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Liu W, Chen C, Gao Y, Cui X, Zhang Y, Gu L, He Y, Li J, Gao S, Gao R, Jiang C. Transcriptome Dynamics and Cell Dialogs Between Oocytes and Granulosa Cells in Mouse Follicle Development. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 22:qzad001. [PMID: 38955498 DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The development and maturation of follicles is a sophisticated and multistage process. The dynamic gene expression of oocytes and their surrounding somatic cells and the dialogs between these cells are critical to this process. In this study, we accurately classified the oocyte and follicle development into nine stages and profiled the gene expression of mouse oocytes and their surrounding granulosa cells and cumulus cells. The clustering of the transcriptomes showed the trajectories of two distinct development courses of oocytes and their surrounding somatic cells. Gene expression changes precipitously increased at Type 4 stage and drastically dropped afterward within both oocytes and granulosa cells. Moreover, the number of differentially expressed genes between oocytes and granulosa cells dramatically increased at Type 4 stage, most of which persistently passed on to the later stages. Strikingly, cell communications within and between oocytes and granulosa cells became active from Type 4 stage onward. Cell dialogs connected oocytes and granulosa cells in both unidirectional and bidirectional manners. TGFB2/3, TGFBR2/3, INHBA/B, and ACVR1/1B/2B of TGF-β signaling pathway functioned in the follicle development. NOTCH signaling pathway regulated the development of granulosa cells. Additionally, many maternally DNA methylation- or H3K27me3-imprinted genes remained active in granulosa cells but silent in oocytes during oogenesis. Collectively, Type 4 stage is the key turning point when significant transcription changes diverge the fate of oocytes and granulosa cells, and the cell dialogs become active to assure follicle development. These findings shed new insights on the transcriptome dynamics and cell dialogs facilitating the development and maturation of oocytes and follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenju Liu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liang Gu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuanlin He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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2
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Giaccari C, Cecere F, Argenziano L, Pagano A, Riccio A. New insights into oocyte cytoplasmic lattice-associated proteins. Trends Genet 2024:S0168-9525(24)00149-5. [PMID: 38955588 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.06.002] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development are critical to successful pregnancy outcomes and the correct establishment and maintenance of genomic imprinting. Thanks to novel technologies and omics studies in human patients and mouse models, the importance of the proteins associated with the cytoplasmic lattices (CPLs), highly abundant structures found in the cytoplasm of mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos, in the maternal to zygotic transition is becoming increasingly evident. This review highlights the recent discoveries on the role of these proteins in protein storage and other oocyte cytoplasmic processes, epigenetic reprogramming, and zygotic genome activation (ZGA). A better comprehension of these events may significantly improve clinical diagnosis and pave the way for targeted interventions aiming to correct or mitigate female fertility issues and genomic imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Giaccari
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecere
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' Caserta, Italy
| | - Lucia Argenziano
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Pagano
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' Caserta, Italy
| | - Andrea Riccio
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' Caserta, Italy; Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso,' Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy.
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3
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Unoki M, Uemura S, Fujimoto A, Sasaki H. The maternal protein NLRP5 stabilizes UHRF1 in the cytoplasm: implication for the pathogenesis of multilocus imprinting disturbance. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae096. [PMID: 38868925 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We have recently discovered that the so-called subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) proteins composing of cytoplasmic lattices are destabilized in Uhrf1 knockout murine fully grown oocytes (FGOs). Here we report that human UHRF1 interacts with human NLRP5 and OOEP, which are core components of the SCMC. Moreover, NLRP5 and OOEP interact with DPPA3, which is an essential factor for exporting UHRF1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in oocytes. We identify that NLRP5, not OOEP, stabilizes UHRF1 protein in the cytoplasm utilizing specifically engineered cell lines mimicking UHRF1 status in oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Further, UHRF1 is destabilized both in the cytoplasm and nucleus of Nlrp5 knockout murine FGOs. Since pathogenic variants of the SCMC components frequently cause multilocus imprinting disturbance and UHRF1 is essential for maintaining CpG methylation of imprinting control regions during preimplantation development, our results suggest possible pathogenesis behind the disease, which has been a long-standing mystery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoko Unoki
- Department of Human Genetics, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shuhei Uemura
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Akihiro Fujimoto
- Department of Human Genetics, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Anvar Z, Jochum MD, Chakchouk I, Sharif M, Demond H, To AK, Kraushaar DC, Wan YW, Andrews S, Kelsey G, Veyver IB. Maternal loss-of-function of Nlrp2 results in failure of epigenetic reprogramming in mouse oocytes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4457414. [PMID: 38883732 PMCID: PMC11177987 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4457414/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Background NLRP2 belongs to the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) of mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos. This multiprotein complex, encoded by maternal-effect genes, plays a pivotal role in the zygote-to-embryo transition, early embryogenesis, and epigenetic (re)programming. The maternal inactivation of genes encoding SCMC proteins has been linked to infertility and subfertility in mice and humans. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for the diverse functions of the SCMC, particularly how this cytoplasmic structure influences DNA methylation, which is a nuclear process, are not fully understood. Results We undertook joint transcriptome and DNA methylome profiling of pre-ovulatory germinal-vesicle oocytes from Nlrp2-null, heterozygous (Het), and wild-type (WT) female mice. We identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Het and Nlrp2-null when compared to WT oocytes. The genes for several crucial factors involved in oocyte transcriptome modulation and epigenetic reprogramming, such as DNMT1, UHRF1, KDM1B and ZFP57 were overexpressed in Het and Nlrp2-null oocytes. Absence or reduction of Nlrp2, did not alter the distinctive global DNA methylation landscape of oocytes, including the bimodal pattern of the oocyte methylome. Additionally, although the methylation profile of germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) of imprinted genes was preserved in oocytes of Het and Nlrp2-null mice, we found altered methylation in oocytes of both genotypes at a small percentage of the oocyte-characteristic hyper- and hypomethylated domains. Through a tiling approach, we identified specific DNA methylation differences between the genotypes, with approximately 1.3% of examined tiles exhibiting differential methylation in Het and Nlrp2-null compared to WT oocytes. Conclusions Surprisingly, considering the well-known correlation between transcription and DNA methylation in developing oocytes, we observed no correlation between gene expression differences and gene-body DNA methylation differences in Nlrp2-null versus WT oocytes or Het versus WT oocytes. We therefore conclude that post-transcriptional changes in the stability of transcripts rather than altered transcription is primarily responsible for transcriptome differences in Nlrp2-null and Het oocytes.
