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Bao X, Yan D, Yang J, Zhang Z, Yuan B. Role of ERβ in the ovary and ovary related diseases. Gene 2024; 927:148678. [PMID: 38906392 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen and estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) regulate a multitude of complicated physiological and pathological processes. Jan-Ake Gustafsson's group discovered ERβ in 1996, this crucial finding gives us new insights into the understanding of estrogen signaling. ERβ is highly expressed in the ovary and particularly exists in granulosa cells (GCs). ERβ is a key transcription factor in the maintenance of ovarian granulosa cell growth, differentiation, and homeostasis, and the ovulation function of ovarian follicles and oocytes. Additionally, ERβ can modulate the steroidogenic transcriptional program through phosphorylation and regulate both gonadotropin response and FOXL2 expression within the ovary. In this review, we focus on the role of ERβ in regulating ovarian granulosa cell development and homeostasis, particularly its significance in ovarian cancer (OC), premature ovarian failure (POF), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It also highlights the prospects of small molecule compounds targeting ERβ, providing a new strategy for the treatment of ovarian-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewei Bao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China; Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- Experimental Teaching Center for Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bin Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Migale R, Neumann M, Mitter R, Rafiee MR, Wood S, Olsen J, Lovell-Badge R. FOXL2 interaction with different binding partners regulates the dynamics of ovarian development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl0788. [PMID: 38517962 PMCID: PMC10959415 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXL2 is required in ovarian somatic cells for female fertility. Differential timing of Foxl2 deletion, in embryonic versus adult mouse ovary, leads to distinctive outcomes, suggesting different roles across development. Here, we comprehensively investigated FOXL2's role through a multi-omics approach to characterize gene expression dynamics and chromatin accessibility changes, coupled with genome-wide identification of FOXL2 targets and on-chromatin interacting partners in somatic cells across ovarian development. We found that FOXL2 regulates more targets postnatally, through interaction with factors regulating primordial follicle formation and steroidogenesis. Deletion of one interactor, ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (Usp7), results in impairment of somatic cell differentiation, germ cell nest breakdown, and ovarian development, leading to sterility. Our datasets constitute a comprehensive resource for exploration of the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development and causes of female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Migale
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michelle Neumann
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics core, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee
- RNA Networks Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sophie Wood
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jessica Olsen
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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3
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Shen Q, Zhao X, Ji Y, Chai P. Deletion of cis-regulatory Element in FOXL2 Promoter in a Chinese Family of Type II Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus Inversus Syndrome with Polydactyly. J Craniofac Surg 2024; 35:e52-e56. [PMID: 37938073 PMCID: PMC10749674 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a relatively uncommon autosomal-dominant genetic disorder, primarily attributed to mutations in the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene. Albeit the involvement of protein-coding regions of FOXL2 has been observed in the majority of BPES cases, whether deficiencies in regulatory elements lead to the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Herein, an autosomal-dominant BPES type II family was included. Peripheral venous blood has been collected, and genomic DNA has been extracted from leukocytes. A whole exome sequencing analysis has been performed and analyzed (Deposited in NODE database: OER422653). The promoter region of FOXL2 was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the activity of this region. In this study, we present a Chinese family diagnosed with type II BPES, characterized by the presence of small palpebral fissures, ptosis, telecanthus, and epicanthus inversus. Notably, all male individuals within the family display polydactyly. A 225-bp deletion in the 556-bp 5'-upstream to transcription start site of FOXL2 , decorated by multiple histone modifications, was identified in affected members of the family. This deletion significantly decreased FOXL2 promoter activity, as measured by the luciferase assay. Conclusively, a novel 255-bp-deletion of the FOXL2 promoter was identified in Chinese families with BPES. Our results expand the spectrum of known FOXL2 mutations and provide additional insight into the genotype-phenotype relationships of the BPES pathogenesis. In addition, this study indicates the important role of genetic screening of cis-regulatory elements in testing heritable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongrong Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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4
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Zutterling C, Todeschini AL, Fourmy D, Busso D, Veaute X, Ducongé F, Veitia RA. The forkhead DNA-binding domain binds specific G2-rich RNA sequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12367-12380. [PMID: 37933840 PMCID: PMC10711433 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors contain a DNA-binding domain ensuring specific recognition of DNA target sequences. The family of forkhead (FOX) transcription factors is composed of dozens of paralogs in mammals. The forkhead domain (FHD) is a segment of about 100 amino acids that binds an A-rich DNA sequence. Using DNA and RNA PCR-SELEX, we show that recombinant FOXL2 proteins, either wild-type or carrying the oncogenic variant C134W, recognize similar DNA-binding sites. This suggests that the oncogenic variant does not alter the intrinsic sequence-specificity of FOXL2. Most importantly, we show that FOXL2 binds G2-rich RNA sequences whereas it virtually fails to bind similar sequences in DNA chemistry. Interestingly, a statistically significant subset of genes responding to the knock-down of FOXL2/Foxl2 harbor such G2-rich sequences and are involved in crucial signaling pathways and cellular processes. In addition, we show that FOXA1, FOXO3a and chimeric FOXL2 proteins containing the FHD of the former are also able to interact with some of the preferred FOXL2-binding sequences. Our results point to an unexpected and novel characteristic of the forkhead domain, the biological relevance of which remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Zutterling
