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Liu Y, Chen S, Zhang E, Xu Y, Deng X, Hu Z, Nie S, Lin Y, Huang Y. Exploring the potential of VGLL3 methylation as a prognostic indicator for intracranial aneurysm with gender-specific considerations. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231374. [PMID: 38348744 PMCID: PMC10912501 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231374] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is widely recognized to play a role in intracranial aneurysm (IA) pathogenesis. We investigated the levels of methylation of vestigial-like 3 (VGLL3) in IA and explored its potential as a prognostic indicator. A total of 48 patients with IA and 48 healthy controls were included in the present study. Methylation levels of CpG sites were assessed using bisulfite pyrosequencing, and levels of VGLL3, TEAD, and YAP in the blood were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing. VGLL3 methylation was significantly higher in controls than in IA patients (P=0.001), and this phenomenon was more pronounced in females (P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of VGLL3 and TEAD in the blood of IA patients were significantly increased, while YAP was significantly decreased. VGLL3 methylation was positively correlated with HDL (P=0.003) and female Lpa concentration (r = 0.426, P=0.03), and was also negatively correlated with age (P=0.003), APOE (P=0.005), and VGLL3 mRNA expression (P<0.001). Methylation and mRNA expression of VGLL3 may serve as indicators of IA risk in females (AUC = 0.810 and 0.809). VGLL3 methylation may participate in the pathogenesis of IA by regulating the expression of the VGLL3/TEAD/YAP pathway, and its gene methylation and expression levels have IA risk prediction value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Siqi Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Enhao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Yinbin Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Xinpeng Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Ziliang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Sheng Nie
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Yinglu Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Pingyang County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325400, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
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Willems YE, deSteiguer A, Tanksley PT, Vinnik L, Främke D, Okbay A, Richter D, Wagner GG, Hertwig R, Koellinger P, Tucker-Drob EM, Harden KP, Raffington L. Self-control is associated with health-relevant disparities in buccal DNA-methylation measures of biological aging in older adults. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.30.23294816. [PMID: 37693450 PMCID: PMC10491374 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.23294816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-control is a personality dimension that is associated with better physical health and a longer lifespan. Here we examined (1) whether self-control is associated with buccal and saliva DNA-methylation (DNAm) measures of biological aging quantified in children, adolescents, and adults, and (2) whether biological aging measured in buccal DNAm is associated with self-reported health. Following preregistered analyses, we computed two DNAm measures of advanced biological age (PhenoAge and GrimAge Acceleration) and a DNAm measure of pace of aging (DunedinPACE) in buccal samples from the German Socioeconomic Panel Study (SOEP-G[ene], n = 1058, age range 0-72, Mage = 42.65) and saliva samples from the Texas Twin Project (TTP, n = 1327, age range 8-20, Mage = 13.50). We found that lower self-control was associated with advanced biological age in older adults (β =-.34), but not young adults, adolescents or children. This association was not accounted for by statistical correction for socioeconomic contexts, BMI, or genetic correlates of low self-control. Moreover, a faster pace of aging and advanced biological age measured in buccal DNAm were associated with worse self-reported health (β =.13 to β = .19). But, effect sizes were weaker than observations in blood, thus customization of DNAm aging measures to buccal and saliva tissues may be necessary. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that self-control is associated with health via pathways that accelerate biological aging in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y E Willems
- Max Planck Research Group Biosocial - Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
| | - A deSteiguer
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas, Austin
| | - P T Tanksley
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas, Austin
| | - L Vinnik
- Max Planck Research Group Biosocial - Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
| | - D Främke
- Max Planck Research Group Biosocial - Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
| | - A Okbay
- School of Business and Economics, Economics Fellow, Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam
- Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam
| | - D Richter
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin
- SHARE Berlin, Berlin
| | - G G Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
- German Socio Economic Panel Study (SOEP), Berlin
| | - R Hertwig
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
| | - P Koellinger
- School of Business and Economics, Economics Fellow, Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam
- Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam
| | | | - K P Harden
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas, Austin
| | - L Raffington
- Max Planck Research Group Biosocial - Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
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3
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Åsheim ER, Debes PV, House A, Liljeström P, Niemelä PT, Siren JP, Erkinaro J, Primmer CR. Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) age at maturity is strongly affected by temperature, population and age-at-maturity genotype. