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Kumar C, Roy JK. Decoding the epigenetic mechanism of mammalian sex determination. Exp Cell Res 2024; 439:114011. [PMID: 38531506 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114011] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Sex determination embodies a dynamic and intricate developmental process wielding significant influence over the destiny of bipotential gonads, steering them towards male or female gonads. Gonadal differentiation and the postnatal manifestation of the gonadal phenotype involve a sophisticated interplay of transcription factors such as SOX9 and FOXL2. Central to this interplay are chromatin modifiers regulating the mutual antagonism during this interplay. In this review, the key findings and knowledge gaps in DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA-mediated control throughout mammalian gonadal development are covered. Furthermore, it explores the role of the developing brain in playing a pivotal role in the initiation of gonadogenesis and the subsequent involvement of gonadal hormone/hormone receptor in fine-tuning sexual differentiation. Based on promising facts, the role of the developing brain through the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis is explained and suggested as a novel hypothesis. The article also discusses the potential impact of ecological factors on the human epigenome in relation to sex determination and trans-generational epigenetics in uncovering novel genes and mechanisms involved in sex determination and gonadal differentiation. We have subtly emphasized the disruptions in epigenetic regulations contributing to sexual disorders, which further allows us to raise certain questions, decipher approaches for handling these questions and setting up the direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cash Kumar
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Jagat Kumar Roy
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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2
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Gao Y, Wu Q, Wang G, Zhang S, Ma W, Shi X, Liu H, Wu L, Tian X, Li X, Ma X. Histomorphic analysis and expression of mRNA and miRNA in embryonic gonadal differentiation in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Gene 2024; 893:147913. [PMID: 37866663 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147913] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is extensively cultured in Asia for its nutritional and medical value. Gonadal differentiation is fantastic in turtles, whereas morphologic, mRNA, and miRNA expressions were insufficient in the turtle. In this study, ovaries and testes histomorphology analysis of 14-23 stage embryos were performed, and mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Histomorphology analysis revealed that gonads were undifferentiated at embryonic stage 14. Ovarian morphological differentiation became evident from stage 15, which was characterized by the development of the cortical region and degeneration of the medullary region. Concurrently, testicular morphological differentiation was apparent from stage 15, marked by the development of the medullary region and degeneration of the cortical region. qRT-PCR results showed that Cyp19a1 and Foxl2 exhibited female-specific expression at stage 15 and the expression increased throughout most of the embryonic development. Dmrt1, Amh, and Sox9 displayed male-specific expression at stage 15 and tended to increase substantially at later developmental stages. The expression of miR-8356 and miR-3299 in ZZ gonads were significantly higher than that in ZW gonads at stage 15, 17 and 19, and they had the highest expression at stage 15. While the expression of miR-8085 and miR-7982 had the highest expression at stage 19. Furthermore, chromatin remodeler genes showed differential expression in female and male P. sinensis gonads. These results of master sex-differentiation genes and morphological characteristics would provide a reference for the research of sex differentiation and sex reversal in turtles. Additionally, the expression of chromatin remodeler genes indicated they might be involved in gonadal differentiation of P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Gao
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Qisheng Wu
- Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361000, China.
| | - Guiyu Wang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Shufang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Wenge Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xi Shi
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Huifen Liu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xue Tian
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
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Liu Y, Dong Z, Chen K, Yang M, Shi N, Liao X. microRNA-mRNA Analysis Reveals Tissue-Specific Regulation of microRNA in Mangrove Clam ( Geloina erosa). BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1510. [PMID: 38132336 PMCID: PMC10740791 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Geloina erosa is an important benthic animal in the mangrove, serving as an indicator organism for coastal environmental pollution. This study aimed to investigate the tissue-specific expression of miRNAs and their regulatory roles in predicted targets in G. erosa. Through miRNA sequencing and co-expression network analysis, we extensively studied the miRNA expression in three tissues: gills, hepatopancreas, and muscle. The results revealed a total of 1412 miRNAs, comprising 1047 known miRNAs, and 365 newly predicted miRNAs. These miRNAs exhibited distinct tissue-specific expression patterns. In the miRNA target gene prediction, a total of 7404 potential predicted targets were identified, representing approximately 33% of all unique transcripts associated with miRNAs. Further co-expression network analysis revealed nine modules, each showing a positive correlation with specific tissues (gills, hepatopancreas, or muscle). The blue module showed a significant correlation with gills (r = 0.83, p-value = 0.006), the black module was significantly related to the hepatopancreas (r = 0.78, p-value = 0.01), and the purple module was significantly correlated with muscle (r = 0.83, p-value = 0.006). Within these modules, related miRNAs tended to cluster together, while their correlations with other modules were relatively weak. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on miRNAs and their predicted targets in each tissue. In the gills, miRNAs primarily regulate immune-related genes, substance transport, and cytoskeletal organization. In the hepatopancreas, miRNAs suppressed genes involved in shell formation and played a role in cellular motor activity and metabolism. In muscle, miRNAs participate in metabolism and photoreceptive processes, as well as immune regulation. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the tissue-specific regulation of miRNAs in G. erosa, highlighting their potential roles in immune response, metabolism, and environmental adaptation. These findings offer important clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms and biological processes in G. erosa, laying the foundation for further validation and elucidation of these regulatory relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Liu
- School of Computer and Information Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China; (Y.L.); (Z.D.)
| | - Ziheng Dong
- School of Computer and Information Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China; (Y.L.); (Z.D.)
| | - Kun Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Mangrove Conservation and Utilization, Guangxi Academy of Marine Science (Guangxi Mangrove Research Center), Guangxi Academy of Science, Beihai 536007, China
| | - Mingliu Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Mangrove Conservation and Utilization, Guangxi Academy of Marine Science (Guangxi Mangrove Research Center), Guangxi Academy of Science, Beihai 536007, China
| | - Nianfeng Shi
- School of Computer and Information Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China; (Y.L.); (Z.D.)
| | - Xin Liao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Mangrove Conservation and Utilization, Guangxi Academy of Marine Science (Guangxi Mangrove Research Center), Guangxi Academy of Science, Beihai 536007, China
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Hou M, Wang Q, Zhang J, Zhao R, Cao Y, Yu S, Wang K, Chen Y, Ma Z, Sun X, Zhang Y, Li J. Differential Expression of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs between Ovaries and Testes in Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpio). Cells 2023; 12:2631. [PMID: 37998366 PMCID: PMC10670750 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222631] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Female common carp grow faster than male individuals, implying that rearing females could be more profitable in aquaculture. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as versatile regulators with multiple functions in diverse biological processes. However, the roles of ncRNAs in the sex differentiation of common carp are less studied. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, in the gonads to comprehend the roles of ncRNAs in sex differentiation in common carp. A substantial number of differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs in ovaries and testes were identified. Some miRNAs, notably miR-205, miR-214, and miR-460-5p, might modulate hormone synthesis and thus maintain sex. A novel miRNA, novel_158, was predicted to suppress the expression of foxl3. DE lncRNAs were associated with oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathways, and steroid biosynthesis, while DE circRNA target genes were enriched in the WNT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. We also analyzed ncRNA-mRNA interactions to shed light on the crosstalk between competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which is the critical mechanism by which lncRNAs and circRNAs function. Some lncRNAs and circRNAs may be able to competitively bind novel_313, a new miRNA, and thus regulate hsd17β3. Our research will provide a valuable resource for understanding the genetic basis of gonadal differentiation and development in common carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ran Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yiming Cao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shuangting Yu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kaikuo Wang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Yingjie Chen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Ziyao Ma
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (K.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.M.)
| | - Xiaoqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jiongtang Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China; (M.H.); (Q.W.); (J.Z.); (R.Z.); (Y.C.); (S.Y.); (X.S.); (Y.Z.)