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
| | - Anne-Laure Todeschini
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
| | - Deborah Fourmy
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Didier Busso
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- CIGEx platform. UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Xavier Veaute
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- CIGEx platform. UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Frédéric Ducongé
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Paris 75013, France
- Université Paris Saclay, France
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
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5
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. Core conserved transcriptional regulatory networks define the invasive trophoblast cell lineage. Development 2023; 150:dev201826. [PMID: 37417811 PMCID: PMC10445752 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineages in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model for studying hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus ATAC-seq data from gestation day 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues, and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility with extravillous trophoblast cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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6
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. CORE CONSERVED TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATORY NETWORKS DEFINE THE INVASIVE TROPHOBLAST CELL LINEAGE. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.30.534962. [PMID: 37066272 PMCID: PMC10103937 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineage in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model to study hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus (sn) ATAC-seq data from gestation day (gd) 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility to extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, MO, 64108
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
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7
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Llano E, Todeschini AL, Felipe-Medina N, Corte-Torres MD, Condezo YB, Sanchez-Martin M, López-Tamargo S, Astudillo A, Puente XS, Pendas AM, Veitia RA. The Oncogenic FOXL2 C134W Mutation Is a Key Driver of Granulosa Cell Tumors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:239-250. [PMID: 36409821 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Adult-type granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) are the most common type of malignant ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. Most AGCTs carry the somatic variant c.402C>G (p.C134W) affecting the transcription factor FOXL2. Germline dominant variants in FOXL2 are responsible for blepharophimosis syndrome, which is characterized by underdevelopment of the eyelid. In this work, we generated a mouse model harboring the C134W variant of FOXL2 to evaluate in vivo the poorly understood oncogenic role of FOXL2. The mutation was dominant regarding eyelid hypoplasia, reminiscent of blepharophimosis syndrome. Interestingly, Foxl2+/C134W female mice had reduced fertility and developed AGCTs through a progression from abnormal ovaries with aberrant granulosa cells to ovaries with stromal hyperplasia and atypia and on to tumors in adut mice. The genes dysregulated in mouse AGCTs exhibited the hallmarks of cancer and were consistent with a gain-of-function of the mutated allele affecting TGFβ signaling. A comparison of these data with previous results on human AGCTs indicated similar deregulated pathways. Finally, a mutational analysis of mouse AGCT transcriptomic data suggested the absence of additional driver mutations apart from FOXL2-C134W. These results provide a clear in vivo example in which a single mutational hit triggers tumor development associated with profound transcriptomic alterations. SIGNIFICANCE A newly generated mouse model carrying a FOXL2 mutation characteristic of adult-type granulosa cell tumors shows that FOXL2 C134W shifts the transcriptome towards a signature of granulosa cell cancer and drives tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Llano
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Felipe-Medina
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | - María D Corte-Torres
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Asturias, Hospital Universitario del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Yazmine B Condezo
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Sara López-Tamargo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Oncología (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Aurora Astudillo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Asturias, Hospital Universitario del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Xose S Puente
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto M Pendas
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Reiner A Veitia
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.,Université Paris Saclay, Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie François Jacob, CEA, Fontenay-aux-Roses, Paris, France
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Dinh DT, Russell DL. Nuclear Receptors in Ovarian Function. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:41-58. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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9
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Poulat F. Non-Coding Genome, Transcription Factors, and Sex Determination. Sex Dev 2021; 15:295-307. [PMID: 34727549 DOI: 10.1159/000519725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, gonadal sex determination is the process by which transcription factors drive the choice between the testicular and ovarian identity of undifferentiated somatic progenitors through activation of 2 different transcriptional programs. Studies in animal models suggest that sex determination always involves sex-specific transcription factors that activate or repress sex-specific genes. These transcription factors control their target genes by recognizing their regulatory elements in the non-coding genome and their binding motifs within their DNA sequence. In the last 20 years, the development of genomic approaches that allow identifying all the genomic targets of a transcription factor in eukaryotic cells gave the opportunity to globally understand the function of the nuclear proteins that control complex genetic programs. Here, the major transcription factors involved in male and female vertebrate sex determination and the genomic profiling data of mouse gonads that contributed to deciphering their transcriptional regulation role will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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