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Gül S, Vloeberghs V, Gies I, Goossens E. Testicular mosaicism in non-mosaic postpubertal Klinefelter patients with focal spermatogenesis and in non-mosaic prepubertal Klinefelter boys. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:2210-2220. [PMID: 39198007 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae192] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do testis-specific cells have a normal karyotype in non-mosaic postpubertal Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients with focal spermatogenesis and in non-mosaic prepubertal KS boys? SUMMARY ANSWER Spermatogonia have a 46, XY karyotype, and Sertoli cells surrounding these spermatogonia in postpubertal patients also have a 46, XY karyotype, whereas, in prepubertal KS boys, Sertoli cells surrounding the spermatogonia still have a 47, XXY karyotype. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A significant proportion of patients with non-mosaic KS can have children by using assisted reproductive techniques thanks to focal spermatogenesis. However, the karyotype of the cells that are able to support focal spermatogenesis has not been revealed. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Testicular biopsy samples from non-mosaic KS patients were included in the study. Karyotyping for sex chromosomes in testis-specific cells was performed by immunohistochemical analysis of inactive X (Xi) chromosome and/or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of chromosomes 18, X, and Y. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 22 KS patients (17 postpubertal and 5 prepubertal) who were non-mosaic according to lymphocyte karyotype analysis, were included in the study. After tissue processing, paraffin embedding, and sectioning, the following primary antibodies were used for cell-specific analysis and Xi detection; one section was stained with MAGE A4 for spermatogonia, SOX9 for Sertoli cells, and H3K27me3 for Xi; the other one was stained with CYP17A1 for Leydig cells, ACTA2 for peritubular myoid cells, and H3K27me3 for Xi. Xi negative (Xi-) somatic cells (i.e. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and peritubular myoid cells) were evaluated as having the 46, XY karyotype; Xi positive (Xi+) somatic cells were evaluated as having the 47, XXY. FISH stain for chromosomes 18, X, and Y was performed on the same sections to investigate the karyotype of spermatogonia and to validate the immunohistochemistry results for somatic cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE According to our data, all spermatogonia in both postpubertal and prepubertal non-mosaic KS patients seem to have 46, XY karyotype. However, while the Sertoli cells surrounding spermatogonia in postpubertal samples also had a 46, XY karyotype, the Sertoli cells surrounding spermatogonia in prepubertal samples had a 47, XXY karyotype. In addition, while the Sertoli cells in some of the Sertoli cell-only tubules had 46, XY karyotype, the Sertoli cells in some of the other Sertoli cell-only tubules had 47, XXY karyotype in postpubertal samples. In contrast to the postpubertal samples, Sertoli cells in all tubules in the prepubertal samples had the 47, XXY karyotype. Our data also suggest that germ cells lose the extra X chromosome during embryonic, fetal, or neonatal life, while Sertoli cells lose it around puberty. Peritubular myoid cells and Leydig cells may also be mosaic in both postpubertal patients and prepubertal boys, but it requires further investigation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The number of prepubertal testicle samples containing spermatogonia is limited, so more samples are needed for a definitive conclusion. The fact that not all the cell nuclei coincide with the section plane limits the accurate detection of X chromosomes by immunohistochemistry and FISH in some cells. To overcome this limitation, X chromosome analysis could be performed by different techniques on intact cells isolated from fresh tissue. Additionally, there is no evidence that X chromosome inactivation reoccurs after activation of the Xi during germ cell migration during embryogenesis, limiting the prediction of X chromosome content in germ cells by H3K27me3. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings will lay the groundwork for new clinically important studies on exactly when and by which mechanism an extra X chromosome is lost in spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) (2219 - International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program for Turkish Citizens) and the Strategic Research Program (SRP89) from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semir Gül
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Malatya Turgut Özal University, Malatya, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, , Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Türkiye
| | - Veerle Vloeberghs
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels IVF, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Gies
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Woo SJ, Han JY. Epigenetic programming of chicken germ cells: a comparative review. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103977. [PMID: 38970845 PMCID: PMC11269908 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Chicken embryos serve as an important model for investigating germ cells due to their ease of accessibility and manipulation within the egg. Understanding the development of germ cells is particularly crucial, as they are the only cell types capable of transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Therefore, gene expression regulation in germ cells is important for genomic function. Epigenetic programming is a crucial biological process for the regulation of gene expression without altering the genome sequence. Although epigenetic programming is evolutionarily conserved, several differences between chickens and mammals have been revealed. In this review, we compared the epigenetic regulation of germ cells in chickens and mammals (mainly mice as a representative species). In mammals, migrating primordial germ cells (precursors for germ cells [PGCs]) undergo global DNA demethylation and persist until sexual differentiation, while in chickens, DNA is demethylated until reaching the gonad but remethylated when sexually differentiated. Prospermatogonia is methylated at the onset of mitotic arrest in mammals, while DNA is demethylated at mitotic arrest in chickens. Furthermore, genomic imprinting and inactivation of sex chromosomes are differentially regulated through DNA methylation in chickens and mammals. Chickens and mammals exhibit different patterns of histone modifications during germ cell development, and non-coding RNA, which is not involved in PGC differentiation in mice, plays an important role in chicken PGC development. Additionally, several chicken-specific non-coding RNAs have been identified. In conclusion, we summarized current knowledge of epigenetic gene regulation of chicken germ cells, comparing that of mammals, and highlighted notable differences between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Je Woo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae Yong Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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3
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Siebert-Kuss LM, Dietrich V, Di Persio S, Bhaskaran J, Stehling M, Cremers JF, Sandmann S, Varghese J, Kliesch S, Schlatt S, Vaquerizas JM, Neuhaus N, Laurentino S. Genome-wide DNA methylation changes in human spermatogenesis. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1125-1139. [PMID: 38759652 PMCID: PMC11179423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.04.017] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm production and function require the correct establishment of DNA methylation patterns in the germline. Here, we examined the genome-wide DNA methylation changes during human spermatogenesis and its alterations in disturbed spermatogenesis. We found that spermatogenesis is associated with remodeling of the methylome, comprising a global decline in DNA methylation in primary spermatocytes followed by selective remethylation, resulting in a spermatids/sperm-specific methylome. Hypomethylated regions in spermatids/sperm were enriched in specific transcription factor binding sites for DMRT and SOX family members and spermatid-specific genes. Intriguingly, while SINEs displayed differential methylation throughout spermatogenesis, LINEs appeared to be protected from changes in DNA methylation. In disturbed spermatogenesis, germ cells exhibited considerable DNA methylation changes, which were significantly enriched at transposable elements and genes involved in spermatogenesis. We detected hypomethylation in SVA and L1HS in disturbed spermatogenesis, suggesting an association between the abnormal programming of these regions and failure of germ cells progressing beyond meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Siebert-Kuss
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Verena Dietrich
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sara Di Persio
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jahnavi Bhaskaran
- MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Stehling
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Jann-Frederik Cremers
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sarah Sandmann
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julian Varghese
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Juan M Vaquerizas
- MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sandra Laurentino
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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4
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Kubo N, Uehara R, Uemura S, Ohishi H, Shirane K, Sasaki H. Combined and differential roles of ADD domains of DNMT3A and DNMT3L on DNA methylation landscapes in mouse germ cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3266. [PMID: 38627502 PMCID: PMC11021467 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47699-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and its catalytically inactive cofactor DNA methyltransferase 3-Like (DNMT3L) proteins form functional heterotetramers to deposit DNA methylation in mammalian germ cells. While both proteins have an ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L (ADD) domain that recognizes histone H3 tail unmethylated at lysine-4 (H3K4me0), the combined and differential roles of the domains in the two proteins have not been fully defined in vivo. Here we investigate DNA methylation landscapes in female and male germ cells derived from mice with loss-of-function amino acid substitutions in the ADD domains of DNMT3A and/or DNMT3L. Mutations in either the DNMT3A-ADD or the DNMT3L-ADD domain moderately decrease global CG methylation levels, but to different degrees, in both germ cells. Furthermore, when the ADD domains of both DNMT3A and DNMT3L lose their functions, the CG methylation levels are much more reduced, especially in oocytes, comparable to the impact of the Dnmt3a/3L knockout. In contrast, aberrant accumulation of non-CG methylation occurs at thousands of genomic regions in the double mutant oocytes and spermatozoa. These results highlight the critical role of the ADD-H3K4me0 binding in proper CG and non-CG methylation in germ cells and the various impacts of the ADD domains of the two proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kubo
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ryuji Uehara
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shuhei Uemura
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ohishi
- Division of Gene Expression Dynamics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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5
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Mizuta K, Saitou M. Key mechanisms and in vitro reconstitution of fetal oocyte development in mammals. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102091. [PMID: 37556984 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
During fetal oocyte development in mammals, germ cells progress through meiotic prophase I to form primordial follicles with pregranulosa cells. The primordial follicles remain dormant until oogenesis resumes during puberty. Studies in mice have elucidated mechanisms governing oogenesis, leading to the successful induction of functional oocytes from mouse pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Based on the in vivo/in vitro knowledge in mice and the histological and transcriptomic evidence for fetal oocyte development in humans and primates, human/primate oocyte-like cells corresponding to the early stage of oocytes in vivo have been successfully induced in vitro. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of fetal oocyte development in mammals, as well as in in vitro oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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6
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Rücklé C, Körtel N, Basilicata MF, Busch A, Zhou Y, Hoch-Kraft P, Tretow K, Kielisch F, Bertin M, Pradhan M, Musheev M, Schweiger S, Niehrs C, Rausch O, Zarnack K, Keller Valsecchi CI, König J. RNA stability controlled by m 6A methylation contributes to X-to-autosome dosage compensation in mammals. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1207-1215. [PMID: 37202476 PMCID: PMC10442230 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00997-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, X-chromosomal genes are expressed from a single copy since males (XY) possess a single X chromosome, while females (XX) undergo X inactivation. To compensate for this reduction in dosage compared with two active copies of autosomes, it has been proposed that genes from the active X chromosome exhibit dosage compensation. However, the existence and mechanisms of X-to-autosome dosage compensation are still under debate. Here we show that X-chromosomal transcripts have fewer m6A modifications and are more stable than their autosomal counterparts. Acute depletion of m6A selectively stabilizes autosomal transcripts, resulting in perturbed dosage compensation in mouse embryonic stem cells. We propose that higher stability of X-chromosomal transcripts is directed by lower levels of m6A, indicating that mammalian dosage compensation is partly regulated by epitranscriptomic RNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadine Körtel
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - M Felicia Basilicata
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anke Busch
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - You Zhou
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS) & Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Marco Bertin
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Susann Schweiger
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Kathi Zarnack
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS) & Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Julian König
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
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7
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Sasaki K, Sangrithi M. Developmental origins of mammalian spermatogonial stem cells: New perspectives on epigenetic regulation and sex chromosome function. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023:111949. [PMID: 37201564 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Male and female germ cells undergo genome-wide reprogramming during their development, and execute sex-specific programs to complete meiosis and successfully generate healthy gametes. While sexually dimorphic germ cell development is fundamental, similarities and differences exist in the basic processes governing normal gametogenesis. At the simplest level, male gamete generation in mammals is centred on the activity of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), and an equivalent cell state is not present in females. Maintaining this unique SSC epigenetic state, while keeping to germ cell-intrinsic developmental programs, poses challenges for the correct completion of spermatogenesis. In this review, we highlight the origins of spermatogonia, comparing and contrasting them with female germline development to emphasize specific developmental processes that are required for their function as germline stem cells. We identify gaps in our current knowledge about human SSCs and further discuss the impact of the unique regulation of the sex chromosomes during spermatogenesis, and the roles of X-linked genes in SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Sasaki
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, United States.
