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Luo H, Zhou H, Jiang S, He C, Xu K, Ding J, Liu J, Qin C, Chen K, Zhou W, Wang L, Yang W, Zhu W, Meng H. Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Potential Players of Sex Determination and Asymmetrical Development in Chicken Embryo Gonads. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14597. [PMID: 37834055 PMCID: PMC10572726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914597] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the notable progress made in recent years, the understanding of the genetic control of gonadal sex differentiation and asymmetrical ovariogenesis in chicken during embryonic development remains incomplete. This study aimed to identify potential key genes and speculate about the mechanisms associated with ovary and testis development via an analysis of the results of PacBio and Illumina transcriptome sequencing of embryonic chicken gonads at the initiation of sexual differentiation (E4.5, E5.5, and E6.5). PacBio sequencing detected 328 and 233 significantly up-regulated transcript isoforms in females and males at E4.5, respectively. Illumina sequencing detected 95, 296 and 445 DEGs at E4.5, E5.5, and E6.5, respectively. Moreover, both sexes showed asymmetrical expression in gonads, and more DEGs were detected on the left side. There were 12 DEGs involved in cell proliferation shared between males and females in the left gonads. GO analysis suggested that coagulation pathways may be involved in the degradation of the right gonad in females and that blood oxygen transport pathways may be involved in preventing the degradation of the right gonad in males. These results provide a comprehensive expression profile of chicken embryo gonads at the initiation of sexual differentiation, which can serve as a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of bird sex determination and its evolutionary process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - He Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (H.L.); (H.Z.); (S.J.); (C.H.); (K.X.); (J.D.); (J.L.); (C.Q.); (K.C.); (W.Z.); (L.W.); (W.Y.); (W.Z.)
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2
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Peng Z, Man Q, Meng L, Wang S, Cai H, Zhang C, Li X, Wang H, Zhu G. A PITX2-HTR1B pathway regulates the asymmetric development of female gonads in chickens. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad202. [PMID: 37388922 PMCID: PMC10304771 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
All female vertebrates develop a pair of ovaries except for birds, in which only the left gonad develops into an ovary, whereas the right gonad regresses. Previous studies found that the transcription factor Paired-Like Homeodomain 2 (PITX2), a key mediator for left/right morphogenesis in vertebrates, was also implicated in asymmetric gonadal development in chickens. In this study, we systematically screened and validated the signaling pathways that could be targeted by Pitx2 to control unilateral gonad development. Integrated chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses indicated that Pitx2 directly binds to the promoters of genes encoding neurotransmitter receptors and leads to left-biased expression of both serotonin and dopamine receptors. Forcibly activating serotonin receptor 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 1B (HTR1B) signaling could induce ovarian gene expression and cell proliferation to partially rescue the degeneration of the right gonad. In contrast, inhibiting serotonin signaling could block the development of the left gonad. These findings reveal a PITX2-HTR1B genetic pathway that guides the left-specific ovarian growth in chickens. We also provided new evidence showing neurotransmitters stimulate the growth of nonneuronal cells during the early development of reproductive organs well before innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sheng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Hao Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Chuansheng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao 066600, China
| | - Xianyao Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Heng Wang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: (G.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Guiyu Zhu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: (G.Z.); (H.W.)
