Association analysis of KISS1 polymorphisms and haplotypes with polycystic ovary syndrome

Genetic and Epigenetic Landscape for Drug Development in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) faces challenges as all known treatments are merely symptomatic. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drug specifically for treating PCOS. As the significance of genetics and epigenetics rises in drug development, their pivotal insights have greatly enhanced the efficacy and success of drug target discovery and validation, offering promise for guiding the advancement of PCOS treatments. In this context, we outline the genetic and epigenetic advancement in PCOS, which provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of this complex disease. We also delve into the prospective method for harnessing genetic and epigenetic strategies to identify potential drug targets and ensure target safety. Additionally, we shed light on the preliminary evidence and distinctive challenges associated with gene and epigenetic therapies in the context of PCOS.

Genetic Variants in KNDy Pathway Lack Association with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Mexican Women: A Sequencing-Based Cohort Study

Previous studies have demonstrated the essential role of the Kisspeptin/Neurokinin B/Dynorphin A (KNDy) pathway in female reproductive biology by regulating the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Identified loss-of-function mutations in these genes are linked to various reproductive disorders. This study investigated genetic disorders linked to mutations in the KNDy genes related to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). A cohort of 14 Mexican POI patients underwent genetic screening using PCR-SSCP and Sanger sequencing, assessing the genetic variations' impact on protein function thereafter using multiple in silico tools. The PCR excluded extensive deletions, insertions, and duplications, while SSCP detected five genetic variants. Variations occurred in the KISS1 (c.58G>A and c.242C>G), KISS1R (c.1091A>T), PDYN (c.600C>T), and OPRK1 (c.36G>T) genes, whereas no genetic anomalies were found in NK3/NK3R genes. Each single-nucleotide variant underwent genotyping using PCR-SSCP in 100 POI-free subjects. Their allelic frequencies paralleled the patient group. These observations indicate that allelic variations in the KNDy genes may not contribute to POI etiology. Hence, screening for mutations in KNDy genes should not be a part of the diagnostic protocol for POI.

Effects of KISS1 structural polymorphism on the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome and reproductive hormones in Iraqi women who take metformin

OBJECTIVE

To identify the effects of metformin and kisspeptin structural polymorphism on the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Iraqi women.

METHODS

Samples were collected at the family planning center of Al-Hassan Teaching Hospital (infertility clinic), Iraq. Hormonal and hematological parameters were measured. Kisspeptin structural polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using a conventional thermal cycler and Phyre2 predictions. Kisspeptin concentrations were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was the only sex hormone that changed in women with PCOS after metformin treatment. FSH concentrations were significantly increased after therapy compared with before therapy (9.39 ± 2.1 vs 5.13 ± 1.53 IU/L). We found that a single nucleotide polymorphism substituting G to C was related to PCOS. The kisspeptin structural polymorphism showed that the C allele was related to low FSH concentrations after treatment (6.92 ± 2.2 IU/L to 5.34 ± 1.58 IU/L). Kisspeptin concentrations were significantly lower after metformin treatment than before metformin treatment (395.44 ± 67.83 vs 273.18 ± 42.98 ng/mL).

CONCLUSION

A variation in the KISS1 gene or its protein structure may be involved in the development of PCOS. The response to metformin may be used as an indicator and could contribute to the early diagnosis and medical therapy of PCOS.

The effect of MicroRNAs variants on idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss

BACKGROUND

Although the importance of miRNA variants in female reproductive disorders has been frequently reported, the association between miRNA polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has been poorly studied. In this study, we aimed to assess the correlation of four different miRNA variants to unexplained RPL.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The prevalence of four SNPs including miR-21 rs1292037, miR-155-5p rs767649, miR-218-2 rs11134527, and miR-605 rs2043556 in 280 cases with iRPL and 280 controls was performed. The DNA was extracted from all subjects and the SNPs were genotyped using RFLP-PCR methods. The data revealed that rs1292037 and rs767649 were significantly associated with higher rates of iRPL in patients compared with controls while rs11134527 and rs2043556 showed no association with increased rates of iRPL among patients. The haplotypes T-A-G-G and T-A-G-A were the most frequent in both cases and controls. Three haplotypes including T-T-G-A, C-T-G-G, and T-A-A-A showed significantly different frequencies in patients in comparison to healthy females.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that rs1292037 and rs767649 could be risk factors for increased rates of iRPL.

