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Khani F, Nafian S, Mollamohammadi S, Nemati S, Shokoohian B, Hassani SN, Baharvand H, Soleimanpour-Lichaei HR, Salekdeh GH. Y Chromosome Genes May Play Roles in the Development of Neural Rosettes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:3008-3020. [PMID: 35661078 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human Y chromosome harbors genes that are mainly involved in the growth, development, sexual dimorphism, and spermatogenesis process. Despite many studies, the function of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) awaits further clarification, and a cell-based approach can help in this regard. RESULTS In this study, we have developed four stable transgenic male embryonic stem cell (ESCs) lines that can overexpress male-specific genes HSFY1, RBMY1A1, RPS4Y1, and SRY. As a proof of principle, we differentiated one of these cell lines (RPS4Y1 over-expressing ESCs) to the neural stem cell (rosette structure) and characterized them based on the expression level of lineage markers. RPS4Y1 expression in the Doxycycline-treated group was significantly higher than control groups at transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, we found Doxycycline-treated group had a higher differentiation efficiency than the untreated control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the RPS4Y1 gene may play a critical role in neurogenesis. Also, the generated transgenic ESC lines can be widely employed in basic and preclinical studies, such as sexual dimorphism of neural and cardiac functions, the development of cancerous and non-cancerous disease models, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Khani
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nafian
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mollamohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Nemati
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahare Shokoohian
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Nafiseh Hassani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, 13145-871, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Soleimanpour-Lichaei
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Lan T, Fang D, Li H, Sahu SK, Wang Q, Yuan H, Zhu Y, Yang Z, Zhang L, Yang S, Lu H, Han L, Zhang S, Yu J, Mahmmod YS, Xu Y, Hua Y, He F, Yuan Z, Liu H. Chromosome-Scale Genome of Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata) Shows Genomic Signatures of Its Biological Characteristics and Evolution. Front Genet 2022; 12:819493. [PMID: 35126472 PMCID: PMC8815822 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.819493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) is a small carnivore with distinct biological characteristics, that likes an omnivorous diet and also serves as a vector of pathogens. Although this species is not an endangered animal, its population is reportedly declining. Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, the public has been particularly concerned about this species. Here, we present the first genome of the P. larvata, comprising 22 chromosomes assembled using single-tube long fragment read (stLFR) and Hi-C technologies. The genome length is 2.41 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 105.6 Mb. We identified the 107.13 Mb X chromosome and one 1.34 Mb Y-linked scaffold and validated them by resequencing 45 P. larvata individuals. We predicted 18,340 protein-coding genes, among which 18,333 genes were functionally annotated. Interestingly, several biological pathways related to immune defenses were found to be significantly expanded. Also, more than 40% of the enriched pathways on the positively selected genes (PSGs) were identified to be closely related to immunity and survival. These enriched gene families were inferred to be essential for the P. larvata for defense against the pathogens. However, we did not find a direct genomic basis for its adaptation to omnivorous diet despite multiple attempts of comparative genomic analysis. In addition, we evaluated the susceptibility of the P. larvata to the SARS-CoV-2 by screening the RNA expression of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2/TMPRSS4 genes in 16 organs. Finally, we explored the genome-wide heterozygosity and compared it with other animals to evaluate the population status of this species. Taken together, this chromosome-scale genome of the P. larvata provides a necessary resource and insights for understanding the genetic basis of its biological characteristics, evolution, and disease transmission control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongming Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haimeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sunil Kumar Sahu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zipeng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Le Zhang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Shangchen Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haorong Lu
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Han
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Shaofang Zhang
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jieyao Yu
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yasser S. Mahmmod
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Yanchun Xu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yan Hua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengping He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Huan Liu, ; Ziguo Yuan, ; Fengping He,
| | - Ziguo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huan Liu, ; Ziguo Yuan, ; Fengping He,
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Huan Liu, ; Ziguo Yuan, ; Fengping He,
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3
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Elmarakby A, Sullivan J. Sex differences in hypertension: lessons from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1791-1804. [PMID: 34338771 PMCID: PMC8329852 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although numerous clinical and experimental studies have clearly identified a sexual dimorphism in blood pressure control, the mechanism(s) underlying gender differences in blood pressure remain unclear. Over the past two decades, numerous laboratories have utilized the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as an experimental model of essential hypertension to increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating blood pressure in males and females. Previous work by our group and others have implicated that differential regulation of adrenergic receptors, the renin-angiotensin system, oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and immune cells contribute to sex differences in blood pressure control in SHR. The purpose of this review is to summarize previous findings to date regarding the mechanisms of blood pressure control in male versus female SHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A. Elmarakby
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A
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Fetal programming of adrenal PNMT and hypertension by glucocorticoids in WKY rats is dose and sex-dependent. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221719. [PMID: 31483805 PMCID: PMC6726223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochemical changes in utero may alter normal fetal development, resulting in disease later in life, a phenomenon known as fetal programming. Recent epidemiological studies link fetal programming to negative health outcomes, such as low birth weight and hypertension in adulthood. Here, we used a WKY rat model and studied the molecular changes triggered by prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) exposure on the development of hypertension, and on the regulation of phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT), the enzyme responsible for biosynthesis of epinephrine, and a candidate gene linked to hypertension. Clinically, high doses of the synthetic GC dexamethasone (DEX) are used to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome. Elevated maternal GCs have been correlated with fetal programming of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine if lower doses of DEX would not lead to detrimental fetal programming effects such as hypertension. Our data suggests that prenatal stress programs for increased expression of PNMT and altered regulation of PNMT in males and females. Importantly, we identified that DEX mediated programming was more apparent in the male rats, and the lower dose 10μg/kg/day of DEX did not lead to changes in blood pressure (BP) in female rats suggesting that this dose is below the threshold for programming of hypertension. Furthermore, sex-specific differences were observed in regards to programming mechanisms that may account for hypertension in males.
