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Souza TL, da Luz JZ, Barreto LDS, de Oliveira Ribeiro CA, Neto FF. Structure-based modeling to assess binding and endocrine disrupting potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Daniorerio. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 398:111109. [PMID: 38871163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111109] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have raised concerns regarding their potential endocrine-disrupting effects on aquatic organisms, including fish. In this study, molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques were employed to evaluate the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in zebrafish, as a model organism. A virtual screening with 72 PAHs revealed a correlation between the number of PAH aromatic rings and their binding affinity to proteins involved in endocrine regulation. Furthermore, PAHs with the highest binding affinities for each protein were identified: cyclopenta[cd]pyrene for AR (-9.7 kcal/mol), benzo(g)chrysene for ERα (-11.5 kcal/mol), dibenzo(a,e)pyrene for SHBG (-8.7 kcal/mol), dibenz(a,h)anthracene for StAR (-11.2 kcal/mol), and 2,3-benzofluorene for TRα (-9.8 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes formed by the PAHs with the highest binding affinities throughout the simulations. Additionally, the effectiveness of the protocol used in this study was demonstrated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, which effectively distinguished decoys from true ligands. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights into the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in fish, highlighting the importance of assessing their impact on aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugstênio L Souza
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Jessica Zablocki da Luz
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Luiza Dos Santos Barreto
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Ciro Alberto de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Francisco Filipak Neto
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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2
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Ryu T, Okamoto K, Ansai S, Nakao M, Kumar A, Iguchi T, Ogino Y. Gene Duplication of Androgen Receptor As An Evolutionary Driving Force Underlying the Diversity of Sexual Characteristics in Teleost Fishes. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:68-76. [PMID: 38587519 DOI: 10.2108/zs230098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism allows species to meet their fitness optima based on the physiological availability of each sex. Although intralocus sexual conflict appears to be a genetic constraint for the evolution of sex-specific traits, sex-linked genes and the regulation of sex steroid hormones contribute to resolving this conflict by allowing sex-specific developments. Androgens and their receptor, androgen receptor (Ar), regulate male-biased phenotypes. In teleost fish, ar ohnologs have emerged as a result of teleost-specific whole genome duplication (TSGD). Recent studies have highlighted the evolutionary differentiation of ar ohnologs responsible for the development of sexual characteristics, which sheds light on the need for comparative studies on androgen regulation among different species. In this review, we discuss the importance of ar signaling as a regulator of male-specific traits in teleost species because teleost species are suitable experimental models for comparative studies owing to their great diversity in male-biased morphological and physiological traits. To date, both in vivo and in vitro studies on teleost ar ohnologs have shown a substantial influence of ars as a regulator of male-specific reproductive traits such as fin elongation, courtship behavior, and nuptial coloration. In addition to these sexual characteristics, ar substantially influences immunity, inducing a sex-biased immune response. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of teleost ar studies and emphasizes the potential of teleost fishes, given their availability, to find molecular evidence about what gives rise to the spectacular diversity among fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Ryu
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Keigo Okamoto
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ansai
- Laboratory of Genome Editing Breeding, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Miki Nakao
- Laboratory of Marine Biochemistry, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
- Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Anu Kumar
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, CSIRO Environment, PMB2, Glen Osmond, 5064 South Australia, Australia
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan
| | - Yukiko Ogino
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan,
- Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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3
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Proffitt MR, Liu X, Ortlund EA, Smith GT. Evolution of androgen receptors contributes to species variation in androgenic regulation of communication signals in electric fishes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 578:112068. [PMID: 37714403 PMCID: PMC10695101 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Hormones and receptors coevolve to generate species diversity in hormone action. We compared the structure and function of androgen receptors (ARs) across fishes, with a focus on ARs in ghost knifefishes (Apteronotidae). Apteronotids, like many other teleosts, have two ARs (ARα and ARβ). ARβ is largely conserved, whereas ARα sequences vary considerably across species. The ARα ligand binding domain (LBD) has evolved under positive selection, and differences in the LBD across apteronotid species are associated with diversity in androgenic regulation of behavior. The Apteronotus leptorhynchus ARα LBD differs substantially from that of the Apteronotus albifrons ARα or the ancestral AR. Structural modeling and transactivation assays demonstrated that A. leptorhynchus ARα cannot bind androgens. We propose a model whereby relative expression of ARα versus ARβ in the brain, coupled with loss of androgen binding by ARα in A. leptorhynchus might explain reversals in androgenic regulation and sex differences in electrocommunication behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Renee Proffitt
- Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eric A Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - G Troy Smith
- Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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4
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Evolutionary differentiation of androgen receptor is responsible for sexual characteristic development in a teleost fish. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1428. [PMID: 36918573 PMCID: PMC10014959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37026-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Teleost fishes exhibit complex sexual characteristics in response to androgens, such as fin enlargement and courtship display. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their evolutionary acquisition remain largely unknown. To address this question, we analyse medaka (Oryzias latipes) mutants deficient in teleost-specific androgen receptor ohnologs (ara and arb). We discovered that neither ar ohnolog was required for spermatogenesis, whilst they appear to be functionally redundant for the courtship display in males. However, both were required for reproductive success: ara for tooth enlargement and the reproductive behaviour eliciting female receptivity, arb for male-specific fin morphogenesis and sexual motivation. We further showed that differences between the two ar ohnologs in their transcription, cellular localisation of their encoded proteins, and their downstream genetic programmes could be responsible for the phenotypic diversity between the ara and arb mutants. These findings suggest that the ar ohnologs have diverged in two ways: first, through the loss of their roles in spermatogenesis and second, through gene duplication followed by functional differentiation that has likely resolved the pleiotropic roles derived from their ancestral gene. Thus, our results provide insights into how genome duplication impacts the massive diversification of sexual characteristics in the teleost lineage.
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Chen X, Hirano M, Ishibashi H, Lee JS, Kawai YK, Kubota A. Efficient in vivo and in silico assessments of antiandrogenic potential in zebrafish. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 264:109513. [PMID: 36442599 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to establish zebrafish-based in vivo and in silico assay systems to evaluate the antiandrogenic potential of environmental chemicals. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 17α-methyltestosterone (TES) alone or coexposed to TES and representative antiandrogens including flutamide, p,p'-DDE, vinclozolin, fenitrothion, and linuron. We assessed the transcript expression of the androgen-responsive gene sulfotransferase family 2, cytosolic sulfotransferase 3 (sult2st3). The expression of sult2st3 was significantly induced by TES in the later stages of embryonic development. However, the TES-induced expression of sult2st3 was inhibited by flutamide in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50: 5.7 μM), suggesting that the androgen receptor (AR) plays a role in sult2st3 induction. Similarly, p,p'-DDE, vinclozolin, and linuron repressed the TES-induced expression of sult2st3 (IC50s: 0.35, 3.9, and 52 μM, respectively). At the highest concentration tested (100 μM), fenitrothion also suppressed sult2st3 expression almost completely. Notably, p,p'-DDE and linuron did not inhibit sult2st3 induction due to higher concentrations of TES; instead, they potentiated TES-induced sult2st3 expression. Fenitrothion and linuron, which had relatively low antiandrogenic potentials in terms of sult2st3 inhibition, induced broader toxicities in zebrafish embryos; thus, the relationship between developmental toxicities and antiandrogenic potency was unclear. Additionally, an in silico docking simulation showed that all five chemicals interact with the zebrafish AR at relatively low interaction energies and with Arg702 as a key amino acid in ligand binding. Our findings suggest that a combination of zebrafish-based in vivo and in silico assessments represents a promising tool to assess the antiandrogenic potentials of environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 2-11 Inada-cho Nishi, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan. https://twitter.com/chenxing910520
| | - Masashi Hirano
- Department of Food and Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Tokai University, 9-1-1 Toroku, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto-city, Kumamoto 862-8652, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan
| | - Jae Seung Lee
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 2-11 Inada-cho Nishi, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yusuke K Kawai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 2-11 Inada-cho Nishi, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Akira Kubota
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 2-11 Inada-cho Nishi, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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6
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Androgen receptor α peak expression in retina rather than gonad of Hainan medaka, Oryzias curvinotus. REPRODUCTION AND BREEDING 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbre.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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7
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Abstract
In this systematic review, we highlight the differences between the male and female zebrafish brains to understand their differentiation and their use in studying sex-specific neurological diseases. Male and female brains display subtle differences at the cellular level which may be important in driving sex-specific signaling. Sex differences in the brain have been observed in humans as well as in non-human species. However, the molecular mechanisms of brain sex differentiation remain unclear. The classical model of brain sex differentiation suggests that the steroid hormones derived from the gonads are the primary determinants in establishing male and female neural networks. Recent studies indicate that the developing brain shows sex-specific differences in gene expression prior to gonadal hormone action. Hence, genetic differences may also be responsible for differentiating the brain into male and female types. Understanding the signaling mechanisms involved in brain sex differentiation could help further elucidate the sex-specific incidences of certain neurological diseases. The zebrafish model could be appropriate for enhancing our understanding of brain sex differentiation and the signaling involved in neurological diseases. Zebrafish brains show sex-specific differences at the hormonal level, and recent advances in RNA sequencing have highlighted critical sex-specific differences at the transcript level. The differences are also evident at the cellular and metabolite levels, which could be important in organizing sex-specific neuronal signaling. Furthermore, in addition to having one ortholog for 70% of the human gene, zebrafish also shares brain structural similarities with other higher eukaryotes, including mammals. Hence, deciphering brain sex differentiation in zebrafish will help further enhance the diagnostic and pharmacological intervention of neurological diseases.