| | - Mahesh Sangrithi
- King's College London, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, 28th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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8
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Gong Y, Bai B, Sun N, Ci B, Shao H, Zhang T, Yao H, Zhang Y, Niu Y, Liu L, Zhao H, Wu H, Zhang L, Wang T, Li S, Wei Y, Yu Y, Ribeiro Orsi AE, Liu B, Ji W, Wu J, Chen Y, Tan T. Ex utero monkey embryogenesis from blastocyst to early organogenesis. Cell 2023; 186:2092-2110.e23. [PMID: 37172563 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The third and fourth weeks of gestation in primates are marked by several developmental milestones, including gastrulation and the formation of organ primordia. However, our understanding of this period is limited due to restricted access to in vivo embryos. To address this gap, we developed an embedded 3D culture system that allows for the extended ex utero culture of cynomolgus monkey embryos for up to 25 days post-fertilization. Morphological, histological, and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses demonstrate that ex utero cultured monkey embryos largely recapitulated key events of in vivo development. With this platform, we were able to delineate lineage trajectories and genetic programs involved in neural induction, lateral plate mesoderm differentiation, yolk sac hematopoiesis, primitive gut, and primordial germ-cell-like cell development in monkeys. Our embedded 3D culture system provides a robust and reproducible platform for growing monkey embryos from blastocysts to early organogenesis and studying primate embryogenesis ex utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center, Medical Innovation Research Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Bing Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Nianqin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Baiquan Ci
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Honglian Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Hui Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Youyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yuyu Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Lizhong Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hu Zhao
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650504, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Shangang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yulei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Reproductive Medical Center and Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ana Elisa Ribeiro Orsi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center, Medical Innovation Research Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Weizhi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Yongchang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Tao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
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9
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Gyobu‐Motani S, Yabuta Y, Mizuta K, Katou Y, Okamoto I, Kawasaki M, Kitamura A, Tsukiyama T, Iwatani C, Tsuchiya H, Tsujimura T, Yamamoto T, Nakamura T, Saitou M. Induction of fetal meiotic oocytes from embryonic stem cells in cynomolgus monkeys. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112962. [PMID: 36929479 PMCID: PMC10152148 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human in vitro oogenesis provides a framework for clarifying the mechanism of human oogenesis. To create its benchmark, it is vital to promote in vitro oogenesis using a model physiologically close to humans. Here, we establish a foundation for in vitro oogenesis in cynomolgus (cy) monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): cy female embryonic stem cells harboring one active and one inactive X chromosome (Xa and Xi, respectively) differentiate robustly into primordial germ cell-like cells, which in xenogeneic reconstituted ovaries develop efficiently into oogonia and, remarkably, further into meiotic oocytes at the zygotene stage. This differentiation entails comprehensive epigenetic reprogramming, including Xi reprogramming, yet Xa and Xi remain epigenetically asymmetric with, as partly observed in vivo, incomplete Xi reactivation. In humans and monkeys, the Xi epigenome in pluripotent stem cells functions as an Xi-reprogramming determinant. We further show that developmental pathway over-activations with suboptimal up-regulation of relevant meiotic genes impede in vitro meiotic progression. Cy in vitro oogenesis exhibits critical homology with the human system, including with respect to bottlenecks, providing a salient model for advancing human in vitro oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Gyobu‐Motani
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Yoshitaka Katou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Ikuhiro Okamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Masanori Kawasaki
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Ayaka Kitamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Tomoyuki Tsukiyama
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Chizuru Iwatani
- Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Hideaki Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Taro Tsujimura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKENTokyoJapan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced ResearchKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
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10
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Mattimoe T, Payer B. The compleX balancing act of controlling X-chromosome dosage and how it impacts mammalian germline development. Biochem J 2023; 480:521-537. [PMID: 37096944 PMCID: PMC10212525 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220450] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
In female mammals, the two X chromosomes are subject to epigenetic gene regulation in order to balance X-linked gene dosage with autosomes and in relation to males, which have one X and one Y chromosome. This is achieved by an intricate interplay of several processes; X-chromosome inactivation and reactivation elicit global epigenetic regulation of expression from one X chromosome in a stage-specific manner, whilst the process of X-chromosome upregulation responds to this by fine-tuning transcription levels of the second X. The germline is unique in its function of transmitting both the genetic and epigenetic information from one generation to the next, and remodelling of the X chromosome is one of the key steps in setting the stage for successful development. Here, we provide an overview of the complex dynamics of X-chromosome dosage control during embryonic and germ cell development, and aim to decipher its potential role for normal germline competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Mattimoe
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernhard Payer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Su J, Zhang Y, Su H, Wang C, Wang D, Yang Y, Li X, Qi W, Li H, Li X, Song Y, Cao G. Dosage Compensation of the X Chromosome during Sheep Testis Development Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172169. [PMID: 36077890 PMCID: PMC9454834 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Male and female mammals carry the same complement of autosomes but differ with respect to their sex chromosomes: females carry XX chromosomes and males carry XY chromosomes. The evolutionary loss of genes from the Y chromosome led to a disparity in the dosage of X chromosomes versus autosomal genes, with males becoming monosomic for X-linked gene products. An imbalance in gene expression may have detrimental consequences. In males, X-linked genes need to be upregulated to levels equal to those of females, which is called dosage compensation. The existence of dosage compensation in germ cells is controversial. In testis, dosage compensation is thought to cease during meiosis. Some studies showed that the X chromosome is inactivated during meiosis and premature transcriptional inactivation of the X and Y chromosome during mid-spermatogenesis is essential for fertility. However, some studies failed to find support for male germline X inactivation. Using single-cell RNA seq data, in this study, we presented a comprehensive transcriptional map of sheep testes at different developmental stages and found that germ cell types in sheep testes show X-chromosome expression similar to that in the autosomes. The dosage compensation of germ cells at different stages was analyzed. MSL complex members are expressed in female flies and orthologs exist in many species, where dosage compensation mechanisms are absent or fundamentally different. This suggests that the MSL complex members also function outside of the dosage compensation machinery. Studies have shown that MSL complex can regulate mammalian X inactivation and activation. Abstract Dosage compensation is a mechanism first proposed by Susumu Ohno, whereby X inactivation balances X gene output between males (XY) and females (XX), while X upregulation balances X genes with autosomal gene output. These mechanisms have been actively studied in Drosophila and mice, but research regarding them lags behind in domestic species. It is unclear how the X chromosome is regulated in the sheep male germline. To address this, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed testes in three important developmental stages of sheep. We observed that the total RNA per cell from X and autosomes peaked in SSCs and spermatogonia and was then reduced in early spermatocytes. Furthermore, we counted the detected reads per gene in each cell type for X and autosomes. In cells experiencing dose compensation, close proximity to MSL (male-specific lethal), which is regulated the active X chromosome and was observed. Our results suggest that there is no dose compensation in the pre-meiotic germ cells of sheep testes and, in addition, MSL1 and MSL2 are expressed in early germ cells and involved in regulating mammalian X-chromosome inactivation and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010030, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Hong Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Caiyun Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Daqing Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot 010000, China
| | - Xiunan Li
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot 010000, China
| | - Wangmei Qi
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Haijun Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Xihe Li
- Inner Mongolia Saikexing Institutes of Breeding and Reproductive Biotechnologies in Domestic Animal, Hohhot 011517, China
- Research Center for Animal Genetic Resources of Mongolia Plateau, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Yongli Song
- Research Center for Animal Genetic Resources of Mongolia Plateau, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (G.C.); Tel.: +86-133-6601-7565 (Y.S.); +86-138-4812-0488 (G.C.)
| | - Guifang Cao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (G.C.); Tel.: +86-133-6601-7565 (Y.S.); +86-138-4812-0488 (G.C.)
