1
|
Schilling-Tóth BM, Belcher SM, Knotz J, Ondrašovičová S, Bartha T, Tóth I, Zsarnovszky A, Kiss DS. Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Crocodilians and Climate Challenges. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2015. [PMID: 38998126 PMCID: PMC11240705 DOI: 10.3390/ani14132015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The sex of crocodilians is determined by the temperature to which the eggs, and hence the developing embryo are exposed during critical periods of development. Temperature-dependent sex determination is a process that occurs in all crocodilians and numerous other reptile taxa. The study of artificial incubation temperatures in different species of crocodiles and alligators has determined the specific temperature ranges that result in altered sex ratios. It has also revealed the precise temperature thresholds at which an equal number of males and females are generated, as well as the specific developmental period during which the sex of the hatchlings may be shifted. This review will examine the molecular basis of the sex-determination mechanism in crocodilians elucidated during recent decades. It will focus on the many patterns and theories associated with this process. Additionally, we will examine the consequences that arise after hatching due to changes in incubation temperatures, as well as the potential benefits and dangers of a changing climate for crocodilians who display sex determination based on temperature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boglárka Mária Schilling-Tóth
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (B.M.S.-T.); (J.K.); (T.B.); (I.T.); (D.S.K.)
| | - Scott M. Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
| | - Josefine Knotz
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (B.M.S.-T.); (J.K.); (T.B.); (I.T.); (D.S.K.)
| | - Silvia Ondrašovičová
- Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Tibor Bartha
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (B.M.S.-T.); (J.K.); (T.B.); (I.T.); (D.S.K.)
| | - István Tóth
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (B.M.S.-T.); (J.K.); (T.B.); (I.T.); (D.S.K.)
| | - Attila Zsarnovszky
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Physiology and Nutrition, Department of Animal Physiology and Health, Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Dávid Sándor Kiss
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (B.M.S.-T.); (J.K.); (T.B.); (I.T.); (D.S.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Handi RM, Inamdar Doddamani LS. Sexually dimorphic expression of AMH facilitates testis differentiation pathway in the tropical lizard, Calotes versicolor (Daud.). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 577:112011. [PMID: 37453692 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), also known as Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), is a glycoprotein that belongs to transforming growth factor β superfamily. The significance of AMH during gonadal differentiation is not clearly deciphered in reptiles. Hence, current study aims to know the onset of AMH secretion and its functional role in Mullerian duct regression gonadal differentiation in tropical lizard, Calotes versicolor which exhibits a novel Female-Male-Female-Male (FMFM) pattern of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). The Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR techniques were employed to analyze the gonadal expression profile of AMH during different stages of embryonic development. The eggs of the lizard were incubated at both male-producing temperature (MPT: 25.5 ± 0.5 °C) and female-producing temperatures (FPT: 31.5 ± 0.5 °C). The results reveal that the onset of AMH gene expression was observed as early as oviposition prior to the immunolocalization of AMH protein at early-TSP (Temperature-sensitive period). The substantial rise in the intensity of the immunoreaction of AMH protein in the cytoplasm confining to Sertoli cells of seminiferous cords at MPT with low level of expression at FPT during gonadal sex differentiation, specify sexually dimorphic expression of AMH protein. Further, with the onset of sexual differentiation, the developing testis immensely expresses AMH gene which is 7-fold greater than that of transcripts levels in female embryos; signifies its conserved role in Mullerian duct regression thereby promoting testis differentiation. The robust immunnoexpression of AMH protein during post-gonadal differentiation coincides with the onset of the regression of Mullerian duct point out a positive correlation between testis differentiation and Mullerian duct regression, thus facilitating testis differentiation pathway. Based on the immunoexpression pattern of AMH protein and transcript levels of AMH gene, it is inferred that AMH plays a significant role in Mullerian duct regression, favoring testis differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul M Handi
