1
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Xie Y, Wu C, Li Z, Wu Z, Hong L. Early Gonadal Development and Sex Determination in Mammal. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147500. [PMID: 35886859 PMCID: PMC9323860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is crucial for the transmission of genetic information through generations. In mammal, this process is primarily regulated by an antagonistic network of sex-related genes beginning in embryonic development and continuing throughout life. Nonetheless, abnormal expression of these sex-related genes will lead to reproductive organ and germline abnormalities, resulting in disorders of sex development (DSD) and infertility. On the other hand, it is possible to predetermine the sex of animal offspring by artificially regulating sex-related gene expression, a recent research hotspot. In this paper, we reviewed recent research that has improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of the gonad and primordial germ cells (PGCs), progenitors of the germline, to provide new directions for the treatment of DSD and infertility, both of which involve manipulating the sex ratio of livestock offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Changhua Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
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2
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Tsuji-Hosokawa A, Ogawa Y, Tsuchiya I, Terao M, Takada S. Human SRY Expression at the Sex-determining Period is Insufficient to Drive Testis Development in Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6400356. [PMID: 34662386 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab217] [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: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The sex-determining region of the Y chromosome, Sry/SRY, is an initiation factor for testis development in both humans and mice. Although the functional compatibility between murine SRY and human SRY was previously examined in transgenic mice, their equivalency remains inconclusive. Because molecular interaction and timeline of mammalian sex determination were mostly described in murine experiments, we generated a mouse model in which Sry was substituted with human SRY to verify the compatibility. The mouse model had the human SRY open reading frame at the locus of murine Sry exon 1-Sry(SRY) mice-and was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The reproductive system of the mice was analyzed. The expression of human SRY in the fetal gonadal ridge of Sry(SRY) mice was detected. The external and internal genitalia of adult Sry(SRY) mice were similar to those of wild-type females, without any significant difference in anogenital distance. Sry(SRY) mice obtained gonads, which were morphologically considered as ovaries. Histological analysis revealed that the cortical regions of gonads from adult Sry(SRY) mice contained few follicles. We successfully replaced genes on the Y chromosome with targeted genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Because the Sry(SRY) XY mice did not develop testis, we concluded that human SRY was insufficient to drive testis development in mouse embryos. The difference in response elements and lack of glutamine-rich domains may have invalidated human SRY function in mice. Signal transduction between Sry/SRY expression and Sox9/SOX9 activation is possibly organized in a species-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsumi Tsuji-Hosokawa
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Yuya Ogawa
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Iku Tsuchiya
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Miho Terao
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Department of NCCHD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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3
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Thomson E, Zhao L, Chen YS, Longmuss E, Ng ET, Sreenivasan R, Croft B, Song X, Sinclair A, Weiss M, Koopman P, Pelosi E. Generation and mutational analysis of a transgenic mouse model of human SRY. Hum Mutat 2021; 43:362-379. [PMID: 34918413 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
SRY is the Y-chromosomal gene that determines male sex development in humans and most other mammals. After three decades of study, we still lack a detailed understanding of which domains of the SRY protein are required to engage the pathway of gene activity leading to testis development. Some insight has been gained from the study of genetic variations underlying differences/disorders of sex determination (DSD), but the lack of a system of experimentally generating SRY mutations and studying their consequences in vivo has limited progress in the field. To address this issue, we generated a mouse model carrying a human SRY transgene able to drive testis determination in XX mice. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, we generated novel genetic modifications in each of SRY's three domains (N-terminal, HMG box, and C-terminal) and performed a detailed analysis of their molecular and cellular effects on embryonic testis development. Our results provide new functional insights unique to human SRY and present a versatile and powerful system in which to functionally analyze variations of SRY including known and novel pathogenic variants found in DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Thomson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Enya Longmuss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ee Ting Ng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rajini Sreenivasan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brittany Croft
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xin Song
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emanuele Pelosi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Migale R, Neumann M, Lovell-Badge R. Long-Range Regulation of Key Sex Determination Genes. Sex Dev 2021; 15:360-380. [PMID: 34753143 DOI: 10.1159/000519891] [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: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of sexually dimorphic gonads is a unique process that starts with the specification of the bipotential genital ridges and culminates with the development of fully differentiated ovaries and testes in females and males, respectively. Research on sex determination has been mostly focused on the identification of sex determination genes, the majority of which encode for proteins and specifically transcription factors such as SOX9 in the testes and FOXL2 in the ovaries. Our understanding of which factors may be critical for sex determination have benefited from the study of human disorders of sex development (DSD) and animal models, such as the mouse and the goat, as these often replicate the same phenotypes observed in humans when mutations or chromosomic rearrangements arise in protein-coding genes. Despite the advances made so far in explaining the role of key factors such as SRY, SOX9, and FOXL2 and the genes they control, what may regulate these factors upstream is not entirely understood, often resulting in the inability to correctly diagnose DSD patients. The role of non-coding DNA, which represents 98% of the human genome, in sex determination has only recently begun to be fully appreciated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the long-range regulation of 2 important sex determination genes, SOX9 and FOXL2, and discuss the challenges that lie ahead and the many avenues of research yet to be explored in the sex determination field.
