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay.,Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricardo Benavente
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Innan H, Vaiman D, Veitia RA. Predictable increase in female reproductive window: A simple model connecting age of reproduction, menopause, and longevity. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000233. [PMID: 33569823 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
With the ever-increasing lifespan along with societal changes, women can marry and procreate later than in previous centuries. However, pathogenic genetic variants segregating in the population can lead to female subfertility or infertility well before the average age of normal menopause, leading to counter-selection of such deleterious alleles. In reviewing this field, we speculate that a logical consequence would be the later occurrence of menopause and the extension of women's reproductive lifespan. We illustrate this point with a simple model that applies to other variants that contribute to female infertility, including epigenetic variation. We also consider the effect of medical interventions and lifestyle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Innan
- Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Université de Paris, Paris, France.,CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Biswas L, Tyc K, El Yakoubi W, Morgan K, Xing J, Schindler K. Meiosis interrupted: the genetics of female infertility via meiotic failure. Reproduction 2021; 161:R13-R35. [PMID: 33170803 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic or 'unexplained' infertility represents as many as 30% of infertility cases worldwide. Conception, implantation, and term delivery of developmentally healthy infants require chromosomally normal (euploid) eggs and sperm. The crux of euploid egg production is error-free meiosis. Pathologic genetic variants dysregulate meiotic processes that occur during prophase I, meiotic resumption, chromosome segregation, and in cell cycle regulation. This dysregulation can result in chromosomally abnormal (aneuploid) eggs. In turn, egg aneuploidy leads to a broad range of clinical infertility phenotypes, including primary ovarian insufficiency and early menopause, egg fertilization failure and embryonic developmental arrest, or recurrent pregnancy loss. Therefore, maternal genetic variants are emerging as infertility biomarkers, which could allow informed reproductive decision-making. Here, we select and deeply examine human genetic variants that likely cause dysregulation of critical meiotic processes in 14 female infertility-associated genes: SYCP3, SYCE1, TRIP13, PSMC3IP, DMC1, MCM8, MCM9, STAG3, PATL2, TUBB8, CEP120, AURKB, AURKC, andWEE2. We discuss the function of each gene in meiosis, explore genotype-phenotype relationships, and delineate the frequencies of infertility-associated variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leelabati Biswas
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tyc
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Warif El Yakoubi
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Katie Morgan
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jinchuan Xing
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Karen Schindler
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Huang Y, Ye H, Zhu F, Hu C, Zheng Y. The role of Chito-oligosaccharide in regulating ovarian germ stem cells function and restoring ovarian function in chemotherapy mice. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:14. [PMID: 33494759 PMCID: PMC7830852 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00699-z] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the discovery of ovarian germ stem cells (OGSCs) has provided a new research direction for the treatment of female infertility. The ovarian microenvironment affects the proliferation and differentiation of OGSCs, and immune cells and related cytokines are important components of the microenvironment. However, whether improving the ovarian microenvironment can regulate the proliferation of OGSCs and remodel ovarian function has not been reported. In this study, we chelated chito-oligosaccharide (COS) with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to track the distribution of COS in the body. COS was given to mice through the best route of administration, and the changes in ovarian and immune function were detected using assays of organ index, follicle counting, serum estrogen (E2) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, and the expression of IL-2 and TNF-α in the ovaries. We found that COS significantly increased the organ index of the ovary and immune organs, reduced the rate of follicular atresia, increased the levels of E2 and AMH hormones, and increased the protein expression of IL-2 and TNF-α in the ovary. Then, COS and OGSCs were co-cultured to observe the combination of COS and OGSCs, and measure the survival rate of OGSCs. With increasing time, the fluorescence intensity of cells gradually increased, and the cytokines IL-2 and TNF-α significantly promoted the proliferation of OGSCs. In conclusion, COS could significantly improve the ovarian and immune function of chemotherapy model mice, and improve the survival rate of OGSCs, which provided a preliminary blueprint for further exploring the mechanism of COS in protecting ovarian function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaoqi Huang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Feiyin Zhu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yuehui Zheng