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8
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Molecular characterization and expression patterns of nuclear androgen receptors in the ovoviviparous black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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9
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Control of testes mass by androgen receptor paralogs in a cichlid. J Comp Physiol B 2021; 192:107-114. [PMID: 34643776 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-021-01417-2] [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: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones play numerous important and diverse roles in the differentiation and development of vertebrate primary and secondary reproductive characteristics. However, the exact role of androgen receptors-which bind circulating androgens-in this regulatory pathway is unclear. Teleost fishes further complicate this question by having two paralogs of the androgen receptor (ARα and ARβ) resulting from a duplication of their ancestral genome. We investigated the functional role of these two ARs on adult testes mass, by eliminating receptor function of one or both paralogs using CRISPR/Cas9 genome edited Astatotilapia burtoni, an African cichlid fish. Fish with two or more functional AR alleles were more likely to be male compared to fish with one or fewer, suggesting that the two paralogs may play redundant roles in the A. burtoni sex determination system. We replicated previous work showing that fish lacking functional ARβ possess testes smaller than wild-type fish, while fish lacking ARα possess testes larger than wild-type fish. However, we found novel evidence supporting a complex relationship between the two AR paralogs in the regulation of testes mass. For instance, the effects of ARα mutation on testes mass are eliminated in homozygous ARβ mutants but the reverse is not true. These results suggest a dynamic relationship between these two AR paralogs where ARβ functions may be permissive to ARα functions in the control of testes mass. This mechanism may contribute to the robust physiological plasticity displayed by A. burtoni and other social teleost fishes.
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10
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Bakshi A, Rai U. Seasonality, sex-specificity and transcriptional regulation of hepatic leptin system in spotted snakehead Channa punctata. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 310:113821. [PMID: 34015346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The present study deals with sex-specific reproductive phase-dependent variation and sex steroids-induced transcriptional regulation of hepatic lep and lepr in nutritionally valuable spotted snakehead, Channa punctata. The data on seasonality reveals sex-specific variation in pattern of lep transcription where a high level was recorded during resting and postspawning quiescent phases in female while during resting and spawning phases in male. Unlike lep, lepr exhibited similar expression pattern along the reproductive phases in both the sexes. As compared to female, a three-fold higher expression of lep was detected in male during reproductively active phase only. However, no sexual dimorphism was evidenced in lepr either during active or quiescent phase. To explore the implication of sex steroids in regulation of leptin system, we correlated levels of plasma testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2) with leptin system in males as well as females. Further, criss-cross in vivo and in vitro experiments with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and E2 were conducted in male and female spotted snakehead. The leptin system was downregulated after DHT administration in both the sexes. However, with E2, a marked decrease was evidenced in male only. The sex-wise variable response of leptin system to sex steroids was validated by in vitro experiments wherein liver fragments from male and female fish were incubated individually with both the sex steroids. In conclusion, sex steroids modulate hepatic leptin system differentially depending on sex and reproductive state of spotted snakehead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Bakshi
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Umesh Rai
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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11
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Zhang S, Tian H, Sun Y, Li X, Wang W, Ru S. Brightened body coloration in female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) serves as an in vivo biomarker for environmental androgens: The example of 17β-trenbolone. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 224:112698. [PMID: 34450427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In vivo testing systems for environmental androgens are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of male-specific brightened body coloration in female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to serve as an in vivo biomarker of environmental androgens using 17β-trenbolone as an example. The high bioaccumulation of 17β-trenbolone in the skin of female guppies suggests that it is a potential target tissue of environmental androgens. The coloration index, pigment cell ultrastructure, pigment levels, sexual attractiveness, and reproductive capability of female guppies were analyzed following 28 days of exposure to 20 ng/L, 200 ng/L, and 2000 ng/L 17β-trenbolone. Increases in the coloration index caused by 17β-trenbolone exposure were attributable to increased pteridine and melanin levels. Decreases in the sexual attractiveness, number of offspring, and survival rate of offspring suggested that the changes in body coloration translated into adverse outcomes. Finally, mRNA sequencing indicated that 17β-trenbolone increased pteridine levels by activating genomic effects of androgen receptor on xanthine dehydrogenase and increased melanin levels by exerting non-genomic effects targeting microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein 1 that were mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase and calcium signaling pathways. We have derived a robust adverse outcome pathway of environmental androgens, and our findings suggest that indicators at different biological levels related to brightened body coloration in female guppies can serve as less-invasive or noninvasive in vivo biomarkers of short-term exposure to environmental androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suqiu Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Hua Tian
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China.
| | - Yang Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xuefu Li
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Shaoguo Ru
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
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12
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Carver JJ, Carrell SC, Chilton MW, Brown JN, Yong L, Zhu Y, Issa FA. Nuclear androgen and progestin receptors inversely affect aggression and social dominance in male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Horm Behav 2021; 134:105012. [PMID: 34153924 PMCID: PMC8403641 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aggression is a fundamental behavior displayed universally among animal species, but hyper- or hypo-aggressiveness can be maladaptive with negative consequences for individuals and group members. While the social and ecological significance of aggression is well understood, the specific neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms responsible for mediating aggression have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies have shown a relationship between aggressive acts and circulating gonadal steroids, but whether classical nuclear steroid receptors regulate aggression in animals is still uncertain. We examined whether the nuclear androgen receptor (Ar) and nuclear progestin receptor (Pgr) were necessary for aggressive behaviors and maintenance of a dominance relationship in male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dyadic social interactions of Ar knockout (ArKO), Pgr knockout (PgrKO) and wildtype (WT) controls were observed for two weeks (2-weeks). ArKO zebrafish were significantly less aggressive and had a less defined dominance relationship, whereas PgrKO dominant zebrafish were significantly and persistently more aggressive with a robust dominance relationship. Our results demonstrate the importance of nuclear steroid hormone receptors in regulating aggression of adult male zebrafish and provide new models for understanding of the mechanisms of aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Carver
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA
| | - Skyler C Carrell
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA
| | - Matthew W Chilton
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA
| | - Julia N Brown
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA
| | - Lengxob Yong
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA.
| | - Fadi A Issa
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27285, USA.
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13
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Xu X, Sun X, Bai Q, Zhang Y, Qin J, Zhang X. Molecular identification of an androgen receptor and the influence of long-term aggressive interaction on hypothalamic genes expression in black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2021; 207:401-413. [PMID: 33774729 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01480-8] [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: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the mechanism on how aggressive interaction alters reproductive physiology by testing whether aggressive interaction can activate the reproductive neuroendocrine function via the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). The expressions of the androgen receptor gene (ar) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone genes (gnrhs), the concentration of plasma androgens, and GSI (the ratio of testes mass to body mass) were compared between the interaction group (dominant males or subordinate males) and the isolation group in male black rockfish after 3 weeks. A full-length cDNA encoding an androgen receptor (AR) of 766 amino acids was isolated. Transcripts encoding this AR were detected at a high relative abundance in the liver, kidney, testis, ovary, muscle, and intestine tissue. Further evaluation of brain genes transcripts abundance revealed that the mRNA levels of gnrh I and ar genes were significantly different between the interaction group and the isolation group in the hypothalamus. However, no significant difference was detected in testosterone, 11-keto-testosterone, and GSI between these two groups. This study indicates that a long-term aggressive interaction affect the expression of hypothalamic gnrh I and ar but may not change the physiological function of the HPG axis in an all-male condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwen Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xin Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qingqing Bai
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Jianguang Qin
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Xiumei Zhang
- Fisheries College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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14
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DeCourten BM, Forbes JP, Roark HK, Burns NP, Major KM, White JW, Li J, Mehinto AC, Connon RE, Brander SM. Multigenerational and Transgenerational Effects of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Endocrine Disruptors in an Estuarine Fish Model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13849-13860. [PMID: 32989987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many pollutants cause endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms. While studies of the direct effects of toxicants on exposed organisms are commonplace, little is known about the potential for toxicant exposures in a parental (F0) generation to affect unexposed F1 or F2 generations (multigenerational and transgenerational effects, respectively), particularly in estuarine fishes. To investigate this possibility, we exposed inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) to environmentally relevant (low ng/L) concentrations of ethinylestradiol, bifenthrin, trenbolone, and levonorgestrel from 8 hpf to 21 dph. We then measured development, immune response, reproduction, gene expression, and DNA methylation for two subsequent generations following the exposure. Larval exposure (F0) to each compound resulted in negative effects in the F0 and F1 generations, and for ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, the F2 also. The specific endpoints that were responsive to exposure in each generation varied, but included increased incidence of larval deformities, reduced larval growth and survival, impaired immune function, skewed sex ratios, ovarian atresia, reduced egg production, and altered gene expression. Additionally, exposed fish exhibited differences in DNA methylation in selected genes, across all three generations, indicating epigenetic transfer of effects. These findings suggest that assessments across multiple generations are key to determining the full magnitude of adverse effects from contaminant exposure in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany M DeCourten
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, United States
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Joshua P Forbes
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, United States
| | - Hunter K Roark
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, United States
| | - Nathan P Burns
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, United States
| | - Kaley M Major
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - J Wilson White
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon 97365, United States
| | - Jie Li
- Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California 92626, United States
| | - Richard E Connon
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Susanne M Brander
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon 97365, United States