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12
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Mizuta K, Katou Y, Nakakita B, Kishine A, Nosaka Y, Saito S, Iwatani C, Tsuchiya H, Kawamoto I, Nakaya M, Tsukiyama T, Nagano M, Kojima Y, Nakamura T, Yabuta Y, Horie A, Mandai M, Ohta H, Saitou M. Ex vivo reconstitution of fetal oocyte development in humans and cynomolgus monkeys. EMBO J 2022; 41:e110815. [PMID: 35912849 PMCID: PMC9475534 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022110815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro oogenesis is key to elucidating the mechanism of human female germ-cell development and its anomalies. Accordingly, pluripotent stem cells have been induced into primordial germ cell-like cells and into oogonia with epigenetic reprogramming, yet further reconstitutions remain a challenge. Here, we demonstrate ex vivo reconstitution of fetal oocyte development in both humans and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). With an optimized culture of fetal ovary reaggregates over three months, human and monkey oogonia enter and complete the first meiotic prophase to differentiate into diplotene oocytes that form primordial follicles, the source for oogenesis in adults. The cytological and transcriptomic progressions of fetal oocyte development in vitro closely recapitulate those in vivo. A comparison of single-cell transcriptomes among humans, monkeys, and mice unravels primate-specific and conserved programs driving fetal oocyte development, the former including a distinct transcriptomic transformation upon oogonia-to-oocyte transition and the latter including two active X chromosomes with little X-chromosome upregulation. Our study provides a critical step forward for realizing human in vitro oogenesis and uncovers salient characteristics of fetal oocyte development in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Katou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Baku Nakakita
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Aoi Kishine
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nosaka
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Saki Saito
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chizuru Iwatani
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kawamoto
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Masataka Nakaya
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Tsukiyama
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagano
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoji Kojima
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihito Horie
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaki Mandai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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13
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Lowe MG, Yen MR, Hsu FM, Hosohama L, Hu Z, Chitiashvili T, Hunt TJ, Gorgy I, Bernard M, Wamaitha SE, Chen PY, Clark AT. EED is required for mouse primordial germ cell differentiation in the embryonic gonad. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1482-1495.e5. [PMID: 35679863 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is required for reproduction. During PGC development in mammals, major epigenetic remodeling occurs, which is hypothesized to establish an epigenetic landscape for sex-specific germ cell differentiation and gametogenesis. In order to address the role of embryonic ectoderm development (EED) and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in this process, we created an EED conditional knockout mouse and show that EED is essential for regulating the timing of sex-specific PGC differentiation in both ovaries and testes, as well as X chromosome dosage decompensation in testes. Integrating chromatin and whole genome bisulfite sequencing of epiblast and PGCs, we identified a poised repressive signature of H3K27me3/DNA methylation that we propose is established in the epiblast where EED and DNMT1 interact. Thus, EED joins DNMT1 in regulating the timing of sex-specific PGC differentiation during the critical window when the gonadal niche cells specialize into an ovary or testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Lowe
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ming-Ren Yen
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Man Hsu
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Linzi Hosohama
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zhongxun Hu
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tsotne Chitiashvili
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Timothy J Hunt
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Isaac Gorgy
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew Bernard
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sissy E Wamaitha
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Pao-Yang Chen
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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14
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Single-cell analysis reveals X upregulation is not global in pre-gastrulation embryos. iScience 2022; 25:104465. [PMID: 35707719 PMCID: PMC9189126 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, transcriptional inactivation of one X chromosome in female compensates for the dosage of X-linked gene expression between the sexes. Additionally, it is believed that the upregulation of active X chromosome in male and female balances the dosage of X-linked gene expression relative to autosomal genes, as proposed by Ohno. However, the existence of X chromosome upregulation (XCU) remains controversial. Here, we have profiled gene-wise dynamics of XCU in pre-gastrulation mouse embryos at single-cell level and found that XCU is dynamically linked with X chromosome inactivation (XCI); however, XCU is not global like XCI. Moreover, we show that upregulated genes are enriched with activating marks and have enhanced burst frequency. Finally, our In-silico model predicts that recruitment probabilities of activating factors and a surge of these factors upon X-inactivation trigger XCU. Altogether, our study provides significant insight into the gene-wise dynamics and mechanistic basis of XCU during early development and extends support for Ohno’s hypothesis. X-upregulation coincides with X chromosome inactivation in pre-gastrulation embryos X-upregulation is not chromosome-wide like X-inactivation Upregulated genes have enhanced burst frequency and are enriched with activating marks A surge of activating factors on X-inactivation triggers X-upregulation
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15
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Severino J, Bauer M, Mattimoe T, Arecco N, Cozzuto L, Lorden P, Hamada N, Nosaka Y, Nagaoka SI, Audergon P, Tarruell A, Heyn H, Hayashi K, Saitou M, Payer B. Controlled X-chromosome dynamics defines meiotic potential of female mouse in vitro germ cells. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109457. [PMID: 35603814 PMCID: PMC9194795 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109457] [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: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian germline is characterized by extensive epigenetic reprogramming during its development into functional eggs and sperm. Specifically, the epigenome requires resetting before parental marks can be established and transmitted to the next generation. In the female germline, X‐chromosome inactivation and reactivation are among the most prominent epigenetic reprogramming events, yet very little is known about their kinetics and biological function. Here, we investigate X‐inactivation and reactivation dynamics using a tailor‐made in vitro system of primordial germ cell‐like cell (PGCLC) differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells. We find that X‐inactivation in PGCLCs in vitro and in germ cell‐competent epiblast cells in vivo is moderate compared to somatic cells, and frequently characterized by escaping genes. X‐inactivation is followed by step‐wise X‐reactivation, which is mostly completed during meiotic prophase I. Furthermore, we find that PGCLCs which fail to undergo X‐inactivation or reactivate too rapidly display impaired meiotic potential. Thus, our data reveal fine‐tuned X‐chromosome remodelling as a critical feature of female germ cell development towards meiosis and oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Severino
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Moritz Bauer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tom Mattimoe
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Niccolò Arecco
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luca Cozzuto
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Lorden
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Norio Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nosaka
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - So I Nagaoka
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Pauline Audergon
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Tarruell
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Holger Heyn
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Bernhard Payer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Lentini A, Cheng H, Noble JC, Papanicolaou N, Coucoravas C, Andrews N, Deng Q, Enge M, Reinius B. Elastic dosage compensation by X-chromosome upregulation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1854. [PMID: 35388014 PMCID: PMC8987076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29414-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation and X-upregulation are the fundamental modes of chromosome-wide gene regulation that collectively achieve dosage compensation in mammals, but the regulatory link between the two remains elusive and the X-upregulation dynamics are unknown. Here, we use allele-resolved single-cell RNA-seq combined with chromatin accessibility profiling and finely dissect their separate effects on RNA levels during mouse development. Surprisingly, we uncover that X-upregulation elastically tunes expression dosage in a sex- and lineage-specific manner, and moreover along varying degrees of X-inactivation progression. Male blastomeres achieve X-upregulation upon zygotic genome activation while females experience two distinct waves of upregulation, upon imprinted and random X-inactivation; and ablation of Xist impedes female X-upregulation. Female cells carrying two active X chromosomes lack upregulation, yet their collective RNA output exceeds that of a single hyperactive allele. Importantly, this conflicts the conventional dosage compensation model in which naïve female cells are initially subject to biallelic X-upregulation followed by X-inactivation of one allele to correct the X dosage. Together, our study provides key insights to the chain of events of dosage compensation, explaining how transcript copy numbers can remain remarkably stable across developmental windows wherein severe dose imbalance would otherwise be experienced by the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lentini
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Huaitao Cheng
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J C Noble
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natali Papanicolaou
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christos Coucoravas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nathanael Andrews
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Enge
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Reinius
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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17
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Yamazaki W, Tan SL, Taketo T. Role of the X and Y Chromosomes in the Female Germ Cell Line Development in the Mouse (Mus musculus). Sex Dev 2022:1-10. [PMID: 35235936 DOI: 10.1159/000521151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In eutherian mammals, the sex chromosome complement, XX and XY, determines sexual differentiation of gonadal primordia into testes and ovaries, which in turn direct differentiation of germ cells into haploid sperm and oocytes, respectively. When gonadal sex is reversed, however, the germ cell sex becomes discordant with the chromosomal sex. XY females in humans are infertile, while XY females in the mouse (Mus musculus) are subfertile or infertile dependent on the cause of sex reversal and the genetic background. This article reviews publications to understand how the sex chromosome complement affects the fertility of XY oocytes by comparing with XX and monosomy X (XO) oocytes. SUMMARY The results highlight 2 folds disadvantage of XY oocytes over XX oocytes: (1) the X and Y chromosomes fail to pair during the meiotic prophase I, resulting in sex chromosome aneuploidy at the first meiotic division and (2) expression of the Y-linked genes during oocyte growth affects the transcriptome landscape and renders the ooplasmic component incompetent for embryonic development. Key Message: The XX chromosome complement gives the oocyte the highest competence for embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Yamazaki
