1
|
Yang CH, Wang YW, Hsu CW, Chung BC. Zebrafish Foxl2l functions in proliferating germ cells for female meiotic entry. Dev Biol 2024; 517:91-99. [PMID: 39341446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.09.013] [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: 08/08/2024] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Zebrafish sex differentiation is a complicated process and the detailed mechanism has not been fully understood. Here we characterized a transcription factor, Foxl2l, which participates in female oogenesis. We show that it is expressed specifically in proliferating germ cells in juvenile gonads and mature ovaries. We have used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate zebrafish deficient in foxl2l expression. Zebrafish with foxl2l-/- are all males, and this female-to-male sex reversal cannot be reversed by tp53 mutation, indicating this sex reversal is unrelated to cell death. We have generated transgenic fish expressing GFP under the control of foxl2l promoter to track the development of foxl2l + -germ cells; these cells failed to enter meiosis and accumulated as cystic cells in the foxl2l-/- mutant. Our RNA-seq analysis also showed the reduced expression of genes in meiosis and oogenesis among other affected pathways. All together, we show that zebrafish Foxl2l is a nuclear factor controlling the expression of meiotic and oogenic genes, and its deficiency leads to defective meiotic entry and the accumulation of premeiotic germ cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsin Yang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Wei Wang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan; National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Bon-Chu Chung
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan; National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories Taipei, 115, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu P, Wang X, Ge C, Jin L, Ding Z, Liu F, Zhang J, Gao F, Du W. pSTAT3 activation of Foxl2 initiates the female pathway underlying temperature-dependent sex determination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2401752121. [PMID: 39226347 PMCID: PMC11406301 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2401752121] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian development was traditionally recognized as a "default" sexual outcome and therefore received much less scientific attention than testis development. In turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), how the female pathway is initiated to induce ovary development remains unknown. In this study, we have found that phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and Foxl2 exhibit temperature-dependent sexually dimorphic patterns and tempo-spatial coexpression in early embryos of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). Inhibition of pSTAT3 at a female-producing temperature of 31 °C induces 64.7% female-to-male sex reversal, whereas activation of pSTAT3 at a male-producing temperature of 26 °C triggers 75.6% male-to-female sex reversal. In addition, pSTAT3 directly binds to the locus of the female sex-determining gene Foxl2 and promotes Foxl2 transcription. Overexpression or knockdown of Foxl2 can rescue the sex reversal induced by inhibition or activation of pSTAT3. This study has established a direct genetic link between warm temperature-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and female pathway initiation in a TSD system, highlighting the critical role of pSTAT3 in the cross talk between female and male pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Xifeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Chutian Ge
- Institute of Animal Sex and Development, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People's Republic of China
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Jin
- Institute of Animal Sex and Development, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People's Republic of China
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Ju Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang X, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Chu P, Chen K, Liu H, Luo Q, Fei S, Zhao J, Ou M. Histological observations and transcriptome analyses reveal the dynamic changes in the gonads of the blotched snakehead (Channa maculata) during sex differentiation and gametogenesis. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:70. [PMID: 39244546 PMCID: PMC11380785 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00643-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blotched snakehead (Channa maculata) displays significant sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting faster growth rates and larger body sizes compared to females. The cultivation of the all-male population of snakeheads holds substantial economic and ecological value. Nonetheless, the intricate processes governing the development of bipotential gonads into either testis or ovary in C. maculata remain inadequately elucidated. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the critical time window of sex differentiation in C. maculata, providing a theoretical basis for sex control in production practices. METHODS The body length and weight of male and female C. maculata were measured at different developmental stages to reveal when sexual dimorphism in growth initially appears. Histological observations and spatiotemporal comparative transcriptome analyses were performed on ovaries and testes across various developmental stages to determine the crucial time windows for sex differentiation in each sex and the sex-related genes. Additionally, qPCR and MG2C were utilized to validate and locate sex-related genes, and levels of E2 and T were quantified to understand sex steroid synthesis. RESULTS Sexual dimorphism in growth became evident starting from 90 dpf. Histological observations revealed that morphological sex differentiation in females and males occurred between 20 and 25 dpf or earlier and 30-35 dpf or earlier, respectively, corresponding to the appearance of the ovarian cavity or efferent duct anlage. Transcriptome analyses revealed divergent gene expression patterns in testes and ovaries after 30 dpf. The periods of 40-60 dpf and 60-90 dpf marked the initiation of molecular sex differentiation in females and males, respectively. Male-biased genes (Sox11a, Dmrt1, Amh, Amhr2, Gsdf, Ar, Cyp17a2) likely play crucial roles in male sex differentiation and spermatogenesis, while female-biased genes (Foxl2, Cyp19a1a, Bmp15, Figla, Er) could be pivotal in ovarian differentiation and development. Numerous biological pathways linked to sex differentiation and gametogenesis were also identified. Additionally, E2 and T exhibited sexual dimorphism during sex differentiation and gonadal development. Based on these results, it is hypothesized that in C. maculata, the potential male sex differentiation pathway, Sox11a-Dmrt1-Sox9b, activates downstream sex-related genes (Amh, Amhr2, Gsdf, Ar, Cyp17a2) for testicular development, while the antagonistic pathway, Foxl2/Cyp19a1a, activates downstream sex-related genes (Bmp15, Figla, Er) for ovarian development. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive overview of gonadal dynamic changes during sex differentiation and gametogenesis in C. maculata, establishing a scientific foundation for sex control in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yuxia Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Pengfei Chu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Kunci Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuzhan Fei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China.
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
| | - Mi Ou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 1 Xingyu Road, Xilang, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510380, Guangdong, China.
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dujardin É, Pannetier M, Pailhoux É. [Dmrt1 is a major gene for testicular determination and for male and female fertility in rabbits]. Med Sci (Paris) 2024; 40:238-241. [PMID: 38520096 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2024004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Émilie Dujardin
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, INRAE, Biologie de la reproduction, environnement, épigénétique, et développement (BREED), Jouy-en-Josas, France - École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, INRAE, Biologie de la reproduction, environnement, épigénétique, et développement (BREED), Jouy-en-Josas, France - École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Éric Pailhoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, INRAE, Biologie de la reproduction, environnement, épigénétique, et développement (BREED), Jouy-en-Josas, France - École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gao Y, Wu Q, Wang G, Zhang S, Ma W, Shi X, Liu H, Wu L, Tian X, Li X, Ma X. Histomorphic analysis and expression of mRNA and miRNA in embryonic gonadal differentiation in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Gene 2024; 893:147913. [PMID: 37866663 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147913] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is extensively cultured in Asia for its nutritional and medical value. Gonadal differentiation is fantastic in turtles, whereas morphologic, mRNA, and miRNA expressions were insufficient in the turtle. In this study, ovaries and testes histomorphology analysis of 14-23 stage embryos were performed, and mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Histomorphology analysis revealed that gonads were undifferentiated at embryonic stage 14. Ovarian morphological differentiation became evident from stage 15, which was characterized by the development of the cortical region and degeneration of the medullary region. Concurrently, testicular morphological differentiation was apparent from stage 15, marked by the development of the medullary region and degeneration of the cortical region. qRT-PCR results showed that Cyp19a1 and Foxl2 exhibited female-specific expression at stage 15 and the expression increased throughout most of the embryonic development. Dmrt1, Amh, and Sox9 displayed male-specific expression at stage 15 and tended to increase substantially at later developmental stages. The expression of miR-8356 and miR-3299 in ZZ gonads were significantly higher than that in ZW gonads at stage 15, 17 and 19, and they had the highest expression at stage 15. While the expression of miR-8085 and miR-7982 had the highest expression at stage 19. Furthermore, chromatin remodeler genes showed differential expression in female and male P. sinensis gonads. These results of master sex-differentiation genes and morphological characteristics would provide a reference for the research of sex differentiation and sex reversal in turtles. Additionally, the expression of chromatin remodeler genes indicated they might be involved in gonadal differentiation of P. sinensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Gao
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Qisheng Wu
- Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361000, China.