- Molecular Endocrinology, Reproduction and Development Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, 580 003, India
| | - Laxmi S Inamdar Doddamani
- Molecular Endocrinology, Reproduction and Development Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, 580 003, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Canesini G, Galoppo GH, Tavalieri YE, Lazzarino GP, Stoker C, Luque EH, Ramos JG, Muñoz-de-Toro M. Disruption of the developmental programming of the gonad of the broad snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) after in ovo exposure to atrazine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:40132-40146. [PMID: 36607581 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-25104-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to agrochemicals during early stages of development can induce subtle alterations that could permanently affect normal physiology. Previously, we reported that in ovo exposure to atrazine (ATZ) disrupts testicular histoarchitecture in postnatal caimans (Caiman latirostris). To assess whether such alterations are the result of disruption of gonadal developmental programming, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of histofunctional biomarkers (VASA, ER, PR, PCNA, and aromatase) and genes involved in gonadal development and differentiation (amh, sox-9, sf-1 and cyp19-a1) in the gonads of male and female caiman embryos and to assess the effect of ATZ exposure on these biomarkers and genes in the gonads of male embryos. Our results suggest that amh, aromatase and sox-9 play a role in sex determination and gonadal differentiation. In male caiman embryos, ATZ exposure increased aromatase expression and altered the temporal expression pattern of amh and sox-9 evidencing an ATZ-induced disruption of gonadal developmental programming. Since the effects of ATZ are consistent across all vertebrate classes, the ATZ-mediated disruptive effects here observed could be present in other vertebrate species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina Canesini
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Germán H Galoppo
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Yamil E Tavalieri
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Gisela P Lazzarino
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Cora Stoker
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Enrique H Luque
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Jorge G Ramos
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Mónica Muñoz-de-Toro
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Casilla de Correo 242, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kohno S, Vang D, Ang E, Brunell AM, Lowers RH, Schoenfuss HL. Estrogen-induced ovarian development is time-limited during the temperature-dependent sex determination of the American alligator. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 291:113397. [PMID: 31991099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many reptiles, including the American alligator, exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), whose thermo-sensitive period for the female alligator begins at stages-15 and ends at stage-24. Estrogen signaling plays a central role in TSD, which can be overridden by an estrogen-exposure during the thermo-sensitive period. As some environmental contaminants are estrogenic, there is growing concern about their effects on the sex ratio and reproductive health of TSD-species. It is crucial to identify the timing of gonadal commitment to either ovary or testis for a better understanding of TSD and estrogen-signals. In the current study, eggs were exposed to 5 µg/g egg of 17β-estradiol (E2) or vehicle ethanol alone at three developmental stages-22, 24, and 26 at a male-promoting temperature, which produced 81% testis in all controls. E2-exposure at stages-22 and 24 induced more ovaries than the control group, whereas the exposure at stage-26 did not induce the same outcome. These results indicated that there is a critical commitment in the testicular development between the developmental stage 24 (100% ovary in E2 Exposure) and 26 (39% ovary with E2). Based on these results, we estimated a pivotal stage as stage-25.28. Thus, a gonadal commitment to testis could be later than a known temperature-sensitive period for promoting male in TSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Kohno
- Aquatic Toxicology Lab, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA.