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Seang Lin Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,OriginElle Fertility Clinic and Women's Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Teruko Taketo
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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18
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Gura MA, Relovská S, Abt KM, Seymour KA, Wu T, Kaya H, Turner JMA, Fazzio TG, Freiman RN. TAF4b transcription networks regulating early oocyte differentiation. Development 2022; 149:dev200074. [PMID: 35043944 PMCID: PMC8918801 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Establishment of a healthy ovarian reserve is contingent upon numerous regulatory pathways during embryogenesis. Previously, mice lacking TBP-associated factor 4b (Taf4b) were shown to exhibit a diminished ovarian reserve. However, potential oocyte-intrinsic functions of TAF4b have not been examined. Here, we use a combination of gene expression profiling and chromatin mapping to characterize TAF4b-dependent gene regulatory networks in mouse oocytes. We find that Taf4b-deficient oocytes display inappropriate expression of meiotic, chromatin modification/organization, and X-linked genes. Furthermore, dysregulated genes in Taf4b-deficient oocytes exhibit an unexpected amount of overlap with dysregulated genes in oocytes from XO female mice, a mouse model of Turner Syndrome. Using Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN), we observed TAF4b enrichment at genes involved in chromatin remodeling and DNA repair, some of which are differentially expressed in Taf4b-deficient oocytes. Interestingly, TAF4b target genes were enriched for Sp/Klf family and NFY target motifs rather than TATA-box motifs, suggesting an alternative mode of promoter interaction. Together, our data connect several gene regulatory nodes that contribute to the precise development of the mammalian ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Gura
- MCB Graduate Program, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Soňa Relovská
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Abt
- MCB Graduate Program, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Seymour
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Haskan Kaya
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - James M. A. Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Thomas G. Fazzio
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Richard N. Freiman
- MCB Graduate Program, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Box G-E4, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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19
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Dosage sensitivity and exon shuffling shape the landscape of polymorphic duplicates in Drosophila and humans. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 6:273-287. [PMID: 34969986 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01614-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite polymorphic duplicate genes' importance for the early stages of duplicate gene evolution, they are less studied than old gene duplicates. Two essential questions thus remain poorly addressed: how does dosage sensitivity, imposed by stoichiometry in protein complexes or by X chromosome dosage compensation, affect the emergence of complete duplicate genes? Do introns facilitate intergenic and intragenic chimaerism as predicted by the theory of exon shuffling? Here, we analysed new data for Drosophila and public data for humans, to characterize polymorphic duplicate genes with respect to dosage, exon-intron structures and allele frequencies. We found that complete duplicate genes are under dosage constraint induced by protein stoichiometry but potentially tolerated by X chromosome dosage compensation. We also found that in the intron-rich human genome, gene fusions and intragenic duplications extensively use intronic breakpoints generating in-frame proteins, in accordance with the theory of exon shuffling. Finally, we found that only a small proportion of complete or partial duplicates are at high frequencies, indicating the deleterious nature of dosage or gene structural changes. Altogether, we demonstrate how mechanistic factors including dosage sensitivity and exon-intron structure shape the short-term functional consequences of gene duplication.
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20
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Yamazaki W, Badescu D, Tan SL, Ragoussis J, Taketo T. Effects of the Sex Chromosome Complement, XX, XO, or XY, on the Transcriptome and Development of Mouse Oocytes During Follicular Growth. Front Genet 2021; 12:792604. [PMID: 34987552 PMCID: PMC8721172 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.792604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex chromosome complement, XX or XY, determines sexual differentiation of the gonadal primordium into a testis or an ovary, which in turn directs differentiation of the germ cells into sperm and oocytes, respectively, in eutherian mammals. When the X monosomy or XY sex reversal occurs, XO and XY females exhibit subfertility and infertility in the mouse on the C57BL/6J genetic background, suggesting that functional germ cell differentiation requires the proper sex chromosome complement. Using these mouse models, we asked how the sex chromosome complement affects gene transcription in the oocytes during follicular growth. An oocyte accumulates cytoplasmic components such as mRNAs and proteins during follicular growth to support subsequent meiotic progression, fertilization, and early embryonic development without de novo transcription. However, how gene transcription is regulated during oocyte growth is not well understood. Our results revealed that XY oocytes became abnormal in chromatin configuration, mitochondria distribution, and de novo transcription compared to XX or XO oocytes near the end of growth phase. Therefore, we compared transcriptomes by RNA-sequencing among the XX, XO, and XY oocytes of 50–60 µm in diameter, which were still morphologically comparable. The results showed that the X chromosome dosage limited the X-linked and autosomal gene transcript levels in XO oocytes whereas many genes were transcribed from the Y chromosome and made the transcriptome in XY oocytes closer to that in XX oocytes. We then compared the transcript levels of 3 X-linked, 3 Y-linked and 2 autosomal genes in the XX, XO, and XY oocytes during the entire growth phase as well as at the end of growth phase using quantitative RT-PCR. The results indicated that the transcript levels of most genes increased with oocyte growth while largely maintaining the X chromosome dosage dependence. Near the end of growth phase, however, transcript levels of some X-linked genes did not increase in XY oocytes as much as XX or XO oocytes, rendering their levels much lower than those in XX oocytes. Thus, XY oocytes established a distinct transcriptome at the end of growth phase, which may be associated with abnormal chromatin configuration and mitochondria distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Yamazaki
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dunarel Badescu
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Seang Lin Tan
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- OriginElle Fertility Clinic and Women’s Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jiannis Ragoussis
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Teruko Taketo
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Teruko Taketo,
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21
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Ramakrishna NB, Murison K, Miska EA, Leitch HG. Epigenetic Regulation during Primordial Germ Cell Development and Differentiation. Sex Dev 2021; 15:411-431. [PMID: 34847550 DOI: 10.1159/000520412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline development varies significantly across metazoans. However, mammalian primordial germ cell (PGC) development has key conserved landmarks, including a critical period of epigenetic reprogramming that precedes sex-specific differentiation and gametogenesis. Epigenetic alterations in the germline are of unique importance due to their potential to impact the next generation. Therefore, regulation of, and by, the non-coding genome is of utmost importance during these epigenomic events. Here, we detail the key chromatin changes that occur during mammalian PGC development and how these interact with the expression of non-coding RNAs alongside broader epitranscriptomic changes. We identify gaps in our current knowledge, in particular regarding epigenetic regulation in the human germline, and we highlight important areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin B Ramakrishna
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keir Murison
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Harry G Leitch
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Okamoto I, Nakamura T, Sasaki K, Yabuta Y, Iwatani C, Tsuchiya H, Nakamura SI, Ema M, Yamamoto T, Saitou M. The X chromosome dosage compensation program during the development of cynomolgus monkeys. Science 2021; 374:eabd8887. [PMID: 34793202 DOI: 10.1126/science.abd8887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuhiro Okamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kotaro Sasaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Chizuru Iwatani
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Nakamura
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Ema
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.,Medical-Risk Avoidance Based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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23
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Talon I, Janiszewski A, Theeuwes B, Lefevre T, Song J, Bervoets G, Vanheer L, De Geest N, Poovathingal S, Allsop R, Marine JC, Rambow F, Voet T, Pasque V. Enhanced chromatin accessibility contributes to X chromosome dosage compensation in mammals. Genome Biol 2021; 22:302. [PMID: 34724962 PMCID: PMC8558763 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02518-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Precise gene dosage of the X chromosomes is critical for normal development and cellular function. In mice, XX female somatic cells show transcriptional X chromosome upregulation of their single active X chromosome, while the other X chromosome is inactive. Moreover, the inactive X chromosome is reactivated during development in the inner cell mass and in germ cells through X chromosome reactivation, which can be studied in vitro by reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotency. How chromatin processes and gene regulatory networks evolved to regulate X chromosome dosage in the somatic state and during X chromosome reactivation remains unclear. RESULTS Using genome-wide approaches, allele-specific ATAC-seq and single-cell RNA-seq, in female embryonic fibroblasts and during reprogramming to pluripotency, we show that chromatin accessibility on the upregulated mammalian active X chromosome is increased compared to autosomes. We further show that increased accessibility on the active X chromosome is erased by reprogramming, accompanied by erasure of transcriptional X chromosome upregulation and the loss of increased transcriptional burst frequency. In addition, we characterize gene regulatory networks during reprogramming and X chromosome reactivation, revealing changes in regulatory states. Our data show that ZFP42/REX1, a pluripotency-associated gene that evolved specifically in placental mammals, targets multiple X-linked genes, suggesting an evolutionary link between ZFP42/REX1, X chromosome reactivation, and pluripotency. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal the existence of intrinsic compensatory mechanisms that involve modulation of chromatin accessibility to counteract X-to-Autosome gene dosage imbalances caused by evolutionary or in vitro X chromosome loss and X chromosome inactivation in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Talon