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac086. [PMID: 36726866 PMCID: PMC9871436 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Age at maturity is a key life history trait involving a trade-off between survival risk and reproductive investment, and is an important factor for population structures. In ectotherms, a warming environment may have a dramatic influence on development and life history, but this influence may differ between populations. While an increasing number of studies have examined population-dependent reactions with temperature, few have investigated this in the context of maturation timing. Atlantic salmon, a species of high conservation relevance, is a good study species for this topic as it displays considerable variation in age at maturity, of which a large proportion has been associated with a genomic region including the strong candidate gene vgll3. Until now, the effect of this gene in the context of different environments and populations has not been studied. Using a large-scale common-garden experiment, we find strong effects of temperature, population-of-origin, and vgll3 genotype on maturation in 2-year-old male Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). With a temperature difference of 1.8°C, maturation probability was 4.8 times higher in the warm treatment than the cold treatment. This temperature effect was population-specific and was higher in the southern (60.48°N) compared to the northern (65.01°N) population. The early maturation vgll3*E allele was associated with a significantly higher maturation probability, but there was no vgll3 interaction with temperature or population. Both body condition and body mass associated with maturation. The body mass association was only present in the warm treatment. Our findings demonstrate that (i) populations can vary in their response to temperature change in terms of age at maturity, (ii) high intrinsic growth could be associated with higher thermal sensitivity for life history variation and (iii) vgll3 effects on age at maturity might be similar between populations and different thermal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik R Åsheim
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Lammi Biological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Paul V Debes
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology, Hólar University, Sauðárkrókur 550, Iceland
| | - Andrew House
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Lammi Biological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Petra Liljeström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Lammi Biological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Petri T Niemelä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka P Siren
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Jaakko Erkinaro
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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4
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Ahi EP, Sinclair-Waters M, Donner I, Primmer CR. A pituitary gene network linking vgll3 to regulators of sexual maturation in male Atlantic salmon. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 275:111337. [PMID: 36341967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111337] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Age at maturity is a key life history trait and a significant contributor to life history strategy variation. The maturation process is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but specific causes of variation in maturation timing remain elusive. In many species, the increase in the regulatory gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) marks the onset of puberty. Atlantic salmon, however, lacks the gnrh1 gene, suggesting gnrh3 and/or other regulatory factors are involved in the maturation process. Earlier research in Atlantic salmon has found a strong association between alternative alleles of vgll3 and maturation timing. Recently we reported strong induction of gonadotropin genes (fshb and lhb) in the pituitary of Atlantic salmon homozygous for the early maturation allele (E) of vgll3. The induction of gonadotropins was accompanied by increased expression of their direct upstream regulators, c-jun and sf1 (nr5a1b) but the regulatory connection between vgll3 and these regulators has never been investigated in any organism. In this study, we investigated the potential regulatory connection between vgll3 genotypes and these regulators through a stepwise approach of identifying a gene regulatory network (GRN) containing c-jun and sf1, and transcription factor motif enrichment analysis. We found a GRN containing c-jun with predicted upstream regulators, e2f1, egr1, foxj1 and klf4, to be differentially expressed in the pituitary. Finally, we suggest a vgll3 and Hippo pathway -dependent model for transcriptional regulation of c-jun and sf1 in the pituitary, which may have broader implications across vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Marion Sinclair-Waters
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionelle et Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France. https://twitter.com/Marionswaters
| | - Iikki Donner
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Finland.
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5
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Ahi EP, Sinclair-Waters M, Moustakas-Verho J, Jansouz S, Primmer CR. Strong regulatory effects of vgll3 genotype on reproductive axis gene expression in juvenile male Atlantic salmon. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 325:114055. [PMID: 35580687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Age at maturity is a major contributor to the diversity of life history strategies in organisms. The process of maturation is influenced by both genetics and the environment, and includes changes in levels of sex hormones and behavior, but the specific factors leading to variation in maturation timing are poorly understood. gnrh1 regulates the transcription of gonadotropin genes at pubertal onset in many species, but this gene is lacking in certain teleost species including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which raises the possibility of the involvement of other important regulatory factors during this process. Earlier research has reported a strong association of alternative alleles of the vgll3 gene with maturation timing in Atlantic salmon, suggesting it as a potential candidate regulating reproductive axis genes. Here, we investigated the expression of reproductive axis genes in one-year-old Atlantic salmon males with immature gonads and different vgll3 genotypes during the spawning period. We detected strong vgll3 genotype-dependent differential expression of reproductive axis genes (such as fshb, lhb, amh and igf3) tested in the pituitary, and testis. In addition, we observed differential expression of jun (ap1) and nr5a1b (sf1), potential upstream regulators of gonadotropins in the pituitary, as well as axin2, id3, insl3, itch, ptgs2a and ptger4b, the downstream targets of amh and igf3 in the testis. Hereby, we provide evidence of strong vgll3 genotype-dependent transcriptional regulation of reproductive axis genes prior to sexual maturation and suggest alternative models for distinct actions of vgll3 genotypes on the related molecular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Marion Sinclair-Waters
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacqueline Moustakas-Verho
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Shadi Jansouz
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Finland.