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15
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Ye M, Chen Y. Zebrafish as an emerging model to study gonad development. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2373-2380. [PMID: 32994895 PMCID: PMC7498840 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a popular model organism in developmental biology and pharmacogenetics due to its attribute of pathway conservation. Coupled with the availability of robust genetic and transgenic tools, transparent embryos and rapid larval development, studies of zebrafish allow detailed cellular analysis of many dynamic processes. In recent decades, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the process of gonad development have been the subject of intense research using zebrafish models. In this mini-review, we give a brief overview of these studies, and highlight the essential genes involved in sex determination and gonad development in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling Ye
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University and Department of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University and Department of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Schmid S, Willi RA, Fent K. Effects of environmental steroid mixtures are regulated by individual steroid receptor signaling. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 226:105562. [PMID: 32668346 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fish are exposed to steroids of different classes in contaminated waters, but their effects are not sufficiently understood. Here we employed an anti-sense technique using morpholino oligonucleotides to knockdown the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs, GRα and GRβ) and androgen receptor (AR) to investigate their role in physiological and transcriptional responses. To this end, zebrafish embryos were exposed to clobetasol propionate (CLO), androstenedione (A4) and mixtures containing different classes of steroids. CLO caused a decrease of spontaneous muscle contraction and increase of heart rate, as well as transcriptional induction of pepck1, fkbp5, sult2st3 and vitellogenin (vtg1) at 24 and/or 48 h post fertilization (hpf). Knockdown of GRs eliminated these effects, while knockdown of AR decreased the ar transcript but caused no expressional changes, except induction of sult2st3 after exposure to A4 at 24 hpf. Exposure to a mixture of 6 steroids comprising progesterone (P4) and three progestins, cyproterone acetate, dienogest, drospirenone, 17β-estradiol (E2) and CLO caused a significant induction of pepck1, sult2st3, vtg1 and per1a. Knockdown of GRs eliminated the physiological effects and the up-regulation of vtg1, sult2st3, pepck1, fkbp5 and per1a. Thus, as with CLO, responses in mixtures were regulated by GRs independently from the presence of other steroids. Exposure to a mixture comprising A4, CLO, E2 and P4 caused induction of vtg1, cyp19b, sult2st3 and fkbp5. Knockdown of AR had no effect, indicating that regulation of these genes occurred by the GRs and estrogen receptor (ER). Our findings show that in early embryos GRs cause vtg1 and sult2st3 induction in addition to known glucocorticoid target genes. Each steroid receptor regulated its own target genes in steroid mixtures independently from other steroids. However, enhanced expressional induction occurred for vtg1 and fkbp5 in steroid mixtures, indicating an interaction/cross-talk between GRs and ER. These findings have importance for the understanding of molecular effects of steroid mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schmid
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Hofackerstrasse 30, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Raffael Alois Willi
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Hofackerstrasse 30, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Karl Fent
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Life Sciences, Hofackerstrasse 30, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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17
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Li J, Ge W. Zebrafish as a model for studying ovarian development: Recent advances from targeted gene knockout studies. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 507:110778. [PMID: 32142861 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian development is a complex process controlled by precise coordination of multiple factors. The targeted gene knockout technique is a powerful tool to study the functions of these factors. The successful application of this technique in mice in the past three decades has significantly enhanced our understanding on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development. Recently, with the advent of genome editing techniques, targeted gene knockout research can be carried out in many species. Zebrafish has emerged as an excellent model system to study the control of ovarian development. Dozens of genes related to ovarian development have been knocked out in zebrafish in recent years. Much new information and perspectives on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development have been obtained from these mutant zebrafish. Some findings have challenged conventional views. Several genes have been identified for the first time in vertebrates to control ovarian development. Focusing on ovarian development, the purpose of this review is to briefly summarize recent findings using these gene knockout zebrafish models, and compare these findings with mammalian models. These established mutants and rapid development of gene knockout techniques have prompted zebrafish as an ideal animal model for studying ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China, 730070.
| | - Wei Ge
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China.
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18
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Lobo IKC, Nascimento ÁRD, Yamagishi MEB, Guiguen Y, Silva GFD, Severac D, Amaral ADC, Reis VR, Almeida FLD. Transcriptome of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum during gonad differentiation: Different molecular signals leading to sex identity. Genomics 2020; 112:2478-2488. [PMID: 32027957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is the major native species in Brazilian aquaculture, and we have shown that females exhibit a higher growth compared to males, opening up the possibility for the production of all-female population. To date, there is no information on the sex determination and differentiation molecular mechanisms of tambaqui. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of juvenile trunks was performed to understand the molecular network involved in the gonadal sex differentiation. The results showed that before differentiation, components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, fox and fst genes imprint female sex development, whereas antagonistic pathways (gsk3b, wt1 and fgfr2), sox9 and genes for androgen synthesis indicate male differentiation. Hence, in undifferentiated tambaqui, the Wnt/β-catenin exerts a role on sex differentiation, either upregulated in female-like individuals, or antagonized in male-like individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yann Guiguen
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.
| | | | - Dany Severac
- MGX, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Aldessandro da Costa Amaral
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Pesqueiras nos Trópicos, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Ribeiro Reis
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
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19
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A high throughput zebrafish chemical screen reveals ALK5 and non-canonical androgen signalling as modulators of the pkd2 -/- phenotype. Sci Rep 2020; 10:72. [PMID: 31919453 PMCID: PMC6952374 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56995-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common monogenic cause of end-stage renal failure in humans and results from germline mutations in PKD1 or PKD2. Despite the recent approval of tolvaptan, safer and more effective alternative drugs are clearly needed to slow disease progression. As a first step in drug discovery, we conducted an unbiased chemical screen on zebrafish pkd2 mutant embryos using two publicly available compound libraries (Spectrum, PKIS) totalling 2,367 compounds to identify novel treatments for ADPKD. Using dorsal tail curvature as the assay readout, three major chemical classes (steroids, coumarins, flavonoids) were identified from the Spectrum library as the most promising candidates to be tested on human PKD1 cystic cells. Amongst these were an androgen, 5α−androstane 3,17-dione, detected as the strongest enhancer of the pkd2 phenotype but whose effect was found to be independent of the canonical androgen receptor pathway. From the PKIS library, we identified several ALK5 kinase inhibitors as strong suppressors of the pkd2 tail phenotype and in vitro cyst expansion. In summary, our results identify ALK5 and non-canonical androgen receptors as potential therapeutic targets for further evaluation in drug development for ADPKD.
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20
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Schuppe ER, Miles MC, Fuxjager MJ. Evolution of the androgen receptor: Perspectives from human health to dancing birds. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 499:110577. [PMID: 31525432 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Androgenic hormones orchestrate the development and activation of diverse reproductive phenotypes across vertebrates. Although extensive work investigates how selection for these traits modifies individual elements of this signaling system (e.g., hormone or androgen receptor [AR] levels), we know less about natural variation in the AR sequence across vertebrates. Our knowledge of AR sequence mutations is largely limited to work in human patients or cell-lines, providing a framework to contextualize single mutations at the expense of evolutionary timescale. Here we unite both perspectives in a review that explores the functional significance of AR on a domain-by-domain basis, using existing knowledge to highlight how and why each region might evolve. We then examine AR sequence variation on different timescales by examining sequence variation in clades originating in the Cambrian (vertebrates; >500 mya) and Cretaceous (birds; >65 mya). In each case, we characterize how the receptor has changed over time and discuss which regions are most likely to evolve in response to selection. Overall, domains that are required for androgenic signaling to function (e.g., DNA- and ligand-binding) tend to be conserved. Meanwhile, areas that interface with co-regulatory molecules can exhibit notable variation even between closely related species. We propose that accumulating mutations in regulatory regions is one way that AR structure might act as a substrate for selection to guide the evolution of reproductive traits. By synthesizing literature across disciplines and highlighting the evolutionary potential of specific AR regions, we hope to inspire new avenues of integrative research into endocrine system evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Schuppe
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Meredith C Miles
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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21
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Chen P, Wang R, Yang J, Zhong W, Liu M, Yi S, Zhu L. Stronger estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects on zebrafish larvae displayed by 6:2 polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diester than the 8:2 congener at environmentally relevant concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 695:133907. [PMID: 31425999 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) are one kind of emerging polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment. However, their in vivo toxicities are largely unknown, especially at environmental relevant concentrations. To fill this gap, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 6:2 or 8:2 diPAP at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.5, 5, 50 ng/L) for 7 d. 6:2 and 8:2 diPAPs upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of aromatase in the exposed larvae, and elevated estradiol (E2) and vitellogenin (VTG) levels, but reduced testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels, demonstrating estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects. Among the three ER subtypes, ERβ2 displayed the highest in vivo mRNA expression and the lowest in silico binding energies, suggesting that it was the main target ER subtype responsible for the estrogenic effect. Molecular simulation results indicated that diPAPs and E2 could bind to one common residue, arginine (Arg) 87, in the binding pocket of ERβ2, inducing similar estrogenic disruption mechanisms as E2. Both compounds could form hydrophobic interaction with glutamic acid (Glu) 12 and tryptophan (Trp) 80 and two hydrogen bonds with Arg81 of androgen receptor (AR) ligand-binding domains (LBDs) in antagonistic mode, resulting in a reduced level of AR upon exposure. The in silico binding energies of 6:2 diPAP with both ER and AR were lower than 8:2 diPAP, explaining the observed greater in vivo estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities of 6:2 diPAP. This study provided the first line of evidences that diPAPs could display adverse effects on the endocrine functions of fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ruihan Wang
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wenjue Zhong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Menglin Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shujun Yi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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22
