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Kolli RT, Glenn TC, Bringolf RB, Henderson M, Cummings BS, Kenneke JF. Changes in CpG Methylation of the Vitellogenin 1 Promoter in Adult Male Zebrafish after Exposure to 17α-Ethynylestradiol. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1547-1556. [PMID: 38785270 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Numerous pharmaceutical and industrial chemicals are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that interfere with hormonal homeostasis, leading to developmental disorders and other pathologies. The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) is used in oral contraceptives and other hormone therapies. EE2 and other estrogens are inadvertently introduced into aquatic environments through municipal wastewater and agricultural effluents. Exposure of male fish to estrogens increases expression of the egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Vtg), which is used as a molecular marker of exposure to estrogenic EDCs. The mechanisms behind Vtg induction are not fully known, and we hypothesized that it is regulated via DNA methylation. Adult zebrafish were exposed to either dimethyl sulfoxide or 20 ng/L EE2 for 14 days. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and DNA methylation were assessed in male zebrafish livers at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 4, 7, and 14 days of exposure; and those of females were assessed at 13 days (n ≥ 4/group/time point). To test the persistence of any changes, we included a recovery group that received EE2 for 7 days and did not receive any for the following 7 days, in the total 14-day study. Methylation of DNA at the vtg1 promoter was assessed with targeted gene bisulfite sequencing in livers of adult male and female zebrafish. A significant increase in vtg1 mRNA was observed in the EE2-exposed male fish as early as 6 h. Interestingly, DNA methylation changes were observed at 4 days. Decreases in the overall methylation of the vtg1 promoter in exposed males resulted in levels comparable to those in female controls, suggesting feminization. Importantly, DNA methylation levels in males remained significantly impacted after 7 days post-EE2 removal, unlike mRNA levels. These data identify an epigenetic mark of feminization that may serve as an indicator of not only estrogenic exposure but also previous exposure to EE2. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1547-1556. © 2024 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya T Kolli
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Student Services Authority, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Travis C Glenn
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert B Bringolf
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Matthew Henderson
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia
| | - Brian S Cummings
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - John F Kenneke
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia
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Rodger EJ, Stockwell PA, Almomani S, Eccles MR, Chatterjee A. Protocol for generating high-quality genome-scale DNA methylation sequencing data from human cancer biospecimens. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102714. [PMID: 37950864 PMCID: PMC10682265 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is a universal feature of cancer. Here, we present a protocol for generating high-quality genome-scale DNA methylation sequencing data from a variety of human cancer biospecimens including immortalized cell lines, fresh-frozen surgical resections, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. We describe steps for DNA extraction considerations, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, data processing and quality control, and downstream data analysis and integration. This protocol is also applicable for other human diseases and methylome profiling in other organisms. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rodger et al. (2023).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan J Rodger
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Peter A Stockwell
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Suzan Almomani
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Honorary Professor, UPES University, Dehradun, India.
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Valdivieso A, Caballero-Huertas M, Moraleda-Prados J, Piferrer F, Ribas L. Exploring the Effects of Rearing Densities on Epigenetic Modifications in the Zebrafish Gonads. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16002. [PMID: 37958987 PMCID: PMC10647740 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242116002] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rearing density directly impacts fish welfare, which, in turn, affects productivity in aquaculture. Previous studies have indicated that high-density rearing during sexual development in fish can induce stress, resulting in a tendency towards male-biased sex ratios in the populations. In recent years, research has defined the relevance of the interactions between the environment and epigenetics playing a key role in the final phenotype. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanisms of individuals exposed to confinement remain elucidated. By using zebrafish (Danio rerio), the DNA methylation promotor region and the gene expression patterns of six genes, namely dnmt1, cyp19a1a, dmrt1, cyp11c1, hsd17b1, and hsd11b2, involved in the DNA maintenance methylation, reproduction, and stress were assessed. Zebrafish larvae were subjected to two high-density conditions (9 and 66 fish/L) during two periods of overlapping sex differentiation of this species (7 to 18 and 18 to 45 days post-fertilization, dpf). Results showed a significant masculinization in the populations of fish subjected to high densities from 18 to 45 dpf. In adulthood, the dnmt1 gene was differentially hypomethylated in ovaries and its expression was significantly downregulated in the testes of fish exposed to high-density. Further, the cyp19a1a gene showed downregulation of gene expression in the ovaries of fish subjected to elevated density, as previously observed in other studies. We proposed dnmt1 as a potential testicular epimarker and the expression of ovarian cyp19a1a as a potential biomarker for predicting stress originated from high densities during the early stages of development. These findings highlight the importance of rearing densities by long-lasting effects in adulthood conveying cautions for stocking protocols in fish hatcheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Valdivieso
- IHPE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Marta Caballero-Huertas
- CIRAD, UMR ISEM, 34398 Montpellier, France;
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Javier Moraleda-Prados
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.-P.); (F.P.)
| | - Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.-P.); (F.P.)
| | - Laia Ribas
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.-P.); (F.P.)