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Alternate Roles of Sox Transcription Factors beyond Transcription Initiation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115949. [PMID: 34073089 PMCID: PMC8198692 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sox proteins are known as crucial transcription factors for many developmental processes and for a wide range of common diseases. They were believed to specifically bind and bend DNA with other transcription factors and elicit transcriptional activation or repression activities in the early stage of transcription. However, their functions are not limited to transcription initiation. It has been showed that Sox proteins are involved in the regulation of alternative splicing regulatory networks and translational control. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on how Sox transcription factors such as Sox2, Sry, Sox6, and Sox9 allow the coordination of co-transcriptional splicing and also the mechanism of SOX4-mediated translational control in the context of RNA polymerase III.
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6
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Roy SW. Noncoding RNA, Intragenomic Conflict, and Rodent SRY Evolution. Trends Genet 2020; 37:102-104. [PMID: 33243450 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The sex-determining gene SRY has undergone rapid evolution in rodents. Curiously, a new study by Miyawaki et al. reveals that a recently evolved SRY gene sequence antagonizes SRY protein stability, necessitating splicing of a novel intron. Other data suggest that this troublesome gene region has noncoding RNA functions, possibly related to conflict between sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott William Roy
- San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA.
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7
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Nagahama Y, Chakraborty T, Paul-Prasanth B, Ohta K, Nakamura M. Sex determination, gonadal sex differentiation, and plasticity in vertebrate species. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1237-1308. [PMID: 33180655 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse array of sex determination (SD) mechanisms, encompassing environmental to genetic, have been found to exist among vertebrates, covering a spectrum from fixed SD mechanisms (mammals) to functional sex change in fishes (sequential hermaphroditic fishes). A major landmark in vertebrate SD was the discovery of the SRY gene in 1990. Since that time, many attempts to clone an SRY ortholog from nonmammalian vertebrates remained unsuccessful, until 2002, when DMY/dmrt1by was discovered as the SD gene of a small fish, medaka. Surprisingly, however, DMY/dmrt1by was found in only 2 species among more than 20 species of medaka, suggesting a large diversity of SD genes among vertebrates. Considerable progress has been made over the last 3 decades, such that it is now possible to formulate reasonable paradigms of how SD and gonadal sex differentiation may work in some model vertebrate species. This review outlines our current understanding of vertebrate SD and gonadal sex differentiation, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. An impressive number of genes and factors have been discovered that play important roles in testicular and ovarian differentiation. An antagonism between the male and female pathway genes exists in gonads during both sex differentiation and, surprisingly, even as adults, suggesting that, in addition to sex-changing fishes, gonochoristic vertebrates including mice maintain some degree of gonadal sexual plasticity into adulthood. Importantly, a review of various SD mechanisms among vertebrates suggests that this is the ideal biological event that can make us understand the evolutionary conundrums underlying speciation and species diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Nagahama
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tapas Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Japan.,Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan.,Karatsu Satellite of Aqua-Bioresource Innovation Center, Kyushu University, Karatsu, Japan
| | - Bindhu Paul-Prasanth
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Kohei Ohta
- Laboratory of Marine Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukouka, Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.,Research Center, Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Okinawa, Japan
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8
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Miyawaki S, Kuroki S, Maeda R, Okashita N, Koopman P, Tachibana M. The mouse Sry locus harbors a cryptic exon that is essential for male sex determination. Science 2020; 370:121-124. [PMID: 33004521 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb6430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian sex-determining gene Sry induces male development. Since its discovery 30 years ago, Sry has been believed to be a single-exon gene. Here, we identified a cryptic second exon of mouse Sry and a corresponding two-exon type Sry (Sry-T) transcript. XY mice lacking Sry-T were sex-reversed, and ectopic expression of Sry-T in XX mice induced male development. Sry-T messenger RNA is expressed similarly to that of canonical single-exon type Sry (Sry-S), but SRY-T protein is expressed predominantly because of the absence of a degron in the C terminus of SRY-S. Sry exon2 appears to have evolved recently in mice through acquisition of a retrotransposon-derived coding sequence to replace the degron. Our findings suggest that in nature, SRY-T, not SRY-S, is the bona fide testis-determining factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Miyawaki
- Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Division of Epigenome Dynamics, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kuroki
- Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Division of Epigenome Dynamics, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Division of Epigenome Dynamics, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Naoki Okashita
- Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Division of Epigenome Dynamics, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Laboratory of Epigenome Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Division of Epigenome Dynamics, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
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9
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Prokop JW, Chhetri SB, van Veen JE, Chen X, Underwood AC, Uhl K, Dwinell MR, Geurts AM, Correa SM, Arnold AP. Transcriptional analysis of the multiple Sry genes and developmental program at the onset of testis differentiation in the rat. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:28. [PMID: 32398044 PMCID: PMC7216353 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00305-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The commonly used laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus, is unique in having multiple Sry gene copies found on the Y chromosome, with different copies encoding amino acid variations that influence the resulting protein function. It is not clear which Sry genes are expressed at the onset of testis differentiation or how their expression correlates with that of other genes in testis-determination pathways. METHODS Here, two independent E11-E14 developmental RNAseq datasets show that multiple Sry genes are expressed at E12-E13. RESULTS The identified copies expressed during testis initiation include Sry4A, Sry1, and Sry3C, which are conserved in every strain of Rattus norvegicus with genomes sequenced to date. CONCLUSIONS This work represents a first step in defining the complex environment of rat testis differentiation that can open the door for generating sex reversal model systems using embryo manipulation techniques that have been available in the mouse but not the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Prokop
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.,HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - Surya B Chhetri
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA.,Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - J Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Xuqi Chen
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Adam C Underwood
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.,Division of Mathematics and Science, Walsh University, North Canton, OH, 44720, USA
| | - Katie Uhl
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Melinda R Dwinell
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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10
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Ogata Y, Nishikata M, Kitada K, Mizushima S, Jogahara T, Kuroiwa A. Spiny rat SRY lacks a long Q-rich domain and is not stable in transgenic mice. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:784-794. [PMID: 31219647 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Tokudaia muenninki has multiple extra copies of the Sry gene on the Y chromosome, loss of function of these sequences is indicated. To examine the Sry gene function for sex determining in T. muenninki, we screened a BAC library and identified a clone (SRY26) containing complete SRY coding and promoter sequences. RESULTS SRY26 showed high identity to mouse and rat SRY. In an in vitro reporter gene assay, SRY26 was unable to activate testis-specific enhancer of Sox9. Four lines of BAC transgenic mice carrying SRY26 were generated. Although the embryonic gonads of XX transgenic mice displayed sufficient expression levels of SRY26 mRNA, these mice exhibited normal female phenotypes in the external and internal genitalia, and up-regulation of Sox9 was not observed. Expression of the SRY26 protein was confirmed in primate-derived COS7 cells transfected with a SRY26 expression vector. However, the SRY26 protein was not expressed in the gonads of BAC transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results support a previous study demonstrated a long Q-rich domain plays essential roles in protein stabilization in mice. Therefore, the original aim of this study, to examine the function of the Sry gene of this species, was not achieved by creating TG mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Ogata
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mana Nishikata
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kitada
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shusei Mizushima
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takamichi Jogahara
- Division of Bio-Resources, Frontier Science Research Center, Kiyotake Campus, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Department of Law and Economics, Okinawa University, Naha, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Asato Kuroiwa
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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11
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Abstract
The bipotential nature of cell types in the early developing gonad and the process of sex determination leading to either testis or ovary differentiation makes this an interesting system in which to study transcriptional regulation of gene expression and cell fate decisions. SOX9 is a transcription factor with multiple roles during development, including being a key player in mediating testis differentiation and therefore subsequent male development. Loss of Sox9 expression in both humans and mice results in XY female development, whereas its inappropriate activation in XX embryonic gonads can give male development. Multiple cases of Disorders of Sex Development in human patients or sex reversal in mice and other vertebrates can be explained by mutations affecting upstream regulators of Sox9 expression, such as the product of the Y chromosome gene Sry that triggers testis differentiation. Other cases are due to mutations in the Sox9 gene itself, including its own regulatory region. Indeed, rearrangements in and around the Sox9 genomic locus indicate the presence of multiple critical enhancers and the complex nature of its regulation. Here we summarize what is known about the role of Sox9 and its regulation during gonad development, including recently discovered critical enhancers. We also discuss higher order chromatin organization and how this might be involved. We end with some interesting future directions that have the potential to further enrich our understanding on the complex, multi-layered regulation controlling Sox9 expression in the gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitzan Gonen