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Oakes JA, Li N, Wistow BRC, Griffin A, Barnard L, Storbeck KH, Cunliffe VT, Krone NP. Ferredoxin 1b Deficiency Leads to Testis Disorganization, Impaired Spermatogenesis, and Feminization in Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2401-2416. [PMID: 31322700 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The roles of steroids in zebrafish sex differentiation, gonadal development, and function of the adult gonad are poorly understood. Herein, we used ferredoxin 1b (fdx1b) mutant zebrafish to explore such processes. Fdx1b is an essential electron-providing cofactor to mitochondrial steroidogenic enzymes, which are crucial for glucocorticoid and androgen production in vertebrates. Fdx1b-/- zebrafish mutants develop into viable adults in which concentrations of androgens and cortisol are significantly reduced. Adult fdx1b-/- mutant zebrafish display predominantly female secondary sex characteristics but may possess either ovaries or testes, confirming that androgen signaling is dispensable for testicular differentiation in this species, as previously demonstrated in androgen receptor mutant zebrafish. Adult male fdx1b-/- mutant zebrafish exhibit reduced characteristic breeding behaviors and impaired sperm production, resulting in infertility in standard breeding scenarios. However, eggs collected from wild-type females can be fertilized by the sperm of fdx1b-/- mutant males by in vitro fertilization. The testes of fdx1b-/- mutant males are disorganized and lack defined seminiferous tubule structure. Expression of several promale and spermatogenic genes is decreased in the testes of fdx1b-/- mutant males, including promale transcription factor sox9a and spermatogenic genes igf3 and insl3. This study establishes an androgen- and cortisol-deficient fdx1b zebrafish mutant as a model for understanding the effects of steroid deficiency on sex development and reproductive function. This model will be particularly useful for further investigation of the roles of steroids in spermatogenesis, gonadal development, and regulation of reproductive behavior, thus enabling further elucidation of the physiological consequences of endocrine disruption in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Oakes
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Belinda R C Wistow
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Aliesha Griffin
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Lise Barnard
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Vincent T Cunliffe
- The Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nils P Krone
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- The Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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23
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Liver-specific androgen receptor knockout attenuates early liver tumor development in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10645. [PMID: 31337771 PMCID: PMC6650507 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46378-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe cancer types and many genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of HCC. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is increasingly recognized as one of the important factors associated with HCC. Previously, we have developed an inducible HCC model in kras transgenic zebrafish. In the present study, to investigate the role of AR in liver tumor development, we specifically knocked out ar gene in the liver of zebrafish via the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the knockout zebrafish was named L-ARKO for liver-specific ar knockout. We observed that liver-specific knockout of ar attenuated liver tumor development in kras transgenic zebrafish at the early stage (one week of tumor induction). However, at the late stage (two weeks of tumor induction), essentially all kras transgenic fish continue to develop HCC irrespective of the absence or presence of ar gene, indicating an overwhelming role of the driver oncogene kras over ar knockout. Consistently, cell proliferation was reduced at the early stage, but not the late stage, of liver tumor induction in the kras/L-ARKO fish, indicating that the attenuant effect of ar knockout was at least in part via cell proliferation. Furthermore, androgen treatment showed acceleration of HCC progression in kras fish but not in kras/L-ARKO fish, further indicating the abolishment of ar signalling. Therefore, we have established a tissue-specific ar knockout zebrafish and it should be a valuable tool to investigate AR signalling in the liver in future.
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24
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Tang H, Chen Y, Wang L, Yin Y, Li G, Guo Y, Liu Y, Lin H, Cheng CHK, Liu X. Fertility impairment with defective spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in male zebrafish lacking androgen receptor. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:227-238. [PMID: 29228103 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The pivotal role of androgen receptor (AR) in regulating male fertility has attracted much research attention in the past two decades. Previous studies have shown that total AR knockout would lead to incomplete spermatogenesis and lowered serum testosterone levels in mice, resulting in azoospermia and infertility. However, the precise physiological role of ar in controlling fertility of male fish is still poorly understood. In this study, we have established an ar knockout zebrafish line by transcription activator-like effectors nucleases. Homozygous ar mutant male fish with smaller testis size were found to be infertile when tested by natural mating. Intriguingly, a small amount of mature spermatozoa was observed in the ar mutant fish. These mature spermatozoa could fertilize healthy oocytes, albeit with a lower fertilization rate, by in vitro fertilization. Moreover, the expression levels of most steroidogenic genes in the testes were significantly elevated in the ar mutants. In contrast, the levels of estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were significantly decreased in the ar mutants, indicating that steroidogenesis was defective in the mutants. Furthermore, the protein level of LHβ in the serum decreased markedly in the ar mutants when compared with wild-type fish, probably due to the positive feedback from the diminished steroid hormone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haipei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Le Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yike Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gaofei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Christopher H K Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Improved Variety Reproduction in Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Kossack ME, Draper BW. Genetic regulation of sex determination and maintenance in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 134:119-149. [PMID: 30999973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Over the last several decades zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a major model organism for the study of vertebrate development and physiology. Given this, it may be surprising how little is known about the mechanism that zebrafish use to determine sex. While zebrafish are a gonochoristic species (having two sexes) that do not switch sex as adults, it was appreciated early on that sex ratios obtained from breeding lab domesticated lines were not typically a 1:1 ratio of male and female, suggesting that sex was not determined by a strict chromosomal mechanism. Here we will review the recent progress toward defining the genetic mechanism for sex determination in both wild and domesticated zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E Kossack
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Bruce W Draper
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
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26
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Zou Y, Peng L, Weng S, Liang D, Fan Z, Wu Z, Tan X, Jiao S, You F. Characterization and expression of androgen receptors in olive flounder. Gene 2019; 683:184-194. [PMID: 30315925 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Androgens are critical hormones that regulate sex differentiation, sexual maturation, and spermatogenesis in vertebrates, which is mainly mediated by androgen receptors (ARs). Reports on transcript variants of ar (AR encoding gene) in human are almost always associated with cancers and androgen insensitivity syndrome. However, the knowledge of ar variants in teleosts is scarce. In this study, arβ and two transcript variants of arα (arα1 and arα2) in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were cloned and analyzed. Their expression patterns were investigated in 16 adult female and male tissues by RT-PCR, respectively. arα1 was expressed in the majority of tissues excluding male liver, medulla oblongata and female cerebellum, with higher levels in male gonad, kidney, head kidney, intestine, stomach, spleen, heart and gill than in female. arα2 had similar expression patterns as arα1, with lower levels in general. arβ was also widely expressed in various tissues excluding male spleen, female spleen and gill, with higher levels in male gonad, kidney, head kidney, intestine and lower levels in hypothalamus than in female. Compared with arβ, much lower expression levels of arα1 and arα2 were detected in different brain areas. The real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) results showed that the total arα expression level was relatively higher during olive flounder gonadal differentiation and before the onset of testis differentiation, whereas arβ was expressed significantly higher during male gonadal differentiation period than female gonadal differentiation period. The in vitro transient transfection assays showed that ARα1, ARα2 and ARβ could all suppress the activity of cyp19a (p450arom aromatase gene) promoter, and the inhibitory effect of ARα1 was dose dependent. Our results imply that arα1, arα2 and arβ are sex-related genes and they might play important roles in gonadal differentiation in flounder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Zou
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Limin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shenda Weng
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhaofei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Xungang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Feng You
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, P. R. China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China.
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Kossack ME, Draper BW. Genetic regulation of sex determination and maintenance in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Curr Top Dev Biol 2019. [PMID: 30999973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.02.00] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the last several decades zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a major model organism for the study of vertebrate development and physiology. Given this, it may be surprising how little is known about the mechanism that zebrafish use to determine sex. While zebrafish are a gonochoristic species (having two sexes) that do not switch sex as adults, it was appreciated early on that sex ratios obtained from breeding lab domesticated lines were not typically a 1:1 ratio of male and female, suggesting that sex was not determined by a strict chromosomal mechanism. Here we will review the recent progress toward defining the genetic mechanism for sex determination in both wild and domesticated zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E Kossack
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Bruce W Draper
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
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Ogino Y, Tohyama S, Kohno S, Toyota K, Yamada G, Yatsu R, Kobayashi T, Tatarazako N, Sato T, Matsubara H, Lange A, Tyler CR, Katsu Y, Iguchi T, Miyagawa S. Functional distinctions associated with the diversity of sex steroid hormone receptors ESR and AR. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 184:38-46. [PMID: 29885351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones including estrogens and androgens play fundamental roles in regulating reproductive activities and they act through estrogen and androgen receptors (ESR and AR). These steroid receptors have evolved from a common ancestor in association with several gene duplications. In most vertebrates, this has resulted in two ESR subtypes (ESR1 and ESR2) and one AR, whereas in teleost fish there are at least three ESRs (ESR1, ESR2a and ESR2b) and two ARs (ARα and ARβ) due to a lineage-specific whole genome duplication. Functional distinctions have been suggested among these receptors, but to date their roles have only been characterized in a limited number of species. Sexual differentiation and the development of reproductive organs are indispensable for all animal species and in vertebrates these events depend on the action of sex steroid hormones. Here we review the recent progress in understanding of the functions of the ESRs and ARs in the development and expression of sexually dimorphic characteristics associated with steroid hormone signaling in vertebrates, with representative fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Ogino
- Attached Promotive Centre for International Education and Research of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Saki Tohyama
- Graduate School of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Satomi Kohno
- Department of Biology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN 56301, USA
| | - Kenji Toyota
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1293, Japan; Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Gen Yamada
- Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Ryohei Yatsu
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Tohru Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | | | - Tomomi Sato
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Hajime Matsubara
- Department of Aquatic Biology, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri, Hokkaido 099-2493, Japan
| | - Anke Lange
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Yoshinao Katsu
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0809, Japan
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan; Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.
