1
|
Chen Y, Anderson MT, Payne N, Santori FR, Ivanova NB. Nuclear Receptors and the Hidden Language of the Metabolome. Cells 2024; 13:1284. [PMID: 39120315 PMCID: PMC11311682 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are a family of ligand-regulated transcription factors that control key aspects of development and physiology. The regulation of NHRs by ligands derived from metabolism or diet makes them excellent pharmacological targets, and the mechanistic understanding of how NHRs interact with their ligands to regulate downstream gene networks, along with the identification of ligands for orphan NHRs, could enable innovative approaches for cellular engineering, disease modeling and regenerative medicine. We review recent discoveries in the identification of physiologic ligands for NHRs. We propose new models of ligand-receptor co-evolution, the emergence of hormonal function and models of regulation of NHR specificity and activity via one-ligand and two-ligand models as well as feedback loops. Lastly, we discuss limitations on the processes for the identification of physiologic NHR ligands and emerging new methodologies that could be used to identify the natural ligands for the remaining 17 orphan NHRs in the human genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.C.); (M.T.A.); (N.P.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Matthew Tom Anderson
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.C.); (M.T.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Nathaniel Payne
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.C.); (M.T.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Fabio R. Santori
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.C.); (M.T.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Natalia B. Ivanova
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.C.); (M.T.A.); (N.P.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hernández-Ramírez LC, Perez-Rivas LG, Theodoropoulou M, Korbonits M. An Update on the Genetic Drivers of Corticotroph Tumorigenesis. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2024. [PMID: 38830604 DOI: 10.1055/a-2337-2265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The genetic landscape of corticotroph tumours of the pituitary gland has dramatically changed over the last 10 years. Somatic changes in the USP8 gene account for the most common genetic defect in corticotrophinomas, especially in females, while variants in TP53 or ATRX are associated with a subset of aggressive tumours. Germline defects have also been identified in patients with Cushing's disease: some are well-established (MEN1, CDKN1B, DICER1), while others are rare and could represent coincidences. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the genetic drivers of corticotroph tumorigenesis, their molecular consequences, and their impact on the clinical presentation and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Hernández-Ramírez
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Coordinación de la Investigación Científica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México e Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Marily Theodoropoulou
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, LMU Klinikum, LMU München, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Márta Korbonits
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Esquiaveto-Aun AM, de Mello MP, Guaragna MS, da Silva Lopes VLG, Francese-Santos AP, Dos Santos Cruz Piveta C, Mazolla TN, de Lemos-Marini SHV, Guerra-Junior G. X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia: Report of long clinical follow-up and description of a new complex variant in the NR0B1 gene. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:e63536. [PMID: 38243380 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Adrenal hypoplasia congenita, attributed to NR0B1 pathogenic variants, accounts for more than 50% of the incidence of primary adrenal insufficiency in children. Although more than 250 different deleterious variations have been described, no genotype-phenotype correlation has been defined to date. We report a case of an adopted boy who reported the onset of an adrenal crisis at 2 weeks of age, requiring replacement therapy with mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids for 4 months. For 3 years, he did well without treatment. At almost 4 years of age, the disorder was restarted. A long follow-up showed the evolution of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Molecular studies on NR0B1 revealed a novel and deleterious deletion-insertion-inversion-deletion complex rearrangement sorted in the 5'-3' direction, which is described as follows: (1) deletion of the intergenic region (between TASL and NR0B1 genes) and 5' region, (2) insertion of a sequence containing 37 bp at the junction of the intergenic region of the TASL gene and a part of exon 1 of the NR0B1 gene, (3) inversion of a part of exon 1, (4) deletion of the final portion of exon 1 and exon 2 and beginning of the 3'UTR region, (5) maintenance of part of the intergenic sequence (between genes MAGEB1 and NR0B1, telomeric sense), (6) large posterior deletion, in the same sense. The path to molecular diagnosis was challenging and involved several molecular biology techniques. Evaluating the breakpoints in our patient, we assumed that it was a nonrecurrent rearrangement that had not yet been described. It may involve a repair mechanism known as nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), which joins two ends of DNA in an imprecise manner, generating an "information scar," represented herein by the 37 bp insertion. In addition, the local Xp21 chromosome architecture with sequences capable of modifying the DNA structure could impact the formation of complex rearrangements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Mangue Esquiaveto-Aun
- Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maricilda Palandi de Mello
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mara Sanches Guaragna
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera Lúcia Gil da Silva Lopes
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Francese-Santos
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Dos Santos Cruz Piveta
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taís Nitsh Mazolla
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sofia Helena Valente de Lemos-Marini
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gil Guerra-Junior
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ruiz-Babot G, Eceiza A, Abollo-Jiménez F, Malyukov M, Carlone DL, Borges K, Da Costa AR, Qarin S, Matsumoto T, Morizane R, Skarnes WC, Ludwig B, Chapple PJ, Guasti L, Storr HL, Bornstein SR, Breault DT. Generation of glucocorticoid-producing cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100627. [PMID: 37924815 PMCID: PMC10694497 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Adrenal insufficiency is a life-threatening condition resulting from the inability to produce adrenal hormones in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Establishing a cell-based therapy would provide a physiologically responsive approach for the treatment of this condition. We report the generation of large numbers of human-induced steroidogenic cells (hiSCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Directed differentiation of hPSCs into hiSCs recapitulates the initial stages of human adrenal development. Following expression of steroidogenic factor 1, activation of protein kinase A signaling drives a steroidogenic gene expression profile most comparable to human fetal adrenal cells, and leads to dynamic secretion of steroid hormones, in vitro. Moreover, expression of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) receptor/co-receptor (MC2R/MRAP) results in dose-dependent ACTH responsiveness. This protocol recapitulates adrenal insufficiency resulting from loss-of-function mutations in AAAS, which cause the enigmatic triple A syndrome. Our differentiation protocol generates sufficient numbers of hiSCs for cell-based therapy and offers a platform to study disorders causing adrenal insufficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Ruiz-Babot
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Ariane Eceiza
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Maria Malyukov
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana L Carlone
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kleiton Borges
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra Rodrigues Da Costa
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shamma Qarin
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, UK
| | - Takuya Matsumoto
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryuji Morizane
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William C Skarnes
- Cellular Engineering, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Barbara Ludwig
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul J Chapple
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Leonardo Guasti
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Helen L Storr
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David T Breault
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Borchers J, Pukkala E, Mäkitie O, Laakso S. Epidemiology and Causes of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency in Children: A Population-Based Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:2879-2885. [PMID: 37216903 PMCID: PMC10583995 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Incidence and causes of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) have not been comprehensively studied in children. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and to assess causes of PAI in Finnish children. METHODS A population-based descriptive study of PAI in Finnish patients aged 0-20 years.Diagnoses referring to adrenal insufficiency in children born in 1996-2016 were collected from the Finnish National Care Register for Health Care. Patients with PAI were identified by studying patient records. Incidence rates were calculated in relation to person-years in the Finnish population of same age. RESULTS Of the 97 patients with PAI, 36% were female. The incidence of PAI was highest during the first year of life (in females 2.7 and in males 4.0/100 000 person-years). At 1-15 years of age, the incidence of PAI in females was 0.3/100 000 and in males 0.6/100 000 person-years. Cumulative incidence was 10/100 000 persons at age of 15 years and 13/100 000 at 20 years. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia was the cause in 57% of all patients and in 88% of patients diagnosed before age of 1 year. Other causes among the 97 patients included autoimmune disease (29%), adrenoleukodystrophy (6%), and other genetic causes (6%). From the age of 5 years, most of the new cases of PAI were due to autoimmune disease. CONCLUSION After the first-year peak, the incidence of PAI is relatively constant through ages 1-15 years, and 1 out of 10 000 children are diagnosed with PAI before the age of 15 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joonatan Borchers
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Pukkala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Finnish Cancer Registry—Institute for Statistical and Epidemiological Cancer Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Mäkitie
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, and Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Saila Laakso