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6
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Åsheim ER, Prokkola JM, Morozov S, Aykanat T, Primmer CR. Standard metabolic rate does not associate with age-at-maturity genotype in juvenile Atlantic salmon. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8408. [PMID: 35127003 PMCID: PMC8794721 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a species with diverse life-history strategies, to which the timing of maturation contributes considerably. Recently, the genome region including the gene vgll3 has gained attention as a locus with a large effect on Atlantic salmon maturation timing, and recent studies on the vgll3 locus in salmon have indicated that its effect might be mediated through body condition and accumulation of adipose tissue. However, the cellular and physiological pathways leading from vgll3 genotype to phenotype are still unknown. Standard metabolic rate is a potentially important trait for resource acquisition and assimilation and we hypothesized that this trait, being a proxy for the maintenance energy expenditure of an individual, could be an important link in the pathway from vgll3 genotype to maturation timing phenotype. As a first step to studying links between vgll3 and the metabolic phenotype of Atlantic salmon, we measured the standard metabolic rate of 150 first-year Atlantic salmon juveniles of both sexes, originating from 14 different families with either late-maturing or early-maturing vgll3 genotypes. No significant difference in mass-adjusted standard metabolic rate was detected between individuals with different vgll3 genotypes, indicating that juvenile salmon of different vgll3 genotypes have similar maintenance energy requirements in the experimental conditions used and that the effects of vgll3 on body condition and maturation are not strongly related to maintenance energy expenditure in either sex at this life stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik R. Åsheim
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Jenni M. Prokkola
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Sergey Morozov
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Tutku Aykanat
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Craig R. Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Institute of BiotechnologyHiLIFEUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
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Liu H, Deng M, Zhu Y, Wu D, Tong X, Li L, Wang L, Xu F, Wang T. Establishment of an oligoasthenospermia mouse model based on TAp73 gene suppression. Animal Model Exp Med 2021; 4:351-358. [PMID: 34977486 PMCID: PMC8690982 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oligoasthenospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility. Researchers usually use chemical drugs to directly damage germ cells to prepare oligoasthenospermia models, which disregards the adhesion and migration between spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells. TAp73 is a critical regulator of the adhesin of germ cell; thus, we sought to explore a novel oligoasthenospermia model based on TAp73 gene suppression. Methods Mice in the Pifithrin-α group were injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg/kg Pifithrin-α (TAp73 inhibitor) daily for 30 consecutive days. Reproductive hormone levels and epididymal sperm quality, as well as the network morphology of Sertoli cells were tested. Results Sperm density, motility, and the relative protein and mRNA expression of TAp73 and Nectin 2 were obviously decreased in the Pifithrin-α group compared with the normal control group. No significant distinction was observed in the relative mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1. Furthermore, the tight junctions (TJs) and apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) were destroyed in the Pifithrin-α group. Conclusion The above results indicate that we successfully established a new oligoasthenospermia mouse model. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of the roles of TAp73 genes during spermatogenesis and provides new research objects for further oligospermia research and future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong‐Juan Liu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Meng‐Yun Deng
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Yan‐Yan Zhu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - De‐Ling Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical FormulaSchool of PharmacyAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Xiao‐Hui Tong
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Li Li
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Fei Xu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Tong‐Sheng Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical FormulaSchool of PharmacyAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
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8
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Zhao S, Chen T, Luo X, Chen S, Wang J, Lai S, Jia X. Identification of Novel lncRNA and Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) of Testicular Tissues among Cattle, Yak, and Cattle-Yak Associated with Male Infertility. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082420. [PMID: 34438876 PMCID: PMC8388754 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cattle-yak is an excellent hybrid of male cattle and female yak, which has many more outstanding production traits, such as better adaptability to high altitudes and better meat quality. However, the male sterility of cattle-yak restricts the utilization of superior heterosis. Few studies have focused on the comprehensive analysis of cattle-yak and its parents, in order to find factors on infertility of the cattle-yak. This study comprehensively analyzed the mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles of testicular tissue samples of cattle, yak, and cattle-yak by RNA-seq technology, and identified some differentially expressed genes that may be related to male sterility of cattle-yak, in order to provide a theoretical basis for solving the problem of breeding work. Abstract Cattle-yak is an excellent hybrid of cattle and yak; they are characterized by better meat quality and stronger adaptability of harsh environments than their parents. However, male sterility of cattle-yak lay restraints on the transmission of heterosis. In this study, next generation sequence technology was performed to profile the testicular tissues transcriptome (lncRNA and mRNA) of cattle, yak, and cattle-yak. We analyzed the features and functions of significant differentially expressed genes among the three breeds. There are 9 DE lncRNAs and 46 DE mRNAs with comparisons of cattle, yak, and cattle-yak. Among them, the upregulated targeting genes, such as IGF1 and VGLL3 of cattle-yak lncRNA, may be related to the derangement of spermatocyte maturation and cell proliferation. Similarly, we found that the LDOC1 gene, which is related to the process of cellular apoptosis, is overexpressed in cattle-yak. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that the cattle-yak is lacking the regulation of fertilization (GO: 0009566), spermatogenesis process (GO: 0007283), male gamete generation process (GO: 0048232), sexual reproduction (GO: 0019953), and multi-organism reproductive process (GO: 0044703), such processes may play important and positive roles in spermatogenesis and fertilization. Furthermore, the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs of cattle-yak most enriched in Apoptosis (ko04210) and Hippo signaling pathway (ko04390), may lead to excessively dead of cell and inhibit cell growth, resulting in obstruction of meiosis and spermatogenesis processes. This study will enable us to deeper understand the mechanism of male cattle-yak infertility.