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5
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Pan JS, Sheikh-Hamad D. Mitochondrial dysfunction in acute kidney injury and sex-specific implications. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2019; 7. [PMID: 31276028 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v7i2.1898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The kidney is one of the most energy-demanding organs in the human body, and the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis is central to kidney function. Recent advances have led to a greater appreciation of how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of AKI, from decreased ATP production, to enhanced mitochondrial oxidative stress, cell necrosis and apoptosis. Accumulating evidence suggests sexual dimorphism in the response to AKI with males demonstrating greater risk for developing ischemia-reperfusion and sepsis-induced kidney injury. In contrast, females may be more susceptible to nephrotoxic-AKI. There are important sex-related differences in mitochondrial respiration, biogenesis and dynamics that likely contribute to the observed sexual dimorphism in AKI. Sex hormones mediate many of these differences with multiple preclinical studies demonstrating the renoprotective actions of estrogen in many rodent models of AKI. Estrogenic control of mitochondrial biogenesis, function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is discussed. Furthermore, the potential role for sex chromosomes in mediating sex differences in AKI is examined. Novel animal models such as the "four core genotypes" (FCG) mouse model provide us with important tools to study sex chromosome effects in kidney health and disease. By understanding the influences of sexual dimorphism or sex hormones on mitochondrial homeostasis and disease manifestations, we may be able to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve existing treatment options for AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny S Pan
- Section of Nephrology and Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Selzman Institute for Kidney Health, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Sheikh-Hamad
- Section of Nephrology and Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Selzman Institute for Kidney Health, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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6
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Regulation of CATSPER1 expression by the testis-determining gene SRY. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205744. [PMID: 30379860 PMCID: PMC6209213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CATSPER1 gene encodes a pore-forming and pH-sensing subunit of the CatSper Ca2+- permeable channel, a protein in the flagellum essential for sperm hyperactivation. Previous studies have shown that the murine Catsper1 gene promoter is regulated by different Sox proteins. Likewise, it is acknowledged that the human CATSPER1 gene promoter sequence is enriched in potential interaction sites for the sex-determining region Y gene (SRY), which suggest a novel regulatory transcriptional mechanism for CatSper1 channel expression. Therefore, in this work, we sought to determine whether the human CATSPER1 gene expression is regulated by the SRY transcription factor. To this end, a series of deletions and mutations were introduced in the wild- type CATSPER1 gene promoter to eliminate the SRY sites, and the different constructs were tested for their ability to activate transcription in human embryonic kidney and murine spermatogonial germ cell lines (HEK-293 and GC1-spg, respectively) using luciferase assays. In addition, by using a strategy that combines electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) we investigated whether the CATSPER1 gene expression is regulated by the SRY transcription factor both in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that the transcriptional factor SRY specifically binds to different sites in the promoter sequence and has the ability to control CATSPER1 gene transcription.
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7
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Pinares-Garcia P, Stratikopoulos M, Zagato A, Loke H, Lee J. Sex: A Significant Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Brain Sci 2018; 8:E154. [PMID: 30104506 PMCID: PMC6120011 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8080154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Males and females sometimes significantly differ in their propensity to develop neurological disorders. Females suffer more from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, whereas males are more susceptible to deficits in the dopamine system including Parkinson's disease (PD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Despite this, biological sex is rarely considered when making treatment decisions in neurological disorders. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sex differences in the healthy and diseased brain will help to devise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies optimal for each sex. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the available evidence on sex differences in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders regarding prevalence, progression, symptoms and response to therapy. We also discuss the sex-related factors such as gonadal sex hormones and sex chromosome genes and how these might help to explain some of the clinically observed sex differences in these disorders. In particular, we highlight the emerging role of the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, in the male brain and its potential role as a male-specific risk factor for disorders such as PD, autism, and ADHD in many individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Pinares-Garcia
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Marielle Stratikopoulos
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Alice Zagato
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Hannah Loke
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Brain and Gender laboratory, Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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8
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Liu C, Ren YF, Dong J, Ke MY, Ma F, Monga SPS, Wu R, Lv Y, Zhang XF. Activation of SRY accounts for male-specific hepatocarcinogenesis: Implication in gender disparity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2017; 410:20-31. [PMID: 28942012 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex affects the risk, treatment responses and outcome of many types of cancers. The mechanism of gender disparity in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains obscure. Sex-determining region on Y chromosome (SRY) was overexpressed in approximate 84% male patient HCC. Moreover, we are the first to generate a liver-specific transgenic (TG) murine model with overexpression of the male specific gene SRY. Subject to a single intraperitoneal injection N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) at day 14, TG and wildtype (WT) mice of both genders were sacrificed at different time points (6-13.5 months). Overexpression of SRY in male TG and ectopic expression of SRY in female TG livers promoted DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis compared to age- and sex-matched WT. This accelerated tumorigenesis in TG of both genders was a consequence of increased injury and inflammation, fibrosis, and compensatory enhancement in hepatocytes proliferation secondary to activation of downstream targets Sox9 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and c-myc/CyclinD1. In conclusion, activation of SRY and its downstream Sox9 and PDGFRα pathways are commonly involved in male hepatocarcinogenesis, which provides novel insights into gender disparity and sex-specific therapeutic strategies of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Yi-Fan Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Jian Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Meng-Yun Ke
- Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Satdarshan P S Monga
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rongqian Wu
- Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Yi Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China.
| | - Xu-Feng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China; Shaanxi Provincial Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering Research Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China.
