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Buzenchi Proca TM, Solcan C, Solcan G. Neurotoxicity of Some Environmental Pollutants to Zebrafish. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:640. [PMID: 38792660 PMCID: PMC11122474 DOI: 10.3390/life14050640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The aquatic environment encompasses a wide variety of pollutants, from plastics to drug residues, pesticides, food compounds, and other food by-products, and improper disposal of waste is the main cause of the accumulation of toxic substances in water. Monitoring, assessing, and attempting to control the effects of contaminants in the aquatic environment are necessary and essential to protect the environment and thus human and animal health, and the study of aquatic ecotoxicology has become topical. In this respect, zebrafish are used as model organisms to study the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and influence of environmental pollutants due to their structural, functional, and material advantages. There are many similarities between the metabolism and physiological structures of zebrafish and humans, and the nervous system structure, blood-brain barrier function, and social behavior of zebrafish are characteristics that make them an ideal animal model for studying neurotoxicity. The aim of the study was to highlight the neurotoxicity of nanoplastics, microplastics, fipronil, deltamethrin, and rotenone and to highlight the main behavioral, histological, and oxidative status changes produced in zebrafish exposed to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Maria Buzenchi Proca
- Department of Preclinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700490 Iasi, Romania; (T.M.B.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Carmen Solcan
- Department of Preclinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700490 Iasi, Romania; (T.M.B.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Gheorghe Solcan
- Internal Medicine Unit, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700490 Iasi, Romania
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2
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Li L, Ding X, Sheft AP, Schimenti JC. A high throughput CRISPR perturbation screen identifies epigenetic regulators impacting primordial germ cell development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582097. [PMID: 38463983 PMCID: PMC10925113 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Certain environmental factors can impact fertility and reproductive parameters such as the number and quality of sperm and eggs. One possible mechanism is the perturbation of epigenetic landscapes in the germline. To explore this possibility, we conducted a CRISPRi screen of epigenetic-related genes to identify those that specifically perturb the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), exploiting a highly scalable cytokine-free platform. Of the 701 genes screened, inhibition of 53 decreased the efficiency of PGCLC formation. NCOR2, a transcriptional repressor that acts via recruitment of Class I and Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) to gene targets, was particularly potent in suppressing PGCLC differentiation. Consistent with evidence that histone deacetylation is crucial for germline differentiation, we found that the HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA; an anti-convulsant) and sodium butyrate (SB; a widely-used dietary supplement) also suppressed ESC>PGCLC differentiation. Furthermore, exposure of developing mouse embryos to SB or VPA caused hypospermatogenesis. Transcriptome analyses of HDACi-treated, differentiating ESC>PGCLC cultures revealed suppression of germline-associated pathways and enhancement of somatic pathways. This work demonstrates the feasibility of conducting large-scale functional screens of genes, chemicals, or other agents that may impact germline development.
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3
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Li J, Dai L, Feng Y, Cao Z, Ding Y, Xu H, Xu A, Du H. Multigenerational effects and mutagenicity of three flame retardants on germ cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115815. [PMID: 38091675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Flame retardants (FRs) have raised public concerns because of their environmental persistence and negative impacts on human health. Recent evidence has revealed that many FRs exhibit reproductive toxicities and transgenerational impacts, whereas the toxic effects of FRs on germ cells remain barely explored. Here we investigated the multigenerational effects of three flame retardants (TBBPA, TCEP and TCPP) on germ cell development in Caenorhabditis elegans, and examined the germ cell mutagenicity of these FRs by using whole genome sequencing. Parental exposure to three FRs markedly increased germ cell apoptosis, and impeded oogenesis in F1-F6 offspring. In addition, the double-increased mutation frequencies observed in progeny genomes uncover the mutagenic actions of FRs on germ cells. Analysis of mutation spectra revealed that these FRs predominantly induced point mutations at A:T base pairs, whereas both small and large indels were almost unaffected. These results revealed the long-term effects of FRs on development and genomic stability of germ cells, which may pose risks to environmental organisms and human reproductive health. Taken together, our findings suggest that germ cell mutagenicity should be carefully examined for the environmental risk assessment of FRs and other emerging pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Li
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Linglong Dai
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Science Island Branch, Graduate School of USTC, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Science Island Branch, Graduate School of USTC, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Zhenxiao Cao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; School of Environmental Science and Optoelectronic Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Yuting Ding
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; School of Environmental Science and Optoelectronic Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - An Xu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China.
| | - Hua Du
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, CAS, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS, Hefei 230031, Anhui, China.