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Jentoft IMA, Bäuerlein FJB, Welp LM, Cooper BH, Petrovic A, So C, Penir SM, Politi AZ, Horokhovskyi Y, Takala I, Eckel H, Moltrecht R, Lénárt P, Cavazza T, Liepe J, Brose N, Urlaub H, Fernández-Busnadiego R, Schuh M. Mammalian oocytes store proteins for the early embryo on cytoplasmic lattices. Cell 2023; 186:5308-5327.e25. [PMID: 37922900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes are filled with poorly understood structures called cytoplasmic lattices. First discovered in the 1960s and speculated to correspond to mammalian yolk, ribosomal arrays, or intermediate filaments, their function has remained enigmatic to date. Here, we show that cytoplasmic lattices are sites where oocytes store essential proteins for early embryonic development. Using super-resolution light microscopy and cryoelectron tomography, we show that cytoplasmic lattices are composed of filaments with a high surface area, which contain PADI6 and subcortical maternal complex proteins. The lattices associate with many proteins critical for embryonic development, including proteins that control epigenetic reprogramming of the preimplantation embryo. Loss of cytoplasmic lattices by knocking out PADI6 or the subcortical maternal complex prevents the accumulation of these proteins and results in early embryonic arrest. Our work suggests that cytoplasmic lattices enrich maternally provided proteins to prevent their premature degradation and cellular activity, thereby enabling early mammalian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida M A Jentoft
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felix J B Bäuerlein
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luisa M Welp
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin H Cooper
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Arsen Petrovic
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Chun So
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Mae Penir
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Antonio Z Politi
- Facility for Light Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yehor Horokhovskyi
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Iina Takala
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heike Eckel
- Kinderwunschzentrum Göttingen, 37081 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Peter Lénárt
- Facility for Light Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tommaso Cavazza
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Juliane Liepe
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils Brose
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rubén Fernández-Busnadiego
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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6
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Williams JPC, Walport LJ. PADI6: What we know about the elusive fifth member of the peptidyl arginine deiminase family. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220242. [PMID: 37778376 PMCID: PMC10542454 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0242] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidyl arginine deiminase 6 (PADI6) is a maternal factor that is vital for early embryonic development. Deletion and mutations of its encoding gene in female mice or women lead to early embryonic developmental arrest, female infertility, maternal imprinting defects and hyperproliferation of the trophoblast. PADI6 is the fifth and least well-characterized member of the peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADIs), which catalyse the post-translational conversion of arginine to citrulline. It is less conserved than the other PADIs, and currently has no reported catalytic activity. While there are many suggested functions of PADI6 in the early mouse embryo, including in embryonic genome activation, cytoplasmic lattice formation, maternal mRNA and ribosome regulation, and organelle distribution, the molecular mechanisms of its function remain unknown. In this review, we discuss what is known about the function of PADI6 and highlight key outstanding questions that must be answered if we are to understand the crucial role it plays in early embryo development and female fertility. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'The virtues and vices of protein citrullination'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise J. Walport
- Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, W12 0BZ, UK
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Anvar Z, Chakchouk I, Sharif M, Mahadevan S, Nasiotis ET, Su L, Liu Z, Wan YW, Van den Veyver IB. Loss of the Maternal Effect Gene Nlrp2 Alters the Transcriptome of Ovulated Mouse Oocytes and Impacts Expression of Histone Demethylase KDM1B. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2780-2793. [PMID: 36976514 PMCID: PMC10524210 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is a multiprotein complex in oocytes and preimplantation embryos that is encoded by maternal effect genes. The SCMC is essential for zygote-to-embryo transition, early embryogenesis, and critical zygotic cellular processes, including spindle positioning and symmetric division. Maternal deletion of Nlrp2, which encodes an SCMC protein, results in increased early embryonic loss and abnormal DNA methylation in embryos. We performed RNA sequencing on pools of meiosis II (MII) oocytes from wild-type and Nlrp2-null female mice that were isolated from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) after ovarian stimulation. Using a mouse reference genome-based analysis, we found 231 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Nlrp2-null compared to WT oocytes (123 up- and 108 downregulated; adjusted p < 0.05). The upregulated genes include Kdm1b, a H3K4 histone demethylase required during oocyte development for the establishment of DNA methylation marks at CpG islands, including those at imprinted genes. The identified DEGs are enriched for processes involved in neurogenesis, gland morphogenesis, and protein metabolism and for post-translationally methylated proteins. When we compared our RNA sequencing data to an oocyte-specific reference transcriptome that contains many previously unannotated transcripts, we found 228 DEGs, including genes not identified with the first analysis. Interestingly, 68% and 56% of DEGs from the first and second analyses, respectively, overlap with oocyte-specific hyper- and hypomethylated domains. This study shows that there are substantial changes in the transcriptome of mouse MII oocytes from female mice with loss of function of Nlrp2, a maternal effect gene that encodes a member of the SCMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Anvar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Imen Chakchouk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Momal Sharif
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sangeetha Mahadevan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eleni Theodora Nasiotis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics - Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ignatia B Van den Veyver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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8
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Gu L, Li X, Zhu W, Shen Y, Wang Q, Liu W, Zhang J, Zhang H, Li J, Li Z, Liu Z, Li C, Wang H. Ultrasensitive proteomics depicted an in-depth landscape for the very early stage of mouse maternal-to-zygotic transition. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:942-954. [PMID: 37719194 PMCID: PMC10499587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.05.003] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell or low-input multi-omics techniques have revolutionized the study of pre-implantation embryo development. However, the single-cell or low-input proteomic research in this field is relatively underdeveloped because of the higher threshold of the starting material for mammalian embryo samples and the lack of hypersensitive proteome technology. In this study, a comprehensive solution of ultrasensitive proteome technology (CS-UPT) was developed for single-cell or low-input mouse oocyte/embryo samples. The deep coverage and high-throughput routes significantly reduced the starting material and were selected by investigators based on their demands. Using the deep coverage route, we provided the first large-scale snapshot of the very early stage of mouse maternal-to-zygotic transition, including almost 5,500 protein groups from 20 mouse oocytes or zygotes for each sample. Moreover, significant protein regulatory networks centered on transcription factors and kinases between the MII oocyte and 1-cell embryo provided rich insights into minor zygotic genome activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xumiao Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wencheng Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Qinqin Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Jingquan Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chen Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
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9
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Uemura S, Maenohara S, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Matoba S, Ogura A, Kurumizaka M, Yamagata K, Sharif J, Koseki H, Ueda K, Unoki M, Sasaki H. UHRF1 is essential for proper cytoplasmic architecture and function of mouse oocytes and derived embryos. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301904. [PMID: 37225425 PMCID: PMC10209520 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is a protein essential for the maintenance of DNA methylation in somatic cells. However, UHRF1 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos, where it may play a role unrelated to the nuclear function. We herein report that oocyte-specific Uhrf1 KO results in impaired chromosome segregation, abnormal cleavage division, and preimplantation lethality of derived embryos. Our nuclear transfer experiment showed that the phenotype is attributable to cytoplasmic rather than nuclear defects of the zygotes. A proteomic analysis of KO oocytes revealed the down-regulation of proteins associated with microtubules including tubulins, which occurred independently of transcriptomic changes. Intriguingly, cytoplasmic lattices were disorganized, and mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and components of the subcortical maternal complex were mislocalized. Thus, maternal UHRF1 regulates the proper cytoplasmic architecture and function of oocytes and preimplantation embryos, likely through a mechanism unrelated to DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Uemura
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shoji Maenohara
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Narumi Ogonuki
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shogo Matoba
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Mayuko Kurumizaka
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Biological Responses, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamagata
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Biological Responses, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, KINDAI University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Jafar Sharif
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koji Ueda
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoko Unoki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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10
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Ozturk S. Genetic variants underlying developmental arrests in human preimplantation embryos. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad024. [PMID: 37335858 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad024] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest in preimplantation embryos is one of the major causes of assisted reproduction failure. It is briefly defined as a delay or a failure of embryonic development in producing viable embryos during ART cycles. Permanent or partial developmental arrest can be observed in the human embryos from one-cell to blastocyst stages. These arrests mainly arise from different molecular biological defects, including epigenetic disturbances, ART processes, and genetic variants. Embryonic arrests were found to be associated with a number of variants in the genes playing key roles in embryonic genome activation, mitotic divisions, subcortical maternal complex formation, maternal mRNA clearance, repairing DNA damage, transcriptional, and translational controls. In this review, the biological impacts of these variants are comprehensively evaluated in the light of existing studies. The creation of diagnostic gene panels and potential ways of preventing developmental arrests to obtain competent embryos are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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11
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Miyazaki S, Yamano H, Motooka D, Tashiro F, Matsuura T, Miyazaki T, Miyazaki JI. Zfp296 knockout enhances chromatin accessibility and induces a unique state of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells. Commun Biol 2023; 6:771. [PMID: 37488353 PMCID: PMC10366109 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05148-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Zfp296 gene encodes a zinc finger-type protein. Its expression is high in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) but rapidly decreases following differentiation. Zfp296-knockout (KO) ESCs grew as flat colonies, which were reverted to rounded colonies by exogenous expression of Zfp296. KO ESCs could not form teratomas when transplanted into mice but could efficiently contribute to germline-competent chimeric mice following blastocyst injection. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Zfp296 deficiency up- and down-regulates a distinct group of genes, among which Dppa3, Otx2, and Pou3f1 were markedly downregulated. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing demonstrated that ZFP296 binding is predominantly seen in the vicinity of the transcription start sites (TSSs) of a number of genes, and ZFP296 was suggested to negatively regulate transcription. Consistently, chromatin accessibility assay clearly showed that ZFP296 binding reduces the accessibility of the TSS regions of target genes. Zfp296-KO ESCs showed increased histone H3K9 di- and trimethylation. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed interaction of ZFP296 with G9a and GLP. These results show that ZFP296 plays essential roles in maintaining the global epigenetic state of ESCs through multiple mechanisms including activation of Dppa3, attenuation of chromatin accessibility, and repression of H3K9 methylation, but that Zfp296-KO ESCs retain a unique state of pluripotency while lacking the teratoma-forming ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satsuki Miyazaki
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation Research, Center for Medical Research and Education, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamano
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Fumi Tashiro
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
| | - Takumi Matsuura
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation Research, Center for Medical Research and Education, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Toray Industries, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Miyazaki
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation Research, Center for Medical Research and Education, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Miyazaki
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan.