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Maan AA, Eales J, Akbarov A, Rowland J, Xu X, Jobling MA, Charchar FJ, Tomaszewski M. The Y chromosome: a blueprint for men's health? Eur J Hum Genet 2017; 25:1181-1188. [PMID: 28853720 PMCID: PMC5643963 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome has long been considered a 'genetic wasteland' on a trajectory to completely disappear from the human genome. The perception of its physiological function was restricted to sex determination and spermatogenesis. These views have been challenged in recent times with the identification of multiple ubiquitously expressed Y-chromosome genes and the discovery of several unexpected associations between the Y chromosome, immune system and complex polygenic traits. The collected evidence suggests that the Y chromosome influences immune and inflammatory responses in men, translating into genetically programmed susceptibility to diseases with a strong immune component. Phylogenetic studies reveal that carriers of a common European lineage of the Y chromosome (haplogroup I) possess increased risk of coronary artery disease. This occurs amidst upregulation of inflammation and suppression of adaptive immunity in this Y lineage, as well as inferior outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus infection. From structural analysis and experimental data, the UTY (Ubiquitously Transcribed Tetratricopeptide Repeat Containing, Y-Linked) gene is emerging as a promising candidate underlying the associations between Y-chromosome variants and the immunity-driven susceptibility to complex disease. This review synthesises the recent structural, experimental and clinical insights into the human Y chromosome in the context of men's susceptibility to disease (with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease) and provides an overview of the paradigm shift in the perception of the Y chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhlaq A Maan
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - James Eales
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Artur Akbarov
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joshua Rowland
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Xiaoguang Xu
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark A Jobling
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Fadi J Charchar
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Mount Helen Campus, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Maciej Tomaszewski
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Division of Medicine, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Aberrant activation of the human sex-determining gene in early embryonic development results in postnatal growth retardation and lethality in mice. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28646221 PMCID: PMC5482865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04117-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphisms are prevalent in development, physiology and diseases in humans. Currently, the contributions of the genes on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) in these processes are uncertain. Using a transgene activation system, the human sex-determining gene hSRY is activated in the single-cell embryos of the mouse. Pups with hSRY activated (hSRYON) are born of similar sizes as those of non-activated controls. However, they retard significantly in postnatal growth and development and all die of multi-organ failure before two weeks of age. Pathological and molecular analyses indicate that hSRYON pups lack innate suckling activities, and develop fatty liver disease, arrested alveologenesis in the lung, impaired neurogenesis in the brain and occasional myocardial fibrosis and minimized thymus development. Transcriptome analysis shows that, in addition to those unique to the respective organs, various cell growth and survival pathways and functions are differentially affected in the transgenic mice. These observations suggest that ectopic activation of a Y-located SRY gene could exert male-specific effects in development and physiology of multiple organs, thereby contributing to sexual dimorphisms in normal biological functions and disease processes in affected individuals.
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11
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Loh SY, Salleh N. Influence of testosterone on mean arterial pressure: A physiological study in male and female normotensive WKY and hypertensive SHR rats. Physiol Int 2017; 104:25-34. [DOI: 10.1556/2060.104.2017.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Testosterone plays an important role in the blood pressure regulation. However, information with regard to the effect of this hormone on blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive conditions is limited. Therefore, in this study, the relationship between plasma testosterone level and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was investigated under these conditions.
Methods
Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and hypertensive Spontaneous Hypertensive (SHR) male and female rats were gonadectomized with female rats treated with testosterone. Estrous cycle stages of intact female rats of both strains were identified by vaginal smear. Pressure in the carotid artery of anesthetized rats was measured via direct cannulation technique. The blood was withdrawn for plasma testosterone level measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Treatment of ovariectomized female WKY and SHR rats with testosterone for 6-week duration has resulted in MAP to increase (P < 0.05). In male WKY and SHR rats, MAP and plasma testosterone levels decreased by orchidectomy (P < 0.05). No significant differences in MAP and plasma testosterone levels were observed in intact female WKY and SHR rats between stages of the estrous cycle.
Conclusions
The effects seen in testosterone-treated ovariectomized female rats and in orchidectomized male rats suggested that testosterone could play an important role in causing the blood pressure to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- SY Loh
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - N Salleh
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Arnold AP, Cassis LA, Eghbali M, Reue K, Sandberg K. Sex Hormones and Sex Chromosomes Cause Sex Differences in the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:746-756. [PMID: 28279969 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.116.307301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent evidence concerning hormonal and sex chromosome effects in obesity, atherosclerosis, aneurysms, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and hypertension. Cardiovascular diseases occur and progress differently in the 2 sexes, because biological factors differing between the sexes have sex-specific protective and harmful effects. By comparing the 2 sexes directly, and breaking down sex into its component parts, one can discover sex-biasing protective mechanisms that might be targeted in the clinic. Gonadal hormones, especially estrogens and androgens, have long been found to account for some sex differences in cardiovascular diseases, and molecular mechanisms mediating these effects have recently been elucidated. More recently, the inherent sexual inequalities in effects of sex chromosome genes have also been implicated as contributors in animal models of cardiovascular diseases, especially a deleterious effect of the second X chromosome found in females but not in males. Hormonal and sex chromosome mechanisms interact in the sex-specific control of certain diseases, sometimes by opposing the action of the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.).
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Karen Reue
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Kathryn Sandberg
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
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13
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Coronary Artery Disease: Why We should Consider the Y Chromosome. Heart Lung Circ 2016; 25:791-801. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2015.12.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Dhanoa JK, Mukhopadhyay CS, Arora JS. Y-chromosomal genes affecting male fertility: A review. Vet World 2016; 9:783-91. [PMID: 27536043 PMCID: PMC4983133 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.783-791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian sex-chromosomes (X and Y) have evolved from autosomes and are involved in sex determination and reproductive traits. The Y-chromosome is the smallest chromosome that consists of 2-3% of the haploid genome and may contain between 70 and 200 genes. The Y-chromosome plays major role in male fertility and is suitable to study the evolutionary relics, speciation, and male infertility and/or subfertility due to its unique features such as long non-recombining region, abundance of repetitive sequences, and holandric inheritance pattern. During evolution, many holandric genes were deleted. The current review discusses the mammalian holandric genes and their functions. The commonly encountered infertility and/or subfertility problems due to point or gross mutation (deletion) of the Y-chromosomal genes have also been discussed. For example, loss or microdeletion of sex-determining region, Y-linked gene results in XY males that exhibit female characteristics, deletion of RNA binding motif, Y-encoded in azoospermic factor b region results in the arrest of spermatogenesis at meiosis. The holandric genes have been covered for associating the mutations with male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep Kaur Dhanoa
- School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India
| | - Chandra Sekhar Mukhopadhyay
- School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India
| | - Jaspreet Singh Arora
- School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India
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15
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Rohn S, Schroeder J, Riedel H, Polenz D, Stanko K, Reutzel-Selke A, Tang P, Brusendorf L, Raschzok N, Neuhaus P, Pratschke J, Sawitzki B, Sauer IM, Mogl MT. Allogeneic Liver Transplantation and Subsequent Syngeneic Hepatocyte Transplantation in a Rat Model: Proof of Concept for in vivo Tissue Engineering. Cells Tissues Organs 2016; 201:399-411. [DOI: 10.1159/000445792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Stable long-term functioning of liver cells after transplantation in humans is still not achieved successfully. A new approach for successful engraftment of liver cells may be the transplantation of syngeneic cells into an allogeneic liver graft. We therefore developed a new rat model for combined liver and liver cell transplantation (cLCTx) under stable immunosuppression. Materials and Methods: After inducing a mitotic block, liver grafts from female donor rats (Dark Agouti) were transplanted into female recipients (Lewis). In male Lewis rats, liver cell proliferation was induced with subsequent cell isolation and transplantation into female recipients after organ transplantation. Y-chromosome detection of the transplanted male cells was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FisH) with localization of transplanted cells by immunohistochemistry. Results: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the engraftment of transplanted cells, as confirmed by FisH, showing repopulation of the liver graft with 15.6% male cells (± 1.8 SEM) at day 90. qPCR revealed 14.15% (± 5.09 SEM) male DNA at day 90. Conclusion: Engraftment of transplanted syngeneic cells after cLCTx was achieved for up to 90 days under immunosuppression. Immunohistochemistry indicated cell proliferation, and the FisH results were partly confirmed by qPCR. This new protocol in rats appears feasible for addressing long-term functioning and eventually the induction of operational tolerance in the future.