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wu W, LoVerde PT. Updated knowledge and a proposed nomenclature for nuclear receptors with two DNA binding domains (2DBD-NRs). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286107. [PMID: 37699039 PMCID: PMC10497141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are important transcriptional modulators in metazoans. Typical NRs possess a conserved DNA binding domain (DBD) and a ligand binding domain (LBD). Since we discovered a type of novel NRs each of them has two DBDs and single LBD (2DBD-NRs) more than decade ago, there has been very few studies about 2DBD-NRs. Recently, 2DBD-NRs have been only reported in Platyhelminths and Mollusca and are thought to be specific NRs to lophotrochozoan. In this study, we searched different databases and identified 2DBD-NRs in different animals from both protostomes and deuterostomes. Phylogenetic analysis shows that at least two ancient 2DBD-NR genes were present in the urbilaterian, a common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes. 2DBD-NRs underwent gene duplication and loss after the split of different animal phyla, most of them in a certain animal phylum are paralogues, rather than orthologues, like in other animal phyla. Amino acid sequence analysis shows that the conserved motifs in typical NRs are also present in 2DBD-NRs and they are gene specific. From our phylogenetic analysis of 2DBD-NRs and following the rule of Nomenclature System for the Nuclear Receptors, a nomenclature for 2DBD-NRs is proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Philip T. LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zheng W, Duan Y, Xia Y, Liang L, Gong Z, Wang R, Lu D, Zhang K, Yang Y, Sun Y, Zhang H, Han L, Gong Z, Xiao B, Qiu W. Clinical and genetic characteristics of 42 Chinese paediatric patients with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:126. [PMID: 37237297 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02737-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a rare disorder characterized by primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), with limited clinical and genetic characterization. METHODS The clinical, biochemical, genetic, therapeutic, and follow-up data of 42 patients diagnosed with X-linked AHC were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS Hyperpigmentation (38/42, 90%), vomiting/diarrhoea (20/42, 48%), failure to thrive (13/42, 31%), and convulsions (7/42, 17%) were the most common symptoms of X-linked AHC at onset. Increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (42/42, 100%) and decreased cortisol (37/42, 88%) were the most common laboratory findings, followed by hyponatremia (32/42, 76%) and hyperkalaemia (29/42, 69%). Thirty-one patients presented with PAI within the first year of life, and 11 presented after three years of age. Three of the thirteen patients over the age of 14 exhibited spontaneous pubertal development, and ten of them experienced delayed puberty due to HH. Six patients receiving human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy exhibited a slight increase in testicular size and had rising testosterone levels (both P < 0.05). The testicular volumes of the three patients with pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy were larger than those of the six patients undergoing hCG therapy (P < 0.05), and they also exhibited some growth in terms of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. Of the 42 patients, three had an Xp21 deletion, and 39 had an isolated DAX1 defect. Most patients (9/10) with entire DAX1 deletion accounting for 23.8% (10/42) of the total variants had early onset age of less than one year. CONCLUSIONS This study details the clinical features and genetic spectra of X-linked AHC. Patients with X-linked AHC show a bimodal distribution of the age of onset, with approximately 70% presenting within the first year of life. Pulsatile GnRH may be recommended for HH when hCG therapy is not satisfactory, although it is difficult to achieve normal testicular volume. The combination of clinical features and molecular tests provides information for an accurate diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Zheng
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ying Duan
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lili Liang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhuwen Gong
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ruifang Wang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Deyun Lu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Kaichuang Zhang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yuning Sun
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Huiwen Zhang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lianshu Han
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zizhen Gong
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bing Xiao
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Wenjuan Qiu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetic Metabolism, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Paediatric Research, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Watanabe M, Kosaka H, Sugawara M, Maemoto M, Ono Y, Uemori T, Shizu R, Yoshinari K. Screening for DAX1/EWS-FLI1 functional inhibitors identified dihydroorotate dehydrogenase as a therapeutic target for Ewing's sarcoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:9802-9814. [PMID: 36825574 PMCID: PMC10166890 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE EWS-FLI1 is the most common oncogenic fusion protein in Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs). DAX1, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is up-regulated by EWS-FLI1 and plays a key role in the transformed phenotype of ESFTs. METHODS To discover a functional inhibitor of DAX1 and EWS-FLI1, we screened small-molecular inhibitors using a DAX1 reporter assay system. RESULTS K-234 and its derivatives, which were dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors, showed inhibitory effects in the reporter assay. K-234 inhibited the growth of Ewing's sarcoma with various fusion types, and K-234 derivatives altered the expression of EWS-FLI1-regulated genes. The DAX1 expression had no effect on the growth inhibitory effect of the K-234 derivatives, while DHODH overexpression or uridine treatment attenuated their inhibitory effects, suggesting that inhibition by K-234 derivatives occurs through DHODH inhibition. An in vivo study showed that a K-234 derivative clearly inhibited tumor growth in an Ewing's sarcoma xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION Taken together, the present results suggest that DHODH inhibitors can inhibit the function of DAX1/EWS-FLI1 in ESFTs and might be a therapeutic agent with potent anti-tumor activity for Ewing's sarcoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Watanabe
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Kosaka
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masamori Sugawara
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Michihiro Maemoto
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoko Ono
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uemori
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryota Shizu
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Miller WL, White PC. History of Adrenal Research: From Ancient Anatomy to Contemporary Molecular Biology. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:70-116. [PMID: 35947694 PMCID: PMC9835964 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The adrenal is a small, anatomically unimposing structure that escaped scientific notice until 1564 and whose existence was doubted by many until the 18th century. Adrenal functions were inferred from the adrenal insufficiency syndrome described by Addison and from the obesity and virilization that accompanied many adrenal malignancies, but early physiologists sometimes confused the roles of the cortex and medulla. Medullary epinephrine was the first hormone to be isolated (in 1901), and numerous cortical steroids were isolated between 1930 and 1949. The treatment of arthritis, Addison's disease, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with cortisone in the 1950s revolutionized clinical endocrinology and steroid research. Cases of CAH had been reported in the 19th century, but a defect in 21-hydroxylation in CAH was not identified until 1957. Other forms of CAH, including deficiencies of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 11β-hydroxylase, and 17α-hydroxylase were defined hormonally in the 1960s. Cytochrome P450 enzymes were described in 1962-1964, and steroid 21-hydroxylation was the first biosynthetic activity associated with a P450. Understanding of the genetic and biochemical bases of these disorders advanced rapidly from 1984 to 2004. The cloning of genes for steroidogenic enzymes and related factors revealed many mutations causing known diseases and facilitated the discovery of new disorders. Genetics and cell biology have replaced steroid chemistry as the key disciplines for understanding and teaching steroidogenesis and its disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walter L Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Perrin C White
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ota T, Katsumata N, Naiki Y, Horikawa R. Novel non-stop variant of the NR0B1 gene in two siblings with adrenal hypoplasia congenita. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2022; 35:1189-1193. [PMID: 35848959 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mutations in the dosage-sensitive sex reversal-AHC critical region on the X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX-1, officially NR0B1), cause X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG). Salt-losing adrenal insufficiency usually occurs during the neonatal period or early childhood. We report a novel non-stop variant of NR0B1 in two siblings and their unusual clinical course. CASE PRESENTATION The proband was a boy who presented with an unusual form of AHC with neonatal onset of growth failure and mild salt loss, but without cutaneous pigmentation or plasma ACTH elevation. His 4-year-old elder brother had been growing healthily, but carried an AHC diagnosis. A non-stop variant of NR0B1 (p.*471K) was demonstrated in the patients and their mother. CONCLUSIONS We identified a novel non-stop variant of NR0B1 in two siblings. Mild salt loss associated with hyperkalemia is a crucial diagnostic clue for AHC, even without apparent symptoms of glucocorticoid deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Ota
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Katsumata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Research Institute, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Naiki
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abe I, Tanaka T, Ohe K, Fujii H, Nagata M, Ochi K, Senda Y, Takeshita K, Koga M, Kudo T, Enjoji M, Yanase T, Kobayashi K. Inhibition of NR5A1 phosphorylation alleviates a transcriptional suppression defect caused by a novel NR0B1 mutation. J Endocr Soc 2022; 6:bvac068. [PMID: 35592512 PMCID: PMC9113462 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Mutations in the NR0B1 gene, also well-known as the DAX1 gene, are known to cause congenital adrenal hypoplasia associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The abnormal NR0B1 protein fails to suppress the transcription of promoters of steroidogenic enzymes, which are also targets of NR5A1 protein, also well-known as Ad4BP/SF-1 protein. Since NR5A1 and NR0B1 have antagonistic effects on steroidogenesis, the loss of function due to NR0B1 mutations may be compensated by inducing loss of function of NR5A1 protein. Patient A middle-aged man was diagnosed with congenital adrenal hypoplasia associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and genetic analysis revealed him to have a novel NR0B1 mutation, c.1222C>T(p.Gln408Ter). Methods NR0B1 activity was evaluated in CLK1/4 inhibitor-treated 293T cells via immunoblotting and luciferase assays of the STAR promoter. Results TG003 treatment suppressed NR5A1 protein function to compensate for the mutant NR0B1 showing inhibited suppression of transcription. Immunoblotting analyses showed that the phosphorylation status of NR5A1 at Ser203 was attenuated by the CLK1/4 inhibitor. Conclusion The specific reduction of NR5A1 phosphorylation by a CLK1/4 inhibitor may alleviate developmental defects in patients with NR0B1 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Abe
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Tanaka
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Transplantation, Fukuoka University, Nanakuma Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Ohe
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Fujii
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mai Nagata
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Ochi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Senda
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kaori Takeshita
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Midori Koga
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tadachika Kudo
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Munechika Enjoji
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Kunihisa Kobayashi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Houston DR, Hanna JG, Lathe JC, Hillier SG, Lathe R. Evidence that nuclear receptors are related to terpene synthases. J Mol Endocrinol 2022; 68:153-166. [PMID: 35112668 PMCID: PMC8942334 DOI: 10.1530/jme-21-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ligand-activated nuclear receptors (NRs) orchestrate development, growth, and reproduction across all animal lifeforms - the Metazoa - but how NRs evolved remains mysterious. Given the NR ligands including steroids and retinoids are predominantly terpenoids, we asked whether NRs might have evolved from enzymes that catalyze terpene synthesis and metabolism. We provide evidence suggesting that NRs may be related to the terpene synthase (TS) enzyme superfamily. Based on over 10,000 3D structural comparisons, we report that the NR ligand-binding domain and TS enzymes share a conserved core of seven α-helical segments. In addition, the 3D locations of the major ligand-contacting residues are also conserved between the two protein classes. Primary sequence comparisons reveal suggestive similarities specifically between NRs and the subfamily of cis-isoprene transferases, notably with dehydrodolichyl pyrophosphate synthase and its obligate partner, NUS1/NOGOB receptor. Pharmacological overlaps between NRs and TS enzymes add weight to the contention that they share a distant evolutionary origin, and the combined data raise the possibility that a ligand-gated receptor may have arisen from an enzyme antecedent. However, our findings do not formally exclude other interpretations such as convergent evolution, and further analysis will be necessary to confirm the inferred relationship between the two protein classes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R Houston