| | - Guiyu Wang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Shufang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Wenge Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xi Shi
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Huifen Liu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xue Tian
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Daniel-Carlier N, Castille J, Passet B, Vilotte M, Le Danvic C, Jaffrezic F, Beauvallet C, Péchoux C, Capitan A, Vilotte JL. Targeted mutation and inactivation of the kinesin light chain 3 protein-encoding gene have no impact on mouse fertility†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:78-89. [PMID: 37776549 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The kinesin light chain 3 protein (KLC3) is the only member of the kinesin light chain protein family that was identified in post-meiotic mouse male germ cells. It plays a role in the formation of the sperm midpiece through its association with both spermatid mitochondria and outer dense fibers (ODF). Previous studies showed a significant correlation between its expression level and sperm motility and quantitative semen parameters in humans, while the overexpression of a KLC3-mutant protein unable to bind ODF also affected the same traits in mice. To further assess the role of KLC3 in fertility, we used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mice and investigated the phenotypes induced by the invalidation of the gene or of a functional domain of the protein. Both approaches gave similar results, i.e. no detectable change in male or female fertility. Testis histology, litter size and sperm count were not altered. Apart from the line-dependent alterations of Klc3 mRNA levels, testicular transcriptome analysis did not reveal any other changes in the genes tested. Western analysis supported the absence of KLC3 in the gonads of males homozygous for the inactivating mutation and a strong decrease in expression in males homozygous for the allele lacking one out of the five tetratricopeptide repeats. Overall, these observations raise questions about the supposedly critical role of this kinesin in reproduction, at least in mice where its gene mutation or inactivation did not translate into fertility impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Daniel-Carlier
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Johan Castille
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Bruno Passet
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Marthe Vilotte
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Christelle Le Danvic
- UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Université Paris-Saclay, Eliance, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Florence Jaffrezic
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Christian Beauvallet
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Christine Péchoux
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Aurélien Capitan
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Jean-Luc Vilotte
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR1313 GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li M, Sun L, Zhou L, Wang D. Tilapia, a good model for studying reproductive endocrinology. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114395. [PMID: 37879418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114395] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with a system of XX/XY sex determination, is a worldwide farmed fish with a shorter sexual maturation time than that of most cultured fish. Tilapia show a spawning cycle of approximately 14 days and can be artificially propagated in the laboratory all year round to obtain genetically all female (XX) and all male (XY) fry. Its genome sequence has been opened, and a perfect gene editing platform has been established. With a moderate body size, it is convenient for taking enough blood to measure hormone level. In recent years, using tilapia as animal model, we have confirmed that estrogen is crucial for female development because 1) mutation of star2, cyp17a1 or cyp19a1a (encoding aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen synthesis) results in sex reversal (SR) due to estrogen deficiency in XX tilapia, while mutation of star1, cyp11a1, cyp17a2, cyp19a1b or cyp11c1 affects fertility due to abnormal androgen, cortisol and DHP levels in XY tilapia; 2) when the estrogen receptors (esr2a/esr2b) are mutated, the sex is reversed from female to male, while when the androgen receptors are mutated, the sex cannot be reversed; 3) the differentiated ovary can be transdifferentiated into functional testis by inhibition of estrogen synthesis, and the differentiated testis can be transdifferentiated into ovary by simultaneous addition of exogenous estrogen and androgen synthase inhibitor; 4) loss of male pathway genes amhy, dmrt1, gsdf causes SR with upregulation of cyp19a1a in XY tilapia. Disruption of estrogen synthesis rescues the male to female SR of amhy and gsdf but not dmrt1 mutants; 5) mutation of female pathway genes foxl2 and sf-1 causes SR with downregulation of cyp19a1a in XX tilapia; 6) the germ cell SR of foxl3 mutants fails to be rescued by estrogen treatment, indicating that estrogen determines female germ cell fate through foxl3. This review also summarized the effects of deficiency of other steroid hormones, such as androgen, DHP and cortisol, on fish reproduction. Overall, these studies demonstrate that tilapia is an excellent animal model for studying reproductive endocrinology of fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu Y, Chen M, Shen ZG. Molecular biological, physiological, cytological, and epigenetic mechanisms of environmental sex differentiation in teleosts: A systematic review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115654. [PMID: 37918334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have been exerting widespread stress and environmental risks in aquatic ecosystems. Environmental stress, including temperature rise, acidification, hypoxia, light pollution, and crowding, had a considerable negative impact on the life histology of aquatic animals, especially on sex differentiation (SDi) and the resulting sex ratios. Understanding how the sex of fish responds to stressful environments is of great importance for understanding the origin and maintenance of sex, the dynamics of the natural population in the changing world, and the precise application of sex control in aquaculture. This review conducted an exhaustive search of the available literature on the influence of environmental stress (ES) on SDi. Evidence has shown that all types of ES can affect SDi and universally result in an increase in males or masculinization, which has been reported in 100 fish species and 121 cases. Then, this comprehensive review aimed to summarize the molecular biology, physiology, cytology, and epigenetic mechanisms through which ES contributes to male development or masculinization. The relationship between ES and fish SDi from multiple aspects was analyzed, and it was found that environmental sex differentiation (ESDi) is the result of the combined effects of genetic and epigenetic factors, self-physiological regulation, and response to environmental signals, which involves a sophisticated network of various hormones and numerous genes at multiple levels and multiple gradations in bipotential gonads. In both normal male differentiation and ES-induced masculinization, the stress pathway and epigenetic regulation play important roles; however, how they co-regulate SDi is unclear. Evidence suggests that the universal emergence or increase in males in aquatic animals is an adaptation to moderate ES. ES-induced sex reversal should be fully investigated in more fish species and extensively in the wild. The potential aquaculture applications and difficulties associated with ESDi have also been addressed. Finally, the knowledge gaps in the ESDi are presented, which will guide the priorities of future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Zhi-Gang Shen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dujardin E, André M, Dewaele A, Mandon-Pépin B, Poulat F, Frambourg A, Thépot D, Jouneau L, Jolivet G, Pailhoux E, Pannetier M. DMRT1 is a testis-determining gene in rabbits and is also essential for female fertility. eLife 2023; 12:RP89284. [PMID: 37847154 PMCID: PMC10581690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DMRT1 is the testis-determining factor in several species of vertebrates, but its involvement in mammalian testes differentiation, where SRY is the testis-determining gene, remains ambiguous. So far, DMRT1 loss-of-function has been described in two mammalian species and induces different phenotypes: Disorders of Sex Development (46, XY DSD) in men and male infertility in mice. We thus abolished DMRT1 expression by CRISPR/Cas9 in a third species of mammal, the rabbit. First, we observed that gonads from XY DMRT1-/- rabbit fetuses differentiated like ovaries, highlighting that DMRT1 is involved in testis determination. In addition to SRY, DMRT1 is required in the supporting cells to increase the expression of the SOX9 gene, which heads the testicular genetic cascade. Second, we highlighted another function of DMRT1 in the germline since XX and XY DMRT1-/- ovaries did not undergo meiosis and folliculogenesis. XX DMRT1-/- adult females were sterile, showing that DMRT1 is also crucial for female fertility. To conclude, these phenotypes indicate an evolutionary continuum between non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds and non-rodent mammals. Furthermore, our data support the potential involvement of DMRT1 mutations in different human pathologies, such as 46, XY DSD as well as male and female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Dujardin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Marjolaine André
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Aurélie Dewaele
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Béatrice Mandon-Pépin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier; 34396MontpellierFrance
| | - Anne Frambourg
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Dominique Thépot
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Luc Jouneau
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Geneviève Jolivet
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Du X, Yu H, Wang Y, Liu J, Zhang Q. Comparative Studies on Duplicated foxl2 Paralogs in Spotted Knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus Show Functional Diversification. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1847. [PMID: 37895196 PMCID: PMC10606028 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101847] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As a member of the forkhead box L gene family, foxl2 plays a significant role in gonadal development and the regulation of reproduction. During the evolution of deuterostome, whole genome duplication (WGD)-enriched lineage diversifications and regulation mechanisms occurs. However, only limited research exists on foxl2 duplication in teleost or other vertebrate species. In this study, two foxl2 paralogs, foxl2 and foxl2l, were identified in the transcriptome of spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus), which had varying expressions in the gonads. The foxl2 was expressed higher in the ovary, while foxl2l was expressed higher in the testis. Phylogenetic reconstruction, synteny analysis, and the molecular evolution test confirmed that foxl2 and foxl2l likely originated from the first two WGD. The expression patterns test using qRT-PCR and ISH as well as motif scan analysis revealed evidence of potentially functional divergence between the foxl2 and foxl2l paralogs in spotted knifejaw. Our results indicate that foxl2 and foxl2l may originate from the first two WGD, be active in transcription, and have undergone functional divergence. These results shed new light on the evolutionary trajectories of foxl2 and foxl2l and highlights the need for further detailed functional analysis of these two duplicated paralogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Du
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, Jining University, Jining 273155, China; (X.D.); (H.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Haiyang Yu