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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12
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Abstract
This review explores the presence and functions of polyglutamine (polyQ) in viral proteins. In mammals, mutations in polyQ segments (and CAG repeats at the nucleotide level) have been linked to neural disorders and ataxias. PolyQ regions in normal human proteins have documented functional roles, in transcription factors and, more recently, in regulating autophagy. Despite the high frequency of polyQ repeats in eukaryotic genomes, little attention has been given to the presence or possible role of polyQ sequences in virus genomes. A survey described here revealed that polyQ repeats occur rarely in RNA viruses, suggesting that they have detrimental effects on virus replication at the nucleotide or protein level. However, there have been sporadic reports of polyQ segments in potyviruses and in reptilian nidoviruses (among the largest RNA viruses known). Conserved polyQ segments are found in the regulatory control proteins of many DNA viruses. Variable length polyQ tracts are found in proteins that contribute to transmissibility (cowpox A-type inclusion protein (ATI)) and control of latency (herpes viruses). New longer-read sequencing methods, using original biological samples, should reveal more details on the presence and functional role of polyQ in viruses, as well as the nucleotide regions that encode them. Given the known toxic effects of polyQ repeats, the role of these segments in neurovirulent and tumorigenic viruses should be further explored.
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13
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Imaimatsu K, Fujii W, Hiramatsu R, Miura K, Kurohmaru M, Kanai Y. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of the murine Y chromosomal Sry gene. J Reprod Dev 2018; 64:283-287. [PMID: 29657232 PMCID: PMC6021606 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2017-161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian zygote-mediated genome editing via the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated endonuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is widely used to generate
genome-modified animals. This system allows for the production of loss-of-function mutations in various Y chromosome genes, including Sry, in mice. Here, we report the
establishment of a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-in line of Flag-tag sequences into the Sry locus at the C-terminal coding end of the Y chromosome
(YSry-flag). In the F1 and successive generations, all male pups carrying the YSry-flag chromosome had normal testis differentiation
and proper spermatogenesis at maturity, enabling complete fertility and the production of viable offspring. To our knowledge, this study is the first to produce a stable Sry
knock-in line at the C-terminal region, highlighting a novel approach for examining the significance of amino acid changes at the naive Sry locus in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Imaimatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Wataru Fujii
- Department of Animal Resource Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kento Miura
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Masamichi Kurohmaru
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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14
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Elston M, Urschitz J. Transposase-mediated gene modulation in the placenta. Placenta 2017; 59 Suppl 1:S32-S36. [PMID: 28778732 PMCID: PMC5682209 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is an organ vital to fetal development as well as the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy and plays a crucial role in developmental programming of the fetus. The mechanisms that link intrauterine milieu, fetal health and disease development later in life are poorly understood. Placenta-specific gene modulation, both by generating transgenic animals as well as by developing methods for in vivo genetic modifications is a growing area of interest as this approach provides the opportunity to investigate the role of particular genes or gene networks in regulating placental function and fetal growth. Furthermore, in vivo placental gene transfer may be adapted to treat humans in the future and could be used as an early intervention strategy for a wide range of pregnancy complications. This review is an overview of transposase-based methods available for both transgenic animal generation and in vivo placental gene modifications with an emphasis on piggyBac-based systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlee Elston
- Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.
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15
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Reduced Activity of SRY and its Target Enhancer Sox9-TESCO in a Mouse Species with X*Y Sex Reversal. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41378. [PMID: 28155866 PMCID: PMC5290746 DOI: 10.1038/srep41378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In most eutherian mammals, sex determination is governed by the Y-linked gene Sry, but in African pygmy mice Mus minutoides, Sry action is overridden by a variant X chromosome (X*), yielding X*Y females. We hypothesized that X*Y sex reversal may be underpinned not only by neomorphic X chromosome functionality, but also by a compromised Sry pathway. Here, we show that neither M. minutoides SRY nor its target, the Sox9-TESCO enhancer, had appreciable transcriptional activity in in vitro assays, correlating with sequence degradation compared to Mus musculus counterparts. However, M. minutoides SRY activated its cognate TESCO to a moderate degree, and can clearly engage the male pathway in M. minutoides in the wild, indicating that SRY and TESCO may have co-evolved in M. minutoides to retain function above a threshold level. We suggest that weakening of the SRY/TESCO nexus may have facilitated the rise and spread of a variant X* chromosome carrying female-inducing modifier gene(s).
