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Boonsawat P, Asadollahi R, Niedrist D, Steindl K, Begemann A, Joset P, Bhoj EJ, Li D, Zackai E, Vetro A, Barba C, Guerrini R, Whalen S, Keren B, Khan A, Jing D, Palomares Bralo M, Rikeros Orozco E, Hao Q, Schlott Kristiansen B, Zheng B, Donnelly D, Clowes V, Zweier M, Papik M, Siegel G, Sabatino V, Mocera M, Horn AHC, Sticht H, Rauch A. Deleterious ZNRF3 germline variants cause neurodevelopmental disorders with mirror brain phenotypes via domain-specific effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1994-2011. [PMID: 39168120 PMCID: PMC11393693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Zinc and RING finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative-feedback regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which plays an important role in human brain development. Although somatically frequently mutated in cancer, germline variants in ZNRF3 have not been established as causative for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We identified 12 individuals with ZNRF3 variants and various phenotypes via GeneMatcher/Decipher and evaluated genotype-phenotype correlation. We performed structural modeling and representative deleterious and control variants were assessed using in vitro transcriptional reporter assays with and without Wnt-ligand Wnt3a and/or Wnt-potentiator R-spondin (RSPO). Eight individuals harbored de novo missense variants and presented with NDD. We found missense variants associated with macrocephalic NDD to cluster in the RING ligase domain. Structural modeling predicted disruption of the ubiquitin ligase function likely compromising Wnt receptor turnover. Accordingly, the functional assays showed enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling for these variants in a dominant negative manner. Contrarily, an individual with microcephalic NDD harbored a missense variant in the RSPO-binding domain predicted to disrupt binding affinity to RSPO and showed attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the same assays. Additionally, four individuals harbored de novo truncating or de novo or inherited large in-frame deletion variants with non-NDD phenotypes, including heart, adrenal, or nephrotic problems. In contrast to NDD-associated missense variants, the effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling were comparable between the truncating variant and the empty vector and between benign variants and the wild type. In summary, we provide evidence for mirror brain size phenotypes caused by distinct pathomechanisms in Wnt/β-catenin signaling through protein domain-specific deleterious ZNRF3 germline missense variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Asadollahi
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Medway Campus, Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Dunja Niedrist
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Steindl
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anaïs Begemann
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Joset
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth J Bhoj
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dong Li
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Annalisa Vetro
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Barba
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy; University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Génétique Odellin, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Département de Génétique, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Amjad Khan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Science (Zoology), University of Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 28420, Pakistan
| | - Duan Jing
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - María Palomares Bralo
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Unidad de Trastornos Del Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emi Rikeros Orozco
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Unidad de Trastornos Del Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Qin Hao
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Deirdre Donnelly
- Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Centre, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Virginia Clowes
- Thames Regional Genetics Service, North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Markus Zweier
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Papik
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriele Siegel
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Sabatino
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Mocera
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anselm H C Horn
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita Rauch
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Pediatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Janot C, Bachelot A, Mallet D, Simon D, Val P, Roucher-Boulez F. Letter to the Editor From Janot et al: « Single-Exon Deletions of ZNRF3 Exon 2 Cause Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia ». J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1808-e1809. [PMID: 38589987 PMCID: PMC11318992 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Clément Janot
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, LBMMS, Service de Biochimie et Biologie moléculaire, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Bron cedex F-69677, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Anne Bachelot
- Department of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine and Centre de Référence des Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance et du Développement, Centre de Référence des Pathologies Gynécologiques Rares, AP-HP, IE3M, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Mallet
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, LBMMS, Service de Biochimie et Biologie moléculaire, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Bron cedex F-69677, France
| | - Dominique Simon
- Pediatric Endocrinology department, AP-HP, Hôpital Robert Debré, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Val
- Institute of Genetics, Reproduction and Development (iGReD), CNRS UMR6293, INSERM 15 U1103, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand F-63000, France
| | - Florence Roucher-Boulez
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, LBMMS, Service de Biochimie et Biologie moléculaire, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Bron cedex F-69677, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon F-69008, France
- Stem-Cell and Brain Research Institute (SBRI), Inserm U1208, 18 avenue Doyen-Lépine, 69675 Bron Cedex, France
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Lundgaard Riis M, Delpouve G, Nielsen JE, Melau C, Langhoff Thuesen L, Juul Hare K, Dreisler E, Aaboe K, Tutein Brenøe P, Albrethsen J, Frederiksen H, Juul A, Giacobini P, Jørgensen A. Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signalling during sex-specific gonadal differentiation is essential for normal human fetal testis development. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:330. [PMID: 38879537 PMCID: PMC11180390 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01704-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is directed by complex signalling promoting development in either male or female direction, while simultaneously inhibiting the opposite pathway. In mice, the WNT/β-catenin pathway promotes ovarian development and the importance of actively inhibiting this pathway to ensure normal testis development has been recognised. However, the implications of alterations in the tightly regulated WNT/β-catenin signalling during human fetal gonad development has not yet been examined in detail. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the consequences of dysregulating the WNT/β-catenin signalling pathway in the supporting cell lineage during sex-specific human fetal gonad development using an established and extensively validated ex vivo culture model. Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signalling in human fetal ovary cultures resulted in only minor effects, including reduced secretion of RSPO1 and reduced cell proliferation although this was not consistently found in all treatment groups. In contrast, promotion of WNT/β-catenin signalling in testes severely affected development and function. This included disrupted seminiferous cord structures, reduced cell proliferation, reduced expression of SOX9/AMH, reduced secretion of Inhibin B and AMH as well as loss of the germ cell population. Additionally, Leydig cell function was markedly impaired with reduced secretion of testosterone, androstenedione and INSL3. Together, this study suggests that dysregulated WNT/β-catenin signalling during human fetal gonad development severely impairs testicular development and function. Importantly, our study highlights the notion that sufficient inhibition of the opposite pathway during sex-specific gonadal differentiation is essential to ensure normal development and function also applies to human fetal gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gaspard Delpouve
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 days for health, Inserm, Lille, France
| | - John E Nielsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Melau
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Langhoff Thuesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Kristine Juul Hare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Eva Dreisler
- Department of Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Aaboe
- Department of Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pia Tutein Brenøe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paolo Giacobini
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 days for health, Inserm, Lille, France
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- International centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.
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Cao J, El Mansouri F, Reynoso S, Liu Z, Zhu J, Taketo T. Inefficient Sox9 upregulation and absence of Rspo1 repression lead to sex reversal in the B6.XYTIR mouse gonad†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:985-999. [PMID: 38376238 PMCID: PMC11094394 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sry on the Y-chromosome upregulates Sox9, which in turn upregulates a set of genes such as Fgf9 to initiate testicular differentiation in the XY gonad. In the absence of Sry expression, genes such as Rspo1, Foxl2, and Runx1 support ovarian differentiation in the XX gonad. These two pathways antagonize each other to ensure the development of only one gonadal sex in normal development. In the B6.YTIR mouse, carrying the YTIR-chromosome on the B6 genetic background, Sry is expressed in a comparable manner with that in the B6.XY mouse, yet, only ovaries or ovotestes develop. We asked how testicular and ovarian differentiation pathways interact to determine the gonadal sex in the B6.YTIR mouse. Our results showed that (1) transcript levels of Sox9 were much lower than in B6.XY gonads while those of Rspo1 and Runx1 were as high as B6.XX gonads at 11.5 and 12.5 days postcoitum. (2) FOXL2-positive cells appeared in mosaic with SOX9-positive cells at 12.5 days postcoitum. (3) SOX9-positive cells formed testis cords in the central area while those disappeared to leave only FOXL2-positive cells in the poles or the entire area at 13.5 days postcoitum. (4) No difference was found at transcript levels of all genes between the left and right gonads up to 12.5 days postcoitum, although ovotestes developed much more frequently on the left than the right at 13.5 days postcoitum. These results suggest that inefficient Sox9 upregulation and the absence of Rspo1 repression prevent testicular differentiation in the B6.YTIR gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangqin Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fatima El Mansouri
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sofia Reynoso
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Guangling College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Teruko Taketo
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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5
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Amano N, Narumi S, Aizu K, Miyazawa M, Okamura K, Ohashi H, Katsumata N, Ishii T, Hasegawa T. Single-Exon Deletions of ZNRF3 Exon 2 Cause Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:641-648. [PMID: 37878959 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad627] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient steroid hormones. E3 ubiquitin protein ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) enhances Wnt/β-catenin signaling via binding and removal of ZNRF3 from the cell surface. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to explore a novel genetic form of PAI. METHODS We analyzed 9 patients with childhood-onset PAI of biochemically and genetically unknown etiology using array comparative genomic hybridization. To examine the functionality of the identified single-exon deletions of ZNRF3 exon 2, we performed three-dimensional (3D) structure modeling and in vitro functional studies. RESULTS We identified various-sized single-exon deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 in 3 patients who showed neonatal-onset adrenal hypoplasia with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiencies. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the 3 distinct single-exon deletions were commonly transcribed into a 126-nucleotide deleted mRNA and translated into 42-amino acid deleted protein (ΔEx2-ZNRF3). Based on 3D structure modeling, we predicted that interaction between ZNRF3 and RSPO1 would be disturbed in ΔEx2-ZNRF3, suggesting loss of RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cell-based functional assays with the TCF-LEF reporter showed that RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was attenuated in cells expressing ΔEx2-ZNRF3 as compared with those expressing wild-type ZNRF3. CONCLUSION We provided genetic evidence linking deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 and congenital adrenal hypoplasia, which might be related to constitutive inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by ΔEx2-ZNRF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Amano