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jane G Hanna
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Stephen G Hillier
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to S G Hillier or R Lathe: or
| | - Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to S G Hillier or R Lathe: or
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sadeghmousavi S, Shahkarami S, Rayzan E, Ahmed S, Gharalari FH, Rohlfs M, Klein C, Rezaei N. A 3-year- old boy with an Xp21 deletion syndrome: A case report. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2022; 22:881-887. [PMID: 35105298 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666220201143656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Sadeghmousavi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medical Genetics Network (MeGeNe), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Shahkarami
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children\'s Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Rayzan
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- International Hematology/Oncology of Pediatric Experts (IHOPE), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Souran Ahmed
- Kurdistan Pediatric Society, Department of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | | | - Meino Rohlfs
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children\'s Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children\'s Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fang F, Iaquinta PJ, Xia N, Liu L, Diao L, Reijo Pera RA. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:313-345. [PMID: 35297982 PMCID: PMC9071081 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathways of gametogenesis encompass elaborate cellular specialization accompanied by precise partitioning of the genome content in order to produce fully matured spermatozoa and oocytes. Transcription factors are an important class of molecules that function in gametogenesis to regulate intrinsic gene expression programs, play essential roles in specifying (or determining) germ cell fate and assist in guiding full maturation of germ cells and maintenance of their populations. Moreover, in order to reinforce or redirect cell fate in vitro, it is transcription factors that are most frequently induced, over-expressed or activated. Many reviews have focused on the molecular development and genetics of gametogenesis, in vivo and in vitro, in model organisms and in humans, including several recent comprehensive reviews: here, we focus specifically on the role of transcription factors. Recent advances in stem cell biology and multi-omic studies have enabled deeper investigation into the unique transcriptional mechanisms of human reproductive development. Moreover, as methods continually improve, in vitro differentiation of germ cells can provide the platform for robust gain- and loss-of-function genetic analyses. These analyses are delineating unique and shared human germ cell transcriptional network components that, together with somatic lineage specifiers and pluripotency transcription factors, function in transitions from pluripotent stem cells to gametes. This grand theme review offers additional insight into human infertility and reproductive disorders that are linked predominantly to defects in the transcription factor networks and thus may potentially contribute to the development of novel treatments for infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Phillip J Iaquinta
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Ninuo Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Diao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Renee A Reijo Pera
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT, USA
- Correspondence address. McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6487-1329
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
de Mattos K, Viger RS, Tremblay JJ. Transcription Factors in the Regulation of Leydig Cell Gene Expression and Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:881309. [PMID: 35464056 PMCID: PMC9022205 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.881309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell differentiation and acquisition of specialized functions are inherent steps in events that lead to normal tissue development and function. These processes require accurate temporal, tissue, and cell-specific activation or repression of gene transcription. This is achieved by complex interactions between transcription factors that form a unique combinatorial code in each specialized cell type and in response to different physiological signals. Transcription factors typically act by binding to short, nucleotide-specific DNA sequences located in the promoter region of target genes. In males, Leydig cells play a crucial role in sex differentiation, health, and reproductive function from embryonic life to adulthood. To better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating Leydig cell differentiation and function, several transcription factors important to Leydig cells have been identified, including some previously unknown to this specialized cell type. This mini review summarizes the current knowledge on transcription factors in fetal and adult Leydig cells, describing their roles and mechanisms of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine de Mattos
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Robert S. Viger
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques J. Tremblay
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jacques J. Tremblay,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Narumi S. Discovery of MIRAGE syndrome. Pediatr Int 2022; 64:e15283. [PMID: 35972063 DOI: 10.1111/ped.15283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Since the first report in 2009, whole exome sequencing has become the most effective and efficient research tool in human genetics. MIRAGE syndrome is a novel single-gene disorder discovered through whole-exome sequencing for pediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency of unknown etiology, and is caused by de novo heterozygous variants in SAMD9. MIRAGE syndrome was initially discovered as a systemic disease affecting multiple systems, including hematopoietic, immune, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems but later studies revealed a subset of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome as the sole manifestation. In addition, pathogenic variants in SAMD9L, a paralog gene of SAMD9, were reported to cause an inherited disorder of the hematopoietic system and central nervous system, called ataxia-pancytopenia syndrome. This article reviews the history of MIRAGE syndrome from its discovery to the proposal of SAMD9/SAMD9L syndromes, and discusses directions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhu F, Zhou M, Deng X, Li Y, Xiong J. Case Report: A Novel Truncating Variant of NR0B1 Presented With X-Linked Late-Onset Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:897069. [PMID: 35784540 PMCID: PMC9243302 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.897069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1 gene (NR0B1) encodes an orphan nuclear receptor that plays a critical role in the development and regulation of the adrenal gland and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In this study, we report a novel mutation in NR0B1 that led to adult-onset adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and pubertal development failure in a male adult. Clinical examinations revealed hyponatremia, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, reduced testosterone and gonadotropin levels, and hyper-responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation tests. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify the potential causes of AHC. Candidate variants were shortlisted based on the X-linked recessive models. Sequence analyses identified a novel hemizygous variant of c.1034delC in exon 1 of NR0B1 at Xp21.2, resulting in a frameshift mutation and premature stop codon formation. The c.1034delC/p.Pro345Argfs*27 in the NR0B1 gene was detected in the hemizygous state in affected males and in the heterozygous state in healthy female family carriers. These results expand the clinical features of AHC as well as the mutation profile of the causative gene NR0B1. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological effects of the mutation on the development and function of the adrenal gland and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China and National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiuling Deng
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, Distinct HealthCare, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujuan Li
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Xiong,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Teoli J, Mezzarobba V, Renault L, Mallet D, Lejeune H, Chatelain P, Tixier F, Nicolino M, Peretti N, Giscard D’estaing S, Cuzin B, Dijoud F, Roucher-Boulez F, Plotton I. Effect of Recombinant Gonadotropin on Testicular Function and Testicular Sperm Extraction in Five Cases of NR0B1 ( DAX1) Pathogenic Variants. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:855082. [PMID: 35432221 PMCID: PMC9006945 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.855082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NR0B1 pathogenic variants can cause congenital adrenal hypoplasia or primary adrenal insufficiency in early childhood usually associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. NR0B1 is necessary for organogenesis of the adrenal cortex and to maintain normal spermatogenesis. In humans, restoration of fertility in patients carrying NR0B1 pathogenic variants is challenging. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical, hormonal, histological, spermiological, and molecular genetic characteristics of a cohort of patients with NR0B1 pathogenic variants, monitored for fertility preservation. PATIENTS We included five patients, including four teenagers, with NR0B1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. They all had primary adrenal insufficiency and were receiving replacement therapy with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Patients received recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin in order to induce spermatogenesis. Combined gonadotropin treatment was initiated between 13 years and 15 years and 6 months for the four teenagers and at 31 years and 2 months for the only adult. Physical and hormonal assessments were performed just before starting gonadotropin treatment. After 12 months of gonadotropin treatment, physical examination and hormonal assessments were repeated, and semen analyses were performed. If no sperm cells were observed in at least 2 semen collections at 3-month interval, testicular biopsy for testicular sperm extraction was proposed. RESULTS Bilateral testicular volume increased from 8 ml (interquartile range, 6-9) to 12 ml (10-16) after gonadotropin treatment. Inhibin B levels were relatively stable: 110 ng/L (46-139) before and 91 ng/L (20-120) at the end of gonadotropin treatment. Azoospermia was observed in all semen analyses for all cases during gonadotropin treatment. Three patients agreed to testicular biopsy; no mature sperm cells could be retrieved in any. CONCLUSION We characterized a cohort of patients with NR0B1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants for fertility preservation by recombinant gonadotropin treatment, which began either at puberty or in adulthood. No sperm cells could be retrieved in semen samples or testicular biopsy even after gonadotropin treatment, indicating that gonadotropin treatment, even when started at puberty, is ineffective for restoring fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Teoli
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, CR DEV-GEN, Centre de Biologie et Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut Cellule Souche et Cerveau (SBRI), Unité INSERM, Centre de Recherche INSERM, Bron, France
| | - Vincent Mezzarobba
- Fédération d’Endocrinologie, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Lucie Renault
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Delphine Mallet
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, CR DEV-GEN, Centre de Biologie et Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Hervé Lejeune