KISS1 Gene Variations and Susceptibility to Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

It is widely accepted that kisspeptin plays an integral role in the regulation of reproduction. Genetic variations in the KISS1 gene have been frequently reported to be linked to reproductive diseases, but there is still a lack of data on the association between KISS1 variations and female reproductive disorders. The present study aimed to examine the association of three missense SNPs in the KISS1 gene including rs12998, rs35431622, and rs4889 in association with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (iRPL). A total of 720 individuals were recruited in this study. The DNA from the blood sample was extracted and genotyped using the PCR method. Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium (LD) have also been analyzed. The results of this study suggested that rs12998 G > A and rs4889 C > G had a significant association with iRPL (p < 0.05); while rs35431622 A > G didn't indicate any association with iRPL. A significant association was also found for three haplotypes including C-A-A, G-G-G, and G-G-A in this population. The analysis also showed a significant LD between rs12998 and rs35431622 (P < 0.0005). The rs12998 G > A and rs4889 C > G variants of KISS1 are linked to unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and may be risk factors for this disease.

The role of kisspeptin in the pathogenesis of a polycystic ovary syndrome

Hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system. In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is a disturbance in the HPG axis. Kisspeptin, a neuropeptide produced by the KISS1 gene, plays a vital role in the regulation of HPG axis by binding with its receptors KISS1R/GPR54, and stimulates gonadotropin secretion from the hypothalamus into pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Polymorphisms or mutations in the KISS1 gene can cause disturbance in the kisspeptin signaling pathway and is thought to disrupt HPG axis. Altered signaling of kisspeptin can cause abnormal secretion of GnRH pulse, which leads to increased LH/FSH ratio, thereby affecting androgen levels and ovulation. The increased levels of androgen worsen the symptoms of PCOS. In the present article, we review the molecular physiology and pathology of kisspeptin and how it is responsible for the development of PCOS. The goal of this review article is to provide an overview and metabolic profile of kisspeptin in PCOS patients and the expression of kisspeptin in PCOS animal models. In the present article, we also review the molecular physiology and pathology of kisspeptin and how it is responsible for the development of PCOS.

Study of association between different microRNA variants and the risk of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss

AIM

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common reproductive disorder among women and a major cause of infertility among them; however, the underlying causes of RPL remain unknown which have led to great difficulties and complications in the treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to be a potential diagnosis tools in different reproductive disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association of four different miRNA variants with the risk of idiopathic RPL (iRPL).

METHODS

A total of 450 women including 225 patients and 225 controls were recruited in this study. DNA was extracted, and genotyped by PCR method. Haplotype analysis, as well as linkage disequilibrium between SNPs, was performed.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that rs4636297, rs41291957, and rs353292, but not rs531564 can play a risk factor role for iRLP.

SARS-CoV-2 effects on sperm parameters: a meta-analysis study

Aim

The rapid outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic posed challenges across different medical fields, especially reproductive health, and gave rise to concerns regarding the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male infertility, owing to the fact that the male reproductive system indicated to be extremely vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Only a small number of studies have investigated the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction, but the results are not consistent. So, we performed this meta-analysis to draw a clearer picture and evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 on male reproductive system.

Method

We searched Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases to identify the potentially relevant studies. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the relationship. Heterogeneity testing, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias testing were also performed.

Results

A total of twelve studies including 7 case control investigations and 5 retrospective cohort studies were found relevant and chosen for our research. Our result showed that different sperm parameters including semen volume [SMD =  − 0.27 (− 0.46, − 1.48) (p = 0.00)], sperm concentration [SMD =  − 0.41 (− 0.67, − 0.15) (p = 0.002)], sperm count [SMD =  − 0.30 (− 0.44, − 0.17) (p = 0.00)], sperm motility [SMD =  − 0.66 (− 0.98, − 0.33) (p = 0.00)], and progressive motility [SMD =  − 0.35 (− 0.61, − 0.08) (p = 0.01)] were negatively influenced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, sperm concentration (p = 0.07) and progressive motility (p = 0.61) were not found to be significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in case control studies. No publication bias was detected.