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4
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Rong W, Shukun W, Xiaoqing W, Wenxin H, Mengyuan D, Chenyang M, Zhang H. Regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs and m6A modification in trophoblast functions and the occurrence of its related adverse pregnancy outcomes. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:681-713. [PMID: 36794364 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2144711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, fetal growth restriction, and recurrent miscarriage, occur frequently in pregnant women and might further induce morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus. Increasing studies have shown that dysfunctions of human trophoblast are related to these adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recent studies also showed that environmental toxicants could induce trophoblast dysfunctions. Moreover, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to play important regulatory roles in various cellular processes. However, the roles of ncRNAs in the regulation of trophoblast dysfunctions and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes still need to be further investigated, especially with exposure to environmental toxicants. In this review, we analyzed the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs and m6A methylation modification in the dysfunctions of trophoblast cells and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and also summarized the harmful effects of environmental toxicants. In addition to DNA replication, mRNA transcription, and protein translation, ncRNAs and m6A modification might be considered as the fourth and fifth elements that regulate the genetic central dogma, respectively. Environmental toxicants might also affect these processes. In this review, we expect to provide a deeper scientific understanding of the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and to discover potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wan Shukun
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, West China School of Public Health & West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wang Xiaoqing
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, West China School of Public Health & West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huang Wenxin
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dai Mengyuan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mi Chenyang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, West China School of Public Health & West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huidong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Female Reproductive Health, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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5
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Montjean D, Neyroud AS, Yefimova MG, Benkhalifa M, Cabry R, Ravel C. Impact of Endocrine Disruptors upon Non-Genetic Inheritance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063350. [PMID: 35328771 PMCID: PMC8950994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to environmental factors, EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) can influence gene expression without modifying the DNA sequence. It is commonly accepted that the transgenerational inheritance of parentally acquired traits is conveyed by epigenetic alterations also known as “epimutations”. DNA methylation, acetylation, histone modification, RNA-mediated effects and extracellular vesicle effects are the mechanisms that have been described so far to be responsible for these epimutations. They may lead to the transgenerational inheritance of diverse phenotypes in the progeny when they occur in the germ cells of an affected individual. While EDC-induced health effects have dramatically increased over the past decade, limited effects on sperm epigenetics have been described. However, there has been a gain of interest in this issue in recent years. The gametes (sperm and oocyte) represent targets for EDCs and thus a route for environmentally induced changes over several generations. This review aims at providing an overview of the epigenetic mechanisms that might be implicated in this transgenerational inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Montjean
- Fertilys Fertility Center, 1950 Rue Maurice-Gauvin #103, Laval, QC H7S 1Z5, Canada;
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Anne-Sophie Neyroud
- CHU de Rennes, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Reproduction Humaine-CECOS, Hôpital Sud, 16 Boulevard de Bulgarie, 35000 Rennes, France;
| | - Marina G. Yefimova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194223 St-Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Moncef Benkhalifa
- Fertilys Fertility Center, 1950 Rue Maurice-Gauvin #103, Laval, QC H7S 1Z5, Canada;
- Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, CECOS de Picardie, CHU Amiens, 80054 Amiens, France;
- UFR de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80054 Amiens, France
- Peritox, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Rosalie Cabry
- Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, CECOS de Picardie, CHU Amiens, 80054 Amiens, France;
- UFR de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80054 Amiens, France
- Peritox, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Célia Ravel
- CHU de Rennes, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Reproduction Humaine-CECOS, Hôpital Sud, 16 Boulevard de Bulgarie, 35000 Rennes, France;
- CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, University Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.R.)
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6
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Tian H, Liu R, Zhang S, Wei S, Wang W, Ru S. 17β-Trenbolone binds to androgen receptor, decreases number of primordial germ cells, modulates expression of genes related to sexual differentiation, and affects sexual differentiation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150959. [PMID: 34662611 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to 17β-trenbolone caused a skewed sex ratio in fish. However, the molecular initiating event and key molecular event(s) remain unknown. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to 17β-trenbolone at nominal concentrations of 2 ng/L, 20 ng/L, 200 ng/L, and 2000 ng/L from fertilization to 60 days post fertilization (dpf). First, the sex ratio at 60 dpf was calculated to evaluate adverse outcomes on sexual differentiation. 17β-Trenbolone caused a skewed sex ratio toward males, with intersex individuals observed in the 20 ng/L group and all-male populations found in the 200 ng/L and 2000 ng/L groups. Then, the distribution and number of primordial germ cells, the expression of sex differentiation-related genes, and plasma vitellogenin concentrations were detected in wild-type zebrafish and the EGFP-nanos-3'UTR transgenic line using whole-mount in situ hybridization, real-time PCR, EGFP fluorescence quantification, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results indicated that 17β-trenbolone exposure decreased the number of primordial germ cells at 1 dpf and 3 dpf, decreased expression of ovarian differentiation-related genes foxl2 and cyp19a1a at 60 dpf, increased expression of testis differentiation-related genes dmrt1, sox9a, and amh at 60 dpf, and decreased plasma vitellogenin levels at 60 dpf, revealing the key molecular events at different time points involved in affected sexual differentiation by 17β-trenbolone. Finally, molecular docking showed that 17β-trenbolone docked into ligand-binding domain of zebrafish androgen receptor with high binding energy (-3.72 kcal/mol), suggesting that binding to androgen receptor is the molecular initiating event affecting sexual differentiation by 17β-trenbolone. We found that 17β-trenbolone can bind to the zebrafish androgen receptor, decrease the number of primordial germ cells during the early embryonic stage, modulate the expression of genes related to sexual differentiation during gonadal differentiation, and eventually cause a skewed sex ratio toward males in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Tian
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Rui Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Suqiu Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuhui Wei
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China..