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16
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Zhao L, Arsenault M, Ng ET, Longmuss E, Chau TCY, Hartwig S, Koopman P. SOX4 regulates gonad morphogenesis and promotes male germ cell differentiation in mice. Dev Biol 2017; 423:46-56. [PMID: 28118982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The group C SOX transcription factors SOX4, -11 and -12 play important and mutually overlapping roles in development of a number of organs. Here, we examined the role of SoxC genes during gonadal development in mice. All three genes were expressed in developing gonads of both sexes, predominantly in somatic cells, with Sox4 being most strongly expressed. Sox4 deficiency resulted in elongation of both ovaries and testes, and an increased number of testis cords. While female germ cells entered meiosis normally, male germ cells showed reduced levels of differentiation markers Nanos2 and Dnmt3l and increased levels of pluripotency genes Cripto and Nanog, suggesting that SOX4 may normally act to restrict the pluripotency period of male germ cells and ensure their proper differentiation. Finally, our data reveal that SOX4 (and, to a lesser extent, SOX11 and -12) repressed transcription of the sex-determining gene Sox9 via an upstream testis-specific enhancer core (TESCO) element in fetal gonads, raising the possibility that SOXC proteins may function as transcriptional repressors in a context-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michel Arsenault
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3
| | - Ee Ting Ng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Enya Longmuss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tevin Chui-Ying Chau
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sunny Hartwig
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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17
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Estruch SB, Graham SA, Chinnappa SM, Deriziotis P, Fisher SE. Functional characterization of rare FOXP2 variants in neurodevelopmental disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:44. [PMID: 27933109 PMCID: PMC5126810 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous disruption of FOXP2 causes a rare form of speech and language impairment. Screens of the FOXP2 sequence in individuals with speech/language-related disorders have identified several rare protein-altering variants, but their phenotypic relevance is often unclear. FOXP2 encodes a transcription factor with a forkhead box DNA-binding domain, but little is known about the functions of protein regions outside this domain. Methods We performed detailed functional analyses of seven rare FOXP2 variants found in affected cases, including three which have not been previously characterized, testing intracellular localization, transcriptional regulation, dimerization, and interaction with other proteins. To shed further light on molecular functions of FOXP2, we characterized the interaction between this transcription factor and co-repressor proteins of the C-terminal binding protein (CTBP) family. Finally, we analysed the functional significance of the polyglutamine tracts in FOXP2, since tract length variations have been reported in cases of neurodevelopmental disorder. Results We confirmed etiological roles of multiple FOXP2 variants. Of three variants that have been suggested to cause speech/language disorder, but never before been characterized, only one showed functional effects. For the other two, we found no effects on protein function in any assays, suggesting that they are incidental to the phenotype. We identified a CTBP-binding region within the N-terminal portion of FOXP2. This region includes two amino acid substitutions that occurred on the human lineage following the split from chimpanzees. However, we did not observe any effects of these amino acid changes on CTBP binding or other core aspects of FOXP2 function. Finally, we found that FOXP2 variants with reduced polyglutamine tracts did not exhibit altered behaviour in cellular assays, indicating that such tracts are non-essential for core aspects of FOXP2 function, and that tract variation is unlikely to be a highly penetrant cause of speech/language disorder. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of functional characterization of novel rare variants in FOXP2 in assessing the contribution of such variants to speech/language disorder and provide further insights into the molecular function of the FOXP2 protein. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-016-9177-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Estruch
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah A Graham
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Swathi M Chinnappa
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Pelagia Deriziotis
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Wundtlaan 1, 6525 XD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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18
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Racca JD, Chen YS, Yang Y, Phillips NB, Weiss MA. Human Sex Determination at the Edge of Ambiguity: INHERITED XY SEX REVERSAL DUE TO ENHANCED UBIQUITINATION AND PROTEASOMAL DEGRADATION OF A MASTER TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:22173-22195. [PMID: 27576690 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.741959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A general problem is posed by analysis of transcriptional thresholds governing cell fate decisions in metazoan development. A model is provided by testis determination in therian mammals. Its key step, Sertoli cell differentiation in the embryonic gonadal ridge, is initiated by SRY, a Y-encoded architectural transcription factor. Mutations in human SRY cause gonadal dysgenesis leading to XY female development (Swyer syndrome). Here, we have characterized an inherited mutation compatible with either male or female somatic phenotypes as observed in an XY father and XY daughter, respectively. The mutation (a crevice-forming substitution at a conserved back surface of the SRY high mobility group box) markedly destabilizes the domain but preserves specific DNA affinity and induced DNA bend angle. On transient transfection of diverse human and rodent cell lines, the variant SRY exhibited accelerated proteasomal degradation (relative to wild type) associated with increased ubiquitination; in vitro susceptibility to ubiquitin-independent ("default") cleavage by the 20S core proteasome was unchanged. The variant's gene regulatory activity (as assessed in a cellular model of the rat embryonic XY gonadal ridge) was reduced by 2-fold relative to wild-type SRY at similar levels of mRNA expression. Chemical proteasome inhibition restored native-like SRY expression and transcriptional activity in association with restored occupancy of a sex-specific enhancer element in principal downstream gene Sox9, demonstrating that the variant SRY exhibits essentially native activity on a per molecule basis. Our findings define a novel mechanism of impaired organogenesis, accelerated ubiquitin-directed proteasomal degradation of a master transcription factor leading to a developmental decision poised at the edge of ambiguity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Racca