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, Jining University, Jining 273155, China; (X.D.); (H.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Yujue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Jinxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; (Y.W.); (J.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wu GMJ, Chen ACH, Yeung WSB, Lee YL. Current progress on in vitro differentiation of ovarian follicles from pluripotent stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1166351. [PMID: 37325555 PMCID: PMC10267358 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1166351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian female reproduction requires a functional ovary. Competence of the ovary is determined by the quality of its basic unit-ovarian follicles. A normal follicle consists of an oocyte enclosed within ovarian follicular cells. In humans and mice, the ovarian follicles are formed at the foetal and the early neonatal stage respectively, and their renewal at the adult stage is controversial. Extensive research emerges recently to produce ovarian follicles in-vitro from different species. Previous reports demonstrated the differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells into germline cells, termed primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). The germ cell-specific gene expressions and epigenetic features including global DNA demethylation and histone modifications of the pluripotent stem cells-derived PGCLCs were extensively characterized. The PGCLCs hold potential for forming ovarian follicles or organoids upon cocultured with ovarian somatic cells. Intriguingly, the oocytes isolated from the organoids could be fertilized in-vitro. Based on the knowledge of in-vivo derived pre-granulosa cells, the generation of these cells from pluripotent stem cells termed foetal ovarian somatic cell-like cells was also reported recently. Despite successful in-vitro folliculogenesis from pluripotent stem cells, the efficiency remains low, mainly due to the lack of information on the interaction between PGCLCs and pre-granulosa cells. The establishment of in-vitro pluripotent stem cell-based models paves the way for understanding the critical signalling pathways and molecules during folliculogenesis. This article aims to review the developmental events during in-vivo follicular development and discuss the current progress of generation of PGCLCs, pre-granulosa and theca cells in-vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genie Min Ju Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Andy Chun Hang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - William Shu Biu Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin Lau Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Luan Y, Wu S, Wang M, Pu Y, Zhao Q, Ma Y, Jiang L, He X. Identification of Critical Genes for Ovine Horn Development Based on Transcriptome during the Embryonic Period. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040591. [PMID: 37106791 PMCID: PMC10136283 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Horns, also known as headgear, are a unique structure of ruminants. As ruminants are globally distributed, the study of horn formation is critical not only for increasing our understanding of natural and sexual selection but also for the breeding of polled sheep breeds to facilitate modern sheep farming. Despite this, a significant number of the underlying genetic pathways in sheep horn remain unclear. In this study, to clarify the gene expression profile of horn buds and investigate the key genes in horn bud formation, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was utilized to investigate differential gene expression in the horn buds and adjacent forehead skin of Altay sheep fetuses. There were only 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, consisting of 58 up-regulated genes and 10 down-regulated genes. RXFP2 was differentially up-regulated in the horn buds and had the highest significance (p-value = 7.42 × 10-14). In addition, 32 DEGs were horn-related genes identified in previous studies, such as RXFP2, FOXL2, SFRP4, SFRP2, KRT1, KRT10, WNT7B, and WNT3. Further, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched with regard to growth, development, and cell differentiation. Pathway analysis revealed that the Wnt signaling pathway may be responsible for horn development. Further, through combining the protein-protein interaction networks of the DEGs, it was found that the top five hub genes, namely, ACAN, SFRP2, SFRP4, WNT3, and WNT7B, were also associated with horn development. Our results suggest that only a few key genes, including RXFP2, are involved in bud formation. This study not only validates the expression of candidate genes identified at the transcriptome level in previous studies but also provides new possible marker genes for horn development, which may promote our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of horn formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Luan
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shangjie Wu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Mingkun Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yabin Pu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qianjun Zhao
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuehui Ma
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaohong He
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sheng Y, Wan H, Zhang Z, Li S, Wang Y. A new insight into potential roles of Spfoxl-2 in the testicular development of Scylla paramamosain by RNAi and transcriptome analysis. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 280:111410. [PMID: 36842753 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111410] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
In our previous study, we found that the Spfoxl-2 transcript was highly expressed in gonads and explored its potential target genes in the ovary of Scylla paramamosain. In the current study, we primally analyzed its potential target genes in the testis through RNAi and RNA-Seq technology and compared with that in the ovary. The results showed that a total of 7892 unigenes were differentially expressed after Spfoxl-2 silencing in the testis, including plenty of conserved genes involved in testicular development, such as Dmrt family genes, Sox family genes, Caspase family genes, Cdk family genes, Kinesin family genes, Fox family genes and other genes. Further analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in crucial pathways involved in spermatogenesis, such as DNA replication, Cell cycle, Spliceosome, Homologous recombination, Meiosis and Apoptosis. The comparison results of potential target genes in the ovary and testis reveal 135 common potential target genes, including some genes involved in the immune response. According to our knowledge, the present work was the first to disclose the functions of foxl-2 in the testis of crustacean species using transcriptome analysis. It not only identifies key genes and pathways involved in the testicular development of S. paramamosain, but also reveals a new molecular-level understanding of the function of foxl-2 in testicular development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhen Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China; Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Haifu Wan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China; Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shengkang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515003, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China; Fujian Engineering Research Center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen 361021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Clinton M, Zhao D. Avian Sex Determination: A Chicken and Egg Conundrum. Sex Dev 2023; 17:120-133. [PMID: 36796340 PMCID: PMC10659007 DOI: 10.1159/000529754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sex determination is the developmental process that results in the sexual differentiation of the gonads. Vertebrate sex determination is generally considered to follow the model based on the mammalian system, where a sex-specific master regulatory gene activates one of the two different gene networks that underlie testis and ovary differentiation. SUMMARY It is now known that, while many of the molecular components of these pathways are conserved across different vertebrates, a wide variety of different trigger factors are utilized to initiate primary sex determination. In birds, the male is the homogametic sex (ZZ), and significant differences exist between the avian system of sex determination and that of mammals. For example, DMRT1, FOXL2, and estrogen are key factors in gonadogenesis in birds, but none are essential for primary sex determination in mammals. KEY MESSAGE Gonadal sex determination in birds is thought to depend on a dosage-based mechanism involving expression of the Z-linked DMRT1 gene, and it may be that this "mechanism" is simply an extension of the cell autonomous sex identity associated with avian tissues, with no sex-specific trigger required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Clinton
- Roslin Institute Chicken Embryology (RICE) Group, Gene Function and Development, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
| | - Debiao Zhao
- Roslin Institute Chicken Embryology (RICE) Group, Gene Function and Development, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hu Q, Lian Z, Xia X, Tian H, Li Z. Integrated chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation analysis to reveal the critical epigenetic modification and regulatory mechanism in gonadal differentiation of the sequentially hermaphroditic fish, Monopterus albus. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:73. [PMID: 36539889 PMCID: PMC9764712 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monopterus albus is a hermaphroditic and economically farmed fish that undergoes sex reversal from ovary to testis via ovotestis during gonadal development. The epigenetic changes that are associated with gonadal development in this species remain unclear. METHODS We produced DNA methylome, transcriptome, and chromatin accessibility maps of the key stages of gonad development: ovary, ovotestis, and testis. The expression of the key candidate genes was detected using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization and the methylation levels were analysed using bisulphite sequencing PCR. Promoter activity and regulation were assessed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS Gonadal development exhibits highly dynamic transcriptomic, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility changes. We found that DNA methylation status, especially of the transcription start site, was significantly negatively correlated with gene expression while chromatin accessibility exhibited no correlation with gene expression during gonadal development. The epigenetic signatures revealed many novel regulatory elements and genes involved in sex reversal, which were validated. DNA methylation detection and site mutation of plastin-2 promoter, as a candidate gene, revealed that DNA methylation could impact the binding of transcription factor dmrt1 and foxl2 through methylation and demethylation to regulate plastin-2 expression during gonadal development. CONCLUSIONS These data provide novel insights into epigenetic modification and help elucidate the potential molecular mechanism by which dynamic modification of DNA methylation plays a crucial role in gonadal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiaomu Hu
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Zitong Lian
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Xueping Xia
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Haifeng Tian
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Zhong Li
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li Y, Liu L, Zhang L, Wei H, Wu S, Liu T, Shu Y, Yang Y, Yang Z, Wang S, Bao Z, Zhang L. Dynamic transcriptome analysis reveals the gene network of gonadal development from the early history life stages in dwarf surfclam Mulinia lateralis. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:69. [PMID: 36461090 PMCID: PMC9716669 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00479-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonadal development is driven by a complex genetic cascade in vertebrates. However, related information remains limited in molluscs owing to the long generation time and the difficulty in maintaining whole life cycle in the lab. The dwarf surfclam Mulinia lateralis is considered an ideal bivalve model due to the short generation time and ease to breed in the lab. RESULTS To gain a comprehensive understanding of gonadal development in M. lateralis, we conducted a combined morphological and molecular analysis on the gonads of 30 to 60 dpf. Morphological analysis showed that gonad formation and sex differentiation occur at 35 and 40-45 dpf, respectively; then the gonads go through gametogenic cycle. Gene co-expression network analysis on 40 transcriptomes of 35-60 dpf gonads identifies seven gonadal development-related modules, including two gonad-forming modules (M6, M7), three sex-specific modules (M14, M12, M11), and two sexually shared modules (M15, M13). The modules participate in different biological processes, such as cell communication, glycan biosynthesis, cell cycle, and ribosome biogenesis. Several hub transcription factors including SOX2, FOXZ, HSFY, FOXL2 and HES1 are identified. The expression of top hub genes from sex-specific modules suggests molecular sex differentiation (35 dpf) occurs earlier than morphological sex differentiation (40-45 dpf). CONCLUSION This study provides a deep insight into the molecular basis of gonad formation, sex differentiation and gametogenesis in M. lateralis, which will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the reproductive regulation network in molluscs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Li
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Lijing Zhang
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Huilan Wei
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Shaoxuan Wu
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Tian Liu
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Shu
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Yaxin Yang
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Zujing Yang
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Shi Wang
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China ,grid.484590.40000 0004 5998 3072Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology & Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China ,grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Zhenmin Bao