Conclusion

The present study revealed the vulnerability of semen quality to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our data showed a strong association of different sperm parameters with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients may negatively influence their fertility potential in a short-term period, but more studies are needed to decide about the long-term effects.

Genetic Variants miR-126, miR-146a, miR-196a2, and miR-499 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: Alterations in certain microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes have reported in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other disease of the female reproductive system, and so may be potential biomarkers. We hypothesised alterations in the prevalence of four miRNAs single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants miR-126 rs4636297, miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, and miR-499 rs3746444 in women with PCOS in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods: SNPs in the four miRNAs were determined in 385 patients and 385 controls by standard RT-PCR techniques.

Results: SNPs in miR-126 and miR-246a were significant linked with PCOS under the allelic, dominant, co-dominant, and recessive models (all p ≤ 0.01). The SNP in miR-499 was linked to PCOS in allelic (T, p = 0.002), dominant (p = 0.035) and recessive (p = 0.003) models. The SNPs -196a was significant linked to PCOS only in the recessive model (p = 0.037). Combining these SNPs in miR-499, mi146a, miR-196a and miR-126 respectively into allele haplotypes found highly significant odds ratios (95% CI) of 0.40 (0.29–0.54) (p < 0.001) for the C-G-C-G haplotype, and 0.46 (0.30–0.70) (p = 0.002) for the C-C-C-A haplotype (p = 0.002) for PCOS.

Conclusion: Single SNPs and haplotype combinations in certain SNPs in miR-126, miR-146a, miR-196a2 and miR-499 are strongly linked to PCOS, and so may be useful predictors of this condition.

MicroRNA Variants miR-27a rs895819 and miR-423 rs6505162, but not miR-124-1 rs531564, are Linked to Endometriosis and its Severity

Background: While different studies have investigated the association of SNPs with female reproductive disorders, a limited number of studies have investigated the effect of microRNAs variants in endometriosis. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and the association of three different miRNAs variants including, miR-27a rs895819, miR-124-1 rs531564, and miR-423 rs6505162 with endometriosis to help further elucidate the importance of these variants in female reproductive disorders.

Methods: A total number of 440 women (220 cases and 220 controls) were included. DNA was extracted and genotyping of the SNPs was carried out by PCR.

Results: The results showed that rs895819 and rs6505162 had a significant association with endometriosis under the dominant, recessive, co-dominant, and allelic model, but rs531564 was not linked to endometriosis. Our results also imply a protective effect on endometriosis severity for AG genotype and G allele in rs895819 (p < 0.001), and also for AA and AC genotypes in rs6505162 with severity in endometriosis (p < 0.001). Moreover, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, haplotype frequency, and linkage disequilibrium between SNPs were performed.

Conclusion: miR-27a rs895819 and miR-423 rs6505162, but not miR-124-1 rs531564, are linked to endometriosis.

MicroRNA variants in endometriosis and its severity

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring posttranscriptional regulatory molecules that potentially play a role in endometriotic lesion development.Method: We evaluated the prevalence of miRNAs variants miR-146a rs2910164, miR-149 rs2292832, miR-196a2 rs11614913, and miR-499 rs3746444 in endometriosis in 260 cases and 260 controls. DNA was extracted and genotyping of the SNPs was carried out by PCR.Results: There was a significant association of rs2910164 and rs2292832 with increased rates of endometriosis under the dominant (p < 0.001), recessive (p < 0.05), co-dominant (p < 0.001), and allelic model (p < 0.001). Also, rs3746444 showed a borderline association with endometriosis under the recessive model (p = 0.05); however, rs11614913 was not linked to endometriosis. Further analysis indicated the significant association of miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism genotypes (GG, GC, and CC) and miR-149 rs2292832 genotypes (CC and CT) with endometriosis severity in patients (p < 0.001). Additionally, haplotype frequency in cases compared to controls and Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the mentioned SNPs was appraised.Conclusion: MiR-146a, miR-149 and miR-499 may have a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.