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Liu Z, Zhou T, Gao D. Genetic and epigenetic regulation of growth, reproduction, disease resistance and stress responses in aquaculture. Front Genet 2022; 13:994471. [PMID: 36406125 PMCID: PMC9666392 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.994471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Major progress has been made with genomic and genetic studies in aquaculture in the last decade. However, research on epigenetic regulation of aquaculture traits is still at an early stage. It is apparent that most, if not all, aquaculture traits are regulated at both genetic and epigenetic levels. This paper reviews recent progress in understanding of genetic and epigenetic regulation of important aquaculture traits such as growth, reproduction, disease resistance, and stress responses. Although it is challenging to make generalized statements, DNA methylation is mostly correlated with down-regulation of gene expression, especially when at promoters and enhancers. As such, methylation of growth factors and their receptors is negatively correlated with growth; hypomethylation of genes important for stress tolerance is correlated with increased stress tolerance; hypomethylation of genes important for male or female sex differentiation leads to sex differentiation into males or females, respectively. It is apparent that environmental regulation of aquaculture traits is mediated at the level of epigenetic regulation, and such environment-induced epigenetic changes appeared to be intergenerationally inherited, but evidences for transgenerational inheritance are still limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanjiang Liu
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Zhanjiang Liu,
| | - Tao Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dongya Gao
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States
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Govender P, Ghai M, Okpeku M. Sex-specific DNA methylation: impact on human health and development. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1451-1466. [PMID: 35969270 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01935-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human evolution has shaped gender differences between males and females. Over the years, scientific studies have proposed that epigenetic modifications significantly influence sex-specific differences. The evolution of sex chromosomes with epigenetics as the driving force may have led to one sex being more adaptable than the other when exposed to various factors over time. Identifying and understanding sex-specific differences, particularly in DNA methylation, will help determine how each gender responds to factors, such as disease susceptibility, environmental exposure, brain development and neurodegeneration. From a medicine and health standpoint, sex-specific methylation studies have shed light on human disease severity, progression, and response to therapeutic intervention. Interesting findings in gender incongruent individuals highlight the role of genetic makeup in influencing DNA methylation differences. Sex-specific DNA methylation studies will empower the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry with more knowledge to identify biomarkers, design and develop sex bias drugs leading to better treatment in men and women based on their response to different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Govender
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
| | - Meenu Ghai
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa.
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
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Abstract
In this systematic review, we highlight the differences between the male and female zebrafish brains to understand their differentiation and their use in studying sex-specific neurological diseases. Male and female brains display subtle differences at the cellular level which may be important in driving sex-specific signaling. Sex differences in the brain have been observed in humans as well as in non-human species. However, the molecular mechanisms of brain sex differentiation remain unclear. The classical model of brain sex differentiation suggests that the steroid hormones derived from the gonads are the primary determinants in establishing male and female neural networks. Recent studies indicate that the developing brain shows sex-specific differences in gene expression prior to gonadal hormone action. Hence, genetic differences may also be responsible for differentiating the brain into male and female types. Understanding the signaling mechanisms involved in brain sex differentiation could help further elucidate the sex-specific incidences of certain neurological diseases. The zebrafish model could be appropriate for enhancing our understanding of brain sex differentiation and the signaling involved in neurological diseases. Zebrafish brains show sex-specific differences at the hormonal level, and recent advances in RNA sequencing have highlighted critical sex-specific differences at the transcript level. The differences are also evident at the cellular and metabolite levels, which could be important in organizing sex-specific neuronal signaling. Furthermore, in addition to having one ortholog for 70% of the human gene, zebrafish also shares brain structural similarities with other higher eukaryotes, including mammals. Hence, deciphering brain sex differentiation in zebrafish will help further enhance the diagnostic and pharmacological intervention of neurological diseases.