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3
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Wang Y, Zhang YQ, Wu ZW, Fang T, Wang F, Zhao H, Du ZQ, Yang CX. Selection of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in developing chicken embryonic ovary. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:3379-3387. [PMID: 36729208 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08280-0] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Normalization of the expression profiling of target genes, in a tissue-specific manner and under different experimental conditions, requires stably expressed gene(s) to be used as internal reference(s). However, to study the molecular regulation of oocyte meiosis initiation during ovary development in chicken embryos, stable reference gene(s) still need to be compared and confirmed. METHODS AND RESULTS Six candidate genes previously used as internal references for the chicken embryo (Actb, Cvh, Dazl, Eef1a, Gapdh and Rpl15) were chosen, and their expression profiles in left ovaries dissected at five chicken embryonic days (E12.5, E15.5, E17.5, E18.5 and E20.5) were evaluated, respectively. Separately, GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and Comparative ΔCt methods were used to assess the stability of candidate reference genes, and all results were combined to give the final rank by RefFinder. All methods identified that Eef1a and Rpl15 were the two most stable internal reference genes, whereas Cvh is the most unstable one. Moreover, expression levels of three marker genes for chicken oocyte meiosis entry (Stra8, Scp3 and Dmc1) were normalized, based on Eef1a, Rpl15, or their combinations, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings provide the most suitable internal reference genes (Eef1a and Rpl15), to investigate further molecular regulation of ovary development and oocyte meiosis initiation in chicken embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Yu-Qing Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Zi-Wei Wu
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Ting Fang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Han Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Du
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
| | - Cai-Xia Yang
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, 434025, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
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4
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Lei L, Zhu J, Chen C, Wang Y, Wu C, Qi M, Wang Y, Liu X, Hong X, Yu L, Chen H, Wei C, Liu Y, Li W, Zhu X. Genome-wide identification, evolution and expression analysis of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) gene family in chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Front Genet 2023; 14:1109478. [PMID: 36816024 PMCID: PMC9928969 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1109478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a crucial role in bone formation and differentiation. Recent RNA-Seq results suggest that BMPs may be involved in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis, yet more relevant studies about BMPs in P. sinensis are lacking. Methods: Herein, we identified BMP gene family members, analyzed the phylogeny, collinear relationship, scaffold localization, gene structures, protein structures, transcription factors and dimorphic expression by using bioinformatic methods based on genomic and transcriptomic data of P. sinensis. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was used to verify the RNA-Seq results and initially explore the function of the BMPs in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis. Results: A total of 11 BMP genes were identified, 10 of which were localized to their respective genomic scaffolds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BMP genes were divided into eight subfamilies and shared similar motifs ("WII", "FPL", "TNHA", "CCVP", and "CGC") and domain (TGF-β superfamily). The results of the sexually dimorphic expression profile and qRT-PCR showed that Bmp2, Bmp3, Bmp15l, Bmp5, Bmp6 and Bmp8a were significantly upregulated in ovaries, while Bmp2lb, Bmp7, Bmp2bl and Bmp10 were remarkable upregulated in testes, suggesting that these genes may play a role in sex differentiation of P. sinensis. Discussion: Collectively, our comprehensive results enrich the basic date for studying the evolution and functions of BMP genes in P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Congcong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Qi
- Zhejiang Fisheries Technical Extension Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Xinping Zhu, ; Wei Li,
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xinping Zhu, ; Wei Li,
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Li J, Sun C, Zheng J, Li J, Yi G, Yang N. Time-Course Transcriptional and Chromatin Accessibility Profiling Reveals Genes Associated With Asymmetrical Gonadal Development in Chicken Embryos. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:832132. [PMID: 35345851 PMCID: PMC8957256 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.832132] [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: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, male gonads form on both sides whereas most females develop asymmetric gonads. Multiple early lines of evidence suggested that the right gonad fails to develop into a functional ovary, mainly due to differential expression of PITX2 in the gonadal epithelium. Despite some advances in recent years, the molecular mechanisms underlying asymmetric gonadal development remain unclear. Here, using bulk analysis of whole gonads, we established a relatively detailed profile of four representative stages of chicken gonadal development at the transcriptional and chromatin levels. We revealed that many candidate genes were significantly enriched in morphogenesis, meiosis and subcellular structure formation, which may be responsible for asymmetric gonadal development. Further chromatin accessibility analysis suggested that the transcriptional activities of the candidate genes might be regulated by nearby open chromatin regions, which may act as transcription factor (TF) binding sites and potential cis-regulatory elements. We found that LHX9 was a promising TF that bound to the left-biased peaks of many cell cycle-related genes. In summary, this study provides distinctive insights into the potential molecular basis underlying the asymmetric development of chicken gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junying Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoqiang Yi
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ning Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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6
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Divya D, Bhattacharya TK. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their role in poultry. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2021.1959274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Divya
- Molecular Genetics and Breeding Division, ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - T. K. Bhattacharya
