1
|
Mo S, Shu G, Cao C, Wang M, Yang J, Ye J, Gui Y, Yuan S, Ma Q. Sertoli cells require hnRNPC to support normal spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:227-241. [PMID: 38590182 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae055] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells act as highly polarized testicular cells that nutritionally support multiple stages of germ cell development. However, the gene regulation network in Sertoli cells for modulating germ cell development has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we report that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C in Sertoli cells are essential for germ cell development and male fertility. Conditional knockout of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C in mouse Sertoli cells leads to aberrant Sertoli cells proliferation, disrupted cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells, and compromised blood-testis barrier function, resulting in loss of supportive cell function and, ultimately, defective spermiogenesis in mice. Further ribonucleic acid-sequencing analyses revealed these phenotypes are likely caused by the dysregulated genes in heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C-deficient Sertoli cells related to cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and apoptotic process. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C plays a critical role in Sertoli cells for maintaining the function of Sertoli cells and sustaining steady-state spermatogenesis in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaomei Mo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ge Shu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Congcong Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingxia Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, the Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Urology, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ribeiro RP, Null RW, Özpolat BD. Sex-biased gene expression precedes sexual dimorphism in the agonadal annelid Platynereis dumerilii. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.12.598746. [PMID: 38915681 PMCID: PMC11195272 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.12.598746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Gametogenesis is the process by which germ cells differentiate into mature sperm and oocytes, cells essential for sexual reproduction. The sex-specific molecular programs that drive spermatogenesis and oogenesis can also serve as sex identification markers. Platynereis dumerilii is a research organism that has been studied in many areas of developmental biology. However investigations often disregard sex, as P. dumerilii juveniles lack sexual dimorphism. The molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis in the segmented worm P. dumerilii are also largely unknown. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptomic profiles of gametogenesis in P. dumerilii juveniles. Our analysis revealed that sex-biased gene expression becomes increasingly pronounced during the advanced developmental stages, particularly during the meiotic phases of gametogenesis. We identified conserved genes associated with spermatogenesis, such as dmrt1, and a novel gene psmt, that is associated with oogenesis. Additionally, putative long non-coding RNAs were upregulated in both male and female gametogenic programs. This study provides a foundational resource for germ cell research in P. dumerilii, markers for sex identification, and offers comparative data to enhance our understanding of the evolution of gametogenesis mechanisms across species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rannyele P Ribeiro
- Department of Biology. Washington University in St. Louis. St. Louis, MO, USA
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Medicine, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Ryan W Null
- Department of Biology. Washington University in St. Louis. St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - B Duygu Özpolat
- Department of Biology. Washington University in St. Louis. St. Louis, MO, USA
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Medicine, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Zhang X, Wang X, Wang Z, Li X, Zheng J, Li J, Xu G, Sun C, Yi G, Yang N. Single-nucleus transcriptional and chromatin accessible profiles reveal critical cell types and molecular architecture underlying chicken sex determination. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00185-1. [PMID: 38734369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.05.007] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding the sex determination mechanisms in birds has great significance for the biological sciences and production in the poultry industry. Sex determination in chickens is a complex process that involves fate decisions of supporting cells such as granulosa or Sertoli cells. However, a systematic understanding of the genetic regulation and cell commitment process underlying sex determination in chickens is still lacking. OBJECTIVES We aimed to dissect the molecular characteristics associated with sex determination in the gonads of chicken embryos. METHODS Single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) and ATAC-seq (snATAC-seq) analysis were conducted on the gonads of female and male chickens at embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5), E4.5, and E5.5. RESULTS Here, we provided a time-course transcriptional and chromatin accessible profiling of gonads during chicken sex determination at single-cell resolution. We uncovered differences in cell composition and developmental trajectories between female and male gonads and found that the divergence of transcription and accessibility in gonadal cells first emerged at E5.5. Furthermore, we revealed key cell-type-specific transcription factors (TFs) and regulatory networks that drive lineage commitment. Sex determination signaling pathways, dominated by BMP signaling, are preferentially activated in males during gonadal development. Further pseudotime analysis of the supporting cells indicated that granulosa cells were regulated mainly by the TEAD gene family and that Sertoli cells were driven by the DMRT1 regulons. Cross-species analysis suggested high conservation of both cell types and cell-lineage-specific TFs across the six vertebrates. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study will contribute to accelerating the development of sex manipulation technology in the poultry industry and the application of chickens as a unique model for studying cell fate decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Li
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiuan Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiqiong Wang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Xingzheng Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junying Li
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guiyun Xu
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Guoqiang Yi
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China.
