1
|
Luo J, Zhao H, Chen L, Liu M. Multifaceted functions of RPS27a: An unconventional ribosomal protein. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:485-497. [PMID: 36580426 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The ribosomal protein S27a (RPS27a) is cleaved from the fusion protein ubiquitin-RPS27a (Ub-RPS27a). Generally, Ub and RPS27a are coexpressed as a fusion protein but function independently after Ub is cleaved from RPS27a by a deubiquitinating enzyme. As an RP, RPS27a assembles into ribosomes, but it also functions independently of ribosomes. RPS27a is involved in the development and poor prognosis of various cancers, such as colorectal cancer, liver cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, and renal carcinoma, and is associated with poor prognosis. Notably, the murine double minute 2/P53 axis is a major pathway through which RPS27a regulates cancer development. Moreover, RPS27a maintains sperm motility, regulates winged aphid indirect flight muscle degeneration, and facilitates plant growth. Additionally, RPS27a is a metalloprotein and mercury (Hg) biomarker. In the present review, we described the origin, structure, and biological functions of RPS27a.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingshun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases of Yunnan Province, Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Central laboratory of Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Nursing College, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Meiqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases of Yunnan Province, Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Central laboratory of Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hou H, Chan C, Yuki KE, Sokolowski D, Roy A, Qu R, Uusküla-Reimand L, Faykoo-Martinez M, Hudson M, Corre C, Goldenberg A, Zhang Z, Palmert MR, Wilson MD. Postnatal developmental trajectory of sex-biased gene expression in the mouse pituitary gland. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:57. [PMID: 36221127 PMCID: PMC9552479 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pituitary gland regulates essential physiological processes such as growth, pubertal onset, stress response, metabolism, reproduction, and lactation. While sex biases in these functions and hormone production have been described, the underlying identity, temporal deployment, and cell-type specificity of sex-biased pituitary gene regulatory networks are not fully understood. METHODS To capture sex differences in pituitary gene regulation dynamics during postnatal development, we performed 3' untranslated region sequencing and small RNA sequencing to ascertain gene and microRNA expression, respectively, across five postnatal ages (postnatal days 12, 22, 27, 32, 37) that span the pubertal transition in female and male C57BL/6J mouse pituitaries (n = 5-6 biological replicates for each sex at each age). RESULTS We observed over 900 instances of sex-biased gene expression and 17 sex-biased microRNAs, with the majority of sex differences occurring with puberty. Using miRNA-gene target interaction databases, we identified 18 sex-biased genes that were putative targets of 5 sex-biased microRNAs. In addition, by combining our bulk RNA-seq with publicly available male and female mouse pituitary single-nuclei RNA-seq data, we obtained evidence that cell-type proportion sex differences exist prior to puberty and persist post-puberty for three major hormone-producing cell types: somatotropes, lactotropes, and gonadotropes. Finally, we identified sex-biased genes in these three pituitary cell types after accounting for cell-type proportion differences between sexes. CONCLUSION Our study reveals the identity and postnatal developmental trajectory of sex-biased gene expression in the mouse pituitary. This work also highlights the importance of considering sex biases in cell-type composition when understanding sex differences in the processes regulated by the pituitary gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huayun Hou
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cadia Chan
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kyoko E Yuki
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dustin Sokolowski
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Roy
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rihao Qu
- Interdepartmental Program of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Mariela Faykoo-Martinez
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matt Hudson
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christina Corre
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Goldenberg
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhaolei Zhang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mark R Palmert
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pallier PN, Ferrara M, Romagnolo F, Ferretti MT, Soreq H, Cerase A. Chromosomal and environmental contributions to sex differences in the vulnerability to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for therapeutic interventions. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 219:102353. [PMID: 36100191 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders affect men and women differently. Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depression, meningiomas and late-onset schizophrenia affect women more frequently than men. By contrast, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum condition, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and early-onset schizophrenia are more prevalent in men. Women have been historically under-recruited or excluded from clinical trials, and most basic research uses male rodent cells or animals as disease models, rarely studying both sexes and factoring sex as a potential source of variation, resulting in a poor understanding of the underlying biological reasons for sex and gender differences in the development of such diseases. Putative pathophysiological contributors include hormones and epigenetics regulators but additional biological and non-biological influences may be at play. We review here the evidence for the underpinning role of the sex chromosome complement, X chromosome inactivation, and environmental and epigenetic regulators in sex differences in the vulnerability to brain disease. We conclude that there is a pressing need for a better understanding of the genetic, epigenetic and environmental mechanisms sustaining sex differences in such diseases, which is critical for developing a precision medicine approach based on sex-tailored prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick N Pallier
- Blizard Institute, Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Maria Ferrara
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Women's Brain Project (WBP), Switzerland
| | - Francesca Romagnolo
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Hermona Soreq
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Andrea Cerase
- EMBL-Rome, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, RM, Italy; Blizard Institute, Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK; Department of Biology, University of Pisa, SS12 Abetone e Brennero 4, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dennison JL, Volmar CH, Ke D, Wang J, Gravel E, Hammond-Vignini S, Li Z, Timmons JA, Lohse I, Hayward MA, Brothers SP, Wahlestedt C. JOTROL, a Novel Formulation of Resveratrol, Shows Beneficial Effects in the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:173-190. [PMID: 35034905 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) has minimally effective treatments currently. High concentrations of resveratrol, a polyphenol antioxidant found in plants, have been reported to affect several AD-related and neuroprotective genes. To address the low bioavailability of resveratrol, we investigated a novel oral formulation of resveratrol, JOTROL™, that has shown increased pharmacokinetic properties compared to non-formulated resveratrol in animals and in humans. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that equivalent doses of JOTROL, compared to non-formulated resveratrol, would result in greater brain exposure to resveratrol, and more efficacious responses on AD biomarkers. METHODS For sub-chronic reversal studies, 15-month-old male triple transgenic (APPSW/PS1M146V/TauP301L; 3xTg-AD) AD mice were treated orally with vehicle or 50 mg/kg JOTROL for 36 days. For prophylactic studies, male and female 3xTg-AD mice were similarly administered vehicle, 50 mg/kg JOTROL, or 50 mg/kg resveratrol for 9 months starting at 4 months of age. A behavioral battery was run, and mRNA and protein from brain and blood were analyzed for changes in AD-related gene and protein expression. RESULTS JOTROL displays significantly increased bioavailability over non-formulated resveratrol. Treatment with JOTROL resulted in AD-related gene expression changes (Adam10, Bace1, Bdnf, Psen1) some of which were brain region-dependent and sex-specific, as well as changes in inflammatory gene and cytokine levels. CONCLUSION JOTROL may be effective as a prophylaxis and/or treatment for AD through increased expression and/or activation of neuroprotective genes, suppression of pro-inflammatory genes, and regulation of central and peripheral cytokine levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Dennison
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Danbing Ke
- KDM Laboratories Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James Wang
- KDM Laboratories Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Zuomei Li
- NuChem Sciences Inc., St. Laurent, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ines Lohse
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Shaun P Brothers
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cimino I, Rimmington D, Tung YCL, Lawler K, Larraufie P, Kay RG, Virtue S, Lam BYH, Fagnocchi L, Ma MKL, Saudek V, Zvetkova I, Vidal-Puig A, Yeo GSH, Farooqi IS, Pospisilik JA, Gribble FM, Reimann F, O'Rahilly S, Coll AP. Murine neuronatin deficiency is associated with a hypervariable food intake and bimodal obesity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17571. [PMID: 34475432 PMCID: PMC8413370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96278-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronatin (Nnat) has previously been reported to be part of a network of imprinted genes downstream of the chromatin regulator Trim28. Disruption of Trim28 or of members of this network, including neuronatin, results in an unusual phenotype of a bimodal body weight. To better characterise this variability, we examined the key contributors to energy balance in Nnat+/-p mice that carry a paternal null allele and do not express Nnat. Consistent with our previous studies, Nnat deficient mice on chow diet displayed a bimodal body weight phenotype with more than 30% of Nnat+/-p mice developing obesity. In response to both a 45% high fat diet and exposure to thermoneutrality (30 °C) Nnat deficient mice maintained the hypervariable body weight phenotype. Within a calorimetry system, food intake in Nnat+/-p mice was hypervariable, with some mice consuming more than twice the intake seen in wild type littermates. A hyperphagic response was also seen in Nnat+/-p mice in a second, non-home cage environment. An expected correlation between body weight and energy expenditure was seen, but corrections for the effects of positive energy balance and body weight greatly diminished the effect of neuronatin deficiency on energy expenditure. Male and female Nnat+/-p mice displayed subtle distinctions in the degree of variance body weight phenotype and food intake and further sexual dimorphism was reflected in different patterns of hypothalamic gene expression in Nnat+/-p mice. Loss of the imprinted gene Nnat is associated with a highly variable food intake, with the impact of this phenotype varying between genetically identical individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cimino