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Janiszewski
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Theeuwes
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Lefevre
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Juan Song
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Bervoets
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Vanheer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Natalie De Geest
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Suresh Poovathingal
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ryan Allsop
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry Voet
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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24
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Fukuda A, Hazelbaker DZ, Motosugi N, Hao J, Limone F, Beccard A, Mazzucato P, Messana A, Okada C, San Juan IG, Qian M, Umezawa A, Akutsu H, Barrett LE, Eggan K. De novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B are essential for XIST silencing for erosion of dosage compensation in pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2138-2148. [PMID: 34416176 PMCID: PMC8452533 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have proven to be valuable tools for both drug discovery and the development of cell-based therapies. However, the long non-coding RNA XIST, which is essential for the establishment and maintenance of X chromosome inactivation, is repressed during culture, thereby causing erosion of dosage compensation in female hPSCs. Here, we report that the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A/3B are necessary for XIST repression in female hPSCs. We found that the deletion of both genes, but not the individual genes, inhibited XIST silencing, maintained the heterochromatin mark of H3K27me3, and did not cause global overdosage in X-linked genes. Meanwhile, DNMT3A/3B deletion after XIST repression failed to restore X chromosome inactivation. Our findings revealed that de novo DNA methyltransferases are primary factors responsible for initiating erosion of dosage compensation in female hPSCs, and XIST silencing is stably maintained in a de novo DNA-methylation-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Fukuda
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan; The Institute of Medical Science, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan; Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan; Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Dane Z Hazelbaker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nami Motosugi
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Jin Hao
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Limone
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Beccard
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrizia Mazzucato
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Angelica Messana
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chisa Okada
- Support Center for Medical Research and Education, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Irune Guerra San Juan
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Menglu Qian
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Akutsu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Lindy E Barrett
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Eggan
- The Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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25
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Fan X, Moustakas I, Torrens-Juaneda V, Lei Q, Hamer G, Louwe LA, Pilgram GSK, Szuhai K, Matorras R, Eguizabal C, van der Westerlaken L, Mei H, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM. Transcriptional progression during meiotic prophase I reveals sex-specific features and X chromosome dynamics in human fetal female germline. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009773. [PMID: 34499650 PMCID: PMC8428764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During gametogenesis in mammals, meiosis ensures the production of haploid gametes. The timing and length of meiosis to produce female and male gametes differ considerably. In contrast to males, meiotic prophase I in females initiates during development. Hence, the knowledge regarding progression through meiotic prophase I is mainly focused on human male spermatogenesis and female oocyte maturation during adulthood. Therefore, it remains unclear how the different stages of meiotic prophase I between human oogenesis and spermatogenesis compare. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomics data from human fetal germ cells (FGC) allowed us to identify the molecular signatures of female meiotic prophase I stages leptotene, zygotene, pachytene and diplotene. We have compared those between male and female germ cells in similar stages of meiotic prophase I and revealed conserved and specific features between sexes. We identified not only key players involved in the process of meiosis, but also highlighted the molecular components that could be responsible for changes in cellular morphology that occur during this developmental period, when the female FGC acquire their typical (sex-specific) oocyte shape as well as sex-differences in the regulation of DNA methylation. Analysis of X-linked expression between sexes during meiotic prophase I suggested a transient X-linked enrichment during female pachytene, that contrasts with the meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in males. Our study of the events that take place during meiotic prophase I provide a better understanding not only of female meiosis during development, but also highlights biomarkers that can be used to study infertility and offers insights in germline sex dimorphism in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Fan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Torrens-Juaneda
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Qijing Lei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Leoni A. Louwe
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonneke S. K. Pilgram
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Matorras
- IVIRMA, IVI Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain; Human Reproduction Unit, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basque Country University, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cristina Eguizabal
- Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues, Galdakao, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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26
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Witt E, Shao Z, Hu C, Krause HM, Zhao L. Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals pre-meiotic X-chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila testis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009728. [PMID: 34403408 PMCID: PMC8396764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dosage compensation equalizes X-linked expression between XY males and XX females. In male fruit flies, expression levels of the X-chromosome are increased approximately two-fold to compensate for their single X chromosome. In testis, dosage compensation is thought to cease during meiosis; however, the timing and degree of the resulting transcriptional suppression is difficult to separate from global meiotic downregulation of each chromosome. To address this, we analyzed testis single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from two Drosophila melanogaster strains. We found evidence that the X chromosome is equally transcriptionally active as autosomes in somatic and pre-meiotic cells, and less transcriptionally active than autosomes in meiotic and post-meiotic cells. In cells experiencing dosage compensation, close proximity to MSL (male-specific lethal) chromatin entry sites (CES) correlates with increased X chromosome transcription. We found low or undetectable levels of germline expression of most msl genes, mle, roX1 and roX2 via scRNA-seq and RNA-FISH, and no evidence of germline nuclear roX1/2 localization. Our results suggest that, although dosage compensation occurs in somatic and pre-meiotic germ cells in Drosophila testis, there might be non-canonical factors involved in the dosage compensation mechanism. The single-cell expression patterns and enrichment statistics of detected genes can be explored interactively in our database: https://zhao.labapps.rockefeller.edu/gene-expr/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Witt
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Zhantao Shao
- Department of Molecular Genetics and The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chun Hu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Henry M. Krause
- Department of Molecular Genetics and The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
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27
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Forejt J, Jansa P, Parvanov E. Hybrid sterility genes in mice (Mus musculus): a peculiar case of PRDM9 incompatibility. Trends Genet 2021; 37:1095-1108. [PMID: 34238593 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid sterility is a critical step in the evolution of reproductive barriers between diverging taxa during the process of speciation. Recent studies of young subspecies of the house mouse revealed a multigenic nature and frequent polymorphism of hybrid sterility genes as well as the recurrent engagement of the meiosis-specific gene PR domain-containing 9 (Prdm9) and X-linked loci. Prdm9-controlled hybrid sterility is essentially chromosomal in nature, conditioned by the sequence divergence between subspecies. Depending on the Prdm9 interallelic interactions and the X-linked Hstx2 locus, the same homologs either regularly recombine and synapse, or show impaired DNA DSB repair, asynapsis, and early meiotic arrest. Thus, Prdm9-dependent hybrid sterility points to incompatibilities affecting meiotic recombination as a possible mechanism of reproductive isolation between (sub)species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Forejt
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Jansa
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Emil Parvanov
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
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28
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Kitamura Y, Uranishi K, Hirasaki M, Nishimoto M, Suzuki A, Okuda A. Identification of germ cell-specific Mga variant mRNA that promotes meiosis via impediment of a non-canonical PRC1. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9737. [PMID: 33958653 PMCID: PMC8102552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89123-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A non-canonical PRC1 (PRC1.6) prevents precocious meiotic onset. Germ cells alleviate its negative effect by reducing their amount of MAX, a component of PRC1.6, as a prerequisite for their bona fide meiosis. Here, we found that germ cells produced Mga variant mRNA bearing a premature termination codon (PTC) during meiosis as an additional mechanism to impede the function of PRC1.6. The variant mRNA encodes an anomalous MGA protein that lacks the bHLHZ domain and thus functions as a dominant negative regulator of PRC1.6. Notwithstanding the presence of PTC, the Mga variant mRNA are rather stably present in spermatocytes and spermatids due to their intrinsic inefficient background of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Thus, our data indicate that meiosis is controlled in a multi-layered manner in which both MAX and MGA, which constitute the core of PRC1.6, are at least used as targets to deteriorate the integrity of the complex to ensure progression of meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kitamura
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Kousuke Uranishi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Masataka Hirasaki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
- Department of Clinical Cancer Genomics, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Masazumi Nishimoto
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
- Biomedical Research Center, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan
| | - Ayumu Suzuki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Okuda
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1, Yamane Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1241, Japan.