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao Y, Wang Z, Long Y, Yang L, Jiang Y, Ding D, Teng B, Chen M, Yuan J, Gao F. Unveiling the roles of Sertoli cells lineage differentiation in reproductive development and disorders: a review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1357594. [PMID: 38699384 PMCID: PMC11063913 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1357594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammals, gonadal somatic cell lineage differentiation determines the development of the bipotential gonad into either the ovary or testis. Sertoli cells, the only somatic cells in the spermatogenic tubules, support spermatogenesis during gonadal development. During embryonic Sertoli cell lineage differentiation, relevant genes, including WT1, GATA4, SRY, SOX9, AMH, PTGDS, SF1, and DMRT1, are expressed at specific times and in specific locations to ensure the correct differentiation of the embryo toward the male phenotype. The dysregulated development of Sertoli cells leads to gonadal malformations and male fertility disorders. Nevertheless, the molecular pathways underlying the embryonic origin of Sertoli cells remain elusive. By reviewing recent advances in research on embryonic Sertoli cell genesis and its key regulators, this review provides novel insights into sex determination in male mammals as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the genealogical differentiation of Sertoli cells in the male reproductive ridge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Zican Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Long
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Lici Yang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yongjian Jiang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Dongyu Ding
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Baojian Teng
- College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxiang Yuan
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Migale R, Neumann M, Mitter R, Rafiee MR, Wood S, Olsen J, Lovell-Badge R. FOXL2 interaction with different binding partners regulates the dynamics of ovarian development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0788. [PMID: 38517962 PMCID: PMC10959415 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXL2 is required in ovarian somatic cells for female fertility. Differential timing of Foxl2 deletion, in embryonic versus adult mouse ovary, leads to distinctive outcomes, suggesting different roles across development. Here, we comprehensively investigated FOXL2's role through a multi-omics approach to characterize gene expression dynamics and chromatin accessibility changes, coupled with genome-wide identification of FOXL2 targets and on-chromatin interacting partners in somatic cells across ovarian development. We found that FOXL2 regulates more targets postnatally, through interaction with factors regulating primordial follicle formation and steroidogenesis. Deletion of one interactor, ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (Usp7), results in impairment of somatic cell differentiation, germ cell nest breakdown, and ovarian development, leading to sterility. Our datasets constitute a comprehensive resource for exploration of the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development and causes of female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Migale
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michelle Neumann
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics core, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee
- RNA Networks Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sophie Wood
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jessica Olsen
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zeng Y, Zheng H, He C, Zhang C, Zhang H, Zheng H. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of Dmrt gene family and their role in gonad development of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 269:110904. [PMID: 37751789 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110904] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Doublesex and Mab-3-related transcription factor (Dmrt) is a type of transcription factor with a zinc-finger DM structural domain, which plays a significant role in sex determination and differentiation in animals. Although Dmrt has been reported in many vertebrates and invertebrates, it has rarely been studied in bivalves. In this study, a total of three members of the Dmrt gene family were identified and characterized in Crassostrea gigas, and all these CgDmrt genes contained a conserved DM domain. Analysis of the phylogenetic tree and gene structure revealed that Dmrt genes clustered on one branch may have similar functions in bivalves. Expression profiling of CgDmrt mRNA in different tissues and stages of gonad development indicated that CgDmrt3 exhibited sexually dimorphic expression and played an important role in the development of the male gonad in C. gigas. Furthermore, analysis of CgDmrt mRNA expression between fertile triploids and sterile triploids showed that CgDmrt3 may be involved in sperm production. Collectively, the systematic analysis of the CgDmrt genes will provide potential insights into the function of these genes in gonadal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yetao Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Haiqian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Cheng He
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Chuanxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Hongkuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China.
| | - Huaiping Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Guangdong Province, Marine Sciences Institute, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Research Center of Engineering Technology for Subtropical Mariculture of Guangdong Province, Shantou 515063, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Souali-Crespo S, Condrea D, Vernet N, Féret B, Klopfenstein M, Grandgirard E, Alunni V, Cerciat M, Jung M, Mayere C, Nef S, Mark M, Chalmel F, Ghyselinck NB. Loss of NR5A1 in mouse Sertoli cells after sex determination changes cellular identity and induces cell death by anoikis. Development 2023; 150:dev201710. [PMID: 38078651 PMCID: PMC10753587 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201710] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of the nuclear receptor NR5A1 in the testis after sex determination, we analyzed mice lacking NR5A1 in Sertoli cells (SCs) from embryonic day (E) 13.5 onwards. Ablation of Nr5a1 impaired the expression of genes characteristic of SC identity (e.g. Sox9 and Amh), caused SC death from E14.5 onwards through a Trp53-independent mechanism related to anoikis, and induced disorganization of the testis cords. Together, these effects caused germ cells to enter meiosis and die. Single-cell RNA-sequencing experiments revealed that NR5A1-deficient SCs changed their molecular identity: some acquired a 'pre-granulosa-like' cell identity, whereas other reverted to a 'supporting progenitor-like' cell identity, most of them being 'intersex' because they expressed both testicular and ovarian genes. Fetal Leydig cells (LCs) did not display significant changes, indicating that SCs are not required beyond E14.5 for their emergence or maintenance. In contrast, adult LCs were absent from postnatal testes. In addition, adult mutant males displayed persistence of Müllerian duct derivatives, decreased anogenital distance and reduced penis length, which could be explained by the loss of AMH and testosterone synthesis due to SC failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sirine Souali-Crespo
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Diana Condrea
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Nadège Vernet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Betty Féret
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Muriel Klopfenstein
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Erwan Grandgirard
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- Imaging Center, IGBMC, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Violaine Alunni
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Marie Cerciat
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Matthieu Jung
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- GenomEast Platform, France Génomique consortium, IGBMC, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Chloé Mayere
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mark
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Norbert B. Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP-10142, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Birgersson M, Indukuri R, Lindquist L, Stepanauskaite L, Luo Q, Deng Q, Archer A, Williams C. Ovarian ERβ cistrome and transcriptome reveal chromatin interaction with LRH-1. BMC Biol 2023; 21:277. [PMID: 38031019 PMCID: PMC10688478 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01773-1] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ, Esr2) plays a pivotal role in folliculogenesis and ovulation, yet its exact mechanism of action is mainly uncharacterized. RESULTS We here performed ERβ ChIP-sequencing of mouse ovaries followed by complementary RNA-sequencing of wild-type and ERβ knockout ovaries. By integrating the ERβ cistrome and transcriptome, we identified its direct target genes and enriched biological functions in the ovary. This demonstrated its strong impact on genes regulating organism development, cell migration, lipid metabolism, response to hypoxia, and response to estrogen. Cell-type deconvolution analysis of the bulk RNA-seq data revealed a decrease in luteal cells and an increased proportion of theca cells and a specific type of cumulus cells upon ERβ loss. Moreover, we identified a significant overlap with the gene regulatory network of liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1, Nr5a2) and showed that ERβ and LRH-1 extensively bound to the same chromatin locations in granulosa cells. Using ChIP-reChIP, we corroborated simultaneous ERβ and LRH-1 co-binding at the ERβ-repressed gene Greb1 but not at the ERβ-upregulated genes Cyp11a1 and Fkbp5. Transactivation assay experimentation further showed that ERβ and LRH-1 can inhibit their respective transcriptional activity at classical response elements. CONCLUSIONS By characterizing the genome-wide endogenous ERβ chromatin binding, gene regulations, and extensive crosstalk between ERβ and LRH-1, along with experimental corroborations, our data offer genome-wide mechanistic underpinnings of ovarian physiology and fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Birgersson
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Rajitha Indukuri
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Lindquist
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lina Stepanauskaite
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Qing Luo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Amena Archer
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Williams
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 21, Solna, Sweden.