| | - Donna Vang
- Aquatic Toxicology Lab, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA; School of Health Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Edric Ang
- Aquatic Toxicology Lab, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
| | - Arnold M Brunell
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Eustis, FL, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Promoter Identification and Transcriptional Regulation of the Goose AMH Gene. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9100816. [PMID: 31623192 PMCID: PMC6826907 DOI: 10.3390/ani9100816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays a vital role in the development of follicles. We found that the cloning nucleotide sequence of AMH was high homology in geese with other species. Several regulatory elements were identified and transcriptional factors were predicted in the AMH promoter sequence. Through a double-luciferase reporter assay, potential regulatory relationship spanning from −637 to −87 bp were identified. In addition, the mRNA expression of AMH gradually decreased during the development of follicles in geese. In the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, the luciferase activity significantly increased by co-expression of AMH and GATA-4. However, when the binding sites of GATA-4 to the promoter of AMH were mutated, the luciferase activity significantly decreased. These results indicated that the transcription of AMH was activated by GATA-4 to inhibit the development of follicles in geese. Abstract Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is recognized as a reliable marker of ovarian reserve. However, the regulatory mechanism of goose AMH gene remains poorly understood. In the present study, both the full-length coding sequence (CDS) and promoter sequence of goose AMH have been cloned. Its CDS consisted of 2013 nucleotides encoding 670 amino acids and the amino acid sequence contained two structural domain: AMH-N and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) domain. The obtained promoter sequence spanned from the −2386 bp to its transcription start site (ATG). Core promoter regions and regulatory elements were identified as well as transcription factors were predicted in its promoter sequence. The luciferase activity was the highest spanning from the −331 to −1 bp by constructing deletion promoter reporter vectors. In CHO cells, the luciferase activity significantly increased by co-expression of AMH and GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4), while that significantly decreased by mutating the binding sites of GATA-4 located in the −778 and −1477 bp. Results from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) indicated that levels of AMH mRNA in geese granulosa layers decreased gradually with the increasing follicular diameter. Taken together, it could be concluded that the transcriptional activity of AMH was activated by GATA-4 to inhibit the development of small follicles in goose.
Collapse
|
6
|
Martínez-Juárez A, Moreno-Mendoza N. Mechanisms related to sexual determination by temperature in reptiles. J Therm Biol 2019; 85:102400. [PMID: 31657741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A number of strategies have emerged that appear to relate to the evolution of mechanisms for sexual determination in vertebrates, among which are genetic sex determination caused by sex chromosomes and environmental sex determination, where environmental factors influence the phenotype of the sex of an individual. Within the reptile group, some orders such as: Chelonia, Crocodylia, Squamata and Rhynchocephalia, manifest one of the most intriguing and exciting environmental sexual determination mechanisms that exists, comprising temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), where the temperature of incubation that the embryo experiences during its development is fundamental to establishing the sex of the individual. This makes them an excellent model for the study of sexual determination at the molecular, cellular and physiological level, as well as in terms of their implications at an evolutionary and ecological level. There are different hypotheses concerning how this process is triggered and this review aims to describe any new contributions to particular TSD hypotheses, analyzing them from the "eco-evo-devo" perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Martínez-Juárez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Apartado Postal 70228 México, D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Norma Moreno-Mendoza
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Apartado Postal 70228 México, D.F. 04510, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Adolfi MC, Nakajima RT, Nóbrega RH, Schartl M. Intersex, Hermaphroditism, and Gonadal Plasticity in Vertebrates: Evolution of the Müllerian Duct and Amh/Amhr2 Signaling. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2018; 7:149-172. [PMID: 30303691 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-020518-114955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, sex organs are generally specialized to perform a male or female reproductive role. Acquisition of the Müllerian duct, which gives rise to the oviduct, together with emergence of the Amh/Amhr2 system favored evolution of viviparity in jawed vertebrates. Species with high sex-specific reproductive adaptations have less potential to sex reverse, making intersex a nonfunctional condition. Teleosts, the only vertebrate group in which hermaphroditism evolved as a natural reproductive strategy, lost the Müllerian duct during evolution. They developed for gamete release complete independence from the urinary system, creating optimal anatomic and developmental preconditions for physiological sex change. The common and probably ancestral role of Amh is related to survival and proliferation of germ cells in early and adult gonads of both sexes rather than induction of Müllerian duct regression. The relationship between germ cell maintenance and sex differentiation is most evident in species in which Amh became the master male sex-determining gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Contar Adolfi
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Rafael Takahiro Nakajima
- Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Bioscience of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo 01049-010, Brazil;
| | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Morphology, Institute of Bioscience of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo 01049-010, Brazil;