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China ,grid.484590.40000 0004 5998 3072Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology & Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China ,grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- grid.4422.00000 0001 2152 3263MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding & Sars-Fang Centre, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, China ,grid.484590.40000 0004 5998 3072Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology & Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Han W, Liu L, Wang J, Wei H, Li Y, Zhang L, Guo Z, Li Y, Liu T, Zeng Q, Xing Q, Shu Y, Wang T, Yang Y, Zhang M, Li R, Yu J, Pu Z, Lv J, Lian S, Hu J, Hu X, Bao Z, Bao L, Zhang L, Wang S. Ancient homomorphy of molluscan sex chromosomes sustained by reversible sex-biased genes and sex determiner translocation. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1891-1906. [PMID: 36280781 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Contrary to classic theory prediction, sex-chromosome homomorphy is prevalent in the animal kingdom but it is unclear how ancient homomorphic sex chromosomes avoid chromosome-scale degeneration. Molluscs constitute the second largest, Precambrian-originated animal phylum and have ancient, uncharacterized homomorphic sex chromosomes. Here, we profile eight genomes of the bivalve mollusc family of Pectinidae in a phylogenetic context and show 350 million years sex-chromosome homomorphy, which is the oldest known sex-chromosome homomorphy in the animal kingdom, far exceeding the ages of well-known heteromorphic sex chromosomes such as 130-200 million years in mammals, birds and flies. The long-term undifferentiation of molluscan sex chromosomes is potentially sustained by the unexpected intertwined regulation of reversible sex-biased genes, together with the lack of sexual dimorphism and occasional sex chromosome turnover. The pleiotropic constraint of regulation of reversible sex-biased genes is widely present in ancient homomorphic sex chromosomes and might be resolved in heteromorphic sex chromosomes through gene duplication followed by subfunctionalization. The evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes suggest a mechanism for 'inheritance' turnover of sex-determining genes that is mediated by translocation of a sex-determining enhancer. On the basis of these findings, we propose an evolutionary model for the long-term preservation of homomorphic sex chromosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Han
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Huilan Wei
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuli Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Lijing Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenyi Guo
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yajuan Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tian Liu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Qifan Zeng
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Qiang Xing
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Shu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yaxin Yang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Meiwei Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Ruojiao Li
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiachen Yu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhongqi Pu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jia Lv
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanshan Lian
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingjie Hu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Xiaoli Hu
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhenmin Bao
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China
| | - Lisui Bao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| | - Shi Wang
- Sars-Fang Centre & MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jin L, Sun W, Bao H, Liang X, Li P, Shi S, Wang Z, Qian G, Ge C. The forkhead factor Foxl2 participates in the ovarian differentiation of Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. Dev Biol 2022; 492:101-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
19
|
Molecular cloning and expression patterns of a sex-biased transcriptional factor Foxl2 in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Mol Biol Rep 2022; 50:3581-3591. [PMID: 36422756 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Macrobrachium rosenbergii is an economically important species that is widely cultivated in some Asian nations. Foxl2 is a transcriptional regulator of ovarian differentiation and development. The aim of this study was to study the bioinformatics features and expression patterns of M. rosenbergii Foxl2 (MrFoxl2). METHODS In this study, all experimental animals were mature M. rosenbergii (9-12 cm) individuals. The foxl2 gene was identified and characterized in the genome of M. rosenbergii using molecular cloning, bioinformatic analysis, in situ hybridization, and quantitative analysis. RESULTS The identified cDNA encoded a putative 489-amino-acid MrFoxl2 protein. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a low identity of MrFoxl2 to other crustacean orthologues. The closest phylogenetic relationship was to Foxl2 of Eriocheir sinensis. The result of in situ hybridization demonstrated that transcripts of MrFoxl2 in M. rosenbergii were identified in spermatocytes, oocytes, and secretory epithelial cells of the vas deferens. The result of q-PCR suggested that a high expression of MrFoxl2 was identified in the testis, vas deferens, and ovaries. During ovarian development, MrFoxl2 expression was the highest in stage I. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that MrFoxl2 may play a role in gonadal development in both female and male M. rosenbergii.
Collapse
|
20
|
Imaimatsu K, Uchida A, Hiramatsu R, Kanai Y. Gonadal Sex Differentiation and Ovarian Organogenesis along the Cortical-Medullary Axis in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13373. [PMID: 36362161 PMCID: PMC9655463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In most mammals, the sex of the gonads is based on the fate of the supporting cell lineages, which arises from the proliferation of coelomic epithelium (CE) that surfaces on the bipotential genital ridge in both XY and XX embryos. Recent genetic studies and single-cell transcriptome analyses in mice have revealed the cellular and molecular events in the two-wave proliferation of the CE that produce the supporting cells. This proliferation contributes to the formation of the primary sex cords in the medullary region of both the testis and the ovary at the early phase of gonadal sex differentiation, as well as to that of the secondary sex cords in the cortical region of the ovary at the perinatal stage. To support gametogenesis, the testis forms seminiferous tubules in the medullary region, whereas the ovary forms follicles mainly in the cortical region. The medullary region in the ovary exhibits morphological and functional diversity among mammalian species that ranges from ovary-like to testis-like characteristics. This review focuses on the mechanism of gonadal sex differentiation along the cortical-medullary axis and compares the features of the cortical and medullary regions of the ovary in mammalian species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Imaimatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Aya Uchida
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nicol B, Estermann MA, Yao HHC, Mellouk N. Becoming female: Ovarian differentiation from an evolutionary perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944776. [PMID: 36158204 PMCID: PMC9490121 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of the bipotential gonadal primordium into ovaries and testes is a common process among vertebrate species. While vertebrate ovaries eventually share the same functions of producing oocytes and estrogens, ovarian differentiation relies on different morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular cues depending on species. The aim of this review is to highlight the conserved and divergent features of ovarian differentiation through an evolutionary perspective. From teleosts to mammals, each clade or species has a different story to tell. For this purpose, this review focuses on three specific aspects of ovarian differentiation: ovarian morphogenesis, the evolution of the role of estrogens on ovarian differentiation and the molecular pathways involved in granulosa cell determination and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Barbara Nicol,
| | - Martin A. Estermann
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Namya Mellouk
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy en Josas, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
He Z, Ma Z, Yang D, Chen Q, He Z, Hu J, Deng F, Zhang Q, He J, Ye L, Chen H, He L, Huang X, Luo W, Yang S, Gu X, Zhang M, Yan T. Circular RNA expression profiles and CircSnd1-miR-135b/c-foxl2 axis analysis in gonadal differentiation of protogynous hermaphroditic ricefield eel Monopterus albus. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:552. [PMID: 35922747 PMCID: PMC9347082 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08783-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression and biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in reproductive organs have been extensively reported. However, it is still unclear whether circRNAs are involved in sex change. To this end, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed in gonads at 5 sexual stages (ovary, early intersexual stage gonad, middle intersexual stage gonad, late intersexual stage gonad, and testis) of ricefield eel, and the expression profiles and potential functions of circRNAs were studied. RESULTS Seven hundred twenty-one circRNAs were identified, and the expression levels of 10 circRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and found to be in accordance with the RNA-seq data, suggesting that the RNA-seq data were reliable. Then, the sequence length, category, sequence composition and the relationship between the parent genes of the circRNAs were explored. A total of 147 circRNAs were differentially expressed in the sex change process, and GO and KEGG analyses revealed that some differentially expressed (such as novel_circ_0000659, novel_circ_0004005 and novel_circ_0005865) circRNAs were closely involved in sex change. Furthermore, expression pattern analysis demonstrated that both circSnd1 and foxl2 were downregulated in the process of sex change, which was contrary to mal-miR-135b. Finally, dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation showed that circSnd1 and foxl2 can combine with mal-miR-135b and mal-miR-135c. These data revealed that circSnd1 regulates foxl2 expression in the sex change of ricefield eel by acting as a sponge of mal-miR-135b/c. CONCLUSION Our results are the first to demonstrate that circRNAs have potential effects on sex change in ricefield eel; and circSnd1 could regulate foxl2 expression in the sex change of ricefield eel by acting as a sponge of mal-miR-135b/c. These data will be useful for enhancing our understanding of sequential hermaphroditism and sex change in ricefield eel or other teleosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhijun Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Deying Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiqi Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhide He
- Luzhou City Department of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxiang Hu
- Sichuan Water Conservancy Vocational College, Chengdu, 611231, Sichuan, China
| | - Faqiang Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayang He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Lijuan Ye
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongjun Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoli Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Shiyong Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingwang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Taiming Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xie Y, Wu C, Li Z, Wu Z, Hong L. Early Gonadal Development and Sex Determination in Mammal. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147500. [PMID: 35886859 PMCID: PMC9323860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is crucial for the transmission of genetic information through generations. In mammal, this process is primarily regulated by an antagonistic network of sex-related genes beginning in embryonic development and continuing throughout life. Nonetheless, abnormal expression of these sex-related genes will lead to reproductive organ and germline abnormalities, resulting in disorders of sex development (DSD) and infertility. On the other hand, it is possible to predetermine the sex of animal offspring by artificially regulating sex-related gene expression, a recent research hotspot. In this paper, we reviewed recent research that has improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of the gonad and primordial germ cells (PGCs), progenitors of the germline, to provide new directions for the treatment of DSD and infertility, both of which involve manipulating the sex ratio of livestock offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Changhua Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ma X, Liu F, Chen Q, Sun W, Shen J, Wu K, Zheng Z, Huang J, Chen J, Qian G, Ge C. Foxl2 is required for the initiation of the female pathway in a temperature-dependent sex determination system in Trachemys scripta. Development 2022; 149:275948. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
KDM6B-mediated epigenetic modification of the testicular regulator Dmrt1 has previously been identified as the primary switch of the male pathway in a temperature-dependent sex-determination (TSD) system; however, the molecular network of the female pathway has not yet been established. Here, we have functionally characterized for the first time an upstream regulator of the female pathway, the forkhead transcription factor FOXL2, in Trachemys scripta, a turtle species with a TSD system. FOXL2 exhibited temperature-dependent female-specific expression patterns before the onset of gonadal differentiation and was preferentially localized in ovarian somatic cells. Foxl2 responded rapidly to temperature shifts and estrogen. Importantly, forced expression of Foxl2 at the male-producing temperature led to male-to-female sex reversal, as evidenced by the formation of an ovary-like structure, and upregulation of the ovarian regulators Cyp19a1 and R-spondin1. Additionally, knockdown of Foxl2 caused masculinization at the female-producing temperature, which was confirmed by loss of the female phenotype, development of seminiferous tubules, and elevated expression of Dmrt1 and Sox9. Collectively, we demonstrate that Foxl2 expression is necessary and sufficient to drive ovarian determination in T. scripta, suggesting a crucial role of Foxl2 in female sex determination in the TSD system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Ma