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Malolina EA, Galiakberova AA, Mun VV, Sabirov MS, Dashinimaev EB, Kulibin AY. A comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed between rete testis cells and Sertoli cells of the mouse testis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20896. [PMID: 38017073 PMCID: PMC10684643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48149-7] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The rete testis (RT) is a region of the mammalian testis that plays an important role in testicular physiology. The RT epithelium consists of cells sharing some well-known gene markers with supporting Sertoli cells (SCs). However, little is known about the differences in gene expression between these two cell populations. Here, we used fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to obtain pure cultures of neonatal RT cells and SCs and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these cell types using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We then compared our data with the RNA-seq data of other studies that examined RT cells and SCs of mice of different ages and generated a list of DEGs permanently upregulated in RT cells throughout testis development and in culture, which included 86 genes, and a list of 79 DEGs permanently upregulated in SCs. The analysis of studies on DMRT1 function revealed that nearly half of the permanent DEGs could be regulated by this SC upregulated transcription factor. We suggest that useful cell lineage markers and candidate genes for the specification of both RT cells and SCs may be present among these permanent DEGs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A Malolina
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Adelya A Galiakberova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valery V Mun
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marat S Sabirov
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Erdem B Dashinimaev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Per., 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Andrey Yu Kulibin
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dujardin E, André M, Dewaele A, Mandon-Pépin B, Poulat F, Frambourg A, Thépot D, Jouneau L, Jolivet G, Pailhoux E, Pannetier M. DMRT1 is a testis-determining gene in rabbits and is also essential for female fertility. eLife 2023; 12:RP89284. [PMID: 37847154 PMCID: PMC10581690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89284] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DMRT1 is the testis-determining factor in several species of vertebrates, but its involvement in mammalian testes differentiation, where SRY is the testis-determining gene, remains ambiguous. So far, DMRT1 loss-of-function has been described in two mammalian species and induces different phenotypes: Disorders of Sex Development (46, XY DSD) in men and male infertility in mice. We thus abolished DMRT1 expression by CRISPR/Cas9 in a third species of mammal, the rabbit. First, we observed that gonads from XY DMRT1-/- rabbit fetuses differentiated like ovaries, highlighting that DMRT1 is involved in testis determination. In addition to SRY, DMRT1 is required in the supporting cells to increase the expression of the SOX9 gene, which heads the testicular genetic cascade. Second, we highlighted another function of DMRT1 in the germline since XX and XY DMRT1-/- ovaries did not undergo meiosis and folliculogenesis. XX DMRT1-/- adult females were sterile, showing that DMRT1 is also crucial for female fertility. To conclude, these phenotypes indicate an evolutionary continuum between non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds and non-rodent mammals. Furthermore, our data support the potential involvement of DMRT1 mutations in different human pathologies, such as 46, XY DSD as well as male and female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Dujardin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Marjolaine André
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Aurélie Dewaele
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Béatrice Mandon-Pépin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier; 34396MontpellierFrance
| | - Anne Frambourg
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Dominique Thépot
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Luc Jouneau
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Geneviève Jolivet
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maezawa S, Yukawa M, Hasegawa K, Sugiyama R, Iizuka M, Hu M, Sakashita A, Vidal M, Koseki H, Barski A, DeFalco T, Namekawa SH. PRC1 suppresses a female gene regulatory network to ensure testicular differentiation. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:501. [PMID: 37542070 PMCID: PMC10403552 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05996-6] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Gonadal sex determination and differentiation are controlled by somatic support cells of testes (Sertoli cells) and ovaries (granulosa cells). In testes, the epigenetic mechanism that maintains chromatin states responsible for suppressing female sexual differentiation remains unclear. Here, we show that Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) suppresses a female gene regulatory network in postnatal Sertoli cells. We genetically disrupted PRC1 function in embryonic Sertoli cells after sex determination, and we found that PRC1-depleted postnatal Sertoli cells exhibited defective proliferation and cell death, leading to the degeneration of adult testes. In adult Sertoli cells, PRC1 suppressed specific genes required for granulosa cells, thereby inactivating the female gene regulatory network. Chromatin regions associated with female-specific genes were marked by Polycomb-mediated repressive modifications: PRC1-mediated H2AK119ub and PRC2-mediated H3K27me3. Taken together, this study identifies a critical Polycomb-based mechanism that suppresses ovarian differentiation and maintains Sertoli cell fate in adult testes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- So Maezawa
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan.