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Ming Z, Vining B, Bagheri-Fam S, Harley V. SOX9 in organogenesis: shared and unique transcriptional functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:522. [PMID: 36114905 PMCID: PMC9482574 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX9 is essential for the development of multiple organs including bone, testis, heart, lung, pancreas, intestine and nervous system. Mutations in the human SOX9 gene led to campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with several skeletal malformations frequently accompanied by 46, XY sex reversal. The mechanisms underlying the diverse SOX9 functions during organ development including its post-translational modifications, the availability of binding partners, and tissue-specific accessibility to target gene chromatin. Here we summarize the expression, activities, and downstream target genes of SOX9 in molecular genetic pathways essential for organ development, maintenance, and function. We also provide an insight into understanding the mechanisms that regulate the versatile roles of SOX9 in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Ming
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brittany Vining
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Vincent Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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6
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Zhang X, Wu W, Zhou J, Li L, Jiang H, Chen J. MiR-34b/c play a role in early sex differentiation of Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii. Front Zool 2022; 19:23. [PMID: 36163040 PMCID: PMC9511750 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex differentiation can be viewed as a controlled regulatory balance between sex differentiation-related mRNAs and post-transcriptional mechanisms mediated by non-coding RNAs. In mammals, increasing evidence has been reported regarding the importance of gonad-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in sex differentiation. Although many fishes express a large number of gonadal miRNAs, the effects of these sex-biased miRNAs on sex differentiation in teleost fish remain unknown. Previous studies have shown the exclusive and sexually dimorphic expression of miR-34b/c in the gonads of the Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii), suggesting its potential role in the sex differentiation process. Results Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we observed that miR-34b/c showed consistent spatiotemporal expression patterns; the expression levels significantly increased during early sex differentiation. Using in situ hybridization, miR-34c was found to be located in the germ cells. In primary germ cells in vitro, the group subjected to overexpression and inhibition of miR-34c showed significantly higher proliferation ability and lower apoptosis, respectively, compared to the corresponding control group. Luciferase reporter assays using the ar-3′UTR-psiCHECK-2 luciferase vector suggested a targeted regulatory interaction between miR-34b/c and the 3′UTR of the androgen receptor (ar) mRNA. Furthermore, miR-34b/c and ar showed negative expression patterns during early sex differentiation. Additionally, a negative feedback regulation pattern was observed between foxl2 expression in the ovaries and amh and sox9 expression in the testes during early sex differentiation. Conclusions This study sheds new light on the roles of miR-34b/c in gonad development of Amur sturgeon, and provides the first comprehensive evidence that the gonad-predominant microRNAs may have a major role in sex differentiation in teleost fish. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Wu
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jiabin Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiying Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
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Zhu J, Lei L, Chen C, Wang Y, Liu X, Geng L, Li R, Chen H, Hong X, Yu L, Wei C, Li W, Zhu X. Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Gender Dimorphic Expressions of Mrnas and Non-Coding Rnas in Chinese Soft-Shell Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060834. [PMID: 35741355 PMCID: PMC9219891 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
In aquaculture, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important species with remarkable gender dimorphism in its growth patterns. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon have not been elucidated well. Here, we conducted a whole-transcriptome analysis of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis. Overall, 7833 DE mRNAs, 619 DE lncRNAs, 231 DE circRNAs, and 520 DE miRNAs were identified. Some "star genes" associated with sex differentiation containing dmrt1, sox9, and foxl2 were identified. Additionally, some potential genes linked to sex differentiation, such as bmp2, ran, and sox3, were also isolated in P. sinensis. Functional analysis showed that the DE miRNAs and DE ncRNAs were enriched in the pathways related to sex differentiation, including ovarian steroidogenesis, the hippo signaling pathway, and the calcium signaling pathway. Remarkably, a lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was constructed, containing the key genes associated with sex differentiation, including fgf9, foxl3, and dmrta2. Collectively, we constructed a gender dimorphism profile of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis, profoundly contributing to the exploration of the major genes and potential ncRNAs involved in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis. More importantly, we highlighted the potential functions of ncRNAs for gene regulation during sex differentiation in P. sinensis as well as in other turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Luo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Lulu Geng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Ruiyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- Correspondence: (W.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fishery Resource Application & Cultivation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; (J.Z.); (L.L.); (C.C.); (Y.W.); (X.L.); (L.G.); (R.L.); (H.C.); (X.H.); (L.Y.); (C.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
- Correspondence: (W.L.); (X.Z.)
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Zhou X, Hong Y, Shang Z, Abuzeid AMI, Lin J, Li G. The Potential Role of MicroRNA‐124‐3p in Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Schistosoma japonicum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:862496. [PMID: 35493736 PMCID: PMC9043613 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.862496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The microRNA‐124‐3p plays an important role in regulating development and neurogenesis. Previous microRNA sequencing analyses of Schistosoma japonicum revealed sja-miR-124-3p differential expression patterns in schistosomes from different hosts and at different developmental stages. This study explores the regulatory role of sja-miR-124-3p in S. japonicum development and reproduction. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression level of sja-miR-124-3p in S. japonicum from resistant hosts, such as Microtus fortis, and unsuitable hosts, such as rats and water buffalo, was significantly higher than that in mice and yellow cattle at the same developmental stage. Overexpressing sja-miR-124-3p in infected mice led to a hepatic egg reduction rate of 36.97%, smaller egg granulomas in the livers, increased liver weight, subsided hepatocyte necrosis, and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration. The width of female worms increased but decreased in males. The vitelline cells were irregular, swollen, or fused. The teguments and ventral sucker of males and females were swollen and broken, but the morphological changes were particularly notable in males. qRT-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay system were used to confirm the in-silico-predicted target genes, S. japonicum DEAD-box ATP-dependent RNA helicase 1 (sjDDX1) and DNA polymerase II subunit 2 (sjPOLE2). Our results showed that RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated sjDDX1 silencing in mice provided a 24.55% worm reduction rate and an 18.36% egg reduction rate, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Thus, our findings suggest that sja-miR-124-3p has an important role in growth, development, and reproduction in S. japonicum. All these results will greatly contribute toward providing important clues for searching vaccine candidates and new drug targets against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Hong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Hong, ; Jiaojiao Lin, ; Guoqing Li,
| | - Zheng Shang
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Asmaa M. I. Abuzeid
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Jiaojiao Lin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Hong, ; Jiaojiao Lin, ; Guoqing Li,
| | - Guoqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Hong, ; Jiaojiao Lin, ; Guoqing Li,
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9
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Hu MY, Yu J, Lin JQ, Fang SG. Sex-Biased miRNAs in the Gonads of Adult Chinese Alligator ( Alligator sinensis) and Their Potential Roles in Sex Maintenance. Front Genet 2022; 13:843884. [PMID: 35432471 PMCID: PMC9008718 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.843884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a category of single-stranded non-coding small RNA (sRNA) that regulates gene expression by targeting mRNA. It plays a key role in the temperature-dependent sex determination of Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), a reptile whose sex is determined solely by the temperature during the incubation period and remains stable thereafter. However, the potential function of miRNAs in the gonads of adult Chinese alligators is still unclear. Here, we prepared and sequenced sRNA libraries of adult female and male alligator gonads, from breeding (in summer) and hibernating (in winter) animals. We obtained 130 conserved miRNAs and 683 novel miRNAs, which were assessed for sex bias in summer and winter; a total of 65 miRNAs that maintained sex bias in both seasons were identified. A regulatory network of sex-biased miRNAs and genes was constructed. Sex-biased miRNAs targeted multiple genes in the meiosis pathway of adult Chinese alligator oocytes and the antagonistic gonadal function maintenance pathway, such as MOS, MYT1, DMRT1, and GDF9. Our study emphasizes the function of miRNA in the epigenetic mechanisms of sex maintenance in crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yuan Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, State Conservation Centre for Gene Resources of Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, State Conservation Centre for Gene Resources of Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Qing Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, State Conservation Centre for Gene Resources of Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Sheng-Guo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, State Conservation Centre for Gene Resources of Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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10
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Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs Involving in Initial Sex Differentiation of Chlamys farreri Gonads. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030456. [PMID: 35336829 PMCID: PMC8945268 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Sex formation of gonads encompasses two ancient and highly conserved biological processes, sex determination and sex differentiation. The processes are strictly regulated by a complex of gene networks. There is increasing evidence that miRNAs play key roles in many biological processes. however, information is limited in their contribution to sex differentiation in animals. In the present study, we identified the novel miRNAs involved in sex-related genes regulation and explored the miRNA–mRNA networks underlying the posttranscriptional regulation during the initial sex differentiation in Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri. Our findings provide an important basis for studying the sex differentiation mechanisms, as well as developing sex control techniques in bivalves. Abstract Research on expressional regulation of genes at the initial sex differentiation of gonads will help to elucidate the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in animals. However, information on initial sex differentiation of gonads is limited in bivalves. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous small noncoding RNAs that can regulate the target gene expression at the posttranscription level by degrading the mRNA or repressing the mRNA translation. In the present study, we investigated the small RNAs transcriptome using the testes and ovaries of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri juveniles with a shell height of 5.0 mm, a critical stage of initial sex differentiation of gonads. A total of 75 known mature miRNAs and 103 novel miRNAs were identified. By comparing the expression of miRNAs between the ovary and testis, 11 miRNAs were determined to be differentially expressed. GO annotations and KEGG analyses indicated that many putative target genes that matched to these differentially expressed miRNAs participated in the regulation of sex differentiation. Furthermore, two selected miRNAs, cfa-novel_miR65 and cfa-miR-87a-3p_1, were confirmed to downregulate expressions of Foxl2 (a female-critical gene) and Klf4 (a male-critical gene), respectively, using a dual-luciferase reporter analysis. Our findings provided new insights into the initial sex differentiation of gonads regulated by miRNAs in bivalves.