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Al Momani S, Rodger EJ, Stockwell PA, Eccles MR, Chatterjee A. Generating Sequencing-Based DNA Methylation Maps from Low DNA Input Samples. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2458:3-21. [PMID: 35103959 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2140-0_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) is a technique used for assessing genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in eukaryotes. RRBS was introduced to focus on CpG-rich regions that are likely to be of most interest for epigenetic regulation, such as gene promoters and enhancer sequence elements (Meissner et al., Nature 454:766-770, 2008). This "reduced representation" lowers the cost of sequencing and also gives increased depth of coverage, facilitating the resolution of more subtle changes in methylation levels. Here, we describe a modified RRBS sequencing (RRBS-seq) library preparation. Our protocol is optimized for generating single base-resolution libraries when low input DNA is a concern (10-100 ng). Our protocol includes steps to optimize library preparation, such as using deparaffinization solution (when formalin-fixed material is used), and a replacement of gel size-selection with sample purification beads. The described protocol can be accomplished in 3 days and has been successfully applied to tissues or cells from different organisms, including formalin-fixed tissues, to yield robust and reproducible results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Al Momani
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euan J Rodger
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter A Stockwell
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
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8
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Smith J, Banerjee R, Weeks RJ, Chatterjee A. Editing of DNA Methylation Patterns Using CRISPR-Based Tools. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2458:63-74. [PMID: 35103962 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2140-0_4] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification with an established role in both normal cellular function and mammalian disease. Despite well-characterized associations between aberrant DNA methylation changes and gene expression, evidence for a causal relationship in this context has been difficult to obtain. Early techniques for interrogating the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene transcription lack specificity and, where more specific techniques such and ZNFs and TALEs have been developed, they are limited by their extensive cost and labor requirements. However, the recent advent of CRISPR-based technologies has revolutionized our potential for site-specific epigenomic editing. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for the design, construction, and utilization of a transient, CRISPR-based DNA methylation-editing system in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Smith
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rakesh Banerjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Weeks
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Locus-Specific DNA Methylation Editing in Melanoma Cell Lines Using a CRISPR-Based System. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215433. [PMID: 34771597 PMCID: PMC8582460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary DNA methylation is an important modification of the genome that is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases, including cancer. DNA methylation changes can alter the expression of critical genes, predisposing to disease progression. Existing techniques that can modify DNA methylation to investigate disease etiology are severely limited with regard to specificity, which means that establishing a causal link between DNA methylation changes and disease progression is difficult. The advent of CRISPR-based technologies has provided a powerful tool for more specific editing of DNA methylation. Here, we describe a comprehensive protocol for the design and application of a CRISPR-dCas9-based tool for editing DNA methylation at a target locus in human melanoma cell lines alongside protocols for downstream techniques used to evaluate subsequent methylation and gene expression changes in methylation-edited cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate highly efficacious methylation and demethylation of the EBF3 promoter across a panel of melanoma cell lines. Abstract DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases, including cancer development and metastasis. Gene promoter methylation changes are widely associated with transcriptional deregulation and disease progression. The advent of CRISPR-based technologies has provided a powerful toolkit for locus-specific manipulation of the epigenome. Here, we describe a comprehensive global workflow for the design and application of a dCas9-SunTag-based tool for editing the DNA methylation locus in human melanoma cells alongside protocols for downstream techniques used to evaluate subsequent methylation and gene expression changes in methylation-edited cells. Using transient system delivery, we demonstrate both highly efficacious methylation and demethylation of the EBF3 promoter, which is a putative epigenetic driver of melanoma metastasis, achieving up to a 304.00% gain of methylation and 99.99% relative demethylation, respectively. Furthermore, we employ a novel, targeted screening approach to confirm the minimal off-target activity and high on-target specificity of our designed guide RNA within our target locus.
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10
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Differences in DNA methylation between slow and fast muscle in Takifugu rubripes. Gene 2021; 801:145853. [PMID: 34274464 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fish skeletal muscle is comprised of fast muscle (FM) and slow muscle (SM), which constitutes 60% of total the body mass. Fish skeletal muscle can affect fish swimming activity, which is important for aquaculture due to its growth-potentiating effects. DNA methylation can influence gene expression level. We previously identified multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FM and SM in Takifugu rubripes. However, it is unknown if the expression levels of these DEGs are influenced by DNA methylation. In the present study, we used DNA methylation sequencing to study the DNA methylation profiles of FM and SM in T. rubripes. SM had higher overall methylation levels than FM. A total of 8479 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and 3407 DMGs containing differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the promoter regions between FM and SM were identified. After enrichment analysis, we found functionally relevant DMGs between FM and SM, including Kapca, Plcd3a, Plcd1, Pi3k, Tsp4b and Pgfrb in the hedgehog signaling pathway and phosphatidylinositol (PI)-related pathways. Due to the different methylation levels of these genes between FM and SM, the expression levels of Kapca, Plcd3a, Plcd1, Pi3k, and Tsp4b were higher in FM and Pgfrb was higher in SM. There were differences in the hedgehog signaling pathway and PI-related pathways between FM and SM. In SM, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction promoted focal adhesion, while ECM-receptor interactions promoted focal adhesion in FM. These results provide information regarding the difference between FM and SM in T. rubripes.