- Molecular Genetics and Breeding Division, ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, India
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7
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Estermann MA, Hirst CE, Major AT, Smith CA. The homeobox gene TGIF1 is required for chicken ovarian cortical development and generation of the juxtacortical medulla. Development 2021; 148:dev199646. [PMID: 34387307 PMCID: PMC8406534 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis in amniotic vertebrates, the gonads differentiate into either ovaries or testes. The first cell lineage to differentiate gives rise to the supporting cells: Sertoli cells in males and pre-granulosa cells in females. These key cell types direct the differentiation of the other cell types in the gonad, including steroidogenic cells. The gonadal surface epithelium and the interstitial cell populations are less well studied, and little is known about their sexual differentiation programs. Here, we show the requirement of the homeobox transcription factor gene TGIF1 for ovarian development in the chicken embryo. TGIF1 is expressed in the two principal ovarian somatic cell populations: the cortex and the pre-granulosa cells of the medulla. TGIF1 expression is associated with an ovarian phenotype in estrogen-mediated sex reversal experiments. Targeted misexpression and gene knockdown indicate that TGIF1 is required, but not sufficient, for proper ovarian cortex formation. In addition, TGIF1 is identified as the first known regulator of juxtacortical medulla development. These findings provide new insights into chicken ovarian differentiation and development, specifically cortical and juxtacortical medulla formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Craig Allen Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
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8
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Zou X, Wang J, Qu H, Lv XH, Shu DM, Wang Y, Ji J, He YH, Luo CL, Liu DW. Comprehensive analysis of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs reveals potential players of sexually dimorphic and left-right asymmetry in chicken gonad during gonadal differentiation. Poult Sci 2020; 99:2696-2707. [PMID: 32359607 PMCID: PMC7597365 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2019.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite thousands of sex-biased genes being found in chickens, the genetic control of sexually dimorphic and left-right asymmetry during gonadal differentiation is not yet completely understood. This study aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and signaling pathways during gonadal differentiation in chick embryos (day 6/stage 29). The left and right gonads were collected for RNA sequencing. Sex-biased, side-biased miRNAs, lncRNAs, mRNAs, and shared differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNA)–differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNA)–differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNA) interaction networks were performed. A total of 8 DEmiRNAs, 183 DElncRNAs, and 123 DEmRNAs were identified for the sex-biased genes, and 7 DEmiRNAs, 189 DElncRNAs, and 183 DEmRNAs for the side-biased genes. The results of quantitative real-time PCR were generally consistent with the RNA-sequencing results. The study suggested that miRNAs and lncRNAs regulation were novel gene-specific dosage compensation mechanism and they could contribute to left-right asymmetry of chicken, but sex-biased and side-biased miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were independent of each other. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks showed that 17 target pairs including miR-7b (CYP19A1, FSHR, GREB1, STK31, CORIN, and TDRD9), miR-211 (FSHR, GREB1, STK31, CORIN, and TDRD9), miR-204 (FSHR, GREB1, CORIN, and TDRD9), and miR-302b-5p (CYP19A1 and TDRD9) may play crucial roles in ovarian development. These analyses provide new clues to uncover molecular mechanisms and signaling networks of ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zou
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - J Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - H Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - X H Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - D M Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Y Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - J Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Y H He
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - C L Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - D W Liu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Sarida M, Hattori RS, Zhang Y, Yamamoto Y, Strüssmann CA. Spatiotemporal Correlations between amh and cyp19a1a Transcript Expression and Apoptosis during Gonadal Sex Differentiation of Pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis. Sex Dev 2019; 13:99-108. [DOI: 10.1159/000498997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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10
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Wan Z, Lu Y, Rui L, Yu X, Yang F, Tu C, Li Z. Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Potential Players of Left-Right Asymmetry in Female Chicken Gonads. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1299. [PMID: 28632173 PMCID: PMC5486120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most female birds develop only a left ovary, whereas males develop bilateral testes. The mechanism underlying this process is still not completely understood. Here, we provide a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of female chicken gonads and identify novel candidate side-biased genes. RNA-Seq analysis was carried out on total RNA harvested from the left and right gonads on embryonic day 6 (E6), E12, and post-hatching day 1 (D1). By comparing the gene expression profiles between the left and right gonads, 347 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained on E6, 3730 were obtained on E12, and 2787 were obtained on D1. Side-specific genes were primarily derived from the autosome rather than the sex chromosome. Gene ontology and pathway analysis showed that the DEGs were most enriched in the Piwi-interactiing RNA (piRNA) metabolic process, germ plasm, chromatoid body, P granule, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and methane metabolism. A total of 111 DEGs, five gene ontology (GO) terms, and three pathways were significantly different between the left and right gonads among all the development stages. We also present the gene number and the percentage within eight development-dependent expression patterns of DEGs in the left and right gonads of female chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Wan
- State key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yanan Lu
- State key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Lei Rui
- State key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Yu
- State key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fang Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Chengfang Tu
- Annoroad Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China.