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11
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Tang L, You W, Wang Q, Huang F, Shao C. MicroRNA ssa-mir-196a-4 deceases lgr8 expression in testis development of Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 258:110695. [PMID: 34763077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110695] [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: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to gonadal development in animals. However, there is little information about miRNA regulation function involved in gonadal development in fish. Our group previously identified sex-related miRNAs of Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) during sex determination and differentiation by small RNA sequencing. In the present study, we characterized ssa-mir-196a-4 and its expression in testis and verified its interaction with lgr8. miRNA ssa-mir-196a-4 precursor was predicted to have a typical hairpin structure and highly conserved among various fish species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of ssa-mir-196a-4 in the testis of Chinese tongue sole showed that it is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. We determined that ssa-mir-196a-4 interacted with lgr8 by bioinformatics analysis using miRanda software. According to the dual-luciferase gene reporter assay, lgr8 is a direct target of ssa-mir-196a-4. Overexpression of ssa-mir-196a-4 in the cells of the testis cell line of Chinese tongue sole decreased the expression levels of lgr8 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein by targeting its coding sequence (CDS) region. These results suggest that ssa-mir-196a-4 acts as a post-transcriptional regulator of lgr8 and plays an important role in developing testes of Chinese tongue sole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Tang
- Key Lab of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wuxin You
- Single-Cell Center CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels and Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Lab of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China
| | | | - Changwei Shao
- Key Lab of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China.
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12
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Burgos M, Hurtado A, Jiménez R, Barrionuevo FJ. Non-Coding RNAs: lncRNAs, miRNAs, and piRNAs in Sexual Development. Sex Dev 2021; 15:335-350. [PMID: 34614501 DOI: 10.1159/000519237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNAs that do not encode functional proteins, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In the last 2 decades an effort has been made to uncover the role of ncRNAs during development and disease, and nowadays it is clear that these molecules have a regulatory function in many of the developmental and physiological processes where they have been studied. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of ncRNAs during gonad determination and development, focusing mainly on mammals, although we also provide information from other species, in particular when there is not much information on the function of particular types of ncRNAs during mammalian sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alicia Hurtado
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Barrionuevo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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13
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Lindeman RE, Murphy MW, Agrimson KS, Gewiss R, Bardwell V, Gearhart M, Zarkower D. The conserved sex regulator DMRT1 recruits SOX9 in sexual cell fate reprogramming. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6144-6164. [PMID: 34096593 PMCID: PMC8216462 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sexual development commences when fetal bipotential progenitor cells adopt male Sertoli (in XY) or female granulosa (in XX) gonadal cell fates. Differentiation of these cells involves extensive divergence in chromatin state and gene expression, reflecting distinct roles in sexual differentiation and gametogenesis. Surprisingly, differentiated gonadal cell fates require active maintenance through postnatal life to prevent sexual transdifferentiation and female cell fate can be reprogrammed by ectopic expression of the sex regulator DMRT1. Here we examine how DMRT1 reprograms granulosa cells to Sertoli-like cells in vivo and in culture. We define postnatal sex-biased gene expression programs and identify three-dimensional chromatin contacts and differentially accessible chromatin regions (DARs) associated with differentially expressed genes. Using a conditional transgene we find DMRT1 only partially reprograms the ovarian transcriptome in the absence of SOX9 and its paralog SOX8, indicating that these factors functionally cooperate with DMRT1. ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq show that DMRT1 induces formation of many DARs that it binds with SOX9, and DMRT1 is required for binding of SOX9 at most of these. We suggest that DMRT1 can act as a pioneer factor to open chromatin and allow binding of SOX9, which then cooperates with DMRT1 to reprogram sexual cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Lindeman
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Mark W Murphy
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Kellie S Agrimson
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Rachel L Gewiss
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Vivian J Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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14
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Tan S, Zhou Y, Zhao H, Wu J, Yu H, Yang Y, Yang Y, Zhao H, Li H. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of hypothalamus reveals genes associated with disorders of sex development in pigs. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 210:105875. [PMID: 33746111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
XX sex reversal, also called XX disorders of sex development (XX-DSD), is a condition affecting the development of the gonads or genitalia, and is relatively common in pigs. However, its genetic etiology and transcriptional regulation mechanism in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) remain mostly unknown. XX-DSD (SRY-negative) pigs and normal sows were selected by external genitalia observation. The hypothalamus, which is the integrated center of the HPGA was sampled for whole-transcriptome RNA-seq. The role of DEmiRNA was validated by its overexpression and knockdown in vitro. A total of 1,258 lncRNAs, 1,086 mRNAs, and 61 microRNAs differentially expressed in XX-DSD pigs compared with normal female pigs. Genes in the hormone biosynthesis and secretion pathway significantly up-regulated, and the up-regulation of GNRH1, KISS1 and AVP may associate with the abnormal secretion of GnRH. We also predicted the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression triplets and constructed three competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) potentially associated with XX-DSD. Functional enrichment studies suggested that TCONS_00340886, TCONS_00000204 and miR-181a related to GnRH secretion. Further, miR-181a inhibitor up-regulated GNRH1, PAK6, and CAMK4 in the GT1-7 cells. Conversely, transfection of miR-181a mimics obtained the opposite trends. The expression levels of FSHR, LHR, ESR1 and ESR2 were significantly higher in XX-DSD gondas than those in normal sows. Taken together, we proposed that the balance of endocrine had broken in XX-DSD pigs. The current study is the first to examine the transcriptomic profile in the hypothalamus of XX-DSD pigs. It provides new insight into coding and non-coding RNAs that may be associated with DSD in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Tan
- Department of Ecology, Tibetan Centre for Ecology and Conservation at WHU-TU, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- College of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Haiquan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Jinhua Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Yin Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Yalan Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology, Tibetan Centre for Ecology and Conservation at WHU-TU, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.
| | - Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China.
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15
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Identification of sex differentiation-related microRNA and long non-coding RNA in Takifugu rubripes gonads. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7459. [PMID: 33811216 PMCID: PMC8018949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although sex determination and differentiation are key developmental processes in animals, the involvement of non-coding RNA in the regulation of this process is still not clarified. The tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) is one of the most economically important marine cultured species in Asia, but analyses of miRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) at early sex differentiation stages have not been conducted yet. In our study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to sequence transcriptome libraries from undifferentiated gonads of T. rubripes. In total, 231 (107 conserved, and 124 novel) miRNAs were obtained, while 2774 (523 conserved, and 2251 novel) lncRNAs were identified. Of these, several miRNAs and lncRNAs were predicted to be the regulators of the expression of sex-related genes (including fru-miR-15b/foxl2, novel-167, novel-318, and novel-538/dmrt1, novel-548/amh, lnc_000338, lnc_000690, lnc_000370, XLOC_021951, and XR_965485.1/gsdf). Analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs showed that three mature miRNAs up-regulated and five mature miRNAs were down-regulated in male gonads compared to female gonads, while 79 lncRNAs were up-regulated and 51 were down-regulated. These findings could highlight a group of interesting miRNAs and lncRNAs for future studies and may reveal new insights into the function of miRNAs and lncRNAs in sex determination and differentiation.