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29
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Li YR, Lai HW, Huang HH, Chen HC, Fugmann SD, Yang SY. Trajectory mapping of the early Drosophila germline reveals controls of zygotic activation and sex differentiation. Genome Res 2021; 31:1011-1023. [PMID: 33858841 PMCID: PMC8168578 DOI: 10.1101/gr.271148.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Germ cells in Drosophila melanogaster are specified maternally shortly after fertilization and are transcriptionally quiescent until their zygotic genome is activated to sustain further development. To understand the molecular basis of this process, we analyzed the progressing transcriptomes of early male and female germ cells at the single-cell level between germline specification and coalescence with somatic gonadal cells. Our data comprehensively cover zygotic activation in the germline genome, and analyses on genes that exhibit germline-restricted expression reveal that polymerase pausing and differential RNA stability are important mechanisms that establish gene expression differences between the germline and soma. In addition, we observe an immediate bifurcation between the male and female germ cells as zygotic transcription begins. The main difference between the two sexes is an elevation in X Chromosome expression in females relative to males, signifying incomplete dosage compensation, with a few select genes exhibiting even higher expression increases. These indicate that the male program is the default mode in the germline that is driven to female development with a second X Chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ru Li
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
| | - Hsiao Wen Lai
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
| | - Hsiao Han Huang
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Chun Chen
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
| | - Sebastian D Fugmann
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan.,Department of Nephrology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
| | - Shu Yuan Yang
- Department and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan.,Department of Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333 Taiwan
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30
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Hancock GV, Wamaitha SE, Peretz L, Clark AT. Mammalian primordial germ cell specification. Development 2021; 148:148/6/dev189217. [PMID: 33722957 DOI: 10.1242/dev.189217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The peri-implantation window of mammalian development is the crucial window for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification. Whereas pre-implantation dynamics are relatively conserved between species, the implantation window marks a stage of developmental divergence between key model organisms, and thus potential variance in the cell and molecular mechanisms for PGC specification. In humans, PGC specification is very difficult to study in vivo To address this, the combined use of human and nonhuman primate embryos, and stem cell-based embryo models are essential for determining the origin of PGCs, as are comparative analyses to the equivalent stages of mouse development. Understanding the origin of PGCs in the peri-implantation embryo is crucial not only for accurate modeling of this essential process using stem cells, but also in determining the role of global epigenetic reprogramming upon which sex-specific differentiation into gametes relies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace V Hancock
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sissy E Wamaitha
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lior Peretz
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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31
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Zhu Q, Sang F, Withey S, Tang W, Dietmann S, Klisch D, Ramos-Ibeas P, Zhang H, Requena CE, Hajkova P, Loose M, Surani MA, Alberio R. Specification and epigenomic resetting of the pig germline exhibit conservation with the human lineage. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108735. [PMID: 33567277 PMCID: PMC7873836 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of the human germline and programming are challenging because of limited access to embryonic material. However, the pig as a model may provide insights into transcriptional network and epigenetic reprogramming applicable to both species. Here we show that, during the pre- and early migratory stages, pig primordial germ cells (PGCs) initiate large-scale epigenomic reprogramming, including DNA demethylation involving TET-mediated hydroxylation and, potentially, base excision repair (BER). There is also macroH2A1 depletion and increased H3K27me3 as well as X chromosome reactivation (XCR) in females. Concomitantly, there is dampening of glycolytic metabolism genes and re-expression of some pluripotency genes like those in preimplantation embryos. We identified evolutionarily young transposable elements and gene coding regions resistant to DNA demethylation in acutely hypomethylated gonadal PGCs, with potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Detailed insights into the pig germline will likely contribute significantly to advances in human germline biology, including in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifan Zhu
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Fei Sang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sarah Withey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Walfred Tang
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Doris Klisch
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Priscila Ramos-Ibeas
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Haixin Zhang
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Cristina E Requena
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Petra Hajkova
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Matt Loose
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK.
| | - Ramiro Alberio
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
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32
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Panda A, Zylicz JJ, Pasque V. New Insights into X-Chromosome Reactivation during Reprogramming to Pluripotency. Cells 2020; 9:E2706. [PMID: 33348832 PMCID: PMC7766869 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dosage compensation between the sexes results in one X chromosome being inactivated during female mammalian development. Chromosome-wide transcriptional silencing from the inactive X chromosome (Xi) in mammalian cells is erased in a process termed X-chromosome reactivation (XCR), which has emerged as a paradigm for studying the reversal of chromatin silencing. XCR is linked with germline development and induction of naive pluripotency in the epiblast, and also takes place upon reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotency. XCR depends on silencing of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) X inactive specific transcript (Xist) and is linked with the erasure of chromatin silencing. Over the past years, the advent of transcriptomics and epigenomics has provided new insights into the transcriptional and chromatin dynamics with which XCR takes place. However, multiple questions remain unanswered about how chromatin and transcription related processes enable XCR. Here, we review recent work on establishing the transcriptional and chromatin kinetics of XCR, as well as discuss a model by which transcription factors mediate XCR not only via Xist repression, but also by direct targeting of X-linked genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitesh Panda
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Jan J. Zylicz
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Epigenetic Regulation, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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33
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Ouimette JF, Rougeulle C. Many XCI-ting routes to reach the eXACT dose. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:1397-1398. [PMID: 33257807 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00608-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Rougeulle
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, Paris, France.
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34
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Arnold AP. Four Core Genotypes and XY* mouse models: Update on impact on SABV research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:1-8. [PMID: 32980399 PMCID: PMC7736196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The impact of two mouse models is reviewed, the Four Core Genotypes and XY* models. The models are useful for determining if the causes of sex differences in phenotypes are either hormonal or sex chromosomal, or both. Used together, the models also can distinguish between the effects of X or Y chromosome genes that contribute to sex differences in phenotypes. To date, the models have been used to uncover sex chromosome contributions to sex differences in a wide variety of phenotypes, including brain and behavior, autoimmunity and immunity, cardiovascular disease, metabolism, and Alzheimer's Disease. In some cases, use of the models has been a strategy leading to discovery of specific X or Y genes that protect from or exacerbate disease. Sex chromosome and hormonal factors interact, in some cases to reduce the effects of each other. Future progress will come from more extensive application of these models, and development of similar models in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, UCLA, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7239, United States.
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35
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Chitiashvili T, Dror I, Kim R, Hsu FM, Chaudhari R, Pandolfi E, Chen D, Liebscher S, Schenke-Layland K, Plath K, Clark A. Female human primordial germ cells display X-chromosome dosage compensation despite the absence of X-inactivation. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:1436-1446. [PMID: 33257808 PMCID: PMC7717582 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00607-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
X-chromosome dosage compensation in female placental mammals is achieved by X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). Human pre-implantation embryos are an exception, in which dosage compensation occurs by X-chromosome dampening (XCD). Here, we examined whether XCD extends to human prenatal germ cells given their similarities to naive pluripotent cells. We found that female human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) display reduced X-linked gene expression before entering meiosis. Moreover, in hPGCs, both X chromosomes are active and express the long non-coding RNAs X active coating transcript (XACT) and X inactive specific transcript (XIST)-the master regulator of XCI-which are silenced after entry into meiosis. We find that XACT is a hPGC marker, describe XCD associated with XIST expression in hPGCs and suggest that XCD evolved in humans to regulate X-linked genes in pre-implantation embryos and PGCs. Furthermore, we found a unique mechanism of X-chromosome regulation in human primordial oocytes. Therefore, future studies of human germline development must consider the sexually dimorphic X-chromosome dosage compensation mechanisms in the prenatal germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsotne Chitiashvili
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Iris Dror
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Kim
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fei-Man Hsu
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rohan Chaudhari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erica Pandolfi
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Di Chen
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Simone Liebscher
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katja Schenke-Layland
- Department of Women's Health, Research Institute for Women's Health, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Amander Clark
- Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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36
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Molaro A, Wood AJ, Janssens D, Kindelay SM, Eickbush MT, Wu S, Singh P, Muller CH, Henikoff S, Malik HS. Biparental contributions of the H2A.B histone variant control embryonic development in mice. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3001001. [PMID: 33362208 PMCID: PMC7757805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone variants expand chromatin functions in eukaryote genomes. H2A.B genes are testis-expressed short histone H2A variants that arose in placental mammals. Their biological functions remain largely unknown. To investigate their function, we generated a knockout (KO) model that disrupts all 3 H2A.B genes in mice. We show that H2A.B KO males have globally altered chromatin structure in postmeiotic germ cells. Yet, they do not show impaired spermatogenesis or testis function. Instead, we find that H2A.B plays a crucial role postfertilization. Crosses between H2A.B KO males and females yield embryos with lower viability and reduced size. Using a series of genetic crosses that separate parental and zygotic contributions, we show that the H2A.B status of both the father and mother, but not of the zygote, affects embryonic viability and growth during gestation. We conclude that H2A.B is a novel parental-effect gene, establishing a role for short H2A histone variants in mammalian development. We posit that parental antagonism over embryonic growth drove the origin and ongoing diversification of short histone H2A variants in placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Molaro
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Anna J. Wood
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Derek Janssens
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Selina M. Kindelay
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Michael T. Eickbush
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Wu
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Priti Singh
- Comparative Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Charles H. Muller
- Male Fertility Laboratory, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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37
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The evolution of sex chromosome dosage compensation in animals. J Genet Genomics 2020; 47:681-693. [PMID: 33579636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes shall lead to gene expression dosage problems, as in at least one of the sexes, the sex-linked gene dose has been reduced by half. It has been proposed that the transcriptional output of the whole X or Z chromosome should be doubled for complete dosage compensation in heterogametic sex. However, owing to the variability of the existing methods to determine the transcriptional differences between sex chromosomes and autosomes (S:A ratios) in different studies, we collected more than 500 public RNA-Seq data set from multiple tissues and species in major clades and proposed a unified computational framework for unbiased and comparable measurement of the S:A ratios of multiple species. We also tested the evolution of dosage compensation more directly by assessing changes in the expression levels of the current sex-linked genes relative to those of the ancestral sex-linked genes. We found that in mammals and birds, the S:A ratio is approximately 0.5, whereas in insects, fishes, and flatworms, the S:A ratio is approximately 1.0. Further analysis showed that the fraction of dosage-sensitive housekeeping genes on the X/Z chromosome is significantly correlated with the S:A ratio. In addition, the degree of degeneration of the Y chromosome may be responsible for the change in the S:A ratio in mammals without a dosage compensation mechanism. Our observations offer unequivocal support for the sex chromosome insensitivity hypothesis in animals and suggest that dosage sensitivity states of sex chromosomes are a major factor underlying different evolutionary strategies of dosage compensation.
