Overexpression of TDRP1 gene in swine testis cell and its global transcriptome analysis

Novel Mutations Segregating with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and their Molecular Characteristics

We analyzed three cases of Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) and report three hitherto undisclosed causes of the disease. RNA-Seq, Real-timePCR, Western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry were performed with the aim of characterizing the disease-causing variants. In case No.1, we have identified a novel androgen receptor (AR) mutation (c.840delT) within the first exon in the N-terminal transactivation domain. This thymine deletion resulted in a frameshift and thus introduced a premature stop codon at amino acid 282. In case No.2, we observed a nonsynonymous mutation in the ligand-binding domain (c.2491C>T). Case No.3 did not reveal AR mutation; however, we have found a heterozygous mutation in CYP11A1 gene, which has a role in steroid hormone biosynthesis. Comparative RNA-Seq analysis of CAIS and control revealed 4293 significantly deregulated genes. In patients with CAIS, we observed a significant increase in the expression levels of PLCXD3, TM4SF18, CFI, GPX8, and SFRP4, and a significant decrease in the expression of SPATA16, TSACC, TCP10L, and DPY19L2 genes (more than 10-fold, p < 0.05). Our findings will be helpful in molecular diagnostics of patients with CAIS, as well as the identified genes could be also potential biomarkers for the germ cells differentiation process.

Histological and transcriptome analyses of testes from Duroc and Meishan boars

Meishan boars are known for their early sexual maturity. However, they exhibit a significantly smaller testicular size and a reduced proportion of Sertoli cells and daily sperm production compared with Duroc boars. The testes of Duroc and Meishan boars at 20, 75 and 270 days of age were used for histological and transcriptome analyses. Haematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to observe histological structure of the testes in Duroc and Meishan boars at different ages. Although spermatogenesis occurred prior to 75 days in Meishan boars, the number of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in Meishan boars were less than in Duroc boars at adulthood. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules of the testes differed significantly during the initiation of development of the seminiferous tubules between the two breeds. We obtained differentially expressed functional genes and analysed seven pathways involved in male sexual maturity and spermatogenesis using RNA-seq. We also detected four main alternative splicing events and many single nucleotide polymorphisms from testes. Eight functionally important genes were validated by qPCR, and Neurotrophin 3 was subjected to quantification and cellular localization analysis. Our study provides the first transcriptome evidence for the differences in sexual function development between Meishan and Duroc boars.

Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in development of porcine testes

Gene expression profile in the development of porcine testes investigates the intricate physiological process in pig testis development and spermatogenesis.