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12
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Ermisch AF, Bidne KL, Kurz SG, Bochantin KA, Wood JR. Ovarian inflammation mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 increased transcripts of maternal effect genes and decreased embryo development†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:423-436. [PMID: 36461933 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Obese women are subfertile and have reduced assisted reproduction success, which may be due to reduced oocyte competence. We hypothesize that consumption of a high-fat/high-sugar diet induces ovarian inflammation, which is a primary contributor to decreased oocyte quality and pre-implantation embryo development. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 (B6) mice with a normal inflammatory response and C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice with a dampened inflammatory response due to dysfunctional Toll-like receptor 4 were fed either normal chow or high-fat/high-sugar diet. In both B6 and C3H females, high-fat/high-sugar diet induced excessive adiposity and hyperglycemia compared to normal chow-fed counterparts. Conversely, ovarian CD68 levels and oocyte expression of oxidative stress markers were increased when collected from B6 high-fat/high-sugar but not C3H high-fat/high-sugar mice. Following in vitro fertilization of in vivo matured oocytes, blastocyst development was decreased in B6-high-fat/high-sugar but not C3H high-fat/high-sugar mice. Expression of cumulus cell markers of oocyte quality were altered in both B6 high-fat/high-sugar and C3H high-fat/high-sugar. However, there were no diet-dependent differences in spindle abnormalities in either B6 or C3H mice, suggesting potential defects in cytoplasmic maturation. Indeed, there were significant increases in the abundance of maternal effect gene mRNAs in oocytes from only B6 high-fat/high-sugar mice. These differentially expressed genes encode proteins of the subcortical maternal complex and associated with mRNA metabolism and epigenetic modifications. These genes regulate maternal mRNA degradation at oocyte maturation, mRNA clearance at the zygotic genome activation, and methylation of imprinted genes suggesting a mechanism by which inflammation induced oxidative stress impairs embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison F Ermisch
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Katie L Bidne
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Scott G Kurz
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Kerri A Bochantin
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Jennifer R Wood
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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13
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Latham KE. Preimplantation embryo gene expression: 56 years of discovery, and counting. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:169-200. [PMID: 36812478 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The biology of preimplantation embryo gene expression began 56 years ago with studies of the effects of protein synthesis inhibition and discovery of changes in embryo metabolism and related enzyme activities. The field accelerated rapidly with the emergence of embryo culture systems and progressively evolving methodologies that have allowed early questions to be re-addressed in new ways and in greater detail, leading to deeper understanding and progressively more targeted studies to discover ever more fine details. The advent of technologies for assisted reproduction, preimplantation genetic testing, stem cell manipulations, artificial gametes, and genetic manipulation, particularly in experimental animal models and livestock species, has further elevated the desire to understand preimplantation development in greater detail. The questions that drove enquiry from the earliest years of the field remain drivers of enquiry today. Our understanding of the crucial roles of oocyte-expressed RNA and proteins in early embryos, temporal patterns of embryonic gene expression, and mechanisms controlling embryonic gene expression has increased exponentially over the past five and a half decades as new analytical methods emerged. This review combines early and recent discoveries on gene regulation and expression in mature oocytes and preimplantation stage embryos to provide a comprehensive understanding of preimplantation embryo biology and to anticipate exciting future advances that will build upon and extend what has been discovered so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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14
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Tong X, Jin J, Hu Z, Zhang Y, Fan HY, Zhang YL, Zhang S. Mutations in OOEP and NLRP5 identified in infertile patients with early embryonic arrest. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1909-1920. [PMID: 35946397 PMCID: PMC10087254 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC), composed of several maternal-effect genes, is vital for the development of oocytes and early embryos. Variants of SCMC-encoding genes (NLRP2, NLRP5, TLE6, PADI6, and KHDC3L, but not OOEP and ZBED3) are associated with human oocyte maturation dysfunction, fertilization failure, and early embryonic arrest. In this study, we enrolled 118 Chinese patients who experienced recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest during assisted reproductive technology treatments and performed whole-exome sequencing. We discovered compound heterozygous missense variants (c.110G>C and c.109C>G) in the OOEP gene in one patient who experienced recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest. Arrested embryos from this affected patient were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing, which showed a downregulated transcriptome. In addition, six novel NLRP5 variants (c.971T>A, c.3341T>C, c.1575_1576delAG, c.1830_1831delGT, c.1202C>T, and c.2378T>G) were identified in four patients with arrested and severely fragmented embryos. These suspicious mutations were examined by in vitro studies in HEK293T cells. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence experiments showed that OOEP and partial NLRP5 mutations caused decreased protein levels. Our findings first demonstrated that biallelic variants in OOEP gene could also cause human early embryonic arrest, similar to other SCMC components. We expanded the genetic mutation spectrum of SCMC genes related to early embryogenesis in humans, especially early embryonic arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhanhong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Li Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Chen F, Ma B, Lin Y, Luo X, Xu T, Zhang Y, Chen F, Li Y, Zhang Y, Luo B, Zhang Q, Xie X. Comparative maternal protein profiling of mouse biparental and uniparental embryos. Gigascience 2022; 11:6691138. [PMID: 36056732 PMCID: PMC9440387 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal proteins have important roles during early embryonic development. However, our understanding of maternal proteins is still very limited. The integrated analysis of mouse uniparental (parthenogenetic) and biparental (fertilized) embryos at the protein level creates a protein expression landscape that can be used to explore preimplantation mouse development. Results Using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we report on the maternal proteome of mouse parthenogenetic embryos at pronucleus, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages and highlight dynamic changes in protein expression. In addition, comparison of proteomic profiles of parthenogenotes and fertilized embryos highlights the different fates of maternal proteins. Enrichment analysis uncovered a set of maternal proteins that are strongly correlated with the subcortical maternal complex, and we report that in parthenogenotes, some of these maternal proteins escape the fate of protein degradation. Moreover, we identified a new maternal factor-Fbxw24, and highlight its importance in early embryonic development. We report that Fbxw24 interacts with Ddb1-Cul4b and may regulate maternal protein degradation in mouse. Conclusions Our study provides an invaluable resource for mechanistic analysis of maternal proteins and highlights the role of the novel maternal factor Fbw24 in regulating maternal protein degradation during preimplantation embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumei Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Buguo Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Yongda Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Xin Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Yaoyao Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Qingmei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxun Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China.,Central Laboratory, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P. R. China
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16
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Picchetta L, Caroselli S, Figliuzzi M, Cogo F, Zambon P, Costa M, Pergher I, Patassini C, Cortellessa F, Zuccarello D, Poli M, Capalbo A. Molecular tools for the genomic assessment of oocyte’s reproductive competence. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:847-860. [PMID: 35124783 PMCID: PMC9050973 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02411-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The most important factor associated with oocytes' developmental competence has been widely identified as the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. However, growing application of genome-wide sequencing (GS) in population diagnostics has enabled the identification of multifactorial genetic predispositions to sub-lethal pathologies, including those affecting IVF outcomes and reproductive fitness. Indeed, GS analysis in families with history of isolated infertility has recently led to the discovery of new genes and variants involved in specific human infertility endophenotypes that impact the availability and the functionality of female gametes by altering unique mechanisms necessary for oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Ongoing advancements in analytical and bioinformatic pipelines for the study of the genetic determinants of oocyte competence may provide the biological evidence required not only for improving the diagnosis of isolated female infertility but also for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches for reproductive failure. Here, we provide an updated discussion and review of the progresses made in preconception genomic medicine in the identification of genetic factors associated with oocyte availability, function, and competence.
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17
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Anvar Z, Chakchouk I, Demond H, Sharif M, Kelsey G, Van den Veyver IB. DNA Methylation Dynamics in the Female Germline and Maternal-Effect Mutations That Disrupt Genomic Imprinting. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081214. [PMID: 34440388 PMCID: PMC8394515 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic marking process that results in the monoallelic expression of a subset of genes. Many of these ‘imprinted’ genes in mice and humans are involved in embryonic and extraembryonic growth and development, and some have life-long impacts on metabolism. During mammalian development, the genome undergoes waves of (re)programming of DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks. Disturbances in these events can cause imprinting disorders and compromise development. Multi-locus imprinting disturbance (MLID) is a condition by which imprinting defects touch more than one locus. Although most cases with MLID present with clinical features characteristic of one imprinting disorder. Imprinting defects also occur in ‘molar’ pregnancies-which are characterized by highly compromised embryonic development-and in other forms of reproductive compromise presenting clinically as infertility or early pregnancy loss. Pathogenic variants in some of the genes encoding proteins of the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC), a multi-protein complex in the mammalian oocyte, are responsible for a rare subgroup of moles, biparental complete hydatidiform mole (BiCHM), and other adverse reproductive outcomes which have been associated with altered imprinting status of the oocyte, embryo and/or placenta. The finding that defects in a cytoplasmic protein complex could have severe impacts on genomic methylation at critical times in gamete or early embryo development has wider implications beyond these relatively rare disorders. It signifies a potential for adverse maternal physiology, nutrition, or assisted reproduction to cause epigenetic defects at imprinted or other genes. Here, we review key milestones in DNA methylation patterning in the female germline and the embryo focusing on humans. We provide an overview of recent findings regarding DNA methylation deficits causing BiCHM, MLID, and early embryonic arrest. We also summarize identified SCMC mutations with regard to early embryonic arrest, BiCHM, and MLID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Anvar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Z.A.); (I.C.); (M.S.)
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Imen Chakchouk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Z.A.); (I.C.); (M.S.)
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hannah Demond
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK;
| | - Momal Sharif
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Z.A.); (I.C.); (M.S.)
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK;
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (I.B.V.d.V.); Tel.: +44-1223-496332 (G.K.); +832-824-8125 (I.B.V.d.V.)
| | - Ignatia B. Van den Veyver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Z.A.); (I.C.); (M.S.)