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29
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Dehnert GK, Freitas MB, DeQuattro ZA, Barry T, Karasov WH. Effects of low, subchronic exposure of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and commercial 2,4-D formulations on early life stages of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:2550-2559. [PMID: 29920774 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic herbicides are commonly used to control a wide variety of algae and plants, but they also have the potential to contaminate and affect nontarget organisms. However, the impacts of low-level 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide exposure on larval fish are not well understood. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the effects of low concentrations (0.05, 0.50, and 2.00 ppm) of 2 commercial 2,4-D amine salt herbicide formulations (Weedestroy® AM40 [WAM40] and DMA® 4 IVM [DMA4]) and pure 2,4-D on the development and survival of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) at various life cycle stages. Larval survival (30 d post hatch [dph]) was decreased following exposure of eggs and larvae to pure 2,4-D (0.50 ppm; p ≤ 0.001), as well as to WAM40 (0.50 and 2.00 ppm; p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.001) and DMA4 (0.50 and 2.00 ppm; p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.001). The results also narrowed the critical window of exposure for effects on survival to the period between fertilization and 14 dph. Development was not negatively altered by any of the compounds tested, although the commercial formulations increased larval total length and mass at 2.00 ppm. Altogether, the results indicate that the use of 2,4-D herbicides for weed control in aquatic ecosystems at current recommended concentrations (<2 ppm whole lake; <4 ppm spot treatment) could present risks to fathead minnow larval survival. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2550-2559. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin K Dehnert
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mariella B Freitas
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Zachary A DeQuattro
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Terence Barry
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William H Karasov
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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30
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Peters MJ, Parker SK, Grim J, Allard CAH, Levin J, Detrich HW. Divergent Hemogen genes of teleosts and mammals share conserved roles in erythropoiesis: analysis using transgenic and mutant zebrafish. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.035576. [PMID: 30097520 PMCID: PMC6124579 DOI: 10.1242/bio.035576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemogen is a vertebrate transcription factor that performs important functions in erythropoiesis and testicular development and may contribute to neoplasia. Here we identify zebrafish Hemogen and show that it is considerably smaller (∼22 kDa) than its human ortholog (∼55 kDa), a striking difference that is explained by an underlying modular structure. We demonstrate that Hemogens are largely composed of 21-25 amino acid repeats, some of which may function as transactivation domains (TADs). Hemogen expression in embryonic and adult zebrafish is detected in hematopoietic, renal, neural and gonadal tissues. Using Tol2- and CRISPR/Cas9-generated transgenic zebrafish, we show that Hemogen expression is controlled by two Gata1-dependent regulatory sequences that act alone and together to control spatial and temporal expression during development. Partial depletion of Hemogen in embryos by morpholino knockdown reduces the number of erythrocytes in circulation. CRISPR/Cas9-generated zebrafish lines containing either a frameshift mutation or an in-frame deletion in a putative, C-terminal TAD display anemia and embryonic tail defects. This work expands our understanding of Hemogen and provides mutant zebrafish lines for future study of the mechanism of this important transcription factor. Summary: Transgenic and mutant zebrafish lines were created to characterize the expression and functions of Hemogen, a transcription factor involved in the formation of red blood cells and other processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Peters
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Sandra K Parker
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Jeffrey Grim
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Corey A H Allard
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Jonah Levin
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - H William Detrich
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
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31
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Diotel N, Charlier TD, Lefebvre d'Hellencourt C, Couret D, Trudeau VL, Nicolau JC, Meilhac O, Kah O, Pellegrini E. Steroid Transport, Local Synthesis, and Signaling within the Brain: Roles in Neurogenesis, Neuroprotection, and Sexual Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:84. [PMID: 29515356 PMCID: PMC5826223 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol and exert pleiotropic effects notably in the central nervous system. Pioneering studies from Baulieu and colleagues have suggested that steroids are also locally-synthesized in the brain. Such steroids, called neurosteroids, can rapidly modulate neuronal excitability and functions, brain plasticity, and behavior. Accumulating data obtained on a wide variety of species demonstrate that neurosteroidogenesis is an evolutionary conserved feature across fish, birds, and mammals. In this review, we will first document neurosteroidogenesis and steroid signaling for estrogens, progestagens, and androgens in the brain of teleost fish, birds, and mammals. We will next consider the effects of sex steroids in homeostatic and regenerative neurogenesis, in neuroprotection, and in sexual behaviors. In a last part, we will discuss the transport of steroids and lipoproteins from the periphery within the brain (and vice-versa) and document their effects on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and on neuroprotection. We will emphasize the potential interaction between lipoproteins and sex steroids, addressing the beneficial effects of steroids and lipoproteins, particularly HDL-cholesterol, against the breakdown of the BBB reported to occur during brain ischemic stroke. We will consequently highlight the potential anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective properties of sex steroid and lipoproteins, these latest improving cholesterol and steroid ester transport within the brain after insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Diotel
- Université de La Réunion, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1188, Diabète athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Thierry D. Charlier
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Christian Lefebvre d'Hellencourt
- Université de La Réunion, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1188, Diabète athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - David Couret
- Université de La Réunion, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1188, Diabète athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | | | - Joel C. Nicolau
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Olivier Meilhac
- Université de La Réunion, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1188, Diabète athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - Olivier Kah
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Elisabeth Pellegrini
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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Zebrafish androgen receptor is required for spermatogenesis and maintenance of ovarian function. Oncotarget 2018; 9:24320-24334. [PMID: 29849943 PMCID: PMC5966271 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear receptor protein family member and inducible transcription factor that modulates androgen target gene expression. Studies using a mouse model confirmed the need for ar in reproductive development, particularly spermatogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of ar in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 gene targeting technology. Targeted disruption of ar in zebrafish increases the number of female offspring and increases offspring weight. In addition, ar-null male zebrafish have female secondary sex characteristics. More importantly, targeted disruption of ar in zebrafish causes male infertility via defective spermatogenesis and female premature ovarian failure during growth. Mechanistic assays suggest that these effects are caused by fewer proliferated cells and more apoptotic cells in ar-null testes. Moreover, genes involved in reproductive development, estradiol induction and hormone synthesis were dys-regulated in testes and ovaries and the reproductive-endocrine axis was disordered. Our data thus suggest that the zebrafish ar is required for spermatogenesis and maintenance of ovarian function, which confirms evolutionarily conserved functions of ar in vertebrates, as well as indicates that ar-null zebrafish are a suitable model for studying pathologic mechanisms related to androgen disorders.
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Crowder CM, Lassiter CS, Gorelick DA. Nuclear Androgen Receptor Regulates Testes Organization and Oocyte Maturation in Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2018; 159:980-993. [PMID: 29272351 PMCID: PMC5788001 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Androgens act through the nuclear androgen receptor (AR) to regulate gonad differentiation and development. In mice, AR is necessary for spermatogenesis, testis development, and formation of external genitalia in males and oocyte maturation in females. However, the extent to which these phenotypes are conserved in nonmammalian vertebrates is not well understood. Here, we generate zebrafish with a mutation in the ar gene (aruab105/105) and examine the role of AR in sexual determination and gonad development. We found that zebrafish AR regulates male sexual determination, because the majority of aruab105/105 mutant embryos developed ovaries and displayed female secondary sexual characteristics. The small percentage of mutants that developed testes displayed female secondary sexual characteristics, exhibited structurally disorganized testes, and were unable to release or produce normal levels of sperm, demonstrating that AR is necessary for zebrafish testis development and fertility. In females, we found that AR regulates oocyte maturation and fecundity. The aruab105/105 mutant females developed ovaries filled primarily with immature stage I oocytes and few mature stage III oocytes. Two genes whose expression is enriched in wild-type ovaries compared with testes (cyp19a1a, foxl2a) were upregulated in ar mutant testes, and two genes enriched in testes (amh, dmrt1) were upregulated in ar mutant ovaries. These findings demonstrate that AR regulates sexual determination, testis development, and oocyte maturation and suggest that AR regulates sexually dimorphic gene expression. The ar mutant we developed will be useful for modeling human endocrine function in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camerron M. Crowder
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | | | - Daniel A. Gorelick
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Zhang Q, Ma X, Dzakpasu M, Wang XC. Evaluation of ecotoxicological effects of benzophenone UV filters: Luminescent bacteria toxicity, genotoxicity and hormonal activity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 142:338-347. [PMID: 28437725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of organic ultraviolet (UV) filters in personal care products raises concerns about their potentially hazardous effects on human and ecosystem health. In this study, the toxicities of four commonly used benzophenones (BPs) UV filters including benzophenone (BP), 2-Hydroxybenzophenone (2HB), 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3), and 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonicacid (BP4) in water were assayed in vitro using Vibrio fischeri, SOS/umu assay, and yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay, as well as in vivo using zebrafish larvae. The results showed that the luminescent bacteria toxicity, expressed as logEC50, increased with the lipophilicity (logKow) of BPs UV filters. Especially, since 2HB, BP3 and BP4 had different substituent groups, namely -OH, -OCH3 and -SO3H, respectively, these substituent functional groups had a major contribution to the lipophilicity and acute toxicity of these BPs. Similar tendency was observed for the genotoxicity, expressed as the value of induction ratio=1.5. Moreover, all the target BPs UV filters showed estrogenic activity, but no significant influences of lipophilicity on the estrogenicity were observed, with BP3 having the weakest estrogenic efficiency in vitro. Although BP3 displayed no noticeable adverse effects in any in vitro assays, multiple hormonal activities were observed in zebrafish larvae including estrogenicity, anti-estrogenicity and anti-androgenicity by regulating the expression of target genes. The results indicated potential hazardous effects of BPs UV filters and the importance of the combination of toxicological evaluation methods including in vitro and in vivo assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuya Zhang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710055, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710055, PR China
| | - Mawuli Dzakpasu
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710055, PR China
| | - Xiaochang C Wang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710055, PR China.