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Debra Rimmington
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Y C Loraine Tung
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Katherine Lawler
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust‑MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Pierre Larraufie
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR PNCA, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Richard G Kay
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Samuel Virtue
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Brian Y H Lam
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Luca Fagnocchi
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Marcella K L Ma
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Vladimir Saudek
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Ilona Zvetkova
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Antonio Vidal-Puig
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Giles S H Yeo
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - I Sadaf Farooqi
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust‑MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - J Andrew Pospisilik
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Fiona M Gribble
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Frank Reimann
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Anthony P Coll
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Choe HN, Jarvis ED. The role of sex chromosomes and sex hormones in vocal learning systems. Horm Behav 2021; 132:104978. [PMID: 33895570 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vocal learning is the ability to imitate and modify sounds through auditory experience, a rare trait found in only a few lineages of mammals and birds. It is a critical component of human spoken language, allowing us to verbally transmit speech repertoires and knowledge across generations. In many vocal learning species, the vocal learning trait is sexually dimorphic, where it is either limited to males or present in both sexes to different degrees. In humans, recent findings have revealed subtle sexual dimorphism in vocal learning/spoken language brain regions and some associated disorders. For songbirds, where the neural mechanisms of vocal learning have been well studied, vocal learning appears to have been present in both sexes at the origin of the lineage and was then independently lost in females of some subsequent lineages. This loss is associated with an interplay between sex chromosomes and sex steroid hormones. Even in species with little dimorphism, like humans, sex chromosomes and hormones still have some influence on learned vocalizations. Here we present a brief synthesis of these studies, in the context of sex determination broadly, and identify areas of needed investigation to further understand how sex chromosomes and sex steroid hormones help establish sexually dimorphic neural structures for vocal learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Na Choe
- Duke University Medical Center, The Rockefeller University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, United States of America.
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- Duke University Medical Center, The Rockefeller University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ruf-Zamojski F, Zhang Z, Zamojski M, Smith GR, Mendelev N, Liu H, Nudelman G, Moriwaki M, Pincas H, Castanon RG, Nair VD, Seenarine N, Amper MAS, Zhou X, Ongaro L, Toufaily C, Schang G, Nery JR, Bartlett A, Aldridge A, Jain N, Childs GV, Troyanskaya OG, Ecker JR, Turgeon JL, Welt CK, Bernard DJ, Sealfon SC. Single nucleus multi-omics regulatory landscape of the murine pituitary. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2677. [PMID: 33976139 PMCID: PMC8113460 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22859-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To provide a multi-omics resource and investigate transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, we profile the transcriptome, chromatin accessibility, and methylation status of over 70,000 single nuclei (sn) from adult mouse pituitaries. Paired snRNAseq and snATACseq datasets from individual animals highlight a continuum between developmental epigenetically-encoded cell types and transcriptionally-determined transient cell states. Co-accessibility analysis-based identification of a putative Fshb cis-regulatory domain that overlaps the fertility-linked rs11031006 human polymorphism, followed by experimental validation illustrate the use of this resource for hypothesis generation. We also identify transcriptional and chromatin accessibility programs distinguishing each major cell type. Regulons, which are co-regulated gene sets sharing binding sites for a common transcription factor driver, recapitulate cell type clustering. We identify both cell type-specific and sex-specific regulons that are highly correlated with promoter accessibility, but not with methylation state, supporting the centrality of chromatin accessibility in shaping cell-defining transcriptional programs. The sn multi-omics atlas is accessible at snpituitaryatlas.princeton.edu.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA.
| | - Zidong Zhang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, and Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory R Smith
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanqing Liu
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - German Nudelman
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Mika Moriwaki
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Hanna Pincas
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Rosa Gomez Castanon
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Venugopalan D Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Nitish Seenarine
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Anne S Amper
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Chirine Toufaily
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph R Nery
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Bartlett
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Aldridge
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nimisha Jain
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Gwen V Childs
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Olga G Troyanskaya
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, and Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph R Ecker
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Judith L Turgeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Corrine K Welt
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fels JA, Casalena GA, Manfredi G. Sex and oestrogen receptor β have modest effects on gene expression in the mouse brain posterior cortex. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2021; 4:e00191. [PMID: 33532622 PMCID: PMC7831211 DOI: 10.1002/edm2.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sex differences in brain cortical function affect cognition, behaviour and susceptibility to neural diseases, but the molecular basis of sexual dimorphism in cortical function is still largely unknown. Oestrogen and oestrogen receptors (ERs), specifically ERβ, the most abundant ER in the cortex, may play a role in determining sex differences in gene expression, which could underlie functional sex differences. However, further investigation is needed to address brain region specificity of the effects of sex and ERβ on gene expression. The goal of this study was to investigate sex differences in gene expression in the mouse posterior cortex, where sex differences in transcription have never been examined, and to determine how genetic ablation of ERβ affects transcription. Methods In this study, we performed unbiased transcriptomics on RNA from the posterior cortex of adult wild-type and ERβ knockout mice (n = 4/sex/genotype). We used unbiased clustering to analyse whole-transcriptome changes between the groups. We also performed differential expression analysis on the data using DESeq2 to identify specific changes in gene expression. Results We found only 27 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in wild-type (WT) males vs females, of which 17 were autosomal genes. Interestingly, in ERβKO males vs females all the autosomal DEGs were lost. Gene Ontology analysis of the subset of DEGs with sex differences only in the WT cortex revealed a significant enrichment of genes annotated with the function 'cation channel activity'. Moreover, within each sex we found only a few DEGs in ERβKO vs WT mice (8 and 5 in males and females, respectively). Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that in the adult mouse posterior cortex there are surprisingly few sex differences in gene expression, and those that exist are mainly related to cation channel activity. Additionally, they indicate that brain region-specific functional effects of ERβ may be largely post-transcriptional.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine A. Fels