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16
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Loke H, Harley V, Lee J. Biological factors underlying sex differences in neurological disorders. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 65:139-50. [PMID: 26028290 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence, age of onset, pathophysiology, and symptomatology of many neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions differ significantly between males and females. Females suffer more from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, whereas males are more susceptible to deficits in the dopamine system including Parkinson's disease (PD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Until recently, these sex differences have been explained solely by the neuroprotective actions of sex hormones in females. Emerging evidence however indicates that the sex chromosome genes (i.e. X- and Y-linked genes) also contribute to brain sex differences. In particular, the Y-chromosome gene, SRY (Sex-determining Region on the Y chromosome) is an interesting candidate as it is expressed in dopamine-abundant brain regions, where it regulates dopamine biosynthesis and dopamine-mediated functions such as voluntary movement in males. Furthermore, SRY expression is dysregulated in a toxin-induced model of PD, suggesting a role for SRY in the pathogenesis of dopamine cells. Taken together, these studies highlight the importance of understanding the interplay between sex-specific hormones and sex-specific genes in healthy and diseased brain. In particular, better understanding of regulation and function of SRY in the male brain could provide entirely novel and important insights into genetic factors involved in the susceptibility of men to neurological disorders, as well as development of novel sex-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Loke
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Vincent Harley
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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17
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Muschler MAN, Lenz B, Hillemacher T, Kraus C, Kornhuber J, Frieling H, Bleich S. CAGn repeat of the androgen receptor is linked to proopiomelanocortin promoter methylation-relevance for craving of male alcohol-dependent patients? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:2059-66. [PMID: 24271034 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Previous findings of the Franconian Alcoholism Research Studies showed that both the CAGn of the androgen receptor (AR) and the promoter methylation of the hypothalamic peptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) were associated with craving of male alcohol-dependent patients. OBJECTIVES Based on the strong interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), this study investigated the relationships between the CAGn repeat of the AR, POMC promoter methylation and craving of male alcohol-dependent patients. METHODS This analysis covers 84 male patients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence (DSM-IV). We sequenced the POMC gene promoter using bisulfite modified DNA to display the methylation status. Furthermore, we sequenced the CAGn repeat within exon 1 of the AR gene. Craving was quantified by the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale. RESULTS We found an inverse correlation between the number of CAGn repeats of the AR and the POMC methylation status in this study. Altogether, the POMC promoter methylation accounted for 33 % of the relationship between CAGn AR polymorphism and craving. CONCLUSIONS This work shows that the AR and the POMC gene might functionally interact with each other and subsequently mediate craving in alcohol-dependent patients. The paper discusses different mechanisms which might underlie our findings involving sex hormones' and sex determining region of Y-gene's regulatory function on DNA-methyltransferase activity. In conclusion, the results give insight in the interaction between HPG and HPA axis. This study is a further step on the way to a better understanding of genetic and non-genetic factors underlying craving for alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Andre Nicolas Muschler
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Addiction Research, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany,
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18
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Voskarides K, Hadjipanagi D, Papazachariou L, Griffin M, Panayiotou AG. Evidence for contribution of the y chromosome in atherosclerotic plaque occurrence in men. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2014; 18:552-6. [PMID: 24720269 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2014.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease demonstrate disparate population prevalence or present with variable severity in men and women. While the usual explanation points to hormonal status, the role of the Y chromosome has been implicated, but not sufficiently studied. We genotyped six markers of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome, representing the major haplogroups (YAP, G, I, J, K, and R) in 373 male participants of the "Cyprus Study" with ultrasonic data on subclinical atherosclerosis. Of the five major haplogroups identified, two (J and K) accounted for roughly 67% of the Y-chromosome variance among these Greek Cypriot men. Carriers of haplogroup K had a 2.5-fold higher age-adjusted risk for having an atherosclerotic plaque present in any of the four bifurcations scanned, compared to men with other Y-chromosome lineages (OR=2.51; 95% CI=1.18 to 5.33; p=0.017). Carriers of the YAP haplogroup had about 50% less risk for having a plaque in the femoral bifurcation versus the rest (OR=0.46; 95% CI=0.27 to 0.77; p<0.001). We show a possible contribution of the Y chromosome in atherosclerotic phenotypes in men adding to the previous findings for coronary artery disease. Additional studies are warranted as evidence suggests that the Y chromosome could serve as a biomarker for the health status of men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Voskarides
- 1 Laboratory of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Molecular Medicine Research Center, University of Cyprus , Nicosia, Cyprus
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19
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Praktiknjo SD, Llamas B, Scott-Boyer MP, Picard S, Robert F, Langlais D, Haibe-Kains B, Faubert D, Silversides DW, Deschepper CF. Novel effects of chromosome Y on cardiac regulation, chromatin remodeling, and neonatal programming in male mice. Endocrinology 2013; 154:4746-56. [PMID: 24105479 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the functions of chromosome Y (chrY) genes beyond their effects on sex and reproduction. In hearts, postpubertal testosterone affects the size of cells and the expression of genes differently in male C57BL/6J than in their C57.Y(A) counterparts, where the original chrY has been substituted with that from A/J mice. We further compared the 2 strains to better understand how chrY polymorphisms may affect cardiac properties, the latter being sexually dimorphic but unrelated to sex and reproduction. Genomic regions showing occupancy with androgen receptors (ARs) were identified in adult male hearts from both strains by chromatin immunoprecipitation. AR chromatin immunoprecipitation peaks (showing significant enrichment for consensus AR binding sites) were mostly strain specific. Measurements of anogenital distances in male pups showed that the biologic effects of perinatal androgens were greater in C57BL/6J than in C57.Y(A). Although perinatal endocrine manipulations showed that these differences contributed to the strain-specific differences in the response of adult cardiac cells to testosterone, the amounts of androgens produced by fetal testes were not different in each strain. Nonetheless, chrY polymorphisms associated in newborn pups' hearts with strain-specific differences in genomic regions showing either AR occupancy, accessible chromatin sites, or trimethylation of histone H3 Lysine 4 marks, as well as with differential expression of 2 chrY-encoded histone demethylases. In conclusion, the effects of chrY on adult cardiac phenotypes appeared to result from an interaction of this chromosome with the organizational programming effects exerted by the neonatal testosterone surge and show several characteristics of being mediated by an epigenetic remodeling of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D Praktiknjo
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7.