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Saitama City Hospital, Saitama, 336-8522, Japan
| | - Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Katsuya Aizu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, 330-8777, Japan
| | - Mari Miyazawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Health Sciences Center, Kochi, 781-8555, Japan
| | - Kohji Okamura
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ohashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, 330-8777, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Katsumata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ishii
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Hasegawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
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Bourmoum M, Radulovich N, Sharma A, Tkach JM, Tsao MS, Pelletier L. β-catenin mediates growth defects induced by centrosome loss in a subset of APC mutant colorectal cancer independently of p53. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295030. [PMID: 38324534 PMCID: PMC10849215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The centrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center in animal cells and centrosome amplification is a hallmark of cancer cells. To investigate the importance of centrosomes in colorectal cancer, we induced centrosome loss in normal and cancer human-derived colorectal organoids using centrinone B, a Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) inhibitor. We show that centrosome loss represses human normal colorectal organoid growth in a p53-dependent manner in accordance with previous studies in cell models. However, cancer colorectal organoid lines exhibited different sensitivities to centrosome loss independently of p53. Centrinone-induced cancer organoid growth defect/death positively correlated with a loss of function mutation in the APC gene, suggesting a causal role of the hyperactive WNT pathway. Consistent with this notion, β-catenin inhibition using XAV939 or ICG-001 partially prevented centrinone-induced death and rescued the growth two APC-mutant organoid lines tested. Our study reveals a novel role for canonical WNT signaling in regulating centrosome loss-induced growth defect/death in a subset of APC-mutant colorectal cancer independently of the classical p53 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bourmoum
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nikolina Radulovich
- University Health Network, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amit Sharma
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Johnny M. Tkach
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- University Health Network, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurence Pelletier
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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7
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Yue F, Ku AT, Stevens PD, Michalski MN, Jiang W, Tu J, Shi Z, Dou Y, Wang Y, Feng XH, Hostetter G, Wu X, Huang S, Shroyer NF, Zhang B, Williams BO, Liu Q, Lin X, Li Y. Loss of ZNRF3/RNF43 Unleashes EGFR in Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.10.574969. [PMID: 38260423 PMCID: PMC10802575 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.574969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ZNRF3 and RNF43 are closely related transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases with significant roles in development and cancer. Conventionally, their biological functions have been associated with regulating WNT signaling receptor ubiquitination and degradation. However, our proteogenomic studies have revealed EGFR as the most negatively correlated protein with ZNRF3/RNF43 mRNA levels in multiple human cancers. Through biochemical investigations, we demonstrate that ZNRF3/RNF43 interact with EGFR via their extracellular domains, leading to EGFR ubiquitination and subsequent degradation facilitated by the E3 ligase RING domain. Overexpression of ZNRF3 reduces EGFR levels and suppresses cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockout of ZNRF3/RNF43 stimulates cell growth and tumorigenesis through upregulated EGFR signaling. Together, these data highlight ZNRF3 and RNF43 as novel E3 ubiquitin ligases of EGFR and establish the inactivation of ZNRF3/RNF43 as a driver of increased EGFR signaling, ultimately promoting cancer progression. This discovery establishes a connection between two fundamental signaling pathways, EGFR and WNT, at the level of cytoplasmic membrane receptor, uncovering a novel mechanism underlying the frequent co-activation of EGFR and WNT signaling in development and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yue
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Amy T. Ku
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Payton D. Stevens
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
| | - Megan N. Michalski
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
| | - Weiyu Jiang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jianghua Tu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute and Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zhongcheng Shi
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yongchao Dou
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Galen Hostetter
- Van Andel Institute, Core Technologies and Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Xiangwei Wu
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shixia Huang
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Education, Innovation & Technology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Noah F. Shroyer
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bart O. Williams
- Van Andel Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA
- Van Andel Institute, Core Technologies and Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Qingyun Liu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute and Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xia Lin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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8
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Yang H, Ma X, Tian H, Yuan J, Wu D, Dong G, Liu Q, Fu J. Two Novel Heterozygous Variants in RecA2 Domain of DHX37 Cause 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis and Testicular Regression Syndrome. Sex Dev 2023; 17:198-202. [PMID: 37717579 PMCID: PMC11232946 DOI: 10.1159/000534086] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pathogenic variants in DEAH-box RNA helicase DHX37 are one of the major causes of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis and testicular regression syndrome (TRS). To date, only 13 different missense variants have been reported. We report two additional cases with different clinical presentations carrying two novel variants in the DHX37 gene. CASE PRESENTATION AND RESULTS Case 1 (4.4-year-old boy) presented with significant micropenis and cryptorchidism and was diagnosed as TRS. Case 2 (13.5-year-old girl) had a 46,XY karyotype with female external genitalia and was diagnosed as GD. Two novel DHX37 variants affecting the RecA2 domain, p.G478R and p.L627F, were identified in these cases. Both variants identified in the probands were also present in their unaffected mother. CONCLUSION Our findings broaden the variant spectrum of DHX37 in 46,XY differences of sex development (DSD) individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China,
| | - Xiuqi Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Hospital of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Hongjuan Tian
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinna Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guanping Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Hospital of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Junfen Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Bunce C, Barske L, Zhang G, Capel B. Biased precursor ingression underlies the center-to-pole pattern of male sex determination in mouse. Development 2023; 150:297121. [PMID: 36912416 PMCID: PMC10112898 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian development, gonadal sex determination results from the commitment of bipotential supporting cells to Sertoli or granulosa cell fates. Typically, this decision is coordinated across the gonad to ensure commitment to a single organ fate. When unified commitment fails in an XY mouse, an ovotestis forms in which supporting cells in the center of the gonad typically develop as Sertoli cells, while supporting cells in the poles develop as granulosa cells. This central bias for Sertoli cell fate was thought to result from the initial expression of the drivers of Sertoli cell fate, SRY and/or SOX9, in the central domain, followed by paracrine expansion to the poles. However, we show here that the earliest cells expressing SRY and SOX9 are widely distributed across the gonad. In addition, Sertoli cell fate does not spread among supporting cells through paracrine relay. Instead, we uncover a center-biased pattern of supporting cell precursor ingression that occurs in both sexes and results in increased supporting cell density in the central domain. Our findings prompt a new model of gonad patterning in which a density-dependent organizing principle dominates Sertoli cell fate stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Bunce
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lindsey Barske
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gloria Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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10
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Laronda MM. Factors within the Developing Embryo and Ovarian Microenvironment That Influence Primordial Germ Cell Fate. Sex Dev 2023; 17:134-144. [PMID: 36646055 PMCID: PMC10349905 DOI: 10.1159/000528209] [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: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primordial germ cell (PGC) fate is dictated by the designation, taxis, and influence of the surrounding embryonic somatic cells. Whereas gonadal sex determination results from a balance of factors within the tissue microenvironment. SUMMARY Our understanding of mammalian ovary development is formed in large part from developmental time courses established using murine models. Genomic tools where genes implicated in the PGC designation or gonadal sex determination have been modulated through complete or conditional knockouts in vivo, and studies in in situ models with inhibitors or cultures that alter the native gonadal environment have pieced together the interplay of pioneering transcription factors, co-regulators and chromosomes critical for the progression of PGCs to oocytes. Tools such as pluripotent stem cell derivation, genomic modifications, and aggregate differentiation cultures have yielded some insight into the human condition. Additional understanding of sex determination, both gonadal and anatomical, may be inferred from phenotypes that arise from de novo or inherited gene variants in humans who have differences in sex development. KEY MESSAGES This review highlights major factors critical for PGC specification and migration, and in ovarian gonad specification by reviewing seminal murine models. These pathways are compared to what is known about the human condition from expression profiles of fetal gonadal tissue, use of human pluripotent stem cells, or disorders resulting from disease variants. Many of these pathways are challenging to decipher in human tissues. However, the impact of new single-cell technologies and whole-genome sequencing to reveal disease variants of idiopathic reproductive tract phenotypes will help elucidate the mechanisms involved in human ovary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica M. Laronda
- Department of Endocrinology and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, (IL,) USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, (IL,) USA
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11
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Rjiba K, Mougou-Zerelli S, Hamida IH, Saad G, Khadija B, Jelloul A, Slimani W, Hasni Y, Dimassi S, Khelifa HB, Sallem A, Kammoun M, Abdallah HH, Gribaa M, Bignon-Topalovic J, Chelly S, Khairi H, Bibi M, Kacem M, Saad A, Bashamboo A, McElreavey K. Additional evidence for the role of chromosomal imbalances and SOX8, ZNRF3 and HHAT gene variants in early human testis development. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:2. [PMID: 36631813 PMCID: PMC9990451 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-01045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forty-six ,XY Differences/Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are characterized by a broad phenotypic spectrum ranging from typical female to male with undervirilized external genitalia, or more rarely testicular regression with a typical male phenotype. Despite progress in the genetic diagnosis of DSD, most 46,XY DSD cases remain idiopathic. METHODS To determine the genetic causes of 46,XY DSD, we studied 165 patients of Tunisian ancestry, who presented a wide range of DSD phenotypes. Karyotyping, candidate gene sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were performed. RESULTS Cytogenetic abnormalities, including a high frequency of sex chromosomal anomalies (85.4%), explained the phenotype in 30.9% (51/165) of the cohort. Sanger sequencing of candidate genes identified a novel pathogenic variant in the SRY gene in a patient with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. An exome screen of a sub-group of 44 patients with 46,XY DSD revealed pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 38.6% (17/44) of patients. CONCLUSION Rare or novel pathogenic variants were identified in the AR, SRD5A2, ZNRF3, SOX8, SOX9 and HHAT genes. Overall our data indicate a genetic diagnosis rate of 41.2% (68/165) in the group of 46,XY DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khouloud Rjiba
