1
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Luo X, Guo J, Zhang J, Ma Z, Li H. Overview of chicken embryo genes related to sex differentiation. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17072. [PMID: 38525278 PMCID: PMC10959104 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex determination in chickens at an early embryonic stage has been a longstanding challenge in poultry production due to the unique ZZ:ZW sex chromosome system and various influencing factors. This review has summarized the genes related to the sex differentiation of chicken early embryos (mainly Dmrt1, Sox9, Amh, Cyp19a1, Foxl2, Tle4z1, Jun, Hintw, Ube2i, Spin1z, Hmgcs1, Foxd1, Tox3, Ddx4, cHemgn and Serpinb11 in this article), and has found that these contributions enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of sex determination in chickens, while identifying potential gene targets for future research. This knowledge may inform and guide the development of sex screening technologies for hatching eggs and support advancements in gene-editing approaches for chicken embryos. Moreover, these insights offer hope for enhancing animal welfare and promoting conservation efforts in poultry production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiancheng Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiahang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
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2
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Major AT, Estermann MA, Roly ZY, Smith CA. An evo-devo perspective of the female reproductive tract. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:9-23. [PMID: 34494091 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate female reproductive tract has undergone considerable diversification over evolution, having become physiologically adapted to different reproductive strategies. This review considers the female reproductive tract from the perspective of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). Very little is known about how the evolution of this organ system has been driven at the molecular level. In most vertebrates, the female reproductive tract develops from paired embryonic tubes, the Müllerian ducts. We propose that formation of the Müllerian duct is a conserved process that has involved co-option of genes and molecular pathways involved in tubulogenesis in the adjacent mesonephric kidney and Wolffian duct. Downstream of this conservation, genetic regulatory divergence has occurred, generating diversity in duct structure. Plasticity of the Hox gene code and wnt signaling, in particular, may underlie morphological variation of the uterus in mammals, and evolution of the vagina. This developmental plasticity in Hox and Wnt activity may also apply to other vertebrates, generating the morphological diversity of female reproductive tracts evident today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Zahida Y Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
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3
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Lee HJ, Seo M, Choi HJ, Rengaraj D, Jung KM, Park JS, Lee KY, Kim YM, Park KJ, Han ST, Lee KH, Yao HHC, Han JY. DMRT1 gene disruption alone induces incomplete gonad feminization in chicken. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21876. [PMID: 34449112 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100902r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Compared with the well-described XY sex determination system in mammals, the avian ZW sex determination system is poorly understood. Knockdown and overexpression studies identified doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) as the testis-determining gene in chicken. However, the detailed effects of DMRT1 gene disruption from embryonic to adult development are not clear. Herein, we have generated DMRT1-disrupted chickens using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 system, followed by an analysis of physiological, hormonal, and molecular changes in the genome-modified chickens. In the early stages of male chicken development, disruption of DMRT1 induced gonad feminization with extensive physiological and molecular changes; however, functional feminine reproductivity could not be implemented with disturbed hormone synthesis. Subsequent RNA-sequencing analysis of the DMRT1-disrupted chicken gonads revealed gene networks, including several novel genes linearly and non-linearly associated with DMRT1, which are involved in gonad feminization. By comparing the gonads of wild type with the genome-modified chickens, a set of genes were identified that is involved in the ZW sex determination system independent of DMRT1. Our results extend beyond the Z-dosage hypothesis to provide further information about the avian ZW sex determination system and epigenetic effects of gonad feminization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Jo Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minseok Seo
- Department of Computer Convergence Software, Korea University, Sejong Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Deivendran Rengaraj
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Min Jung
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Se Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Youn Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Min Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Je Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Taek Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Hyuk Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jae Yong Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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4