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Caballero-Huertas M, Moraleda-Prados J, Joly S, Ribas L. Immune genes, IL1β and Casp9, show sexual dimorphic methylation patterns in zebrafish gonads. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 97:648-655. [PMID: 31830572 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is crosstalk between the immune and reproductive systems in which sexual dimorphism is a common pattern in vertebrates. In recent years, epigenetics has emerged as a way to study the molecular mechanisms involved in gonadal development, those responsible for integrating environmental information that contribute to assigning a specific sexual phenotype (either an ovary or a testis). The knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms in certain molecular processes allows the development of epigenetic markers. In fish gonads, the existence of reproduction-immune system interactions is known, although the epigenetic mechanisms involved are far from clear. Here, we used the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to study the DNA methylation patterns in gonads of two well-known innate immune genes: IL1β and Casp9. DNA methylation levels were studied by a candidate gene approach at single nucleotide resolution and gene expression analyses were also carried out. Results showed that there was clear sexual dimorphism in the DNA methylation levels of the two immune genes studied, being significantly higher in the testes when compared to the ovaries. In summary, and although further research is needed, this paper presents sexual dimorphic methylation patterns of two immune-related genes, thus sex-biased differences in methylation profiles should considered when analyzing immune responses in fish. Data showed here can help to develop epimarkers with forthcoming applications in livestock and fish farming production, for example, in immune fish diseases or sexual control programs as epigenetic molecular tools to predict environmental pressure in the gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Caballero-Huertas
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Moraleda-Prados
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Joly
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Ribas
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
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Lee SLJ, Horsfield JA, Black MA, Rutherford K, Gemmell NJ. Identification of sex differences in zebrafish (Danio rerio) brains during early sexual differentiation and masculinization using 17α-methyltestoterone. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:446-460. [PMID: 29272338 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual behavior in teleost fish is highly plastic. It can be attributed to the relatively few sex differences found in adult brain transcriptomes. Environmental and hormonal factors can influence sex-specific behavior. Androgen treatment stimulates behavioral masculinization. Sex dimorphic gene expression in developing teleost brains and the molecular basis for androgen-induced behavioral masculinization are poorly understood. In this study, juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) were treated with 100 ng/L of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) during sexual development from 20 days post fertilization to 40 days and 60 days post fertilization. We compared brain gene expression patterns in MT-treated zebrafish with control males and females using RNA-Seq to shed light on the dynamic changes in brain gene expression during sexual development and how androgens affect brain gene expression leading to behavior masculinization. We found modest differences in gene expression between juvenile male and female zebrafish brains. Brain aromatase (cyp19a1b), prostaglandin 3a synthase (ptges3a), and prostaglandin reductase 1 (ptgr1) were among the genes with sexually dimorphic expression patterns. MT treatment significantly altered gene expression relative to both male and female brains. Fewer differences were found among MT-treated brains and male brains compared to female brains, particularly at 60 dpf. MT treatment upregulated the expression of hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 2 (hsd11b2), deiodinase, iodothyronine, type II (dio2), and gonadotrophin releasing hormones (GnRH) 2 and 3 (gnrh2 and gnrh3) suggesting local synthesis of 11-ketotestosterone, triiodothyronine, and GnRHs in zebrafish brains which are influenced by androgens. Androgen, estrogen, prostaglandin, thyroid hormone, and GnRH signaling pathways likely interact to modulate teleost sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L J Lee
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Michael A Black
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Kim Rutherford
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
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DNA Methylation and SNPs in VCX are Correlated with Sex Differences in the Response to Chronic Hepatitis B. Virol Sin 2019; 34:489-500. [PMID: 31161555 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-019-00117-0] [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: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The study was conducted to explore the mechanisms of sex differences in the response to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in terms of DNA methylation, SNP genotype, and gene expression. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CHB patients and healthy controls and evaluated using the Human Methylation 450 K Assay. The DNA methylation level at hg37 chromosome (CHR) X: 7810800 was further validated using pyrosequencing. SNP genotypes, VCX mRNA expression of PBMCs, and plasma VCX protein concentration were further examined using SNaPshot, RT-qPCR, and Western blot, respectively. Results showed that a total of 5529 CpG loci were differentially methylated between male and female CHB patients. DNA methylation level and CC + CT frequency at CHR X: 7810800, VCX mRNA expression of PBMCs, and plasma VCX protein concentration were higher in female than in male CHB patients. The CHR X: 7810800 locus was hypermethylated in CHB patients with CC + CT genotypes in comparison with those with the TT genotype. In cases of CC + CT genotypes, VCX mRNA expression was negatively correlated with the DNA methylation level. CHB patients with higher levels of HBV DNA, AST, and GGT or higher GPRI scores exhibited lower VCX expression. In conclusion, SNPs and DNA methylation at the CHR X: 7810800 locus cooperatively regulate VCX expression in CHB. The upregulated VCX expression in female CHB patients might represent a mechanism of protection from more severe liver dysfunction and extensive fibrosis, as observed in male CHB patients.