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (I.B.V.d.V.); Tel.: +44-1223-496332 (G.K.); +832-824-8125 (I.B.V.d.V.)
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18
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Molecular Drivers of Developmental Arrest in the Human Preimplantation Embryo: A Systematic Review and Critical Analysis Leading to Mapping Future Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158353. [PMID: 34361119 PMCID: PMC8347543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest of the preimplantation embryo is a multifactorial condition, characterized by lack of cellular division for at least 24 hours, hindering the in vitro fertilization cycle outcome. This systematic review aims to present the molecular drivers of developmental arrest, focusing on embryonic and parental factors. A systematic search in PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane-Central-Database was performed in January 2021. A total of 76 studies were included. The identified embryonic factors associated with arrest included gene variations, mitochondrial DNA copy number, methylation patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic profile and morphological features. Parental factors included, gene variation, protein expression levels and infertility etiology. A valuable conclusion emerging through critical analysis indicated that genetic origins of developmental arrest analyzed from the perspective of parental infertility etiology and the embryo itself, share common ground. This is a unique and long-overdue contribution to literature that for the first time presents an all-inclusive methodological report on the molecular drivers leading to preimplantation embryos’ arrested development. The variety and heterogeneity of developmental arrest drivers, along with their inevitable intertwining relationships does not allow for prioritization on the factors playing a more definitive role in arrested development. This systematic review provides the basis for further research in the field.
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19
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Bebbere D, Albertini DF, Coticchio G, Borini A, Ledda S. The subcortical maternal complex: emerging roles and novel perspectives. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6311673. [PMID: 34191027 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its recent discovery, the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is emerging as a maternally inherited and crucial biological structure for the initial stages of embryogenesis in mammals. Uniquely expressed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos, where it localizes to the cell subcortex, this multiprotein complex is essential for early embryo development in the mouse and is functionally conserved across mammalian species, including humans. The complex has been linked to key processes leading the transition from oocyte to embryo, including meiotic spindle formation and positioning, regulation of translation, organelle redistribution, and epigenetic reprogramming. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms for these diverse functions are just beginning to be understood, hindered by unresolved interplay of SCMC components and variations in early lethal phenotypes. Here we review recent advances confirming involvement of the SCMC in human infertility, revealing an unexpected relationship with offspring health. Moreover, SCMC organization is being further revealed in terms of novel components and interactions with additional cell constituents. Collectively, this evidence prompts new avenues of investigation into possible roles during the process of oogenesis and the regulation of maternal transcript turnover during the oocyte to embryo transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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20
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Wakabayashi M, Tamura S, Kanzaki S, Kosugi M, Yoshimura Y, Ito T, Nagata K, Sato K, Takada S, Sekita Y, Kimura T. Five multicopy gene family genes expressed during the maternal-to-zygotic transition are not essential for mouse development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 534:752-757. [PMID: 33162025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Upon fertilization, oocytes transform into totipotent and pluripotent cleavage stage cells through the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), which is regulated by maternal factors and zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Here, we investigated the in vivo function of 16 genes expressed with strong biases in oocytes and cleavage stage embryos by generating knockout (KO) mice. These MZT-associated genes are conserved across many mammalian species and include five multicopy gene family genes: the Nlrp9, Khdc1, Rfpl4, Trim43, and Zscan5 genes. Intercrosses between female KO and male KO mice, including Nlrp9a/b/c triple KO (TKO), Khdc1a/b/c TKO, Rfpl4a/b double KO (DKO), Trim43a/b/c TKO, and Zscan5b KO mice led to the birth to healthy offspring that in turn produced healthy offspring. Our study not only demonstrated that these MZT-associated genes are not essential for mouse development, but also provides valuable resources for analyzing the functions of these genes in other genetic backgrounds, in the presence of stressors, and under pathogenic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Wakabayashi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Shiori Tamura
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Satoko Kanzaki
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Mayuko Kosugi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Yuki Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ito
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Kei Nagata
- School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Kazuha Sato
- School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1, Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Yoichi Sekita
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Tohru Kimura
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Science, Japan; School of Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan.
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Subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) expression during folliculogenesis is affected by oocyte donor age in sheep. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2259-2271. [PMID: 32613414 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01871-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The age-associated decline in female fertility is largely ascribable to the decrease in oocyte quality. The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is a multiprotein complex essential for early embryogenesis and female fertility and functionally conserved across mammals. The present work evaluated expression dynamics of its components during folliculogenesis in relation to maternal age in sheep. METHODS The expression of the SCMC components (KHDC3/FILIA, NLRP2, NLRP5/MATER, OOEP/FLOPED, PADI6, TLE6 and ZBED3) was analyzed by real-time PCR in pools of growing oocytes (GO) of different diameters (70-90 μm (S), 90-110 μm (M), or 110-130 μm (L)) derived from non-hormonally treated adult (Ad; age < 4 years), prepubertal (Pr; age 40 days), or aged ewes (age > 6 years). RESULTS Specific expression patterns associated with donor age were observed during folliculogenesis for all genes, except ZBED3. In oocytes of adult donors, the synthesis of NLRP2, NLRP5, PADI6, and ZBED3 mRNAs was complete in S GO, while FILIA, TLE6, and OOEP were actively transcribed at this stage. Conversely, Pr GO showed active transcription of all mRNAs, except for ZBED3, during the entire window of oocyte growth. Notably, aged GO showed a completely inverse pattern, with a decrease of NLRP2, TLE6, FILIA, and PADI6 mRNA abundance during the latest stage of oocyte growth (L GO). Interestingly, MATER showed high expression variability, suggesting large inter-oocyte differences. CONCLUSION Our study describes the SCMC expression dynamics during sheep oogenesis and reports age-specific patterns that are likely involved in the age-related decline of oocyte quality.
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Elbracht M, Mackay D, Begemann M, Kagan KO, Eggermann T. Disturbed genomic imprinting and its relevance for human reproduction: causes and clinical consequences. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:197-213. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Human reproductive issues affecting fetal and maternal health are caused by numerous exogenous and endogenous factors, of which the latter undoubtedly include genetic changes. Pathogenic variants in either maternal or offspring DNA are associated with effects on the offspring including clinical disorders and nonviable outcomes. Conversely, both fetal and maternal factors can affect maternal health during pregnancy. Recently, it has become evident that mammalian reproduction is influenced by genomic imprinting, an epigenetic phenomenon that regulates the expression of genes according to their parent from whom they are inherited. About 1% of human genes are normally expressed from only the maternally or paternally inherited gene copy. Since numerous imprinted genes are involved in (embryonic) growth and development, disturbance of their balanced expression can adversely affect these processes.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This review summarises current our understanding of genomic imprinting in relation to human ontogenesis and pregnancy and its relevance for reproductive medicine.
SEARCH METHODS
Literature databases (Pubmed, Medline) were thoroughly searched for the role of imprinting in human reproductive failure. In particular, the terms ‘multilocus imprinting disturbances, SCMC, NLRP/NALP, imprinting and reproduction’ were used in various combinations.