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38
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Bloom JC, Schimenti JC. Sexually dimorphic DNA damage responses and mutation avoidance in the mouse germline. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1637-1649. [PMID: 33184219 PMCID: PMC7706705 DOI: 10.1101/gad.341602.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Bloom and Schimenti examine the response of primordial germ cells to DNA damage. Using both environmental and genetic stresses, the authors reveal the importance of the G1 checkpoint in preventing accumulation of complex mutations in the germline, and the differentiation of the DNA damage response during germ cell development. Germ cells specified during fetal development form the foundation of the mammalian germline. These primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo rapid proliferation, yet the germline is highly refractory to mutation accumulation compared with somatic cells. Importantly, while the presence of endogenous or exogenous DNA damage has the potential to impact PGCs, there is little known about how these cells respond to stressors. To better understand the DNA damage response (DDR) in these cells, we exposed pregnant mice to ionizing radiation (IR) at specific gestational time points and assessed the DDR in PGCs. Our results show that PGCs prior to sex determination lack a G1 cell cycle checkpoint. Additionally, the response to IR-induced DNA damage differs between female and male PGCs post-sex determination. IR of female PGCs caused uncoupling of germ cell differentiation and meiotic initiation, while male PGCs exhibited repression of piRNA metabolism and transposon derepression. We also used whole-genome single-cell DNA sequencing to reveal that genetic rescue of DNA repair-deficient germ cells (Fancm−/−) leads to increased mutation incidence and biases. Importantly, our work uncovers novel insights into how PGCs exposed to DNA damage can become developmentally defective, leaving only those genetically fit cells to establish the adult germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana C Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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39
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NSD1-deposited H3K36me2 directs de novo methylation in the mouse male germline and counteracts Polycomb-associated silencing. Nat Genet 2020; 52:1088-1098. [PMID: 32929285 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-020-0689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
De novo DNA methylation (DNAme) in mammalian germ cells is dependent on DNMT3A and DNMT3L. However, oocytes and spermatozoa show distinct patterns of DNAme. In mouse oocytes, de novo DNAme requires the lysine methyltransferase (KMTase) SETD2, which deposits H3K36me3. We show here that SETD2 is dispensable for de novo DNAme in the male germline. Instead, the lysine methyltransferase NSD1, which broadly deposits H3K36me2 in euchromatic regions, plays a critical role in de novo DNAme in prospermatogonia, including at imprinted genes. However, males deficient in germline NSD1 show a more severe defect in spermatogenesis than Dnmt3l-/- males. Notably, unlike DNMT3L, NSD1 safeguards a subset of genes against H3K27me3-associated transcriptional silencing. In contrast, H3K36me2 in oocytes is predominantly dependent on SETD2 and coincides with H3K36me3. Furthermore, females with NSD1-deficient oocytes are fertile. Thus, the sexually dimorphic pattern of DNAme in mature mouse gametes is orchestrated by distinct profiles of H3K36 methylation.
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40
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Vaz B, El Mansouri F, Liu X, Taketo T. Premature ovarian insufficiency in the XO female mouse on the C57BL/6J genetic background. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 26:678-688. [PMID: 32634219 PMCID: PMC7473787 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, all but 1% of monosomy 45.X embryos die in utero and those who reach term suffer from congenital abnormalities and infertility termed Turner's syndrome (TS). By contrast, XO female mice on various genetic backgrounds show much milder physical defects and normal fertility, diminishing their value as an animal model for studying the infertility of TS patients. In this article, we report that XO mice on the C57BL/6J (B6) genetic background showed early oocyte loss, infertility or subfertility and high embryonic lethality, suggesting that the effect of monosomy X in the female germline may be shared between mice and humans. First, we generated XO mice on either a mixed N2(C3H.B6) or B6 genetic background and compared the number of oocytes in neonatal ovaries; N2.XO females retained 45% of the number of oocytes in N2.XX females, whereas B6.XO females retained only 15% of that in B6.XX females. Second, while N2.XO females were as fertile as N2.XX females, both the frequency of delivery and the total number of pups delivered by B6.XO females were significantly lower than those by B6.XX females. Third, after mating with B6 males, both N2.XO and B6.XO females rarely produced XO pups carrying paternal X chromosomes, although a larger percentage of embryos was found to be XO before implantation. Furthermore, B6.XO females delivered 20% XO pups among female progeny after mating with C3H males. We conclude that the impact of monosomy X on female mouse fertility depends on the genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Vaz
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - F El Mansouri
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
| | - X Liu
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
| | - T Taketo
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
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41
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Mahadevaiah SK, Sangrithi MN, Hirota T, Turner JMA. A single-cell transcriptome atlas of marsupial embryogenesis and X inactivation. Nature 2020; 586:612-617. [PMID: 32814901 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2629-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing of embryos can resolve the transcriptional landscape of development at unprecedented resolution. To date, single-cell RNA-sequencing studies of mammalian embryos have focused exclusively on eutherian species. Analysis of mammalian outgroups has the potential to identify deeply conserved lineage specification and pluripotency factors, and can extend our understanding of X dosage compensation. Metatherian (marsupial) mammals diverged from eutherians around 160 million years ago. They exhibit distinctive developmental features, including late implantation1 and imprinted X chromosome inactivation2, which is associated with expression of the XIST-like noncoding RNA RSX3. Here we perform a single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of embryogenesis and X chromosome inactivation in a marsupial, the grey short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). We resolve the developmental trajectory and transcriptional signatures of the epiblast, primitive endoderm and trophectoderm, and identify deeply conserved lineage-specific markers that pre-date the eutherian-marsupial divergence. RSX coating and inactivation of the X chromosome occurs early and rapidly. This observation supports the hypothesis that-in organisms with early X chromosome inactivation-imprinted X chromosome inactivation prevents biallelic X silencing. We identify XSR, an RSX antisense transcript expressed from the active X chromosome, as a candidate for the regulator of imprinted X chromosome inactivation. Our datasets provide insights into the evolution of mammalian embryogenesis and X dosage compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahesh N Sangrithi
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takayuki Hirota
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - James M A Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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42
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Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of the Cynomolgus Macaque Testis Reveals Conserved Transcriptional Profiles during Mammalian Spermatogenesis. Dev Cell 2020; 54:548-566.e7. [PMID: 32795394 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is highly orchestrated and involves the differentiation of diploid spermatogonia into haploid sperm. The process is driven by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs undergo mitotic self-renewal, whereas sub-populations undergo differentiation and later gain competence to initiate meiosis. Here, we describe a high-resolution single-cell RNA-seq atlas of cells derived from Cynomolgus macaque testis. We identify gene signatures that define spermatogonial populations and explore self-renewal versus differentiation dynamics. We detail transcriptional changes occurring over the entire process of spermatogenesis and highlight the concerted activity of DNA damage response (DDR) pathway genes, which have dual roles in maintaining genomic integrity and effecting meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). We show remarkable similarities and differences in gene expression during spermatogenesis with two other eutherian mammals, i.e., mouse and humans. Sex chromosome expression in the male germline in all three species demonstrates conserved features of MSCI but divergent multicopy and ampliconic gene content.