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut Cellule Souche et Cerveau (SBRI), Unité INSERM, Centre de Recherche INSERM, Bron, France
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Pierre Chatelain
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Service d’Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Frédérique Tixier
- Service d’Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Marc Nicolino
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Service d’Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Noël Peretti
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Service de Gastroentérologie, Hépatologie et Nutrition Pédiatriques, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Sandrine Giscard D’estaing
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut Cellule Souche et Cerveau (SBRI), Unité INSERM, Centre de Recherche INSERM, Bron, France
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Béatrice Cuzin
- Chirugie Urologique, Centre Lyonnais d’Urologie Bellecour, Lyon, France
| | - Frédérique Dijoud
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut Cellule Souche et Cerveau (SBRI), Unité INSERM, Centre de Recherche INSERM, Bron, France
- Service d’Anatomie Pathologique, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Florence Roucher-Boulez
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, CR DEV-GEN, Centre de Biologie et Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Ingrid Plotton
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, CR DEV-GEN, Centre de Biologie et Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut Cellule Souche et Cerveau (SBRI), Unité INSERM, Centre de Recherche INSERM, Bron, France
- Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- *Correspondence: Ingrid Plotton,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Aharon D, Marlow FL. Sexual determination in zebrafish. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:8. [PMID: 34936027 PMCID: PMC11072476 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish have emerged as a major model organism to study vertebrate reproduction due to their high fecundity and external development of eggs and embryos. The mechanisms through which zebrafish determine their sex have come under extensive investigation, as they lack a definite sex-determining chromosome and appear to have a highly complex method of sex determination. Single-gene mutagenesis has been employed to isolate the function of genes that determine zebrafish sex and regulate sex-specific differentiation, and to explore the interactions of genes that promote female or male sexual fate. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms, including genetic and environmental factors, governing zebrafish sex development with comparisons to gene functions in other species to highlight conserved and potentially species-specific mechanisms for specifying and maintaining sexual fate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devora Aharon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Florence L Marlow
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy, Place Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Глазова ОВ, Воронцова МВ, Шевкова ЛВ, Сакр Н, Онянов НА, Казиахмедова СА, Волчков ПЮ. [Adrenal glands stem cells: general signaling pathways]. PROBLEMY ENDOKRINOLOGII 2021; 67:90-97. [PMID: 35018765 PMCID: PMC9753809 DOI: 10.14341/probl12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays stem cells of adult type are attractive in case of active development of cell and genome technologies. They are the target of new therapeutic approaches, which are based on correction of mutations or replenishment of organs, that were damaged by autoimmune reactions, aging or other pathological processes. Also stem cells, including patient-specific (induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, iPSCs), and obtained by differentiation from them tissue cultures and organoids are the closest models to in vivo researches on humans, which gives an opportunity to get more relevant data while testing different therapeutic approaches and pharmacological drugs. The main molecular pathways, that are essential for homeostasis of a cortex of a adrenal gland - compound, structurally and functionally heterogeneous organ, is described the presented review. The adrenal cortex is renewing during the organism's ontogenesis at the expense of the pool of stem and progenitors cells, which are in tight junctions with differentiated steroidogenic cells and which are under constant control of endocrine and paracrine signals. The understanding of signaling pathways and interactions of different cell types will give an opportunity to develop the most suitable protocols for obtaining cells of adrenal gland cortex in a different stages of differentiation to use them in scientific and medical purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- О. В. Глазова
- Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр эндокринологии;
Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| | - М. В. Воронцова
- Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр эндокринологии
| | - Л. В. Шевкова
- Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр эндокринологии;
Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| | - Н. Сакр
- Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| | - Н. А. Онянов
- Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| | - С. А. Казиахмедова
- Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| | - П. Ю. Волчков
- Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр эндокринологии;
Московский физико-технический институт (национальный исследовательский университет)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abou Nader N, Boyer A. Adrenal Cortex Development and Maintenance: Knowledge Acquired From Mouse Models. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6362524. [PMID: 34473283 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The adrenal cortex is an endocrine organ organized into concentric zones that are specialized to produce specific steroid hormones essential for life. The development and maintenance of the adrenal cortex are complex, as a fetal adrenal is first formed from a common primordium with the gonads, followed by its separation in a distinct primordium, the invasion of the adrenal primordium by neural crest-derived cells to form the medulla, and finally its encapsulation. The fetal cortex is then replaced by a definitive cortex, which will establish zonation and be maintained throughout life by regeneration relying on the proliferation, centripetal migration, and differentiation of several stem/progenitor cell populations whose activities are sex-specific. Here, we highlight the advances made, using transgenic mouse models, to delineate the molecular mechanisms regulating these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nour Abou Nader
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Alexandre Boyer
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
nr0b1 (DAX1) loss of function in zebrafish causes hypothalamic defects via abnormal progenitor proliferation and differentiation. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:217-229. [PMID: 34606992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor DAX-1 (encoded by the NR0B1 gene) is presented in the hypothalamic tissues in humans and other vertebrates. Human patients with NR0B1 mutations often have hypothalamic-pituitary defects, but the involvement of NR0B1 in hypothalamic development and function is not well understood. Here, we report the disruption of the nr0b1 gene in zebrafish causes abnormal expression of gonadotropins, a reduction in fertilization rate, and an increase in post-fasting food intake, which is indicative of abnormal hypothalamic functions. We find that loss of nr0b1 increases the number of prodynorphin (pdyn)-expressing neurons but decreases the number of pro-opiomelanocortin (pomcb)-expressing neurons in the zebrafish hypothalamic arcuate region (ARC). Further examination reveals that the proliferation of progenitor cells is reduced in the hypothalamus of nr0b1 mutant embryos accompanying with the decreased expression of genes in the Notch signaling pathway. Additionally, the inhibition of Notch signaling in wild-type embryos increases the number of pdyn neurons, mimicking the nr0b1 mutant phenotype. In contrast, ectopic activation of Notch signaling in nr0b1 mutant embryos decreases the number of pdyn neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that nr0b1 regulates neural progenitor proliferation and maintenance to ensure normal hypothalamic neuron development.
Collapse
|
23
|
Louden ED, Poch A, Kim HG, Ben-Mahmoud A, Kim SH, Layman LC. Genetics of hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism-Human and mouse genes, inheritance, oligogenicity, and genetic counseling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 534:111334. [PMID: 34062169 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which may be normosmic (nHH) or anosmic/hyposmic, known as Kallmann syndrome (KS), is due to gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency, which results in absent puberty and infertility. Investigation of the genetic basis of nHH/KS over the past 35 years has yielded a substantial increase in our understanding, as variants in 44 genes in OMIM account for ~50% of cases. The first genes for KS (ANOS1) and nHH (GNRHR) were followed by the discovery that FGFR1 variants may cause either nHH or KS. Associated anomalies include midline facial defects, neurologic deficits, cardiac anomalies, and renal agenesis, among others. Mouse models for all but one gene (ANOS1) generally support findings in humans. About half of the known genes implicated in nHH/KS are inherited as autosomal dominant and half are autosomal recessive, whereas only 7% are X-linked recessive. Digenic and oligogenic inheritance has been reported in 2-20% of patients, most commonly with variants in genes that may result in either nHH or KS inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. In vitro analyses have only been conducted for both gene variants in eight cases and for one gene variant in 20 cases. Rigorous confirmation that two gene variants in the same individual cause the nHH/KS phenotype is lacking for most. Clinical diagnosis is probably best accomplished by targeted next generation sequencing of the known candidate genes with confirmation by Sanger sequencing. Elucidation of the genetic basis of nHH/KS has resulted in an enhanced understanding of this disorder, as well as normal puberty, which makes genetic diagnosis clinically relevant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica D Louden
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Alexandra Poch
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Hyung-Goo Kim
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afif Ben-Mahmoud
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence C Layman
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pecori Giraldi F, Sesta A, Tapella L, Cassarino MF, Castelli L. Dual effects of 9-cis retinoic acid on ACTH-dependent hyperplastic adrenal tissues. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14315. [PMID: 34253781 PMCID: PMC8275666 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93672-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids play a pivotal role in adrenal development and differentiation. Recent clinical trials revealed therapeutic potential of both all-trans and 9-cis retinoic acid in patients with cortisol excess due to a pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma and indicated that retinoids might act also on the adrenal. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 9-cis retinoic acid on adrenals from patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Adrenal specimens from six patients with Cushing’s disease were incubated with 10 nM–1 µM 9-cis retinoic acid with and without 10 nM ACTH. Cortisol secretion was measured by immunoassay and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis as well as retinoic acid action were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Incubation with 10–100 nM 9-cis retinoic acid increased spontaneous cortisol secretion and expression of STAR and CYP17A. On the other hand, in wells treated with ACTH, 9-cis retinoic acid markedly diminished ACTH receptor upregulation and no stimulatory effect on cortisol secretion or steroidogenic enzyme synthesis was observed. ACTH itself increased ligand-induced retinoic acid receptor expression, possibly enhancing sensitivity to retinoic acid. Our findings indicate that the effect of 9-cis retinoic acid in presence of ACTH is distinct from unchallenged wells and support the hypothesis of a direct adrenal action in patients with Cushing’s disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pecori Giraldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy. .,Neuroendocrinology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Via Zucchi 18, 20095, Cusano Milanino, MI, Italy.