| | - Zandong Li
- State key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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11
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Roberts NB, Juntti SA, Coyle KP, Dumont BL, Stanley MK, Ryan AQ, Fernald RD, Roberts RB. Polygenic sex determination in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:835. [PMID: 27784286 PMCID: PMC5080751 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3177-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The East African riverine cichlid species Astatotilapia burtoni serves as an important laboratory model for sexually dimorphic physiology and behavior, and also serves as an outgroup species for the explosive adaptive radiations of cichlid species in Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria. An astounding diversity of genetic sex determination systems have been revealed within the adaptive radiation of East African cichlids thus far, including polygenic sex determination systems involving the epistatic interaction of multiple, independently segregating sex determination alleles. However, sex determination has remained unmapped in A. burtoni. Here we present mapping results supporting the presence of multiple, novel sex determination alleles, and thus the presence of polygenic sex determination in A. burtoni. RESULTS Using mapping in small families in conjunction with restriction-site associated DNA sequencing strategies, we identify associations with sex at loci on linkage group 13 and linkage group 5-14. Inheritance patterns support an XY sex determination system on linkage group 5-14 (a chromosome fusion relative to other cichlids studied), and an XYW system on linkage group 13, and these associations are replicated in multiple families. Additionally, combining our genetic data with comparative genomic analysis identifies another fusion that is unassociated with sex, with linkage group 8-24 and linkage group 16-21 fused in A. burtoni relative to other East African cichlid species. CONCLUSIONS We identify genetic signals supporting the presence of three previously unidentified sex determination alleles at two loci in the species A. burtoni, strongly supporting the presence of polygenic sex determination system in the species. These results provide a foundation for future mapping of multiple sex determination genes and their interactions. A better understanding of sex determination in A. burtoni provides important context for their use in behavioral studies, as well as studies of the evolution of genetic sex determination and sexual conflicts in East African cichlids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B. Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Scott A. Juntti
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Kaitlin P. Coyle
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Bethany L. Dumont
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - M. Kaitlyn Stanley
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Allyson Q. Ryan
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | | | - Reade B. Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
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12
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Ayers KL, Lambeth LS, Davidson NM, Sinclair AH, Oshlack A, Smith CA. Identification of candidate gonadal sex differentiation genes in the chicken embryo using RNA-seq. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:704. [PMID: 26377738 PMCID: PMC4574023 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1886-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite some advances in recent years, the genetic control of gonadal sex differentiation during embryogenesis is still not completely understood. To identify new candidate genes involved in ovary and testis development, RNA-seq was used to define the transcriptome of embryonic chicken gonads at the onset of sexual differentiation (day 6.0/stage 29). RESULTS RNA-seq revealed more than 1000 genes that were transcribed in a sex-biased manner at this early stage of gonadal differentiation. Comparison with undifferentiated gonads revealed that sex biased expression was derived primarily from autosomal rather than sex-linked genes. Gene ontology and pathway analysis indicated that many of these genes encoded proteins involved in extracellular matrix function and cytoskeletal remodelling, as well as tubulogenesis. Several of these genes are novel candidate regulators of gonadal sex differentiation, based on sex-biased expression profiles that are altered following experimental sex reversal. We further characterised three female-biased (ovarian) genes; calpain-5 (CAPN5), G-protein coupled receptor 56 (GPR56), and FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3). Protein expression of these candidates in the developing ovaries suggests that they play an important role in this tissue. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the earliest steps of vertebrate gonad sex differentiation, and identifies novel candidate genes for ovarian and testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Ayers
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Luke S Lambeth
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nadia M Davidson
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Andrew H Sinclair
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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13
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de Melo Bernardo A, Heeren AM, van Iperen L, Fernandes MG, He N, Anjie S, Noce T, Ramos ES, de Sousa Lopes SMC. Meiotic wave adds extra asymmetry to the development of female chicken gonads. Mol Reprod Dev 2015; 82:774-86. [PMID: 26096940 PMCID: PMC5034815 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Development of female gonads in the chicken is asymmetric. This asymmetry affects gene expression, morphology, and germ cell development; consequently only the left ovary develops into a functional organ, whereas the right ovary remains vestigial. In males, on the other hand, both gonads develop into functional testes. Here, we revisited the development of asymmetric traits in female (and male) chicken gonads between Hamburger Hamilton stage 16 (HH16) and hatching. At HH16, primordial germ cells migrated preferentially to the left gonad, accumulating in the left coelomic hinge between the gut mesentery and developing gonad in both males and females. Using the meiotic markers SYCP3 and phosphorylated H2AFX, we identified a previously undescribed, pronounced asymmetryc meiotic progression in the germ cells located in the central, lateral, and extreme cortical regions of the left female gonad from HH38 until hatching. Moreover, we observed that--in contrast to the current view--medullary germ cells are not apoptotic, but remain arrested in pre-leptotene until hatching. In addition to the systematic analysis of the asymmetric distribution of germ cells in female chicken gonads, we propose an updated model suggesting that the localization of germ cells--in the left or right gonad; in the cortex or medulla of the left gonad; and in the central part or the extremities of the left cortex--has direct consequences for their development and participation in adult reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana de Melo Bernardo