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Santana González L, Artibani M, Ahmed AA. Studying Müllerian duct anomalies - from cataloguing phenotypes to discovering causation. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:269240. [PMID: 34160006 PMCID: PMC8246269 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are developmental disorders of the Müllerian duct, the embryonic anlage of most of the female reproductive tract. The prevalence of MDAs is 6.7% in the general female population and 16.7% in women who exhibit recurrent miscarriages. Individuals affected by these anomalies suffer from high rates of infertility, first-trimester pregnancy losses, premature labour, placental retention, foetal growth retardation and foetal malpresentations. The aetiology of MDAs is complex and heterogeneous, displaying a range of clinical pictures that generally lack a direct genotype-phenotype correlation. De novo and familial cases sharing the same genomic lesions have been reported. The familial cases follow an autosomal-dominant inheritance, with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. Furthermore, few genetic factors and molecular pathways underpinning Müllerian development and dysregulations causing MDAs have been identified. The current knowledge in this field predominantly derives from loss-of-function experiments in mouse and chicken models, as well as from human genetic association studies using traditional approaches, such as microarrays and Sanger sequencing, limiting the discovery of causal factors to few genetic entities from the coding genome. In this Review, we summarise the current state of the field, discuss limitations in the number of studies and patient samples that have stalled progress, and review how the development of new technologies provides a unique opportunity to overcome these limitations. Furthermore, we discuss how these new technologies can improve functional validation of potential causative alterations in MDAs. Summary: Here, we review the current knowledge about Müllerian duct anomalies in the context of new high-throughput technologies and model systems and their implications in the prevention of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santana González
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Mara Artibani
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.,Gene Regulatory Networks in Development and Disease Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ahmed Ashour Ahmed
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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5
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Estermann MA, Williams S, Hirst CE, Roly ZY, Serralbo O, Adhikari D, Powell D, Major AT, Smith CA. Insights into Gonadal Sex Differentiation Provided by Single-Cell Transcriptomics in the Chicken Embryo. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107491. [PMID: 32268081 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the genetic triggers for gonadal sex differentiation vary across species, the cell biology of gonadal development was long thought to be largely conserved. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of gonadal sex differentiation, using single-cell sequencing in the embryonic chicken gonad during sexual differentiation. The data show that chicken embryonic-supporting cells do not derive from the coelomic epithelium, in contrast to other vertebrates studied. Instead, they derive from a DMRT1+/PAX2+/WNT4+/OSR1+ mesenchymal cell population. We find a greater complexity of gonadal cell types than previously thought, including the identification of two distinct sub-populations of Sertoli cells in developing testes and derivation of embryonic steroidogenic cells from a differentiated supporting-cell lineage. Altogether, these results indicate that, just as the genetic trigger for sex differs across vertebrate groups, cell lineage specification in the gonad may also vary substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Andres Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sarah Williams
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Claire Elizabeth Hirst
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Zahida Yesmin Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Olivier Serralbo
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Deepak Adhikari
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - David Powell
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew Thomas Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Craig Allen Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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Ioannidis J, Taylor G, Zhao D, Liu L, Idoko-Akoh A, Gong D, Lovell-Badge R, Guioli S, McGrew MJ, Clinton M. Primary sex determination in birds depends on DMRT1 dosage, but gonadal sex does not determine adult secondary sex characteristics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020909118. [PMID: 33658372 PMCID: PMC7958228 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020909118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, males are the homogametic sex (ZZ) and females the heterogametic sex (ZW). Primary sex determination is thought to depend on a sex chromosome gene dosage mechanism, and the most likely sex determinant is the Z chromosome gene Doublesex and Mab-3-Related Transcription factor 1 (DMRT1). To clarify this issue, we used a CRISPR-Cas9-based monoallelic targeting approach and sterile surrogate hosts to generate birds with targeted mutations in the DMRT1 gene. The resulting chromosomally male (ZZ) chicken with a single functional copy of DMRT1 developed ovaries in place of testes, demonstrating the avian sex-determining mechanism is based on DMRT1 dosage. These ZZ ovaries expressed typical female markers and showed clear evidence of follicular development. However, these ZZ adult birds with an ovary in place of testes were indistinguishable in appearance to wild-type adult males, supporting the concept of cell-autonomous sex identity (CASI) in birds. In experiments where estrogen synthesis was blocked in control ZW embryos, the resulting gonads developed as testes. In contrast, if estrogen synthesis was blocked in ZW embryos that lacked DMRT1, the gonads invariably adopted an ovarian fate. Our analysis shows that DMRT1 is the key sex determination switch in birds and that it is essential for testis development, but that production of estrogen is also a key factor in primary sex determination in chickens, and that this production is linked to DMRT1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Ioannidis
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom;
| | - Gunes Taylor
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Debiao Zhao
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Long Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Alewo Idoko-Akoh
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Daoqing Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana Guioli
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Mike J McGrew
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom;
| | - Michael Clinton
- Division of Functional Genomics and Development, The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom
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7
