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Ding M, Han L, Miao J, Wang X, Wang L, Pan L. Estrogen receptor knockdown suggests its role in gonadal development regulation in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 243:106594. [PMID: 39084493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor (ER), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, is critical for vertebrate reproduction. However, its role in bivalves is not well understood, with ongoing debates regarding its function in regulating reproduction similarly to vertebrates. To investigate ER's function, we conducted a 21-day RNA interference experiment focusing on its role in gonadal development in bivalves. Histological analyses revealed that ER inhibition significantly suppressed ovarian development in females and, conversely, promoted gonadal development in males. Additionally, levels of 17β-estrogen (E2) were markedly reduced in the gonads of both sexes following ER suppression. Transcriptomic analysis from RNA-seq of testes and ovaries after ER interference showed changes in the expression of key genes such as Vtg, CYP17, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. These genes are involved in the estrogen signaling pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Furthermore, ER suppression significantly affected the expression of genes linked to gametogenesis and the reproductive cycle. Our findings highlight ER's crucial, yet complex and sex-specific roles in gonadal development in bivalves, emphasizing the need for further detailed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ding
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Qinhuangdao Marine Environmental Monitoring Central Station of SOA, Qinhuangdao 066002, PR China
| | - Lianxue Han
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Jingjing Miao
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
| | - Xuening Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Lu Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Luqing Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
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Zhu J, Wang Y, Lei L, Chen C, Ji L, Li J, Wu C, Yu W, Luo L, Chen W, Liu P, Hong X, Liu X, Chen H, Wei C, Zhu X, Li W. Comparative genomic survey and functional analysis of DKKL1 during spermatogenesis in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127696. [PMID: 37913874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
A feature of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is seasonal spermatogenesis; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well clarified. Here, we firstly cloned and characterized P. sinensis DKKL1, and then performed comparative genomic studies, expression analysis, and functional validation. P. sinensis DKKL1 had 2 putative N-glycosylation sites and 16 phosphorylation sites. DKKL1 also had classic transmembrane structures that were extracellularly localized. DKKL1's genetic distance was close to turtles, followed by amphibians and mammals, but its genetic distance was far from fishes. DKKL1 genes from different species shared distinct genomic characteristics. Meanwhile, they were also relatively conserved among themselves, at least from the perspective of classes. Notably, the transcription factors associated with spermatogenesis were also identified, containing CTCF, EWSR1, and FOXL2. DKKL1 exhibited sexually dimorphic expression only in adult gonads, which was significantly higher than that in other somatic tissues (P < 0.001), and was barely expressed in embryonic gonads. DKKL1 transcripts showed a strong signal in sperm, while faint signals were detected in other male germ cells. DKKL1 in adult testes progressively increased per month (P < 0.05), displaying a seasonal expression trait. DKKL1 was significantly downregulated in testes cells after the sex hormones (17β-estradiol and 17α-methyltestosterone) and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor treatment (P < 0.05). Likewise, the Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor treatment dramatically repressed CTCF, EWSR1, and FOXL2 expression. Conversely, they were markedly upregulated after the 17β-estradiol and 17α-methyltestosterone treatment, suggesting that the three transcription factors might bind to different promoter regions, thereby negatively regulating DKKL1 transcription in response to the changes in the estrogen and androgen pathways, and positively controlling DKKL1 transcription in answer to the alterations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Knockdown of DKKL1 significantly reduced the relative expression of HMGB2 and SPATS1 (P < 0.01), suggesting that it may be involved in seasonal spermatogenesis of P. sinensis through a positive regulatory interaction with these two genes. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the genome evolution and potential functions of seasonal spermatogenesis of P. sinensis DKKL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yongchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; College of Life Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ulumuqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Luo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Liqin Ji
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jiansong Li
- Huizhou Wealth Xing Industrial Co., Ltd., Huizhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Congcong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Laifu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Weiqin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Pan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