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Debes PV, Piavchenko N, Ruokolainen A, Ovaskainen O, Moustakas-Verho JE, Parre N, Aykanat T, Erkinaro J, Primmer CR. Polygenic and major-locus contributions to sexual maturation timing in Atlantic salmon. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4505-4519. [PMID: 34228841 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sexual maturation timing is a life-history trait central to the balance between mortality and reproduction. Maturation may be triggered when an underlying compound trait, called liability, exceeds a threshold. In many different species and especially fishes, this liability is approximated by growth and body condition. However, environmental vs. genetic contributions either directly or via growth and body condition to maturation timing remain unclear. Uncertainty exists also because the maturation process can reverse this causality and itself affect growth and body condition. In addition, disentangling the contributions of polygenic and major loci can be important. In many fishes, males mature before females, enabling the study of associations between male maturation and maturation-unbiased female liability traits. Using 40 Atlantic salmon families, longitudinal common-garden experimentation, and quantitative genetic analyses, we disentangled environmental from polygenic and major locus (vgll3) effects on male maturation, and sex-specific growth and condition. We detected polygenic heritabilities for maturation, growth, and body condition, and vgll3 effects on maturation and body condition but not on growth. Longitudinal patterns for sex-specific phenotypic liability, and for genetic variances and correlations between sexes suggested that early growth and condition indeed positively affected maturation initiation. However, towards spawning time, causality appeared reversed for males whereby maturation affected growth negatively and condition positively via both the environmental and genetic effects. Altogether, the results indicate that growth and condition are useful traits to study liability for maturation initiation, but only until maturation alters their expression, and that vgll3 contributes to maturation initiation via condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul V Debes
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nikolai Piavchenko
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annukka Ruokolainen
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Ovaskainen
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacqueline E Moustakas-Verho
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Noora Parre
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tutku Aykanat
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences / Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Skaftnesmo KO, Crespo D, Kleppe L, Andersson E, Edvardsen RB, Norberg B, Fjelldal PG, Hansen TJ, Schulz RW, Wargelius A. Loss of stra8 Increases Germ Cell Apoptosis but Is Still Compatible With Sperm Production in Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657192. [PMID: 33942021 PMCID: PMC8087537 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Entering meiosis strictly depends on stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) gene function in mammals. This gene is missing in a number of fish species, including medaka and zebrafish, but is present in the majority of fishes, including Atlantic salmon. Here, we have examined the effects of removing stra8 on male fertility in Atlantic salmon. As in mammals, stra8 expression was restricted to germ cells in the testis, transcript levels increased during the start of puberty, and decreased when blocking the production of retinoic acid. We targeted the salmon stra8 gene with two gRNAs one of these were highly effective and produced numerous mutations in stra8, which led to a loss of wild-type (WT) stra8 expression in F0 salmon testis. In maturing stra8 crispants, the spermatogenetic tubuli were partially disorganized and displayed a sevenfold increase in germ cell apoptosis, in particular among type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The production of spermatogenic cysts, on the other hand, increased in maturing stra8 crispants. Gene expression analysis revealed unchanged (lin28a, ret) or reduced levels (egr1, dusp4) of transcripts associated with undifferentiated spermatogonia. Decreased expression was recorded for some genes expressed in differentiating spermatogonia including dmrt1 and ccnd2 or in spermatocytes, such as ccna1. Different from Stra8-deficient mammals, a large number of germ cells completed spermatogenesis, sperm was produced and fertilization rates were similar in WT and crispant males. While loss of stra8 increased germ cell apoptosis during salmon spermatogenesis, crispants compensated this cell loss by an elevated production of spermatogenic cysts, and were able to produce functional sperm. It appears that also in a fish species with a stra8 gene in the genome, the critical relevance this gene has attained for mammalian spermatogenesis is not yet given, although detrimental effects of the loss of stra8 were clearly visible during maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai O Skaftnesmo
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Diego Crespo
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lene Kleppe
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eva Andersson
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf B Edvardsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Birgitta Norberg
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Austevoll Research Station, Storebø, Norway
| | - Per Gunnar Fjelldal
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Tom J Hansen
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway.,Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Bergen, Norway
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11