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20
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Mátrai M, Hetthéssy J, Nádasy GL, Monos E, Székács B, Várbíró S. Sex differences in the biomechanics and contractility of intramural coronary arteries in angiotensin II-induced hypertension. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 9:548-56. [PMID: 23217570 DOI: 10.1016/j.genm.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well known that sex differences occur in both the pathogenesis and therapy of hypertension. A deeper understanding of the underlying processes may be helpful when planning a personalized therapeutic strategy. OBJECTIVE In laboratory animal experiments, we studied the early mechanisms of vascular adaptation of the intramural small coronary arteries that play a fundamental role in the blood supply of the heart. METHODS In our study, an osmotic minipump was implanted into 10 male and 10 female Sprague-Dawley rats. The pump remained in situ for 4 weeks, infusing a dose of 100 ng/kg/min angiotensin II acetate. Four weeks later, the animals were killed, and the intramural coronary arteries from the left coronary branch, which are fundamentally responsible for the blood supply of the heart, were prepared. The pharmacologic reactivity and biomechanical properties of the prepared segments were studied in a tissue bath. RESULTS The relative heart mass and vessel wall thickness were greater in females than males (0.387 [0.009] g/100 g vs 0.306 [0.006] g/100 g body weight; 41.9 [4.09] μm vs 33.45 [3.37] μm on 50 mm Hg). The vessel tone and vasoconstriction in response to thromboxane agonists were, however, significantly more pronounced in males. The extent of relaxation in response to bradykinin was also greater in females. Although we observed inward eutrophic remodeling in females, an increase in wall stress and elastic modulus dominated in males. CONCLUSION The early steps of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension evoked very different adaptation mechanisms in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Mátrai
- Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
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21
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Arnold AP, Chen X, Link JC, Itoh Y, Reue K. Cell-autonomous sex determination outside of the gonad. Dev Dyn 2013; 242:371-9. [PMID: 23361913 PMCID: PMC3672066 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The classic model of sex determination in mammals states that the sex of the individual is determined by the type of gonad that develops, which in turn determines the gonadal hormonal milieu that creates sex differences outside of the gonads. However, XX and XY cells are intrinsically different because of the cell-autonomous sex-biasing action of X and Y genes. RESULTS Recent studies of mice, in which sex chromosome complement is independent of gonadal sex, reveal that sex chromosome complement has strong effects contributing to sex differences in phenotypes such as metabolism. Adult mice with two X chromosomes (relative to mice with one X chromosome) show dramatically greater increases in body weight and adiposity after gonadectomy, irrespective of their gonadal sex. When fed a high-fat diet, XX mice develop striking hyperinsulinemia and fatty liver, relative to XY mice. The sex chromosome effects are modulated by the presence of gonadal hormones, indicating an interaction of the sex-biasing effects of gonadal hormones and sex chromosome genes. CONCLUSIONS Other cell-autonomous sex chromosome effects are detected in mice in many phenotypes. Birds (relative to eutherian mammals) are expected to show more widespread cell-autonomous sex determination in non-gonadal tissues, because of ineffective sex chromosome dosage compensation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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22
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Haast RAM, Gustafson DR, Kiliaan AJ. Sex differences in stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2012; 32:2100-7. [PMID: 23032484 PMCID: PMC3519418 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2012.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in stroke are observed across epidemiologic studies, pathophysiology, treatments, and outcomes. These sex differences have profound implications for effective prevention and treatment and are the focus of this review. Epidemiologic studies reveal a clear age-by-sex interaction in stroke prevalence, incidence, and mortality. While premenopausal women experience fewer strokes than men of comparable age, stroke rates increase among postmenopausal women compared with age-matched men. This postmenopausal phenomenon, in combination with living longer, are reasons for women being older at stroke onset and suffering more severe strokes. Thus, a primary focus of stroke prevention has been based on sex steroid hormone-dependent mechanisms. Sex hormones affect different (patho)physiologic functions of the cerebral circulation. Clarifying the impact of sex hormones on cerebral vasculature using suitable animal models is essential to elucidate male-female differences in stroke pathophysiology and development of sex-specific treatments. Much remains to be learned about sex differences in stroke as anatomic and genetic factors may also contribute, revealing its multifactorial nature. In addition, the aftermath of stroke appears to be more adverse in women than in men, again based on older age at stroke onset, longer prehospital delays, and potentially, differences in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A M Haast
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Deborah R Gustafson
- Section for Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Departments of Neurology and Medicine, State University of New York—Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Amanda J Kiliaan
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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23
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Prokop JW, Leeper TC, Duan ZH, Milsted A. Amino acid function and docking site prediction through combining disease variants, structure alignments, sequence alignments, and molecular dynamics: a study of the HMG domain. BMC Bioinformatics 2012; 13 Suppl 2:S3. [PMID: 22536866 PMCID: PMC3402923 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-13-s2-s3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The DNA binding domain of HMG proteins is known to be important in many diseases, with the Sox sub-family of HMG proteins of particular significance. Numerous natural variants in HMG proteins are associated with disease phenotypes. Integrating these natural variants, molecular dynamic simulations of DNA interaction and sequence and structure alignments give detailed molecular knowledge of potential amino acid function such as DNA or protein interaction. Results A total of 33 amino acids in HMG proteins are known to have natural variants in diseases. Eight of these amino acids are normally conserved in human HMG proteins and 27 are conserved in the human Sox sub-family. Among the six non-Sox conserved amino acids, amino acids 16 and 45 are likely targets for interaction with other proteins. Docking studies between the androgen receptor and Sry/Sox9 reveals a stable amino acid specific interaction involving several Sox conserved residues. Conclusion The HMG box has structural conservation between the first two of the three helixes in the domain as well as some DNA contact points. Individual sub-groups of the HMG family have specificity in the location of the third helix, DNA specific contact points (such as amino acids 4 and 29), and conserved amino acids interacting with other proteins such as androgen receptor. Studies such as this help to distinguish individual members of a much larger family of proteins and can be applied to any protein family of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Prokop
- Department of Biology, Program in Integrated Bioscience, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA.