| | - Shaoguo Ru
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
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7
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Gaspari L, Paris F, Soyer-Gobillard MO, Kalfa N, Sultan C, Hamamah S. [Environmental endocrine disruptors and fertility]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 50:402-408. [PMID: 34560302 DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2021.09.009] [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: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment, wildlife, and humans. During the last 20 years, several epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated the role of EDCs on the reduction of male and female fertility. The concept of foetal origins of adult disease is particularly topical in the field of reproduction. Moreover, exposure to EDCs during pregnancy has been shown to influence epigenetic programming of endocrine signalling and other important physiological pathways, and provided the basis for multi- and transgenerational transmission of adult diseases. However, the large panel of EDCs simultaneously present in the air, sol and water makes the quantification of human exposition still a challenge. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, the measurement of total plasmatic hormonal bioactivity on stably transfected cell lines as well as the EDC analysis in hair samples are useful methods of evaluation. More recently, microRNAs analysis offers a new perspective in the comprehension of the mechanisms behind the modulation of cellular response to foetal or post-natal exposure to EDCs. They will help researchers and clinicians in identifying EDCs exposition markers and new therapeutic approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gaspari
- CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, unité d'endocrinologie-gynécologie pédiatrique, service de pédiatrie, Montpellier, France; CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, centre de référence maladies rares du développement génital, constitutif Sud, hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France; Univ Montpellier, Inserm 1203, développement embryonnaire fertilité environnement, Montpellier, France
| | - F Paris
- CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, unité d'endocrinologie-gynécologie pédiatrique, service de pédiatrie, Montpellier, France; CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, centre de référence maladies rares du développement génital, constitutif Sud, hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France; Univ Montpellier, Inserm 1203, développement embryonnaire fertilité environnement, Montpellier, France
| | - M-O Soyer-Gobillard
- Univ Sorbonne, CNRS, Paris, France; Association Hhorages-France, Asnières-sur-Oise, France
| | - N Kalfa
- CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, centre de référence maladies rares du développement génital, constitutif Sud, hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France; CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, département de chirurgie viscérale et urologique pédiatrique, hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France; Univ Montpellier, Institut Debrest de santé publique IDESP, UMR Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - C Sultan
- CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, unité d'endocrinologie-gynécologie pédiatrique, service de pédiatrie, Montpellier, France
| | - S Hamamah
- Univ Montpellier, Inserm 1203, développement embryonnaire fertilité environnement, Montpellier, France; CHU Montpellier, univ Montpellier, département de biologie de la reproduction, biologie de la reproduction/DPI et CECOS, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, 34295 Montpellier, France.