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
- College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University 2 , Shanghai 201306 , China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
- College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University 2 , Shanghai 201306 , China
| | - Qiran Chen
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China 3 MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding , , Qingdao 266003 , China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Jiadong Shen
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Kaiyue Wu
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Ziyan Zheng
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Jiawen Chen
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Guoying Qian
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| | - Chutian Ge
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University 1 , Ningbo 315100 , China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lundgaard Riis M, Jørgensen A. Deciphering Sex-Specific Differentiation of Human Fetal Gonads: Insight From Experimental Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:902082. [PMID: 35721511 PMCID: PMC9201387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.902082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is initiated by the expression of SRY in male foetuses. This promotes a signalling pathway directing testicular development, while in female foetuses the absence of SRY and expression of pro-ovarian factors promote ovarian development. Importantly, in addition to the initiation of a sex-specific signalling cascade the opposite pathway is simultaneously inhibited. The somatic cell populations within the gonads dictates this differentiation as well as the development of secondary sex characteristics via secretion of endocrine factors and steroid hormones. Opposing pathways SOX9/FGF9 (testis) and WNT4/RSPO1 (ovary) controls the development and differentiation of the bipotential mouse gonad and even though sex-specific gonadal differentiation is largely considered to be conserved between mice and humans, recent studies have identified several differences. Hence, the signalling pathways promoting early mouse gonad differentiation cannot be directly transferred to human development thus highlighting the importance of also examining this signalling in human fetal gonads. This review focus on the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing human gonadal sex differentiation by combining knowledge of these processes from studies in mice, information from patients with differences of sex development and insight from manipulation of selected signalling pathways in ex vivo culture models of human fetal gonads.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang C, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Li G, Wang X, Gong S, Chen S, Wang H, He D. Molecular characterization and expression profiling of FOXL2 gene in goose (Anser cygnoides). Reprod Biol 2022; 22:100640. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
27
|
Sun X, Tao B, Wang Y, Hu W, Sun Y. Isolation and Characterization of Germline Stem Cells in Protogynous Hermaphroditic Monopterus albus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115861. [PMID: 35682541 PMCID: PMC9180834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are a group of unique adult stem cells in gonads that act as important transmitters for genetic information. Donor GSCs have been used to produce offspring by transplantation in fisheries. In this study, we successfully isolated and enriched GSCs from the ovary, ovotestis, and testis of Monopterus albus, one of the most important breeding freshwater fishes in China. Transcriptome comparison assay suggests that a distinct molecular signature exists in each type of GSC, and that different signaling activities are required for the maintenance of distinct GSCs. Functional analysis shows that fGSCs can successfully colonize and contribute to the germline cell lineage of a host zebrafish gonad after transplantation. Finally, we describe a simple feeder-free method for the isolation and enrichment of GSCs that can contribute to the germline cell lineage of zebrafish embryos and generate the germline chimeras after transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Sun
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (X.S.); (B.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Binbin Tao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (X.S.); (B.T.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yongxin Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (X.S.); (B.T.); (Y.W.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
| | - Wei Hu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
- The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yuhua Sun
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; (X.S.); (B.T.); (Y.W.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
- The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Simon R, Drögemüller C, Lühken G. The Complex and Diverse Genetic Architecture of the Absence of Horns (Polledness) in Domestic Ruminants, including Goats and Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050832. [PMID: 35627216 PMCID: PMC9140736 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Horns are the most obvious common feature of Bovidae. The naturally occurring absence of horns in these species, also known as polledness, is of surprisingly heterogeneous nature, although they are Mendelian traits. This review compares in detail the molecular differences among the causes of inherited polledness in the domestic ruminant species of cattle, yak, sheep, and goat based on the causal gene variants that have been discovered in recent years. The genetic causes for the lack of horns in small ruminants seem not only to be more complex, e.g., in sheep, breed-specific characteristics are still unexplained, but in goats, there is also the associated disorder of intersexuality—polled intersex syndrome (PIS). In connection with animal welfare and the associated discussion about a legal ban on the dehorning of all farm animals, naturally hornless animals and the causal genetic variants are of increasing research interest in the age of genome editing. However, the low acceptance of genetic engineering in livestock, especially in European societies, limits its use in food-producing animals. Therefore, genotype-based targeted selection of naturally occurring variants is still a widely used method for spreading this desired trait within and across populations, at least in cattle and sheep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Simon
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (R.S.); (G.L.)
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Gesine Lühken
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany; (R.S.); (G.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sun JJ, Sun ZH, Wei JL, Ding J, Song J, Chang YQ. Identification and functional analysis of foxl2 and nodal in sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Gene Expr Patterns 2022; 44:119245. [PMID: 35381371 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an important mariculture species in China. To date, the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in sea cucumber remain unclear. Identifying sex-specific molecular markers is an effective method for revealing the genetic basis of sex determination and sex differentiation. In this study, foxl2 and nodal homologous genes were identified in A. japonicus. Foxl2 exhibited dynamic and sexually dimorphic expression patterns in the gonads, with prominent expression in the ovaries and minimal expression in the testis according to real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) study. As nodal was specifically expressed in the ovary, it could serve as an ovary-specific marker in sea cucumber. Additionally, knockdown of foxl2 or nodal using RNA interference (RNAi) led to the down-regulation of piwi, germ cell-less, and dmrt1, suggesting that foxl2 and nodal may play important roles in gonad maintenance of sea cucumber. Overall, this study adds to our understanding of the roles of foxl2 and nodal in the gonadal development of A. japonicus, which provides further insight into the mechanisms of sea cucumber sex determination and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Juan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jin-Liang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jian Song
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Ya-Qing Chang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tanaka M, Fujii T, Mon H, Lee JM, Kakino K, Fukumori H, Ebihara T, Nagasato T, Hino M, Tonooka Y, Moriyama T, Fujita R, Banno Y, Kusakabe T. Silkworm FoxL21 plays important roles as a regulator of ovarian development in both oogenesis and ovariole development. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103737. [PMID: 35101566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ovary is an important organ in reproduction. In insects, especially lepidopteran insects, the oocytes and reproductive organs develop rapidly during the pupal stage. Despite their drastic morphological changes, the molecular mechanisms of ovary development are not fully understood. In this study, it is found that forkhead box transcription factor L2, member 1 (FoxL21), which is known to be involved in ovarian differentiation and maintenance in vertebrates, is required for the development of the ovary in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. FoxL21 was expressed in the ovary and ovariole during the larval and pupal stage, respectively. In silkworms in which FoxL21 was knocked out by genome editing, multiple ovarian dysfunctions, such as, abnormal egg formation, thinning of the ovariole sheaths, and defective connection of the oviductus geminus with the ovariole were observed. Finally, ovarian transplantation experiments using the knockout silkworms revealed that FoxL21 functions in the ovariole, but not in the oviductus geminus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miyu Tanaka
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Tsuguru Fujii
- Laboratory of Creative Science for Insect Industries, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mon
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Jae Man Lee
- Laboratory of Creative Science for Insect Industries, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Kohei Kakino
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Fukumori
- Graduate School of Bio Resources and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takeru Ebihara
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takumi Nagasato
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Masato Hino
- Laboratory of Sanitary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshino Tonooka
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takato Moriyama
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fujita
- Laboratory of Sanitary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yutaka Banno
- Graduate School of Bio Resources and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kusakabe
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs Involving in Initial Sex Differentiation of Chlamys farreri Gonads. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030456. [PMID: 35336829 PMCID: PMC8945268 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Sex formation of gonads encompasses two ancient and highly conserved biological processes, sex determination and sex differentiation. The processes are strictly regulated by a complex of gene networks. There is increasing evidence that miRNAs play key roles in many biological processes. however, information is limited in their contribution to sex differentiation in animals. In the present study, we identified the novel miRNAs involved in sex-related genes regulation and explored the miRNA–mRNA networks underlying the posttranscriptional regulation during the initial sex differentiation in Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri. Our findings provide an important basis for studying the sex differentiation mechanisms, as well as developing sex control techniques in bivalves. Abstract Research on expressional regulation of genes at the initial sex differentiation of gonads will help to elucidate the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in animals. However, information on initial sex differentiation of gonads is limited in bivalves. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous small noncoding RNAs that can regulate the target gene expression at the posttranscription level by degrading the mRNA or repressing the mRNA translation. In the present study, we investigated the small RNAs transcriptome using the testes and ovaries of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri juveniles with a shell height of 5.0 mm, a critical stage of initial sex differentiation of gonads. A total of 75 known mature miRNAs and 103 novel miRNAs were identified. By comparing the expression of miRNAs between the ovary and testis, 11 miRNAs were determined to be differentially expressed. GO annotations and KEGG analyses indicated that many putative target genes that matched to these differentially expressed miRNAs participated in the regulation of sex differentiation. Furthermore, two selected miRNAs, cfa-novel_miR65 and cfa-miR-87a-3p_1, were confirmed to downregulate expressions of Foxl2 (a female-critical gene) and Klf4 (a male-critical gene), respectively, using a dual-luciferase reporter analysis. Our findings provided new insights into the initial sex differentiation of gonads regulated by miRNAs in bivalves.