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16
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Luo BY, Xiong XY, Liu X, He XY, Qiu GF. Identification and characterization of sex-biased and differentially expressed miRNAs in gonadal developments of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:217-227. [PMID: 33655621 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a posttranscriptional downregulator that plays a vital role in a wide variety of biological processes. In this study, we constructed five ovarian and testicular small RNA libraries using two somatic libraries as reference controls for the identification of sex-biased miRNAs and gonadal differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. A total of 535 known and 243 novel miRNAs were identified, including 312 sex-biased miRNAs and 402 gonadal DEMs. KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEM target genes were statistically enriched in MAPK, Wnt, and GnRH signaling pathway, and so on. A number of the sex-biased miRNAs target genes associated with sex determination/differentiation, such as IAG, Dsx, Dmrt1, and Fem1, while others target the genes related to gonadal development, such as P450s, Wnt, Ef1, and Tra-2c. Dual-luciferase reporter assay in vitro further confirmed that miR-34 and let-7b can downregulate IAG expression, miR-9-5p, let-7d, let-7b, and miR-8915 can downregulate Dsx. Taken together, these data strongly suggest a potential role for the sex-biased miRNAs in sex determination/differentiation and gonadal development in the crab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Yun Luo
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Yi Xiong
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Liu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue-Ying He
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gao-Feng Qiu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Wang YY, Duan SH, Wang GL, Li JL. Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profile analysis of female and male gonads in Hyriopsis cumingii. Sci Rep 2021; 11:665. [PMID: 33436779 PMCID: PMC7804246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyriopsis cumingii is an important species for freshwater pearl cultivation in China. In terms of pearl production, males have larger pearls and better glossiness than females, but there are few reports focusing on the sex of H. cumingii. In this study, six mRNA and six microRNA (miRNA) libraries were prepared from ovaries and testes. Additionally, 28,502 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 32 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Compared with testis, 14,360 mRNAs and 20 miRNAs were up-regulated in ovary, 14,142 mRNAs and 12 miRNAs were down-regulated. In DEGs, the known genes related to sex determinism and/or differentiation were also identified, such as DMRT1, SOX9, SF1 for males, FOXL2 for females, and other potentially significant candidate genes. Three sex-related pathways have also been identified, which are Wnt, Notch, and TGF-beta. In 32 DEMs, the three miRNAs (miR-9-5p, miR-92, miR-184) were paid more attention, they predicted 28 target genes, which may also be candidates for sex-related miRNAs and genes. Differential miRNAs target genes analysis reveals the pathway associated with oocyte meiosis and spermatogenesis. Overall, the findings of the study provide significant insights to enhance our understanding of sex differentiation and/or sex determination mechanisms for H. cumingii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yu Wang
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Sheng-Hua Duan
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Gui-Ling Wang
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
| | - Jia-Le Li
- grid.412514.70000 0000 9833 2433Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai, 201306 China ,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai, 201306 China ,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai, 201306 China
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18
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Li S, Lin G, Fang W, Gao D, Huang J, Xie J, Lu J. Identification and Comparison of microRNAs in the Gonad of the Yellowfin Seabream ( Acanthopagrus Latus). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5690. [PMID: 32784462 PMCID: PMC7461063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) is a commercially important fish in Asian coastal waters. Although natural sex reversal has been described in yellowfin seabream, the mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation and gonadal development in this species remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play crucial roles in gametogenesis and gonadal development. Here, two libraries of small RNAs, constructed from the testes and ovaries of yellowfin seabream, were sequenced. Across both gonads, we identified 324 conserved miRNAs and 92 novel miRNAs: 67 ovary-biased miRNAs, including the miR-200 families, the miR-29 families, miR-21, and miR-725; and 88 testis-biased miRNAs, including the let-7 families, the miR-10 families, miR-7, miR-9, and miR-202-3p. GO (Gene Ontology) annotations and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses of putative target genes indicated that many target genes were significantly enriched in the steroid biosynthesis pathway and in the reproductive process. Our integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis demonstrated a putative negatively correlated expression pattern in yellowfin seabream gonads. This study profiled the expression patterns of sex-biased miRNAs in yellowfin seabream gonads, and provided important molecular resources that will help to clarify the miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of sexual differentiation and gonadal development in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhu Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Genmei Lin
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Wenyu Fang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Dong Gao
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Jingui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
| | - Jianguo Lu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; (S.L.); (G.L.); (W.F.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (J.X.)
- Southern Marine Sciences and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai 519082, China
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Zhang X, Zhou J, Li L, Huang W, Ahmad HI, Li H, Jiang H, Chen J. Full-length transcriptome sequencing and comparative transcriptomic analysis to uncover genes involved in early gametogenesis in the gonads of Amur sturgeon ( Acipenser schrenckii). Front Zool 2020; 17:11. [PMID: 32308726 PMCID: PMC7147073 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-020-00355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sturgeons (Acipenseriformes) are polyploid chondrostean fish that constitute an important model species for studying development and evolution in vertebrates. To better understand the mechanisms of reproduction regulation in sturgeon, this study combined PacBio isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) with Illumina short-read RNA-seq methods to discover full-length genes involved in early gametogenesis of the Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii. RESULTS A total of 50.04 G subread bases were generated from two SMRT cells, and herein 164,618 nonredundant full-length transcripts (unigenes) were produced with an average length of 2782 bp from gonad tissues (three testes and four ovaries) from seven 3-year-old A. schrenckii individuals. The number of ovary-specific expressed unigenes was greater than those of testis (19,716 vs. 3028), and completely different KEGG pathways were significantly enriched between the ovary-biased and testis-biased DEUs. Importantly, 60 early gametogenesis-related genes (involving 755 unigenes) were successfully identified, and exactly 50% (30/60) genes of those showed significantly differential expression in testes and ovaries. Among these, the Amh and Gsdf with testis-biased expression, and the Foxl2 and Cyp19a with ovary-biased expression strongly suggested the important regulatory roles in spermatogenesis and oogenesis of A. schrenckii, respectively. We also found the four novel Sox9 transcript variants, which increase the numbers of regulatory genes and imply function complexity in early gametogenesis. Finally, a total of 236,672 AS events (involving 36,522 unigenes) were detected, and 10,556 putative long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 4339 predicted transcript factors (TFs) were also respectively identified, which were all significantly associated with the early gametogenesis of A. schrenckii. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results provide new genetic resources of full-length transcription data and information as a genomic-level reference for sturgeon. Crucially, we explored the comprehensive genetic characteristics that differ between the testes and ovaries of A. schrenckii in the early gametogenesis stage, which could provide candidate genes and theoretical basis for further the mechanisms of reproduction regulation of sturgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Jiabin Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Huiming Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Haiying Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260 Guangdong China
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Kamalidehghan B, Habibi M, Afjeh SS, Shoai M, Alidoost S, Almasi Ghale R, Eshghifar N, Pouresmaeili F. The Importance of Small Non-Coding RNAs in Human Reproduction: A Review Article. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2020; 13:1-11. [PMID: 32021379 PMCID: PMC6956659 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s207491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNA) play a key role in the regulation of gene expression through the translational suppression and control of post-transcriptional modifications. Aim Previous studies demonstrated that miRNAs conduct the pathways involved in human reproduction including maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs), spermatogenesis, oocyte maturation, folliculogenesis and corpus luteum function. The association of miRNA expression with infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), and repeated implantation failure (RIF) was previously revealed. Furthermore, there are evidences of the importance of miRNAs in embryonic development and implantation. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and miRNAs play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulatory processes of germ cells. Indeed, the investigation of small RNAs including miRNAs and piRNAs increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in fertility. In this review, the current knowledge of microRNAs in embryogenesis and fertility is discussed. Conclusion Further research is necessary to provide new insights into the application of small RNAs in the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Kamalidehghan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Habibi