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Malott KF, Luderer U. Toxicant effects on mammalian oocyte mitochondria†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:784-793. [PMID: 33412584 PMCID: PMC8023417 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte mitochondria are unique organelles that establish a founder population in primordial germ cells (PGCs). As the oocyte matures in the postnatal mammalian ovary during folliculogenesis it increases exponentially in volume, and the oocyte mitochondria population proliferates to about 100 000 mitochondria per healthy, mature murine oocyte. The health of the mature oocyte and subsequent embryo is highly dependent on the oocyte mitochondria. Mitochondria are especially sensitive to toxic insults, as they are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), they contain their own DNA (mtDNA) that is unprotected by histone proteins, they contain the electron transport chain that uses electron donors, including oxygen, to generate ATP, and they are important sensors for overall cellular stress. Here we review the effects that toxic insults including chemotherapeutics, toxic metals, plasticizers, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and ionizing radiation can have on oocyte mitochondria. This is very clearly a burgeoning field, as our understanding of oocyte mitochondria and metabolism is still relatively new, and we contend much more research is needed to understand the detrimental impacts of exposure to toxicants on oocyte mitochondria. Developing this field further can benefit our understanding of assisted reproductive technologies and the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli F Malott
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA 92617, USA
| | - Ulrike Luderer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA 92617, USA
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine CA 92617, USA
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9
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Zhao W, Hussain Solangi T, Wu Y, Yang X, Xu C, Wang H, Zheng X, Cai X, Zhu J. Comparative rna-seq analysis of region-specific miRNA expression in the epididymis of cattleyak. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:555-576. [PMID: 33438262 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The epididymis is the site of post-testicular sperm maturation, which constitutes the acquisition of sperm motility and the ability to recognize and fertilize oocytes. The role of miRNA in male reproductive system, including the control of different steps leading to proper fertilization such as gametogenesis, sperm maturation and maintenance of male fertility where the deletion of Dicer in mouse germ cells led to infertility, has been demonstrated. The identification of miRNA expression in a region-specific manner will therefore provide valuable insight into the functional differences between the regions of the epididymis. In this study, we employed RNA-seq technology to explore the expression pattern of miRNAs and establish some miRNAs of significant interest with regard to epididymal sperm maturation in the CY epididymis. We identified a total of 431 DE known miRNAs; 119, 185 and 127 DE miRNAs were detected for caput versus corpus, corpus versus cauda and caput versus cauda region pairs, respectively. Our results demonstrate region-specific miRNA expression in the CY epididymis. The GO and KEGG enrichment for the predicted target genes indicated the functional values of miRNAs. Furthermore, we observed that the expression of miR-200a was downregulated in the caput, compared with cauda. Since the family of miR-200 has previously been suggested to contribute to the distinct physiological function of sperm maturation in epididymis of adult rat, we speculate that the downregulation of miR-200a in CY caput epididymis may play an important role of sperm maturation in the epididymis of CY. Therefore, our findings may not only increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by the miRNA functions in region-specific miRNA expression in the CY epididymis, it could provide a valuable information to understand the mechanism of male infertility of CY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangsheng Zhao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Tajmal Hussain Solangi
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Yitao Wu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Xiankang Yang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Chuanfei Xu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Xuxin Zheng
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Xin Cai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization (Southwest Minzu University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.,Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiangjiang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization (Southwest Minzu University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.,Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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10
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Arzuaga X, Smith MT, Gibbons CF, Skakkebæk NE, Yost EE, Beverly BEJ, Hotchkiss AK, Hauser R, Pagani RL, Schrader SM, Zeise L, Prins GS. Proposed Key Characteristics of Male Reproductive Toxicants as an Approach for Organizing and Evaluating Mechanistic Evidence in Human Health Hazard Assessments. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:65001. [PMID: 31199676 PMCID: PMC6792367 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing chemicals for their potential to cause male reproductive toxicity involves the evaluation of evidence obtained from experimental, epidemiological, and mechanistic studies. Although mechanistic evidence plays an important role in hazard identification and evidence integration, the process of identifying, screening and analyzing mechanistic studies and outcomes is a challenging exercise due to the diversity of research models and methods and the variety of known and proposed pathways for chemical-induced toxicity. Ten key characteristics of carcinogens provide a valuable tool for organizing and assessing chemical-specific data by potential mechanisms for cancer-causing agents. However, such an approach has not yet been developed for noncancer adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES The objective in this study was to identify a set of key characteristics that are frequently exhibited by exogenous agents that cause male reproductive toxicity and that could be applied for identifying, organizing, and summarizing mechanistic evidence related to this outcome. DISCUSSION The identification of eight key characteristics of male reproductive toxicants was based on a survey of known male reproductive toxicants and established mechanisms and pathways of toxicity. The eight key characteristics can provide a basis for the systematic, transparent, and objective organization of mechanistic evidence relevant to chemical-induced effects on the male reproductive system. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Arzuaga
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Catherine F. Gibbons
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Niels E. Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erin E. Yost
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brandiese E. J. Beverly
- Office of Health Assessment and Translation, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Andrew K. Hotchkiss
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rodrigo L. Pagani