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; .,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Williams CE, McNabb NA, Brunell A, Lowers RH, Katsu Y, Spyropoulos DD, Kohno S. Feminizing effects of exposure to Corexit-enhanced water-accommodated fraction of crude oil in vitro on sex determination in Alligator mississippiensis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 265:46-55. [PMID: 29208362 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Deepwater Horizon spilled over 200 million gallons of oil into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. In an effort to contain the spill, chemical dispersants were applied to minimize the amount of oil reaching coastal shorelines. However, the biological impacts of chemically-dispersed oil are not well characterized, and there is a particular lack of knowledge concerning sublethal long-term effects of exposure. This study examined potential estrogenic effects of CWAF, Corexit 9500-enhanced water-accommodated fraction of oil, by examining its effect on estrogen receptors and sex determination in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. The alligator exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination which is modulated by estrogen signals, and exposure to 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrogenic compounds in ovo during the thermosensitive period of embryonic development can induce ovarian development at a male-producing temperature (MPT). CWAF induced transactivation up to 50% of the maximum induction by E2 via alligator estrogen receptors in vitro. To determine potential endocrine-disrupting effects of exposure directly on the gonad, gonad-adrenal-mesonephric (GAM) organ complexes were isolated from embryos one day prior to the thermosensitive period and exposed to E2, CWAF, or medium alone in vitro for 8-16 days at MPT. Both CWAF and E2 exposure induced a significant increase in female ratios. CWAF exposure suppressed GAM mRNA abundances of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), sex determining region Y-box 9, and aromatase, whereas E2 exposure suppressed AMH and increased Forkhead box protein L2 mRNA abundances in GAM. These results indicate that the observed endocrine-disrupting effects of CWAF are not solely estrogenically mediated, and further investigations are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron E Williams
- Marine Biology, Grice Marine Laboratory, The Graduate School of the University of Charleston, South Carolina at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nicole A McNabb
- Marine Biology, Grice Marine Laboratory, The Graduate School of the University of Charleston, South Carolina at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Arnold Brunell
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Eustis, FL, USA
| | | | - Yoshinao Katsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Demetri D Spyropoulos
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Pathology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Satomi Kohno
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Aquatic Toxicology Lab, St Cloud State University, St Cloud, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hale MD, McCoy JA, Doheny BM, Galligan TM, Guillette LJ, Parrott BB. Embryonic estrogen exposure recapitulates persistent ovarian transcriptional programs in a model of environmental endocrine disruption†. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:149-161. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Hale
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Brenna M Doheny
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Thomas M Galligan
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Louis J Guillette
- Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences Program, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin B Parrott
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yatsu R, Miyagawa S, Kohno S, Parrott BB, Yamaguchi K, Ogino Y, Miyakawa H, Lowers RH, Shigenobu S, Guillette LJ, Iguchi T. RNA-seq analysis of the gonadal transcriptome during Alligator mississippiensis temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:77. [PMID: 26810479 PMCID: PMC4727388 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2396-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) displays temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which incubation temperature during embryonic development determines the sexual fate of the individual. However, the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain a mystery, including the influence of initial environmental temperature on the comprehensive gonadal gene expression patterns occurring during TSD. Results Our characterization of transcriptomes during alligator TSD allowed us to identify novel candidate genes involved in TSD initiation. High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on gonads collected from A. mississippiensis embryos incubated at both a male and a female producing temperature (33.5 °C and 30 °C, respectively) in a time series during sexual development. RNA-seq yielded 375.2 million paired-end reads, which were mapped and assembled, and used to characterize differential gene expression. Changes in the transcriptome occurring as a function of both development and sexual differentiation were extensively profiled. Forty-one differentially expressed genes were detected in response to incubation at male producing temperature, and included genes such as Wnt signaling factor WNT11, histone demethylase KDM6B, and transcription factor C/EBPA. Furthermore, comparative analysis of development- and sex-dependent differential gene expression revealed 230 candidate genes involved in alligator sex determination and differentiation, and early details of the suspected male-fate commitment were profiled. We also discovered sexually dimorphic expression of uncharacterized ncRNAs and other novel elements, such as unique expression patterns of HEMGN and ARX. Twenty-five of the differentially expressed genes identified in our analysis were putative transcriptional regulators, among which were MYBL2, MYCL, and HOXC10, in addition to conventional sex differentiation genes such as SOX9, and FOXL2. Inferred gene regulatory network was constructed, and the gene-gene and temperature-gene interactions were predicted. Conclusions Gonadal global gene expression kinetics during sex determination has been extensively profiled for the first time in a TSD species. These findings provide insights into the genetic framework underlying TSD, and expand our current understanding of the developmental fate pathways during vertebrate sex determination. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2396-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yatsu
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan. .,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Satomi Kohno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
| | - Benjamin B Parrott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
| | - Yukiko Ogino
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan. .,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Miyakawa
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 350 Mine-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-8505, Japan.