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Santana Gonzalez L, Rota IA, Artibani M, Morotti M, Hu Z, Wietek N, Alsaadi A, Albukhari A, Sauka-Spengler T, Ahmed AA. Mechanistic Drivers of Müllerian Duct Development and Differentiation Into the Oviduct. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:605301. [PMID: 33763415 PMCID: PMC7982813 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.605301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The conduits of life; the animal oviducts and human fallopian tubes are of paramount importance for reproduction in amniotes. They connect the ovary with the uterus and are essential for fertility. They provide the appropriate environment for gamete maintenance, fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. However, serious pathologies, such as ectopic pregnancy, malignancy and severe infections, occur in the oviducts. They can have drastic effects on fertility, and some are life-threatening. Despite the crucial importance of the oviducts in life, relatively little is known about the molecular drivers underpinning the embryonic development of their precursor structures, the Müllerian ducts, and their successive differentiation and maturation. The Müllerian ducts are simple rudimentary tubes comprised of an epithelial lumen surrounded by a mesenchymal layer. They differentiate into most of the adult female reproductive tract (FRT). The earliest sign of Müllerian duct formation is the thickening of the anterior mesonephric coelomic epithelium to form a placode of two distinct progenitor cells. It is proposed that one subset of progenitor cells undergoes partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT), differentiating into immature Müllerian luminal cells, and another subset undergoes complete EMT to become Müllerian mesenchymal cells. These cells invaginate and proliferate forming the Müllerian ducts. Subsequently, pEMT would be reversed to generate differentiated epithelial cells lining the fully formed Müllerian lumen. The anterior Müllerian epithelial cells further specialize into the oviduct epithelial subtypes. This review highlights the key established molecular and genetic determinants of the processes involved in Müllerian duct development and the differentiation of its upper segment into oviducts. Furthermore, an extensive genome-wide survey of mouse knockout lines displaying Müllerian or oviduct phenotypes was undertaken. In addition to widely established genetic determinants of Müllerian duct development, our search has identified surprising associations between loss-of-function of several genes and high-penetrance abnormalities in the Müllerian duct and/or oviducts. Remarkably, these associations have not been investigated in any detail. Finally, we discuss future directions for research on Müllerian duct development and oviducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santana Gonzalez
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ioanna A Rota
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Developmental Immunology Research Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mara Artibani
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Gene Regulatory Networks in Development and Disease Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Morotti
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Wietek
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Abdulkhaliq Alsaadi
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashwag Albukhari
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Gene Regulatory Networks in Development and Disease Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed A Ahmed
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Nagahama Y, Chakraborty T, Paul-Prasanth B, Ohta K, Nakamura M. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and plasticity in vertebrate species. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1237-1308. [PMID: 33180655 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse array of sex determination (SD) mechanisms, encompassing environmental to genetic, have been found to exist among vertebrates, covering a spectrum from fixed SD mechanisms (mammals) to functional sex change in fishes (sequential hermaphroditic fishes). A major landmark in vertebrate SD was the discovery of the SRY gene in 1990. Since that time, many attempts to clone an SRY ortholog from nonmammalian vertebrates remained unsuccessful, until 2002, when DMY/dmrt1by was discovered as the SD gene of a small fish, medaka. Surprisingly, however, DMY/dmrt1by was found in only 2 species among more than 20 species of medaka, suggesting a large diversity of SD genes among vertebrates. Considerable progress has been made over the last 3 decades, such that it is now possible to formulate reasonable paradigms of how SD and gonadal sex differentiation may work in some model vertebrate species. This review outlines our current understanding of vertebrate SD and gonadal sex differentiation, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. An impressive number of genes and factors have been discovered that play important roles in testicular and ovarian differentiation. An antagonism between the male and female pathway genes exists in gonads during both sex differentiation and, surprisingly, even as adults, suggesting that, in addition to sex-changing fishes, gonochoristic vertebrates including mice maintain some degree of gonadal sexual plasticity into adulthood. Importantly, a review of various SD mechanisms among vertebrates suggests that this is the ideal biological event that can make us understand the evolutionary conundrums underlying speciation and species diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Nagahama
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tapas Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan.,Karatsu Satellite of Aqua-Bioresource Innovation Center, Kyushu University, Karatsu, Japan
| | - Bindhu Paul-Prasanth
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Kohei Ohta
- Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.,Research Center, Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Okinawa, Japan
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9