| | - Masashi Yukawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Kazuteru Hasegawa
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Ryo Sugiyama
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Mizuho Iizuka
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
| | - Mengwen Hu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Miguel Vidal
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Developmental Genetics Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Artem Barski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dinh DT, Breen J, Nicol B, Foot NJ, Bersten DC, Emery A, Smith KM, Wong YY, Barry SC, Yao HC, Robker RL, Russell DL. Progesterone receptor mediates ovulatory transcription through RUNX transcription factor interactions and chromatin remodelling. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5981-5996. [PMID: 37099375 PMCID: PMC10325896 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone receptor (PGR) plays diverse roles in reproductive tissues and thus coordinates mammalian fertility. In the ovary, rapid acute induction of PGR is the key determinant of ovulation through transcriptional control of a unique set of genes that culminates in follicle rupture. However, the molecular mechanisms for this specialized PGR function in ovulation is poorly understood. We have assembled a detailed genomic profile of PGR action through combined ATAC-seq, RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analysis in wildtype and isoform-specific PGR null mice. We demonstrate that stimulating ovulation rapidly reprograms chromatin accessibility in two-thirds of sites, correlating with altered gene expression. An ovary-specific PGR action involving interaction with RUNX transcription factors was observed with 70% of PGR-bound regions also bound by RUNX1. These transcriptional complexes direct PGR binding to proximal promoter regions. Additionally, direct PGR binding to the canonical NR3C motif enable chromatin accessibility. Together these PGR actions mediate induction of essential ovulatory genes. Our findings highlight a novel PGR transcriptional mechanism specific to ovulation, providing new targets for infertility treatments or new contraceptives that block ovulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doan T Dinh
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - James Breen
- Indigenous Genomics, Telethon Kids Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- College of Health & Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Barbara Nicol
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Natalie J Foot
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - David C Bersten
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Alaknanda Emery
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kirsten M Smith
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ying Y Wong
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Simon C Barry
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Humphrey H C Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Darryl L Russell
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang MF, Wan SC, Chen WB, Yang DH, Liu WQ, Li BL, Aierken A, Du XM, Li YX, Wu WP, Yang XC, Wei YD, Li N, Peng S, Li XL, Li GP, Hua JL. Transcription factor Dmrt1 triggers the SPRY1-NF-κB pathway to maintain testicular immune homeostasis and male fertility. Zool Res 2023; 44:505-521. [PMID: 37070575 PMCID: PMC10236308 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial or viral infections, such as Brucella, mumps virus, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus, destroy immune homeostasis of the testes, leading to spermatogenesis disorder and infertility. Of note, recent research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect male gonads and destroy Sertoli and Leydig cells, leading to male reproductive dysfunction. Due to the many side effects associated with antibiotic therapy, finding alternative treatments for inflammatory injury remains critical. Here, we found that Dmrt1 plays an important role in regulating testicular immune homeostasis. Knockdown of Dmrt1 in male mice inhibited spermatogenesis with a broad inflammatory response in seminiferous tubules and led to the loss of spermatogenic epithelial cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that Dmrt1 positively regulated the expression of Spry1, an inhibitory protein of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathway. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis indicated that SPRY1 binds to nuclear factor kappa B1 (NF-κB1) to prevent nuclear translocation of p65, inhibit activation of NF-κB signaling, prevent excessive inflammatory reaction in the testis, and protect the integrity of the blood-testis barrier. In view of this newly identified Dmrt1- Spry1-NF-κB axis mechanism in the regulation of testicular immune homeostasis, our study opens new avenues for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases in humans and livestock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Fei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shi-Cheng Wan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Bo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dong-Hui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam 1105AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ba-Lun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Aili Aierken
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiao-Min Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yun-Xiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Ping Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xin-Chun Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yu-Dong Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xue-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010021, China
| | - Guang-Peng Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010021, China
| | - Jin-Lian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu X, Liang C, Fan J, Zhou M, Chang Z, Li L. Polyvinyl chloride microplastics induce changes in gene expression and organ histology along the HPG axis in Cyprinus carpio var. larvae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 258:106483. [PMID: 37023657 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The negative consequences of microplastics pollution on the health of aquatic species have garnered extensive attention. However, the mechanisms through which microplastics may cause harm in the reproductive processes of fish remain unknown. For this study, Cyprinus carpio var. was subjected to four treatments with various concentrations of PVC microplastics for 60 days, through food rationed diets (no plastic control, 10%, 20% and 30%). The gonadosomatic indices, gonad and brain histologies, sex hormone levels, and transcriptional and translational genes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes of both sexes were observed. According to the results, the gonadosomatic indices were significantly decreased, gonadal development was delayed, and the level of estradiol (E2) in the females was significantly elevated. In addition, the expression levels of genes associated with the HPG axis in the brains and gonads (gnrh, gtha1, fshβ, cyp19b, erα, vtg1, dmrt1, sox9b, and cyp19a) and the transcription levels of apoptosis-related genes in the brains and gonads (caspase3, bax, and bcl-2) exhibited significant changes. Further investigation revealed that the translation levels of genes linked to sex differentiation and sex steroid hormone (cyp19b and dmrt1) were significantly altered. These findings indicated that PVC likely microplastics may have a negative impact on the reproductive system of Cyprinus carpio var. by inhibiting gonadal development, affecting the gonad and brain structures, and altering the levels of steroid hormones and the expression of HPG axis-related genes. This work provides new insights into the toxicity of microplastics in aquatic organisms by revealing that PVC microplastics are a potential threat against the reproduction of fish populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinya Liu