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research InstituteWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research InstituteWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bertocchi I, Oberto A, Longo A, Palanza P, Eva C. Conditional inactivation of Npy1r gene in mice induces sex-related differences of metabolic and behavioral functions. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104824. [PMID: 32755609 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormone-driven differences in gene expression have been identified in experimental animals, highlighting brain neuronal populations implicated in dimorphism of metabolic and behavioral functions. Neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor (NPY-Y1R) system is sexually dimorphic and sensitive to gonadal steroids. In the present study we compared the phenotype of male and female conditional knockout mice (Npy1rrfb mice), carrying the inactivation of Npy1r gene in excitatory neurons of the brain limbic system. Compared to their male control (Npy1r2lox) littermates, male Npy1rrfb mice exhibited hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that is associated with anxiety and executive dysfunction, reduced body weight growth, after-fasting refeeding, white adipose tissue (WAT) mass and plasma leptin levels. Conversely, female Npy1rrfb mice displayed an anxious-like behavior but no differences in HPA axis activity, executive function and body weight, compared to control females. Moreover, conditional inactivation of Npy1r gene induced an increase of subcutaneous and gonadal WAT weight and plasma leptin levels and a compensatory decrease of Agouti-related protein immunoreactivity in the hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) nucleus in females, compared to their respective control littermates. Interestingly, Npy1r mRNA expression was reduced in the ARC and in the paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei of female, but not male mice. These results demonstrated that female mice are resilient to hormonal and metabolic effects of limbic Npy1r gene inactivation, suggesting the existence of an estrogen-dependent relay necessary to ensure the maintenance of the homeostasis, that can be mediated by hypothalamic Y1R.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bertocchi
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Oberto
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Italy
| | - Angela Longo
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Palanza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - Carola Eva
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ho Y, Hu P, Peel MT, Chen S, Camara PG, Epstein DJ, Wu H, Liebhaber SA. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of adult mouse pituitary reveals sexual dimorphism and physiologic demand-induced cellular plasticity. Protein Cell 2020; 11:565-583. [PMID: 32193873 PMCID: PMC7381518 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland drives highly conserved physiologic processes in mammalian species. These hormonally controlled processes are central to somatic growth, pubertal transformation, fertility, lactation, and metabolism. Current cellular models of mammalian anteiror pituitary, largely built on candidate gene based immuno-histochemical and mRNA analyses, suggest that each of the seven hormones synthesized by the pituitary is produced by a specific and exclusive cell lineage. However, emerging evidence suggests more complex relationship between hormone specificity and cell plasticity. Here we have applied massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), in conjunction with complementary imaging-based single-cell analyses of mRNAs and proteins, to systematically map both cell-type diversity and functional state heterogeneity in adult male and female mouse pituitaries at single-cell resolution and in the context of major physiologic demands. These quantitative single-cell analyses reveal sex-specific cell-type composition under normal pituitary homeostasis, identify an array of cells associated with complex complements of hormone-enrichment, and undercover non-hormone producing interstitial and supporting cell-types. Interestingly, we also identified a Pou1f1-expressing cell population that is characterized by a unique multi-hormone gene expression profile. In response to two well-defined physiologic stresses, dynamic shifts in cellular diversity and transcriptome profiles were observed for major hormone producing and the putative multi-hormone cells. These studies reveal unanticipated cellular complexity and plasticity in adult pituitary, and provide a rich resource for further validating and expanding our molecular understanding of pituitary gene expression programs and hormone production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yugong Ho
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Peng Hu
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael T Peel
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sixing Chen
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pablo G Camara
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Douglas J Epstein
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Stephen A Liebhaber
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Departments of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yoon J, Kim H. Multi-tissue observation of the long non-coding RNA effects on sexually biased gene expression in cattle. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019; 32:1044-1051. [PMID: 30744377 PMCID: PMC6603329 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.18.0516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have implied that gene expression has high tissue-specificity, and therefore it is essential to investigate gene expression in a variety of tissues when performing the transcriptomic analysis. In addition, the gradual increase of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) annotation database has increased the importance and proportion of mapped reads accordingly. METHODS We employed simple statistical models to detect the sexually biased/dimorphic genes and their conjugate lncRNAs in 40 RNA-seq samples across two factors: sex and tissue. We employed two quantification pipeline: mRNA annotation only and mRNA+lncRNA annotation. RESULTS As a result, the tissue-specific sexually dimorphic genes are affected by the addition of lncRNA annotation at a non-negligible level. In addition, many lncRNAs are expressed in a more tissue-specific fashion and with greater variation between tissues compared to protein-coding genes. Due to the genic region lncRNAs, the differentially expressed gene list changes, which results in certain sexually biased genes to become ambiguous across the tissues. CONCLUSION In a past study, it has been reported that tissue-specific patterns can be seen throughout the differentially expressed genes between sexes in cattle. Using the same dataset, this study used a more recent reference, and the addition of conjugate lncRNA information, which revealed alterations of differentially expressed gene lists that result in an apparent distinction in the downstream analysis and interpretation. We firmly believe such misquantification of genic lncRNAs can be vital in both future and past studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joon Yoon
- Department of Natural Science, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Heebal Kim
- Department of Natural Science, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.,Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Oyola MG, Shupe EA, Soltis AR, Sukumar G, Paez-Pereda M, Larco DO, Wilkerson MD, Rothwell S, Dalgard CL, Wu TJ. Sleep Deprivation Alters the Pituitary Stress Transcriptome in Male and Female Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:676. [PMID: 31649619 PMCID: PMC6794367 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor sleep hygiene is a growing problem, with detrimental effects on many biological systems. The pituitary gland plays a crucial role in the regulation of sleep and the stress response, and its dysfunction leads to sleep-related disorders. However, the interaction between these critical functions remains unclear. Thus, we performed a comparative, whole-transcriptome, analysis to identify stress-induced genes and relevant pathways that may be affected by sleep deprivation. One day following 12 h of Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation (PSD), mice were restrained for 20 min. Gene expression changes in the pituitary were assessed via RNA-Seq and Gene Ontology in PSD and/or restrained groups compared to controls. We show that restraint triggers transcriptional responses involved in hormone secretion, the glucocorticoid response, and apoptosis in both sexes, with 285 differentially expressed genes in females and 93 in males. When PSD preceded restraint stress, the numbers of differentially expressed genes increased to 613 in females and 580 in males. The pituitary transcriptome of restraint+PSD animals was enriched for microglia and macrophage proliferation, cellular response to corticosteroids, and apoptosis, among others. Finally, we identify sex-specific differences in restraint-induced genes following PSD. These findings provide genetic targets to consider when studying sleep and the response to stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario G. Oyola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Shupe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Anthony R. Soltis
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marcelo Paez-Pereda
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Darwin O. Larco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew D. Wilkerson
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Stephen Rothwell
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - T. John Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: T. John Wu
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cope ER, Voy BH, Whitlock BK, Staton M, Lane T, Davitt J, Mulliniks JT. Beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion identifies acutely differentially expressed genes related to metabolism and reproduction in the hypothalamus and pituitary of castrated male sheep. Physiol Genomics 2018; 50:468-477. [PMID: 29625019 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00104.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify molecular pathways that couple metabolic imbalances and reproduction, we randomly assigned 10 castrated male sheep to be centrally injected into the lateral ventricle through intracerebroventricular cannulas with 1 ml of β-hydroxybutyric acid sodium salt solution (BHB; 12,800 µmol/l) or saline solution (CON; 0.9% NaCl). Approximately 2 h postinjection, sheep were humanely euthanized, and hypothalamus and pituitary tissues were harvested for transcriptome characterization by RNA sequencing. RNA was extracted from the hypothalamus and pituitary and sequenced at a high depth (hypothalamus: 468,912,732 reads; pituitary: 515,106,092 reads) with the Illumina Hi-Seq 2500 platform and aligned to Bos taurus and Ovis aries genomes. Of the total raw reads, 87% (hypothalamus) and 90.5% (pituitary) mapped to the reference O. aries genome. Within these read sets, ~56% in hypothalamus and 69% in pituitary mapped to either known or putative protein coding genes. Fragments per kilobase of transcripts per million normalized counts were averaged and ranked to identify the transcript expression level. Gene Ontology analysis (DAVID Bioinformatics Resources) was utilized to identify biological process functions related to genes shared between tissues, as well as functional categories with tissue-specific enrichment. Between CON- and BHB-treated sheep, 11 and 44 genes were differentially expressed (adj. P < 0.05) within the pituitary and hypothalamus, respectively. Functional enrichment analyses revealed BHB altered expression of genes in pathways related to stimulus perception, inflammation, and cell cycle control. The set of genes altered by BHB creates a foundation from which to identify the signaling pathways that impact reproduction during metabolic imbalances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Cope