Collapse
|
32
|
Hart D, Rodríguez Gutiérrez D, Biason-Lauber A. CBX2 in DSD: The Quirky Kid on the Block. Sex Dev 2022; 16:162-170. [PMID: 35263754 DOI: 10.1159/000522164] [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: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex development is an intricate and crucial process in all vertebrates that ensures the continued propagation of genetic diversity within a species, and ultimately their survival. Perturbations in this process can manifest as disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). Various transcriptional networks have been linked to development of the gonad into either male or female, which is actively driven by a set of genes that function in a juxtaposed manner and is maintained through the developmental stages to preserve the final sexual identity. One such identified gene is Chromobox homolog 2 (CBX2), an important ortholog of the Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, that functions as both chromatin modifier and highly dynamic transactivator. CBX2 was shown to be an essential factor for gonadal development in mammals, as genetic variants or loss-of-function of CBX2 can cause sex reversal in mice and humans. Here we will provide an overview of CBX2, its biological functions at molecular level, and the CBX2-dependent transcriptional landscape in gonadal development and DSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Hart
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Cardiovascular System, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland,
| | - Daniel Rodríguez Gutiérrez
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Cardiovascular System, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Anna Biason-Lauber
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Cardiovascular System, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fan S, Li X, Lin S, Li Y, Ma H, Zhang Z, Qin Z. Screening and Identification of Transcription Factors Potentially Regulating Foxl2 Expression in Chlamys farreri Ovary. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010113. [PMID: 35053111 PMCID: PMC8772818 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Foxl2 is an evolutionarily conserved female sex gene, which is specifically expressed in the ovary and mainly involved in oogenesis and ovarian function maintenance. However, little is known about the mechanism that regulates Foxl2 specific expression during the ovary development. In the present study, we constructed the gonadal yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) library of Chlamysfarreri with ovaries and testes at different developmental stages using the Gateway technology. The library capacity was more than 1.36 × 107 CFU, and the length of the inserted fragment was 0.75 Kb~2 Kb, which fully met the demand of yeast library screening. The highly transcriptional activity promoter sequence of C. farreri Foxl2 (Cf-Foxl2) was determined at -1000~-616 bp by dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay and was used as bait to screen possible transcription factors from the Y1H library. Eleven candidate factors, including five unannotated factors, were selected based on Y1H as well as their expressional differences between ovaries and testes and were verified for the first time to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of Cf-Foxl2 by RT-qPCR and DLR. Our findings provided valuable data for further studying the specific regulation mechanism of Foxl2 in the ovary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shutong Fan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Xixi Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Siyu Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Yunpeng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Huixin Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
| | - Zhifeng Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Zhenkui Qin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.F.); (X.L.); (S.L.); (Y.L.); (H.M.)
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Z.Q.)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jolivet G, Daniel-Carlier N, Harscoët E, Airaud E, Dewaele A, Pierson C, Giton F, Boulanger L, Daniel N, Mandon-Pépin B, Pannetier M, Pailhoux E. Fetal Estrogens are not Involved in Sex Determination But Critical for Early Ovarian Differentiation in Rabbits. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6382335. [PMID: 34614143 PMCID: PMC8598387 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AROMATASE is encoded by the CYP19A1 gene and is the cytochrome enzyme responsible for estrogen synthesis in vertebrates. In most mammals, a peak of CYP19A1 gene expression occurs in the fetal XX gonad when sexual differentiation is initiated. To elucidate the role of this peak, we produced 3 lines of TALEN genetically edited CYP19A1 knockout (KO) rabbits that were devoid of any estradiol production. All the KO XX rabbits developed as females with aberrantly small ovaries in adulthood, an almost empty reserve of primordial follicles, and very few large antrum follicles. Ovulation never occurred. Our histological, immunohistological, and transcriptomic analyses showed that the estradiol surge in the XX fetal rabbit gonad is not essential to its determination as an ovary, or for meiosis. However, it is mandatory for the high proliferation and differentiation of both somatic and germ cells, and consequently for establishment of the ovarian reserve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Jolivet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Correspondence: Geneviève Jolivet, domaine de Vilvert, INRAE, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | | | - Erwana Harscoët
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Eloïse Airaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Aurélie Dewaele
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Cloé Pierson
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Frank Giton
- AP-HP, Pôle biologie-Pathologie Henri Mondor, Créteil, France; INSERM IMRB U955, Créteil, France
| | - Laurent Boulanger
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Nathalie Daniel
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, ENVA, UVSQ, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Aharon D, Marlow FL. Sexual determination in zebrafish. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:8. [PMID: 34936027 PMCID: PMC11072476 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish have emerged as a major model organism to study vertebrate reproduction due to their high fecundity and external development of eggs and embryos. The mechanisms through which zebrafish determine their sex have come under extensive investigation, as they lack a definite sex-determining chromosome and appear to have a highly complex method of sex determination. Single-gene mutagenesis has been employed to isolate the function of genes that determine zebrafish sex and regulate sex-specific differentiation, and to explore the interactions of genes that promote female or male sexual fate. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms, including genetic and environmental factors, governing zebrafish sex development with comparisons to gene functions in other species to highlight conserved and potentially species-specific mechanisms for specifying and maintaining sexual fate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devora Aharon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Florence L Marlow
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Han H, Yang S, Li J, Zhao J, Wei H, Ha S, Li W, Li C, Quan K. Intersex goats show different gene expression levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary compared with non-intersex goats based on RNA-Seq. Vet Med Sci 2021; 8:367-376. [PMID: 34822225 PMCID: PMC8788962 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The conditions for sex reversal in vertebrate species have been extensively studied, and the results highlighted numerous key factors involved in sex differentiation. However, the transcriptomes in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues from intersex goats have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to screen candidate genes and signalling pathways related to sex reversal in Huai goats by analyzing gene expression in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues via transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 612 and 139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the intersex and non‐intersex groups in the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively. The DEGs in the hypothalamus and pituitary were significantly enriched in 41 and 16 signalling pathways, respectively, including the calcium signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand‐receptor interaction signalling pathway, and oestrogen signalling pathway, which might be related to intersex sex development disorders. A candidate gene from the tachykinin family (TACR1) was significantly enriched in the calcium signalling pathway. Thirty‐one DEGs were shared between these two comparisons and were enriched in several acetyl‐CoA‐related processes and the oestrogen signalling pathway. The results of the real‐time PCR analysis show that the transcriptome sequencing results were reliable. The transcriptome data indicate that the regulation of various physiological systems is involved in intersex goat development. Therefore, these results provide helpful data enhancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying intersex syndrome in goats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoyuan Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jinyan Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hongfang Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Si Ha
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Wantao Li
- Henan Genetic Protection Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry, Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Congcong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kai Quan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Migale R, Neumann M, Lovell-Badge R. Long-Range Regulation of Key Sex Determination Genes. Sex Dev 2021; 15:360-380. [PMID: 34753143 DOI: 10.1159/000519891] [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: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of sexually dimorphic gonads is a unique process that starts with the specification of the bipotential genital ridges and culminates with the development of fully differentiated ovaries and testes in females and males, respectively. Research on sex determination has been mostly focused on the identification of sex determination genes, the majority of which encode for proteins and specifically transcription factors such as SOX9 in the testes and FOXL2 in the ovaries. Our understanding of which factors may be critical for sex determination have benefited from the study of human disorders of sex development (DSD) and animal models, such as the mouse and the goat, as these often replicate the same phenotypes observed in humans when mutations or chromosomic rearrangements arise in protein-coding genes. Despite the advances made so far in explaining the role of key factors such as SRY, SOX9, and FOXL2 and the genes they control, what may regulate these factors upstream is not entirely understood, often resulting in the inability to correctly diagnose DSD patients. The role of non-coding DNA, which represents 98% of the human genome, in sex determination has only recently begun to be fully appreciated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the long-range regulation of 2 important sex determination genes, SOX9 and FOXL2, and discuss the challenges that lie ahead and the many avenues of research yet to be explored in the sex determination field.