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Roly ZY, Godini R, Estermann MA, Major AT, Pocock R, Smith CA. Transcriptional landscape of the embryonic chicken Müllerian duct. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:688. [PMID: 33008304 PMCID: PMC7532620 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07106-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Müllerian ducts are paired embryonic tubes that give rise to the female reproductive tract in vertebrates. Many disorders of female reproduction can be attributed to anomalies of Müllerian duct development. However, the molecular genetics of Müllerian duct formation is poorly understood and most disorders of duct development have unknown etiology. In this study, we describe for the first time the transcriptional landscape of the embryonic Müllerian duct, using the chicken embryo as a model system. RNA sequencing was conducted at 1 day intervals during duct formation to identify developmentally-regulated genes, validated by in situ hybridization. Results This analysis detected hundreds of genes specifically up-regulated during duct morphogenesis. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed enrichment for developmental pathways associated with cell adhesion, cell migration and proliferation, ERK and WNT signaling, and, interestingly, axonal guidance. The latter included factors linked to neuronal cell migration or axonal outgrowth, such as Ephrin B2, netrin receptor, SLIT1 and class A semaphorins. A number of transcriptional modules were identified that centred around key hub genes specifying matrix-associated signaling factors; SPOCK1, HTRA3 and ADGRD1. Several novel regulators of the WNT and TFG-β signaling pathway were identified in Müllerian ducts, including APCDD1 and DKK1, BMP3 and TGFBI. A number of novel transcription factors were also identified, including OSR1, FOXE1, PRICKLE1, TSHZ3 and SMARCA2. In addition, over 100 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were expressed during duct formation. Conclusions This study provides a rich resource of new candidate genes for Müllerian duct development and its disorders. It also sheds light on the molecular pathways engaged during tubulogenesis, a fundamental process in embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahida Yesmin Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Rasoul Godini
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Roger Pocock
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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10
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Ji J, Xu Y, Luo C, He Y, Xu X, Yan X, Li Y, Shu D, Qu H. Effects of the DMRT1 genotype on the body weight and gut microbiota in the broiler chicken. Poult Sci 2020; 99:4044-4051. [PMID: 32731992 PMCID: PMC7597928 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota is a critical determinant of growth and risk of metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that the locus rs16775833 within the DMRT1 gene is significantly associated with variation in the population structure of the gut microbiota, which is involved in determining the BW of the chicken. To assess the accuracy of correlation of rs16775833 located in the DMRT1 gene on microbial population and BW in birds, 2 genotypes GG and TT in the rs16775833 were identified in Chinese Yellow broiler breeders. We found that BW in the TT genotype group was significantly higher than in the GG genotype group at 7 and 13 wk of age in 777 female chickens. A full-length 16S rRNA sequencing approach was used to further evaluate the fecal bacterial composition of female broilers in 11 TT genotype chickens with high weight (HW-TT) and 11 GG genotype chickens with low weight (LW-GG) at 91 D of age. Partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed that the microbiota of the HW-TT and LW-GG females were clearly separated into 2 clusters. Furthermore, we identified 13 significantly different (P < 0.05) microbes at the genus level and 17 significantly different (P < 0.05) species between the HW-TT and LW-GG groups. Our data show that rs16775833 can modulate the microbial community structure and is associated with the BW of birds. To our knowledge, this is the first time that DMRT1 has been identified as a specific host factor, which is not only involved in sex determination but also has an effect on microbial function that might regulate animal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yibin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Chenglong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yanhua He
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xinchun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xia Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dingming Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hao Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
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11
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Ji J, Luo C, Zou X, Lv X, Xu Y, Shu D, Qu H. Association of host genetics with intestinal microbial relevant to body weight in a chicken F2 resource population. Poult Sci 2019; 98:4084-4093. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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12
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Schartl M, Schories S, Wakamatsu Y, Nagao Y, Hashimoto H, Bertin C, Mourot B, Schmidt C, Wilhelm D, Centanin L, Guiguen Y, Herpin A. Sox5 is involved in germ-cell regulation and sex determination in medaka following co-option of nested transposable elements. BMC Biol 2018; 16:16. [PMID: 29378592 PMCID: PMC5789577 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex determination relies on a hierarchically structured network of genes, and is one of the most plastic processes in evolution. The evolution of sex-determining genes within a network, by neo- or sub-functionalization, also requires the regulatory landscape to be rewired to accommodate these novel gene functions. We previously showed that in medaka fish, the regulatory landscape of the master male-determining gene dmrt1bY underwent a profound rearrangement, concomitantly with acquiring a dominant position within the sex-determining network. This rewiring was brought about by the exaptation of a transposable element (TE) called Izanagi, which is co-opted to act as a silencer to turn off the dmrt1bY gene after it performed its function in sex determination. Results We now show that a second TE, Rex1, has been incorporated into Izanagi. The insertion of Rex1 brought in a preformed regulatory element for the transcription factor Sox5, which here functions in establishing the temporal and cell-type-specific expression pattern of dmrt1bY. Mutant analysis demonstrates the importance of Sox5 in the gonadal development of medaka, and possibly in mice, in a dmrt1bY-independent manner. Moreover, Sox5 medaka mutants have complete female-to-male sex reversal. Conclusions Our work reveals an unexpected complexity in TE-mediated transcriptional rewiring, with the exaptation of a second TE into a network already rewired by a TE. We also show a dual role for Sox5 during sex determination: first, as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of germ-cell number in medaka, and second, by de novo regulation of dmrt1 transcriptional activity during primary sex determination due to exaptation of the Rex1 transposable element. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-018-0485-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Susanne Schories