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14
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Polanska K, Hanke W, Pawlas N, Wesolowska E, Jankowska A, Jagodic M, Mazej D, Dominowska J, Grzesiak M, Mirabella F, Chiarotti F, Calamandrei G. Sex-Dependent Impact of Low-Level Lead Exposure during Prenatal Period on Child Psychomotor Functions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15102263. [PMID: 30332762 PMCID: PMC6210236 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The impact of exposure to lead on child neurodevelopment has been well established. However, sex differences in vulnerability are still not fully explained. We aimed at evaluating the effect of a low-level lead exposure, as measured between 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy and in cord blood, on developmental scores up to 24 months of age in 402 children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL). Additionally, sex-dependent susceptibility to lead at this very early stage of psychomotor development was assessed. The blood lead levels were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In order to estimate the children’s neurodevelopment, the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was applied. The geometric mean (GM) for blood lead level during 20–24 weeks of pregnancy was 0.99 ± 0.15 µg/dL and, in the cord blood, it was 0.96 ± 0.16 µg/dL. There was no statistically significant impact of lead exposure during prenatal period on the girls’ psychomotor abilities. Among the boys, we observed lower scores for cognitive functions, along with increasing cord blood lead levels (β = −2.07; p = 0.04), whereas the results for the language and motor abilities were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Our findings show that fetal exposure to very low lead levels might affect early cognitive domain, with boys being more susceptible than girls. Education on health, higher public awareness, as well as intervention programs, along with relevant regulations, are still needed to reduce risks for the vulnerable population subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Polanska
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Hanke
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Natalia Pawlas
- Chair and Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, School of Medicine with Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, 41 808 Zabrze, Poland.
| | - Ewelina Wesolowska
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Jankowska
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Marta Jagodic
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jolanta Dominowska
- Department of Teaching Midwifery, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Grzesiak
- Obstetrics, Perinatology and Gynecology Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Fiorino Mirabella
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gemma Calamandrei
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
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15
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Volgin AD, Yakovlev OA, Demin KA, de Abreu MS, Alekseeva PA, Friend AJ, Lakstygal AM, Amstislavskaya TG, Bao W, Song C, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models for personalized psychiatry: Insights from individual, strain and sex differences, and modeling gene x environment interactions. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:402-413. [PMID: 30320468 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Currently becoming widely recognized, personalized psychiatry focuses on unique physiological and genetic profiles of patients to best tailor their therapy. However, the role of individual differences, as well as genetic and environmental factors, in human psychiatric disorders remains poorly understood. Animal experimental models are a valuable tool to improve our understanding of disease pathophysiology and its molecular mechanisms. Due to high reproduction capability, fully sequenced genome, easy gene editing, and high genetic and physiological homology with humans, zebrafish (Danio rerio) are emerging as a novel powerful model in biomedicine. Mounting evidence supports zebrafish as a useful model organism in CNS research. Robustly expressed in these fish, individual, strain, and sex differences shape their CNS responses to genetic, environmental, and pharmacological manipulations. Here, we discuss zebrafish as a promising complementary translational tool to further advance patient-centered personalized psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey D Volgin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Military Medical Academy, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Oleg A Yakovlev
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Military Medical Academy, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Polina A Alekseeva
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ashton J Friend
- Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Anton M Lakstygal
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Laboratory of Translational Biopsychiatry, Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Wandong Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cai Song
- Research Institute of Marine Drugs and Nutrition, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.,ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, Louisiana.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Granov Russian Scientific Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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16