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24
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Charchar FJ, Bloomer LD, Barnes TA, Cowley MJ, Nelson CP, Wang Y, Denniff M, Debiec R, Christofidou P, Nankervis S, Dominiczak AF, Bani-Mustafa A, Balmforth AJ, Hall AS, Erdmann J, Cambien F, Deloukas P, Hengstenberg C, Packard C, Schunkert H, Ouwehand WH, Ford I, Goodall AH, Jobling MA, Samani NJ, Tomaszewski M. Inheritance of coronary artery disease in men: an analysis of the role of the Y chromosome. Lancet 2012; 379:915-922. [PMID: 22325189 PMCID: PMC3314981 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(11)61453-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A sexual dimorphism exists in the incidence and prevalence of coronary artery disease--men are more commonly affected than are age-matched women. We explored the role of the Y chromosome in coronary artery disease in the context of this sexual inequity. METHODS We genotyped 11 markers of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome in 3233 biologically unrelated British men from three cohorts: the British Heart Foundation Family Heart Study (BHF-FHS), West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), and Cardiogenics Study. On the basis of this information, each Y chromosome was tracked back into one of 13 ancient lineages defined as haplogroups. We then examined associations between common Y chromosome haplogroups and the risk of coronary artery disease in cross-sectional BHF-FHS and prospective WOSCOPS. Finally, we undertook functional analysis of Y chromosome effects on monocyte and macrophage transcriptome in British men from the Cardiogenics Study. FINDINGS Of nine haplogroups identified, two (R1b1b2 and I) accounted for roughly 90% of the Y chromosome variants among British men. Carriers of haplogroup I had about a 50% higher age-adjusted risk of coronary artery disease than did men with other Y chromosome lineages in BHF-FHS (odds ratio 1·75, 95% CI 1·20-2·54, p=0·004), WOSCOPS (1·45, 1·08-1·95, p=0·012), and joint analysis of both populations (1·56, 1·24-1·97, p=0·0002). The association between haplogroup I and increased risk of coronary artery disease was independent of traditional cardiovascular and socioeconomic risk factors. Analysis of macrophage transcriptome in the Cardiogenics Study revealed that 19 molecular pathways showing strong differential expression between men with haplogroup I and other lineages of the Y chromosome were interconnected by common genes related to inflammation and immunity, and that some of them have a strong relevance to atherosclerosis. INTERPRETATION The human Y chromosome is associated with risk of coronary artery disease in men of European ancestry, possibly through interactions of immunity and inflammation. FUNDING British Heart Foundation; UK National Institute for Health Research; LEW Carty Charitable Fund; National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; European Union 6th Framework Programme; Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi J Charchar
- School of Health Sciences, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Lisa Ds Bloomer
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Timothy A Barnes
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Mark J Cowley
- Peter Wills Bioinformatics Centre, Garvan Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher P Nelson
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Yanzhong Wang
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Denniff
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Radoslaw Debiec
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Scott Nankervis
- School of Health Sciences, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna F Dominiczak
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ahmed Bani-Mustafa
- School of Health Sciences, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Balmforth
- Division of Epidemiology, LIGHT, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Alistair S Hall
- Division of Epidemiology, LIGHT, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Francois Cambien
- INSERM UMRS 937, Pierre and Marie Curie University and Medical School, Paris, France
| | | | - Christian Hengstenberg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Chris Packard
- College of Medicine, Veterinary and Life Sciences, and Department of Vascular Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Willem H Ouwehand
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge and National Health Service Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ian Ford
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alison H Goodall
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Mark A Jobling
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Nilesh J Samani
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Maciej Tomaszewski
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit in Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
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25
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Arnold AP. The end of gonad-centric sex determination in mammals. Trends Genet 2012; 28:55-61. [PMID: 22078126 PMCID: PMC3268825 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 10/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The 20th-century theory of mammalian sex determination states that the embryo is sexually indifferent until the differentiation of gonads, after which sex differences in phenotype are caused by the differential effects of gonadal hormones. However, this theory is inadequate because some sex differences precede differentiation of the gonads and/or are determined by non-gonadal effects of the sexual inequality in the number and type of sex chromosomes. In this article, I propose a general theory of sex determination, which recognizes multiple parallel primary sex-determining pathways initiated by genes or factors encoded by the sex chromosomes. The separate sex-specific pathways interact to synergize with or antagonize each other, enhancing or reducing sex differences in phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7239, USA.