| | - Antonella Sesta
- Neuroendocrinology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Via Zucchi 18, 20095, Cusano Milanino, MI, Italy
| | - Laura Tapella
- Neuroendocrinology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Via Zucchi 18, 20095, Cusano Milanino, MI, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Cassarino
- Neuroendocrinology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Via Zucchi 18, 20095, Cusano Milanino, MI, Italy
| | - Luigi Castelli
- Ospedale San Carlo, Reparto di Chirurgia, 20037, Paderno Dugnano, MI, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shi H, Ru X, Mustapha UF, Jiang D, Huang Y, Pan S, Zhu C, Li G. Characterization, expression, and regulatory effects of nr0b1a and nr0b1b in spotted scat (Scatophagus argus). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110644. [PMID: 34224854 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1 (Nr0b1) belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. It plays critical roles in sex determination, sex differentiation, and gonadal development in mammals. In this study, the duplicated genes nr0b1a and nr0b1b were identified in spotted scat (Scatophagus argus). Phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed that, unlike nr0b1a, nr0b1b was retained in several species of teleosts after an nr0b1 gene duplication event but was secondarily lost in other fish species, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In a sequence analysis, only 1.5 LXXLL-related repeat motifs were identified in spotted scat Nr0b1a, Nr0b1b, and non-mammalian Nr0b1a/Nr0b1, different from the 3.5 repeat motifs in mammalian Nr0b1. By qPCR, nr0b1a and nr0b1b were highly expressed in testes from stages IV to V and in ovaries from stages II to IV, respectively. Male-to-female sex reversal was induced in XY spotted scat by the administration of exogenous E2. A qPCR analysis showed that nr0b1b mRNA expression was higher in sex-reversed XY fish than in control XY fish, with no difference in nr0b1a. A luciferase assay showed that spotted scat Nr0b1a and Nr0b1b did not individually activate cyp19a1a gene transcription. As in mammals, spotted scat Nr0b1a suppressed Nr5a1-mediated cyp19a1a expression, despite containing only 1.5 LXXLL-related repeat motifs in its N-terminal region, while Nr0b1b stimulated Nr5a1-mediated cyp19a1a transcription. These results demonstrated that nr0b1a and nr0b1b in spotted scat have distinct expression patterns and regulatory effects and further indicate that nr0b1b might be involved in ovarian development by regulating Nr5a1-mediated cyp19a1a expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Shi
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Xiaoying Ru
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Umar Farouk Mustapha
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Dongneng Jiang
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Shuhui Pan
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Chunhua Zhu
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Guangli Li
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fisheries College, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Resident progenitor and/or stem cell populations in the adult adrenal cortex enable cortical cells to undergo homeostatic renewal and regeneration after injury. Renewal occurs predominantly in the outer layers of the adrenal gland but newly formed cells undergo centripetal migration, differentiation and lineage conversion in the process of forming the different functional steroidogenic zones. Over the past 10 years, advances in the genetic characterization of adrenal diseases and studies of mouse models with altered adrenal phenotypes have helped to elucidate the molecular pathways that regulate adrenal tissue renewal, several of which are fine-tuned via complex paracrine and endocrine influences. Moreover, the adrenal gland is a sexually dimorphic organ, and testicular androgens have inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and progenitor cell recruitment in the adrenal cortex. This Review integrates these advances, including the emerging role of sex hormones, into existing knowledge on adrenocortical cell renewal. An in-depth understanding of these mechanisms is expected to contribute to the development of novel therapies for severe endocrine diseases, for which current treatments are unsatisfactory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Lyraki
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Andreas Schedl
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ouyang H, Chen B, Wu N, Li L, Du R, Qian M, Yu W, He Y, Liu X. X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia: a case presentation. BMC Endocr Disord 2021; 21:118. [PMID: 34130666 PMCID: PMC8204446 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-021-00785-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most patients with congenital adrenal hypoplasia (AHC) develop symptoms during infantile and juvenile periods, with varying clinical manifestations. AHC is a disease that is easily misdiagnosed as Addison's disease or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). There was also a significant time difference between the age at which patients developed symptoms and the age at which they were diagnosed with AHC. Most patients showed early symptoms during infantile and juvenile periods, but were diagnosed with AHC many years later. CASE PRESENTATION We are currently reporting a male patient who developed systemic pigmentation at age 2 and was initially diagnosed with Addison's disease. At 22 years of age, he experienced a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), a disease mostly seen in adolescents aged 8-15 years, an important cause of which is endocrine disorder. Testes evaluated using color Doppler Ultrasonography suggested microcalcifications. Further genetic testing and auxiliary examinations revealed that the patient had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and DAX-1 gene disorders, at which time he was diagnosed with AHC complicated by HH. He was given hormone replacement therapy, followed by regular outpatient review to adjust the medication. CONCLUSIONS The typical early symptoms of AHC are hyperpigmentation and ion disturbance during infantile and juvenile periods, while few patients with AHC develop puberty disorders as early symptoms. AHC is prone to being misdiagnosed as Addison's disease, and then gradually develops the symptoms of HH in adolescence. The definitive diagnosis of AHC ultimately is based on the patient's clinical presentation, laboratory results and genetic testing results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Ouyang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First People's Hospital of Kerqin District, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Na Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Clinical Skills Practice Teaching Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Runyu Du
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Meichen Qian
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenshu Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yujing He
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinyan Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Choi HS, Kwon A, Chae HW, Suh J, Song KC, Lee JS, Kim HS. Identification of a novel point mutation in DAX-1 gene in a patient with adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2021; 26:126-129. [PMID: 34218634 PMCID: PMC8255865 DOI: 10.6065/apem.2040088.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita caused by a mutation in NR0B1/DAX-1 is a rare inherited disorder. Patients with adrenal hypoplasia congenita are usually diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency in infancy or early childhood and present hypogonadotropic hypogonadism during adolescence. Our patient first presented with adrenal crisis at the age of 2 months, which was managed with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. At the age of 17 years, testicular volumes of 5 mL each and a stretched penile length of 4 cm were noted. A combined pituitary function test showed a peak luteinizing hormone level of 2.68 mIU/mL, testosterone 13.5 ng/dL, confirming hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. After whole-exome sequencing, a new variant of DAX-1, c.881T>C (p.Leu294Pro), was found. He was diagnosed with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita and then treated with human choriogonadotropin for the induction of spermatogenesis as well as with steroid replacement therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Saem Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ahreum Kwon
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Wook Chae
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junghwan Suh
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Chul Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Sung Lee
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho-Seong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Address for correspondence: Ho-Seong Kim Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Oikonomakos I, Weerasinghe Arachchige LC, Schedl A. Developmental mechanisms of adrenal cortex formation and their links with adult progenitor populations. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 524:111172. [PMID: 33484742 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The adrenal cortex is the main steroid producing organ of the human body. Studies on adrenal tissue renewal have been neglected for many years, but recent intensified research has seen tremendous progress in our understanding of the formation and homeostasis of this organ. However, cell turnover of the adrenal cortex appears to be complex and several cell populations have been identified that can differentiate into steroidogenic cells and contribute to adrenal cortex renewal. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of how the adrenal cortex develops and how stem cell populations relate to its developmental progenitors. Finally, we will summarize present and future approaches to harvest the potential of progenitor/stem cells for future cell replacement therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Oikonomakos
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, 06108, Nice, France.