OUTCOMES
A range of molecular changes to specific groups of imprinted genes are associated with imprinting disorders, i.e. syndromes with recognisable clinical features including distinctive prenatal features. Whereas the majority of affected individuals exhibit alterations at single imprinted loci, some have multi-locus imprinting disturbances (MLID) with less predictable clinical features. Imprinting disturbances are also seen in some nonviable pregnancy outcomes, such as (recurrent) hydatidiform moles, which can therefore be regarded as a severe form of imprinting disorders. There is growing evidence that MLID can be caused by variants in the maternal genome altering the imprinting status of the oocyte and the embryo, i.e. maternal effect mutations. Pregnancies of women carrying maternal affect mutations can have different courses, ranging from miscarriages to birth of children with clinical features of various imprinting disorders.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Increasing understanding of imprinting disturbances and their clinical consequences have significant impacts on diagnostics, counselling and management in the context of human reproduction. Defining criteria for identifying pregnancies complicated by imprinting disorders facilitates early diagnosis and personalised management of both the mother and offspring. Identifying the molecular lesions underlying imprinting disturbances (e.g. maternal effect mutations) allows targeted counselling of the family and focused medical care in further pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Elbracht
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Deborah Mackay
- Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Matthias Begemann
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl Oliver Kagan
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Eggermann
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Qin D, Gao Z, Xiao Y, Zhang X, Ma H, Yu X, Nie X, Fan N, Wang X, Ouyang Y, Sun QY, Yi Z, Li L. The subcortical maternal complex protein Nlrp4f is involved in cytoplasmic lattice formation and organelle distribution. Development 2019; 146:dev.183616. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.183616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In mammalian oocytes and embryos, the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) and cytoplasmic lattices (CPLs) are two closely related structures. Their detailed compositions and functions remain largely unclear. Here, we characterized Nlrp4f as a novel component associated with the SCMC and CPLs. Disruption of maternal Nlrp4f leads to decreased fecundity and delayed preimplantation development in the mouse. Lack of Nlrp4f affects organelle distribution in mouse oocytes and early embryos. Depletion of Nlrp4f disrupts CPL formation but does not affect the interactions of other SCMC proteins. Interestingly, the loss of Filia or Tle6, two other SCMC proteins, also disrupts CPL formation in mouse oocytes. Thus, the absence of CPLs and aberrant distribution of organelles in the oocytes disrupted the examined SCMC genes, including previously reported Zbed3, Mater, Floped and Padi6, indicate that the SCMC is required for CPL formation and organelle distribution. Consistent with the SCMC's role in CPL formation, the SCMC forms before CPLs during oogenesis. Together, our results suggest that SCMC protein Nlrp4f is involved in CPL formation and organelle distribution in mouse oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Haixia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xingjiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaoqing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Na Fan
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (North) of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yingchun Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhaohong Yi
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (North) of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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24
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Amorim ST, Kluska S, Berton MP, de Lemos MVA, Peripolli E, Stafuzza NB, Martin JF, Álvarez MS, Gaviña BV, Toro MA, Banchero G, Oliveira PS, Grigoletto L, Eler JP, Baldi F, Ferraz JBS. Genomic study for maternal related traits in Santa Inês sheep breed. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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25
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Eckersley-Maslin MA, Alda-Catalinas C, Reik W. Dynamics of the epigenetic landscape during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2018; 19:436-450. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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26
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Yu C, Fan X, Sha QQ, Wang HH, Li BT, Dai XX, Shen L, Liu J, Wang L, Liu K, Tang F, Fan HY. CFP1 Regulates Histone H3K4 Trimethylation and Developmental Potential in Mouse Oocytes. Cell Rep 2018; 20:1161-1172. [PMID: 28768200 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine-4 (H3K4me3) is associated with eukaryotic gene promoters and poises their transcriptional activation during development. To examine the in vivo function of H3K4me3 in the absence of DNA replication, we deleted CXXC finger protein 1 (CFP1), the DNA-binding subunit of the SETD1 histone H3K4 methyltransferase, in developing oocytes. We find that CFP1 is required for H3K4me3 accumulation and the deposition of histone variants onto chromatin during oocyte maturation. Decreased H3K4me3 in oocytes caused global downregulation of transcription activity. Oocytes lacking CFP1 failed to complete maturation and were unable to gain developmental competence after fertilization, due to defects in cytoplasmic lattice formation, meiotic division, and maternal-zygotic transition. Our study highlights the importance of H3K4me3 in continuous histone replacement for transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, and normal developmental progression in a non-replicative system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Goteborg University, Goteborg SE405 30, Sweden
| | - Xiaoying Fan
- Biomedical Institute for Pioneering Investigation via Convergence, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qian-Qian Sha
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hui-Han Wang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bo-Tai Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xing-Xing Dai
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li Shen
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junping Liu
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Lie Wang
- Institute of Immunology, Zhejiang University Medical School, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kui Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Goteborg University, Goteborg SE405 30, Sweden
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Biomedical Institute for Pioneering Investigation via Convergence, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
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27
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Begemann M, Rezwan FI, Beygo J, Docherty LE, Kolarova J, Schroeder C, Buiting K, Chokkalingam K, Degenhardt F, Wakeling EL, Kleinle S, González Fassrainer D, Oehl-Jaschkowitz B, Turner CLS, Patalan M, Gizewska M, Binder G, Bich Ngoc CT, Chi Dung V, Mehta SG, Baynam G, Hamilton-Shield JP, Aljareh S, Lokulo-Sodipe O, Horton R, Siebert R, Elbracht M, Temple IK, Eggermann T, Mackay DJG. Maternal variants in NLRP and other maternal effect proteins are associated with multilocus imprinting disturbance in offspring. J Med Genet 2018; 55:497-504. [PMID: 29574422 PMCID: PMC6047157 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2017-105190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Genomic imprinting results from the resistance of germline epigenetic marks to reprogramming in the early embryo for a small number of mammalian genes. Genetic, epigenetic or environmental insults that prevent imprints from evading reprogramming may result in imprinting disorders, which impact growth, development, behaviour and metabolism. We aimed to identify genetic defects causing imprinting disorders by whole-exome sequencing in families with one or more members affected by multilocus imprinting disturbance. Methods Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 38 pedigrees where probands had multilocus imprinting disturbance, in five of whom maternal variants in NLRP5 have previously been found. Results We now report 15 further pedigrees in which offspring had disturbance of imprinting, while their mothers had rare, predicted-deleterious variants in maternal effect genes, including NLRP2, NLRP7 and PADI6. As well as clinical features of well-recognised imprinting disorders, some offspring had additional features including developmental delay, behavioural problems and discordant monozygotic twinning, while some mothers had reproductive problems including pregnancy loss. Conclusion The identification of 20 putative maternal effect variants in 38 families affected by multilocus imprinting disorders adds to the evidence that maternal genetic factors affect oocyte fitness and thus offspring development. Testing for maternal-effect genetic variants should be considered in families affected by atypical imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Begemann
- Institute of Human Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Faisal I Rezwan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jasmin Beygo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Louise E Docherty
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, The Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Julia Kolarova
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christopher Schroeder
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Karin Buiting
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kamal Chokkalingam
- Department of Diabetic Medicine, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Emma L Wakeling
- North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Claire L S Turner
- Peninsula Genetics Service, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, UK
| | - Michal Patalan
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Cardiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Maria Gizewska
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Cardiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Gerhard Binder
- Pediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Can Thi Bich Ngoc
- Department of Medical Genetics, Metabolism and Endocrinology, The National Children's Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vu Chi Dung
- Department of Medical Genetics, Metabolism and Endocrinology, The National Children's Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sarju G Mehta
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gareth Baynam
- School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Genetic Services of Western Australian and Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Sara Aljareh
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Oluwakemi Lokulo-Sodipe
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Rachel Horton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Miriam Elbracht
- Institute of Human Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Isabel Karen Temple
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Thomas Eggermann
- Institute of Human Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Zare Z, Abouhamzeh B, Masteri Farahani R, Salehi M, Mohammadi M. Supplementation of L-carnitine during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes affects expression of genes involved in oocyte and embryo competence:An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2017. [DOI: 10.29252/ijrm.15.12.779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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29
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Lu X, Gao Z, Qin D, Li L. A Maternal Functional Module in the Mammalian Oocyte-To-Embryo Transition. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:1014-1023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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30
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The Role of Maternal-Effect Genes in Mammalian Development: Are Mammalian Embryos Really an Exception? Stem Cell Rev Rep 2017; 12:276-84. [PMID: 26892267 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-016-9648-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The essential contribution of multiple maternal factors to early mammalian development is rapidly altering the view that mammals have a unique pattern of development compared to other species. Currently, over 60 maternal-effect mutations have been described in mammalian systems, including critical determinants of pluripotency. This data, combined with the evidence for lineage bias and differential gene expression in early blastomeres, strongly suggests that mammalian development is to some extent mosaic from the four-cell stage onward.