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven M. Schrader
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (retired)
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Yuan B, Wu W, Zhang H, Gu H, Guo D, Jiang J, Wang X. Adenomatous polyposis coli as a predictor of environmental chemical-induced transgenerational effects related to male infertility. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2019; 33:e22331. [PMID: 30934153 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to toxic environmental chemicals during pregnancy is a ubiquitous threat to health with potentially transgenerational consequences. However, the underlying mechanism of how transgenerational effects occur as part of environmental chemical exposure are not well understood. We investigated the potential molecular changes associated with dibutyl phthalate exposure that induced transgenerational effects, using a rat model. Through the analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we found some similar studies of environmental exposure induced transgenerational effects. Then, we analyzed one of the studies and our results to identify the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. This gene participated the most of the pathways and was upregulated in both studies. We used the miRWALK data set to predict the microRNAs which targeted the APC gene. We confirmed the miR-30 family were significantly downregulated in F3 testis tissues and targeted the APC gene. In conclusion, the miR-30 family/APC interaction is a potential mechanism for the transgenerational effects induced by the environmental chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Yuan
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Wu
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huazhong Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Gu
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Guo
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juncheng Jiang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Shin N, Cuenca L, Karthikraj R, Kannan K, Colaiácovo MP. Assessing effects of germline exposure to environmental toxicants by high-throughput screening in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007975. [PMID: 30763314 PMCID: PMC6375566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemicals that are highly prevalent in our environment, such as phthalates and pesticides, have been linked to problems associated with reproductive health. However, rapid assessment of their impact on reproductive health and understanding how they cause such deleterious effects, remain challenging due to their fast-growing numbers and the limitations of various current toxicity assessment model systems. Here, we performed a high-throughput screen in C. elegans to identify chemicals inducing aneuploidy as a result of impaired germline function. We screened 46 chemicals that are widely present in our environment, but for which effects in the germline remain poorly understood. These included pesticides, phthalates, and chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and crude oil processing. Of the 46 chemicals tested, 41% exhibited levels of aneuploidy higher than those detected for bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor shown to affect meiosis, at concentrations correlating well with mammalian reproductive endpoints. We further examined three candidates eliciting aneuploidy: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a likely endocrine disruptor and frequently used plasticizer, and the pesticides 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole (TCMTB) and permethrin. Exposure to these chemicals resulted in increased embryonic lethality, elevated DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation, activation of p53/CEP-1-dependent germ cell apoptosis, chromosomal abnormalities in oocytes at diakinesis, impaired chromosome segregation during early embryogenesis, and germline-specific alterations in gene expression. This study indicates that this high-throughput screening system is highly reliable for the identification of environmental chemicals inducing aneuploidy, and provides new insights into the impact of exposure to three widely used chemicals on meiosis and germline function. The ever-increasing number of new chemicals introduced into our environment poses a significant problem for risk assessment. In addition, assessing the direct impact of toxicants on human meiosis remains challenging. We successfully utilized a high-throughput platform in the nematode C. elegans, a genetically tractable model organism which shares a high degree of gene conservation with humans, to identify chemicals that affect the germline leading to aneuploidy. We assessed chemicals that are highly prevalent in the environment in worms carrying a fluorescent reporter construct allowing for the identification of X chromosome nondisjunction combined with a mutation increasing cuticle permeability for analysis of low doses of exposure. Follow up analysis of three chemicals: DBP, permethrin and TCMTB, further validated the use of this strategy. Exposure to these chemicals resulted in elevated levels of DNA double-strand breaks, activation of a DNA damage checkpoint, chromosome morphology defects in late meiotic prophase I as well as impaired early embryogenesis and germline-specific changes in gene expression. Our results support the use of this high-throughput screening system to identify environmental chemicals inducing aneuploidy, and provide new insights into the effects of exposure to DBP, permethrin, and TCMTB on meiosis and germline function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Shin
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Luciann Cuenca
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Rajendiran Karthikraj
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Monica P. Colaiácovo
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ramos C, Ladeira C, Zeferino S, Dias A, Faria I, Cristovam E, Gomes M, Ribeiro E. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of environmental relevant concentrations of bisphenol A and interactions with doxorubicin. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2019; 838:28-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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14
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MicroRNA Signaling in Embryo Development. BIOLOGY 2017; 6:biology6030034. [PMID: 28906477 PMCID: PMC5617922 DOI: 10.3390/biology6030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is essential for embryonic development and serves important roles in gametogenesis. miRNAs are secreted into the extracellular environment by the embryo during the preimplantation stage of development. Several cell types secrete miRNAs into biological fluids in the extracellular environment. These fluid-derived miRNAs have been shown to circulate the body. Stable transport is dependent on proper packaging of the miRNAs into extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes. These vesicles, which also contain RNA, DNA and proteins, are on the forefront of research on cell-to-cell communication. Interestingly, EVs have been identified in many reproductive fluids, such as uterine fluid, where their miRNA content is proposed to serve as a mechanism of crosstalk between the mother and conceptus. Here, we review the role of miRNAs in molecular signaling and discuss their transport during early embryo development and implantation.
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