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Chaonan Liang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Jiaiq Fan
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Miao Zhou
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Li Li
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Huo Y, Li Q, Yang L, Li X, Sun C, Liu Y, Liu H, Pan Z, Li Q, Du X. SDNOR, a Novel Antioxidative lncRNA, Is Essential for Maintaining the Normal State and Function of Porcine Follicular Granulosa Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040799. [PMID: 37107173 PMCID: PMC10135012 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that lncRNAs, an important kind of endogenous regulator, are involved in the regulation of follicular development and female fertility, but the mechanism remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that SDNOR, a recently identified antiapoptotic lncRNA, is a potential multifunctional regulator in porcine follicular granulosa cells (GCs) through RNA-seq and multi-dimension analyses. SDNOR-mediated regulatory networks were established and identified that SOX9, a transcription factor inhibited by SDNOR, mediates SDNOR's regulation of the transcription of downstream targets. Functional analyses showed that loss of SDNOR significantly impairs GC morphology, inhibits cell proliferation and viability, reduces E2/P4 index, and suppresses the expression of crucial markers, including PCNA, Ki67, CDK2, CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and StAR. Additionally, after the detection of ROS, SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA, we found that SDNOR elevates the resistance of GCs to oxidative stress (OS) and also inhibits OS-induced apoptosis. Notably, GCs with high SDNOR levels are insensitive to oxidative stress, leading to lower apoptosis rates and higher environmental adaptability. In summary, our findings reveal the regulation of porcine GCs in response to oxidative stress from the perspective of lncRNA and demonstrate that SDNOR is an essential antioxidative lncRNA for maintaining the normal state and function of GCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangan Huo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qiqi Li
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 215314, China
| | - Liu Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaoxue Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chen Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Honglin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zengxiang Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qifa Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xing Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ye Z, Bishop T, Wang Y, Shahriari R, Lynch M. Evolution of sex determination in crustaceans. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:1-11. [PMID: 37073332 PMCID: PMC10077267 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Sex determination (SD) involves mechanisms that determine whether an individual will develop into a male, female, or in rare cases, hermaphrodite. Crustaceans harbor extremely diverse SD systems, including hermaphroditism, environmental sex determination (ESD), genetic sex determination (GSD), and cytoplasmic sex determination (e.g., Wolbachia controlled SD systems). Such diversity lays the groundwork for researching the evolution of SD in crustaceans, i.e., transitions among different SD systems. However, most previous research has focused on understanding the mechanism of SD within a single lineage or species, overlooking the transition across different SD systems. To help bridge this gap, we summarize the understanding of SD in various clades of crustaceans, and discuss how different SD systems might evolve from one another. Furthermore, we review the genetic basis for transitions between different SD systems (i.e., Dmrt genes) and propose the microcrustacean Daphnia (clade Branchiopoda) as a model to study the transition from ESD to GSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Ye
- Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
| | - Trent Bishop
- Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
| | - Yaohai Wang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Ryan Shahriari
- Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
| | - Michael Lynch
- Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Liu BZ, Cong JJ, Su WY, Hao ZL, Sun ZH, Chang YQ. Identification and functional analysis of Dmrt1 gene and the SoxE gene in the sexual development of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Front Genet 2023; 14:1097825. [PMID: 36741310 PMCID: PMC9894652 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1097825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the Doublesex and Mab-3-related transcription factor (Dmrt) gene family handle various vital functions in several biological processes, including sex determination/differentiation and gonad development. Dmrt1 and Sox9 (SoxE in invertebrates) exhibit a very conserved interaction function during testis formation in vertebrates. However, the dynamic expression pattern and functional roles of the Dmrt gene family and SoxE have not yet been identified in any echinoderm species. Herein, five members of the Dmrt gene family (Dmrt1, 2, 3a, 3b and 5) and the ancestor SoxE gene were identified from the genome of Apostichopus japonicus. Expression studies of Dmrt family genes and SoxE in different tissues of adult males and females revealed different expression patterns of each gene. Transcription of Dmrt2, Dmrt3a and Dmrt3b was higher expressed in the tube feet and coelomocytes instead of in gonadal tissues. The expression of Dmrt1 was found to be sustained throughout spermatogenesis. Knocking-down of Dmrt1 by means of RNA interference (RNAi) led to the downregulation of SoxE and upregulation of the ovarian regulator foxl2 in the testes. This indicates that Dmrt1 may be a positive regulator of SoxE and may play a role in the development of the testes in the sea cucumber. The expression level of SoxE was higher in the ovaries than in the testes, and knocking down of SoxE by RNAi reduced SoxE and Dmrt1 expression but conversely increased the expression of foxl2 in the testes. In summary, this study indicates that Dmrt1 and SoxE are indispensable for testicular differentiation, and SoxE might play a functional role during ovary differentiation in the sea cucumber.