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A Marijne Heeren
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth van Iperen
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Gomes Fernandes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nannan He
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stafford Anjie
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Toshiaki Noce
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ester Silveira Ramos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Susana M Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Kaplan FS, Kobori JA, Orellana C, Calvo I, Rosello M, Martinez F, Lopez B, Xu M, Pignolo RJ, Shore EM, Groppe JC. Multi-system involvement in a severe variant of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (ACVR1 c.772G>A; R258G): A report of two patients. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167A:2265-71. [PMID: 26097044 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Severe variants of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) affect <2% of all FOP patients worldwide, but provide an unprecedented opportunity to probe the phenotype-genotype relationships that propel the pathology of this disabling disease. We evaluated two unrelated children who had severe reduction deficits of the hands and feet with absence of nails, progressive heterotopic ossification, hypoplasia of the brain stem, motor and cognitive developmental delays, facial dysmorphology, small malformed teeth, and abnormal hair development. One child had sensorineural hearing loss, microcytic anemia, and a tethered spinal cord and the other had a patent ductus arteriosus and gonadal dysgenesis with sex reversal (karyotype 46, XY female). Both children had an identical mutation in ACVR1 c.772A>G; p.Arg258Gly (R258G), not previously described in FOP. Although many, if not most, FOP mutations directly perturb the structure of the GS regulatory subdomain and presumably the adjacent αC helix, substitution with glycine at R258 may directly alter the position of the helix in the kinase domain, eliminating a key aspect of the autoinhibitory mechanism intrinsic to the wild-type ACVR1 kinase. The high fidelity phenotype-genotype relationship in these unrelated children with the most severe FOP phenotype reported to date suggests that the shared features are due to the dysregulated activity of the mutant kinase during development and postnatally, and provides vital insight into the structural biology and function of ACVR1 as well as the design of small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick S Kaplan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department ofMedicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joyce A Kobori
- Department of Genetics, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., San Jose, California
| | - Carmen Orellana
- Unidad de Genetica y Diagnostico Prenatal, Hospital Universitario y Politecnio La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Calvo
- Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario y Politecnio La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Monica Rosello
- Unidad de Genetica y Diagnostico Prenatal, Hospital Universitario y Politecnio La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Unidad de Genetica y Diagnostico Prenatal, Hospital Universitario y Politecnio La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Berta Lopez
- Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario y Politecnio La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Meiqi Xu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department ofMedicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert J Pignolo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department ofMedicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eileen M Shore
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department ofGenetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jay C Groppe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas
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15
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DMRT1 is required for Müllerian duct formation in the chicken embryo. Dev Biol 2015; 400:224-36. [PMID: 25684667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
DMRT1 is a conserved transcription factor with a central role in gonadal sex differentiation. In all vertebrates studied, DMRT1 plays an essential function in testis development and/or maintenance. No studies have reported a role for DMRT1 outside the gonads. Here, we show that DMRT1 is expressed in the paired Müllerian ducts in the chicken embryo, where it is required for duct formation. DMRT1 mRNA and protein are expressed in the early forming Müllerian ridge, and in cells undergoing an epithelial to mesenchyme transition during duct morphogenesis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of DMRT1 in ovo causes a greatly reduced mesenchymal layer, which blocks caudal extension of the duct luminal epithelium. Critical markers of Müllerian duct formation in mammals, Pax2 in the duct epithelium and Wnt4 in the mesenchyme, are conserved in chicken and their expression disrupted in DMRT1 knockdown ducts. We conclude that DMRT1 is required for the early steps of Müllerian duct development. DMRT1 regulates Müllerian ridge and mesenchyme formation and its loss blocks caudal extension of the duct. While DMRT1 plays an important role during testis development and maintenance in many vertebrate species, this is the first report showing a requirement for DMRT1 in Müllerian duct development.