| | | | - Andreas Schedl
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, 06108, Nice, France.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hammer GD, Basham KJ. Stem cell function and plasticity in the normal physiology of the adrenal cortex. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 519:111043. [PMID: 33058950 PMCID: PMC7736543 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The adrenal cortex functions to produce steroid hormones necessary for life. To maintain its functional capacity throughout life, the adrenal cortex must be continually replenished and rapidly repaired following injury. Moreover, the adrenal responds to endocrine-mediated organismal needs, which are highly dynamic and necessitate a precise steroidogenic response. To meet these diverse needs, the adrenal employs multiple cell populations with stem cell function. Here, we discuss the literature on adrenocortical stem cells using hematopoietic stem cells as a benchmark to examine the functional capacity of particular cell populations, including those located in the capsule and peripheral cortex. These populations are coordinately regulated by paracrine and endocrine signaling mechanisms, and display remarkable plasticity to adapt to different physiological and pathological conditions. Some populations also exhibit sex-specific activity, which contributes to highly divergent proliferation rates between sexes. Understanding mechanisms that govern adrenocortical renewal has broad implications for both regenerative medicine and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Endocrine Oncology Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Holota H, Thirouard L, Monrose M, Garcia M, De Haze A, Saru JP, Caira F, Beaudoin C, Volle DH. FXRα modulates leydig cell endocrine function in mouse. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110995. [PMID: 32827571 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary axis exert a major control over endocrine and exocrine testicular functions. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis corresponds to a cascade with the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, which stimulates the synthesis and the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone by the gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. The LH signaling pathway controls the steroidogenic activity of the Leydig cells via the activation of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor. In order to avoid a runaway system, sex steroids exert a negative feedback within hypothalamus and pituitary. Testicular steroidogenesis is locally controlled within Leydig cells. The present work reviews some local regulations of steroidogenesis within the Leydig cells focusing mainly on the roles of the Farnesoid-X-Receptor-alpha and its interactions with several orphan members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Further studies are required to reinforce our knowledge of the regulation of testicular endocrine function, which is necessary to ensure a better understanding of fertility disorders and then proposed an adequate treatment of the diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Holota
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laura Thirouard
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mélusine Monrose
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Manon Garcia
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Angélique De Haze
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Paul Saru
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Françoise Caira
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Claude Beaudoin
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - David H Volle
- Inserm U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR-6293, GReD, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Dai T, Wan Y, Tian R, Wang S, Han T, Wang G. In Situ Cation Exchange Generated ZnS–Ag2S Nanoparticles for Photothermal Detection of Transcription Factor. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:3260-3267. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Dai
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Yifei Wan
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Ruifen Tian
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Sicheng Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Ting Han
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| | - Guangfeng Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lichtsinn KC, Ji J. Case 1: A Term Male Infant with Hypoglycemia and Hyperbilirubinemia as Initial Presentation. Neoreviews 2020; 21:e264-e266. [PMID: 32238488 DOI: 10.1542/neo.21-4-e264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianzhong Ji
- Neonatology, Dell Children's Medical School of Central Texas, Austin, TX
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Bizzarri C, Cappa M. Ontogeny of Hypothalamus-Pituitary Gonadal Axis and Minipuberty: An Ongoing Debate? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:187. [PMID: 32318025 PMCID: PMC7154076 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetal hypothalamus-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis begins to function during mid-gestation but its activity decreases during late pregnancy due to the suppressive effects of placental estrogens. Placental hormones drop immediately after birth, FSH and LH surge at around 1 week and peak between 1 and 3 months of life. The HPG axis is activated in both sexes, but a sexual dimorphism is evident with higher LH values in boys, while FSH prevails in girls. Both gonadotrophins decline in boys by around 6 months of age. In girls, LH declines at the same time as in boys, while FSH persists elevated up to 3 or 4 years of age. As a result of gonadotropin activation, testicular testosterone increases in males and ovarian estradiol rises in females. These events clinically translate into testicular and penile growth in boys, enlargement of uterus and breasts in girls. The functional impact of HPG axis activity in infancy on later reproductive function is uncertain. According to the perinatal programming theory, this period may represent an essential programming process. In boys, long-term testicular hormonal function and spermatogenesis seem to be, at least in part, regulated by minipuberty. On the contrary, the role of minipuberty in girls is still uncertain. Recently, androgen exposure during minipuberty has been correlated with later sex-typed behavior. Premature and/or SGA infants show significant differences in postnatal HPG axis activity in comparison to full-term infants and the consequences of these differences on later health and disease require further research. The sex-dimorphic HPG activation during mid-gestation is probably responsible for the body composition differences observed ad birth between boys and girls, with boys showing greater total body mass and lean mass, and a lower proportion of fat mass. Testosterone exposure during minipuberty further contributes to these differences and seems to be responsible for the significantly higher growth velocity observed in male infants. Lastly, minipuberty is a valuable "window of opportunity" for differential diagnosis of disorders of sex development and it represents the only time window before puberty when congenital hypogonadism can be diagnosed by the simple analysis of basal gonadotropin and gonadal hormone levels.
Collapse
|
35
|
Gupta S, Joshi K, Zaidi G, Sarangi AN, Mandal K, Bhavani N, Pavithran PV, Pillai MG, Singh SK, Godbole T, Bhatia V, Bhatia E. Novel mutations and spectrum of the disease of NR0B1 (DAX1)-related adrenal insufficiency in Indian children. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2019; 32:863-869. [PMID: 31219797 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2018-0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC), due to mutations in the nuclear receptor superfamily 0, group B, member 1 (NR0B1)/dosage-sensitive sex reversal, AHC, critical region on the X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX1) gene, usually presents with a salt-wasting adrenal crisis in infancy and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in adolescents. Genetic reports in the literature from patients of diverse ethnicity are limited. We describe the atypical clinical characteristics and molecular genetic results in six Indian patients. Methods Both exons and flanking intronic sequences of the NR0B1 gene were amplified and sequenced in five patients. In the sixth patient, suspected to have a large deletion, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and chromosomal microarray analysis were performed. Results Sequencing revealed three novel mutations: a nonsense mutation (c.776C > A), a deletion (c.298del), both causing loss of domains which are highly conserved among nuclear receptor families, and a missense mutation (c.1112T > C). In-silico analysis by structure-based protein modeling predicted a de-stabilizing effect of the novel missense mutation. Two previously reported mutations were seen in patients with atypical manifestations such as late-onset adrenal insufficiency and precocious puberty. One patient had a 7.15-Mb contiguous deletion involving the NR0B1, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), glycerol kinase (GK) and melanoma antigen, family B, 16 (MAGEB16) genes. Conclusions Our report emphasizes the wide clinical spectrum of AHC, including rare manifestations, and enumerates unique mutations in the NR0B1 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suchit Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Kriti Joshi
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Ghazala Zaidi
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Aditya Narayan Sarangi
- Biomedical Informatics Centre, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Kausik Mandal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Nisha Bhavani
- Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, India
| | - Praveen V Pavithran
- Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, India
| | - Mini G Pillai
- Department of Endocrinology, PVS Memorial Hospital Ltd, Kochi, India
| | - Surya K Singh
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Tushar Godbole
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Vijayalakshmi Bhatia
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Eesh Bhatia
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bertalan R, Bencsik Z, Mezei P, Vajda Z, Butz H, Patócs A. Novel frameshift mutation of the NR0B1(DAX1) in two tall adult brothers. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:4599-4604. [PMID: 31280422 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04688-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
NR0B1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 0, group B, member 1) is a transcription factor encoded by DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1) responsible for the development and maintenance of the steroidogenic tissues. In humans the DAX1 mutations cause congenital adrenal hypoplasia (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG) in boys. Here we report two brothers who were assessed by endocrinologist at the age of 51 and 43 because of their serious osteoporosis. They had been substituted with prednisolone since the age of 4 and 9 years because of their primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Due to their late puberty caused by HHG at the age of 16 and 17 years their heights were - 3.1 and - 3.3 SD, but then they had a significant growth during their adulthood and reached the + 1.85 SD and + 3.78 SD respectively. During this period, they received glucocorticoid supplementation, but the treatment of their HHG was inadequate. At the age of 51 and 43 years insulin tolerance test (ITT) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) test confirmed their PAI and HHG. Genetic test performed at this time revealed a novel, four nucleotides deletion (del.586-571c.GGGC or 572-575c.GGGC) of DAX1 gene. The two brothers with AHC and HHG caused by a novel DAX1 mutation, reached tall final heights, despite of the disadvantageous prednisolone treatment during their childhood. We assume that the long-term lack of the sexual hormone substitution was a significant reason of their above average height as well as their serious osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bertalan
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Bókay J Street 53-54, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.