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Waters CD, Clemento A, Aykanat T, Garza JC, Naish KA, Narum S, Primmer CR. Heterogeneous genetic basis of age at maturity in salmonid fishes. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:1435-1456. [PMID: 33527498 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of repeated evolution of the same phenotype across taxa is a fundamental aim in evolutionary biology and has applications in conservation and management. However, the extent to which interspecific life-history trait polymorphisms share evolutionary pathways remains underexplored. Here, we address this gap by studying the genetic basis of a key life-history trait, age at maturity, in four species of Pacific salmonids (genus Oncorhynchus) that exhibit intra- and interspecific variation in this trait-Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Steelhead Trout. We tested for associations in all four species between age at maturity and two genome regions, six6 and vgll3, that are strongly associated with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). We also conducted a genome-wide association analysis in Steelhead to assess whether additional regions were associated with this trait. We found the genetic basis of age at maturity to be heterogeneous across salmonid species. Significant associations between six6 and age at maturity were observed in two of the four species, Sockeye and Steelhead, with the association in Steelhead being particularly strong in both sexes (p = 4.46 × 10-9 after adjusting for genomic inflation). However, no significant associations were detected between age at maturity and the vgll3 genome region in any of the species, despite its strong association with the same trait in Atlantic Salmon. We discuss possible explanations for the heterogeneous nature of the genetic architecture of this key life-history trait, as well as the implications of our findings for conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D Waters
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anthony Clemento
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.,Santa Cruz Laboratory, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Tutku Aykanat
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - John Carlos Garza
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.,Santa Cruz Laboratory, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Kerry A Naish
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shawn Narum
- Hagerman Genetics Laboratory, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Hagerman, ID, USA
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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12
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Fjelldal PG, Hansen TJ, Wargelius A, Ayllon F, Glover KA, Schulz RW, Fraser TWK. Development of supermale and all-male Atlantic salmon to research the vgll3 allele - puberty link. BMC Genet 2020; 21:123. [PMID: 33183224 PMCID: PMC7664053 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00927-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Farmed Atlantic salmon are one of the most economically significant global aquaculture products. Early sexual maturation of farmed males represents a significant challenge to this industry and has been linked with the vgll3 genotype. However, tools to aid research of this topic, such as all-male and clonal fish, are still lacking. The present 6-year study examined if all-male production is possible in Atlantic salmon, a species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes (males being XY, females XX), and if all-male fish can be applied to further explore the vgll3 contribution on the likelihood of early maturation. RESULTS Estrogen treatment of mixed sex yolk sac larvae gave rise to one sexually mature hermaphrodite with a male genotype (XY) that was used to produce both self-fertilized offspring and androgenetic double haploid (dh) offspring following egg activation with UV treated sperm and pressure shock to block the first mitotic division. There were YY supermales among both offspring types, which were crossed with dh females. Between 1 and 8% of the putative all-male offspring from the eight crosses with self-fertilized supermales were found to have ovaries, and 95% of these phenotypic females were also genetically female. None of the offspring from the one dh supermale cross had ovaries. When assessing the general contribution of the vgll3 locus on the likelihood of early post-smolt sexual maturation (jacking) in the all-male populations we found individuals that were homozygous for the early maturing genotype (97%) were more likely to enter puberty than individuals that were homozygous for the late maturing genotype (26%). However, the likelihood of jacking within individuals with an early/late heterozygous genotype was higher when the early allele came from the dam (94%) compared to the sire (45%). CONCLUSIONS The present results show that supermale Atlantic salmon are viable and fertile and can be used as a research tool to study important aspects of sexual maturation, such as to further explore the sex dependent parental genetic contribution to age at puberty in Atlantic salmon. In addition, we report the production of viable double haploid supermale fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Gunnar Fjelldal
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Matre Aquaculture Research Station, 5984 Matredal, Norway
| | - Tom J. Hansen
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Matre Aquaculture Research Station, 5984 Matredal, Norway
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), PO Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Fernando Ayllon
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), PO Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kevin A. Glover
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), PO Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Rüdiger W. Schulz
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas W. K. Fraser
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Matre Aquaculture Research Station, 5984 Matredal, Norway
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13
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Rescue of germ cells in dnd crispant embryos opens the possibility to produce inherited sterility in Atlantic salmon. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18042. [PMID: 33093479 PMCID: PMC7581530 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74876-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic introgression of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) into wild populations is a major environmental concern for the salmon aquaculture industry. Using sterile fish in commercial aquaculture operations is, therefore, a sustainable strategy for bio-containment. So far, the only commercially used methodology for producing sterile fish is triploidization. However, triploid fish are less robust. A novel approach in which to achieve sterility is to produce germ cell-free salmon, which can be accomplished by knocking out the dead-end (dnd) gene using CRISPR-Cas9. The lack of germ cells in the resulting dnd crispants, thus, prevents reproduction and inhibits subsequent large-scale production of sterile fish. Here, we report a rescue approach for producing germ cells in Atlantic salmon dnd crispants. To achieve this, we co-injected the wild-type (wt) variant of salmon dnd mRNA together with CRISPR-Cas9 constructs targeting dnd into 1-cell stage embryos. We found that rescued one-year-old fish contained germ cells, type A spermatogonia in males and previtellogenic primary oocytes in females. The method presented here opens a possibility for large-scale production of germ-cell free Atlantic salmon offspring through the genetically sterile broodstock which can pass the sterility trait on the next generation.