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Yanwu Yang
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Nelson B Phillips
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Michael A Weiss
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
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19
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She ZY, Yang WX. Sry and SoxE genes: How they participate in mammalian sex determination and gonadal development? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 63:13-22. [PMID: 27481580 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, sex determination defines the differentiation of the bipotential genital ridge into either testes or ovaries. Sry, the mammalian Y-chromosomal testis-determining gene, is a master regulator of male sex determination. It acts to switch the undifferentiated genital ridge towards testis development, triggering the adoption of a male fate. Sry initiates a cascade of gene networks through the direct regulation of Sox9 expression and promotes supporting cell differentiation, Leydig cell specification, vasculature formation and testis cord development. In the absence of Sry, alternative genetic cascades, including female sex-determining genes RSPO1, Wnt4/β-catenin and Foxl2, are involved in the formation of female genitalia and the maintenance of female ovarian development. The mutual antagonisms between male and female sex-determining pathways are crucial in not just the initiation but also the maintenance of the somatic sex of the gonad throughout the organism's lifetime. Any imbalances in above sex-determining genes can cause disorders of sex development in humans and mice. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of the expression profiles, biochemical properties and developmental functions of Sry and SoxE genes in embryonic testis development and adult gonadal development. We also briefly summarize the dedicate balances between male and female sex-determining genes in mammalian sex development, with particular highlights on the molecular actions of Sry and Sox9 transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yu She
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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20
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Yamauchi Y, Riel JM, Ruthig VA, Ortega EA, Mitchell MJ, Ward MA. Two genes substitute for the mouse Y chromosome for spermatogenesis and reproduction. Science 2016; 351:514-6. [PMID: 26823431 DOI: 10.1126/science.aad1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian Y chromosome is considered a symbol of maleness, as it encodes a gene driving male sex determination, Sry, as well as a battery of other genes important for male reproduction. We previously demonstrated in the mouse that successful assisted reproduction can be achieved when the Y gene contribution is limited to only two genes, Sry and spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y. Here, we replaced Sry by transgenic activation of its downstream target Sox9, and Eif2s3y, by transgenic overexpression of its X chromosome-encoded homolog Eif2s3x. The resulting males with no Y chromosome genes produced haploid male gametes and sired offspring after assisted reproduction. Our findings support the existence of functional redundancy between the Y chromosome genes and their homologs encoded on other chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yamauchi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Jonathan M Riel
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Victor A Ruthig
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Eglė A Ortega
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, GMGF UMR_S 910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Monika A Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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21
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Carré GA, Greenfield A. The Gonadal Supporting Cell Lineage and Mammalian Sex Determination: The Differentiation of Sertoli and Granulosa Cells. Results Probl Cell Differ 2016; 58:47-66. [PMID: 27300175 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31973-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The supporting cell lineage plays a crucial role in nurturing the development of germ cells in the adult gonad. Sertoli cells in the testis support the progression of spermatogonial stem cells through meiosis to the production of motile spermatozoa. Granulosa cells, meanwhile, are a critical component of the ovarian follicle that produces the mature oocyte. It is a distinctive feature of the embryonic gonad that at least some of the supporting cells are derived from a single sexually bipotential precursor lineage. It is the commitment of this somatic lineage to either the Sertoli or granulosa cell fate that defines sex determination. In this chapter we review what is known about the key molecules responsible for this lineage decision in the developing mammalian gonads, relying primarily on data from studies of mice and humans. We focus on recent advances in our understanding of the mutually antagonistic interactions of testis- and ovary-determining pathways and their complexity as revealed by genetic analyses. For the sake of simplicity, we will deal with supporting cells in testis and ovary development in separate sections, but numerous points of contact exist between these accounts of gonadogenesis in male and female embryos, primarily due to the aforementioned mutual antagonisms. The final section will offer a brief synthesis of these organ-specific overviews and a summary of the key themes that emerge in this review of supporting cell differentiation in mammalian sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenn-Aël Carré
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK.