Collapse
|
18
|
Murphy MW, Gearhart MD, Wheeler A, Bardwell VJ, Zarkower D. Genomics of sexual cell fate transdifferentiation in the mouse gonad. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac267. [PMID: 36200842 PMCID: PMC9713387 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination in mammals hinges on a cell fate decision in the fetal bipotential gonad between formation of male Sertoli cells or female granulosa cells. While this decision normally is permanent, loss of key cell fate regulators such as the transcription factors Dmrt1 and Foxl2 can cause postnatal transdifferentiation from Sertoli to granulosa-like (Dmrt1) or vice versa (Foxl2). Here, we examine the mechanism of male-to-female transdifferentiation in mice carrying either a null mutation of Dmrt1 or a point mutation, R111G, that alters the DNA-binding motif and causes human XY gonadal dysgenesis and sex reversal. We first define genes misexpressed during transdifferentiation and then show that female transcriptional regulators driving transdifferentiation in the mutant XY gonad (ESR2, LRH1, FOXL2) bind chromatin sites related to those normally bound in the XX ovary. We next define gene expression changes and abnormal chromatin compartments at the onset of transdifferentiation that may help destabilize cell fate and initiate the transdifferentiation process. We model the R111G mutation in mice and show that it causes dominant gonadal dysgenesis, analogous to its human phenotype but less severe. We show that R111G partially feminizes the testicular transcriptome and causes dominant disruption of DMRT1 binding specificity in vivo. These data help illuminate how transdifferentiation occurs when sexual cell fate maintenance is disrupted and identify chromatin sites and transcripts that may play key roles in the transdifferentiation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Murphy
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Andrew Wheeler
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Vivian J Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhong Z, Wang Y, Feng Y, Xu Y, Zhao L, Jiang Y, Zhang Z. The molecular regulation mechanism of dmrt1-based on the establishment of the testis cell line derived from two-spot puffer Takifugu bimaculatus. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:1475-1494. [PMID: 36445491 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-022-01150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of fish cell lines can provide an important in vitro model for developmental biology, pathology, and genetics and also an effective tool to investigate the interactions and related functions of genes. Two-spot puffer Takifugu bimaculatus is a high economic and nutritional value marine fish in Fujian in recent years. Nevertheless, dmrt1 plays a key role in the male differentiation from invertebrates to vertebrates. To understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms of dmrt1 in T. bimaculatus, a testis cell line called TBTc from a juvenile testis of this organism was established with modified Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, fish serum, embryo extract, and other growth factors. The TBTc with a stable karyotype can be passaged continuously, which was composed of fibroblast-like cells and expressed the marker genes of male-special cells, dmrt1, and amh, and the absence of vasa expression may rule out the possibility of the presence of germ cells. Therefore, TBTc appeared to consist of the mixture of the Sertoli cell and germ cell of the testis. The dmrt1 was significantly expressed in the testes and slightly expressed in the late embryonic development, illustrating that the dmrt1 may participate in the molecular regulation of gonads development and sex differentiation. With the high transfection efficiency of TBTc by electroporation, the cell lines could be used effectively in the study for the expression of exogenous and endogenous genes. Meanwhile, after the knockdown of dmrt1, the morphological changes and survival rates of cells proved that dmrt1 could affect the growth of testicular cells. Furthermore, with the loss of dmrt1, the expression of male-bias genes amh, sox9, and cyp11a was significantly decreased, and the expression of female-bias genes foxl2, sox3, and cyp19a was increased, which suggested that dmrt1 upregulates amh, sox9, and cyp11a and downregulates foxl2, sox3, and cyp19a to participate in the testis development. As a first fish gonadal cell lines of T. bimaculatus, which can be a more convenient, efficient, and rapid model for the investigation of the expression and function of genes, the results will lay a foundation for the next study of the molecular regulation mechanism in gonadal development and sex determination of fish in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yonghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
| | - Ziping Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Fuglerud BM, Drissler S, Lotto J, Stephan TL, Thakur A, Cullum R, Hoodless PA. SOX9 reprograms endothelial cells by altering the chromatin landscape. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8547-8565. [PMID: 35904801 PMCID: PMC9410909 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX9 is activated at the onset of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) during embryonic development and in pathological conditions. Its roles in regulating these processes, however, are not clear. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as an EndMT model, we show that SOX9 expression alone is sufficient to activate mesenchymal genes and steer endothelial cells towards a mesenchymal fate. By genome-wide mapping of the chromatin landscape, we show that SOX9 displays features of a pioneer transcription factor, such as opening of chromatin and leading to deposition of active histone modifications at silent chromatin regions, guided by SOX dimer motifs and H2A.Z enrichment. We further observe highly transient and dynamic SOX9 binding, possibly promoted through its eviction by histone phosphorylation. However, while SOX9 binding is dynamic, changes in the chromatin landscape and cell fate induced by SOX9 are persistent. Finally, our analysis of single-cell chromatin accessibility indicates that SOX9 opens chromatin to drive EndMT in atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. This study provides new insight into key molecular functions of SOX9 and mechanisms of EndMT and highlights the crucial developmental role of SOX9 and relevance to human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Fuglerud
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3N1, Canada.,Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sibyl Drissler
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeremy Lotto
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tabea L Stephan
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Avinash Thakur
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Rebecca Cullum
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Pamela A Hoodless
