Gonadotropin-regulated expressions of lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase, sterol Delta14-reductase and C-4 sterol methyl oxidase contribute to the accumulation of meiosis-activating sterol in rabbit gonads

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Testis and Ovary of Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

The quality of sea urchin gonad is important to consumers with high standards for nutrition and taste. However, few studies have been conductedon the molecular mechanisms that determine the quality of male and female sea urchins. In this study, our goal was to understand the differences and characteristics of gonad quality between sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) males and females. The transcriptomes of males and females were obtained, with totals of 43,797,146 and 56,222,782 raw reads, respectively, comprising 128,979 transcripts and 85,745 unigenes. After comparative transcriptome analysis, a total of 6736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the males and females were identified, of which 2950 genes were up-regulated and 3786 genes were down-regulated in males. We compared the expression of twelve DEGs with significant differences their expression levels and functional annotations to confirm the reliability of the RNA-Seq data. Five DEGs related to gonadal quality were found through enrichment analysis of KEGG pathways: 17β-HSD8, PGDH, FAXDC2, C4MO, and PNPLA7. Our study analyzes genes related to the taste and flavor of sea urchin gonads among the sexes and provides reference sequences and fundamental information concerning the nutrition and taste of S. intermedius gonads.

Role of cholesterol metabolism in the anticancer pharmacology of selective estrogen receptor modulators

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are a class of compounds that bind to estrogen receptors (ERs) and possess estrogen agonist or antagonist actions in different tissues. As such, they are widely used drugs. For instance, tamoxifen, the most prescribed SERM, is used to treat ERα-positive breast cancer. Aside from their therapeutic targets, SERMs have the capacity to broadly affect cellular cholesterol metabolism and handling, mainly through ER-independent mechanisms. Cholesterol metabolism reprogramming is crucial to meet the needs of cancer cells, and different key processes involved in cholesterol homeostasis have been associated with cancer progression. Therefore, the effects of SERMs on cholesterol homeostasis may be relevant to carcinogenesis, either by contributing to the anticancer efficacy of these compounds or, conversely, by promoting resistance to treatment. Understanding these aspects of SERMs actions could help to design more efficacious therapies. Herein we review the effects of SERMs on cellular cholesterol metabolism and handling and discuss their potential in anticancer pharmacology.

Joint MiRNA/mRNA expression profiling reveals changes consistent with development of dysfunctional corpus luteum after weight gain

Obese women exhibit decreased fertility, high miscarriage rates and dysfunctional corpus luteum (CL), but molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesized that weight gain induces alterations in CL gene expression. RNA sequencing was used to identify changes in the CL transcriptome in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) during weight gain. 10 months of high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFHF) resulted in a 20% weight gain for HFHF animals vs. 2% for controls (p = 0.03) and a 66% increase in percent fat mass for HFHF group. Ovulation was confirmed at baseline and after intervention in all animals. CL were collected on luteal day 7-9 based on follicular phase estradiol peak. 432 mRNAs and 9 miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to HFHF diet. Specifically, miR-28, miR-26, and let-7b previously shown to inhibit sex steroid production in human granulosa cells, were up-regulated. Using integrated miRNA and gene expression analysis, we demonstrated changes in 52 coordinately regulated mRNA targets corresponding to opposite changes in miRNA. Specifically, 2 targets of miR-28 and 10 targets of miR-26 were down-regulated, including genes linked to follicular development, steroidogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dietary-induced responses of the ovulating ovary to developing adiposity. The observed HFHF diet-induced changes were consistent with development of a dysfunctional CL and provide new mechanistic insights for decreased sex steroid production characteristic of obese women. MiRNAs may represent novel biomarkers of obesity-related subfertility and potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Pubertal presentation in seven patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to P450 oxidoreductase deficiency

CONTEXT

P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is a crucial electron donor to all microsomal P450 cytochrome (CYP) enzymes including 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) and P450 aromatase. Mutant POR causes congenital adrenal hyperplasia with combined glucocorticoid and sex steroid deficiency. P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (ORD) commonly presents neonatally, with disordered sex development in both sexes, skeletal malformations, and glucocorticoid deficiency.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of ORD during puberty.

DESIGN

Clinical, biochemical, and genetic assessment of seven ORD patients (five females, two males) presenting during puberty was conducted.

RESULTS

Predominant findings in females were incomplete pubertal development (four of five) and large ovarian cysts (five of five) prone to spontaneous rupture, in some only resolving after combined treatment with estrogen/progestin, GnRH superagonists, and glucocorticoids. Pubertal development in the two boys was more mildly affected, with some spontaneous progression. Urinary steroid profiling revealed combined CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 deficiencies indicative of ORD in all patients; all but one failed to mount an appropriate cortisol response to ACTH stimulation indicative of adrenal insufficiency. Diagnosis of ORD was confirmed by direct sequencing, demonstrating disease-causing POR mutations.

CONCLUSION

Delayed and disordered puberty can be the first sign leading to a diagnosis of ORD. Appropriate testosterone production during puberty in affected boys but manifest primary hypogonadism in girls with ORD may indicate that testicular steroidogenesis is less dependent on POR than adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis. Ovarian cysts in pubertal girls may be driven not only by high gonadotropins but possibly also by impaired CYP51A1-mediated production of meiosis-activating sterols due to mutant POR.