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Brynn H Voy
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Brian K Whitlock
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Meg Staton
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Thomas Lane
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Jack Davitt
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - J Travis Mulliniks
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hou H, Uusküla-Reimand L, Makarem M, Corre C, Saleh S, Metcalf A, Goldenberg A, Palmert MR, Wilson MD. Gene expression profiling of puberty-associated genes reveals abundant tissue and sex-specific changes across postnatal development. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:3585-3599. [PMID: 28911201 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The timing of human puberty is highly variable, sexually dimorphic, and associated with adverse health outcomes. Over 20 genes carrying rare mutations have been identified in known pubertal disorders, many of which encode critical components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 100 candidate genes at loci associated with age at menarche or voice breaking in males. We know little about the spatial, temporal or postnatal expression patterns of the majority of these puberty-associated genes. Using a high-throughput and sensitive microfluidic quantitative PCR strategy, we profiled the gene expression patterns of the mouse orthologs of 178 puberty-associated genes in male and female mouse HPG axis tissues, the pineal gland, and the liver at five postnatal ages spanning the pubertal transition. The most dynamic gene expression changes were observed prior to puberty in all tissues. We detected known and novel tissue-enhanced gene expression patterns, with the hypothalamus expressing the largest number of the puberty-associated genes. Notably, over 40 puberty-associated genes in the pituitary gland showed sex-biased gene expression, most of which occurred peri-puberty. These sex-biased genes included the orthologs of candidate genes at GWAS loci that show sex-discordant effects on pubertal timing. Our findings provide new insight into the expression of puberty-associated genes and support the possibility that the pituitary plays a role in determining sex differences in the timing of puberty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huayun Hou
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Liis Uusküla-Reimand
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12616 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maisam Makarem
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Christina Corre
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Shems Saleh
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2E5, Canada
| | - Ariane Metcalf
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Anna Goldenberg
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2E5, Canada
| | - Mark R Palmert
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Division of Endocrinology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.,Departments of Paediatrics and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Yang YM, Sehgal PB. Smooth Muscle-Specific BCL6+/- Knockout Abrogates Sex Bias in Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Mice. Int J Endocrinol 2018; 2018:3473105. [PMID: 30140283 PMCID: PMC6081567 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3473105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The "estrogen paradox" in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) refers to observations that while there is a higher incidence of idiopathic PAH in women, rodent models of PAH show male dominance and estrogens are protective. To explain these differences, we previously proposed the neuroendocrine-STAT5-BCL6 hypothesis anchored in the sex-biased and species-specific patterns of growth hormone (GH) secretion by the pituitary, the targeting of the hypothalamus by estrogens to feminize GH secretion patterns, and the role of the transcription factors STAT5a/b and BCL6 as downstream mediators of this patterned GH-driven sex bias. As a test of this hypothesis, we previously reported that vascular smooth muscle cell- (SMC-) specific deletion of the STAT5a/b locus abrogated the male-dominant sex bias in the chronic hypoxia model of PAH in mice. In the present study, we confirmed reduced BCL6 expression in pulmonary arterial (PA) segments in both male and female SMC:STAT5a/b-/- mice. In order to test the proposed contribution of BCL6 to sex bias in PAH, we developed mice with SMC-specific deletion of BCL6+/- by crossing SM22α-Cre mice with BCL6-floxed mice and investigated sex bias in these mutant mice in the chronic hypoxia model of PAH. We observed that the male-bias observed in wild-type- (wt-) SM22α-Cre-positive mice was abrogated in the SMC:BCL6+/- knockouts-both males and females showed equivalent enhancement of indices of PAH. The new data confirm BCL6 as a contributor to the sex-bias phenotype observed in hypoxic PAH in mice and support the neuroendocrine-STAT5-BCL6 hypothesis of sex bias in this experimental model of vascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ming Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Pravin B. Sehgal
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
DiCarlo LM, Vied C, Nowakowski RS. The stability of the transcriptome during the estrous cycle in four regions of the mouse brain. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:3360-3387. [PMID: 28685836 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed the transcriptome of the C57BL/6J mouse hypothalamus, hippocampus, neocortex, and cerebellum to determine estrous cycle-specific changes in these four brain regions. We found almost 16,000 genes are present in one or more of the brain areas but only 210 genes, ∼1.3%, are significantly changed as a result of the estrous cycle. The hippocampus has the largest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (82), followed by the neocortex (76), hypothalamus (63), and cerebellum (26). Most of these DEGs (186/210) are differentially expressed in only one of the four brain regions. A key finding is the unique expression pattern of growth hormone (Gh) and prolactin (Prl). Gh and Prl are the only DEGs to be expressed during only one stage of the estrous cycle (metestrus). To gain insight into the function of the DEGs, we examined gene ontology and phenotype enrichment and found significant enrichment for genes associated with myelination, hormone stimulus, and abnormal hormone levels. Additionally, 61 of the 210 DEGs are known to change in response to estrogen in the brain. 50 of the 210 genes differentially expressed as a result of the estrous cycle are related to myelin and oligodendrocytes and 12 of the 63 DEGs in the hypothalamus are oligodendrocyte- and myelin-specific genes. This transcriptomic analysis reveals that gene expression in the female mouse brain is remarkably stable during the estrous cycle and demonstrates that the genes that do fluctuate are functionally related.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M DiCarlo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Cynthia Vied
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida.,Translational Science Laboratory, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Richard S Nowakowski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pizov NA, Pizova NV. [Sex differences in acute disturbances of cerebral blood circulation]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2017; 117:70-74. [PMID: 28514337 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro20171171270-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It is shown that in the development of stroke observed sex differences, which manifest themselves both clinically and by laboratory parameters. While men have a higher incidence of stroke for most of his life, a woman in a more advanced age have a higher risk for stroke. Sex differences in the development of stroke depend on several factors, including genetic and hormonal changes throughout life. Studies sex differences in the risk of stroke is only in the initial stage, but the first results show that there are differences in neuronal cell death in males and females after experimental ischemic stroke. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of stroke in men and women will lead to more appropriate treatment strategies for patients of both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N A Pizov
- Jaroslavl State Medical University, Jaroslavl, Russia
| | - N V Pizova
- Jaroslavl State Medical University, Jaroslavl, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Powers MS, Smith PH, McKee SA, Ehringer MA. From sexless to sexy: Why it is time for human genetics to consider and report analyses of sex. Biol Sex Differ 2017; 8:15. [PMID: 28473910 PMCID: PMC5415751 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-017-0136-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Science has come a long way with regard to the consideration of sex differences in clinical and preclinical research, but one field remains behind the curve: human statistical genetics. The goal of this commentary is to raise awareness and discussion about how to best consider and evaluate possible sex effects in the context of large-scale human genetic studies. Over the course of this commentary, we reinforce the importance of interpreting genetic results in the context of biological sex, establish evidence that sex differences are not being considered in human statistical genetics, and discuss how best to conduct and report such analyses. Our recommendation is to run stratified analyses by sex no matter the sample size or the result and report the findings. Summary statistics from stratified analyses are helpful for meta-analyses, and patterns of sex-dependent associations may be hidden in a combined dataset. In the age of declining sequencing costs, large consortia efforts, and a number of useful control samples, it is now time for the field of human genetics to appropriately include sex in the design, analysis, and reporting of results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Powers
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Phillip H. Smith
- Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY 10031 USA
| | - Sherry A. McKee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519 USA
| | - Marissa A. Ehringer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