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Soumaya Mougou-Zerelli
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Imen Hadj Hamida
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ghada Saad
- Department of Endocrinology, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Bochra Khadija
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Afef Jelloul
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Slimani
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Yosra Hasni
- Department of Endocrinology, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Sarra Dimassi
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hela Ben Khelifa
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Amira Sallem
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics and Biology of Reproduction, Fattouma Bourguiba University Teaching Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Molka Kammoun
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hamza Hadj Abdallah
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Moez Gribaa
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | | | - Sami Chelly
- Private Gynecologist Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hédi Khairi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Bibi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Maha Kacem
- Department of Endocrinology, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ali Saad
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Biology of Human Reproduction, Farhat Hached University Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
- Unité de Services Communs en Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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12
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Townsend J, Braz CU, Taylor T, Khatib H. Effects of paternal methionine supplementation on sperm DNA methylation and embryo transcriptome in sheep. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2022; 9:dvac029. [PMID: 36727109 PMCID: PMC9885981 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvac029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental effects on gene expression and offspring development can be mediated by epigenetic modifications. It is well established that maternal diet influences DNA methylation patterns and phenotypes in the offspring; however, the epigenetic effects of paternal diet on developing offspring warrants further investigation. Here, we examined how a prepubertal methionine-enriched paternal diet affected sperm DNA methylation and its subsequent effects on embryo gene expression. Three treatment and three control rams were bred to seven ewes, and blastocysts were flushed for RNA extraction. Semen was collected from all rams and submitted for reduced representation bisulfite sequencing analysis. In total, 166 differentially methylated cytosines were identified in the sperm from treatment versus control rams. Nine genes were found to be differentially expressed in embryos produced from treatment versus control rams, and seven differentially methylated cytosines in the sperm were found to be highly correlated with gene expression in the embryos. Our results demonstrate that sperm methylation differences induced by diet may influence fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Townsend
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Camila U Braz
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Todd Taylor
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Hasan Khatib
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
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13
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Lundgaard Riis M, Jørgensen A. Deciphering Sex-Specific Differentiation of Human Fetal Gonads: Insight From Experimental Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:902082. [PMID: 35721511 PMCID: PMC9201387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.902082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal differentiation is initiated by the expression of SRY in male foetuses. This promotes a signalling pathway directing testicular development, while in female foetuses the absence of SRY and expression of pro-ovarian factors promote ovarian development. Importantly, in addition to the initiation of a sex-specific signalling cascade the opposite pathway is simultaneously inhibited. The somatic cell populations within the gonads dictates this differentiation as well as the development of secondary sex characteristics via secretion of endocrine factors and steroid hormones. Opposing pathways SOX9/FGF9 (testis) and WNT4/RSPO1 (ovary) controls the development and differentiation of the bipotential mouse gonad and even though sex-specific gonadal differentiation is largely considered to be conserved between mice and humans, recent studies have identified several differences. Hence, the signalling pathways promoting early mouse gonad differentiation cannot be directly transferred to human development thus highlighting the importance of also examining this signalling in human fetal gonads. This review focus on the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing human gonadal sex differentiation by combining knowledge of these processes from studies in mice, information from patients with differences of sex development and insight from manipulation of selected signalling pathways in ex vivo culture models of human fetal gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Lundgaard Riis
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Liu C, Moten A, Ma Z, Lin HK. The foundational framework of tumors: Gametogenesis, p53, and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 81:193-205. [PMID: 33940178 PMCID: PMC9382687 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The completion-of-tumor hypothesis involved in the dynamic interplay between the initiating oncogenic event and progression is essential to better recognize the foundational framework of tumors. Here we review and extend the gametogenesis-related hypothesis of tumors, because high embryonic/germ cell traits are common in tumors. The century-old gametogenesis-related hypothesis of tumors postulated that tumors arise from displaced/activated trophoblasts, displaced (lost) germ cells, and the reprogramming/reactivation of gametogenic program in somatic cells. Early primordial germ cells (PGCs), embryonic stem (ES) cells, embryonic germ cells (EGCs), and pre-implantation embryos at the stage from two-cell stage to blastocysts originating from fertilization or parthenogenesis have the potential to develop teratomas/teratocarcinomas. In addition, the teratomas/teratocarcinomas/germ cells occur in gonads and extra-gonads. Undoubtedly, the findings provide strong support for the hypothesis. However, it was thought that these tumor types were an exception rather than verification. In fact, there are extensive similarities between somatic tumor types and embryonic/germ cell development, such as antigens, migration, invasion, and immune escape. It was documented that embryonic/germ cell genes play crucial roles in tumor behaviors, e.g. tumor initiation and metastasis. Of note, embryonic/germ cell-like tumor cells at different developmental stages including PGC and oocyte to the early embryo-like stage were identified in diverse tumor types by our group. These embryonic/germ cell-like cancer cells resemble the natural embryonic/germ cells in morphology, gene expression, the capability of teratoma formation, and the ability to undergo the process of oocyte maturation and parthenogenesis. These embryonic/germ cell-like cancer cells are derived from somatic cells and contribute to tumor formation, metastasis, and drug resistance, establishing asexual meiotic embryonic life cycle. p53 inhibits the reactivation of embryonic/germ cell state in somatic cells and oocyte-like cell maturation. Based on earlier and our recent studies, we propose a novel model to complete the gametogenesis-related hypothesis of tumors, which can be applied to certain somatic tumors. That is, tumors tend to establish a somatic asexual meiotic embryonic cycle through the activation of somatic female gametogenesis and parthenogenesis in somatic tumor cells during the tumor progression, thus passing on corresponding embryonic/germ cell traits leading to the malignant behaviors and enhancing the cells' independence. This concept may be instrumental to better understand the nature and evolution of tumors. We rationalize that targeting the key events of somatic pregnancy is likely a better therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment than directly targeting cell mitotic proliferation, especially for those tumors with p53 inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfang Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Asad Moten
- Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Zhan Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hui-Kuan Lin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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15
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Ahmed SF, Alimusina M, Batista RL, Domenice S, Lisboa Gomes N, McGowan R, Patjamontri S, Mendonca BB. The Use of Genetics for Reaching a Diagnosis in XY DSD. Sex Dev 2022; 16:207-224. [DOI: 10.1159/000524881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reaching a firm diagnosis is vital for the long-term management of a patient with a difference or disorder of sex development (DSD). This is especially the case in XY DSD where the diagnostic yield is particularly low. Molecular genetic technology is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnostic process, and it is highly likely that it will be used more often at an earlier stage in the diagnostic process. In many cases of DSD, the clinical utility of molecular genetics is unequivocally clear, but in many other cases there is a need for careful exploration of the benefit of genetic diagnosis through long-term monitoring of these cases. Furthermore, the incorporation of molecular genetics into the diagnostic process requires a careful appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the evolving technology, and the interpretation of the results requires a clear understanding of the wide range of conditions that are associated with DSD.
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16
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Panthum T, Jaisamut K, Singchat W, Ahmad SF, Kongkaew L, Wongloet W, Dokkaew S, Kraichak E, Muangmai N, Duengkae P, Srikulnath K. Something Fishy about Siamese Fighting Fish ( Betta splendens) Sex: Polygenic Sex Determination or a Newly Emerged Sex-Determining Region? Cells 2022; 11:1764. [PMID: 35681459 PMCID: PMC9179492 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Fishes provide a unique and intriguing model system for studying the genomic origin and evolutionary mechanisms underlying sex determination and high sex-chromosome turnover. In this study, the mode of sex determination was investigated in Siamese fighting fish, a species of commercial importance. Genome-wide SNP analyses were performed on 75 individuals (40 males and 35 females) across commercial populations to determine candidate sex-specific/sex-linked loci. In total, 73 male-specific loci were identified and mapped to a 5.6 kb region on chromosome 9, suggesting a putative male-determining region (pMDR) containing localized dmrt1 and znrf3 functional sex developmental genes. Repeat annotations of the pMDR revealed an abundance of transposable elements, particularly Ty3/Gypsy and novel repeats. Remarkably, two out of the 73 male-specific loci were located on chromosomes 7 and 19, implying the existence of polygenic sex determination. Besides male-specific loci, five female-specific loci on chromosome 9 were also observed in certain populations, indicating the possibility of a female-determining region and the polygenic nature of sex determination. An alternative explanation is that male-specific loci derived from other chromosomes or female-specific loci in Siamese fighting fish recently emerged as new sex-determining loci during domestication and repeated hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitipong Panthum
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Kitipong Jaisamut
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Worapong Singchat
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Syed Farhan Ahmad
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- The International Undergraduate Program in Bioscience and Technology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Lalida Kongkaew
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Wongsathit Wongloet
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Sahabhop Dokkaew
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand;
| | - Ekaphan Kraichak
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Department of Botany, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Narongrit Muangmai
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Prateep Duengkae
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Kornsorn Srikulnath
- Animal Genomics and Bioresource Research Unit (AGB Research Unit), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (T.P.); (K.J.); (W.S.); (S.F.A.); (L.K.); (W.W.); (E.K.); (N.M.); (P.D.)