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yuko Wakamatsu
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yusuke Nagao
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hashimoto
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chloé Bertin
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Brigitte Mourot
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Cornelia Schmidt
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Lazaro Centanin
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yann Guiguen
- INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Amaury Herpin
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany. .,INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France.
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13
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Roly ZY, Backhouse B, Cutting A, Tan TY, Sinclair AH, Ayers KL, Major AT, Smith CA. The cell biology and molecular genetics of Müllerian duct development. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2018; 7:e310. [DOI: 10.1002/wdev.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zahida Yesmin Roly
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Development BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brendan Backhouse
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of PaediatricsUniversity of Melbourne, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Andrew Cutting
- Biology Laboratory, Faculty of ScienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tiong Yang Tan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of PaediatricsUniversity of Melbourne, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Andrew H. Sinclair
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of PaediatricsUniversity of Melbourne, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Katie L. Ayers
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of PaediatricsUniversity of Melbourne, Royal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Andrew T. Major
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Development BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Craig A. Smith
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Development BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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14
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Omotehara T, Minami K, Mantani Y, Umemura Y, Nishida M, Hirano T, Yoshioka H, Kitagawa H, Yokoyama T, Hoshi N. Contribution of the coelomic epithelial cells specific to the left testis in the chicken embryo. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:148-156. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Omotehara
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Kiichi Minami
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Youhei Mantani
- Laboratory of Histophysiology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Yuria Umemura
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Miho Nishida
- Laboratory of Histophysiology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Tetsushi Hirano
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Hidefumi Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Graduate School of Teacher Education; Hyogo University of Teacher Education; Katoh Hyogo Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kitagawa
- Laboratory of Histophysiology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokoyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hoshi
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science; Kobe University; Kobe Hyogo Japan
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15
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Hirst CE, Serralbo O, Ayers KL, Roeszler KN, Smith CA. Genetic Manipulation of the Avian Urogenital System Using In Ovo Electroporation. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1650:177-190. [PMID: 28809021 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7216-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the advantages of the avian embryo as an experimental model is its in ovo development and hence accessibility for genetic manipulation. Electroporation has been used extensively in the past to study gene function in chicken and quail embryos . Readily accessible tissues such as the neural tube, somites, and limb bud, in particular, have been targeted. However, more inaccessible tissues, such as the embryonic urogenital system , have proven more challenging to study. Here, we describe the use of in ovo electroporation of TOL2 vectors or RCASBP avian viral vectors for the rapid functional analysis of genes involved in avian sex determination and urogenital development . In the context of the developing urogenital system , these vectors have inherent advantages and disadvantages, which will be considered here. Either vector can both be used for mis-expressing a gene and for targeting endogenous gene knockdown via expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). Both of these vectors integrate into the genome and are hence spread throughout developing tissues. Going forward, electroporation could be combined with CRISPR/Cas9 technology for targeted genome editing in the avian urogenital system .
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Hirst
- Department of Anatomy and Development Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, USA
| | - Olivier Serralbo
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC, USA
| | - Katie L Ayers
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kelly N Roeszler
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Development Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, USA.