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31
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Monk D, Sanchez-Delgado M, Fisher R. NLRPs, the subcortical maternal complex and genomic imprinting. Reproduction 2017; 154:R161-R170. [PMID: 28916717 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Before activation of the embryonic genome, the oocyte provides many of the RNAs and proteins required for the epigenetic reprogramming and the transition to a totipotent state. Targeted disruption of a subset of oocyte-derived transcripts in mice results in early embryonic lethality and cleavage-stage embryonic arrest as highlighted by the members of the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC). Maternal-effect recessive mutations of NLRP7, KHDC3L and NLRP5 in humans are associated with variable reproductive outcomes, biparental hydatidiform moles (BiHM) and widespread multi-locus imprinting disturbances. The precise mechanism of action of these genes is unknown, but the maternal-effect phenomenon suggests a function during early pre-implantation development, while biochemical and genetic studies implement them as SCMC members or interacting partners. In this review article, we discuss the role of the NLRP family members and the SCMC proteins in the establishment of genomic imprints and post-zygotic methylation maintenance, the recent advances made in the understanding of the biology involved in BiHM formation and the wider roles of the SCMC in mammalian reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Monk
- Imprinting and Cancer GroupCancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomedica de Bellvitge, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sanchez-Delgado
- Imprinting and Cancer GroupCancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomedica de Bellvitge, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosemary Fisher
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UK.,Trophoblastic Tumour Screening and Treatment CentreDepartment of Oncology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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32
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Gao Z, Zhang X, Yu X, Qin D, Xiao Y, Yu Y, Xiang Y, Nie X, Lu X, Liu W, Yi Z, Li L. Zbed3 participates in the subcortical maternal complex and regulates the distribution of organelles. J Mol Cell Biol 2017; 10:74-88. [DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingjiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunlong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohong Yi
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (North) of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Liu C, Li M, Li T, Zhao H, Huang J, Wang Y, Gao Q, Yu Y, Shi Q. ECAT1 is essential for human oocyte maturation and pre-implantation development of the resulting embryos. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38192. [PMID: 27917907 PMCID: PMC5137016 DOI: 10.1038/srep38192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ECAT1 is a subunit of the subcortical maternal complex that is required for cell cycle progression during pre-implantation embryonic development; however, its exact function remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the expression of ECAT1 in human ovarian tissue, oocytes and pre-implantation embryos and assessed its function by using RNA interference (RNAi) in oocytes. ECAT1 mRNA was highly expressed in human oocytes and zygotes, as well as in two-cell, four-cell and eight-cell embryos, but declined significantly in morulae and blastocysts. ECAT1 was expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes and pre-implantation embryos and was localized more specifically in the cortical region than in the inner cytoplasm. RNAi experiments demonstrated that down-regulation of ECAT1 expression not only impaired spindle assembly and reduced maturation and fertilization rates of human oocytes but also decreased the cleavage rate of the resulting zygotes. In conclusion, our study indicates that ECAT1 may play a role in meiotic progression by maintaining the accuracy of spindle assembly in human oocytes, thus promoting oocyte maturation and subsequent development of the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyu Liu
- Molecular and Cell Genetics Laboratory; The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale; School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Min Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tianjie Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hongcui Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Molecular and Cell Genetics Laboratory; The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale; School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
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Moorthy SD, Davidson S, Shchuka VM, Singh G, Malek-Gilani N, Langroudi L, Martchenko A, So V, Macpherson NN, Mitchell JA. Enhancers and super-enhancers have an equivalent regulatory role in embryonic stem cells through regulation of single or multiple genes. Genome Res 2016; 27:246-258. [PMID: 27895109 PMCID: PMC5287230 DOI: 10.1101/gr.210930.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional enhancers are critical for maintaining cell-type-specific gene expression and driving cell fate changes during development. Highly transcribed genes are often associated with a cluster of individual enhancers such as those found in locus control regions. Recently, these have been termed stretch enhancers or super-enhancers, which have been predicted to regulate critical cell identity genes. We employed a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion approach to study the function of several enhancer clusters (ECs) and isolated enhancers in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Our results reveal that the effect of deleting ECs, also classified as ES cell super-enhancers, is highly variable, resulting in target gene expression reductions ranging from 12% to as much as 92%. Partial deletions of these ECs which removed only one enhancer or a subcluster of enhancers revealed partially redundant control of the regulated gene by multiple enhancers within the larger cluster. Many highly transcribed genes in ES cells are not associated with a super-enhancer; furthermore, super-enhancer predictions ignore 81% of the potentially active regulatory elements predicted by cobinding of five or more pluripotency-associated transcription factors. Deletion of these additional enhancer regions revealed their robust regulatory role in gene transcription. In addition, select super-enhancers and enhancers were identified that regulated clusters of paralogous genes. We conclude that, whereas robust transcriptional output can be achieved by an isolated enhancer, clusters of enhancers acting on a common target gene act in a partially redundant manner to fine tune transcriptional output of their target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakthi D Moorthy
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Scott Davidson
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Virlana M Shchuka
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Gurdeep Singh
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Nakisa Malek-Gilani
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Lida Langroudi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Alexandre Martchenko
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Vincent So
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Neil N Macpherson
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Jennifer A Mitchell
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada.,Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
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Bebbere D, Masala L, Albertini DF, Ledda S. The subcortical maternal complex: multiple functions for one biological structure? J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1431-1438. [PMID: 27525657 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0788-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is a multiprotein complex uniquely expressed in mammalian oocytes and early embryos, essential for zygote progression beyond the first embryonic cell divisions. Similiar to other factors encoded by maternal effect genes, the physiological role of SCMC remains unclear, although recent evidence has provided important molecular insights into different possible functions. Its potential involvement in human fertility is attracting increasing attention; however, the complete story is far from being told. The present mini review provides an overview of recent findings related to the SCMC and discusses its potential physiological role/s with the aim of inspiring new directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - L Masala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - D F Albertini
- The Center for Human Reproduction, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - S Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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36
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Zahmatkesh A, Ansari Mahyari S, Daliri Joupari M, Rahmani H, Shirazi A, Amiri Roudbar M, Ansari Majd S. Expressional and Bioinformatic Analysis of Bovine Filia/Ecat1/Khdc3l Gene: A Comparison with Ovine Species. Anim Biotechnol 2016; 27:174-81. [PMID: 27070240 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2016.1157081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Maternal effect genes have highly impressive effects on pre-implantation development. Filia/Ecat1/Khdc3l is a maternal effect gene found in mouse oocytes and embryos, loss of which causes a 50% decrease in fertility. In the present study, we investigated Filia mRNA expression in bovine oviduct, 30- to 40-day fetus, liver, heart, lung, and oocytes (as a positive control), by RT-PCR and detected it only in oocytes. A 443 bp fragment was amplified only in oocytes and was sequenced as a part of bovine predicted Filia mRNA. We analyzed bovine and ovine Filia N-terminal peptide sequence in PHYRE2, and a KH domain was predicted. Protein alignment using ClustalW indicated a highly identical N-terminal extention between the 2 species. Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-bovine Filia antibody showed the expression of Filia protein in the zone surrounding the nuclear membrane, and in the subcortex of ovine oocytes of primary and antral follicles. However, in the bovine, Filia has been found through the oocyte cytoplasm of antral follicles, and here it is further confirmed in the primary follicles. Our data suggests a difference in Filia expression pattern between cow and sheep, although the sequence is highly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Zahmatkesh
- a Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture , Isfahan University of Technology , Isfahan , Iran
| | - Saeid Ansari Mahyari
- a Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture , Isfahan University of Technology , Isfahan , Iran
| | - Morteza Daliri Joupari
- b Department of Animal Biotechnology , Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Tehran , Iran
| | - Hamidreza Rahmani
- a Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture , Isfahan University of Technology , Isfahan , Iran
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- c Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran , Iran
| | - Mahmood Amiri Roudbar
- d Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture , Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman , Kerman , Iran
| | - Saeid Ansari Majd
- b Department of Animal Biotechnology , Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Tehran , Iran
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Swegen A, Aitken RJ. Prospects for immunocontraception in feral horse population control: exploring novel targets for an equine fertility vaccine. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:853-863. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral horses populate vast land areas and often induce significant ecological and economic damage throughout the landscape. Non-lethal population control methods are considered favourable in light of animal welfare, social and ethical considerations; however, no single effective, safe and species-specific contraceptive agent is currently available for use in free-ranging wild and feral horses. This review explores aspects of equine reproductive physiology that may provide avenues for the development of specific and long-lasting immunocontraceptive vaccines and some of the novel strategies that may be employed to facilitate appropriate antigen discovery in future research. Potential antigen targets pertaining to spermatozoa, the ovary and oocyte, as well as the early conceptus and its associated factors, are reviewed in the context of their suitability for immunocontraceptive vaccine development.
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38
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Daughtry BL, Chavez SL. Chromosomal instability in mammalian pre-implantation embryos: potential causes, detection methods, and clinical consequences. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 363:201-225. [PMID: 26590822 PMCID: PMC5621482 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Formation of a totipotent blastocyst capable of implantation is one of the first major milestones in early mammalian embryogenesis, but less than half of in vitro fertilized embryos from most mammals will progress to this stage of development. Whole chromosomal abnormalities, or aneuploidy, are key determinants of whether human embryos will arrest or reach the blastocyst stage. Depending on the type of chromosomal abnormality, however, certain embryos still form blastocysts and may be morphologically indistinguishable from chromosomally normal embryos. Despite the implementation of pre-implantation genetic screening and other advanced in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, the identification of aneuploid embryos remains complicated by high rates of mosaicism, atypical cell division, cellular fragmentation, sub-chromosomal instability, and micro-/multi-nucleation. Moreover, several of these processes occur in vivo following natural human conception, suggesting that they are not simply a consequence of culture conditions. Recent technological achievements in genetic, epigenetic, chromosomal, and non-invasive imaging have provided additional embryo assessment approaches, particularly at the single-cell level, and clinical trials investigating their efficacy are continuing to emerge. In this review, we summarize the potential mechanisms by which aneuploidy may arise, the various detection methods, and the technical advances (such as time-lapse imaging, "-omic" profiling, and next-generation sequencing) that have assisted in obtaining this data. We also discuss the possibility of aneuploidy resolution in embryos via various corrective mechanisms, including multi-polar divisions, fragment resorption, endoreduplication, and blastomere exclusion, and conclude by examining the potential implications of these findings for IVF success and human fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Daughtry
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Ore., USA
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Shawn L Chavez
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
- Physiology & Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Ore., USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Ore., USA.