MacManes MD, Austin SH, Lang AS, Booth A, Farrar V, Calisi RM. Widespread patterns of sexually dimorphic gene expression in an avian hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45125. [PMID: 28417958 PMCID: PMC5394691 DOI: 10.1038/srep45125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is a key biological system required for reproduction and associated sexual behaviors to occur. In the avian reproductive model of the rock dove (Columba livia), we characterized the transcript community of each tissue of the HPG axis in both sexes, thereby significantly expanding our mechanistic insight into HPG activity. We report greater sex-biased differential expression in the pituitary as compared to the hypothalamus, with multiple genes more highly expressed in the male pituitary being related to secretory function, and multiple genes more highly expressed in the female pituitary being related to reproduction, growth, and development. We report tissue-specific and sex-biased expression in genes commonly investigated when studying reproduction, highlighting the need for sex parity in future studies. In addition, we uncover new targets of investigation in both sexes, which could potentially change our understanding of HPG function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D MacManes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH 03824, USA
| | - Suzanne H Austin
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis. Davis CA. 95616, USA
| | - Andrew S Lang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH 03824, USA
| | - April Booth
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis. Davis CA. 95616, USA
| | - Victoria Farrar
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis. Davis CA. 95616, USA
| | - Rebecca M Calisi
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis. Davis CA. 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Eckstrum KS, Weis KE, Baur NG, Yoshihara Y, Raetzman LT. Icam5 Expression Exhibits Sex Differences in the Neonatal Pituitary and Is Regulated by Estradiol and Bisphenol A. Endocrinology 2016; 157:1408-20. [PMID: 26789235 PMCID: PMC4816737 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are prevalent in the environment and can impair reproductive success by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The developing pituitary gland is sensitive to exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), and sex-specific effects can occur. However, effects on the critical window of neonatal pituitary gland development in mice have not been explored. Therefore, this study determined baseline gene expression in male and female pituitaries and consequences of environmental exposure to 17β-estradiol (E2) and BPA on transcription of genes exhibiting sex differences during the neonatal period. Through microarray and quantitative RT-PCR analysis of pituitaries at postnatal day (PND)1, 3 genes were differentially expressed between males and females: Lhb, Fshb, and intracellular adhesion molecule-5 (Icam5). To see whether E2 and BPA exposure regulates these genes, pituitaries were cultured at PND1 with 10(-8) M E2 or 4.4 × 10(-6) M BPA. E2 decreased expression of Lhb, Fshb, and Icam5 mRNA in females but only significantly decreased expression of Icam5 in males. BPA decreased expression of Icam5 similarly to E2, but it did not affect Lhb or Fshb. Importantly, in vivo exposure to 50-μg/kg · d E2 from PND0 to PND7 decreased expression of Lhb, Fshb, and Icam5 mRNA in both males and females, whereas 50-mg/kg · d BPA exposure during the same time frame decreased expression of Icam5 in females only. Overall, we have uncovered that genes differentially expressed between the sexes can be regulated in part by hormonal and chemical signals in vivo and directly at the pituitary and can be regulated in a sex-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten S Eckstrum
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (K.S.E., K.E.W., N.G.B., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Y.Y.), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Karen E Weis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (K.S.E., K.E.W., N.G.B., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Y.Y.), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nicholas G Baur
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (K.S.E., K.E.W., N.G.B., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Y.Y.), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshihara
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (K.S.E., K.E.W., N.G.B., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Y.Y.), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (K.S.E., K.E.W., N.G.B., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; and RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Y.Y.), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Seo M, Caetano-Anolles K, Rodriguez-Zas S, Ka S, Jeong JY, Park S, Kim MJ, Nho WG, Cho S, Kim H, Lee HJ. Comprehensive identification of sexually dimorphic genes in diverse cattle tissues using RNA-seq. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:81. [PMID: 26818975 PMCID: PMC4728830 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2400-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular mechanisms associated with sexual dimorphism in cattle have not been well elucidated. Furthermore, as recent studies have implied that gene expression patterns are highly tissue specific, it is essential to investigate gene expression in a variety of tissues using RNA-seq. Here, we employed and compared two statistical methods, a simple two group test and Analysis of deviance (ANODEV), in order to investigate bovine sexually dimorphic genes in 40 RNA-seq samples distributed across two factors: sex and tissue. RESULTS As a result, we detected 752 sexually dimorphic genes across tissues from two statistical approaches and identified strong tissue-specific patterns of gene expression. Additionally, significantly detected sex-related genes shared between two mammal species (cattle and rat) were identified using qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS Results of our analyses reveal that sexual dimorphism of metabolic tissues and pituitary gland in cattle involves various biological processes. Several differentially expressed genes between sexes in cattle and rat species are shared, but show tissue-specific patterns. Finally, we concluded that two distinct statistical approaches have their advantages and disadvantages in RNA-seq studies investigating multiple tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minseok Seo
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Kwan-ak St. 599, Kwan-ak Gu, Seoul, South Korea, 151-741, Republic of Korea.
- CHO&KIM genomics, Main Bldg. #514, SNU Research Park, Seoul National University Mt.4-2, NakSeoungDae, Gwanakgu, Seoul, 151-919, Republic of Korea.
| | | | | | - Sojeong Ka
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin Young Jeong
- Division of Animal Products R&D, National Institute of Animal science, #1500 Kongjwipatjwi-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 565-851, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sungkwon Park
- Department of food science and technology, Sejong University, 98 Gun-Ja-Dong, Seoul, 143-747, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Ji Kim
- Department of food science and technology, Sejong University, 98 Gun-Ja-Dong, Seoul, 143-747, Republic of Korea.
| | - Whan-Gook Nho
- Department of Swine & Poultry Science, National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, #1515 Kongjwipatjwi-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 560-500, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seoae Cho
- CHO&KIM genomics, Main Bldg. #514, SNU Research Park, Seoul National University Mt.4-2, NakSeoungDae, Gwanakgu, Seoul, 151-919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Heebal Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Kwan-ak St. 599, Kwan-ak Gu, Seoul, South Korea, 151-741, Republic of Korea.
- CHO&KIM genomics, Main Bldg. #514, SNU Research Park, Seoul National University Mt.4-2, NakSeoungDae, Gwanakgu, Seoul, 151-919, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun-Jeong Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Kwan-ak St. 599, Kwan-ak Gu, Seoul, South Korea, 151-741, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Animal Products R&D, National Institute of Animal science, #1500 Kongjwipatjwi-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 565-851, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sehgal PB, Yang YM, Miller EJ. Hypothesis: Neuroendocrine Mechanisms (Hypothalamus-Growth Hormone-STAT5 Axis) Contribute to Sex Bias in Pulmonary Hypertension. Mol Med 2015; 21:688-701. [PMID: 26252185 PMCID: PMC4749490 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) is approximately two- to four-fold higher in women than in men. Paradoxically, there is an opposite male bias in typical rodent models of PH (chronic hypoxia or monocrotaline); in these models, administration of estrogenic compounds (for example, estradiol-17β [E2]) is protective. Further complexities are observed in humans ingesting anorexigens (female bias) and in rodent models, such as after hypoxia plus SU5416/Sugen (little sex bias) or involving serotonin transporter overexpression or dexfenfluramine administration (female bias). These complexities in sex bias in PH remain incompletely understood. We recently discovered that conditional deletion of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a/b (STAT5a/b) in vascular smooth muscle cells abrogated the male bias in PH in hypoxic mice and that late-stage obliterative lesions in patients of both sexes with IPAH and HPAH showed reduced STAT5a/b, reduced Tyr-P-STAT5 and reduced B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (BCL6). In trying to understand the significance of these observations, we realized that there existed a well-characterized E2-sensitive central neuroendocrine mechanism of sex bias, studied over the last 40 years, that, at its peripheral end, culminated in species-specific male ("pulsatile") versus female ("more continuous") temporal patterns of circulating growth hormone (GH) levels leading to male versus female patterned activation of STAT5a/b in peripheral tissues and thus sex-biased expression of hundreds of genes. In this report, we consider the contribution of this neuroendocrine mechanism (hypothalamus-GH-STAT5) in the generation of sex bias in different PH situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin B Sehgal
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Yang-Ming Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Edmund J Miller