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43
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Winge SB, Soraggi S, Schierup MH, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Almstrup K. Integration and reanalysis of transcriptomics and methylomics data derived from blood and testis tissue of men with 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome indicates the primary involvement of Sertoli cells in the testicular pathogenesis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:239-255. [PMID: 32449318 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS; 47,XXY) is the most common sex chromosomal anomaly and causes a multitude of symptoms. Often the most noticeable symptom is infertility caused by azoospermia with testicular histology showing hyalinization of tubules, germ cells loss, and Leydig cell hyperplasia. The germ cell loss begins early in life leading to partial hyalinization of the testis at puberty, but the mechanistic drivers behind this remain poorly understood. In this systematic review, we summarize the current knowledge on developmental changes in the cellularity of KS gonads supplemented by a comparative analysis of the fetal and adult gonadal transcriptome, and blood transcriptome and methylome of men with KS. We identified a high fraction of upregulated genes that escape X-chromosome inactivation, thus supporting previous hypotheses that these are the main drivers of the testicular phenotype in KS. Enrichment analysis showed overrepresentation of genes from the X- and Y-chromosome and testicular transcription factors. Furthermore, by re-evaluation of recent single cell RNA-sequencing data originating from adult KS testis, we found novel evidence that the Sertoli cell is the most affected cell type. Our results are consistent with disturbed cross-talk between somatic and germ cells in the KS testis, and with X-escapee genes acting as mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia B Winge
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Samuele Soraggi
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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44
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Mandal S, Chandel D, Kaur H, Majumdar S, Arava M, Gayen S. Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Partial Reactivation of X Chromosome instead of Chromosome-wide Dampening in Naive Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:745-754. [PMID: 32359444 PMCID: PMC7221091 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, a unique form of X chromosome dosage compensation has been demonstrated in human preimplantation embryos, which happens through the dampening of X-linked gene expression from both X chromosomes. Subsequently, X chromosome dampening has also been demonstrated in female human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) during the transition from primed to naive state. However, the existence of dampened X chromosomes in both embryos and hPSCs remains controversial. Specifically, in preimplantation embryos it has been shown that there is inactivation of X chromosome instead of dampening. Here, we performed allelic analysis of X-linked genes at the single-cell level in hPSCs and found that there is partial reactivation of the inactive X chromosome instead of chromosome-wide dampening upon conversion from primed to naive state. In addition, our analysis suggests that the reduced X-linked gene expression in naive hPSCs might be the consequence of erasure of active X chromosome upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Mandal
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Deepshikha Chandel
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Harman Kaur
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sudeshna Majumdar
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maniteja Arava
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Srimonta Gayen
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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45
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Arnold AP. Sexual differentiation of brain and other tissues: Five questions for the next 50 years. Horm Behav 2020; 120:104691. [PMID: 31991182 PMCID: PMC7440839 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of founding of the journal Hormones and Behavior, the official journal of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. All sex differences in phenotypic development stem from the sexual imbalance in X and Y chromosomes, which are the only known differences in XX and XY zygotes. The sex chromosome genes act within cells to cause differences in phenotypes of XX and XY cells throughout the body. In the gonad, they determine the type of gonad, leading to differences in secretion of testicular vs. ovarian hormones, which cause further sex differences in tissue function. These current ideas of sexual differentiation are briefly contrasted with a hormones-only view of sexual differentiation of the last century. The multiple, independent action of diverse sex-biasing agents means that sex-biased factors can be synergistic, increasing sex differences, or compensatory, making the two sexes more equal. Several animal models have been fruitful in demonstrating sex chromosome effects, and interactions with gonadal hormones. MRI studies of human brains demonstrate variation in brain structure associated with both differences in gonadal hormones, and in the number of X and Y chromosomes. Five unanswered questions are posed as a challenge to future investigators to improve understanding of sexual differentiation throughout the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America.
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46
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Hamada N, Hamazaki N, Shimamoto S, Hikabe O, Nagamatsu G, Takada Y, Kato K, Hayashi K. Germ cell-intrinsic effects of sex chromosomes on early oocyte differentiation in mice. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008676. [PMID: 32214314 PMCID: PMC7138321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A set of sex chromosomes is required for gametogenesis in both males and females, as represented by sex chromosome disorders causing agametic phenotypes. Although studies using model animals have investigated the functional requirement of sex chromosomes, involvement of these chromosomes in gametogenesis remains elusive. Here, we elicit a germ cell-intrinsic effect of sex chromosomes on oogenesis, using a novel culture system in which oocytes were induced from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) harboring XX, XO or XY. In the culture system, oogenesis using XO and XY ESCs was severely disturbed, with XY ESCs being more strongly affected. The culture system revealed multiple defects in the oogenesis of XO and XY ESCs, such as delayed meiotic entry and progression, and mispairing of the homologous chromosomes. Interestingly, Eif2s3y, a Y-linked gene that promotes proliferation of spermatogonia, had an inhibitory effect on oogenesis. This led us to the concept that male and female gametogenesis appear to be in mutual conflict at an early stage. This study provides a deeper understanding of oogenesis under a sex-reversal condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Hamada
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - So Shimamoto
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Orie Hikabe
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Go Nagamatsu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Takada
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Kato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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47
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Gura MA, Mikedis MM, Seymour KA, de Rooij DG, Page DC, Freiman RN. Dynamic and regulated TAF gene expression during mouse embryonic germ cell development. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008515. [PMID: 31914128 PMCID: PMC7010400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells undergo many developmental transitions before ultimately becoming either eggs or sperm, and during embryonic development these transitions include epigenetic reprogramming, quiescence, and meiosis. To begin understanding the transcriptional regulation underlying these complex processes, we examined the spatial and temporal expression of TAF4b, a variant TFIID subunit required for fertility, during embryonic germ cell development. By analyzing published datasets and using our own experimental system to validate these expression studies, we determined that both Taf4b mRNA and protein are highly germ cell-enriched and that Taf4b mRNA levels dramatically increase from embryonic day 12.5–18.5. Surprisingly, additional mRNAs encoding other TFIID subunits are coordinately upregulated through this time course, including Taf7l and Taf9b. The expression of several of these germ cell-enriched TFIID genes is dependent upon Dazl and/or Stra8, known regulators of germ cell development and meiosis. Together, these data suggest that germ cells employ a highly specialized and dynamic form of TFIID to drive the transcriptional programs that underlie mammalian germ cell development. Assisted reproductive therapy and fertility preservation are increasingly used to improve human reproduction across the world, yet there are still many unanswered questions regarding what factors govern the development of eggs and sperm and how these factors work together. We previously identified a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIID, TAF4b, that is essential for fertility. However, many basic characteristics of how Taf4b and its associated TFIID family members contribute to the formation of healthy sperm and eggs in mice and humans remain unknown. In this study, we find that mouse Taf4b and several closely related TFIID subunits become highly abundant during mouse embryonic gonad development, specifically in the cells that ultimately become eggs and sperm. Here, we analyzed data from public repositories and isolated these developing cells to examine their gene expression patterns throughout embryonic development. Together these data suggest that the dynamic expression of Taf4b and other TFIID family members are dependent on the well-established reproductive cell regulators Dazl and Stra8. This understanding of Taf4b gene expression and regulation in mouse reproductive cell development is likely conserved during development of human cells and offers novel insights into the interconnectedness of the factors that govern the formation of healthy eggs and sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Gura
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | | | - Kimberly A. Seymour
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | | | - David C. Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Richard N. Freiman
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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48
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Larsson AJM, Coucoravas C, Sandberg R, Reinius B. X-chromosome upregulation is driven by increased burst frequency. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2019; 26:963-969. [PMID: 31582851 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-019-0306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ohno's hypothesis postulates that upregulation of X-linked genes rectifies their dosage imbalance relative to autosomal genes, which are present in two active copies per cell. Here we have dissected X-chromosome upregulation into the kinetics of transcription, inferred from allele-specific single-cell RNA sequencing data from somatic and embryonic mouse cells. We confirmed increased X-chromosome expression levels in female and male cells and found that the X chromosome achieved upregulation by elevated burst frequencies. By monitoring transcriptional kinetics in differentiating female mouse embryonic stem cells, we found that increased burst frequency was established on the active X chromosome when X inactivation took place on the other allele. Thus, our study provides mechanistic insights into X-chromosome upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton J M Larsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christos Coucoravas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rickard Sandberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Reinius
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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49
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Ernst C, Eling N, Martinez-Jimenez CP, Marioni JC, Odom DT. Staged developmental mapping and X chromosome transcriptional dynamics during mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1251. [PMID: 30890697 PMCID: PMC6424977 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09182-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Male gametes are generated through a specialised differentiation pathway involving a series of developmental transitions that are poorly characterised at the molecular level. Here, we use droplet-based single-cell RNA-Sequencing to profile spermatogenesis in adult animals and at multiple stages during juvenile development. By exploiting the first wave of spermatogenesis, we both precisely stage germ cell development and enrich for rare somatic cell-types and spermatogonia. To capture the full complexity of spermatogenesis including cells that have low transcriptional activity, we apply a statistical tool that identifies previously uncharacterised populations of leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes. Focusing on post-meiotic events, we characterise the temporal dynamics of X chromosome re-activation and profile the associated chromatin state using CUT&RUN. This identifies a set of genes strongly repressed by H3K9me3 in spermatocytes, which then undergo extensive chromatin remodelling post-meiosis, thus acquiring an active chromatin state and spermatid-specific expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Ernst
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Nils Eling
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Celia P Martinez-Jimenez
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - John C Marioni
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK.
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Duncan T Odom
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Planells B, Gómez-Redondo I, Pericuesta E, Lonergan P, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Differential isoform expression and alternative splicing in sex determination in mice. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:202. [PMID: 30871468 PMCID: PMC6419433 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5572-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative splicing (AS) may play an important role in gonadal sex determination (GSD) in mammals. The present study was designed to identify differentially expressed isoforms and AS modifications accompanying GSD in mice. Results Using deep RNA-sequencing, we performed a transcriptional analysis of XX and XY gonads during sex determination on embryonic days 11 (E11) and 12 (E12). Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG) identified hundreds of genes related to GSD and early sex differentiation that may represent good candidates for sex reversal. Expression at time point E11 in males was significantly enriched in RNA splicing and mRNA processing Gene Ontology terms. Differentially expressed isoform analysis identified hundreds of specific isoforms related to GSD, many of which showed no differences in the DEG analysis. Hundreds of AS events were identified as modified at E11 and E12. Female E11 gonads featured sex-biased upregulation of intron retention (in genes related to regulation of transcription, protein phosphorylation, protein transport and mRNA splicing) and exon skipping (in genes related to chromatin repression) suggesting AS as a post-transcription mechanism that controls sex determination of the bipotential fetal gonad. Conclusion Our data suggests an important role of splicing regulatory mechanisms for sex determination in mice. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5572-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Planells
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain.,School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Isabel Gómez-Redondo
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain.
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