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Carbone L, Chavez SL. Mammalian pre-implantation chromosomal instability: species comparison, evolutionary considerations, and pathological correlations. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2015; 61:321-35. [PMID: 26366555 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2015.1073406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pre-implantation embryo development in mammals begins at fertilization with the migration and fusion of the maternal and paternal pro-nuclei, followed by the degradation of inherited factors involved in germ cell specification and the activation of embryonic genes required for subsequent cell divisions, compaction, and blastulation. The majority of studies on early embryogenesis have been conducted in the mouse or non-mammalian species, often requiring extrapolation of the findings to human development. Given both conserved similarities and species-specific differences, however, even comparison between closely related mammalian species may be challenging as certain aspects, including susceptibility to chromosomal aberrations, varies considerably across mammals. Moreover, most human embryo studies are limited to patient samples obtained from in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics and donated for research, which are generally of poorer quality and produced with germ cells that may be sub-optimal. Recent technical advances in genetic, epigenetic, chromosomal, and time-lapse imaging analyses of high quality whole human embryos have greatly improved our understanding of early human embryogenesis, particularly at the single embryo and cell level. This review summarizes the major characteristics of mammalian pre-implantation development from a chromosomal perspective, in addition to discussing the technological achievements that have recently been developed to obtain this data. We also discuss potential translation to clinical applications in reproductive medicine and conclude by examining the broader implications of these findings for the evolution of mammalian species and cancer pathology in somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Carbone
- a Division of Neuroscience , Oregon National Primate Research Center .,b Department of Behavioral Neuroscience .,c Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics .,d Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Oregon Health & Science University
| | - Shawn L Chavez
- e Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences , Oregon National Primate Research Center .,f Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology , and.,g Department of Physiology & Pharmacology , Oregon Health & Science University , Portland , Oregon , USA
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40
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Prediction model for aneuploidy in early human embryo development revealed by single-cell analysis. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7601. [PMID: 26151134 PMCID: PMC4506544 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidies are prevalent in the human embryo and impair proper development, leading to cell cycle arrest. Recent advances in imaging and molecular and genetic analyses are postulated as promising strategies to unveil the mechanisms involved in aneuploidy generation. Here we combine time-lapse, complete chromosomal assessment and single-cell RT-qPCR to simultaneously obtain information from all cells that compose a human embryo until the approximately eight-cell stage (n=85). Our data indicate that the chromosomal status of aneuploid embryos (n=26), including those that are mosaic (n=3), correlates with significant differences in the duration of the first mitotic phase when compared with euploid embryos (n=28). Moreover, gene expression profiling suggests that a subset of genes is differentially expressed in aneuploid embryos during the first 30 h of development. Thus, we propose that the chromosomal fate of an embryo is likely determined as early as the pronuclear stage and may be predicted by a 12-gene transcriptomic signature.
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41
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Zhu K, Yan L, Zhang X, Lu X, Wang T, Yan J, Liu X, Qiao J, Li L. Identification of a human subcortical maternal complex. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 21:320-9. [PMID: 25542835 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effect genes play essential roles in early embryonic development. However, the mechanisms by which maternal effect genes regulate mammalian early embryonic development remain largely unknown. Recently, we identified a subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) that is composed of at least four proteins encoded by Mater, Floped, Tle6 and Filia and is critical for mouse preimplantation development. The present study demonstrates that human SCMC homologous genes (NLRP5, OOEP, TLE6 and KHDC3L) are specifically expressed in the oocytes of human fetal ovaries. The proteins of this complex co-localize in the subcortex of human oocytes and early embryos. Furthermore, the SCMC proteins physically interact with each other when they are co-expressed in cell lines. These results indicate that human NLRP5, OOEP, TLE6 and KHDC3L function as a complex in the oocytes and early embryos of Homo sapiens. Considering the important roles of the SCMC in mouse early embryogenesis, the characterization of the human SCMC will provide a basis for investigating human early embryonic development and will have clinical implications in human female infertility or recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianren Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinqi Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Bebbere D, Ariu F, Bogliolo L, Masala L, Murrone O, Fattorini M, Falchi L, Ledda S. Expression of maternally derived KHDC3, NLRP5, OOEP and TLE6 is associated with oocyte developmental competence in the ovine species. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2014; 14:40. [PMID: 25420964 PMCID: PMC4247878 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-014-0040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sub-cortical maternal complex (SCMC), located in the subcortex of mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos, is composed of at least four proteins encoded by maternal effect genes: OOEP, NLRP5/MATER, TLE6 and KHDC3/FILIA. The SCMC assembles during oocyte growth and was seen to be essential for murine zygote progression beyond the first embryonic cell divisions; although roles in chromatin reprogramming and embryonic genome activation were hypothesized, the full range of functions of the complex in preimplantation development remains largely unknown. RESULTS Here we report the expression of the SCMC genes in ovine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos, describing for the first time its expression in a large mammalian species. We report sheep-specific patterns of expression and a relationship with the oocyte developmental potential in terms of delayed degradation of maternal SCMC transcripts in pre-implantation embryos derived from developmentally incompetent oocytes. In addition, by determining OOEP full length cDNA by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) we identified two different transcript variants (OOEP1 and OOEP2), both expressed in oocytes and early embryos, but with different somatic tissue distributions. In silico translation showed that 140 aminoacid peptide OOEP1 shares an identity with orthologous proteins ranging from 95% with the bovine to 45% with mouse. Conversely, OOEP2 contains a premature termination codon, thus representing an alternative noncoding transcript and supporting the existence of aberrant splicing during ovine oogenesis. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm the existence of the SCMC in sheep and its key role for the oocyte developmental potential, deepening our understanding on the molecular differences underlying cytoplasmic vs nuclear maturation of the oocytes. Describing differences and overlaps in transcriptome composition between model organisms advance our comprehension of the diversity/uniformity between mammalian species during early embryonic development and provide information on genes that play important regulatory roles in fertility in nonmurine models, including the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Federica Ariu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Luisa Bogliolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Laura Masala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ombretta Murrone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Mauro Fattorini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Laura Falchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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43
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Zahmatkesh A, Ansari Mahyari S, Daliri Joupari M, Shirazi A, Rahmani H. Expression of bovine Ecat1 gene in immature and in vitro matured oocytes as well as during early embryonic development. Reprod Domest Anim 2014; 50:34-40. [PMID: 25366560 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ecat1 is a maternal effect gene that is exclusively expressed in oocytes and embryonic stem cells, and has an important role in pre-implantation development. This study was designed to investigate the expression of bovine Ecat1 gene in immature and in vitro matured oocytes as well as during early embryonic development, and also Ecat1 protein localization. Samples were obtained from slaughtered animals. RNA extractions were carried out from ovary, immature and in vitro matured oocytes and also different stages of embryonic development (2-, 4-, 8- to 16-cell stages and blastocysts). RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of Ecat1 in ovary, oocytes and embryos. Analysis in FGENESH online tool predicted three exons and one transcription start site (TSS) in Ecat1 gene, and the 3' RACE-PCR result showed that just one splice variant was amplified. By quantitative real-time PCR technique, we showed that Ecat1 transcript increased at 8- to 16-cell-stage embryos and decreased in blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed cytoplasmic localization of Ecat1 protein in bovine oocytes. Results demonstrated bovine Ecat1 expression at protein level and also indicated that Ecat1 has a significant higher embryonic expression at 8- to 16-cell stage. This embryonic expression is probably required for further developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zahmatkesh
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
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Aghajanova L, Mahadevan S, Altmäe S, Stavreus-Evers A, Regan L, Sebire N, Dixon P, Fisher RA, Van den Veyver IB. No evidence for mutations in NLRP7, NLRP2 or KHDC3L in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss or infertility. Hum Reprod 2014; 30:232-8. [PMID: 25376457 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are mutations in NLRP2/7 (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 2/7) or KHDC3L (KH Domain Containing 3 Like) associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) or infertility? SUMMARY ANSWER We found no evidence for mutations in NLRP2/7 or KHDC3L in unexplained RPL or infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Mutations in NLRP7 and KHDC3L are known to cause biparental hydatidiform moles (BiHMs), a rare form of pregnancy loss. NLRP2, while not associated with the BiHM pathology, is known to cause recurrent Beckwith Weidemann Syndrome (BWS). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION Ninety-four patients with well characterized, unexplained infertility were recruited over a 9-year period from three IVF clinics in Sweden. Blood samples from 24 patients with 3 or more consecutive miscarriages of unknown etiology were provided by the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic at St Mary's Hospital, London, UK. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Patients were recruited into both cohorts following extensive clinical studies. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and subject to Sanger sequencing of NLRP2, NLRP7 and KHDC3L. Sequence electropherograms were analyzed by Sequencher v5.0 software and variants compared with those observed in the 1000 Genomes, single nucleotide polymorphism database (dbSNP) and HapMap databases. Functional effects of non-synonymous variants were predicted using Polyphen-2 and sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No disease-causing mutations were identified in NLRP2, NLRP7 and KHDC3L in our cohorts of unexplained infertility and RPL. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Due to the limited patient size, it is difficult to conclude if the low frequency single nucleotide polymorphisms observed in the present study are causative of the phenotype. The design of the present study therefore is only capable of detecting highly penetrant mutations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The present study supports the hypothesis that mutations in NLRP7 and KHDC3L are specific for the BiHM phenotype and do not play a role in other adverse reproductive outcomes. Furthermore, to date, mutations in NLRP2 have only been associated with the imprinting disorder BWS in offspring and there is no evidence for a role in molar pregnancies, RPL or unexplained infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was funded by the following sources: Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (Grant SF0180044s09), Enterprise Estonia (Grant EU30020); Mentored Resident research project (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine); Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre; Grant Number C06RR029965 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCCR; NIH). No competing interests declared.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Aghajanova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - S Mahadevan