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22
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Bagheri-Fam S, Ono M, Li L, Zhao L, Ryan J, Lai R, Katsura Y, Rossello FJ, Koopman P, Scherer G, Bartsch O, Eswarakumar JVP, Harley VR. FGFR2 mutation in 46,XY sex reversal with craniosynostosis. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6699-710. [PMID: 26362256 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD) exhibit genital anomalies, which range from hypospadias to complete male-to-female sex reversal. However, a molecular diagnosis is made in only 30% of cases. Heterozygous mutations in the human FGFR2 gene cause various craniosynostosis syndromes including Crouzon and Pfeiffer, but testicular defects were not reported. Here, we describe a patient whose features we would suggest represent a new FGFR2-related syndrome, craniosynostosis with XY male-to-female sex reversal or CSR. The craniosynostosis patient was chromosomally XY, but presented as a phenotypic female due to complete GD. DNA sequencing identified the FGFR2c heterozygous missense mutation, c.1025G>C (p.Cys342Ser). Substitution of Cys342 by Ser or other amino acids (Arg/Phe/Try/Tyr) has been previously reported in Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndrome. We show that the 'knock-in' Crouzon mouse model Fgfr2c(C342Y/C342Y) carrying a Cys342Tyr substitution displays XY gonadal sex reversal with variable expressivity. We also show that despite FGFR2c-Cys342Tyr being widely considered a gain-of-function mutation, Cys342Tyr substitution in the gonad leads to loss of function, as demonstrated by sex reversal in Fgfr2c(C342Y/-) mice carrying the knock-in allele on a null background. The rarity of our patient suggests the influence of modifier genes which exacerbated the testicular phenotype. Indeed, patient whole exome analysis revealed several potential modifiers expressed in Sertoli cells at the time of testis determination in mice. In summary, this study identifies the first FGFR2 mutation in a 46,XY GD patient. We conclude that, in certain rare genetic contexts, maintaining normal levels of FGFR2 signaling is important for human testis determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology,
| | - Makoto Ono
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Li Li
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janelle Ryan
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Raymond Lai
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yukako Katsura
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
| | - Fernando J Rossello
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Koopman
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gerd Scherer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany and
| | - Oliver Bartsch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jacob V P Eswarakumar
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology,
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23
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Herpin A, Schartl M. Plasticity of gene-regulatory networks controlling sex determination: of masters, slaves, usual suspects, newcomers, and usurpators. EMBO Rep 2015; 16:1260-74. [PMID: 26358957 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201540667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is one of the most pervasive and diverse features of animal morphology, physiology, and behavior. Despite the generality of the phenomenon itself, the mechanisms controlling how sex is determined differ considerably among various organismic groups, have evolved repeatedly and independently, and the underlying molecular pathways can change quickly during evolution. Even within closely related groups of organisms for which the development of gonads on the morphological, histological, and cell biological level is undistinguishable, the molecular control and the regulation of the factors involved in sex determination and gonad differentiation can be substantially different. The biological meaning of the high molecular plasticity of an otherwise common developmental program is unknown. While comparative studies suggest that the downstream effectors of sex-determining pathways tend to be more stable than the triggering mechanisms at the top, it is still unclear how conserved the downstream networks are and how all components work together. After many years of stasis, when the molecular basis of sex determination was amenable only in the few classical model organisms (fly, worm, mouse), recently, sex-determining genes from several animal species have been identified and new studies have elucidated some novel regulatory interactions and biological functions of the downstream network, particularly in vertebrates. These data have considerably changed our classical perception of a simple linear developmental cascade that makes the decision for the embryo to develop as male or female, and how it evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Herpin
- Department Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany INRA, UR1037 Fish Physiology and Genomics, Sex Differentiation and Oogenesis Group (SDOG), Rennes, France
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Department Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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24
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Umemura Y, Miyamoto R, Hashimoto R, Kinoshita K, Omotehara T, Nagahara D, Hirano T, Kubota N, Minami K, Yanai S, Masuda N, Yuasa H, Mantani Y, Matsuo E, Yokoyama T, Kitagawa H, Hoshi N. Ontogenic and morphological study of gonadal formation in genetically-modified sex reversal XY(POS) mice. J Vet Med Sci 2015; 77:1587-98. [PMID: 26194606 PMCID: PMC4710714 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sexual fate is determined by the presence or absence of sex determining
region of the Y chromosome (Sry) in the “bipotential” gonads.