Collapse
|
38
|
Tucker EJ. The Genetics and Biology of FOXL2. Sex Dev 2021; 16:184-193. [PMID: 34727551 DOI: 10.1159/000519836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXL2 encodes a transcription factor that regulates a wide array of target genes including those involved in sex development, eyelid development, ovarian function and maintenance, genomic integrity as well as cellular pathways such as cell-cycle progression, proliferation, and apoptosis. The role of FOXL2 has been widely studied in humans and animals. Consistent with its role in ovarian and eyelid development, over 100 germline variants in FOXL2 are associated with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome in humans, an autosomal dominant condition characterised by ovarian dysgenesis/premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as defective eyelid development. Reflecting its role in apoptosis and proliferation, a somatic variant in FOXL2 causes adult granulosa cell tumours in humans. Despite being widely studied and having clear relevance to human disease, much remains unknown about the genes FOXL2 regulates and how it exerts its wide-reaching effect on multiple organs. This review focuses on FOXL2 and its varied roles as a transcription factor in sex determination, ovarian maintenance and function, eyelid development, genome integrity, and cell regulation, followed by discussion of the in vivo disruption of FOXL2 in humans and other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena J Tucker
- Reproductive Development, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Poulat F. Non-Coding Genome, Transcription Factors, and Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2021; 15:295-307. [PMID: 34727549 DOI: 10.1159/000519725] [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: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, gonadal sex determination is the process by which transcription factors drive the choice between the testicular and ovarian identity of undifferentiated somatic progenitors through activation of 2 different transcriptional programs. Studies in animal models suggest that sex determination always involves sex-specific transcription factors that activate or repress sex-specific genes. These transcription factors control their target genes by recognizing their regulatory elements in the non-coding genome and their binding motifs within their DNA sequence. In the last 20 years, the development of genomic approaches that allow identifying all the genomic targets of a transcription factor in eukaryotic cells gave the opportunity to globally understand the function of the nuclear proteins that control complex genetic programs. Here, the major transcription factors involved in male and female vertebrate sex determination and the genomic profiling data of mouse gonads that contributed to deciphering their transcriptional regulation role will be reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Guo J, Jiang R, Mao A, Liu GE, Zhan S, Li L, Zhong T, Wang L, Cao J, Chen Y, Zhang G, Zhang H. Genome-wide association study reveals 14 new SNPs and confirms two structural variants highly associated with the horned/polled phenotype in goats. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:769. [PMID: 34706644 PMCID: PMC8555091 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08089-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a long-term interest in investigating the genetic basis of the horned/polled phenotype in domestic goats. Here, we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to detect the genetic loci affecting the polled phenotype in goats. Results We obtained a total of 13,980,209 biallelic SNPs, using the genotyping-by-sequencing data from 45 Jintang Black (JT) goats, which included 32 female and nine male goats, and four individuals with the polled intersex syndrome (PIS). Using a mixed-model based GWAS, we identified two association signals, which were located at 150,334,857–150,817,260 bp (P = 5.15 × 10− 119) and 128,286,704–131,306,537 bp (P = 2.74 × 10− 15) on chromosome 1. The genotype distributions of the 14 most significantly associated SNPs were completely correlated with horn status in goats, based on the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from JT and two other Chinese horned breeds. However, variant annotation suggested that none of the detected SNPs within the associated regions were plausible causal mutations. Via additional read-depth analyses and visual inspections of WGS data, we found a 10.1-kb deletion (CHI1:g. 129424781_129434939del) and a 480-kb duplication (CHI1:150,334,286–150,818,098 bp) encompassing two genes KCNJ15 and ERG in the associated regions of polled and PIS-affected goats. Notably, the 10.1-kb deletion also served as the insertion site for the 480-kb duplication, as validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Our WGS genotyping showed that all horned goats were homozygous for the reference alleles without either the structural variants (SVs), whereas the PIS-affected goats were homozygous for both the SVs. We also demonstrated that horned, polled, and PIS-affected individuals among 333 goats from JT and three other Chinese horned breeds can be accurately classified via PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis of two fragments in both SVs. Conclusion Our results revealed that two genomic regions on chromosome 1 are major loci affecting the polled phenotypes in goats. We provided a diagnostic PCR to accurately classify horned, polled, and PIS-affected goats, which will enable a reliable genetic test for the early-in-life prediction of horn status in goats. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08089-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhong Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ayi Mao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - George E Liu
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, BARC, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Siyuan Zhan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Tao Zhong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Linjie Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jiaxue Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Nanjiang Yellow Goat Scientific Research Institute, Bazhong, 635600, China
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Nanjiang Yellow Goat Scientific Research Institute, Bazhong, 635600, China
| | - Hongping Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ridnik M, Schoenfelder S, Gonen N. Cis-Regulatory Control of Mammalian Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2021; 15:317-334. [PMID: 34710870 PMCID: PMC8743899 DOI: 10.1159/000519244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is the process by which an initial bipotential gonad adopts either a testicular or ovarian cell fate. The inability to properly complete this process leads to a group of developmental disorders classified as disorders of sex development (DSD). To date, dozens of genes were shown to play roles in mammalian sex determination, and mutations in these genes can cause DSD in humans or gonadal sex reversal/dysfunction in mice. However, exome sequencing currently provides genetic diagnosis for only less than half of DSD patients. This points towards a major role for the non-coding genome during sex determination. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of non-coding, cis-acting gene regulatory elements and discuss how they may control transcriptional programmes that underpin sex determination in the context of the 3-dimensional folding of chromatin. As a paradigm, we focus on the Sox9 gene, a prominent pro-male factor and one of the most extensively studied genes in gonadal cell fate determination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meshi Ridnik
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Stefan Schoenfelder
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sex Determination and Differentiation in Teleost: Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Brain. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100973. [PMID: 34681072 PMCID: PMC8533387 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The fish reproductive system is a complex biological system. Nonetheless, reproductive organ development is conserved, which starts with sex determination and then sex differentiation. The sex of a teleost is determined and differentiated from bipotential primordium by genetics, environmental factors, or both. These two processes are species-specific. There are several prominent genes and environmental factors involved during sex determination and differentiation. At the cellular level, most of the sex-determining genes suppress the female pathway. For environmental factors, there are temperature, density, hypoxia, pH, and social interaction. Once the sexual fate is determined, sex differentiation takes over the gonadal developmental process. Environmental factors involve activation and suppression of various male and female pathways depending on the sexual fate. Alongside these factors, the role of the brain during sex determination and differentiation remains elusive. Nonetheless, GnRH III knockout has promoted a male sex-biased population, which shows brain involvement during sex determination. During sex differentiation, LH and FSH might not affect the gonadal differentiation, but are required for regulating sex differentiation. This review discusses the role of prominent genes, environmental factors, and the brain in sex determination and differentiation across a few teleost species.
Collapse
|
43
|
Jiménez R, Burgos M, Barrionuevo FJ. Sex Maintenance in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070999. [PMID: 34209938 PMCID: PMC8303465 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial event in mammalian sexual differentiation occurs at the embryonic stage of sex determination, when the bipotential gonads differentiate as either testes or ovaries, according to the sex chromosome constitution of the embryo, XY or XX, respectively. Once differentiated, testes produce sexual hormones that induce the subsequent differentiation of the male reproductive tract. On the other hand, the lack of masculinizing hormones in XX embryos permits the formation of the female reproductive tract. It was long assumed that once the gonad is differentiated, this developmental decision is irreversible. However, several findings in the last decade have shown that this is not the case and that a continuous sex maintenance is needed. Deletion of Foxl2 in the adult ovary lead to ovary-to-testis transdifferentiation and deletion of either Dmrt1 or Sox9/Sox8 in the adult testis induces the opposite process. In both cases, mutant gonads were genetically reprogrammed, showing that both the male program in ovaries and the female program in testes must be actively repressed throughout the individual's life. In addition to these transcription factors, other genes and molecular pathways have also been shown to be involved in this antagonism. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the genetic basis of sex maintenance once the gonad is already differentiated.