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- The International Undergraduate Program in Bioscience and Technology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-8527, Japan
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17
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Warr N, Siggers P, May J, Chalon N, Pope M, Wells S, Chaboissier MC, Greenfield A. Gadd45g is required for timely Sry expression independently of RSPO1 activity. Reproduction 2022; 163:333-340. [PMID: 35315790 PMCID: PMC9066659 DOI: 10.1530/rep-21-0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination in mammals is controlled by the dominance of either pro-testis (SRY-SOX9-FGF9) or pro-ovary (RSPO1-WNT4-FOXL2) genetic pathways during early gonad development in XY and XX embryos, respectively. We have previously shown that early, robust expression of mouse Sry is dependent on the nuclear protein GADD45g. In the absence of GADD45g, XY gonadal sex reversal occurs, associated with a major reduction of Sry levels at 11.5 dpc. Here, we probe the relationship between Gadd45g and Sry further, using gain- and loss-of-function genetics. First, we show that transgenic Gadd45g overexpression can elevate Sry expression levels at 11.5 dpc in the B6.YPOS model of sex reversal, resulting in phenotypic rescue. We then show that the zygosity of pro-ovarian Rspo1 is critical for the degree of gonadal sex reversal observed in both B6.YPOS and Gadd45g-deficient XY gonads, in contrast to that of Foxl2. Phenotypic rescue of sex reversal is observed in XY gonads lacking both Gadd45g and Rspo1, but this is not associated with rescue of Sry expression levels at 11.5 dpc. Instead, Sox9 levels are rescued by around 12.5 dpc. We conclude that Gadd45g is absolutely required for timely expression of Sry in XY gonads, independently of RSPO1-mediated WNT signalling, and discuss these data in light of our understanding of antagonistic interactions between the pro-testis and pro-ovary pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Warr
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Pam Siggers
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Joel May
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Nicolas Chalon
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Madeleine Pope
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sara Wells
- The Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
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18
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Windley SP, Mayère C, McGovern AE, Harvey NL, Nef S, Schwarz Q, Kumar S, Wilhelm D. Loss of NEDD4 causes complete XY gonadal sex reversal in mice. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:75. [PMID: 35075134 PMCID: PMC8786929 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Gonadogenesis is the process wherein two morphologically distinct organs, the testis and the ovary, arise from a common precursor. In mammals, maleness is driven by the expression of Sry. SRY subsequently upregulates the related family member Sox9 which is responsible for initiating testis differentiation while repressing factors critical to ovarian development such as FOXL2 and β-catenin. Here, we report a hitherto uncharacterised role for the ubiquitin-protein ligase NEDD4 in this process. XY Nedd4-deficient mice exhibit complete male-to-female gonadal sex reversal shown by the ectopic upregulation of Foxl2 expression at the time of gonadal sex determination as well as insufficient upregulation of Sox9. This sex reversal extends to germ cells with ectopic expression of SYCP3 in XY Nedd4-/- germ cells and significantly higher Sycp3 transcripts in XY and XX Nedd4-deficient mice when compared to both XY and XX controls. Further, Nedd4-/- mice exhibit reduced gonadal precursor cell formation and gonadal size as a result of reduced proliferation within the developing gonad as well as reduced Nr5a1 expression. Together, these results establish an essential role for NEDD4 in XY gonadal sex determination and development and suggest a potential role for NEDD4 in orchestrating these cell fate decisions through the suppression of the female pathway to ensure proper testis differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Windley
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Chloé Mayère
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alice E McGovern
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Natasha L Harvey
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5001, Australia
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Quenten Schwarz
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5001, Australia
| | - Sharad Kumar
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5001, Australia
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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19
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Abstract
In 46,XY men, testis is determined by a genetic network(s) that both promotes testis formation and represses ovarian development. Disruption of this process results in a lack of testis-determination and affected individuals present with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD), a part of the spectrum of Disorders/Differences of Sex Development/Determination (DSD). A minority of all cases of GD are associated with pathogenic variants in key players of testis-determination, SRY, SOX9, MAP3K1 and NR5A1. However, most of the cases remain unexplained. Recently, unbiased exome sequencing approaches have revealed new genes and loci that may cause 46,XY GD. We critically evaluate the evidence to support causality of these factors and describe how functional studies are continuing to improve our understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships in genes that are established causes of GD. As genomic data continues to be generated from DSD cohorts, we propose several recommendations to help interpret the data and establish causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëva Elzaiat
- Human Developmental Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ken McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Human Developmental Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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20
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Radaszkiewicz T, Nosková M, Gömöryová K, Vondálová Blanářová O, Radaszkiewicz KA, Picková M, Víchová R, Gybeľ T, Kaiser K, Demková L, Kučerová L, Bárta T, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Souček K, Bryja V. RNF43 inhibits WNT5A-driven signaling and suppresses melanoma invasion and resistance to the targeted therapy. eLife 2021; 10:65759. [PMID: 34702444 PMCID: PMC8550759 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNF43 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and known negative regulator of WNT/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that RNF43 is also a regulator of noncanonical WNT5A-induced signaling in human cells. Analysis of the RNF43 interactome using BioID and immunoprecipitation showed that RNF43 can interact with the core receptor complex components dedicated to the noncanonical Wnt pathway such as ROR1, ROR2, VANGL1, and VANGL2. RNF43 triggers VANGL2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation and clathrin-dependent internalization of ROR1 receptor and inhibits ROR2 activation. These activities of RNF43 are physiologically relevant and block pro-metastatic WNT5A signaling in melanoma. RNF43 inhibits responses to WNT5A, which results in the suppression of invasive properties of melanoma cells. Furthermore, RNF43 prevented WNT5A-assisted development of resistance to BRAF V600E and MEK inhibitors. Next, RNF43 acted as melanoma suppressor and improved response to targeted therapies in vivo. In line with these findings, RNF43 expression decreases during melanoma progression and RNF43-low patients have a worse prognosis. We conclude that RNF43 is a newly discovered negative regulator of WNT5A-mediated biological responses that desensitizes cells to WNT5A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Radaszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nosková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Gömöryová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Vondálová Blanářová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Markéta Picková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ráchel Víchová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Gybeľ
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karol Kaiser
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Demková
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kučerová
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Bárta
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Souček
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vítězslav Bryja
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
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21
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Zhu X, Wang P, Wei J, Li Y, Zhai J, Zheng T, Tao Q. Lysosomal degradation of the maternal dorsal determinant Hwa safeguards dorsal body axis formation. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53185. [PMID: 34652064 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Spemann and Mangold Organizer (SMO) is of fundamental importance for dorsal ventral body axis formation during vertebrate embryogenesis. Maternal Huluwa (Hwa) has been identified as the dorsal determinant that is both necessary and sufficient for SMO formation. However, it remains unclear how Hwa is regulated. Here, we report that the E3 ubiquitin ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) is essential for restricting the spatial activity of Hwa and therefore correct SMO formation in Xenopus laevis. ZNRF3 interacts with and ubiquitinates Hwa, thereby regulating its lysosomal trafficking and protein stability. Perturbation of ZNRF3 leads to the accumulation of Hwa and induction of an ectopic axis in embryos. Ectopic expression of ZNRF3 promotes Hwa degradation and dampens the axis-inducing activity of Hwa. Thus, our findings identify a substrate of ZNRF3, but also highlight the importance of the regulation of Hwa temporospatial activity in body axis formation in vertebrate embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiale Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongyu Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayu Zhai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianrui Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing, China
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22
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Le Rolle M, Massa F, Siggers P, Turchi L, Loubat A, Koo BK, Clevers H, Greenfield A, Schedl A, Chaboissier MC, Chassot AA. Arrest of WNT/β-catenin signaling enables the transition from pluripotent to differentiated germ cells in mouse ovaries. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2023376118. [PMID: 34301885 PMCID: PMC8325354 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023376118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Germ cells form the basis for sexual reproduction by producing gametes. In ovaries, primordial germ cells exit the cell cycle and the pluripotency-associated state, differentiate into oogonia, and initiate meiosis. Despite the importance of germ cell differentiation for sexual reproduction, signaling pathways regulating their fate remain largely unknown. Here, we show in mouse embryonic ovaries that germ cell-intrinsic β-catenin activity maintains pluripotency and that its repression is essential to allow differentiation and meiosis entry in a timely manner. Accordingly, in β-catenin loss-of-function and gain-of-function mouse models, the germ cells precociously enter meiosis or remain in the pluripotent state, respectively. We further show that interaction of β-catenin and the pluripotent-associated factor POU5F1 in the nucleus is associated with germ cell pluripotency. The exit of this complex from the nucleus correlates with germ cell differentiation, a process promoted by the up-regulation of Znrf3, a negative regulator of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Together, these data identify the molecular basis of the transition from primordial germ cells to oogonia and demonstrate that β-catenin is a central gatekeeper in ovarian differentiation and gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Le Rolle
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Filippo Massa
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
- Inovarion, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pam Siggers
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Turchi
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
- Délégation à la Recherche Clinique et à l'Innovation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, 06000 Nice, France
| | - Agnès Loubat
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Bon-Kyoung Koo
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Schedl
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Marie-Christine Chaboissier
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Anne-Amandine Chassot
- CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France;
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23
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Zidoune H, Martinerie L, Tan DS, Askari M, Rezgoune D, Ladjouze A, Boukri A, Benelmadani Y, Sifi K, Abadi N, Satta D, Rastari M, Seresht-Ahmadi M, Bignon-Topalovic J, Mazen I, Leger J, Simon D, Brauner R, Totonchi M, Jauch R, Bashamboo A, McElreavey K. Expanding DSD Phenotypes Associated with Variants in the DEAH-Box RNA Helicase DHX37. Sex Dev 2021; 15:244-252. [PMID: 34293745 DOI: 10.1159/000515924] [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: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense variants in the RNA-helicase DHX37 are associated with either 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis or 46,XY testicular regression syndrome (TRS). DHX37 is required for ribosome biogenesis, and this subgroup of XY DSD is a new human ribosomopathy. In a cohort of 140 individuals with 46,XY DSD, we identified 7 children with either 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis or 46,XY TRS carrying rare or novel DHX37 variants. A novel p.R390H variant within the RecA1 domain was identified in a girl with complete gonadal dysgenesis. A paternally inherited p.R487H variant, previously associated with a recessive congenital developmental syndrome, was carried by a boy with a syndromic form of 46,XY DSD. His phenotype may be explained in part by a novel homozygous loss-of-function variant in the NGLY1 gene, which causes a congenital disorder of deglycosylation. Remarkably, a homozygous p.T477H variant was identified in a boy with TRS. His fertile father had unilateral testicular regression with typical male genital development. This expands the DSD phenotypes associated with DHX37. Structural analysis of all variants predicted deleterious effects on helicase function. Similar to all other known ribosomopathies, the mechanism of pathogenesis is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Housna Zidoune
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Department of Animal Biology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria.,Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Laetitia Martinerie
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Université de Paris, Robert Debré University Hospital, Endocrinology-Diabetology Department, Reference Center for Growth and Development Endocrine Diseases, Paris, France
| | - Daisylyn S Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Masomeh Askari
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Djalila Rezgoune
- Department of Animal Biology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria.,Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | | | - Asma Boukri
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, CHU Ibn Badis Constantine, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Yasmina Benelmadani
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Karima Sifi
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Noureddine Abadi
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Dalila Satta
- Department of Animal Biology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria.,Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, University Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Mandana Rastari
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrshad Seresht-Ahmadi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Inas Mazen
- Genetics Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Juliane Leger
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Université de Paris, Robert Debré University Hospital, Endocrinology-Diabetology Department, Reference Center for Growth and Development Endocrine Diseases, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Simon
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Université de Paris, Robert Debré University Hospital, Endocrinology-Diabetology Department, Reference Center for Growth and Development Endocrine Diseases, Paris, France
| | - Raja Brauner
- Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild and Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anu Bashamboo
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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24
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Giebel N, de Jaime-Soguero A, García Del Arco A, Landry JJM, Tietje M, Villacorta L, Benes V, Fernández-Sáiz V, Acebrón SP. USP42 protects ZNRF3/RNF43 from R-spondin-dependent clearance and inhibits Wnt signalling. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51415. [PMID: 33786993 PMCID: PMC8097334 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumour suppressors RNF43 and ZNRF3 play a central role in development and tissue homeostasis by promoting the turnover of the Wnt receptors LRP6 and Frizzled (FZD). The stem cell growth factor R‐spondin induces auto‐ubiquitination and membrane clearance of ZNRF3/RNF43 to promote Wnt signalling. However, the deubiquitinase stabilising ZNRF3/RNF43 at the plasma membrane remains unknown. Here, we show that the USP42 antagonises R‐spondin by protecting ZNRF3/RNF43 from ubiquitin‐dependent clearance. USP42 binds to the Dishevelled interacting region (DIR) of ZNRF3 and stalls the R‐spondin‐LGR4‐ZNRF3 ternary complex by deubiquitinating ZNRF3. Accordingly, USP42 increases the turnover of LRP6 and Frizzled (FZD) receptors and inhibits Wnt signalling. Furthermore, we show that USP42 functions as a roadblock for paracrine Wnt signalling in colon cancer cells and mouse small intestinal organoids. We provide new mechanistic insights into the regulation R‐spondin and conclude that USP42 is crucial for ZNRF3/RNF43 stabilisation at the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Giebel
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Ana García Del Arco
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan J M Landry
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marlene Tietje
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Villacorta
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vanesa Fernández-Sáiz
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sergio P Acebrón
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Tsukiyama T, Koo BK, Hatakeyama S. Post-translational Wnt receptor regulation: Is the fog slowly clearing?: The molecular mechanism of RNF43/ZNRF3 ubiquitin ligases is not yet fully elucidated and still controversial. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000297. [PMID: 33569855 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays pivotal roles during our entire lives, from conception to death, through the regulation of morphogenesis in developing embryos and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in adults. The regulation of Wnt signaling occurs on several levels: at the receptor level on the plasma membrane, at the β-catenin protein level in the cytoplasm, and through transcriptional regulation in the nucleus. Several recent studies have focused on the mechanisms of Wnt receptor regulation, following the discovery that the Wnt receptor frizzled (Fzd) is a target of the ubiquitin ligases, RNF43 and ZNRF3. RNF43 and ZNRF3 are homologous genes that are mutated in several cancers. The details underlying their mechanism of action continue to unfold, while at the same time raising many new questions. In this review, we discuss advances and controversies in our understanding of Wnt receptor regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadasuke Tsukiyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Bon-Kyoung Koo
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Shigetsugu Hatakeyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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26
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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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27
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Estermann MA, Smith CA. Applying Single-Cell Analysis to Gonadogenesis and DSDs (Disorders/Differences of Sex Development). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6614. [PMID: 32927658 PMCID: PMC7555471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gonads are unique among the body's organs in having a developmental choice: testis or ovary formation. Gonadal sex differentiation involves common progenitor cells that form either Sertoli and Leydig cells in the testis or granulosa and thecal cells in the ovary. Single-cell analysis is now shedding new light on how these cell lineages are specified and how they interact with the germline. Such studies are also providing new information on gonadal maturation, ageing and the somatic-germ cell niche. Furthermore, they have the potential to improve our understanding and diagnosis of Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSDs). DSDs occur when chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex are atypical. Despite major advances in recent years, most cases of DSD still cannot be explained at the molecular level. This presents a major pediatric concern. The emergence of single-cell genomics and transcriptomics now presents a novel avenue for DSD analysis, for both diagnosis and for understanding the molecular genetic etiology. Such -omics datasets have the potential to enhance our understanding of the cellular origins and pathogenesis of DSDs, as well as infertility and gonadal diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig A. Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia;
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28
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í Kongsstovu S, Dahl HA, Gislason H, Homrum E, Jacobsen JA, Flicek P, Mikalsen S. Identification of male heterogametic sex-determining regions on the Atlantic herring Clupea harengus genome. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 97:190-201. [PMID: 32293027 PMCID: PMC7115899 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The sex determination system of Atlantic herring Clupea harengus L., a commercially important fish, was investigated. Low coverage whole-genome sequencing of 48 females and 55 males and a genome-wide association study revealed two regions on chromosomes 8 and 21 associated with sex. The genotyping data of the single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with sex showed that 99.4% of the available female genotypes were homozygous, whereas 68.6% of the available male genotypes were heterozygous. This is close to the theoretical expectation of homo/heterozygous distribution at low sequencing coverage when the males are factually heterozygous. This suggested a male heterogametic sex determination system in C. harengus, consistent with other species within the Clupeiformes group. There were 76 protein coding genes on the sex regions but none of these genes were previously reported master sex regulation genes, or obviously related to sex determination. However, many of these genes are expressed in testis or ovary in other species, but the exact genes controlling sex determination in C. harengus could not be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunnvør í Kongsstovu
- Amplexa Genetics A/STórshavnFaroe Islands
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyUniversity of the Faroe IslandsTórshavnFaroe Islands
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryEuropean Bioinformatics InstituteCambridgeUK
| | | | - Hannes Gislason
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyUniversity of the Faroe IslandsTórshavnFaroe Islands
| | - Eydna Homrum
- Faroe Marine Research InstituteTórshavnFaroe Islands
| | | | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryEuropean Bioinformatics InstituteCambridgeUK
| | - Svein‐Ole Mikalsen
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyUniversity of the Faroe IslandsTórshavnFaroe Islands
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29