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3N1, Canada.,Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rossitto M, Déjardin S, Rands CM, Le Gras S, Migale R, Rafiee MR, Neirijnck Y, Pruvost A, Nguyen AL, Bossis G, Cammas F, Le Gallic L, Wilhelm D, Lovell-Badge R, Boizet-Bonhoure B, Nef S, Poulat F. TRIM28-dependent SUMOylation protects the adult ovary from activation of the testicular pathway. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4412. [PMID: 35906245 PMCID: PMC9338040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadal sexual fate in mammals is determined during embryonic development and must be actively maintained in adulthood. In the mouse ovary, oestrogen receptors and FOXL2 protect ovarian granulosa cells from transdifferentiation into Sertoli cells, their testicular counterpart. However, the mechanism underlying their protective effect is unknown. Here, we show that TRIM28 is required to prevent female-to-male sex reversal of the mouse ovary after birth. We found that upon loss of Trim28, ovarian granulosa cells transdifferentiate to Sertoli cells through an intermediate cell type, different from gonadal embryonic progenitors. TRIM28 is recruited on chromatin in the proximity of FOXL2 to maintain the ovarian pathway and to repress testicular-specific genes. The role of TRIM28 in ovarian maintenance depends on its E3-SUMO ligase activity that regulates the sex-specific SUMOylation profile of ovarian-specific genes. Our study identifies TRIM28 as a key factor in protecting the adult ovary from the testicular pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moïra Rossitto
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Stephanie Déjardin
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
| | - Chris M Rands
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, lab E09.2750.B 1, rue Michel-Servet CH 1211 Geneva 4, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Le Gras
- GenomEast platform, IGBMC, 1, rue Laurent Fries, 67404 ILLKIRCH Cedex, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Roberta Migale
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 2 1AT, UK
| | | | - Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, lab E09.2750.B 1, rue Michel-Servet CH 1211 Geneva 4, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alain Pruvost
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Anvi Laetitia Nguyen
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Guillaume Bossis
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Cammas
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, IRCM, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
| | - Lionel Le Gallic
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France
| | - Dagmar Wilhelm
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, lab E09.2750.B 1, rue Michel-Servet CH 1211 Geneva 4, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, 34396, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Casado-Navarro R, Serrano-Saiz E. DMRT Transcription Factors in the Control of Nervous System Sexual Differentiation. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:937596. [PMID: 35958734 PMCID: PMC9361473 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.937596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual phenotypic differences in the nervous system are one of the most prevalent features across the animal kingdom. The molecular mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism throughout metazoan nervous systems are extremely diverse, ranging from intrinsic cell autonomous mechanisms to gonad-dependent endocrine control of sexual traits, or even extrinsic environmental cues. In recent years, the DMRT ancient family of transcription factors has emerged as being central in the development of sex-specific differentiation in all animals in which they have been studied. In this review, we provide an overview of the function of Dmrt genes in nervous system sexual regulation from an evolutionary perspective.
Collapse
|
23
|
Malolina EA, Galiakberova AA, Dashinimaev EB, Kulibin AY. ESTABLISHMENT OF A PURE CULTURE OF IMMATURE SERTOLI CELLS BY PDGFRA STAINING AND CELL SORTING. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:243-255. [PMID: 35478364 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23574] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells are key somatic cells in the testis that form seminiferous tubules and support spermatogenesis. The isolation of pure Sertoli cells is important for their study. However, it is a difficult effort because of the close association of Sertoli cells with peritubular myoid cells surrounding seminiferous tubules. Here we propose a novel approach to the establishment of a pure Sertoli cell culture from immature mouse testes. It is based on the staining of testicular cells for platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and culturing of a PDGFRA-negative cell population. Cells positive for a Sertoli cell marker WT1 accounted for more than 96% of cells in cultures from 6 and 12 dpp mice. The numbers of peritubular myoid cells identified by ACTA2 staining did not exceed 4%. Cells in the cultures were also positive for Sertoli cell proteins SOX9 and DMRT1. Amh and Hsd17b3 expression decreased and Ar and Gata1 expression increased in 12 dpp cultures compared to 6 dpp cultures, which suggests that cultured Sertoli cells at least partially retained their differentiation status. This method can be employed in various applications including the analysis of differential gene expression and functional studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A Malolina
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Adelya A Galiakberova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Erdem B Dashinimaev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Andrey Yu Kulibin
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lrh1 can help reprogram sexual cell fate and is required for Sertoli cell development and spermatogenesis in the mouse testis. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010088. [PMID: 35192609 PMCID: PMC8896720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010088] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian nuclear hormone receptors LRH1 (NR5A2) and SF1 (NR5A1) are close paralogs that can bind the same DNA motif and play crucial roles in gonadal development and function. Lrh1 is essential for follicle development in the ovary and has been proposed to regulate steroidogenesis in the testis. Lrh1 expression in the testis is highly elevated by loss of the sex regulator Dmrt1, which triggers male-to-female transdifferentiation of Sertoli cells. While Sf1 has a well-defined and crucial role in testis development, no function for Lrh1 in the male gonad has been reported. Here we use conditional genetics to examine Lrh1 requirements both in gonadal cell fate reprogramming and in normal development of the three major cell lineages of the mouse testis. We find that loss of Lrh1 suppresses sexual transdifferentiation, confirming that Lrh1 can act as a key driver in reprogramming sexual cell fate. In otherwise wild-type testes, we find that Lrh1 is dispensable in Leydig cells but is required in Sertoli cells for their proliferation, for seminiferous tubule morphogenesis, for maintenance of the blood-testis barrier, for feedback regulation of androgen production, and for support of spermatogenesis. Expression profiling identified misexpressed genes likely underlying most aspects of the Sertoli cell phenotype. In the germ line we found that Lrh1 is required for maintenance of functional spermatogonia, and hence mutants progressively lose spermatogenesis. Reduced expression of the RNA binding factor Nxf2 likely contributes to the SSC defect. Unexpectedly, however, over time the Lrh1 mutant germ line recovered abundant spermatogenesis and fertility. This finding indicates that severe germ line depletion triggers a response allowing mutant spermatogonia to recover the ability to undergo complete spermatogenesis. Our results demonstrate that Lrh1, like Sf1, is an essential regulator of testis development and function but has a very distinct repertoire of functions.
