Roles of hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF) in the regulation of reproduction in teleosts

HNF1A gene mutations and premature ovarian failure (POF): evidence from a clinical paradigm combining MODY 3 and POF

Premature ovarian failure (POF) defines the occurrence of ovarian failure prior to the age of 40. It occurs in one out of 100 women but is very rare before age 20 (1:10,000). Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), caused by mutations in the HNF1A gene, is also a rare disorder; all types of MODY account for 1-2% of adult diabetic cases. These two rare nosologic entities coexisted in an adolescent girl evaluated for delayed puberty. Although this combination could represent a chance association, an interrelation might exist. We examined HNF1A expression in human fetal and adult ovaries by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal HNF1A antibody. HNF1A protein was expressed in both the fetal and adult human ovaries. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that HNF1A participates in ovarian organogenesis and/or function and that mutations in the HNF1A gene might represent another molecular defect causing POF, possibly in combination with other genetic factors. The study underlines the importance of rare clinical paradigms in leading the way to elucidation of the pathogenetic mechanisms of rare diseases.

South American National Contributions to Knowledge of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Wild Animals: Current and Future Directions

Human pressure due to industrial and agricultural development has resulted in a biodiversity crisis. Environmental pollution is one of its drivers, including contamination of wildlife by chemicals emitted into the air, soil, and water. Chemicals released into the environment, even at low concentrations, may pose a negative effect on organisms. These chemicals might modify the synthesis, metabolism, and mode of action of hormones. This can lead to failures in reproduction, growth, and development of organisms potentially impacting their fitness. In this review, we focused on assessing the current knowledge on concentrations and possible effects of endocrine disruptor chemicals (metals, persistent organic pollutants, and others) in studies performed in South America, with findings at reproductive and thyroid levels. Our literature search revealed that most studies have focused on measuring the concentrations of compounds that act as endocrine disruptors in animals at the systemic level. However, few studies have evaluated the effects at a reproductive level, while information at thyroid disorders is scarce. Most studies have been conducted in fish by researchers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. Comparison of results across studies is difficult due to the lack of standardization of units in the reported data. Future studies should prioritize research on emergent contaminants, evaluate effects on native species and the use of current available methods such as the OMICs. Additionally, there is a primary focus on organisms related to aquatic environments, and those inhabiting terrestrial environments are scarce or nonexistent. Finally, we highlight a lack of funding at a national level in the reviewed topic that may influence the observed low scientific productivity in several countries, which is often negatively associated with their percentage of protected areas.

Novel Mechanisms for IGF-I Regulation by Glucagon in Carp Hepatocytes: Up-Regulation of HNF1α and CREB Expression via Signaling Crosstalk for IGF-I Gene Transcription

Glucagon, a key hormone for glucose homeostasis, can exert functional crosstalk with somatotropic axis via modification of IGF-I expression. However, its effect on IGF-I regulation is highly variable in different studies and the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Using grass carp as a model, the signal transduction and transcriptional mechanisms for IGF-I regulation by glucagon were examined in Cyprinid species. As a first step, the carp HNF1α, a liver-enriched transcription factor, was cloned and confirmed to be a single-copy gene expressed in the liver. In grass carp hepatocytes, glucagon treatment could elevate IGF-I, HNF1α, and CREB mRNA levels, induce CREB phosphorylation, and up-regulate HNF1α and CREB protein expression. The effects on IGF-I, HNF1α, and CREB gene expression were mediated by cAMP/PKA and PLC/IP₃/PKC pathways with differential coupling with the MAPK and PI3K/Akt cascades. During the process, protein:protein interaction between HNF1α and CREB and recruitment of RNA Pol-II to IGF-I promoter also occurred with a rise in IGF-I primary transcript level. In parallel study to examine grass carp IGF-I promoter activity expressed in αT3 cells, similar pathways for post-receptor signaling were also confirmed in glucagon-induced IGF-I promoter activation and the trans-activating effect by glucagon was mediated by the binding sites for HNF1α and CREB located in the proximal region of IGF-I promoter. Our findings, as a whole, shed light on a previously undescribed mechanism for glucagon-induced IGF-I gene expression by increasing HNF1α and CREB production via functional crosstalk of post-receptor signaling. Probably, by protein:protein interaction between the two transcription factors and subsequent transactivation via their respective cis-acting elements in the IGF-I promoter, IGF-I gene transcription can be initiated by glucagon at the hepatic level.

Reproductive biomarkers responses induced by xenoestrogens in the characid fish Astyanax fasciatus inhabiting a South American reservoir: an integrated field and laboratory approach

Field studies evaluating the effects of endocrine disruption chemicals (EDCs) on the fish reproduction are scarce worldwide. The goal of this study was to assess hepatic levels of vitellogenin (Vtg), zona radiata proteins (Zrp) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II), and relating them to reproductive endpoints in a wild fish population habiting a reservoir that receive domestic sewage, agricultural and industrial residues. Adult fish Astyanax fasciatus were sampled during the reproductive season in five sites from the Furnas Reservoir, Grande River, and Paraguay-Paraná basin. As a control to field data, fish were experimentally exposed via dietary intake, to oestradiol benzoate (OB) for 7 days. Fish from site with little anthropogenic interference showed hepatic levels of Vtg, Zrp and IGF-I and IGF-II similar to those from the non-treated experimental group. In sites located immediately downstream from the municipal wastewater discharges, the water total oestrogen was >120 ng/l, and male fish displayed increased Vtg and Zrp and decreased IGF-I levels similar to OB treated fish. In females, levels of Vtg, Zrp, IGF-I and IGF-II suggest an impairment of final oocyte maturation and spawning, as also detected by frequency of over-ripening, follicular atresia and fecundity. At the sites that receive agricultural and industrial residues, the water total oestrogen was <50 ng/l and females showed decreased Zrp and increased IGF-II levels associated to reduced diameter of vitellogenic follicles, indicating an inhibition of oocyte growth. Overall, the current study reports oestrogenic contamination impairing the reproduction of a wild fish from a hydroeletric reservoir and, the data contribute to improving the current knowledge on relationship between hepatic Vtg, Zrp and IGF-I and IGF-II, and reproductive endpoints in a teleost fish. In addition, our data point out novel reproductive biomarkers (IGF-I, IGF-II and over-ripening) to assessing xenoestrogenic contamination in freshwater ecosystems.