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Richardson N, Gillot I, Gregoire EP, Youssef SA, de Rooij D, de Bruin A, De Cian MC, Chaboissier MC. Sox8 and Sox9 act redundantly for ovarian-to-testicular fate reprogramming in the absence of R-spondin1 in mouse sex reversals. eLife 2020; 9:53972. [PMID: 32450947 PMCID: PMC7250573 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, testicular differentiation is initiated by transcription factors SRY and SOX9 in XY gonads, and ovarian differentiation involves R-spondin1 (RSPO1) mediated activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling in XX gonads. Accordingly, the absence of RSPO1/Rspo1 in XX humans and mice leads to testicular differentiation and female-to-male sex reversal in a manner that does not requireSry or Sox9 in mice. Here we show that an alternate testis-differentiating factor exists and that this factor is Sox8. Specifically, genetic ablation of Sox8 and Sox9 prevents ovarian-to-testicular reprogramming observed in XX Rspo1 loss-of-function mice. Consequently, Rspo1 Sox8 Sox9 triple mutant gonads developed as atrophied ovaries. Thus, SOX8 alone can compensate for the loss of SOX9 for Sertoli cell differentiation during female-to-male sex reversal. In humans, mice and other mammals, genetic sex is determined by the combination of sex chromosomes that each individual inherits. Individuals with two X chromosomes (XX) are said to be chromosomally female, while individuals with one X and one Y chromosome (XY) are chromosomally males. One of the major differences between XX and XY individuals is that they have different types of gonads (the organs that make egg cells or sperm). In mice, for example, before males are born, a gene called Sox9 triggers a cascade of events that result in the gonads developing into testes. In females, on the other hand, another gene called Rspo1 stimulates the gonads to develop into ovaries. Loss of Sox9 in XY embryos, or Rspo1 in XX embryos, leads to mice developing physical characteristics that do not match their genetic sex, a phenomenon known as sex reversal. For example, in XX female mice lacking Rspo1, cells in the gonads reprogram into testis cells known as Sertoli cells just before birth and form male structures known as testis cords. The gonads of female mice missing both Sox9 and Rspo1 (referred to as “double mutants”) also develop Sertoli cells and testis cords, suggesting another gene may compensate for the loss of Sox9. Previous studies suggest that a gene known as Sox8, which is closely related to Sox9, may be able to drive sex reversal in female mice. However, it was not clear whether Sox8 is able to stimulate testis to form in female mice in the absence of Sox9. To address this question, Richardson et al. studied mutant female mice lacking Rspo1, Sox8 and Sox9, known as “triple mutants”. Just before birth, the gonads in the triple mutant mice showed some characteristics of sex reversal but lacked the Sertoli cells found in the double mutant mice. After the mice were born, the gonads of the triple mutant mice developed as rudimentary ovaries without testis cords, unlike the more testis-like gonads found in the double mutant mice. The findings of Richardson et al. show that Sox8 is able to trigger sex reversal in female mice in the absence of Rspo1 and Sox9. Differences in sexual development in humans affect the appearance of individuals and often cause infertility. Identifying Sox8 and other similar genes in mice may one day help to diagnose people with such conditions and lead to the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sameh A Youssef
- Department of Pathobiology, Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department Pediatrics, Divisions Molecular Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Dirk de Rooij
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Division of Developmental Biology, Reproductive Biology Group, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Alain de Bruin
- Department of Pathobiology, Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department Pediatrics, Divisions Molecular Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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30
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Tang F, Richardson N, Albina A, Chaboissier MC, Perea-Gomez A. Mouse Gonad Development in the Absence of the Pro-Ovary Factor WNT4 and the Pro-Testis Factor SOX9. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051103. [PMID: 32365547 PMCID: PMC7291083 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors SRY and SOX9 and RSPO1/WNT4/β-Catenin signaling act as antagonistic pathways to drive testis and ovary development respectively, from a common gonadal primordium in mouse embryos. In this work, we took advantage of a double knockout mouse model to study gonadal development when Sox9 and Wnt4 are both mutated. We show that the XX gonad mutant for Wnt4 or for both Wnt4 and Sox9 develop as ovotestes, demonstrating that ectopic SOX9 function is not required for the partial female-to-male sex reversal caused by a Wnt4 mutation. Sox9 deletion in XY gonads leads to ovarian development accompanied by ectopic WNT/β-catenin signaling. In XY Sox9 mutant gonads, SRY-positive supporting precursors adopt a female-like identity and develop as pre-granulosa-like cells. This phenotype cannot be fully prevented by the deletion of Wnt4 or Rspo1, indicating that SOX9 is required for the early determination of the male supporting cell identity independently of repressing RSPO1/WNT4/β-Catenin signaling. However, in XY Sox9 Wnt4 double mutant gonads, pre-granulosa cells are not maintained, as they prematurely differentiate as mature granulosa cells and then trans-differentiate into Sertoli-like cells. Together, our results reveal the dynamics of the specific and independent actions of SOX9 and WNT4 during gonadal differentiation: SOX9 is essential in the testis for early specification of male-supporting cells whereas WNT4 functions in the ovary to maintain female-supporting cell identity and inhibit male-specific vascular and steroidogenic cell differentiation.
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31
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Disorders of Sex Development-Novel Regulators, Impacts on Fertility, and Options for Fertility Preservation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072282. [PMID: 32224856 PMCID: PMC7178030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders (or differences) of sex development (DSD) are a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions with variations in chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Impaired gonadal development is central to the pathogenesis of the majority of DSDs and therefore a clear understanding of gonadal development is essential to comprehend the impacts of these disorders on the individual, including impacts on future fertility. Gonadal development was traditionally considered to involve a primary 'male' pathway leading to testicular development as a result of expression of a small number of key testis-determining genes. However, it is increasingly recognized that there are several gene networks involved in the development of the bipotential gonad towards either a testicular or ovarian fate. This includes genes that act antagonistically to regulate gonadal development. This review will highlight some of the novel regulators of gonadal development and how the identification of these has enhanced understanding of gonadal development and the pathogenesis of DSD. We will also describe the impact of DSDs on fertility and options for fertility preservation in this context.
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32
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Fernandes-Freitas I, Milona A, Murphy KG, Dhillo WS, Owen BM. Live Birth in Sex-Reversed XY Mice Lacking the Nuclear Receptor Dax1. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1703. [PMID: 32015477 PMCID: PMC6997165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58788-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear hormone receptor Dax1 functions during development as a testes-determining gene. However, the phenotype of male mice lacking Dax1 is strain-dependent due to the background-specific abundance of male-determining Sry gene-transcripts. We hypothesised that inter-individual variation in Sry mRNA-abundance would result in a spectrum of phenotypes even within-strain. We found that while all XY C57BL/6J mice lacking Dax1 presented as phenotypic females, there was a marked inter-individual variability in measures of fertility. Indeed, we report rare occasions where sex-reversed mice had measures of fertility comparable to those in control females. On two occasions, these sex-reversed XY mice were able to give birth to live offspring following mating to stud-males. As such, this work documents within-strain variability in phenotypes of XY mice lacking Dax1, and reports for the first time a complete sex-reversal capable of achieving live birth in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fernandes-Freitas
- Section of Endocrinology & Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Milona
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin G Murphy
- Section of Endocrinology & Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Endocrinology & Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Bryn M Owen
- Section of Endocrinology & Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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33
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Grinspon RP, Bergadá I, Rey RA. Male Hypogonadism and Disorders of Sex Development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:211. [PMID: 32351452 PMCID: PMC7174651 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are congenital anomalies in which there is a discordance between chromosomal, genetic, gonadal, and/or internal/external genital sex. In XY individuals, the process of fetal sex differentiation can be disrupted at the stage of gonadal differentiation, resulting in gonadal dysgenesis, a form of early fetal-onset primary hypogonadism characterized by insufficient androgen and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) production, which leads to the development of ambiguous or female genitalia. The process of sex differentiation can also be disrupted at the stage of genital differentiation, due to isolated defects in androgen or AMH secretion, but not both. These are forms of fetal-onset hypogonadism with dissociated gonadal dysfunction. In this review, we present a perspective on impaired testicular endocrine function, i.e., fetal-onset male hypogonadism, resulting in incomplete virilization at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina P. Grinspon
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Romina P. Grinspon
| | - Ignacio Bergadá
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET—FEI—División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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34
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Capel B. WOMEN IN REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCE: To be or not to be a testis. Reproduction 2019; 158:F101-F111. [PMID: 31265995 PMCID: PMC9945370 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Work that established the testis as the driver of male development, and the Y chromosome as the bearer of the male-determining gene, established a working model, and set the stage for the molecular age of mammalian sex determination. The discovery and characterization of Sry/SRY at the top of the hierarchy in mammals launched the field in two major directions. The first was to identify the downstream transcription factors and other molecular players that drive the bifurcation of Sertoli and granulosa cell differentiation. The second major direction was to understand organogenesis of the early bipotential gonad, and how divergence of its two distinct morphogenetic pathways (testis and ovary) is regulated at the cellular level. This review will summarize the early discoveries soon after Sry was identified and focus on my study of the gonad as a model of organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanche Capel
- 1Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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35
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Livermore C, Warr N, Chalon N, Siggers P, Mianné J, Codner G, Teboul L, Wells S, Greenfield A. Male mice lacking ADAMTS-16 are fertile but exhibit testes of reduced weight. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17195. [PMID: 31748609 PMCID: PMC6868159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Adamts16 encodes a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs, 16, a member of a family of multi-domain, zinc-binding proteinases. ADAMTS-16 is implicated in a number of pathological conditions, including hypertension, cancer and osteoarthritis. A large number of observations, including a recent report of human ADAMTS16 variants in cases of 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD), also implicate this gene in human testis determination. We used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate a loss-of-function allele in the mouse in order to examine whether ADAMTS-16 functions in mouse testis determination or testicular function. Male mice lacking Adamts16 on the C57BL/6N background undergo normal testis determination in the fetal period. However, adult homozygotes have an average testis weight that is around 10% lower than age-matched controls. Cohorts of mutant males tested at 3-months and 6-months of age were fertile. We conclude that ADAMTS-16 is not required for testis determination or male fertility in mice. We discuss these phenotypic data and their significance for our understanding of ADAMTS-16 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Livermore
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Nick Warr
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Nicolas Chalon
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Pam Siggers
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Joffrey Mianné
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Gemma Codner
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Lydia Teboul
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Sara Wells
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK.