- Department of reproductive health, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rossetti R, Moleri S, Guizzardi F, Gentilini D, Libera L, Marozzi A, Moretti C, Brancati F, Bonomi M, Persani L. Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Indicates a Frequent Oligogenic Involvement in Primary Ovarian Insufficiency Onset. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:664645. [PMID: 34803902 PMCID: PMC8600266 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.664645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the major causes of female infertility associated with the premature loss of ovarian function in about 3.7% of women before the age of 40. This disorder is highly heterogeneous and can manifest with a wide range of clinical phenotypes, ranging from ovarian dysgenesis and primary amenorrhea to post-pubertal secondary amenorrhea, with elevated serum gonadotropins and hypoestrogenism. The ovarian defect still remains idiopathic in some cases; however, a strong genetic component has been demonstrated by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach of familiar and sporadic POI cases. As recent evidence suggested an oligogenic architecture for POI, we developed a target NGS panel with 295 genes including known candidates and novel genetic determinants potentially involved in POI pathogenesis. Sixty-four patients with early onset POI (range: 10-25 years) of our cohort have been screened with 90% of target coverage at 50×. Here, we report 48 analyzed patients with at least one genetic variant (75%) in the selected candidate genes. In particular, we found the following: 11/64 patients (17%) with two variants, 9/64 (14%) with three variants, 9/64 (14%) with four variants, 3/64 (5%) with five variants, and 2/64 (3%) with six variants. The most severe phenotypes were associated with either the major number of variations or a worse prediction in pathogenicity of variants. Bioinformatic gene ontology analysis identified the following major pathways likely affected by gene variants: 1) cell cycle, meiosis, and DNA repair; 2) extracellular matrix remodeling; 3) reproduction; 4) cell metabolism; 5) cell proliferation; 6) calcium homeostasis; 7) NOTCH signaling; 8) signal transduction; 9) WNT signaling; 10) cell death; and 11) ubiquitin modifications. Consistently, the identified pathways have been described in other studies dissecting the mechanisms of folliculogenesis in animal models of altered fertility. In conclusion, our results contribute to define POI as an oligogenic disease and suggest novel candidates to be investigated in patients with POI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Rossetti
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Raffaella Rossetti, ; Luca Persani,
| | - Silvia Moleri
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabiana Guizzardi
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Gentilini
- Bioinformatics and Statistical Genomics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Libera
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Marozzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Costanzo Moretti
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Brancati
- Medical Genetics, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- Human Functional Genomics, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Bonomi
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Raffaella Rossetti, ; Luca Persani,
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
p63 (also known as TP63) is a transcription factor of the p53 family, along with p73. Multiple isoforms of p63 have been discovered and these have diverse functions encompassing a wide array of cell biology. p63 isoforms are implicated in lineage specification, proliferative potential, differentiation, cell death and survival, DNA damage response and metabolism. Furthermore, p63 is linked to human disease states including cancer. p63 is critical to many aspects of cell signaling, and in this Cell science at a glance article and the accompanying poster, we focus on the signaling cascades regulating TAp63 and ΔNp63 isoforms and those that are regulated by TAp63 and ΔNp63, as well the role of p63 in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Seamus Balinth
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA.,Stony Brook University, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Alea A Mills
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Häfner SJ. Bargain with the tooth fairy - The savings accounts for dental stem cells. Biomed J 2020; 43:99-106. [PMID: 32333995 PMCID: PMC7195095 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the hard times COVID-19 has imposed on us, the Biomedical Journal strives to provide fresh and compelling reading material - to be enjoyed safely from home. In this issue, we glance behind the scenes of dental stem cell preservation for potential therapeutic use, and discover that cancer cells hijack podoplanin expression to induce thrombosis. Moreover, we learn how the helicase DDX17 promotes tumour stemness, how genetic defects in meiosis and DNA repair cause premature ovarian insufficiency, and that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with several psychiatric diseases. Further accounts relate the role of miR-95-3p in colorectal cancer, the protective power of eggplants against mercury poisoning, and the predictive value of inhibin A for premature delivery. Finally, the very rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the external auditory canal receives some attention, and we get to read up on how 3D imaging and modelling combines functional and aesthetic repair of cleft lip and palate cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Julia Häfner
- University of Copenhagen, BRIC Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, Anders Lund Group, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|