- Central Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara S Afjeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shoai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Saeideh Alidoost
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Almasi Ghale
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran and Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farkhondeh Pouresmaeili
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Qiao H, Jiang S, Xiong Y, Fu H, Zhang W, Wang Y, Gong Y, Jin S, Wu Y. Integrated analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs and mRNAs to screen miRNAs and genes related to reproduction in Macrobrachium nipponense. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:327. [PMID: 31406649 PMCID: PMC6689314 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Female Macrobrachium nipponense has the characteristic of short sexual maturity during the breeding season, which can increase breeding risk and lead to prevalent female individual miniaturization. In this study, we characterized micro (mi)RNA-seq data of the eyestalk (E) and cerebral ganglia (B) of female M. nipponense during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A total of 393 and 189 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) were identified in BSE vs. NBSE and BSB vs. NBSB, respectively. The most abundant up- and down-regulated DE miRNAs were miR-124, miR-14, and miR-7. Enrichment analysis showed that DE miRNA target genes were mainly involved in 'metabolic process' and 'binding', and were associated with 'neurohormonal regulation' and 'photoreceptor activity' signaling pathways. Integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA expression showed that the most abundant DE miRNAs were miR-14 and miR-278 in BSE vs. NBSE and BSB vs. NBSB, respectively. Four pairs of DE miRNAs and their corresponding target annotated genes were selected from the DE miRNA-mRNA interaction network (bmo-miR-316-5p/opsin protein, ame-miR-125/skeletal muscle actin 8, dmo-miR-278/sugar transporter, and tca-miR-3885-5p/5-HT1 receptor). Gene expression analysis of these four pairs in different ovary development stages showed their potential regulatory roles in ovary maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Sufei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongtuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yabing Wang
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongsheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shubo Jin
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
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22
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Atkinson SP. A Preview of Selected Articles. Stem Cells 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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23
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Guo H, Du X, Zhang Y, Wu J, Wang C, Li M, Hua X, Zhang XA, Yan J. Specific miRNA-G Protein-Coupled Receptor Networks Regulate Sox9a/Sox9b Activities to Promote Gonadal Rejuvenation in Zebrafish. Stem Cells 2019; 37:1189-1199. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.3040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Guo
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlu Du
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
| | - Jiacheng Wu
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
| | - Chenghui Wang
- Department of Aquaculture; Shanghai Ocean University; Lingang New City, Shanghai People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyou Li
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources; Ministry of Education; Shanghai People's Republic of China
| | - Xianxin Hua
- Department of Cancer Biology; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
| | - Xin A. Zhang
- Stephenson Cancer Center and Department of Physiology; The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Oklahoma City Oklahoma USA
| | - Jizhou Yan
- Department of Developmental Biology; Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences; People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources; Ministry of Education; Shanghai People's Republic of China
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24
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Liu X, Luo BY, Feng JB, Zhou LX, Ma KY, Qiu GF. Identification and profiling of microRNAs during gonadal development in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2406. [PMID: 30787336 PMCID: PMC6382778 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38648-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As post-transcriptional regulators, microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in growth and reproductive processes. So far, there is limited information regarding crustacean miRNAs. To explore the potential role of miRNAs in the gonadal development of the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, we constructed seven small RNA libraries from ovarian and testicular tissues at various stages using somatic tissue as the control. A total of 1,954 known and 129 novel miRNAs were retrieved. By comparing differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between testes and ovaries, forty-one miRNAs were identified with sex-biased expression patterns, including 17 ovary-biased and 24 testis-biased patterns. Furthermore, the putative target genes of the sex-biased miRNAs, such as cyclin L1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 7 (MAPK 7), heat shock protein (HSP), and zinc finger protein, were significantly enriched in many reproduction-related pathways including the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pathway, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis pathway, ovarian steroidogenesis, estrogen signaling pathway, MAPK pathway, Wnt pathway, and insulin signaling pathway, implicating potential regulatory roles of miRNAs in reproduction. These data aid in the further investigation of the mechanism of gonadal development and reproductive regulation mediated by miRNA in M. rosenbergii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Yun Luo
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Bin Feng
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Xia Zhou
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China
| | - Ke-Yi Ma
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
| | - Gao-Feng Qiu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai, China.
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Deletion of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) causes defects in hippocampal signaling in female mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200935. [PMID: 30048476 PMCID: PMC6062027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrate essential roles for the exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP 1 and 2 (Epac1 and Epac2; here collectively referred to as Epac) in the brain. In the hippocampus, Epac contributes to the control of neuronal growth and differentiation and has been implicated in memory and learning as well as in anxiety and depression. In the present study we address the hypothesis that Epac affects hippocampal cellular responses to acute restraint stress. Stress causes activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is essential for proper feedback regulation of the stress response, both in the brain and along the HPA axis. In the hippocampus, GR expression is regulated by cAMP and the brain enriched micro RNA miR-124. Epac has been associated with miR-124 expression in hippocampal neurons, but not in regulation of GR. We report that hippocampal expression of Epac1 and Epac2 increased in response to acute stress in female wild type mice. In female mice genetically deleted for Epac, nuclear translocation of GR in response to restraint stress was significantly delayed, and moreover, miR-124 expression was decreased in these mice. Male mice lacking Epac also showed abnormalities in miR-124 expression, but the phenotype was less profound than in females. Serum corticosterone levels were slightly altered immediately after stress in both male and female mice deleted for Epac. The presented data indicate that Epac1 and Epac2 are involved in controlling cellular responses to acute stress in the mouse hippocampus and provide novel insights into the underlying transcriptional and signaling networks. Interestingly, we observe sex specific differences when Epac is deleted. As the incidence and prevalence of stress-related diseases are higher in women than in men, the Epac knockout models might serve as genetic tools to further elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying differences between male and female with regard to regulation of stress.
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Zhang X, Li L, Jiang H, Ma JE, Li J, Chen J. Identification and differential expression of microRNAs in testis and ovary of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). Gene 2018. [PMID: 29524574 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) cooperate with sex-related genes in post-transcriptional regulation and play extremely important roles in the establishment of sexually dimorphic traits in animals. However, the gonad miRNAs and expression patterns of miRNAs in sturgeon have not been investigated. METHODS In the present study, we used high-throughput small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to discover gonad miRNAs from the ovaries and testes of Amur sturgeons (Acipenser schrenckii). Further, microarray and real-time PCR assays were performed to identify the expression patterns of gonad miRNAs. RESULTS As a result, a total of 679 conserved and 51 novel miRNAs were successfully discovered in the gonads of A. schrenckii. Moreover, we found wide sequence variations (isomiRs) in gonad miRNAs, including 5' and 3' isomiRs. Our microarray analysis further characterized the 730 miRNAs expression profiles, which indicated that 117 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected with sex-biased patterns: 71 testis-biased and 46 ovary-biased miRNAs. Based on bioinformatics prediction, we found that there were functional differences between the testis-biased and ovary-biased miRNA targets involved in reproductive-related GO and KEGG pathways. Further, the association of the differentially expressed miRNAs and sex-related target mRNAs was uncovered. Finally, the expression patterns of 11 sex-biased miRNAs and 7 sex-related targets were validated in testes and ovaries using real-time PCR. Putative, negatively expressed miRNA-mRNA relationships were confirmed, such as Dmrt1 and asc-miR-2779, AR and asc-miR-203b-3p, foxl2 and asc-miR-30d. CONCLUSION This study provides information regarding the gonad miRNAs in sturgeon. The differential expression miRNAs in the gonads will help us to further understand the role of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in the ovary and testis of sturgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haiying Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing E Ma
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China..