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26
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From rat to human: regulation of Renin-Angiotensin system genes by sry. Int J Hypertens 2012; 2012:724240. [PMID: 22315667 PMCID: PMC3270428 DOI: 10.1155/2012/724240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis determining protein, Sry, has functions outside of testis determination. Multiple Sry loci are found on the Y-chromosome. Proteins from these loci have differential activity on promoters of renin-angiotensin system genes, possibly contributing to elevation of blood pressure. Variation at amino acid 76 accounts for the majority of differential effects by rat proteins Sry1 and Sry3. Human SRY regulated rat promoters in the same manner as rat Sry, elevating Agt, Ren, and Ace promoter activity while downregulating Ace 2. Human SRY significantly regulated human promoters of AGT, REN, ACE2, AT2, and MAS compared to control levels, elevating AGT and REN promoter activity while decreasing ACE2, AT2, and MAS. While the effect of human SRY on individual genes is often modest, we show that many different genes participating in the renin-angiotensin system can be affected by SRY, apparently in coordinated fashion, to produce more Ang II and less Ang-(1-7).
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27
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Dickey C, Toot J, Terwilliger M, Payne R, Turner M, Ely D. The SHR Y chromosome increases cardiovascular, endocrine, and behavioral responses to stress compared to the WKY Y chromosome. Physiol Behav 2012; 106:101-8. [PMID: 22285213 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The SHR Y chromosome has loci which are involved with behavioral, endocrine and brain phenotypes and respond to acute stress to a different degree than that of the WKY Y chromosome. The objectives were to determine if WKY males with an SHR Y chromosome (SHR/y) when compared to males with a WKY Y chromosome would have: 1. a greater increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP), heart rate (HR), and locomotor activity when placed in an open field environment and during an acute stress procedure; 2. enhanced stress hormone responses; 3. greater voluntary running; and 4. increased brain Sry expression. The SHR/y strain showed a significant rise in BP (32%) and HR (10%) during the open field test and exhibited higher BP (46% change) during air jet stress. SHR/y had higher locomotor activity and less immobility and had increased stress induced plasma norepinephrine and adrenocorticotrophic hormone and 3-4× more voluntary running compared to WKY. Differential Sry expression between WKY and SHR/y in amygdala and hippocampus was altered at rest and during acute stress more than that of WKY. Evidence suggests that this animal model allows novel functions of Y chromosome loci to be revealed. In conclusion, a transcription factor on the SHR Y chromosome, Sry, may be responsible for the cardiovascular, endocrine and behavioral phenotype differences between SHR/y and WKY males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherec Dickey
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, United States
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28
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Toot JD, Reho JJ, Ramirez RJ, Novak J, Ely DL. Alterations in vasomotor systems and mechanics of resistance-sized mesenteric arteries from SHR and WKY male rats following in vivo testosterone manipulation. Biol Sex Differ 2012; 3:1. [PMID: 22214247 PMCID: PMC3264497 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-3-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Testosterone (T) and the sympathetic nervous system each contribute to the pathology of hypertension. Altered blood vessel reactivity is also associated with the pathology of high blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of T manipulation in the regulation of resistance-sized blood vessel reactivity. Methods Adult spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) male rats at 8 weeks of age were used. The rats were divided into groups consisting of gonadally intact controls (CONT), castrate with sham implant (CAST) and castrate with T implant (CAST + T) (n = 6 to 12 per group). Following a short-term period of T treatment (approximately 4 weeks), plasma norepinephrine (NE) and plasma T were assessed by performing high-performance liquid chromatography and RIA, respectively. Resistance-sized mesenteric artery reactivity was assessed on a pressurized arteriograph for myogenic reactivity (MYO), phenylephrine (PE) responsiveness and passive structural mechanics. Results SHR and WKY males exhibited similar physiological trends in T manipulation, with castration significantly lowering plasma T and NE and T replacement significantly increasing plasma T and NE. T manipulation in general resulted in significant alterations in MYO of second-order mesenteric arteries, with T replacement decreasing MYO in SHR (P < 0.05) compared to CONT, T replacement increasing MYO, and CAST decreasing MYO in WKY rats (P < 0.001) compared to CONT rats. Additionally, PE-induced constriction was significantly altered in both strains following T treatment, with the effective concentration of PE to constrict the vessel to 50% of the total diameter significantly increased in the CAST + T SHR compared to CONT (P < 0.05). Comparisons of passive structural mechanics between SHR and WKY treatment groups indicated in SHR a significantly increased wall-to-lumen ratio and decreased circumferential wall stress compared to WKY treatment groups. Conclusions These data suggest that T and NE are involved in a complex interaction with both myogenic reactivity and structural alterations of resistance-sized blood vessels and that these factors likely contribute to the development and maintenance of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Toot
- Department of Biology, 303 Carroll St,,The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908.
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29
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Arnold AP, Chen X, Itoh Y. What a difference an X or Y makes: sex chromosomes, gene dose, and epigenetics in sexual differentiation. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2012:67-88. [PMID: 23027446 PMCID: PMC4150872 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-30726-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A modern general theory of sex determination and sexual differentiation identifies the factors that cause sexual bias in gene networks, leading to sex differences in physiology and disease. The primary sex-biasing factors are those encoded on the sex chromosomes that are inherently different in the male and female zygotes. These factors, and downstream factors such as gonadal hormones, act directly on tissues to produce sex differences and antagonize each other to reduce sex differences. Recent studies of mouse models such as the four core genotypes have begun to distinguish between the direct effects of sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) and hormonal effects. Several lines of evidence implicate epigenetic processes in the control of sex differences, although a great deal of information is needed about sex differences in the epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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30
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Chromosome y regulates survival following murine coxsackievirus b3 infection. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2012; 2:115-21. [PMID: 22384388 PMCID: PMC3276194 DOI: 10.1534/g3.111.001610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) contributes to the development of myocarditis, an inflammatory heart disease that predominates in males, and infection is a cause of unexpected death in young individuals. Although gonadal hormones contribute significantly to sex differences, sex chromosomes may also influence disease. Increasing evidence indicates that Chromosome Y (ChrY) genetic variants can impact biological functions unrelated to sexual differentiation. Using C57BL/6J (B6)-ChrY consomic mice, we show that genetic variation in ChrY has a direct effect on the survival of CVB3-infected animals. This effect is not due to potential Sry-mediated differences in prenatal testosterone exposure or to differences in adult testosterone levels. Furthermore, we show that ChrY polymorphism influences the percentage of natural killer T cells in B6-ChrY consomic strains but does not underlie CVB3-induced mortality. These data underscore the importance of investigating not only the hormonal regulation but also ChrY genetic regulation of cardiovascular disease and other male-dominant, sexually dimorphic diseases and phenotypes.