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36
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RUNX1 maintains the identity of the fetal ovary through an interplay with FOXL2. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5116. [PMID: 31712577 PMCID: PMC6848188 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination of the gonads begins with fate specification of gonadal supporting cells into either ovarian pre-granulosa cells or testicular Sertoli cells. This fate specification hinges on a balance of transcriptional control. Here we report that expression of the transcription factor RUNX1 is enriched in the fetal ovary in rainbow trout, turtle, mouse, goat, and human. In the mouse, RUNX1 marks the supporting cell lineage and becomes pre-granulosa cell-specific as the gonads differentiate. RUNX1 plays complementary/redundant roles with FOXL2 to maintain fetal granulosa cell identity and combined loss of RUNX1 and FOXL2 results in masculinization of fetal ovaries. At the chromatin level, RUNX1 occupancy overlaps partially with FOXL2 occupancy in the fetal ovary, suggesting that RUNX1 and FOXL2 target common sets of genes. These findings identify RUNX1, with an ovary-biased expression pattern conserved across species, as a regulator in securing the identity of ovarian-supporting cells and the ovary.
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37
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Baloghova N, Lidak T, Cermak L. Ubiquitin Ligases Involved in the Regulation of Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch Signaling Pathways and Their Roles in Mouse Development and Homeostasis. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10100815. [PMID: 31623112 PMCID: PMC6826584 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch signaling pathways are essential for the regulation of cellular polarity, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. Differential activation and mutual crosstalk of these pathways during animal development are crucial instructive forces in the initiation of the body axis and the development of organs and tissues. Due to the ability to initiate cell proliferation, these pathways are vulnerable to somatic mutations selectively producing cells, which ultimately slip through cellular and organismal checkpoints and develop into cancer. The architecture of the Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch signaling pathways is simple. The transmembrane receptor, activated by the extracellular stimulus, induces nuclear translocation of the transcription factor, which subsequently changes the expression of target genes. Nevertheless, these pathways are regulated by a myriad of factors involved in various feedback mechanisms or crosstalk. The most prominent group of regulators is the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). To open the door to UPS-based therapeutic manipulations, a thorough understanding of these regulations at a molecular level and rigorous confirmation in vivo are required. In this quest, mouse models are exceptional and, thanks to the progress in genetic engineering, also an accessible tool. Here, we reviewed the current understanding of how the UPS regulates the Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch pathways and we summarized the knowledge gained from related mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Baloghova
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Tomas Lidak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukas Cermak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic.
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38
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Wnt Signaling in Ovarian Cancer Stemness, EMT, and Therapy Resistance. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8101658. [PMID: 31614568 PMCID: PMC6832489 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancers represent the deadliest among gynecologic malignancies and are characterized by a hierarchical structure with cancer stem cells (CSCs) endowed with self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, known to regulate stemness in a broad spectrum of stem cell niches including the ovary, is thought to play an important role in ovarian cancer. Importantly, Wnt activity was shown to correlate with grade, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, chemotherapy resistance, and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. This review will discuss the current knowledge of the role of Wnt signaling in ovarian cancer stemness, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and therapy resistance. In addition, the alleged role of exosomes in the paracrine activation of Wnt signaling and pre-metastatic niche formation will be reviewed. Finally, novel potential treatment options based on Wnt inhibition will be highlighted.
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39
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Hiort O, Cools M, Springer A, McElreavey K, Greenfield A, Wudy SA, Kulle A, Ahmed SF, Dessens A, Balsamo A, Maghnie M, Bonomi M, Dattani M, Persani L, Audi L. Addressing gaps in care of people with conditions affecting sex development and maturation. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2019; 15:615-622. [PMID: 31406344 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-019-0238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Differences of sex development are conditions with discrepancies between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex. In congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a lack of gonadotropin activity results primarily in the absence of pubertal development with prenatal sex development being (almost) unaffected in most patients. To expedite progress in the care of people affected by differences of sex development and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the European Union has funded a number of scientific networks. Two Actions of the Cooperation of Science and Technology (COST) programmes - DSDnet (BM1303) and GnRH Network (BM1105) - provided the framework for ground-breaking research and allowed the development of position papers on diagnostic procedures and special laboratory analyses as well as clinical management. Both Actions developed educational programmes to increase expertise and promote interest in this area of science and medicine. In this Perspective article, we discuss the success of the COST Actions DSDnet and GnRH Network and the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN), and provide recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Hiort
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck and University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Martine Cools
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander Springer
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Interdisciplinary Centre for Paediatric Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ken McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kulle
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - S Faisal Ahmed
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Arianne Dessens
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus Medical Centre - Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Antonio Balsamo
- Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, External Consultant of the Reference Centre for Rare Endocrine Conditions, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mohamad Maghnie
- Department of Paediatrics, IRCCS, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Bonomi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Milan, Italy
| | - Mehul Dattani
- Molecular Basis of Rare Disease Section, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Audi
- Growth and Development Research Unit, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
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Yatsenko SA, Rajkovic A. Genetics of human female infertility†. Biol Reprod 2019; 101:549-566. [PMID: 31077289 PMCID: PMC8127036 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
About 10% of women of reproductive age are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Female factors alone account for at least 35% of all infertility cases and comprise a wide range of causes affecting ovarian development, maturation of oocytes, and fertilization competence, as well as the potential of a fertilized egg for preimplantation development, implantation, and fetal growth. Genetic abnormalities leading to infertility in females comprise large chromosome abnormalities, submicroscopic chromosome deletion and duplications, and DNA sequence variations in the genes that control numerous biological processes implicated in oogenesis, maintenance of ovarian reserve, hormonal signaling, and anatomical and functional development of female reproductive organs. Despite the great number of genes implicated in reproductive physiology by the study of animal models, only a subset of these genes is associated with human infertility. In this review, we mainly focus on genetic alterations identified in humans and summarize recent knowledge on the molecular pathways of oocyte development and maturation, the crucial role of maternal-effect factors during embryogenesis, and genetic conditions associated with ovarian dysgenesis, primary ovarian insufficiency, early embryonic lethality, and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A Yatsenko
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Aleksandar Rajkovic
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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41
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Xue M, Wang X, Li C, Zhao M, He F, Li X. Novel pathogenic mutations in disorders of sex development associated genes cause 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis. Gene 2019; 718:144072. [PMID: 31446095 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal and sex is atypical. It is difficult to diagnose and manage patients with DSD in clinical practice, and the molecular etiology of DSD is still not completely understood. Here, we identified two novel pathogenic mutations from three unrelated Chinese patients with 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD) that is a clinical subgroup of DSD by whole exome sequencing. A novel mutation in the SRY gene (c.161delG) was identified in the first patient, and the second patient carried a novel missense mutation in the MAP3K1 gene (c.2117T>G). Bioinformatics analysis found that the deletion of SRY (c.161delG) led to a premature stop codon at amino acid 59 in the SRY protein, which resulted in lacking the DNA binding domain of SRY protein. Functional studies found that the missense mutation in the MAP3K1 gene (c.2117T>G) could interfere with the gene function through increasing the phosphorylation of the downstream targets of MAP3K1, ERK1/2 and p38, which resulted in reducing testis-determining factor SOX9 expression and increasing ovary-promoting factor β-catenin activity. According to the American college of medical genetics and genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines, these mutations were categorized as "pathogenic" mutations. Thus, our findings provide two novel pathogenic mutations associated with 46,XY CGD that can improve the etiological diagnosis for 46,XY CGD. ABBREVIATIONS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Xue
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cui Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minggang Zhao
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang He
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xu Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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42
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Yosef I, Edry‐Botzer L, Globus R, Shlomovitz I, Munitz A, Gerlic M, Qimron U. A genetic system for biasing the sex ratio in mice. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48269. [PMID: 31267640 PMCID: PMC6680165 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biasing the sex ratio of populations of different organisms, including plants, insects, crustacean, and fish, has been demonstrated by genetic and non-genetic approaches. However, biasing the sex ratio of mammalian populations has not been demonstrated genetically. Here, we provide a first proof of concept for such a genetic system in mammals by crossing two genetically engineered mouse lines. The maternal line encodes a functional Cas9 protein on an autosomal chromosome, whereas the paternal line encodes guide RNAs on the Y chromosome targeting vital mouse genes. After fertilization, the presence of both the Y-encoded guide RNAs from the paternal sperm and the Cas9 protein from the maternal egg targets the vital genes in males. We show that these genes are specifically targeted in males and that this breeding consequently self-destructs solely males. Our results pave the way for a genetic system that allows biased sex production of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Yosef
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Liat Edry‐Botzer
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Rea Globus
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Inbar Shlomovitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Ariel Munitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Motti Gerlic
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Udi Qimron
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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43