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Sepponen K, Lundin K, Knuus K, Väyrynen P, Raivio T, Tapanainen JS, Tuuri T. The Role of Sequential BMP Signaling in Directing Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Bipotential Gonadal Cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:4303-4314. [PMID: 28938435 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-01469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Human gonads arise as a pair of epithelial ridges on the surface of intermediate mesoderm (IM)-derived mesonephros. Toxic environmental factors and mutations in various genes are known to disturb normal gonadal development, but because of a lack of suitable in vitro models, detailed studies characterizing the molecular basis of the observed defects have not been performed. OBJECTIVE To establish an in vitro method for studying differentiation of bipotential gonadal progenitors by using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in gonadal differentiation. DESIGN We tested 17 protocols using activin A, CHIR-99021, and varying durations of BMP-7 and the BMP inhibitor dorsomorphin. Activation of activin A, WNT, and BMP pathways was optimized to induce differentiation. SETTING Academic research laboratory. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Cell differentiation, gene expression, and flow cytometry. RESULTS The two most efficient protocols consistently upregulated IM markers LHX1, PAX2, and OSR1 at days 2 to 4 and bipotential gonadal markers EMX2, GATA4, WT1, and LHX9 at day 8 of culture. The outcome depended on the combination of the duration, concentration, and type of BMP activation and the length of WNT signaling. Adjusting any of the parameters substantially affected the requirements for other parameters. CONCLUSIONS We have established a reproducible protocol for directed differentiation of hESCs into bipotential gonadal cells. The protocol can be used to model early gonadal development in humans and allows further differentiation to mature gonadal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Sepponen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Katri Knuus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Pia Väyrynen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu 90220, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00029, Finland
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Miao N, Wang X, Hou Y, Feng Y, Gong Y. Identification of male-biased microRNA-107 as a direct regulator for nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 based on sexually dimorphic microRNA expression profiling from chicken embryonic gonads. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 429:29-40. [PMID: 27036932 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several studies indicate that sexual dimorphic microRNAs (miRNAs) in chicken gonads are likely to have important roles in sexual development, but a more global understanding of the roles of miRNAs in sexual differentiation is still needed. To this end, we performed miRNA expression profiling in chicken gonads at embryonic day 5.5 (E5.5). Among the sex-biased miRNAs validated by qRT-PCR, twelve male-biased and six female-biased miRNAs were consistent with the sequencing results. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that some sex-biased miRNAs were potentially involved in gonadal development. Further functional analysis found that over-expression of miR-107 directly inhibited nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5a1), and its downstream cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP19A1). However, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was not directly or indirectly regulated by miR-107. Overall results indicate that miR-107 may specifically mediate avian ovary-development by post-transcriptional regulation of NR5a1 and CYP19A1 in estrogen signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Miao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Hou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanzhang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
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Bunkar N, Pathak N, Lohiya NK, Mishra PK. Epigenetics: A key paradigm in reproductive health. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2016; 43:59-81. [PMID: 27358824 PMCID: PMC4925870 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2016.43.2.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that there is a heritable element of susceptibility to chronic human ailments, yet there is compelling evidence that some components of such heritability are transmitted through non-genetic factors. Due to the complexity of reproductive processes, identifying the inheritance patterns of these factors is not easy. But little doubt exists that besides the genomic backbone, a range of epigenetic cues affect our genetic programme. The inter-generational transmission of epigenetic marks is believed to operate via four principal means that dramatically differ in their information content: DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs and nucleosome positioning. These epigenetic signatures influence the cellular machinery through positive and negative feedback mechanisms either alone or interactively. Understanding how these mechanisms work to activate or deactivate parts of our genetic programme not only on a day-to-day basis but also over generations is an important area of reproductive health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bunkar
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Neelam Pathak
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India.; Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Nirmal Kumar Lohiya
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Pradyumna Kumar Mishra
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India.; Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (ICMR), Bhopal, India
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30
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Zhang X, Yuan L, Li L, Jiang H, Chen J. Conservation, sex-biased expression and functional annotation of microRNAs in the gonad of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2016; 18:54-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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WANG XIAOYING, LIU YANLI, LIU XIAOLI, YANG JINGYAN, TENG GUOXIN, ZHANG LULU, ZHOU CHENGJUN. miR-124 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly targeting SOX9 in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 35:3115-21. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Han SM, Na HY, Ham O, Choi W, Sohn M, Ryu SH, In H, Hwang KC, Park CG. TCF4-Targeting miR-124 is Differentially Expressed amongst Dendritic Cell Subsets. Immune Netw 2016; 16:61-74. [PMID: 26937233 PMCID: PMC4770101 DOI: 10.4110/in.2016.16.1.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that sample their environment and present antigens to naïve T lymphocytes for the subsequent antigen-specific immune responses. DCs exist in a range of distinct subpopulations including plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and classical DCs (cDCs), with the latter consisting of the cDC1 and cDC2 lineages. Although the roles of DC-specific transcription factors across the DC subsets have become understood, the posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate DC development are yet to be elucidated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are pivotal posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression in a myriad of biological processes, but their contribution to the immune system is just beginning to surface. In this study, our in-house probe collection was screened to identify miRNAs possibly involved in DC development and function by targeting the transcripts of relevant mouse transcription factors. Examination of DC subsets from the culture of mouse bone marrow with Flt3 ligand identified high expression of miR-124 which was able to target the transcript of TCF4, a transcription factor critical for the development and homeostasis of pDCs. Further expression profiling of mouse DC subsets isolated from in vitro culture as well as via ex vivo purification demonstrated that miR-124 was outstandingly expressed in CD24+ cDC1 cells compared to in pDCs and CD172α+ cDC2 cells. These results imply that miR-124 is likely involved in the processes of DC subset development by posttranscriptional regulation of a transcription factor(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Murray Han
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hye Young Na
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Onju Ham
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung 25601, Korea
| | - Wanho Choi
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Moah Sohn
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Seul Hye Ryu
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hyunju In
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Ki-Chul Hwang
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung 25601, Korea
| | - Chae Gyu Park
- Laboratory of Immunology, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
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Grossman H, Shalgi R. A Role of MicroRNAs in Cell Differentiation During Gonad Development. Results Probl Cell Differ 2016; 58:309-36. [PMID: 27300184 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31973-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small noncoding RNA molecules that play a major role in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression and are expressed in an organ-specific manner. One miRNA can potentially regulate the expression of several genes, depending on cell type and differentiation stage. miRNAs are differentially expressed in the male and female gonads and have an organ-specific reproductive function. Exerting their affect through germ cells and gonadal somatic cells, miRNAs regulate key proteins necessary for gonad development. The role of miRNAs in the testes is only starting to emerge though they have been shown to be required for adequate spermatogenesis. Widely explored in the ovary, miRNAs were suggested to play a fundamental role in follicles' assembly, growth, differentiation, and ovulation. In this chapter, we focus on data obtained from mice in which distinct proteins that participate in the biosynthesis of miRNAs were conditionally knocked out from germ cells (spermatogonial cells or oocytes) or gonadal somatic cells (Sertoli or granulosa cells). We detail recent advances in identification of particular miRNAs and their significance in the development and function of male and female gonads. miRNAs can serve as biomarkers and therapeutic agents of pathological conditions; thus, elucidating the branched and complex network of reproduction-related miRNAs will aid understanding of gonads' physiology and managing reproduction disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Grossman
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Ruth Shalgi
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
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Wu Y, Zhong A, Zheng H, Jiang M, Xia Z, Yu J, Chen L, Huang X. Expression of Flotilin-2 and Acrosome Biogenesis Are Regulated by MiR-124 during Spermatogenesis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136671. [PMID: 26313572 PMCID: PMC4551675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNA molecules, which diversely regulate gene expression in organisms. Although the regulatory role of these small RNA molecules has been recently explored in animal spermatogenesis, the role of miR-124 in male germ cells is poorly defined. In our previous study, flotillin-2 was investigated as a novel Golgi-related protein involved in sperm acrosome biogenesis. The current study was designed to analyze the contribution of miR-124 in the regulation of flotillin-2 expression during mouse acrosome biogenesis. Luciferase assays revealed the target effects of miR-124 on flotillin-2 expression. Following intratesticular injection of miR-124 in 3-week-old male mice, quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis were employed to confirm the function of miR-124 in regulating flotillin-2 after 48 hours. Sperm abnormalities were assessed 3 weeks later by ordinary optical microscopy, the acrosome abnormalities were also assessed by PNA staining and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the proportion of sperm acrosome abnormalities was significantly higher than that of the control group. The expression of flotillin-2 and caveolin-1 was significantly downregulated during acrosome biogenesis. These results indicated that miR-124 could potentially play a role in caveolin-independent vesicle trafficking and modulation of flotillin-2 expression in mouse acrosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ahong Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- State Key laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhengrong Xia
- State Key laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinjin Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (LC)
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- State Key laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (LC)
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35
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Chang W, Wang J, Tao D, Zhang Y, He J, Shi C. Identification of a novel miRNA from the ovine ovary by a combinatorial approach of bioinformatics and experiments. J Vet Med Sci 2015; 77:1617-24. [PMID: 26268666 PMCID: PMC4710718 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short endogenous, single-stranded, non-coding small RNA
molecules, about 19–25 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression at the
translation level and influence many physiological process, such apoptosis, metabolism,
signal transduction, and occurrence and development of diseases. In this study, we
constructed a library from the ovine luteal phase ovary by using next-generation
sequencing technology (Solexa high-throughput sequencing technique) and identified 267
novel miRNAs by bioinformatics. One of the novel miRNAs (ovis_aries_ovary-m0033_3p), which
expressed in the sheep ovary and testis, was confirmed by real time PCR and northern blot.