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Metzger DCH, Schulte PM. The DNA Methylation Landscape of Stickleback Reveals Patterns of Sex Chromosome Evolution and Effects of Environmental Salinity. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:775-785. [PMID: 29420714 PMCID: PMC5841383 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are a key component of dosage compensation on sex chromosomes and have been proposed as an important source of phenotypic variation influencing plasticity and adaptive evolutionary processes, yet little is known about the role of DNA methylation in an ecological or evolutionary context in vertebrates. The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is an ecological and evolutionary model system that has been used to study mechanisms involved in the evolution of adaptive phenotypes in novel environments as well as the evolution heteromorphic sex chromosomes and dosage compensation in vertebrates. Using whole genome bisulfite sequencing, we compared genome-wide DNA methylation patterns between threespine stickleback males and females and between stickleback reared at different environmental salinities. Apparent hypermethylation of the younger evolutionary stratum of the stickleback X chromosome in females relative to males suggests a potential role of DNA methylation in the evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes. We also demonstrate that rearing salinity has genome-wide effects on DNA methylation levels, which has the potential to lead to the accumulation of epigenetic variation between natural populations in different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C H Metzger
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Patricia M Schulte
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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17
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Singh G, Singh V, Wang ZX, Voisin G, Lefebvre F, Navenot JM, Evans B, Verma M, Anderson DW, Schneider JS. Effects of developmental lead exposure on the hippocampal methylome: Influences of sex and timing and level of exposure. Toxicol Lett 2018; 290:63-72. [PMID: 29571894 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Developmental lead (Pb) exposure results in persistent cognitive/behavioral impairments as well as an elevated risk for developing a variety of diseases in later life. Environmental exposures during development can result in a variety of epigenetic changes, including alterations in DNA methylation, that can influence gene expression patterns and affect the function and development of the nervous system. The present promoter-based methylation microarray profiling study explored the extent to which developmental Pb exposure may modify the methylome of a brain region, hippocampus, known to be sensitive to the effects of Pb exposure. Male and female Long Evans rats were exposed to 0 ppm, 150 ppm, 375 ppm, or 750 ppm Pb through perinatal exposures (gestation through lactation), early postnatal exposures (birth through weaning), or long-term postnatal exposures (birth through postnatal day 55). Results showed a significant contribution of sex to the hippocampal methylome and effects of Pb exposure level, with non-linear dose response effects on methylation. Surprisingly, the developmental period of exposure contributed only a small amount of variance to the overall data and gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed the largest number of overrepresented GO terms in the groups with the lowest level of exposure. The highest number of significant differentially methylated regions was found in females exposed to Pb at the lowest exposure level. Our data reinforce the significant effect that low level Pb exposure may have on gene-specific DNA methylation patterns in brain and that this occurs in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Singh
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - V Singh
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zi-Xuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - G Voisin
- Atelerics S.E.N.C, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - F Lefebvre
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J-M Navenot
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - B Evans
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Verma
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D W Anderson
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J S Schneider
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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18
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Singh G, Singh V, Sobolewski M, Cory-Slechta DA, Schneider JS. Sex-Dependent Effects of Developmental Lead Exposure on the Brain. Front Genet 2018; 9:89. [PMID: 29662502 PMCID: PMC5890196 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of sex as an effect modifier of developmental lead (Pb) exposure has until recently received little attention. Lead exposure in early life can affect brain development with persisting influences on cognitive and behavioral functioning, as well as, elevated risks for developing a variety of diseases and disorders in later life. Although both sexes are affected by Pb exposure, the incidence, manifestation, and severity of outcomes appears to differ in males and females. Results from epidemiologic and animal studies indicate significant effect modification by sex, however, the results are not consistent across studies. Unfortunately, only a limited number of human epidemiological studies have included both sexes in independent outcome analyses limiting our ability to draw definitive conclusions regarding sex-differentiated outcomes. Additionally, due to various methodological differences across studies, there is still not a good mechanistic understanding of the molecular effects of lead on the brain and the factors that influence differential responses to Pb based on sex. In this review, focused on prenatal and postnatal Pb exposures in humans and animal models, we discuss current literature supporting sex differences in outcomes in response to Pb exposure and explore some of the ideas regarding potential molecular mechanisms that may contribute to sex-related differences in outcomes from developmental Pb exposure. The sex-dependent variability in outcomes from developmental Pb exposure may arise from a combination of complex factors, including, but not limited to, intrinsic sex-specific molecular/genetic mechanisms and external risk factors including sex-specific responses to environmental stressors which may act through shared epigenetic pathways to influence the genome and behavioral output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Singh