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Li M, Sun L, Zhou L, Wang D. Tilapia, a good model for studying reproductive endocrinology. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114395. [PMID: 37879418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with a system of XX/XY sex determination, is a worldwide farmed fish with a shorter sexual maturation time than that of most cultured fish. Tilapia show a spawning cycle of approximately 14 days and can be artificially propagated in the laboratory all year round to obtain genetically all female (XX) and all male (XY) fry. Its genome sequence has been opened, and a perfect gene editing platform has been established. With a moderate body size, it is convenient for taking enough blood to measure hormone level. In recent years, using tilapia as animal model, we have confirmed that estrogen is crucial for female development because 1) mutation of star2, cyp17a1 or cyp19a1a (encoding aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen synthesis) results in sex reversal (SR) due to estrogen deficiency in XX tilapia, while mutation of star1, cyp11a1, cyp17a2, cyp19a1b or cyp11c1 affects fertility due to abnormal androgen, cortisol and DHP levels in XY tilapia; 2) when the estrogen receptors (esr2a/esr2b) are mutated, the sex is reversed from female to male, while when the androgen receptors are mutated, the sex cannot be reversed; 3) the differentiated ovary can be transdifferentiated into functional testis by inhibition of estrogen synthesis, and the differentiated testis can be transdifferentiated into ovary by simultaneous addition of exogenous estrogen and androgen synthase inhibitor; 4) loss of male pathway genes amhy, dmrt1, gsdf causes SR with upregulation of cyp19a1a in XY tilapia. Disruption of estrogen synthesis rescues the male to female SR of amhy and gsdf but not dmrt1 mutants; 5) mutation of female pathway genes foxl2 and sf-1 causes SR with downregulation of cyp19a1a in XX tilapia; 6) the germ cell SR of foxl3 mutants fails to be rescued by estrogen treatment, indicating that estrogen determines female germ cell fate through foxl3. This review also summarized the effects of deficiency of other steroid hormones, such as androgen, DHP and cortisol, on fish reproduction. Overall, these studies demonstrate that tilapia is an excellent animal model for studying reproductive endocrinology of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Ding Y, Jiang X, Sun L, Sha Y, Xu Z, Sohail A, Liu G. Multiple-Pathway Synergy Alters Steroidogenesis and Spermatogenesis in Response to an Immunocastration Vaccine in Goat. Cells 2023; 13:6. [PMID: 38201210 PMCID: PMC10778245 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010006] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal reproduction performance is crucial in husbandry. Immunocastrated animals serve as an ideal animal model for studying testicular function. During androgen suppression, the testis undergoes dramatic developmental and structural changes, including the inhibition of hormone secretion and spermatogenesis. METHODS To characterize this process, we investigated the effects of castration using a recombinant B2L and KISS1 DNA vaccine, and then identified functional genes in the testes of Yiling goats using RNA-seq and WGS. The experimental animals were divided into three groups: the PVAX-asd group (control), PBK-asd-immunized group, and surgically castrated group. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the administration of the recombinant PBK-asd vaccine in goats elicited a significant antibody response, and reduced serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), resulting in smaller scrotal circumferences and decreased sexual desire compared to the control group. In addition, RNA transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of the testes revealed that the biological processes after immunocastration mainly focused on the regulation of cell matrix adhesion, histone acetylation, negative regulation of developmental processes, apoptosis, and activation of the complement system and the thrombin cascade reaction system. Then, we integrated the whole-genome sequencing and testis transcriptome, and identified several candidate genes (FGF9, FST, KIT, TH, TCP1, PLEKHA1, TMEM119, ESR1, TIPARP, LEP) that influence steroidogenesis secretion and spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Multiple pathways and polygenic co-expression participate in the response to castration vaccines, altering hormone secretion and spermatogenesis. Taken together, our atlas of the immunocastration goat testis provides multiple insights into the developmental changes and key factors accompanying androgen suppression, and thus may contribute to understanding the genetic mechanism of testis function. Joint analysis of whole genome sequencing and RNA-seq enables reliable screening of candidate genes, benefiting future genome-assisted breeding of goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xunping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yiyu Sha
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ahmed Sohail
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guiqiong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Expression and Characterization of the Spats1 Gene and Its Response to E2/MT Treatment in the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141858. [PMID: 35883403 PMCID: PMC9311554 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spats1 (spermatogenesis-associated, serinerich 1) has been characterized as a male-biased gene which acts an important role in the germ cell differentiation of mammals. Nevertheless, the function of Spats1 in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (P. sinensis) has not yet been reported. To initially explore the expression of Spats1 in P. sinensis and its response to sex steroid treatment, we cloned the CDS of Spats1 for the first time and analyzed its expression profile in different tissues, including the testes in different seasons. The Spats1 cDNA fragment is 1201 base pairs (bp) in length and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 849 bp, which codes for 283 amino acids. Spats1 mRNA was highly expressed in the testes (p < 0.01) and barely detectable in other tissues. In P. sinensis, the relative expression of Spats1 also responsive to seasonal changes in testis development. In summer (July) and autumn (October), Spats1 gene expression was significantly higher in the testes than in other seasons (p < 0.05). Spats1 mRNA was found to be specifically expressed in germ cells by chemical in situ hybridization (CISH), and it was mainly located in primary spermatocytes (Sc1), secondary spermatocytes (Sc2) and spermatozoa (St). Spats1 expression in embryos was not significantly changed after 17α-methyltestosterone (MT)and 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment. In adults, MT significantly induced Spats1 expression in male P. sinensis. However, the expression of Spats1 in testes was not responsive to E2 treatment. In addition, the expression of Spats1 in females was not affected by either MT or E2 treatment. These results imply that Spats1 is a male-specific expressed gene that is mainly regulated by MT and is closely linked to spermatogenesis and release in P. sinensis.
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