Ovis_aries_ovary-m0033_3p was 21 nucleotides in length and located on chromosome 12, and
it had 100% similarity to hsa-miR-214-3p, mmu-miR-214-3p, dre-miR-214and ssc-miR-214.
Meanwhile, the pre-miRNA was 82 nucleotides in length and had a standard hairpin stem-loop
structure. From the consistency of the sequence and structure, we speculated that
ovis_aries_ovary-m0033_3p had a function similar to hsa-miR-214-3p, which is involved in
the fine regulation of cell survival, embryonic development, breeding activities and
resistance to ovarian cancer, so we defined it as oar-miR-214-3p. These experimental
results will enrich the miRNA database for ovis aries and provide the
basis for researching the regulation mechanism of miRNA in relation to breeding activities
of seasonal breeding animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Chang
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar City, Xinjiang 843300, PR China
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Zhu D, Chen H, Yang X, Chen W, Wang L, Xu J, Yu L. miR-32 functions as a tumor suppressor and directly targets SOX9 in human non-small cell lung cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:1773-83. [PMID: 26229485 PMCID: PMC4516199 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s72457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose MicroRNA-32 (miR-32) is dysregulated in certain human malignancies and correlates with tumor progression. However, its expression and function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of miR-32 expression on NSCLC tumorigenesis and development. Methods Using real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we detected miR-32 expression in NSCLC cell lines and primary tumor tissues. The association of miR-32 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis was also analyzed. Then, the effects of miR-32 expression on the biological behavior of NSCLC cells were investigated. Finally, the potential regulatory effect of miR-32 on SOX9 expression was confirmed. Results miR-32 expression levels were significantly downregulated in NSCLC compared with the corresponding noncancerous lung tissues (P<0.001). In addition, decreased miR-32 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.002), advanced tumor/nodes/metastasis (TNM) classification stages (P<0.001), and shorter overall survival (P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis corroborated that downregulated miR-32 expression was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for NSCLC patients. In vitro studies demonstrated that miR-32 overexpression reduced A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, SOX9 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-32, using a luciferase reporter assay. Conclusion These findings indicate that miR-32 may act as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC and could serve as a novel therapeutic agent for miR-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiguang Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Weisong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Linying Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Jilin Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
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Khan HA, Zhao Y, Wang L, Li Q, Du YA, Dan Y, Huo LJ. Identification of miRNAs during mouse postnatal ovarian development and superovulation. J Ovarian Res 2015; 8:44. [PMID: 26152307 PMCID: PMC4499447 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-015-0170-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in regulation of gene expression in wide array of tissues including the ovary through sequence complementarity at post-transcriptional level. Tight regulation of multitude of genes involved in ovarian development and folliculogenesis could be regulated at transcription level by these miRNAs. Therefore, tissue specific miRNAs identification is considered a key step towards understanding the role of miRNAs in biological processes. METHODS To investigate the role of microRNAs during ovarian development and folliculogenesis we sequenced eight different libraries using Illumina deep sequencing technology. Different developmental stages were selected to explore miRNAs expression pattern at different stages of gonadal maturation with/without treatment of PMSG/hCG for superovulation. RESULTS From massive sequencing reads, clean reads of 16-26 bp were selected for further analysis of differential expression analysis and novel microRNA annotation. Expression analysis of all miRNAs at different developmental stages showed that some miRNAs were present ubiquitously while others were differentially expressed at different stages. Among differentially expressed miRNAs we reported 61 miRNAs with a fold change of more than 2 at different developmental stages among all libraries. Among the up-regulated miRNAs, mmu-mir-1298 had the highest fold change with 4.025 while mmu-mir-150 was down-regulated more than 3 fold. Furthermore, we found 2659 target genes for 20 differentially expressed microRNAs using seven different target predictions programs (DIANA-mT, miRanda, miRDB, miRWalk, RNAhybrid, PICTAR5, TargetScan). Analysis of the predicted targets showed certain ovary specific genes targeted by single or multiple microRNAs. Furthermore, pathway annotation and Gene ontology showed involvement of these microRNAs in basic cellular process. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the presence of different miRNAs at different stages of ovarian development and superovulation. Potential role of these microRNAs was elucidated using bioinformatics tools in regulation of different pathways, biological functions and cellular components underlying ovarian development and superovulation. These results provide a framework for extended analysis of miRNAs and their roles during ovarian development and superovulation. Furthermore, this study provides a base for characterization of individual miRNAs to discover their role in ovarian development and female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ali Khan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qian Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Ai Du
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Dan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li-Jun Huo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
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Yin C, Zhang J, Shi Z, Sun W, Zhang H, Fu Y. Identification and expression of the target gene emx2 of miR-26a and miR-26b in Paralichthys olivaceus. Gene 2015; 570:205-12. [PMID: 26079439 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate specific gene expression by binding to target mRNA further involution to diverse biological processes. Our previous miRNA sequencing showed that pol-miR-26a and pol-miR-26b have a sex-biased expression in ovary and testis of Paralichthys olivaceus (P. olivaceus). And the gene empty spiracles homeobox 2 (emx2) was proposed to be a candidate target by bioinformatics prediction. In this study, we cloned the P. olivaceus emx2 cDNA, including a coding region of 741 bp and a 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of 912 bp and the 5'-UTR of 12 bp. The Emx2 protein is highly conserved and especially its homeodomain region is 100% identical from teleosts to mammals. Real-time PCR results showed that the emx2 is not only highly expressed in embryonic neurula stage and adult brain but also has abundant expression in adult gonad, moreover, it exhibits higher expression in ovary than testis. To determine the relationship between emx2 and miRNAs, a luciferase reporter assay was performed and verified that the emx2 is a common target gene of pol-miR-26a and pol-miR-26b. These data thus helps further clarify that miR-26a and miR-26b are involved in regulating gonad development partially through its target on emx2 expression in P. olivaceus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Yin
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Junling Zhang
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhiyi Shi
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Wenhui Sun
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yuanshuai Fu
- Key laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China
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McGinnis LK, Luense LJ, Christenson LK. MicroRNA in Ovarian Biology and Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:a022962. [PMID: 25986593 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a022962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional gene regulatory molecules that show regulated expression within ovarian tissue. Most research investigating miRNAs in the ovary has relied exclusively on in vitro analyses. In this review, we highlight those few studies in which investigators have illustrated an in vivo effect of miRNAs on ovarian function. We also provide a synopsis of how these small noncoding RNAs can impact ovarian disease. miRNAs have great potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers for the detection of ovarian disease and in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for selection of healthy viable oocytes and embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda K McGinnis
- Department Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Lacey J Luense
- Epigenetics Program, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Lane K Christenson
- Department Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
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Liu J, Luo M, Sheng Y, Hong Q, Cheng H, Zhou R. Dynamic evolution and biogenesis of small RNAs during sex reversal. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9999. [PMID: 25944477 PMCID: PMC4421800 DOI: 10.1038/srep09999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding origin, evolution and functions of small RNA (sRNA) genes has been a great challenge in the past decade. Molecular mechanisms underlying sexual reversal in vertebrates, particularly sRNAs involved in this process, are largely unknown. By deep-sequencing of small RNA transcriptomes in combination with genomic analysis, we identified a large amount of piRNAs and miRNAs including over 1,000 novel miRNAs, which were differentially expressed during gonad reversal from ovary to testis via ovotesis. Biogenesis and expressions of miRNAs were dynamically changed during the reversal. Notably, phylogenetic analysis revealed dynamic expansions of miRNAs in vertebrates and an evolutionary trajectory of conserved miR-17-92 cluster in the Eukarya. We showed that the miR-17-92 cluster in vertebrates was generated through multiple duplications from ancestor miR-92 in invertebrates Tetranychus urticae and Daphnia pulex from the Chelicerata around 580 Mya. Moreover, we identified the sexual regulator Dmrt1 as a direct target of the members miR-19a and -19b in the cluster. These data suggested dynamic biogenesis and expressions of small RNAs during sex reversal and revealed multiple expansions and evolutionary trajectory of miRNAs from invertebrates to vertebrates, which implicate small RNAs in sexual reversal and provide new insight into evolutionary and molecular mechanisms underlying sexual reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Majing Luo