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31
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Increased cardiovascular reactivity to acute stress and salt-loading in adult male offspring of fat fed non-obese rats. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25250. [PMID: 22043281 PMCID: PMC3197190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diet-induced obesity in rat pregnancy has been shown previously to be associated with consistently raised blood pressure in the offspring, attributed to sympathetic over-activation, but the relative contributions to this phenotype of maternal obesity versus raised dietary fat is unknown. Sprague-Dawley female rats were fed either a control (4.3% fat, n = 11) or lard-enriched (23.6% fat, n = 16) chow 10 days prior to mating, throughout pregnancy and lactation. In conscious adult (9-month-old) offspring cardiovascular parameters were measured (radiotelemetry). The short period of fat-feeding did not increase maternal weight versus controls and the baseline blood pressure was similar in offspring of fat fed dams (OF) and controls (OC). However, adult male OF showed heightened cardiovascular reactivity to acute restraint stress (p<0.01; Δ systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Δheart rate (HR)) with a prolonged recovery time compared to male OC. α1/β-adrenergic receptor blockade normalised the response. Also, after dietary salt-loading (8%-NaCl ad libitum for 1 week) male OF demonstrated higher SBP (p<0.05) in the awake phase (night-time) and increased low/high frequency ratio of power spectral density of HR variability versus OC. Baroreflex gain and basal power spectral density components of the heart rate or blood pressure were similar in male OF and OC. Minor abnormalities were evident in female OF. Fat feeding in the absence of maternal obesity in pregnant rats leads to altered sympathetic control of cardiovascular function in adult male offspring, and hypertension in response to stressor stimuli.
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32
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Ely D, Boehme S, Dunphy G, Hart M, Chiarappa F, Miller B, Martins AS, Turner M, Milsted A. The Sry3 Y chromosome locus elevates blood pressure and renin-angiotensin system indexes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 8:126-38. [PMID: 21536231 DOI: 10.1016/j.genm.2010.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex-determining region Y (Sry) is a transcription factor. Our research group has shown that there are multiple copies of Sry in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rats, and that they have novel functions separate from testes determination. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that exogenously delivered Sry3 to the normotensive WKY male kidney would activate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and raise blood pressure (BP), based on previous in vitro studies. METHODS Sry3 or control vector was electroporated to the left kidney of male WKY rats and the following measurements were taken: BP by telemetry, renin-angiotensin measures by radioimmunoassay, plasma and tissue catecholamines by HPLC with electrochemical detection, sodium by flame photometry, and inulin by ELISA. RESULTS Sry3 increased BP 10 to 20 mm Hg compared with controls (P < 0.01) and produced a significant 40% decrease in urine sodium compared with controls (P < 0.05). Sry3 increased renal angiotensin II and plasma renin activity by >100% compared with controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION The findings presented here confirm and extend the argument for Sry3 as one of the genes responsible for the SHR hypertensive Y chromosome phenotype and are consistent with increased tissue RAS activity due to Sry3 and increased sodium reabsorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ely
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3908, USA.
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33
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Turner ME, Ely D, Prokop J, Milsted A. Sry, more than testis determination? Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2011; 301:R561-71. [PMID: 21677270 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00645.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Sry locus on the mammalian Y chromosome is the developmental switch responsible for testis determination. Inconsistent with this important function, the Sry locus is transcribed in adult males at times and in tissues not involved with testis determination. Sry is expressed in multiple tissues of the peripheral and central nervous system. Sry is derived from Sox3 and is similar to other SOXB family loci. The SOXB loci are responsible for nervous system development. Sry has been demonstrated to modulate the catecholamine pathway, so it should have functional consequences in the central and peripheral nervous system. The nervous system expression and potential function are consistent with Sry as a SOXB family member. In mammals, Sox3 is X-linked and undergoes dosage compensation in females. The expression of Sry in adult males allows for a type of sexual differentiation independent of circulating gonadal hormones. A quantitative difference in Sox3 plus Sry expression in males vs. females could drive changes in the transcriptome of these cells, differentiating male and female cells. Sry expression and its transcriptional effects should be considered when investigating sexual dimorphic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monte E Turner
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA.
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34
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Testosterone increases: sodium reabsorption, blood pressure, and renal pathology in female spontaneously hypertensive rats on a high sodium diet. Adv Pharmacol Sci 2011; 2011:817835. [PMID: 21603136 PMCID: PMC3096300 DOI: 10.1155/2011/817835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen (E) and testosterone (T) are important in the sexually dimorphic pattern of blood pressure (BP) development. The goal was to examine the effects of endogenous E and exogenous T in the development of hypertension in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on a high sodium diet. Female SHR (N = 27, 5-week) were divided into four groups: (1) control (n = 8), (2) ovariectomized (OVX, n = 26), (3) testosterone implants with intact ovaries (T, n = 6), and (4) ovariectomized + testosterone implants (OVX+T, n = 7). T was given immediately after OVX and replaced every two weeks and they were fed a 3% NaCl diet. BP was measured weekly and plasma norepinephrine (NE) analyzed by HPLC. OVX+T females exhibited the greatest elevation in BP
(190 ± 4.0 mmHg) compared to controls at 15 weeks of age
(140 ± 3.4 mmHg, P < .001) and a pattern of hypertension development similar to that of male SHR. Females with T treatment showed evidence of glomerulosclerosis. In conclusion, T accelerated the development of hypertension similar to the BP pattern observed in males; the presence of ovaries attenuated the T induced increase in BP; T increased renal sodium reabsorption, and T increased glomerulosclerosis.
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