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14
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Cis-regulatory differences in isoform expression associate with life history strategy variation in Atlantic salmon. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009055. [PMID: 32997662 PMCID: PMC7549781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A major goal in biology is to understand how evolution shapes variation in individual life histories. Genome-wide association studies have been successful in uncovering genome regions linked with traits underlying life history variation in a range of species. However, lack of functional studies of the discovered genotype-phenotype associations severely restrains our understanding how alternative life history traits evolved and are mediated at the molecular level. Here, we report a cis-regulatory mechanism whereby expression of alternative isoforms of the transcription co-factor vestigial-like 3 (vgll3) associate with variation in a key life history trait, age at maturity, in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Using a common-garden experiment, we first show that vgll3 genotype associates with puberty timing in one-year-old salmon males. By way of temporal sampling of vgll3 expression in ten tissues across the first year of salmon development, we identify a pubertal transition in vgll3 expression where maturation coincided with a 66% reduction in testicular vgll3 expression. The late maturation allele was not only associated with a tendency to delay puberty, but also with expression of a rare transcript isoform of vgll3 pre-puberty. By comparing absolute vgll3 mRNA copies in heterozygotes we show that the expression difference between the early and late maturity alleles is largely cis-regulatory. We propose a model whereby expression of a rare isoform from the late allele shifts the liability of its carriers towards delaying puberty. These results exemplify the potential importance of regulatory differences as a mechanism for the evolution of life history traits. Alternative life history strategies are an important source of diversity within populations and promote the maintenance of adaptive capacity and population resilience. However, in many cases the molecular basis of different life history strategies remains elusive. Age at maturity is a key adaptive life history trait in Atlantic salmon and has a relatively simple genetic basis. Using salmon age at maturity as a model, we report a mechanism whereby different transcript isoforms of the key age at maturity gene, vestigial-like 3 (vgll3), associate with variation in the timing of male puberty. Our results show how gene regulatory differences in conjunction with variation in gene transcript structure can encode for complex alternative life histories.
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15
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Deep Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Dynamic Developmental Progression during Early Development of Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155535. [PMID: 32748829 PMCID: PMC7432863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from fertilized egg to larva in fish is accompanied with various biological processes. We selected seven early developmental stages in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, for transcriptome analysis, and covered 22,635 genes with 590 million high-quality RNA-sequencing (seq) reads. Differential expression analysis between neighboring developmental timepoints revealed significantly enriched biological categories associated with growth, development and morphogenesis, which was most evident at 2 vs. 5 days post fertilization (dpf) and 5 vs. 6 dpf. A gene co-expression network was constructed using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) approach and four critical modules were identified. Among candidate hub genes, GDF10, FOXA2, HCEA and SYCE3 were involved in head formation, egg development and the transverse central element of synaptonemal complexes. CK1, OAZ2, DARS1 and UBE2V2 were mainly associated with regulation of cell cycle, growth, brain development, differentiation and proliferation of enterocytes. IFI44L and ZIP10 were critical for the regulation of immune activity and ion transport. Additionally, TCK1 and TGFB1 were related to phosphate transport and regulating cell proliferation. All these genes play vital roles in embryogenesis and regulation of early development. These results serve as a rich dataset for functional genomic studies. Our work reveals new insights of the underlying mechanisms in channel catfish early development.
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16
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VGLL3 is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with clinical pathologic features and immune infiltrates in stomach adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1355. [PMID: 31992826 PMCID: PMC6987121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its poor clinical outcome, there is an urgent need to identify novel prognostic markers for stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Here, we aimed to explore the relationship between VGLL3 expression and clinico-pathological features, dendritic cells, macrophages, and prognosis of STAD. VGLL3 expression levels were significantly associated with histological grade, T stage, and TNM stage. VGLL3 levels and patient’s age were also independent prognostic factors of the clinical outcome of STAD. In addition, VGLL3 was associated with the abundance of macrophages and dendritic cells in tumor infiltrates, of which only VGLL3 and macrophage counts were the independent prognostic factors of immune cell infiltration in the TIMER Database. Extracellular matrix receptor interaction, focal adhesion, pathways in cancer, MAPK, JAK STAT, and WNT signaling pathways were enriched in VGLL3 high-expressing datasets as determined by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), while DNA replication, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, homologous recombination, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol gpi banchor biosynthesis were enriched in VGLL3 low-expressing datasets. Thus, VGLL3 is a novel prognostic biomarker of both the clinical outcome and immune infiltration in STAD, and may therefore be a promising therapeutic target.