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, One Baylor Plaza, Mailstop BCM610, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - S Altmäe
- Competence Centre on Reproductive Medicine and Biology, Tartu 50410, Estonia
| | - A Stavreus-Evers
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75105, Sweden
| | - L Regan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - N Sebire
- Paediatric and Developmental Pathology, Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - P Dixon
- Division of Women's Health, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - R A Fisher
- Trophoblastic Tumour Screening and Treatment Centre, Charing Cross Campus, Imperial College London, London W6 8RF, UK
| | - I B Van den Veyver
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, One Baylor Plaza, Mailstop BCM610, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Akoury E, Zhang L, Ao A, Slim R. NLRP7 and KHDC3L, the two maternal-effect proteins responsible for recurrent hydatidiform moles, co-localize to the oocyte cytoskeleton. Hum Reprod 2014; 30:159-69. [PMID: 25358348 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the subcellular localization in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos, of the two maternal-effect proteins, NLRP7 and KHDC3L, responsible for recurrent hydatidiform moles (RHMs)? SUMMARY ANSWER NLRP7 and KHDC3L localize to the oocyte cytoskeleton and are polar and absent from the cell-to-cell contact region in early preimplantation embryos. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY NLRP7 and KHDC3L expression has been described at the RNA level in some stages of human oocytes and preimplantation embryos and at the protein level by immunohistochemistry in human and bovine ovaries. NLRP7 and KHDC3L co-localize to the microtubule organizing center and/or the Golgi apparatus in human hematopoietic cells. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A total of 164 spare human oocytes and embryos from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were used. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Oocytes and early cleavage-stage embryos were fixed, immunostained with NLRP7 and/or KHDC3L antibodies, and analyzed using high-resolution confocal immunofluorescence and electron microscopies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE NLRP7 and KHDC3L localize to the cytoskeleton and are predominant at the cortical region in growing oocytes. After the first cellular division, these two maternal-effect proteins become asymmetrically confined to the outer cortical region and excluded from the cell-to-cell contact region until the blastocyst stage where NLRP7 and KHDC3L homogeneously redistribute to the cytoplasm and the nucleus, respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We could not analyze fresh human oocytes and embryos. The analyzed materials were donated by patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies and released for research 1-3 days after their collection and the transfer of embryos to the patients. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study is the first comprehensive and high-resolution localization of the only two known maternal-effect proteins, NLRP7 and KHDC3L, in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the roles of these two proteins in the integrity of the oocytes, post-zygotic divisions, and cell-lineage differentiation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (86546 to R.S.); E.A. was supported by fellowships from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and a CREATE award from the Réseau Québécois en Reproduction. All authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Akoury
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Asangla Ao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rima Slim
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
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46
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Van Gorp H, Kuchmiy A, Van Hauwermeiren F, Lamkanfi M. NOD-like receptors interfacing the immune and reproductive systems. FEBS J 2014; 281:4568-82. [PMID: 25154302 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NOD-like receptors, NLRs) are intracellular proteins that are chiefly known for their critical functions in inflammatory responses and host defense against microbial pathogens. Several NLRs have been demonstrated to assemble inflammasomes or to engage transcriptional signaling cascades that result in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bactericidal factors. In recent years, NLRs have also emerged as key regulators of early mammalian embryogenesis and reproduction. A subset of phylogenetically related NLRs represents a new class of maternal effect genes that are highly expressed in maturing oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. Mutations in several of these NLRs have been linked to hereditary reproductive defects and imprinting diseases. In this review, we discuss the expression profiles, the emerging functions and molecular mode of action of these NLRs with newly recognized roles at the interfaces of the immune and reproductive systems. In addition, we provide an overview of coding mutations in NLRs that have been associated with human reproductive diseases, and outline crucial outstanding questions in this emerging research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Van Gorp
- Department of Medical Protein Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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47
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Yu XJ, Yi Z, Gao Z, Qin D, Zhai Y, Chen X, Ou-Yang Y, Wang ZB, Zheng P, Zhu MS, Wang H, Sun QY, Dean J, Li L. The subcortical maternal complex controls symmetric division of mouse zygotes by regulating F-actin dynamics. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4887. [PMID: 25208553 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effect genes play critical roles in early embryogenesis of model organisms where they have been intensively investigated. However, their molecular function in mammals remains largely unknown. Recently, we identified a subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) that contains four proteins encoded by maternal effect genes (Mater, Filia, Floped and Tle6). Here we report that TLE6, similar to FLOPED and MATER, stabilizes the SCMC and is necessary for cleavage beyond the two-cell stage of development. We document that the SCMC is required for formation of the cytoplasmic F-actin meshwork that controls the central position of the spindle and ensures symmetric division of mouse zygotes. We further demonstrate that the SCMC controls formation of the actin cytoskeleton specifically via Cofilin, a key regulator of F-actin assembly. Our results provide molecular insight into the physiological function of TLE6, its interaction with the SCMC and their roles in the symmetric division of the zygote in early mouse development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jiang Yu
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China [2] Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaohong Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zheng Gao
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China [2] Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dandan Qin
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China [2] Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanhua Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yingchun Ou-Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhen-Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- State Key laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Min-Sheng Zhu
- Model Animal Research Center and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8028, USA
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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48
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Condic ML. Totipotency: what it is and what it is not. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:796-812. [PMID: 24368070 PMCID: PMC3991987 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is surprising confusion surrounding the concept of biological totipotency, both within the scientific community and in society at large. Increasingly, ethical objections to scientific research have both practical and political implications. Ethical controversy surrounding an area of research can have a chilling effect on investors and industry, which in turn slows the development of novel medical therapies. In this context, clarifying precisely what is meant by "totipotency" and how it is experimentally determined will both avoid unnecessary controversy and potentially reduce inappropriate barriers to research. Here, the concept of totipotency is discussed, and the confusions surrounding this term in the scientific and nonscientific literature are considered. A new term, "plenipotent," is proposed to resolve this confusion. The requirement for specific, oocyte-derived cytoplasm as a component of totipotency is outlined. Finally, the implications of twinning for our understanding of totipotency are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen L Condic
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
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49
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Two miRNA clusters reveal alternative paths in late-stage reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 2014; 14:617-31. [PMID: 24630794 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of specific factors such as Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 (OSK) is sufficient to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In this study, we examine the paths taken by cells during the reprogramming process by following the transcriptional activation of two pluripotent miRNA clusters (mir-290 and mir-302) in individual cells in vivo and in vitro with knockin reporters. During embryonic development and embryonic stem cell differentiation, all cells sequentially expressed mir-290 and mir-302. In contrast, during OSK-induced reprogramming, cells activated the miRNA loci in a stochastic, nonordered manner. However, the addition of Sall4 to the OSK cocktail led to a consistent reverse sequence of locus activation (mir-302 then mir-290) and increased reprogramming efficiency. These results demonstrate that cells can follow multiple paths during the late stages of reprogramming, and that the trajectory of any individual cell is strongly influenced by the combination of factors introduced.
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50
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Slim R, Wallace EP. NLRP7 and the Genetics of Hydatidiform Moles: Recent Advances and New Challenges. Front Immunol 2013; 4:242. [PMID: 23970884 PMCID: PMC3747449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
NOD-like receptor proteins (NLRPs) are emerging key players in several inflammatory pathways in Mammals. The first identified gene coding for a protein from this family is Nlrp5 and was originally called Mater for “Maternal Antigen That Mouse Embryos Require” for normal development beyond the two-cell stage. This important discovery was followed by the identification of other NLRPs playing roles in inflammatory disorders and of the first maternal-effect gene in humans, NLRP7, which is responsible for an aberrant form of human pregnancy called hydatidiform mole (HM). In this review, we recapitulate the various aspects of the pathology of HM, highlight recent advances regarding NLRP7 and its role in HM and related forms of reproductive losses, and expand our discussion to other NLRPs with a special emphasis on those with known roles in mammalian reproduction. Our aim is to facilitate the genetic complexity of recurrent fetal loss in humans and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations in the fields of NLRPs and reproductive loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Slim
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre , Montreal, QC , Canada ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre , Montreal, QC , Canada
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