| | - Russell H Lowers
- Innovative Health Applications, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, 32899, USA.
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan. .,National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
| | - Louis J Guillette
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan. .,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yatsu R, Miyagawa S, Kohno S, Saito S, Lowers RH, Ogino Y, Fukuta N, Katsu Y, Ohta Y, Tominaga M, Guillette LJ, Iguchi T. TRPV4 associates environmental temperature and sex determination in the American alligator. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18581. [PMID: 26677944 PMCID: PMC4683465 DOI: 10.1038/srep18581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), commonly found among reptiles, is a sex determination mode in which the incubation temperature during a critical temperature sensitive period (TSP) determines sexual fate of the individual rather than the individual’s genotypic background. In the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), eggs incubated during the TSP at 33 °C (male producing temperature: MPT) yields male offspring, whereas incubation temperatures below 30 °C (female producing temperature: FPT) lead to female offspring. However, many of the details of the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive, and the molecular link between environmental temperature and sex determination pathway is yet to be elucidated. Here we show the alligator TRPV4 ortholog (AmTRPV4) to be activated at temperatures proximate to the TSD-related temperature in alligators, and using pharmacological exposure, we show that AmTRPV4 channel activity affects gene expression patterns associated with male differentiation. This is the first experimental demonstration of a link between a well-described thermo-sensory mechanism, TRPV4 channel, and its potential role in regulation of TSD in vertebrates, shedding unique new light on the elusive TSD molecular mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yatsu
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Satomi Kohno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston SC 29412 USA
| | - Shigeru Saito
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Russell H Lowers
- Innovative Health Applications, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island FL 32899 USA
| | - Yukiko Ogino
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Naomi Fukuta
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Yoshinao Katsu
- Graduate School of Life Science and Department of Biological Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo Hokkaido 062-8520 Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Ohta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Koyama Tottori 680-8553 Japan
| | - Makoto Tominaga
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Louis J Guillette
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston SC 29412 USA
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan.,Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kodama M, Suda M, Sakamoto D, Iwasaki T, Matsuo Y, Uno Y, Matsuda Y, Nakamura Y, Maekawa S, Katsu Y, Nakamura M. Molecular cloning and characterization of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) from the Japanese wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa. Endocrinology 2015; 156:1914-23. [PMID: 25714810 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) during gonad development has been studied extensively in many species of mammal, bird, reptile, and fish but remains unresolved in amphibians. In male mammalian embryos, Sox9 activates AMH expression, which initiates regression of the Müllerian ducts. However, Sox9 (Sry-related HMG box 9) is unlikely to initiate AMH in chicken, because AMH precedes Sox9 expression in this species. To clarify whether AMH is involved in testicular differentiation in amphibians, we cloned the full-length AMH cDNA from the Japanese wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa. The AMH gene, which appears to be autosomal, is exclusively expressed in the testis of adult frog among 8 different tissues examined; Sertoli cells are probably responsible for its expression. AMH expression was found in the undifferentiated gonad of both male and female tadpoles, increasing in the differentiating testis. Moreover, we observed consensus binding sites for Sox9 in the 5'-flanking region of the AMH gene. Sox9 stimulated statistically significant AMH expression in luciferase reporter assays when coexpressed in Xenopus kidney-derived A6 cells. However, Sox9 expression showed no sexual dimorphism when AMH expression was up-regulated in the developing testis. These results, taken together, suggest that AMH is probably involved in testicular differentiation in R. rugosa, although an additional, perhaps tissue-specific, transcription factor may be required for the regulation of AMH transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maho Kodama