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16
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Atsuta Y, Takahashi Y. Early formation of the Müllerian duct is regulated by sequential actions of BMP/Pax2 and FGF/Lim1 signaling. Development 2016; 143:3549-3559. [PMID: 27578782 DOI: 10.1242/dev.137067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Müllerian duct (MD) and Wolffian duct (WD) are embryonic tubular tissues giving rise to female and male reproductive tracts, respectively. In amniote embryos, both MD and WD emerge in both sexes, but subsequently degenerate in the males and females, respectively. Here, by using MD-specific gene manipulations in chicken embryos, we identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that link early MD specification to tubular invagination. Early (pre-)specification of MD precursors in the coelomic epithelium requires BMP signaling and its downstream target Pax2 in a WD-independent process. Subsequently, the BMP/Pax2 axis induces Lim1 expression, a hallmark of MD specification, for which FGF/ERK and WD-derived signals are also required. Finally, the sequential actions of the BMP/Pax2 and FGF/Lim1 axes culminate in epithelial invagination to form a tubular structure driven by an apical constriction, where apical accumulation of phospho-myosin light chain is positively regulated by FGF/ERK signaling. Our study delineates mechanisms governing the early formation of the MD, and also serves as a model of how an epithelial cell sheet is transformed to a tubular structure, a process seen in a variety of developmental contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Atsuta
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Takahashi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan AMED Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
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17
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Yang X, Deng J, Zheng J, Xia L, Yang Z, Qu L, Chen S, Xu G, Jiang H, Clinton M, Yang N. A Window of MHM Demethylation Correlates with Key Events in Gonadal Differentiation in the Chicken. Sex Dev 2016; 10:152-8. [DOI: 10.1159/000447659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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18
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Miao N, Wang X, Hou Y, Feng Y, Gong Y. Identification of male-biased microRNA-107 as a direct regulator for nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 based on sexually dimorphic microRNA expression profiling from chicken embryonic gonads. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 429:29-40. [PMID: 27036932 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several studies indicate that sexual dimorphic microRNAs (miRNAs) in chicken gonads are likely to have important roles in sexual development, but a more global understanding of the roles of miRNAs in sexual differentiation is still needed. To this end, we performed miRNA expression profiling in chicken gonads at embryonic day 5.5 (E5.5). Among the sex-biased miRNAs validated by qRT-PCR, twelve male-biased and six female-biased miRNAs were consistent with the sequencing results. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that some sex-biased miRNAs were potentially involved in gonadal development. Further functional analysis found that over-expression of miR-107 directly inhibited nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5a1), and its downstream cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP19A1). However, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was not directly or indirectly regulated by miR-107. Overall results indicate that miR-107 may specifically mediate avian ovary-development by post-transcriptional regulation of NR5a1 and CYP19A1 in estrogen signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Miao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Hou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanzhang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Ayers KL, Lambeth LS, Davidson NM, Sinclair AH, Oshlack A, Smith CA. Identification of candidate gonadal sex differentiation genes in the chicken embryo using RNA-seq. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:704. [PMID: 26377738 PMCID: PMC4574023 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1886-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite some advances in recent years, the genetic control of gonadal sex differentiation during embryogenesis is still not completely understood. To identify new candidate genes involved in ovary and testis development, RNA-seq was used to define the transcriptome of embryonic chicken gonads at the onset of sexual differentiation (day 6.0/stage 29). RESULTS RNA-seq revealed more than 1000 genes that were transcribed in a sex-biased manner at this early stage of gonadal differentiation. Comparison with undifferentiated gonads revealed that sex biased expression was derived primarily from autosomal rather than sex-linked genes. Gene ontology and pathway analysis indicated that many of these genes encoded proteins involved in extracellular matrix function and cytoskeletal remodelling, as well as tubulogenesis. Several of these genes are novel candidate regulators of gonadal sex differentiation, based on sex-biased expression profiles that are altered following experimental sex reversal. We further characterised three female-biased (ovarian) genes; calpain-5 (CAPN5), G-protein coupled receptor 56 (GPR56), and FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3). Protein expression of these candidates in the developing ovaries suggests that they play an important role in this tissue. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the earliest steps of vertebrate gonad sex differentiation, and identifies novel candidate genes for ovarian and testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Ayers
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Luke S Lambeth
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nadia M Davidson
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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