Collapse
|
44
|
Ning J, Cao W, Lu X, Chen M, Liu B, Wang C. Identification and functional analysis of a sex-biased transcriptional factor Foxl2 in the bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110638. [PMID: 34171478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor Foxl2 is an evolutionarily conserved gene playing pivotal roles in regulation of early ovarian differentiation and maintenance in animals. However, the Foxl2 gene has not been thoroughly studied in hermaphroditic scallops. In this study, we cloned and characterized a Foxl2 (designated as AiFoxl2) from the bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians. The open reading frame of AiFoxl2 was 1122 bp encoding 373 amino acids residues and contained a conserved forkhead box domain. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that AiFoxl2 was mainly expressed in the ovary. Moreover, the highest expression of AiFoxl2 in the ovary was detected at proliferative stage and growing stage, while the lowest level was found at resting stage. During the embryonic and larval development, expression of AiFoxl2 was found first in fertilized eggs, increased significantly at the blastula stage, and reached peak value at the D-larvae stage. When AiFoxl2 was knocked down, testis development-related genes (Dmrt1, Sox7 and Sox9) were up-regulated significantly while the ovary development-related genes (Vg, HSD14, and GATA-1) were down-regulated manifestly. These findings suggested that AiFoxl2 was a female-related gene in A. i. irradians and may be involved in regulation of ovarian development and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Ning
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Weian Cao
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xia Lu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Min Chen
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Bo Liu
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Chunde Wang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; College of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ma Z, Yang J, Zhang Q, Xu C, Wei J, Sun L, Wang D, Tao W. miR-133b targets tagln2 and functions in tilapia oogenesis. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110637. [PMID: 34147671 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are important components of non-coding RNAs that participate in diverse life activities by regulating gene expression at the post transcriptional level through base complementary pairing with 3'UTRs of target mRNAs. miR-133b is a member of the miR-133 family, which play important roles in muscle differentiation and tumorigenesis. Recently, miR-133b was reported to affect estrogen synthesis by targeting foxl2 in mouse, while its role in fish reproduction remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we isolated the complete sequence of miR-133b, which was highly expressed in tilapia ovary at 30 and 90 dah (days after hatching) and subsequently decreased at 120 to 150 dah by qPCR. Interestingly, only a few oogonia were remained in the antagomir-133b treated tilapia ovary, while phase I and II oocytes were observed in the ovaries of the control group. Unexpectedly, the expression of foxl2 and cyp19a1a, as well as estradiol levels in serum were increased in the treated group. Furthermore, tagln2, an important factor for oogenesis, was predicted as the target gene of miR-133b, which was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter vector experiments. miR-133b and tagln2 were co-expressed in tilapia ovaries. Taken together, miR-133b may be involved in the early oogenesis of tilapia by regulating tagln2 expression. This study enriches the understanding of miR-133b function during oogenesis and lays a foundation for further study of the regulatory network during oogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chunmei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Wenjing Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Planells B, Gómez-Redondo I, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Cánovas Á, Lonergan P, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Gene expression profiles of bovine genital ridges during sex determination and early differentiation of the gonads†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:38-52. [PMID: 31504197 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most current knowledge of sex determination in mammals has emerged from mouse and human studies. To investigate the molecular regulation of the sex determination process in cattle, we used an RNA sequencing strategy to analyze the transcriptome landscape of male and female bovine fetal gonads collected in vivo at key developmental stages: before, during, and after SRY gene activation on fetal days D35 (bipotential gonad formation), D39 (peak SRY expression), and D43 (early gonad differentiation). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in male vs. female germinal ridges and among group genes showing similar expression profiles during the three periods. There were 143, 96, and 658 DEG between males and female fetuses at D35, D39, and D43, respectively. On D35, genes upregulated in females were enriched in translation, nuclear export, RNA localization, and mRNA splicing events, whereas those upregulated in males were enriched in cell proliferation regulation and male sex determination terms. In time-course experiments, 767 DEGs in males and 545 DEGs in females were identified between D35 vs. D39, and 3157 DEGs in males and 2008 in females were identified between D39 vs. D43. Results highlight unique aspects of sex determination in cattle, such as the expression of several Y chromosome genes (absent in mice and humans) before SRY expression and an abrupt increase in the nuclear expression of SOX10 (instead of SOX9 expression in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm as observed in mice) during male determination and early differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Planells
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Madrid, Spain.,School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - José María Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ángela Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gan RH, Wang Y, Li Z, Yu ZX, Li XY, Tong JF, Wang ZW, Zhang XJ, Zhou L, Gui JF. Functional Divergence of Multiple Duplicated Foxl2 Homeologs and Alleles in a Recurrent Polyploid Fish. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:1995-2013. [PMID: 33432361 PMCID: PMC8097289 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary fates of duplicated genes have been widely investigated in many polyploid plants and animals, but research is scarce in recurrent polyploids. In this study, we focused on foxl2, a central player in ovary, and elaborated the functional divergence in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), a recurrent auto-allo-hexaploid fish. First, we identified three divergent foxl2 homeologs (Cgfoxl2a-B, Cgfoxl2b-A, and Cgfoxl2b-B), each of them possessing three highly conserved alleles and revealed their biased retention/loss. Then, their abundant sexual dimorphism and biased expression were uncovered in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Significantly, granulosa cells and three subpopulations of thecal cells were distinguished by cellular localization of CgFoxl2a and CgFoxl2b, and the functional roles and the involved process were traced in folliculogenesis. Finally, we successfully edited multiple foxl2 homeologs and/or alleles by using CRISPR/Cas9. Cgfoxl2a-B deficiency led to ovary development arrest or complete sex reversal, whereas complete disruption of Cgfoxl2b-A and Cgfoxl2b-B resulted in the depletion of germ cells. Taken together, the detailed cellular localization and functional differences indicate that Cgfoxl2a and Cgfoxl2b have subfunctionalized and cooperated to regulate folliculogenesis and gonad differentiation, and Cgfoxl2b has evolved a new function in oogenesis. Therefore, the current study provides a typical case of homeolog/allele diversification, retention/loss, biased expression, and sub-/neofunctionalization in the evolution of duplicated genes driven by polyploidy and subsequent diploidization from the recurrent polyploid fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Hai Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Xi Yu
- Ningxia Fisheries Research Institute, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Feng Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Dai S, Qi S, Wei X, Liu X, Li Y, Zhou X, Xiao H, Lu B, Wang D, Li M. Germline sexual fate is determined by the antagonistic action of dmrt1 and foxl3/foxl2 in tilapia. Development 2021; 148:dev.199380. [PMID: 33741713 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Germline sexual fate has long been believed to be determined by the somatic environment, but this idea is challenged by recent studies of foxl3 mutants in medaka. Here, we demonstrate that the sexual fate of tilapia germline is determined by the antagonistic interaction of dmrt1 and foxl3, which are transcriptionally repressed in male and female germ cells, respectively. Loss of dmrt1 rescued the germ cell sex reversal in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX fish, and loss of foxl3 partially rescued germ cell sex reversal but not somatic cell fate in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY fish. Interestingly, germ cells lost sexual plasticity in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY and foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX single mutants, as aromatase inhibitor (AI) and estrogen treatment failed to rescue the respective phenotypes. However, recovery of germ cell sexual plasticity was observed in dmrt1/foxl3 double mutants. Importantly, mutation of somatic cell-specific foxl2 resulted in testicular development in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 or dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 mutants. Our findings demonstrate that sexual plasticity of germ cells relies on the presence of both dmrt1 and foxl3. The existence of dmrt1 and foxl3 allows environmental factors to influence the sex fate decision in vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengfei Dai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shuangshuang Qi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xueyan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xingyong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yibing Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hesheng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Baoyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Fukuda K, Muraoka M, Kato Y, Saga Y. Decoding the transcriptome of pre-granulosa cells during the formation of primordial follicles in the mouse†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:179-191. [PMID: 33847353 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primordial follicles, a finite reservoir of eggs in mammalian ovaries, are composed of a single oocyte and its supporting somatic cells, termed granulosa cells. Although their formation may require reciprocal interplay between oocytes and pre-granulosa cells, precursors of granulosa cells, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We addressed this issue by decoding the transcriptome of pre-granulosa cells during the formation of primordial follicles. We found that marked gene expression changes, including extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, and several signaling pathways, occur along with primordial follicle formation. Importantly, differentiation of Lgr5-EGFP-positive pre-granulosa cells to FOXL2-positive granulosa cells was delayed in mutant ovaries of the germ cell-specific genes Nanos3 and Figla, accompanied by perturbed gene expression in mutant pre-granulosa cells. These results suggest that proper development of oocytes is required for the differentiation of pre-granulosa cells. Our data provide a valuable resource for understanding the gene regulatory networks involved in the formation of primordial follicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurumi Fukuda
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muraoka
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Kato
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saga
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ioannidis J, Taylor G, Zhao D, Liu L, Idoko-Akoh A, Gong D, Lovell-Badge R, Guioli S, McGrew MJ, Clinton M. Primary sex determination in birds depends on DMRT1 dosage, but gonadal sex does not determine adult secondary sex characteristics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020909118. [PMID: 33658372 PMCID: PMC7958228 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020909118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, males are the homogametic sex (ZZ) and females the heterogametic sex (ZW). Primary sex determination is thought to depend on a sex chromosome gene dosage mechanism, and the most likely sex determinant is the Z chromosome gene Doublesex and Mab-3-Related Transcription factor 1 (DMRT1). To clarify this issue, we used a CRISPR-Cas9-based monoallelic targeting approach and sterile surrogate hosts to generate birds with targeted mutations in the DMRT1 gene. The resulting chromosomally male (ZZ) chicken with a single functional copy of DMRT1 developed ovaries in place of testes, demonstrating the avian sex-determining mechanism is based on DMRT1 dosage. These ZZ ovaries expressed typical female markers and showed clear evidence of follicular development. However, these ZZ adult birds with an ovary in place of testes were indistinguishable in appearance to wild-type adult males, supporting the concept of cell-autonomous sex identity (CASI) in birds. In experiments where estrogen synthesis was blocked in control ZW embryos, the resulting gonads developed as testes. In contrast, if estrogen synthesis was blocked in ZW embryos that lacked DMRT1, the gonads invariably adopted an ovarian fate. Our analysis shows that DMRT1 is the key sex determination switch in birds and that it is essential for testis development, but that production of estrogen is also a key factor in primary sex determination in chickens, and that this production is linked to DMRT1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Ioannidis
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom;
| | - Gunes Taylor
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Debiao Zhao
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Long Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Alewo Idoko-Akoh
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Daoqing Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana Guioli
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Mike J McGrew
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom;
| | - Michael Clinton
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|