- Center for Heart and Lung Research, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sehgal PB, Yang YM, Yuan H, Miller EJ. STAT5a/b contribute to sex bias in vascular disease: A neuroendocrine perspective. JAKSTAT 2015; 4:1-20. [PMID: 27141328 DOI: 10.1080/21623996.2015.1090658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have elucidated a neuroendocrine mechanism consisting of the hypothalamus (growth hormone releasing hormone, GHRH) - pituitary (growth hormone, GH) - STAT5a/b axis that underlies sex-biased gene expression in the liver. It is now established that male vs female patterned secretion of GHRH, and thus of circulating GH levels ("pulsatile" vs "more continuous" respectively), leading to differently patterned activation of PY-STAT5a/b in hepatocytes results in sex-biased gene expression of cohorts of hundreds of downstream genes. This review outlines new data in support of a STAT5a/b-based mechanism of sex bias in the vascular disease pulmonary hypertension (PH). Puzzling observations in PH include its 2-4-fold higher prevalence in women but a male-dominance in many rodent models, and, paradoxically, inhibition of PH development by estrogens in such models. We observed that conditional deletion of STAT5a/b in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in mice converted the male-dominant model of chronic hypoxia-induced PH into a female-dominant phenotype. In human idiopathic PH, there was reduced STAT5a/b and PY-STAT5 in cells in late-stage obliterative pulmonary arterial lesions in both men and women. A juxtaposition of the prior liver data with the newer PH-related data drew attention to the hypothalamus-GH-STAT5 axis, which is the major target of estrogens at the level of the hypothalamus. This hypothesis explains many of the puzzling aspects of sex bias in PH in humans and rodent models. The extension of STAT5-anchored mechanisms of sex bias to vascular disease emphasizes the contribution of central neuroendocrine processes in generating sexual dimorphism in different tissues and cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin B Sehgal
- Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy; New York Medical College; Valhalla, NY USA; Department of Medicine; New York Medical College; Valhalla, NY USA
| | - Yang-Ming Yang
- Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy; New York Medical College ; Valhalla, NY USA
| | - Huijuan Yuan
- Departments of Cell Biology & Anatomy; New York Medical College ; Valhalla, NY USA
| | - Edmund J Miller
- Center for Heart and Lung Research; The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research ; Manhasset, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bjelobaba I, Janjic MM, Kucka M, Stojilkovic SS. Cell Type-Specific Sexual Dimorphism in Rat Pituitary Gene Expression During Maturation. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:21. [PMID: 26063874 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.129320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The most obvious functional differences between mammalian males and females are related to the control of reproductive physiology and include patterns of GnRH and gonadotropin release, the timing of puberty, sexual and social behavior, and the regulation of food intake and body weight. Using the rat as the best-studied mammalian model for maturation, we examined the expression of major anterior pituitary genes in five secretory cell types of developing males and females. Corticotrophs show comparable Pomc profiles in both sexes, with the highest expression occurring during the infantile period. Somatotrophs and lactotrophs also exhibit no difference in Gh1 and Prl profiles during embryonic to juvenile age but show the amplification of Prl expression in females and Gh1 expression in males during peripubertal and postpubertal ages. Gonadotrophs exhibit highly synchronized Lhb, Fshb, Cga, and Gnrhr expression in both sexes, but the peak of expression occurs during the infantile period in females and at the end of the juvenile period in males. Thyrotrophs also show different developmental Tshb profiles, which are synchronized with the expression of gonadotroph genes in males but not in females. These results indicate the lack of influence of sex on Pomc expression and the presence of two patterns of sexual dimorphism in the expression of other pituitary genes: a time shift in the peak expression during postnatal development, most likely reflecting the perinatal sex-specific brain differentiation, and modulation of the amplitude of expression during late development, which is secondary to the establishment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and -thyroid axes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bjelobaba
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Program in Developmental Neuroscience, The Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marija M Janjic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Program in Developmental Neuroscience, The Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marek Kucka
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Program in Developmental Neuroscience, The Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stanko S Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Program in Developmental Neuroscience, The Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Yang YM, Yuan H, Edwards JG, Skayian Y, Ochani K, Miller EJ, Sehgal PB. Deletion of STAT5a/b in vascular smooth muscle abrogates the male bias in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in mice: implications in the human disease. Mol Med 2015; 20:625-38. [PMID: 25470773 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hypoxia typically elicits pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mice with a male-dominant phenotype. There is an opposite-sex bias in human PH, with a higher prevalence in women, but greater survival (the "estrogen paradox"). We investigated the involvement of the STAT5a/b species, previously established to mediate sexual dimorphism in other contexts, in the sex bias in PH. Mice with heterozygous or homozygous deletions of the STAT5a/b locus in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were generated in crosses between STAT5a/b(fl/fl) and transgelin (SM22α)-Cre(+/+) parents. Wild-type (wt) males subjected to chronic hypoxia showed significant PH and pulmonary arterial remodeling, with wt females showing minimal changes (a male-dominant phenotype). However, in conditional STAT5(+/-) or STAT5(-/-) mice, hypoxic females showed the severest manifestations of PH (a female-dominant phenotype). Immunofluorescence studies on human lung sections showed that obliterative pulmonary arterial lesions in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) or hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH), both male and female, overall had reduced STAT5a/b, reduced PY-STAT5 and reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) GTPase atlastin-3 (ATL3). Studies of SMCs and endothelial cell (EC) lines derived from vessels isolated from lungs of male and female IPAH patients and controls revealed instances of coordinate reductions in STAT5a, STAT5b and ATL3 in IPAH-derived cells, including SMCs and ECs from the same patient. Taken together, these data provide the first definitive evidence for a contribution of STAT5a/b to the sex bias in PH in the hypoxic mouse and implicate reduced STAT5 in the pathogenesis of the human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ming Yang
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Huijuan Yuan
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - John G Edwards
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Yester Skayian
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Kanta Ochani
- Center for Heart and Lung Research, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Edmund J Miller
- Center for Heart and Lung Research, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Pravin B Sehgal
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America.,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Sexual maturation and somatic growth cessation are associated with adolescent development, which is precisely controlled by interconnected neuroendocrine regulatory pathways in the endogenous endocrine system. The pituitary gland is one of the key regulators of the endocrine system. By analyzing the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) transcriptome before and after sexual maturation, in this study, we characterized the global gene expression patterns in zebrafish pituitaries at 45 and 90 days post-fertilization (dpf). A total of 15 043 annotated genes were expressed in the pituitary tissue, 3072 of which were differentially expressed with a greater than or equal to twofold change between pituitaries at 45 and 90 dpf. In the pituitary transcriptome, the most abundant transcript was gh. The expression levels of gh remained high even after sexual maturation at 90 dpf. Among the eight major pituitary hormone genes, lhb was the only gene that exhibited a significant change in its expression levels between 45 and 90 dpf. Significant changes in the pituitary transcripts included genes involved in the regulation of immune responses, bone metabolism, and hormone secretion processes during the juvenile-sexual maturity transition. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis was carried out to verify the RNA-seq transcriptome results and demonstrated that the expression patterns of the eight major pituitary hormone genes did not exhibit a significant gender difference at 90 dpf. For the first time, we report the quantitative global gene expression patterns at the juvenile and sexual maturity stages. These expression patterns may account for the dynamic neuroendocrine regulation observed in body metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia He
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of ChinaKey Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of ChinaKey Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of ChinaKey Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangyan He
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Neuronatin gene: Imprinted and misfolded: Studies in Lafora disease, diabetes and cancer may implicate NNAT-aggregates as a common downstream participant in neuronal loss. Genomics 2013; 103:183-8. [PMID: 24345642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuronatin (NNAT) is a ubiquitous and highly conserved mammalian gene involved in brain development. Its mRNA isoforms, chromosomal location, genomic DNA structure and regulation have been characterized. More recently there has been rapid progress in the understanding of its function in physiology and human disease. In particular there is fairly direct evidence implicating neuronatin in the causation of Lafora disease and diabetes. Neuronatin protein has a strong predisposition to misfold and form cellular aggregates that cause cell death by apoptosis. Aggregation of Neuronatin within cortical neurons and resulting cell death is the hallmark of Lafora disease, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. Under high glucose conditions simulating diabetes, neuronatin protein also accumulates and destroys pancreatic beta cells. The neuronatin gene is imprinted and only the paternal allele is normally expressed in the adult. However, changes in DNA methylation may cause the maternal allele to lose imprinting and trigger cell proliferation and metastasis. Neuronatin has also been shown to be translated peripherally within the dendrites of neurons, a finding of relevance in synaptic plasticity. The current understanding of the function of neuronatin raises the possibility that this gene may participate in the common downstream mechanisms associated with aberrant neuronal growth and death. A better understanding of these mechanisms may open new therapeutic targets to help modify the progression of devastating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and anterior horn cell disease.