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Nash C, Boufaied N, Badescu D, Wang YC, Paliouras M, Trifiro M, Ragoussis I, Thomson AA. Genome-wide analysis of androgen receptor binding and transcriptomic analysis in mesenchymal subsets during prostate development. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/7/dmm039297. [PMID: 31350272 PMCID: PMC6679388 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate development is controlled by androgens, the androgen receptor (AR) and mesenchymal–epithelial signalling. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to define AR genomic binding in the male and female mesenchyme. Tissue- and single-cell-based transcriptional profiling was used to define mesenchymal AR target genes. We observed significant AR genomic binding in females and a strong enrichment at proximal promoters in both sexes. In males, there was greater AR binding to introns and intergenic regions as well as to classical AR binding motifs. In females, there was increased proximal promoter binding and involvement of cofactors. Comparison of AR-bound genes with transcriptomic data enabled the identification of novel sexually dimorphic AR target genes. We validated the dimorphic expression of AR target genes using published datasets and confirmed regulation by androgens using ex vivo organ cultures. AR targets showed variable expression in patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome. We examined AR function at single-cell resolution using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in male and female mesenchyme. Surprisingly, both AR and target genes were distributed throughout cell subsets, with few positive cells within each subset. AR binding was weakly correlated with target gene expression. Summary: A study of how androgens lead to sexually dimorphic development of the prostate using transcription factor genome binding and transcriptome analysis in mesenchymal subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Nash
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, McGill University and the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Nadia Boufaied
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, McGill University and the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Dunarel Badescu
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0G1
| | - Yu Chang Wang
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0G1
| | - Miltiadis Paliouras
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, 5750 Côte-des-Neiges Rd, Montreal, QC, Canada H3S 1Y9
| | - Mark Trifiro
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, 5750 Côte-des-Neiges Rd, Montreal, QC, Canada H3S 1Y9
| | - Ioannis Ragoussis
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0G1
| | - Axel A Thomson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, McGill University and the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4A 3J1
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Baetens D, Verdin H, De Baere E, Cools M. Update on the genetics of differences of sex development (DSD). Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 33:101271. [PMID: 31005504 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human gonadal development is regulated by the temporospatial expression of many different genes with critical dosage effects. Subsequent sex steroid hormone production requires several consecutive enzymatic steps and functional hormone receptors. Disruption of this complex process can result in atypical sex development and lead to conditions referred to as differences (disorders) of sex development (DSD). With the advent of massively parallel sequencing technologies, in silico protein modeling and innovative tools for the generation of animal models, new genes and pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Here, we provide an overview of the currently known DSD genes and mechanisms involved in the process of gonadal and phenotypical sex development and highlight phenotypic findings that may trigger further diagnostic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Baetens
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannah Verdin
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martine Cools
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Garcia-Moreno SA, Lin YT, Futtner CR, Salamone IM, Capel B, Maatouk DM. CBX2 is required to stabilize the testis pathway by repressing Wnt signaling. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007895. [PMID: 31116734 PMCID: PMC6548405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
XX and XY fetal gonads are initially bipotential, poised between the ovary and testis fate. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that commitment to testis fate requires the repression of genes associated with ovary fate. It was previously shown that loss of CBX2, the subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) that binds H3K27me3 and mediates silencing, leads to ovary development in XY mice and humans. While it had been proposed that CBX2 is an activator of the testis-determining gene Sry, we investigated the alternative possibility that CBX2 has a direct role as a repressor of the antagonistic ovary-promoting pathway. To investigate this possibility, we developed a quantitative genome-wide profile of the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 and its active counterpart H3K4me3 in isolated XY and XX gonadal supporting cells before and after sex determination. We show that testis and ovary sex-determining (SD) genes are bivalent before sex determination, providing insight into how the bipotential state of the gonad is established at the epigenetic level. After sex determination, many SD genes of the alternate pathway remain bivalent, possibly contributing to the ability of these cells to transdifferentiate even in adults. The finding that many genes in the Wnt signaling pathway were targeted for H3K27me3-mediated repression in Sertoli cells led us to test whether deletion of Wnt4 could rescue testis development in Cbx2 mutants. We show that Sry expression and testis development were rescued in XY Cbx2-/-;Wnt4-/- mice. Furthermore, we show that CBX2 directly binds the downstream Wnt signaler Lef1, an ovary-promoting gene that remains bivalent in Sertoli cells. Our results suggest that stabilization of the testis fate requires CBX2-mediated repression of bivalent ovary-determining genes, which would otherwise block testis development. During development, the bipotential fetal gonad can commit to the testis fate or to the ovary fate. Mutation of the epigenetic regulator CBX2 leads to ovary development in XY embryos, suggesting a critical role for chromatin remodeling during sex determination. However, the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the testis vs. ovary cell-fate decision in the mammalian bipotential gonad are poorly understood. In this study, we developed a genome-wide profile of two histone modifications that play critical roles during development: H3K27me3 (repressive) and H3K4me3 (active). We find that sex-determining genes that are initially co-expressed in XX and XY bipotential gonads are bivalent (marked by both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3) prior to sex determination, poised to engage either the testis or ovary fate. Remarkably, after sex determination, repressed genes that promote the alternate fate remain bivalent. We show that stabilization of the testis fate requires CBX2-mediated repression of bivalent ovary-determining genes, which would otherwise block testis development. Our study provides insight into how the bipotential state of the gonad is established at the epigenetic level, and how the testis fate is stabilized by repression of the ovary fate during sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Alexandra Garcia-Moreno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yi-Tzu Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher R. Futtner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Isabella M. Salamone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Danielle M. Maatouk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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46
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Genome-wide analysis of Chongqing native intersexual goats using next-generation sequencing. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:99. [PMID: 30800610 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1612-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex reversal has been studied extensively in vertebrate species, particularly in domestic goats, because polled intersex syndrome (PIS) has seriously affected their production efficiency. In the present study, we used histopathologically diagnosed cases of PIS to identify correlated genomic regions and variants using representative selection signatures and performed GWAS using Restriction-Site Associated Resequencing DNA. We identified 171 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may have contributed to this phenotype, and 53 SNPs were determined to be located in coding regions using a general linear model. The transcriptome data sets of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pituitary tissues of intersexual and nonintersexual goats were examined using high-throughput technology. A total of 10,063 DEGs and 337 long noncoding RNAs were identified. The DEGs were clustered into 56 GO categories and determined to be significantly enriched in 53 signaling pathways by KEGG analysis. In addition, according to qPCR results, PSPO2 and FSH were significantly more highly expressed in sexually mature pituitary tissues of intersexual goats compared to healthy controls (nonintersexual). These results demonstrate that certain novel potential genomic regions may be responsible for intersexual goats, and the transcriptome data indicate that the regulation of various physiological systems is involved in intersexual goat development. Therefore, these results provide helpful data for understanding the molecular mechanisms of intersex syndrome in goats.
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47
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Abstract
Sexual fate can no longer be considered an irreversible deterministic process that once established during early embryonic development, plays out unchanged across an organism's life. Rather, it appears to be a dynamic process, with sexual phenotype determined through an ongoing battle for supremacy between antagonistic male and female developmental pathways. That sexual fate is not final and is actively regulated via the suppression or activation of opposing genetic networks creates the potential for flexibility in sexual phenotype in adulthood. Such flexibility is seen in many fish, where sex change is a usual and adaptive part of the life cycle. Many fish are sequential hermaphrodites, beginning life as one sex and changing sometime later to the other. Sequential hermaphrodites include species capable of female-to-male (protogynous), male-to-female (protandrous), or bidirectional (serial) sex change. These natural forms of sex change involve coordinated transformations across multiple biological systems, including behavioral, anatomical, neuroendocrine and molecular axes. Here we review the biological processes underlying this amazing transformation, focusing particularly on the molecular aspects, where new genomic technologies are beginning to help us understand how sex change is initiated and regulated at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Erica V Todd
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Timothy A Hore
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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48
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Nef S, Stévant I, Greenfield A. Characterizing the bipotential mammalian gonad. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 134:167-194. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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49
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Audí L, Ahmed SF, Krone N, Cools M, McElreavey K, Holterhus PM, Greenfield A, Bashamboo A, Hiort O, Wudy SA, McGowan R. GENETICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Approaches to molecular genetic diagnosis in the management of differences/disorders of sex development (DSD): position paper of EU COST Action BM 1303 ‘DSDnet’. Eur J Endocrinol 2018; 179:R197-R206. [PMID: 30299888 PMCID: PMC6182188 DOI: 10.1530/eje-18-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The differential diagnosis of differences or disorders of sex development (DSD) belongs to the most complex fields in medicine. It requires a multidisciplinary team conducting a synoptic and complementary approach consisting of thorough clinical, hormonal and genetic workups. This position paper of EU COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action BM1303 ‘DSDnet’ was written by leading experts in the field and focuses on current best practice in genetic diagnosis in DSD patients. Ascertainment of the karyotpye defines one of the three major diagnostic DSD subclasses and is therefore the mandatory initial step. Subsequently, further analyses comprise molecular studies of monogenic DSD causes or analysis of copy number variations (CNV) or both. Panels of candidate genes provide rapid and reliable results. Whole exome and genome sequencing (WES and WGS) represent valuable methodological developments that are currently in the transition from basic science to clinical routine service in the field of DSD. However, in addition to covering known DSD candidate genes, WES and WGS help to identify novel genetic causes for DSD. Diagnostic interpretation must be performed with utmost caution and needs careful scientific validation in each DSD case.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Audí
- Growth and Development Research Unit, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence should be addressed to L Audí;
| | - S F Ahmed
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - N Krone
- Academic Unit of Child Health, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Cools
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Paediatrics and Internal Medicine Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K McElreavey
- Human Developmental Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - P M Holterhus
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein and Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - A Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - A Bashamboo
- Human Developmental Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - O Hiort
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - S A Wudy
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - R McGowan
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Laboratories Building, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
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