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35
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Lee SLJ, Horsfield JA, Black MA, Rutherford K, Fisher A, Gemmell NJ. Histological and transcriptomic effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on zebrafish gonad development. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:557. [PMID: 28738802 PMCID: PMC5523153 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3915-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex hormones play important roles in teleost ovarian and testicular development. In zebrafish, ovarian differentiation appears to be dictated by an oocyte-derived signal via Cyp19a1a aromatase-mediated estrogen production. Androgens and aromatase inhibitors can induce female-to-male sex reversal, however, the mechanisms underlying gonadal masculinisation are poorly understood. We used histological analyses together with RNA sequencing to characterise zebrafish gonadal transcriptomes and investigate the effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on gonadal differentiation. RESULTS At a morphological level, 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) masculinised gonads and accelerated spermatogenesis, and these changes were paralleled in masculinisation and de-feminisation of gonadal transcriptomes. MT treatment upregulated expression of genes involved in male sex determination and differentiation (amh, dmrt1, gsdf and wt1a) and those involved in 11-oxygenated androgen production (cyp11c1 and hsd11b2). It also repressed expression of ovarian development and folliculogenesis genes (bmp15, gdf9, figla, zp2.1 and zp3b). Furthermore, MT treatment altered epigenetic modification of histones in zebrafish gonads. Contrary to expectations, higher levels of cyp19a1a or foxl2 expression in control ovaries compared to MT-treated testes and control testes were not statistically significant during early gonad development (40 dpf). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that both androgen production and aromatase inhibition are important for androgen-induced gonadal masculinisation and natural testicular differentiation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia A. Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
| | - Michael A. Black
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
| | - Kim Rutherford
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
| | - Amanda Fisher
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
| | - Neil J. Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
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J. M. Schaaf M. The First Fifteen Years of Steroid Receptor Research in Zebrafish; Characterization and Functional Analysis of the Receptors. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.11131/2017/101286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Siegenthaler PF, Zhao Y, Zhang K, Fent K. Reproductive and transcriptional effects of the antiandrogenic progestin chlormadinone acetate in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 223:346-356. [PMID: 28118999 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Chlormadinone acetate (CMA) is a frequently used progestin with antiandrogenic activity in humans. Residues may enter the aquatic environment but potential adverse effects in fish are unknown. While our previous work focused on effects of CMA in vitro and in zebrafish eleuthero-embryos, the present study reports on reproductive and transcriptional effects in adult female and male zebrafish (Danio rerio). We performed a reproductive study using breeding groups of zebrafish. After 15 days of pre-exposure, we exposed zebrafish to different measured concentrations between 6.4 and 53,745 ng/L CMA for 21 days and counted produced eggs daily to determine fecundity. Additionally, transcriptional effects of CMA in brains, livers, and gonads were analyzed. CMA induced a slight but statistically significant reduction in fecundity at 65 ng/L and 53,745 ng/L compared to pre-exposure. Furthermore, we observed differential expression for gene transcripts of steroid hormone receptors, genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and steroidogenesis. In particular, we found a significant decrease of transcript levels of vitellogenin (vtg1) in ovaries and liver, and of cyp2k7 in the liver of males, as well as a significant increase of transcripts of the progesterone receptor (pgr) in testes, and cyp2k1 in the liver of females. The observed effects were weaker than those of other very potent progestins, which is probably related to the lack of interaction of CMA with the zebrafish progesterone receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Franziska Siegenthaler
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW, School of Life Sciences, Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Yanbin Zhao
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW, School of Life Sciences, Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Kun Zhang
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW, School of Life Sciences, Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Karl Fent
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW, School of Life Sciences, Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics, Department of Environmental System Sciences, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Zhai G, Shu T, Xia Y, Jin X, He J, Yin Z. Androgen signaling regulates the transcription of anti-Müllerian hormone via synergy with SRY-related protein SOX9A. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2017; 62:197-203. [PMID: 36659404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (amh) is one of the earliest functional genes expressed during testicular differentiation. It has been suggested that androgen signaling regulates critical genes for the differentiation and development of the testis. To elucidate the exact regulatory mechanisms involved in amh transcription mediated by androgen signaling, androgen signaling was manipulated in zebrafish by cytochrome P450 17a1 (cyp17a1) knockout and Flutamide treatment. In cyp17a1-deficient and Flutamide-treated testes, up-regulated sry-box9a (sox9a) and down-regulated amh were observed. Moreover, a physical association of the zebrafish androgen receptor (AR) and SOX9A was found. The interaction between AR and SOX9A was mediated via the DNA binding domain (DBD) of AR and the transactivation domain (TA) of SOX9A, and was further enhanced by 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the most potent androgens. Intriguingly, together with SOX9A, androgen signaling synergistically promoted amh transcription, mainly through the proximal 1kb of the amh promoter region. Taken together, our data demonstrate a critical mechanism underlying the direct synergy of androgen signaling and SOX9A in the regulation of amh transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Tingting Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuguo Xia
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Xia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jiangyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Zhang QY, Ma XY, Wang XC, Ngo HH. Assessment of multiple hormone activities of a UV-filter (octocrylene) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 159:433-441. [PMID: 27337435 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to a UV-filter-octocrylene (OCT) with elevated concentrations for 28 d. The total body accumulation of OCT in zebrafish was found to reach 2321.01 ("L" level), 31,234.80 ("M" level), and 70,593.38 ng g(-1) ("H" level) when the average OCT exposure concentration was controlled at 28.61, 505.62, and 1248.70 μg L(-1), respectively. Gross and histological observations as well as RT-qPCR analysis were conducted to determine the effects of OCT accumulation on zebrafish. After exposure, the gonad-somatic index and percentage of vitellogenic oocytes were found to increase significantly in the ovaries of female zebrafish at the H accumulation level. Significant up-regulation of esr1 and cyp19b were observed in the gonads, as well as vtg1 in the livers for both female and male zebrafish. At M and H accumulation levels, apparent down-regulation of ar was observed in the ovaries and testis of the female and male zebrafish, respectively. Although the extent of the effects on zebrafish differed at different accumulation levels, the induction of vtg1 and histological changes in the ovaries are indications of estrogenic activity and the inhibition of esr1 and ar showed antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activity, respectively. Thus, as OCT could easily accumulate in aquatic life such as zebrafish, one of its most of concern hazards would be the disturbance of the histological development and its multiple hormonal activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuya Y Zhang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province, China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No. 13, Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Xiaoyan Y Ma
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province, China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No. 13, Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Xiaochang C Wang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province, China; Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No. 13, Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, China.