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17
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Transcription Profiles of Age-at-Maturity-Associated Genes Suggest Cell Fate Commitment Regulation as a Key Factor in the Atlantic Salmon Maturation Process. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:235-246. [PMID: 31740454 PMCID: PMC6945027 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent taxonomic diversification in studies linking genotype with phenotype, follow-up studies aimed at understanding the molecular processes of such genotype-phenotype associations remain rare. The age at which an individual reaches sexual maturity is an important fitness trait in many wild species. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating maturation timing processes remain obscure. A recent genome-wide association study in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) identified large-effect age-at-maturity-associated chromosomal regions including genes vgll3, akap11 and six6, which have roles in adipogenesis, spermatogenesis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, respectively. Here, we determine expression patterns of these genes during salmon development and their potential molecular partners and pathways. Using Nanostring transcription profiling technology, we show development- and tissue-specific mRNA expression patterns for vgll3, akap11 and six6. Correlated expression levels of vgll3 and akap11, which have adjacent chromosomal location, suggests they may have shared regulation. Further, vgll3 correlating with arhgap6 and yap1, and akap11 with lats1 and yap1 suggests that Vgll3 and Akap11 take part in actin cytoskeleton regulation. Tissue-specific expression results indicate that vgll3 and akap11 paralogs have sex-dependent expression patterns in gonads. Moreover, six6 correlating with slc38a6 and rtn1, and Hippo signaling genes suggests that Six6 could have a broader role in the HPG neuroendrocrine and cell fate commitment regulation, respectively. We conclude that Vgll3, Akap11 and Six6 may influence Atlantic salmon maturation timing via affecting adipogenesis and gametogenesis by regulating cell fate commitment and the HPG axis. These results may help to unravel general molecular mechanisms behind maturation.
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18
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Ferguson A, Reed TE, Cross TF, McGinnity P, Prodöhl PA. Anadromy, potamodromy and residency in brown trout Salmo trutta: the role of genes and the environment. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:692-718. [PMID: 31197849 PMCID: PMC6771713 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Brown trout Salmo trutta is endemic to Europe, western Asia and north-western Africa; it is a prominent member of freshwater and coastal marine fish faunas. The species shows two resident (river-resident, lake-resident) and three main facultative migratory life histories (downstream-upstream within a river system, fluvial-adfluvial potamodromous; to and from a lake, lacustrine-adfluvial (inlet) or allacustrine (outlet) potamodromous; to and from the sea, anadromous). River-residency v. migration is a balance between enhanced feeding and thus growth advantages of migration to a particular habitat v. the costs of potentially greater mortality and energy expenditure. Fluvial-adfluvial migration usually has less feeding improvement, but less mortality risk, than lacustrine-adfluvial or allacustrine and anadromous, but the latter vary among catchments as to which is favoured. Indirect evidence suggests that around 50% of the variability in S. trutta migration v. residency, among individuals within a population, is due to genetic variance. This dichotomous decision can best be explained by the threshold-trait model of quantitative genetics. Thus, an individual's physiological condition (e.g., energy status) as regulated by environmental factors, genes and non-genetic parental effects, acts as the cue. The magnitude of this cue relative to a genetically predetermined individual threshold, governs whether it will migrate or sexually mature as a river-resident. This decision threshold occurs early in life and, if the choice is to migrate, a second threshold probably follows determining the age and timing of migration. Migration destination (mainstem river, lake, or sea) also appears to be genetically programmed. Decisions to migrate and ultimate destination result in a number of subsequent consequential changes such as parr-smolt transformation, sexual maturity and return migration. Strong associations with one or a few genes have been found for most aspects of the migratory syndrome and indirect evidence supports genetic involvement in all parts. Thus, migratory and resident life histories potentially evolve as a result of natural and anthropogenic environmental changes, which alter relative survival and reproduction. Knowledge of genetic determinants of the various components of migration in S. trutta lags substantially behind that of Oncorhynchus mykiss and other salmonines. Identification of genetic markers linked to migration components and especially to the migration-residency decision, is a prerequisite for facilitating detailed empirical studies. In order to predict effectively, through modelling, the effects of environmental changes, quantification of the relative fitness of different migratory traits and of their heritabilities, across a range of environmental conditions, is also urgently required in the face of the increasing pace of such changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ferguson
- School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Thomas E. Reed
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Tom F. Cross
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Philip McGinnity
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Paulo A. Prodöhl
- School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
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19
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The initiation of puberty in Atlantic salmon brings about large changes in testicular gene expression that are modulated by the energy status. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:475. [PMID: 31185904 PMCID: PMC6558769 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5869-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background When puberty starts before males reach harvest size, animal welfare and sustainability issues occur in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture. Hallmarks of male puberty are an increased proliferation activity in the testis and elevated androgen production. Examining transcriptional changes in salmon testis during the transition from immature to maturing testes may help understanding the regulation of puberty, potentially leading to procedures to modulate its start. Since differences in body weight influence, via unknown mechanisms, the chances for entering puberty, we used two feed rations to create body weight differences. Results Maturing testes were characterized by an elevated proliferation activity of Sertoli cells and of single undifferentiated spermatogonia. Pituitary gene expression data suggest increased Gnrh receptor and gonadotropin gene expression, potentially responsible for the