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
GH is best known as an anterior pituitary hormone fundamental in regulating growth, differentiation, and metabolism. GH peptide and mRNA are also present in brain, in which their functions are less well known. Here we describe the distribution of GH neurons and fibers and sex differences in Gh mRNA in adult mouse brain. Cell bodies exhibiting GH immunoreactivity are distributed in many brain regions, particularly in the hypothalamus in which retrograde labeling suggests that some of these cells project to the median eminence. To determine whether Gh mRNA is sexual dimorphic, we carried out quantitative RT-PCR on microdissected brain nuclei. Ovary-intact mice had elevated Gh mRNA in the arcuate nucleus and medial preoptic area (MPOA) compared with gonad-intact males. In males, castration increased Gh mRNA in the MPOA, whereas ovariectomy decreased Gh mRNA in both regions. When gonadectomized adults of both sexes were treated with estradiol Gh mRNA increased in females but had no effect in castrated males. Tamoxifen was able to blunt the rise in Gh mRNA in response to estradiol in females. In addition, we found that estrogen receptor-α is coexpressed in GH neurons in the MPOA and arcuate nucleus. In summary, the findings reveal sexual dimorphisms in Gh gene expression in areas of the brain associated with reproduction and behavior. Interestingly, estradiol enhances Gh mRNA in females only, suggesting that multiple factors orchestrate this sexual dimorphism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melisande L Addison
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ma J, Zhang T, Zhuang P, Zhang LZ, Liu T. Annotation and analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) pituitary cDNA library. Mar Genomics 2011; 4:173-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
30
|
St-Amand J, Yoshioka M, Tanaka K, Nishida Y. Transcriptome-wide identification of preferentially expressed genes in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:111. [PMID: 22649398 PMCID: PMC3355919 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To identify preferentially expressed genes in the central endocrine organs of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, we generated transcriptome-wide mRNA profiles of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and parietal cortex in male mice (12-15 weeks old) using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Total counts of SAGE tags for the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and parietal cortex were 165824, 126688, and 161045 tags, respectively. This represented 59244, 45151, and 55131 distinct tags, respectively. Comparison of these mRNA profiles revealed that 22 mRNA species, including three potential novel transcripts, were preferentially expressed in the hypothalamus. In addition to well-known hypothalamic transcripts, such as hypocretin, several genes involved in hormone function, intracellular transduction, metabolism, protein transport, steroidogenesis, extracellular matrix, and brain disease were identified as preferentially expressed hypothalamic transcripts. In the pituitary gland, 106 mRNA species, including 60 potential novel transcripts, were preferentially expressed. In addition to well-known pituitary genes, such as growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone beta, a number of genes classified to function in transport, amino acid metabolism, intracellular transduction, cell adhesion, disulfide bond formation, stress response, transcription, protein synthesis, and turnover, cell differentiation, the cell cycle, and in the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix were also preferentially expressed. In conclusion, the current study identified not only well-known hypothalamic and pituitary transcripts but also a number of new candidates likely to be involved in endocrine homeostatic systems regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonny St-Amand
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical CenterLaval University, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jonny St-Amand, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center Laval University Medical Center, Laval University, 2705 Blvd Laurier, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 4G2. e-mail: ; Yuichiro Nishida, Department of Preventive Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. e-mail:
| | - Mayumi Yoshioka
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical CenterLaval University, QC, Canada
| | - Keitaro Tanaka
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Saga UniversitySaga, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Nishida
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Saga UniversitySaga, Japan
- *Correspondence: Jonny St-Amand, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center Laval University Medical Center, Laval University, 2705 Blvd Laurier, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 4G2. e-mail: ; Yuichiro Nishida, Department of Preventive Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Stroke is a sexually dimorphic disease, with differences between males and females observed both clinically and in the laboratory. While males have a higher incidence of stroke throughout much of the lifespan, aged females have a higher burden of stroke. Sex differences in stroke result from a combination of factors, including elements intrinsic to the sex chromosomes as well as the effects of sex hormone exposure throughout the lifespan. Research investigating the sexual dimorphism of stroke is only in the beginning stages, but early findings suggest that different cell death pathways are activated in males and females after ischemic stroke. A greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex differences in stroke will lead to more appropriate treatment strategies for patients of both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Christine Turtzo
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, MC 1840, Farmington, CT 06030, USA, Tel.: +1 860 679 8939, ,
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
De Giorgio MR, Yoshioka M, St-Amand J. Feeding induced changes in the hypothalamic transcriptome. Clin Chim Acta 2009; 406:103-7. [PMID: 19523461 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2009.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a complex multifactorial disorder which needs a comprehensive approach for prevention and treatment. We investigated the modifications in the hypothalamic gene expression induced by high-fat (HF) and low-fat (LF) meal ingestion in mice, in order to identify the signals rapidly mediating the hypothalamic control on energy intake. METHODS After fasting, 1 group of mice was sacrificed and the others were fed ad libitum with HF or LF diet, and sacrificed 3 h after the beginning of the meal. The hypothalamus was sampled and the serial analysis of gene expression method was performed. RESULTS Approximately 254,588 tags, which correspond to 65,548 tag species were isolated from the 3 groups. The data showed twelve transcripts regulated by food intake. Among these, 2 transcripts have mitochondrial functions (MtCo1, Ppid), 3 are involved in protein transport and regulation (Ube2q2, Mup1, Sec13), 1 in cellular pH control (Slc4a3) and another 1 has a role in the epigenetic control of gene expression (Setd3). In addition, 5 potentially novel transcripts were differentially modulated. CONCLUSION We identified genes that may regulate hypothalamic circuits governing the early response to food intake. 3 genes were specifically modulated by high-fat intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita De Giorgio
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in anatomical, physiological and behavioural traits are characteristics of many vertebrate species. In humans, sexual dimorphism is also observed in the prevalence, course and severity of many common diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and asthma. Although sex differences in the endocrine and immune systems probably contribute to these observations, recent studies suggest that sex-specific genetic architecture also influences human phenotypes, including reproductive, physiological and disease traits. It is likely that an underlying mechanism is differential gene regulation in males and females, particularly in sex steroid-responsive genes. Genetic studies that ignore sex-specific effects in their design and interpretation could fail to identify a significant proportion of the genes that contribute to risk for complex diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, 920 East 58th Street, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ehmann H, Salzig C, Lang P, Friauf E, Nothwang HG. Minimal sex differences in gene expression in the rat superior olivary complex. Hear Res 2008; 245:65-72. [PMID: 18793710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2008.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2008] [Revised: 08/22/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
A critical issue in large-scale gene expression analysis is the impact of sexually dimorphic genes, which may confound the results when sampling across sexes. Here, we assessed, for the first time, sex differences at the transcriptome level in the auditory brainstem. To this end, microarray experiments covering the whole rat genome were performed in the superior olivary complex (SOC) of 16-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Sexually dimorphic genes were identified using two criteria: a 2-fold change and a P-value < 0.05. Only 12 out of 41,374 probes (0.03%) showed sexually dimorphic expression. For comparison, pituitaries from 60-day-old female and male rats were analyzed, as this gland is known to display many sex-specific features. Indeed, almost 40 times more probes, i.e. 460 (1.1%), displayed sexual dimorphism. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed 47 out of 48 microarray results from both tissues. Taking microarray and qRT-PCR data together, the expression of six genes (Prl, Eif2s3y, Gnrhr, Pomc, Ddx3y, Akr1c6) was higher in the male SOC, whereas two genes were upregulated in the female SOC (LOC302172, Xist). Four of these genes are sex-chromosome linked (Eif2s3y, Ddx3y, LOC302172, Xist). In summary, our data indicate only minor and negligible sex-specific differences in gene expression within the SOC at P16.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike Ehmann
- Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Su WL, Modrek B, GuhaThakurta D, Edwards S, Shah JK, Kulkarni AV, Russell A, Schadt EE, Johnson JM, Castle JC. Exon and junction microarrays detect widespread mouse strain- and sex-bias expression differences. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:273. [PMID: 18533039 PMCID: PMC2432077 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2007] [Accepted: 06/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that genetic and sex differences strongly influence gene expression in mice. Given the diversity and complexity of transcripts produced by alternative splicing, we sought to use microarrays to establish the extent of variation found in mouse strains and genders. Here, we surveyed the effect of strain and sex on liver gene and exon expression using male and female mice from three different inbred strains. Results 71 liver RNA samples from three mouse strains – DBA/2J, C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ – were profiled using a custom-designed microarray monitoring exon and exon-junction expression of 1,020 genes representing 9,406 exons. Gene expression was calculated via two different methods, using the 3'-most exon probe ("3' gene expression profiling") and using all probes associated with the gene ("whole-transcript gene expression profiling"), while exon expression was determined using exon probes and flanking junction probes that spanned across the neighboring exons ("exon expression profiling"). Widespread strain and sex influences were detected using a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) regardless of the profiling method used. However, over 90% of the genes identified in 3' gene expression profiling or whole transcript profiling were identified in exon profiling, along with 75% and 38% more genes, respectively, showing evidence of differential isoform expression. Overall, 55% and 32% of genes, respectively, exhibited strain- and sex-bias differential gene or exon expression. Conclusion Exon expression profiling identifies significantly more variation than both 3' gene expression profiling and whole-transcript gene expression profiling. A large percentage of genes that are not differentially expressed at the gene level demonstrate exon expression variation suggesting an influence of strain and sex on alternative splicing and a need to profile expression changes at sub-gene resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Lin Su
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Santos EM, Kille P, Workman VL, Paull GC, Tyler CR. Sexually dimorphic gene expression in the brains of mature zebrafish. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2008; 149:314-24. [PMID: 18289901 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2007] [Revised: 01/09/2008] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The molecular signalling pathways mediating sexual dimorphism have principally been investigated in the gonads, and to a lesser extent in other organs. The brain plays a central role in coordinating sexual function, including the regulation of reproductive development, maturation and sexual behaviour in both sexes. In this study, we investigated sex-related differences in gene expression in the brains of breeding zebrafish (Danio rerio) to establish a greater understanding of the sex-specific physiology of the brain in lower vertebrates. The brain transcriptomic profiles of males and females were interrogated to identify the genes showing sexually dimorphic gene expression. 42 genes were differentially expressed between the sexes, from which 18 genes were over-expressed in males and 24 genes were over-expressed in females. In males, these included deiodinase, iodothyronine, type II and ribosomal protein S8, and in females, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], sprouty-4, frizzled 10 and testis enhanced gene transcript. Estrogen responsive elements were found in the regulatory regions for 3 genes over-expressed in males and 7 genes over-expressed in females. We have demonstrated the existence of dimorphic patterns of gene expression in the brain of a sexually mature, non-mammalian, vertebrate model, with implications for studies into reproduction and chemical disruption of brain function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda M Santos
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kouadjo KE, Nishida Y, Cadrin-Girard JF, Yoshioka M, St-Amand J. Housekeeping and tissue-specific genes in mouse tissues. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:127. [PMID: 17519037 PMCID: PMC1888706 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2006] [Accepted: 05/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to characterize the housekeeping and tissue-specific genes in 15 mouse tissues by using the serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) strategy which indicates the relative level of expression for each transcript matched to the tag. RESULTS Here, we identified constantly expressed housekeeping genes, such as eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2, which is expressed in all tissues without significant difference in expression levels. Moreover, most of these genes were not regulated by experimental conditions such as steroid hormones, adrenalectomy and gonadectomy. In addition, we report previously postulated housekeeping genes such as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-actin, which are expressed in all the tissues, but with significant difference in their expression levels. We have also identified genes uniquely detected in each of the 15 tissues and other tissues from public databases. CONCLUSION These identified housekeeping genes could represent appropriate controls for RT-PCR and northern blot when comparing the expression levels of genes in several tissues. The results reveal several tissue-specific genes highly expressed in testis and pituitary gland. Furthermore, the main function of tissue-specific genes expressed in liver, lung and bone is the cell defence, whereas several keratins involved in cell structure function are exclusively detected in skin and vagina. The results from this study can be used for example to target a tissue for agent delivering by using the promoter of tissue-specific genes. Moreover, this study could be used as basis for further researches on physiology and pathology of these tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kouame E Kouadjo
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Yuichiro Nishida
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Jean F Cadrin-Girard
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Mayumi Yoshioka
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Jonny St-Amand
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Davies W, Wilkinson LS. It is not all hormones: Alternative explanations for sexual differentiation of the brain. Brain Res 2006; 1126:36-45. [PMID: 17101121 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.09.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2006] [Revised: 09/22/2006] [Accepted: 09/22/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Males and females of many species differ with regard to neurodevelopment, ongoing brain function and behavior. For many years, it was assumed that these differences primarily arose due to hormonal masculinization of the male brain (and to a lesser extent hormonal feminization of the female brain). Recent elegant experiments in model systems have revealed that, while gonadal hormones undoubtedly play an important role in sexual differentiation of the brain, they are not the only possible mechanism for this phenomenon. In the present review, we discuss the concept that genes residing upon the sex chromosomes (which are asymmetrically inherited between males and females) may influence sexually dimorphic neurobiology directly, and suggest possible mechanisms. Future work will be directed towards understanding the extent and specificity with which sex-linked genes and hormones define brain structure and function, and towards elucidating potential interactions between the two mechanisms. Ultimately, it is hoped that such studies will provide insights into why men and women are differentially vulnerable to certain mental disorders, and will enable the development of effective sex-tailored therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Davies
- The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Malone JH, Hawkins DL, Michalak P. Sex-biased gene expression in a ZW sex determination system. J Mol Evol 2006; 63:427-36. [PMID: 17024524 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-005-0263-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2005] [Accepted: 05/20/2006] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies of the transcriptome have shown that a substantial fraction of interspecific differences in gene expression is the result of sex-biased gene expression. These results suggest that sex-dependent selection may be an important force in generating differences between species but to date all studies have focused on Drosophila. We examined a sample of the transcriptome in the gonads of two species of Xenopus to provide an additional test of how sex-biased gene expression may contribute to differences in gene expression between species. In contrast to Drosophila, Xenopus provides an example of a ZW system with morphologically indistinguishable sex chromosomes. About 81% of the transcriptome was differentially expressed between X. laevis and X. muelleri and there were more genes that were male-biased compared to the number of genes that were female-biased or non-sex-biased. While there were more genes up-regulated in males of Xenopus, the largest magnitude difference in expression between species occurred in female-biased genes, and male-biased genes were proportionally more abundant for the smallest changes in expression between species. Our results suggest that more genes have a role in the function of the testis compared to the ovary and female-biased genes play a principle role in expression divergence between species. These results differ from those in the Drosophila XY system in that more female-biased genes had >4-fold difference of expression between species than male-biased genes, suggesting that ZW sex chromosomes may facilitate enhanced gene expression divergence between species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John H Malone
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas--Arlington, Box 19498, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Carter D. Cellular transcriptomics -- the next phase of endocrine expression profiling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2006; 17:192-8. [PMID: 16730453 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2006.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2006] [Revised: 04/24/2006] [Accepted: 05/12/2006] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome analysis, or global gene expression profiling, has become a commonly used and valuable tool in both basic and clinical endocrine research. Novel endocrine regulators have 'surfaced' and greater consideration is now given to understanding function at the level of gene networks. Recent developments have shown that the transcriptome is considerably larger and more divergently expressed than was previously thought. Endocrine cells express a great variety of coding and noncoding RNAs in a highly cell-specific manner. If further value is to be taken from this research area, then steps towards defined cellular transcriptomics must be taken. New sampling techniques that utilize novel genetic models are a key first step.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Carter
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3US, UK.
| |
Collapse
|