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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Zhang LH, Luo Z, Song YF, Shi X, Pan YX, Fan YF, Xu YH. Effects and mechanisms of waterborne copper exposure influencing ovary development and related hormones secretion in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 178:88-98. [PMID: 27472784 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the effects and mechanism of waterborne copper (Cu) exposure influencing ovary development and related hormones secretion in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. To this end, two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, the partial cDNA sequences of three steroidogenesis-related genes (androgen receptor (ar), steroidogenic factor 1 (sf-1) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star)) were firstly characterized from P. fulvidraco. The predicted amino acid sequences for the P. fulvidraco ar, sf-1 and star contained the main structural features characteristic in other species. In Exp. 2, P. fulvidraco were exposed to three waterborne Cu concentrations (control, 30μg/l and 60μg/l, respectively) for 56days. Sampling occurred on day 28 and day 56, respectively. On day 28, the levels of serum sex-steroid hormones (FSH and LH) and the mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (3β-hsd, cyp11a1, cyp17, cyp19a, sf-1 and star) were significantly increased in ovary of P. fulvidraco exposed to 30μg Cu/l. The immunohistochemical analysis showed the positive reaction of ER, VTG and aromatase in low dose exposure group. These indicated that in low dose and relative short-term exposure, Cu was beneficial. In contrast, 60μg Cu/l exposure significantly reduced the levels of serum FSH, LH, E2 and P, and the mRNA levels of ovarian 20β-hsd, cyp19a and erα in P. fulvidraco. On day 56, waterborne Cu concentration exposure reduced the levels of serum gonadotropins and sex hormones, and down-regulated the mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related genes, indicating long-term Cu exposure had toxic effect on the secretion of sex-steroid hormone in P. fulvidraco. For the first time, our study cloned cDNA sequences of ar, sf-1 and star in P. fulvidraco, and demonstrated the effects and mechanism of waterborne Cu exposure influencing hormones secretion and synthesis in dose- and time-dependent manner in P. fulvidraco, which will help to understand the Cu-induced reproductive toxicity at both protein and transcriptional levels in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Han Zhang
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Yu-Feng Song
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xi Shi
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Pan
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yao-Fang Fan
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yi-Huan Xu
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Feed for Aquatic Economic Animals, Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovative Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
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Sharma P, Tang S, Mayer GD, Patiño R. Effects of thyroid endocrine manipulation on sex-related gene expression and population sex ratios in Zebrafish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 235:38-47. [PMID: 27255368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone reportedly induces masculinization of genetic females and goitrogen treatment delays testicular differentiation (ovary-to-testis transformation) in genetic males of Zebrafish. This study explored potential molecular mechanisms of these phenomena. Zebrafish were treated with thyroxine (T4, 2nM), goitrogen [methimazole (MZ), 0.15mM], MZ (0.15mM) and T4 (2nM) (rescue treatment), or reconstituted water (control) from 3 to 33days postfertilization (dpf) and maintained in control water until 45dpf. Whole fish were collected during early (25dpf) and late (45dpf) testicular differentiation for transcript abundance analysis of selected male (dmrt1, amh, ar) and female (cyp19a1a, esr1, esr2a, esr2b) sex-related genes by quantitative RT-PCR, and fold-changes relative to control values were determined. Additional fish were sampled at 45dpf for histological assessment of gonadal sex. The T4 and rescue treatments caused male-biased populations, and T4 alone induced precocious puberty in ∼50% of males. Male-biased sex ratios were accompanied by increased expression of amh and ar and reduced expression of cyp19a1a, esr1, esr2a, and esr2b at 25 and 45dpf and, unexpectedly, reduced expression of dmrt1 at 45dpf. Goitrogen exposure increased the proportion of individuals with ovaries (per previous studies interpreted as delay in testicular differentiation of genetic males), and at 25 and 45dpf reduced the expression of amh and ar and increased the expression of esr1 (only at 25dpf), esr2a, and esr2b. Notably, cyp19a1a transcript was reduced but via non-thyroidal pathways (not restored by rescue treatment). In conclusion, the masculinizing activity of T4 at the population level may be due to its ability to inhibit female and stimulate male sex-related genes in larvae, while the inability of MZ to induce cyp19a1a, which is necessary for ovarian differentiation, may explain why its "feminizing" activity on gonadal sex is not permanent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences and Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2120, USA
| | - Song Tang
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1163, USA
| | - Gregory D Mayer
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1163, USA
| | - Reynaldo Patiño
- U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Departments of Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2120, USA.
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42
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Golshan M, Habibi HR, Alavi SMH. Transcripts of genes encoding reproductive neuroendocrine hormones and androgen receptor in the brain and testis of goldfish exposed to vinclozolin, flutamide, testosterone, and their combinations. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2016; 42:1157-1165. [PMID: 26899179 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-016-0205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Vinclozolin (VZ) is a pesticide that acts as an anti-androgen to impair reproduction in mammals. However, VZ-induced disruption of reproduction is largely unknown in fish. In the present study, we have established a combination exposure in which adult goldfish were exposed to VZ (30 and 100 μg/L), anti-androgen flutamide (Flu, 300 μg/L), and androgen testosterone (T, 1 μg/L) to better understand effects of VZ on reproductive endocrine system. mRNA levels of kisspeptin (kiss-1 and kiss-2) and its receptor (gpr54), salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh3) and androgen receptor (ar) in the mid-brain, and luteinizing hormone receptor (lhr) in the testis were analyzed and compared with those of control following 10 days of exposure. kiss-1 mRNA level was increased in goldfish exposed to 100 µg/L VZ and to Flu, while kiss-2 mRNA level was increased following exposure to Flu and to combinations of 30 µg/L VZ with Flu, 100 µg/L VZ with T, and Flu with T. gpr54 mRNA level was increased in goldfish exposed to Flu and to combination of 30 µg/L VZ with Flu and 100 µg/L VZ with T. gnrh3 mRNA level was increased in goldfish exposed to 100 µg/L VZ, to Flu, and to combinations of 30 µg/L VZ with Flu, 100 µg/L VZ with T, and Flu with T. The mid-brain ar mRNA level was increased in goldfish exposed to Flu and to combinations of 30 µg/L VZ with Flu, 100 µg/L VZ with T, and Flu with T. Testicular lhr mRNA level was increased in goldfish exposed to Flu and to combination of 30 µg/L VZ with Flu. These results suggest that VZ and Flu are capable of interfering with kisspeptin and GnRH systems to alter pituitary and testicular horonal functions in adult goldfish and the brain ar mediates VZ-induced disruption of androgen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Golshan
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Hamid R Habibi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sayyed Mohammad Hadi Alavi
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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43
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Kinch CD, Kurrasch DM, Habibi HR. Adverse morphological development in embryonic zebrafish exposed to environmental concentrations of contaminants individually and in mixture. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 175:286-98. [PMID: 27107150 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental contaminants has been linked to developmental and reproductive abnormalities leading to infertility, spontaneous abortion, reduced number of offspring, and metabolic disorders. In addition, there is evidence linking environmental contaminants and endocrine disruption to abnormal developmental rate, defects in heart and eye morphology, and alterations in behavior. Notably, these effects could not be explained by interaction with a single hormone receptor. Here, using a whole-organism approach, we investigated morphological changes to developing zebrafish caused by exposure to a number of environmental contaminants, including bisphenol A (BPA), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), nonylphenol, and fucosterol at concentrations measured in a local water body (Oldman River, AB), individually and in mixture. Exposure to nanomolar contaminant concentrations resulted in abnormal morphological development, including changes to body length, pericardia (heart), and the head. We also characterize the spatiotemporal expression profiles of estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone receptors to demonstrate that localization of these receptors might be mediating contaminant effects on development. Finally, we examined the effects of contaminants singly and in mixture. Combined, our results support the hypothesis that adverse effects of contaminants are not mediated by single hormone receptor signaling, and adversity of contaminants in mixture could not be predicted by simple additive effect of contaminants. The findings provide a framework for better understanding of developmental toxicity of environmental contaminants in zebrafish and other vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra D Kinch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Hamid R Habibi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Zhou L, Charkraborty T, Zhou Q, Mohapatra S, Nagahama Y, Zhang Y. Rspo1-activated signalling molecules are sufficient to induce ovarian differentiation in XY medaka (Oryzias latipes). Sci Rep 2016; 6:19543. [PMID: 26782368 PMCID: PMC4726049 DOI: 10.1038/srep19543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to our understanding of testicular differentiation, ovarian differentiation is less well understood in vertebrates. In mammals, R-spondin1 (Rspo1), an activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, is located upstream of the female sex determination pathway. However, the functions of Rspo1 in ovarian differentiation remain unclear in non-mammalian species. In order to elucidate the detailed functions of Rspo/Wnt signaling pathway in fish sex determination/differentiation, the ectopic expression of the Rspo1 gene was performed in XY medaka (Oryzias latipes). The results obtained demonstrated that the gain of Rspo1 function induced femininity in XY fish. The overexpression of Rspo1 enhanced Wnt4b and β-catenin transcription, and completely suppressed the expression of male-biased genes (Dmy, Gsdf, Sox9a2 and Dmrt1) as well as testicular differentiation. Gonadal reprograming of Rspo1-over-expressed-XY (Rspo1-OV-XY) fish, induced the production of female-biased genes (Cyp19a1a and Foxl2), estradiol-17β production and further female type secondary sexuality. Moreover, Rspo1-OV-XY females were fertile and produced successive generations. Promoter analyses showed that Rspo1 transcription was directly regulated by DM domain genes (Dmy, the sex-determining gene, and Dmrt1) and remained unresponsive to Foxl2. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that Rspo1 is sufficient to activate ovarian development and plays a decisive role in the ovarian differentiation in medaka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.,SORST, Japan Science Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Tapas Charkraborty
- SORST, Japan Science Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Ehime, 798-4206, Japan
| | - Qian Zhou
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sipra Mohapatra
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Ehime, 798-4206, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagahama
- SORST, Japan Science Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.,South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Ainan, Ehime, 798-4206, Japan.,Institution for Collaborative Relations, Ehime University, 790-8577, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Yueguang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
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45
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Tokarz J, Möller G, Hrabě de Angelis M, Adamski J. Steroids in teleost fishes: A functional point of view. Steroids 2015; 103:123-44. [PMID: 26102270 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of a variety of processes like embryonic development, sex differentiation, metabolism, immune responses, circadian rhythms, stress response, and reproduction in vertebrates. Teleost fishes and humans show a remarkable conservation in many developmental and physiological aspects, including the endocrine system in general and the steroid hormone related processes in particular. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about steroid hormone biosynthesis and the steroid hormone receptors in teleost fishes and compares the findings to the human system. The impact of the duplicated genome in teleost fishes on steroid hormone biosynthesis and perception is addressed. Additionally, important processes in fish physiology regulated by steroid hormones, which are most dissimilar to humans, are described. We also give a short overview on the influence of anthropogenic endocrine disrupting compounds on steroid hormone signaling and the resulting adverse physiological effects for teleost fishes. By this approach, we show that the steroidogenesis, hormone receptors, and function of the steroid hormones are reasonably well understood when summarizing the available data of all teleost species analyzed to date. However, on the level of a single species or a certain fish-specific aspect of physiology, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Tokarz
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Möller
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Lange A, Sebire M, Rostkowski P, Mizutani T, Miyagawa S, Iguchi T, Hill EM, Tyler CR. Environmental chemicals active as human antiandrogens do not activate a stickleback androgen receptor but enhance a feminising effect of oestrogen in roach. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 168:48-59. [PMID: 26440146 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Sexual disruption is reported in wild fish populations living in freshwaters receiving discharges of wastewater treatment works (WwTW) effluents and is associated primarily with the feminisation of males by exposure to oestrogenic chemicals. Antiandrogens could also contribute to the feminisation of male fish, but there are far less data supporting this hypothesis and almost nothing is known for the effects of oestrogens in combination with antiandrogens in fish. We conducted a series of in vivo exposures in two fish species to investigate the potency on reproductive-relevant endpoints of the antiandrogenic antimicrobials triclosan (TCS), chlorophene (CP) and dichlorophene (DCP) and the resin, abietic acid (AbA), all found widely in WwTW effluents. We also undertook exposures with a mixture of antiandrogens and a mixture of antiandrogens in combination with the oestrogen 17α-ethinyloestradiol (EE2). In stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), DCP showed a tendency to reduce spiggin induction in females androgenised by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but these findings were not conclusive. In roach (Rutilus rutilus), exposures to DCP (178 days), or a mixture of TCS, CP and AbA (185 days), or to the model antiandrogen flutamide (FL, 178 days) had no effect on gonadal sex ratio or on the development of the reproductive ducts. Exposure to EE2 (1.5ng/L, 185 days) induced feminisation of the ducts in 17% of the males and in the mixture of antiandrogens (TCS, CP, AbA) in combination with EE2, almost all (96%) of the males had a feminised reproductive ducts. In stickleback androgen receptor (ARα and ARβ) transactivation assays, the model antiandrogens, FL and procymidone inhibited 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) induced receptor activation, but none of the human antiandrogens, TCS, CP, DCP and AbA had an effect. These data indicate that antimicrobial antiandrogens in combination can contribute to the feminisation process in exposed males, but they do not appear to act through the androgen receptor in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Lange
- University of Exeter, Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom.