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Vikrant Singh
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marissa Sobolewski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Deborah A Cory-Slechta
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Jay S Schneider
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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19
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Lee J, Horzmann KA, Freeman JL. An embryonic 100 μg/L lead exposure results in sex-specific expression changes in genes associated with the neurological system in female or cancer in male adult zebrafish brains. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 65:60-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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20
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Rosenfeld CS. Brain Sexual Differentiation and Requirement of SRY: Why or Why Not? Front Neurosci 2017; 11:632. [PMID: 29200993 PMCID: PMC5696354 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain sexual differentiation is orchestrated by precise coordination of sex steroid hormones. In some species, programming of select male brain regions is dependent upon aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. In mammals, these hormones surge during the organizational and activational periods that occur during perinatal development and adulthood, respectively. In various fish and reptiles, incubation temperature during a critical embryonic period results in male or female sexual differentiation, but this can be overridden in males by early exposure to estrogenic chemicals. Testes development in mammals requires a Y chromosome and testis determining gene SRY (in humans)/Sry (all other therian mammals), although there are notable exceptions. Two species of spiny rats: Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis) and Tokunoshima spiny rat (Tokudaia tokunoshimensis) and two species of mole voles (Ellobius lutescens and Ellobius tancrei), lack a Y chromosome/Sry and possess an XO chromosome system in both sexes. Such rodent species, prototherians (monotremes, who also lack Sry), and fish and reptile species that demonstrate temperature sex determination (TSD) seemingly call into question the requirement of Sry for brain sexual differentiation. This review will consider brain regions expressing SRY/Sry in humans and rodents, respectively, and potential roles of SRY/Sry in the brain will be discussed. The evidence from various taxa disputing the requirement of Sry for brain sexual differentiation in mammals (therians and prototherians) and certain fish and reptilian species will be examined. A comparative approach to address this question may elucidate other genes, pathways, and epigenetic modifications stimulating brain sexual differentiation in vertebrate species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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21
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Ludgate JL, Wright J, Stockwell PA, Morison IM, Eccles MR, Chatterjee A. A streamlined method for analysing genome-wide DNA methylation patterns from low amounts of FFPE DNA. BMC Med Genomics 2017; 10:54. [PMID: 28859641 PMCID: PMC5580311 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-017-0290-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples are a major source of DNA from patients in cancer research. However, FFPE is a challenging material to work with due to macromolecular fragmentation and nucleic acid crosslinking. FFPE tissue particularly possesses challenges for methylation analysis and for preparing sequencing-based libraries relying on bisulfite conversion. Successful bisulfite conversion is a key requirement for sequencing-based methylation analysis. Methods Here we describe a complete and streamlined workflow for preparing next generation sequencing libraries for methylation analysis from FFPE tissues. This includes, counting cells from FFPE blocks and extracting DNA from FFPE slides, testing bisulfite conversion efficiency with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based test, preparing reduced representation bisulfite sequencing libraries and massively parallel sequencing. Results The main features and advantages of this protocol are:An optimized method for extracting good quality DNA from FFPE tissues. An efficient bisulfite conversion and next generation sequencing library preparation protocol that uses 50 ng DNA from FFPE tissue. Incorporation of a PCR-based test to assess bisulfite conversion efficiency prior to sequencing.
Conclusions We provide a complete workflow and an integrated protocol for performing DNA methylation analysis at the genome-scale and we believe this will facilitate clinical epigenetic research that involves the use of FFPE tissue. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-017-0290-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie L Ludgate
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - James Wright
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Peter A Stockwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ian M Morison
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 270 Great King Street, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. .,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand.