Recent studies have demonstrated that both male and female sexual development are induced
by distinct and active genetic pathways. Breeding the Y chromosome from Mus m.
domesticus poschiavinus (POS) strains into C57BL/6J (B6J) mice
(B6J-XYPOS) has been shown to induce sex reversal (75%: bilateral ovary, 25%:
true hermaphrodites). However, our B6N-XYPOS mice, which were generated by
backcrossing of B6J-XYPOS on an inbred B6N-XX, develop as males (36%: bilateral
testis with fertility as well as bilateral ovary (34%), and the remainder develop as true
hermaphrodites. Here, we investigated in detail the expressions of essential sex-related
genes and histological features in B6N-XYPOS mice from the fetal period to
adulthood. The onsets of both Sry and SRY-box 9 (Sox9) expressions as determined
spatiotemporally by whole-mount immunohistochemistry in the B6N-XYPOS gonads
occurred 2–3 tail somites later than those in B6N-XYB6 gonads, but earlier than
those in B6J-XYPOS, respectively. It is possible that such a small difference
in timing of the Sry expression underlies testicular development in our
B6N-XYPOS. Our study is the first to histologically show the expression and
ectopic localization of a female-related gene in the XYPOS testes and a
male-related gene in the XYPOS ovaries. The results from these and previous
experiments indicate that the interplay between genome variants, epigenetics and
developmental gene regulation is crucial for testis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuria Umemura
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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25
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Uversky VN. Unreported intrinsic disorder in proteins: Disorder emergency room. INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED PROTEINS 2015; 3:e1010999. [PMID: 28232885 DOI: 10.1080/21690707.2015.1010999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This article continues an "Unreported Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins" series, the goal of which is to expose some interesting cases of missed (or overlooked, or ignored) disorder in proteins. The need for this series is justified by the observation that despite the fact that protein intrinsic disorder is widely accepted by the scientific community, there are still numerous instances when appreciation of this phenomenon is absent. This results in the avalanche of research papers which are talking about intrinsically disordered proteins (or hybrid proteins with ordered and disordered regions) not recognizing that they are talking about such proteins. Articles in the "Unreported Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins" series provide a fast fix for some of the recent noticeable disorder overlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer Research Institute; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa, FL USA; Biology Department; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Laboratory of Structural Dynamics; Stability and Folding of Proteins; Institute of Cytology; Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg, Russia
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26
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Zhao L, Svingen T, Ng ET, Koopman P. Female-to-male sex reversal in mice caused by transgenic overexpression of Dmrt1. Development 2015; 142:1083-8. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.122184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Genes related to Dmrt1, which encodes a DNA-binding DM domain transcription factor, act as triggers for primary sex determination in a broad range of metazoan species. However, this role is fulfilled in mammals by Sry, a newly evolved gene on the Y chromosome, such that Dmrt1 has become dispensable for primary sex determination and instead maintains Sertoli cell phenotype in postnatal testes. Here, we report that enforced expression of Dmrt1 in XX mouse fetal gonads using a Wt1-BAC transgene system is sufficient to drive testicular differentiation and male secondary sex development. XX transgenic fetal gonads showed typical testicular size and vasculature. Key ovarian markers, including Wnt4 and Foxl2, were repressed. Sertoli cells expressing the hallmark testis-determining gene Sox9 were formed, although they did not assemble into normal testis cords. Other bipotential lineages differentiated into testicular cell types, including steroidogenic fetal Leydig cells and non-meiotic germ cells. As a consequence, male internal and external reproductive organs developed postnatally, with an absence of female reproductive tissues. These results reveal that Dmrt1 has retained its ability to act as the primary testis-determining trigger in mammals, even though this function is no longer normally required. Thus, Dmrt1 provides a common thread in the evolution of sex determination mechanisms in metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Terje Svingen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ee Ting Ng
- 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
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