| | - Marion Sebire
- University of Exeter, Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom; Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom
| | - Pawel Rostkowski
- University of Sussex, School of Life Sciences, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom
| | - Takeshi Mizutani
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Elizabeth M Hill
- University of Sussex, School of Life Sciences, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R Tyler
- University of Exeter, Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom.
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Ogino Y, Kuraku S, Ishibashi H, Miyakawa H, Sumiya E, Miyagawa S, Matsubara H, Yamada G, Baker ME, Iguchi T. Neofunctionalization of Androgen Receptor by Gain-of-Function Mutations in Teleost Fish Lineage. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 33:228-44. [PMID: 26507457 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormone receptor family provides an example of evolution of diverse transcription factors through whole-genome duplication (WGD). However, little is known about how their functions have been evolved after the duplication. Teleosts present a good model to investigate an accurate evolutionary history of protein function after WGD, because a teleost-specific WGD (TSGD) resulted in a variety of duplicated genes in modern fishes. This study focused on the evolution of androgen receptor (AR) gene, as two distinct paralogs, ARα and ARβ, have evolved in teleost lineage after TSGD. ARα showed a unique intracellular localization with a higher transactivation response than that of ARβ. Using site-directed mutagenesis and computational prediction of protein-ligand interactions, we identified two key substitutions generating a new functionality of euteleost ARα. The substitution in the hinge region contributes to the unique intracellular localization of ARα. The substitution on helices 10/11 in the ligand-binding domain possibly modulates hydrogen bonds that stabilize the receptor-ligand complex leading to the higher transactivation response of ARα. These substitutions were conserved in Acanthomorpha (spiny-rayed fish) ARαs, but not in an earlier branching lineage among teleosts, Japanese eel. Insertion of these substitutions into ARs from Japanese eel recapitulates the evolutionary novelty of euteleost ARα. These findings together indicate that the substitutions generating a new functionality of teleost ARα were fixed in teleost genome after the divergence of the Elopomorpha lineage. Our findings provide a molecular explanation for an adaptation process leading to generation of the hyperactive AR subtype after TSGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Ogino
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kuraku
- Phyloinformatics Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishibashi
- Department of Life Environmental Conservation, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Miyakawa
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Japan
| | - Eri Sumiya
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Hajime Matsubara
- Department of Aquatic Biology, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri, Japan
| | - Gen Yamada
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | | | - Taisen Iguchi
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and Department of Basic Biology, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
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48
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Fetter E, Smetanová S, Baldauf L, Lidzba A, Altenburger R, Schüttler A, Scholz S. Identification and Characterization of Androgen-Responsive Genes in Zebrafish Embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:11789-11798. [PMID: 26308493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Responsive genes for fish embryos have been identified so far for some endocrine pathways but not for androgens. Using transcriptome analysis and multiple concentration-response modeling, we identified putative androgen-responsive genes in zebrafish embryos exposed to 0.05-5000 nM 11-ketotestosterone for 24 h. Four selected genes with sigmoidal concentration-dependent expression profiles (EC50 = 6.5-30.0 nM) were characterized in detail. The expression of cyp2k22 and slco1f4 was demonstrated in the pronephros; lipca was detected in the liver, and sult2st3 was found in the olfactory organs and choroid plexus. Their expression domains, the function of human orthologs, and a pathway analysis suggested a role of these genes in the metabolism of hormones. Hence, it was hypothesized that they were induced to compensate for elevated hormone levels. The induction of sult2st3 and cyp2k22 by 11-ketotestosterone was repressed by co-exposure to the androgen receptor antagonist nilutamide supporting a potential androgen receptor mediated regulation. Sensitivity (expressed as EC50 values) of sult2st3 and cyp2k22 gene expression induction after exposure to other steroidal hormones (11-ketotestosterone ∼ testosterone > progesterone > cortisol > ethinylestradiol) correlated with their known binding affinities to zebrafish androgen receptor. Hence, these genes might represent potential markers for screening of androgenic compounds in the zebrafish embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Fetter
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Soňa Smetanová
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University , Faculty of Science, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lisa Baldauf
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annegret Lidzba
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Schüttler
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Scholz
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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49
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Cortés-Campos C, Letelier J, Ceriani R, Whitlock KE. Zebrafish adult-derived hypothalamic neurospheres generate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Biol Open 2015. [PMID: 26209533 PMCID: PMC4582115 DOI: 10.1242/bio.010447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hypothalamic decapeptide essential for fertility in vertebrates. Human male patients lacking GnRH and treated with hormone therapy can remain fertile after cessation of treatment suggesting that new GnRH neurons can be generated during adult life. We used zebrafish to investigate the neurogenic potential of the adult hypothalamus. Previously we have characterized the development of GnRH cells in the zebrafish linking genetic pathways to the differentiation of neuromodulatory and endocrine GnRH cells in specific regions of the brain. Here, we developed a new method to obtain neural progenitors from the adult hypothalamus in vitro. Using this system, we show that neurospheres derived from the adult hypothalamus can be maintained in culture and subsequently differentiate glia and neurons. Importantly, the adult derived progenitors differentiate into neurons containing GnRH and the number of cells is increased through exposure to either testosterone or GnRH, hormones used in therapeutic treatment in humans. Finally, we show in vivo that a neurogenic niche in the hypothalamus contains GnRH positive neurons. Thus, we demonstrated for the first time that neurospheres can be derived from the hypothalamus of the adult zebrafish and that these neural progenitors are capable of producing GnRH containing neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Cortés-Campos
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Pasaje Harrington 269, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joaquín Letelier
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Pasaje Harrington 269, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utera km 1, Sevilla 41013, España
| | - Ricardo Ceriani
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Pasaje Harrington 269, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Kathleen E Whitlock
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Pasaje Harrington 269, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
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50
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Lee MR, Loux-Turner JR, Oliveira K. Evaluation of the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride on reproduction and gonadal development in medaka, Oryzias latipes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 216:64-76. [PMID: 25910435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
5-α reductase (5αR) inhibitors have an anti-androgenic effect in mammals because they inhibit the conversion of testosterone to the potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride is a type-2 5αR inhibitor that is used as a human pharmaceutical for the treatment of prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia and male pattern baldness. This study evaluated the impacts of finasteride (50, 500 and 5000μg/L) on the development and reproduction of medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed continuously over multiple generations (F0, F1 and F2). The exposure was initiated with reproductively mature fish (F0 generation) and continued until the hatching of the F2 generation. There were no significant effects on survival, fecundity or fertility in the F0 (50, 500, 5000μg/L) and F1 (50, 500μg/L) generations. The F1 generation exposed to 5000μg/L exhibited significant mortality. Histopathology of the gonads demonstrated that medaka and pre-clinical species respond similarly to finasteride exposure. Intersex condition and maldeveloped gonads were observed in F0 generation males exposed to 5000μg/L and F1 generation males exposed to 500μg/L. F1 generation males exposed to 500μg/L displayed reduced gonadosomatic index with an increased incidence of testicular degeneration. Males in both generations exhibited an increased incidence of Leydig cell hyperplasia at concentrations ⩾500μg/L. F0 generation females exposed to 5000μg/L exhibited increased gonadosomatic index. An increased prevalence of accelerated post-ovulatory follicle involution was observed in females at concentrations ⩾500μg/L in both generations. The gonadal changes induced by finasteride support the idea that 5-α reductase inhibition impacts androgen signaling in fish. Results from this study are discussed in the context of differential expression of the androgen receptor between species of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Lee
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 238 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA; Smithers Viscient, 790 Main Street, Wareham, MA 02571, USA.
| | | | - Kenneth Oliveira
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 238 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA
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