Collapse
|
25
|
Zarkower D, Murphy MW. DMRT1: An Ancient Sexual Regulator Required for Human Gonadogenesis. Sex Dev 2022; 16:112-125. [PMID: 34515237 PMCID: PMC8885888 DOI: 10.1159/000518272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulators related to the invertebrate sexual regulators doublesex and mab-3 occur throughout metazoans and control sex in most animal groups. Seven of these DMRT genes are found in mammals, and mouse genetics has shown that one, Dmrt1, plays a crucial role in testis differentiation, both in germ cells and somatic cells. Deletions and, more recently, point mutations affecting human DMRT1 have demonstrated that its heterozygosity is associated with 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis. Most of our detailed knowledge of DMRT1 function in the testis, the focus of this review, derives from mouse studies, which have revealed that DMRT1 is essential for male somatic and germ cell differentiation and maintenance of male somatic cell fate after differentiation. Moreover, ectopic DMRT1 can reprogram differentiated female granulosa cells into male Sertoli-like cells. The ability of DMRT1 to control sexual cell fate likely derives from at least 3 properties. First, DMRT1 functionally collaborates with another key male sex regulator, SOX9, and possibly other proteins to maintain and reprogram sexual cell fate. Second, and related, DMRT1 appears to function as a pioneer transcription factor, binding "closed" inaccessible chromatin and promoting its opening to allow binding by other regulators including SOX9. Third, DMRT1 binds DNA by a highly unusual form of interaction and can bind with different stoichiometries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Zarkower
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark W. Murphy
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Migale R, Neumann M, Lovell-Badge R. Long-Range Regulation of Key Sex Determination Genes. Sex Dev 2021; 15:360-380. [PMID: 34753143 DOI: 10.1159/000519891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of sexually dimorphic gonads is a unique process that starts with the specification of the bipotential genital ridges and culminates with the development of fully differentiated ovaries and testes in females and males, respectively. Research on sex determination has been mostly focused on the identification of sex determination genes, the majority of which encode for proteins and specifically transcription factors such as SOX9 in the testes and FOXL2 in the ovaries. Our understanding of which factors may be critical for sex determination have benefited from the study of human disorders of sex development (DSD) and animal models, such as the mouse and the goat, as these often replicate the same phenotypes observed in humans when mutations or chromosomic rearrangements arise in protein-coding genes. Despite the advances made so far in explaining the role of key factors such as SRY, SOX9, and FOXL2 and the genes they control, what may regulate these factors upstream is not entirely understood, often resulting in the inability to correctly diagnose DSD patients. The role of non-coding DNA, which represents 98% of the human genome, in sex determination has only recently begun to be fully appreciated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the long-range regulation of 2 important sex determination genes, SOX9 and FOXL2, and discuss the challenges that lie ahead and the many avenues of research yet to be explored in the sex determination field.
Collapse
|
28
|
Poulat F. Non-Coding Genome, Transcription Factors, and Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2021; 15:295-307. [PMID: 34727549 DOI: 10.1159/000519725] [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: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, gonadal sex determination is the process by which transcription factors drive the choice between the testicular and ovarian identity of undifferentiated somatic progenitors through activation of 2 different transcriptional programs. Studies in animal models suggest that sex determination always involves sex-specific transcription factors that activate or repress sex-specific genes. These transcription factors control their target genes by recognizing their regulatory elements in the non-coding genome and their binding motifs within their DNA sequence. In the last 20 years, the development of genomic approaches that allow identifying all the genomic targets of a transcription factor in eukaryotic cells gave the opportunity to globally understand the function of the nuclear proteins that control complex genetic programs. Here, the major transcription factors involved in male and female vertebrate sex determination and the genomic profiling data of mouse gonads that contributed to deciphering their transcriptional regulation role will be reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jiménez R, Burgos M, Barrionuevo FJ. Sex Maintenance in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070999. [PMID: 34209938 PMCID: PMC8303465 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial event in mammalian sexual differentiation occurs at the embryonic stage of sex determination, when the bipotential gonads differentiate as either testes or ovaries, according to the sex chromosome constitution of the embryo, XY or XX, respectively. Once differentiated, testes produce sexual hormones that induce the subsequent differentiation of the male reproductive tract. On the other hand, the lack of masculinizing hormones in XX embryos permits the formation of the female reproductive tract. It was long assumed that once the gonad is differentiated, this developmental decision is irreversible. However, several findings in the last decade have shown that this is not the case and that a continuous sex maintenance is needed. Deletion of Foxl2 in the adult ovary lead to ovary-to-testis transdifferentiation and deletion of either Dmrt1 or Sox9/Sox8 in the adult testis induces the opposite process. In both cases, mutant gonads were genetically reprogrammed, showing that both the male program in ovaries and the female program in testes must be actively repressed throughout the individual's life. In addition to these transcription factors, other genes and molecular pathways have also been shown to be involved in this antagonism. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the genetic basis of sex maintenance once the gonad is already differentiated.
Collapse
|