- Csolnoky Ferenc Hospital, Kórház Street 1, Veszprém, 8200, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsa Bencsik
- Szent Donát Hospital, Honvéd Street 2-3, Várpalota, 8100, Hungary
| | - Piroska Mezei
- Fejér County Szent György University Teaching Hospital, Seregélyesi Street 3, Szekesfehervar, 8000, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Vajda
- Pál Heim Children's Hospital, Üllői Street 86, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Henriett Butz
- Momentum Hereditary Endocrine Tumours Research Group Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
| | - Attila Patócs
- Momentum Hereditary Endocrine Tumours Research Group Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nomura R, Kashimada K, Suzuki H, Zhao L, Tsuji-Hosokawa A, Yagita H, Takagi M, Kanai Y, Bowles J, Koopman P, Kanai-Azuma M, Morio T. Nr5a1 suppression during the murine fetal period optimizes ovarian development by fine-tuning Notch signaling. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.223768. [PMID: 30877223 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.223768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor NR5A1 is equally expressed and required for development of the gonadal primordia of both sexes, but, after sex determination, it is upregulated in XY testes and downregulated in XX ovaries. We have recently demonstrated, in mice, that this downregulation is mediated by forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) and hypothesized that adequate suppression of Nr5a1 is essential for normal ovarian development. Further, analysis of human patients with disorders/differences of sex development suggests that overexpression of NR5A1 can result in XX (ovo)testicular development. Here, we tested the role of Nr5a1 by overexpression in fetal gonads using a Wt1-BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgene system. Enforced Nr5a1 expression compromised ovarian development in 46,XX mice, resulting in late-onset infertility, but did not induce (ovo)testis differentiation. The phenotype was similar to that of XX mice lacking Notch signaling. The expression level of Notch2 was significantly reduced in Nr5a1 transgenic mice, and the ovarian phenotype was almost completely rescued by in utero treatment with a NOTCH2 agonist. We conclude that suppression of Nr5a1 during the fetal period optimizes ovarian development by fine-tuning Notch signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Risa Nomura
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kenichi Kashimada
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hitomi Suzuki
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Atsumi Tsuji-Hosokawa
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Takagi
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Josephine Bowles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Masami Kanai-Azuma
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Morio
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Huang CCJ, Kang Y. The transient cortical zone in the adrenal gland: the mystery of the adrenal X-zone. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R51-R63. [PMID: 30817316 PMCID: PMC6675673 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The X-zone is a transient cortical region enriched in eosinophilic cells located in the cortical-medullary boundary of the mouse adrenal gland. Similar to the X-zone, the fetal zone in human adrenals is also a transient cortical compartment, comprising the majority of the human fetal adrenal gland. During adrenal development, fetal cortical cells are gradually replaced by newly formed adult cortical cells that develop into outer definitive zones. In mice, the regression of this fetal cell population is sexually dimorphic. Many mouse models with mutations associated with endocrine factors have been reported with X-zone phenotypes. Increasing findings indicate that the cell fate of this aged cell population of the adrenal cortex can be manipulated by many hormonal and nonhormonal factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge of this transient adrenocortical zone with an emphasis on genes and signaling pathways that affect X-zone cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Che Jeff Huang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Transcriptional Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenic Genes: Recent Findings Obtained from Stem Cell-Derived Steroidogenic Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8973076. [PMID: 31058195 PMCID: PMC6463655 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8973076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovaries represent one of the primary steroidogenic organs, producing estrogen and progesterone under the regulation of gonadotropins during the estrous cycle. Gonadotropins fluctuate the expression of various steroidogenesis-related genes, such as those encoding steroidogenic enzymes, cholesterol deliverer, and electronic transporter. Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1)/adrenal 4-binding protein (Ad4BP)/NR5A1 and liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) play important roles in these phenomena via transcriptional regulation. With the aid of cAMP, SF-1/Ad4BP and LRH-1 can induce the differentiation of stem cells into steroidogenic cells. This model is a useful tool for studying the molecular mechanisms of steroidogenesis. In this article, we will provide insight into the transcriptional regulation of steroidogenesis-related genes in ovaries that are revealed from stem cell-derived steroidogenic cells. Using the cells derived from the model, novel SF-1/Ad4BP- and LRH-1-regulated genes were identified by combined DNA microarray and promoter tiling array analyses. The interaction of SF-1/Ad4BP and LRH-1 with transcriptional regulators in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis was also revealed.
Collapse
|
40
|
García-Acero M, Molina M, Moreno O, Ramirez A, Forero C, Céspedes C, Prieto JC, Pérez J, Suárez-Obando F, Rojas A. Gene dosage of DAX-1, determining in sexual differentiation: duplication of DAX-1 in two sisters with gonadal dysgenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:2971-2978. [PMID: 30879272 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04758-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Two sisters phenotypically normal females, presenting with tumor abdominal mass with histopathological findings of teratoma and gonadoblastoma associated to 46,XY male-to-female sex reversal syndrome, secondary to a duplication in DAX-1, possibly inherited of maternal gonadal mosaicism. Copy number variation and functional effects of the duplication were done by MLPA multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and real time PCR. DAX-1, also known as dosage sensitive sex reversal gene (DSS), is considered the most likely candidate gene involved in XY gonadal dysgenesis when overexpressed. The excess of DAX-1 gene disturbs testicular development by down regulation of SF-1, WT1, and SOX9. This is the first report of 46,XY sex reversal in two siblings who have a maternally inherited duplication of DAX-1 associated with reduced levels of expression of downstream genes as SOX9-SF1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary García-Acero
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Mónica Molina
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Olga Moreno
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Andrea Ramirez
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Catalina Forero
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Camila Céspedes
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Prieto
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia
| | - Jaime Pérez
- Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando Suárez-Obando
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia.,Clinical Genetics Service, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Rojas
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Guzzetti C, Bizzarri C, Pisaneschi E, Mucciolo M, Bellacchio E, Ibba A, Casula L, Novelli A, Loche S, Cappa M. Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies Different Genetic Defects in 2 Patients with Primary Adrenal Insufficiency and Gonadotropin-Independent Precocious Puberty. Horm Res Paediatr 2019; 90:203-211. [PMID: 30179867 DOI: 10.1159/000492496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of gonadotropin-independent (peripheral) precocious puberty in male children with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is consistent with a defect in the genes encoding for the enzymes involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis. METHODS Two young boys presented with peripheral precocious puberty followed by PAI. In both patients, the analysis of CYP21A2 gene encoding 21-hydroxylase was normal. As a second step, a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in both patients using a customized panel of congenital endocrine disor ders. RESULTS Case 1 had a new homozygous variant in the CYP11B1 gene (c.1121+5G>A). Mutations of this gene cause congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, an essential enzyme in the cortisol biosynthesis pathway. Case 2 showed a new hemizygous mutation in the NR0B1 gene (c.1091T>G), which encodes for DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenita [AHC] and critical region on the X chromosome gene 1). NR0B1 mutations cause X-linked AHC and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Pathogenicity prediction software defined both mutations as probably damaging. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral precocious puberty was the atypical presentation of 2 rare genetic diseases. The use of NGS made the characterization of these 2 cases with similar clinical phenotypes caused by 2 different genetic defects possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Guzzetti
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Pediatric Hospital Microcitemico "Antonio Cao," AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carla Bizzarri
- Endocrinology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome,
| | - Elisa Pisaneschi
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mafalda Mucciolo
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Bellacchio
- Genetic and Rare Diseases, Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anastasia Ibba
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Pediatric Hospital Microcitemico "Antonio Cao," AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Letizia Casula
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Pediatric Hospital Microcitemico "Antonio Cao," AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Loche
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Pediatric Hospital Microcitemico "Antonio Cao," AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Cappa
- Endocrinology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Spade DJ, Dere E, Hall SJ, Schorl C, Freiman RN, Boekelheide K. All-Trans Retinoic Acid Disrupts Development in Ex Vivo Cultured Fetal Rat Testes. I: Altered Seminiferous Cord Maturation and Testicular Cell Fate. Toxicol Sci 2019; 167:546-558. [PMID: 30329139 PMCID: PMC6358251 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to excess retinoic acid (RA) disrupts the development of the mammalian testicular seminiferous cord. However, the molecular events surrounding RA-driven loss of cord structure have not previously been examined. To investigate the mechanisms associated with this adverse developmental effect, fetal rat testes were isolated on gestational day 15, after testis determination and the initiation of cord development, and cultured in media containing all-trans RA (ATRA; 10-8 to 10-6 M) or vehicle for 3 days. ATRA exposure resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the number of seminiferous cords per testis section and number of germ cells, assessed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Following 1 day of culture, genome-wide expression profiling by microarray demonstrated that ATRA exposure altered biological processes related to retinoid metabolism and gonadal sex determination. Real-time RT-PCR analysis confirmed that ATRA enhanced the expression of the key ovarian development gene Wnt4 and the antitestis gene Nr0b1 in a concentration-dependent manner. After 3 days of culture, ATRA-treated testes contained both immunohistochemically DMRT1-positive and FOXL2-positive somatic cells, providing evidence of disrupted testicular cell fate maintenance following ATRA exposure. We conclude that exogenous RA disrupts seminiferous cord development in ex vivo cultured fetal rat testes, resulting in a reduction in seminiferous cord number, and interferes with maintenance of somatic cell fate by enhancing expression of factors that promote ovarian development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Spade
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| | - Edward Dere
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
- Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island 02903
| | - Susan J Hall
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| | - Christoph Schorl
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| | - Richard N Freiman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| | - Kim Boekelheide