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Yue Sheng
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Hong
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Hanhua Cheng
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Rongjia Zhou
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
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Jo A, Denduluri S, Zhang B, Wang Z, Yin L, Yan Z, Kang R, Shi LL, Mok J, Lee MJ, Haydon RC. The versatile functions of Sox9 in development, stem cells, and human diseases. Genes Dis 2014; 1:149-161. [PMID: 25685828 PMCID: PMC4326072 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Sox9 was first discovered in patients with campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with skeletal deformities caused by dysregulation of Sox9 expression during chondrogenesis. Since then, its role as a cell fate determiner during embryonic development has been well characterized; Sox9 expression differentiates cells derived from all three germ layers into a large variety of specialized tissues and organs. However, recent data has shown that ectoderm- and endoderm-derived tissues continue to express Sox9 in mature organs and stem cell pools, suggesting its role in cell maintenance and specification during adult life. The versatility of Sox9 may be explained by a combination of post-transcriptional modifications, binding partners, and the tissue type in which it is expressed. Considering its importance during both development and adult life, it follows that dysregulation of Sox9 has been implicated in various congenital and acquired diseases, including fibrosis and cancer. This review provides a summary of the various roles of Sox9 in cell fate specification, stem cell biology, and related human diseases. Ultimately, understanding the mechanisms that regulate Sox9 will be crucial for developing effective therapies to treat disease caused by stem cell dysregulation or even reverse organ damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Jo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sahitya Denduluri
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bosi Zhang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhongliang Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Liangjun Yin
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Zhengjian Yan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Richard Kang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lewis L Shi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - James Mok
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael J Lee
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Gao Y, Guo W, Hu Q, Zou M, Tang R, Chi W, Li D. Characterization and differential expression patterns of conserved microRNAs and mRNAs in three genders of the rice field eel (Monopterus albus). Sex Dev 2014; 8:387-98. [PMID: 25427634 DOI: 10.1159/000369181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that can regulate target mRNAs by binding to their sequences in the 3' untranslated region. The expression of miRNAs and their biogenetic pathway are involved in sexual differentiation and in the regulation of the development of germ cells and gonadal somatic cells. The rice field eel (Monopterus albus) undergoes a natural sexual transformation from female to male via an intersex stage during its life cycle. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of this sexual transformation, miRNAs present in the different sexual stages of the rice field eel were identified by high-throughput sequencing technology. A significantly differential expression among the 3 genders (p < 0.001) was observed for 48 unique miRNAs and 3 miRNAs*. Only 9 unique miRNAs showed a more than 8-fold change in their expression among the 3 genders, including mal-miR-430a and mal-miR-430c which were higher in females than in males. However, mal-miR-430b was only detected in males. Several potential miRNA target genes (cyp19a, cyp19b, nr5a1b, foxl2 amh, and vasa) were also investigated. Real-time RT-PCR demonstrated highly specific expression patterns of these genes in the 3 genders of the rice field eel. Many of these genes are targets of mal-miR-430b according to the TargetScan and miRTarBase. These results suggest that the miR-430 family may be involved in the sexual transformation of the rice field eel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, and Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, PR China
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Abstract
Sex-specific gonadal development starts with formation of the bipotential gonad, which then differentiates into either a mature testis or an ovary. This process is dependent on activation of either the testis-specific or the ovary-specific pathway while the opposite pathway is continuously repressed. A network of transcription factors tightly regulates initiation and maintenance of these distinct pathways; disruption of these networks can lead to disorders of sex development in humans and male-to-female or female-to-male sex reversal in mice. Sry is the Y-linked master switch that is both required and sufficient to drive the testis-determining pathway. Another key component of the testis pathway is Sox9, which acts immediately downstream of Sry. In contrast to the testis pathway, no single sex-determining factor has been identified in the ovary pathway; however, multiple genes, such as Foxl2, Rspo1, Ctnnb1, and Wnt4, seem to work synergistically and in parallel to ensure proper ovary development. Our understanding of the regulatory networks that underpin testis and ovary development has grown substantially over the past two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Eggers
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Thomas Ohnesorg
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
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Cruz G, Foster W, Paredes A, Yi KD, Uzumcu M. Long-term effects of early-life exposure to environmental oestrogens on ovarian function: role of epigenetics. J Neuroendocrinol 2014; 26:613-24. [PMID: 25040227 PMCID: PMC4297924 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Oestrogens play an important role in development and function of the brain and reproductive tract. Accordingly, it is considered that developmental exposure to environmental oestrogens can disrupt neural and reproductive tract development, potentially resulting in long-term alterations in neurobehaviour and reproductive function. Many chemicals have been shown to have oestrogenic activity, whereas others affect oestrogen production and turnover, resulting in the disruption of oestrogen signalling pathways. However, these mechanisms and the concentrations required to induce these effects cannot account for the myriad adverse effects of environmental toxicants on oestrogen-sensitive target tissues. Hence, alternative mechanisms are assumed to underlie the adverse effects documented in experimental animal models and thus could be important to human health. In this review, the epigenetic regulation of gene expression is explored as a potential target of environmental toxicants including oestrogenic chemicals. We suggest that toxicant-induced changes in epigenetic signatures are important mechanisms underlying the disruption of ovarian follicular development. In addition, we discuss how exposure to environmental oestrogens during early life can alter gene expression through effects on epigenetic control potentially leading to permanent changes in ovarian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Cruz
- Centro de Neurobiología y Plasticidad Cerebral, Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Correspondence to: Gonzalo Cruz, Gran Bretaña 1111, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile. 2360102, Tel. 56 32 2508015,
| | - Warren Foster
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alfonso Paredes
- Laboratorio de Neurobioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Kun Don Yi
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC. Greensboro, NC
| | - Mehmet Uzumcu
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Gu Y, Zhang L, Chen X. Differential expression analysis of Paralichthys olivaceus microRNAs in adult ovary and testis by deep sequencing. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 204:181-4. [PMID: 24861804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in gonadal development and differentiation in fish. However, understanding of the mechanism of this process is hindered by our poor knowledge of miRNA expression patterns in fish gonads. In this study, miRNA libraries derived from adult gonads of Paralichthys olivaceus were generated by using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to distinguish mature miRNA sequences from two classes of small RNAs represented in the sequencing data. A total of 141 mature miRNAs were identified, in which 21 miRNAs were found in P. olivaceus for the first time. Variance and preference of miRNAs expression were concluded from the deep sequencing reads. Some miRNAs, such as pol-miR-143, pol-miR-26a and pol-let-7a were found with quite high expression levels in both gonads, while some exhibited a clear sex-biased expression in different gonad. Approximate 20.0% and 13.1% of the isolated miRNAs were preferentially expressed in the testis (FC<0.5) or ovary (FC>2), respectively. The identification and the preliminary analysis of the sex-biased expression of miRNAs in P. olivaceus gonads in our work by using NGS will provide us a basic catalog of miRNAs to facilitate future improvement and exploitation of sexual regulatory mechanisms in P. olivaceus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Gu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 6000 Harry Hines Boulevard Dallas, TX 75390-9133, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Wuhan Biogood Technology Co. Ltd., Wuhan Insititute of Biotechnology, B6-415 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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The Potential Role of SRY in Epigenetic Gene Regulation During Brain Sexual Differentiation in Mammals. EPIGENETIC SHAPING OF SOCIOSEXUAL INTERACTIONS - FROM PLANTS TO HUMANS 2014; 86:135-65. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800222-3.00007-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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