- Department of Biology (M.K., M.S., D.S., T.I., Y.Matsuo, S.M., M.N.), Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan; Laboratory of Animal Genetics (Y.U., Y.Matsud.), Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan; Department of Science Education (Y.N.), Faculty of Education, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan; and Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (Y.K.), Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kohno S, Bernhard MC, Katsu Y, Zhu J, Bryan TA, Doheny BM, Iguchi T, Guillette LJ. Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1; ERα), not ESR2 (ERβ), modulates estrogen-induced sex reversal in the American alligator, a species with temperature-dependent sex determination. Endocrinology 2015; 156:1887-99. [PMID: 25714813 PMCID: PMC5393338 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
All crocodilians and many turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination where the temperature of the incubated egg, during a thermo-sensitive period (TSP), determines the sex of the offspring. Estrogens play a critical role in sex determination in crocodilians and turtles, as it likely does in most nonmammalian vertebrates. Indeed, administration of estrogens during the TSP induces male to female sex reversal at a male-producing temperature (MPT). However, it is not clear how estrogens override the influence of temperature during sex determination in these species. Most vertebrates have 2 forms of nuclear estrogen receptor (ESR): ESR1 (ERα) and ESR2 (ERβ). However, there is no direct evidence concerning which ESR is involved in sex determination, because a specific agonist or antagonist for each ESR has not been tested in nonmammalian species. We identified specific pharmaceutical agonists for each ESR using an in vitro transactivation assay employing American alligator ESR1 and ESR2; these were 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT) and 7-bromo-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-benzoxazol-5-ol (WAY 200070), respectively. Alligator eggs were exposed to PPT or WAY 200070 at a MPT just before the TSP, and their sex was examined at the last stage of embryonic development. Estradiol-17β and PPT, but not WAY 200070, induced sex reversal at a MPT. PPT-exposed embryos exposed to the highest dose (5.0 μg/g egg weight) exhibited enlargement and advanced differentiation of the Müllerian duct. These results indicate that ESR1 is likely the principal ESR involved in sex reversal as well as embryonic Müllerian duct survival and growth in American alligators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Kohno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (S.K., J.Z., T.A.B., L.J.G.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425; Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Center (S.K., M.C.B., T.A.B., B.M.D., L.J.G.), Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina 29412; Graduate Program in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston (M.C.B.), Charleston, South Carolina 29412; Graduate School of Life Science and Department of Biological Sciences (Y.K.), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0808 Japan; Department of Biology (T.A.B.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611; Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience (T.I.), National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, 444-8585 Japan; and Department of Basic Biology (T.I.), The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, 444-8585 Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gonadal morphogenesis and sex differentiation in the oviparous lizard, Sceloporus aeneus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-015-0259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
15
|
Parrott BB, Kohno S, Cloy-McCoy JA, Guillette LJ. Differential incubation temperatures result in dimorphic DNA methylation patterning of the SOX9 and aromatase promoters in gonads of alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) embryos. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:2. [PMID: 24227754 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.111468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors are known to influence sex determination in many nonmammalian vertebrates. In all crocodilians studied thus far, temperature is the only known determinant of sex. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the effect of temperature on sex determination are not known. Aromatase (CYP19A1) and SOX9 play critical roles in vertebrate sex determination and gonadogenesis. Here, we used a variety of techniques to investigate the potential roles of DNA methylation patterning on CYP19A1 and SOX9 expression in the American alligator, an organism that relies on temperature-dependent sex determination. Our findings reveal that developing gonads derived from embryos incubated at a male-producing temperature (MPT) show elevated CYP19A1 promoter methylation and decreased levels of gene expression relative to incubation at a female-producing temperature (FPT). The converse was observed at the SOX9 locus, with increased promoter methylation and decreased expression occurring in embryonic gonads resulting from incubation at FPT relative to that of MPT. We also examined the gonadal expression of the three primary, catalytically active DNA methyltransferase enzymes and show that they are present during critical stages of gonadal development. Together, these data strongly suggest that DNA methylation patterning is a central component in coordinating the genetic cascade responsible for sexual differentiation. In addition, these data raise the possibility that DNA methylation could act as a key mediator integrating temperature into a molecular trigger that determines sex in the alligator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Parrott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kohno S, Parrott BB, Yatsu R, Miyagawa S, Moore BC, Iguchi T, Guillette L. Gonadal Differentiation in Reptiles Exhibiting Environmental Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2014; 8:208-26. [DOI: 10.1159/000358892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
|
17
|
Finger JW, Gogal RM. Endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure and the American alligator: a review of the potential role of environmental estrogens on the immune system of a top trophic carnivore. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 65:704-714. [PMID: 24051988 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-013-9953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) alter cellular and organ system homeostasis by interfering with the body's normal physiologic processes. Numerous studies have identified environmental estrogens as modulators of EDC-related processes in crocodilians, notably in sex determination. Other broader studies have shown that environmental estrogens dysregulate normal immune function in mammals, birds, turtles, lizards, fish, and invertebrates; however, the effects of such estrogenic exposures on alligator immune function have not been elucidated. Alligators occupy a top trophic status, which may give them untapped utility as indicators of environmental quality. Environmental estrogens are also prevalent in the waters they occupy. Understanding the effects of these EDCs on alligator immunity is critical for managing and assessing changes in their health and is thus the focus of this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Finger
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Durando M, Cocito L, Rodríguez HA, Varayoud J, Ramos JG, Luque EH, Muñoz-de-Toro M. Neonatal expression of amh, sox9 and sf-1 mRNA in Caiman latirostris and effects of in ovo exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 191:31-8. [PMID: 23747749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Caiman latirostris is a reptilian species that exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Male-to-female sex reversal can be achieved after in ovo estrogen/xenoestrogen exposure. This is known as hormone-dependent sex determination (HSD). The amh, sox9 and sf-1 genes are involved in sex determination, sex differentiation, and steroidogenesis. The aims of this study were: (a) to establish the expression patterns of amh, sox9 and sf-1 mRNA in the gonad-adrenal-mesonephros (GAM) complexes of neonatal TSD-male and TSD-female caimans, (b) to compare the expression of these genes between TSD-females and HSD-females (born from E2-exposed eggs incubated at the male-producing temperature) and (c) to evaluate whether in ovo exposure to a low dose of E2 or bisphenol A (BPA) or to a high dose of endosulfan (END) modifies amh, sox9 or sf-1 mRNA expressions in neonatal males. The mRNA expressions of amh, sox9 and sf-1 in GAM complexes from TSD-males and TSD-females and from HSD-females were quantitatively compared by RT-PCR. A sexually dimorphic pattern of amh and sox9 mRNA expression was found, with a higher expression in TSD-males than in TSD-females. sf-1 mRNA did not differ between TSD-males and TSD-females. HSD-females exhibited a higher expression of sox9 than TSD-females. In males, increased mRNA expression of sex-determining genes was observed after in ovo exposure to END. E2 decreased sox9 but increased sf-1 mRNA expression. Changes induced by BPA were evident although not significant. These results provide new insights into the potential mechanisms that lead to the gonadal histo-functional alterations observed in caimans exposed to contaminated environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milena Durando
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes, School of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|