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Suthiworachai C, Tammachote R, Srichomthong C, Ittiwut R, Suphapeetiporn K, Sahakitrungruang T, Shotelersuk V. Identification and Functional Analysis of Six DAX1 Mutations in Patients With X-Linked Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita. J Endocr Soc 2018; 3:171-180. [PMID: 30620004 PMCID: PMC6316980 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Context DAX1 (NR0B1) mutations cause X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in affected male patients. Affected individuals typically present with early-onset adrenal insufficiency and develop HH during puberty. Rare cases can present with late-onset adrenal insufficiency or other unusual phenotypes. Objectives We sought to identify and functionally characterize DAX1 mutations in seven Thai male subjects in six families with X-linked AHC. Patients and Methods Six patients had classic phenotypes with early-onset adrenal failure. One patient presented with late-onset Addison disease at 17 years. In the early-onset group, one patient had GnRH-independent sexual precocity at 3 years of age, and another patient had growth hormone deficiency. The DAX1 gene was sequenced from all patients, and the transcriptional activities of the identified mutations were assessed in vitro using luciferase assays. Results DAX1 mutations were identified in all patients, including three novel mutations [c.363delG (p.Gly122Valfs*142), c.1062delC (p.Ala355Profs*17), and c.1156C>T (p.Leu386Phe)] and three known mutations [c.1148_1149delGG (p.Gly383Aspfs*5), c.501_502insG (p.Ala170Argfs*15), and c.805_807delGTC (p.Val269del)]. Functional studies showed that the DAX1 mutants had lower levels of repressor activity on the StAR gene promoter compared with the wild-type DAX-1 protein. Conclusions This study describes unusual phenotypes and three novel mutations, extending the phenotypic and mutational spectra of DAX1 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chanisara Suthiworachai
- Biological Sciences Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rachaneekorn Tammachote
- Biological Sciences Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalurmpon Srichomthong
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, Thai Red Cross Society, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungnapa Ittiwut
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, Thai Red Cross Society, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanya Suphapeetiporn
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, Thai Red Cross Society, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Taninee Sahakitrungruang
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vorasuk Shotelersuk
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Excellence Center for Medical Genetics, Thai Red Cross Society, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Xia X, Huo W, Wan R, Wang P, Chang Z. Cloning, characterization and function analysis of DAX1 in Chinese loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus). Genetica 2018; 146:487-496. [PMID: 30206752 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-018-0039-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation have not been elucidated in most fish species. In this study, the full-length cDNAs of DAX1 was cloned and characterized in aquaculture fish Chinese loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus), designated as Pd-DAX1. The cDNA sequence of Pd-DAX1 was 1261 bp, including 795 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 264 amino acids. Pd-DAX1 shares highly identical sequence with DAX1 homologues from different species. The expression profiles of Pd-DAX1 in different developmental stages and diverse adult tissues were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH). Pd-DAX1 was continuously expressed during embryogenesis, with the extensive distribution in the development of the central nervous system. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that Pd-DAX1 expressed widely in adult tissues, with the highest expression level found in testis, moderate level in ovary, showing a sex-dimorphic expression pattern. Pd-DAX1 mainly located in spermatogonia cells, spermatocytes, primary oocytes and previtellogenic oocyte cells, implying that Pd-DAX1 may involve in gametogenesis. These preliminary findings suggest that Pd-DAX1 gene is highly conserved during vertebrate evolution and involved in a wide range of developmental processes including embryogenesis, central nervous system development and gonad development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Xia
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weiran Huo
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruyan Wan
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Peijin Wang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mazaira GI, Zgajnar NR, Lotufo CM, Daneri-Becerra C, Sivils JC, Soto OB, Cox MB, Galigniana MD. The Nuclear Receptor Field: A Historical Overview and Future Challenges. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2018; 5:101320. [PMID: 30148160 PMCID: PMC6108593 DOI: 10.11131/2018/101320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article we summarize the birth of the field of nuclear receptors, the discovery of untransformed and transformed isoforms of ligand-binding macromolecules, the discovery of the three-domain structure of the receptors, and the properties of the Hsp90-based heterocomplex responsible for the overall structure of the oligomeric receptor and many aspects of the biological effects. The discovery and properties of the subfamily of receptors called orphan receptors is also outlined. Novel molecular aspects of the mechanism of action of nuclear receptors and challenges to resolve in the near future are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gisela I. Mazaira
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
| | - Nadia R. Zgajnar
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- CONICET. Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
| | - Cecilia M. Lotufo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- CONICET. Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
| | | | - Jeffrey C. Sivils
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Olga B. Soto
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Marc B. Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Mario D. Galigniana
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- CONICET. Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Stévant I, Papaioannou MD, Nef S. A brief history of sex determination. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 468:3-10. [PMID: 29635012 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental biological question that has puzzled, but also fascinated mankind since antiquity is the one pertaining to the differences between sexes. Ancient cultures and mythologies poetically intended to explain the origin of the two sexes; philosophy offered insightful albeit occasionally paradoxical perceptions about men and women; and society as a whole put forward numerous intuitive observations about the traits that distinguish the two sexes. However, it was only through meticulous scientific research that began in the 16th century, and gradual technical improvements that followed over the next centuries, that the study of sex determination bore fruit. Here, we present a brief history of sex determination studies from ancient times until today, by selectively interviewing some of the milestones in the field. We complete our review by outlining some yet unanswered questions and proposing future experimental directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Stévant
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; SIB, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marilena D Papaioannou
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; SIB, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Roucher-Boulez F, Mallet-Motak D, Tardy-Guidollet V, Menassa R, Goursaud C, Plotton I, Morel Y. News about the genetics of congenital primary adrenal insufficiency. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2018; 79:174-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
48
|
Maione L, Dwyer AA, Francou B, Guiochon-Mantel A, Binart N, Bouligand J, Young J. GENETICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Genetic counseling for congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Kallmann syndrome: new challenges in the era of oligogenism and next-generation sequencing. Eur J Endocrinol 2018; 178:R55-R80. [PMID: 29330225 DOI: 10.1530/eje-17-0749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and Kallmann syndrome (KS) are rare, related diseases that prevent normal pubertal development and cause infertility in affected men and women. However, the infertility carries a good prognosis as increasing numbers of patients with CHH/KS are now able to have children through medically assisted procreation. These are genetic diseases that can be transmitted to patients' offspring. Importantly, patients and their families should be informed of this risk and given genetic counseling. CHH and KS are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous diseases in which the risk of transmission largely depends on the gene(s) responsible(s). Inheritance may be classically Mendelian yet more complex; oligogenic modes of transmission have also been described. The prevalence of oligogenicity has risen dramatically since the advent of massively parallel next-generation sequencing (NGS) in which tens, hundreds or thousands of genes are sequenced at the same time. NGS is medically and economically more efficient and more rapid than traditional Sanger sequencing and is increasingly being used in medical practice. Thus, it seems plausible that oligogenic forms of CHH/KS will be increasingly identified making genetic counseling even more complex. In this context, the main challenge will be to differentiate true oligogenism from situations when several rare variants that do not have a clear phenotypic effect are identified by chance. This review aims to summarize the genetics of CHH/KS and to discuss the challenges of oligogenic transmission and also its role in incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity in a perspective of genetic counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Maione
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Andrew A Dwyer
- Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bruno Francou
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Hormonology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anne Guiochon-Mantel
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Hormonology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Nadine Binart
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jérôme Bouligand
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Hormonology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jacques Young
- University of Paris-Sud, Paris-Sud Medical School, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, France
- INSERM U1185, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Yang J, Lv Y, Zhou Y, Xiao X. Identification of a novel mutation of NR0B1 in a patient with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia and symptomatic treatment. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2017; 30:1299-1304. [PMID: 29176027 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2017-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia (X-linked AHC) is characterized by acute onset of primary adrenal insufficiency in infancy or early childhood and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) at puberty. Mutations in NR0B1, the gene located on Xp21.3 and encoding an orphan nuclear receptor named DAX1, are responsible for this disease. METHODS The entire coding region of the NR0B1 gene of a 14-year-old X-linked AHC proband as well as his family members was sequenced. Clinical and endocrine evaluations with symptomatic treatment results were recorded. RESULTS DNA sequencing revealed a missense mutation (c.383-384 insA) in exon 1, which resulted in a novel frameshift mutation, thereby resulting in a truncated protein (p.Leu129 Pro fs*137). The therapeutic trail with an observation period of 20 weeks showed an effective improvement in symptoms of hypogonadism with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration, including a rapid improvement of serum testosterone level, descending of testicles as well as enlargement of testicles and growth of penis. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified a novel frameshift mutation of the NR0B1 gene in a proband with X-linked AHC/HH and further expanded the number of NR0B1 mutations reported in the literature. Moreover, the symptomatic treatment observation provided referential evidence in the treatment of X-linked AHC associated hypogonadism and bilateral inguinal cryptorchidism.
Collapse
|
50
|
Trofimova T, Lizneva D, Suturina L, Walker W, Chen YH, Azziz R, Layman LC. Genetic basis of eugonadal and hypogonadal female reproductive disorders. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2017; 44:3-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|