elevated circulating androgen levels in maturing fish. Transcriptional changes in maturing testes included a broad variety of signaling systems (e.g. Tgfβ, Wnt, insulin/Igf, nuclear receptors), but also, activation of metabolic pathways such as anaerobic metabolism and protection against ROS. Feed restriction lowered the incidence of puberty. In males maturing despite feed restriction, plasma androgen levels were higher than in maturing fish receiving the full ration. A group of 449 genes that were up-regulated in maturing fully fed fish, was up-regulated more prominently in testis from fish maturing under caloric restriction. Moreover, 421 genes were specifically up-regulated in testes from fish maturing under caloric restriction, including carbon metabolism genes, a pathway relevant for nucleotide biosynthesis and for placing epigenetic marks. Conclusions Undifferentiated spermatogonia and Sertoli cell populations increased at the beginning of puberty, which was associated with the up-regulation of metabolic pathways (e.g. anaerobic and ROS pathways) known from other stem cell systems. The higher androgen levels in males maturing under caloric restriction may be responsible for the stronger up-regulation of a common set of (449) maturation-associated genes, and the specific up-regulation of another set of (421) genes. The latter opened regulatory and/or metabolic options for initiating puberty despite feed restriction. As a means to reduce the incidence of male puberty in salmon, however, caloric restriction seems unsuitable. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5869-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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20
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Fraser TW, Fjelldal PG, Schulz RW, Norberg B, Hansen TJ. Termination of puberty in out-of-season male Atlantic salmon smolts. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 232:60-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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21
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Ayllon F, Solberg MF, Glover KA, Mohammadi F, Kjærner-Semb E, Fjelldal PG, Andersson E, Hansen T, Edvardsen RB, Wargelius A. The influence of vgll3 genotypes on sea age at maturity is altered in farmed mowi strain Atlantic salmon. BMC Genet 2019; 20:44. [PMID: 31060499 PMCID: PMC6501413 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-019-0745-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Atlantic salmon in the wild, age at maturity is strongly influenced by the vgll3 locus. Under farming conditions, light, temperature and feeding regimes are known significantly advance or delay age at maturity. However, the potential influence of the vgll3 locus on the maturation of salmon reared under farming conditions has been rarely investigated, especially in females. RESULTS Here, we reared domesticated salmon (mowi strain) with different vgll3 genotypes under standard farming conditions until they matured at either one, two or more than two sea winters. Interestingly, and in contrast to previous findings in the wild, we were not able to identify a link between vgll3 and age at maturity in females when reared under farming conditions. For males however, we found that the probability of delaying maturation from one to two sea winters was significantly lower in fish homozygous for the early allele compared to homozygous fish for the late allele, while the probability for heterozygous fish was intermediate. These data also contrast to previous findings in the wild where the early allele has been reported as dominant. However, we found that the probability of males delaying maturation from two to three sea winters was regulated in the same manner as the wild. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data suggest that increased growth rates in mowi salmon, caused by high feed intake and artificial light and temperature regimes together with other possible genetic/epigenetic components, may significantly influence the impact that the vgll3 locus has on age at maturity, especially in females. In turn, our results show that the vgll3 locus can only to a large extent be used in selective breeding to control age at maturation in mowi males. In summary, we here show that in contrast to the situation in wild salmon, under farming conditions vgll3 does not seem to influence age at maturity in mowi females whereas in mowi males, maturing as one or two sea winters it alters the early allele effect from dominant to intermediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Ayllon
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Monica F Solberg
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kevin A Glover
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway.,Institute of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Faezeh Mohammadi
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Kjærner-Semb
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Gunnar Fjelldal
- Institute of Marine research (IMR), Matre Aquaculture Research Station, 5984, Matredal, Norway
| | - Eva Andersson
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tom Hansen
- Institute of Marine research (IMR), Matre Aquaculture Research Station, 5984, Matredal, Norway
| | - Rolf B Edvardsen
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway.
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Zhang GM, Zhang TT, An SY, El-Samahy M, Yang H, Wan YJ, Meng FX, Xiao SH, Wang F, Lei ZH. Expression of Hippo signaling pathway components in Hu sheep male reproductive tract and spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2019; 126:239-248. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Houston RD, Macqueen DJ. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) genetics in the 21st century: taking leaps forward in aquaculture and biological understanding. Anim Genet 2019; 50:3-14. [PMID: 30426521 PMCID: PMC6492011 DOI: 10.1111/age.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) is among the most iconic and economically important fish species and was the first member of Salmonidae to have a high-quality reference genome assembly published. Advances in genomics have become increasingly central to the genetic improvement of farmed Atlantic salmon as well as conservation of wild salmon stocks. The salmon genome has also been pivotal in shaping our understanding of the evolutionary and functional consequences arising from an ancestral whole-genome duplication event characterising all Salmonidae members. Here, we provide a review of the current status of Atlantic salmon genetics and genomics, focussed on progress made from genome-wide research aimed at improving aquaculture production and enhancing understanding of salmonid ecology, physiology and evolution. We present our views on the future direction of salmon genomics, including the role of emerging technologies (e.g. genome editing) in elucidating genetic features that underpin functional variation in traits of commercial and evolutionary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. D. Houston
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesThe University of EdinburghMidlothianEH25 9RGUK
| | - D. J. Macqueen
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenAB24 2TZUK
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