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22
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Jia YF, Choi Y, Ayers-Ringler JR, Biernacka JM, Geske JR, Lindberg DR, McElroy SL, Frye MA, Choi DS, Veldic M. Differential SLC1A2 Promoter Methylation in Bipolar Disorder With or Without Addiction. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:217. [PMID: 28785205 PMCID: PMC5520464 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While downregulation of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), the main transporter removing glutamate from the synapse, has been recognized in bipolar disorder (BD), the underlying mechanisms of downregulation have not been elucidated. BD is influenced by environmental factors, which may, via epigenetic modulation of gene expression, differentially affect illness presentation. This study thus focused on epigenetic DNA methylation regulation of SLC1A2, encoding for EAAT2, in BD with variable environmental influences of addiction. High resolution melting PCR (HRM-PCR) and thymine–adenine (TA) cloning with sequence analysis were conducted to examine methylation of the promoter region of the SLC1A2. DNA was isolated from blood samples drawn from BD patients (N = 150) with or without addiction to alcohol, nicotine, or food, defined as binge eating, and matched controls (N = 32). In comparison to controls, the SLC1A2 promoter region was hypermethylated in BD without addiction but was hypomethylated in BD with addiction. After adjusting for age and sex, the association of methylation levels with nicotine addiction (p = 0.0009) and binge eating (p = 0.0002) remained significant. Consistent with HRM-PCR, direct sequencing revealed increased methylation in CpG site 6 in BD, but decreased methylation in three CpG sites (6, 48, 156) in BD with alcohol and nicotine addictions. These results suggest that individual point methylation within the SLC1A2 promoter region may be modified by exogenous addiction and may have a potential for developing clinically valuable epigenetic biomarkers for BD diagnosis and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Fang Jia
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - YuBin Choi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | | | - Joanna M Biernacka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Depression Center, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States.,Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - Jennifer R Geske
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - Daniel R Lindberg
- Neurobiology of Disease Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - Susan L McElroy
- Lindner Center of HOPE, MasonOH, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, CincinnatiOH, United States
| | - Mark A Frye
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Depression Center, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - Doo-Sup Choi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States.,Neurobiology of Disease Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Depression Center, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
| | - Marin Veldic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Depression Center, Mayo Clinic, RochesterMN, United States
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23
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Chatterjee A, Stockwell PA, Ahn A, Rodger EJ, Leichter AL, Eccles MR. Genome-wide methylation sequencing of paired primary and metastatic cell lines identifies common DNA methylation changes and a role for EBF3 as a candidate epigenetic driver of melanoma metastasis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:6085-6101. [PMID: 28030832 PMCID: PMC5351615 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are increasingly implicated in metastasis, whereas very few genetic mutations have been identified as authentic drivers of cancer metastasis. Yet, to date, few studies have identified metastasis-related epigenetic drivers, in part because a framework for identifying driver epigenetic changes in metastasis has not been established. Using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), we mapped genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in three cutaneous primary and metastatic melanoma cell line pairs to identify metastasis-related epigenetic drivers. Globally, metastatic melanoma cell lines were hypomethylated compared to the matched primary melanoma cell lines. Using whole genome RRBS we identified 75 shared (10 hyper- and 65 hypomethylated) differentially methylated fragments (DMFs), which were associated with 68 genes showing significant methylation differences. One gene, Early B Cell Factor 3 (EBF3), exhibited promoter hypermethylation in metastatic cell lines, and was validated with bisulfite sequencing and in two publicly available independent melanoma cohorts (n = 40 and 458 melanomas, respectively). We found that hypermethylation of the EBF3 promoter was associated with increased EBF3 mRNA levels in metastatic melanomas and subsequent inhibition of DNA methylation reduced EBF3 expression. RNAi-mediated knockdown of EBF3 mRNA levels decreased proliferation, migration and invasion in primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines. Overall, we have identified numerous epigenetic changes characterising metastatic melanoma cell lines, including EBF3-induced aggressive phenotypic behaviour with elevated EBF3 expression in metastatic melanoma, suggesting that EBF3 promoter hypermethylation may be a candidate epigenetic driver of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter A Stockwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Antonio Ahn
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Euan J Rodger
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna L Leichter
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
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24
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Metzger DCH, Schulte PM. Maternal stress has divergent effects on gene expression patterns in the brains of male and female threespine stickleback. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:rspb.2016.1734. [PMID: 27683372 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal stress can have long-term effects on neurodevelopment that can influence offspring performance and population evolutionary trajectories. To examine the mechanistic basis for these neurodevelopmental effects of maternal stress, we used RNA-seq to assess differential gene expression across the brain transcriptome of adult male and female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from stressed and unstressed mothers. We identified sexually divergent effects of maternal stress on the brain transcriptome. In males, genes that were upregulated by maternal stress were enriched for processes involved in synaptic function and organization and steroid hormone-mediated signalling pathways, whereas in females genes that were upregulated by maternal stress were enriched for processes involved in protein translation and metabolic functions. The expression of several genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal response to stress and epigenetic processes such as the regulation of DNA methylation patterns and miRNAs increased in males and not in females. These data suggest that maternal stress has markedly different effects on cellular pathways in the brains of male and female offspring of mothers that are exposed to stress, which could have important implications when assessing the long-term ecological and evolutionary impacts of stress across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C H Metzger
- Department of Zoology, 6270 University Boulevard, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Patricia M Schulte
- Department of Zoology, 6270 University Boulevard, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
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