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16
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Lim W, Song G. Novel genes and hormonal regulation for gonadal development during embryogenesis in chickens. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 211:20-7. [PMID: 25452029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Asymmetrical gonadal morphogenesis is well known in female chickens in contrast to males where both gonads develop symmetrically. However, only a few genes have been reported to determine differential morphology between female and male gonads in chicken and their mechanisms of action are unclear. Therefore, we focused on three genes (TOM1L1, TTR, and ZEB1) that are related to cellular proliferation and embryonic development based on previous study indicating up- or down-regulated transcripts in the asymmetric female gonads between embryonic day 6 (E6) and E9 by microarray analyses. To define the validity of the gene expression pattern discovered, q-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses were performed. In the left female gonad between E6 and E9 the expression of TOM1L1, TTR and ZEB1 increased at E9. On the other hand, TOM1L1 and TTR increased significantly in both male gonads between E6 and E9. In addition, recombinant FSH and LH stimulated proliferation of gonadal cells and influenced expression of selected genes in chickens. This suggests that hormonal regulation is involved in growth and development in the embryonic gonad of chickens. Collectively, the results show differential gene expression between the left and right gonads in chicken embryos and that of is regulated by gonadotropin. These results provide novel insights into candidate genes regulating gonad development and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whasun Lim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Scheider J, Afonso-Grunz F, Hoffmeier K, Horres R, Groher F, Rycak L, Oehlmann J, Winter P. Gene expression of chicken gonads is sex- and side-specific. Sex Dev 2014; 8:178-91. [PMID: 24820130 DOI: 10.1159/000362259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In chicken, the left and right female gonads undergo a completely different program during development. To learn more about the molecular factors underlying side-specific development and to identify potential sex- and side-specific genes in developing gonads, we separately performed next-generation sequencing-based deepSuperSAGE transcription profiling from left and right, female and male gonads of 19-day-old chicken embryos. A total of 836 transcript variants were significantly differentially expressed (p < 10(-5)) between combined male and female gonads. Left-right comparison revealed 1,056 and 822 differentially (p < 10(-5)) expressed transcript variants for male and female gonads, respectively, of which 72 are side-specific in both sexes. At least some of these may represent key players for lateral development in birds. Additionally, several genes with laterally differential expression in the ovaries seem to determine female gonads for growth or regression, whereas right-left differences in testes are mostly limited to the differentially expressed genes present in both sexes. With a few exceptions, side-specific genes are not located on the sex chromosomes. The large differences in lateral gene expression in the ovaries in almost all metabolic pathways suggest that the regressing right gonad might have undergone a change of function during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Scheider
- Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt/M., Germany
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18
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19
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Guioli S, Nandi S, Zhao D, Burgess-Shannon J, Lovell-Badge R, Clinton M. Gonadal Asymmetry and Sex Determination in Birds. Sex Dev 2014; 8:227-42. [DOI: 10.1159/000358406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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20
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Intarapat S, Stern CD. Sexually dimorphic and sex-independent left-right asymmetries in chicken embryonic gonads. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69893. [PMID: 23894556 PMCID: PMC3716703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Female birds develop asymmetric gonads: a functional ovary develops on the left, whereas the right gonad regresses. In males, however, testes develop on both sides. We examined the distribution of germ cells using Vasa/Cvh as a marker. Expression is asymmetric in both sexes: at stage 35 the left gonad contains significantly more germ cells than the right. A similar expression pattern is seen for expression of ERNI (Ens1), a gene expressed in chick embryonic stem cells while they self-renew, but downregulated upon differentiation. Other pluripotency-associated markers (PouV/Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2) also show asymmetric expression (more expressing cells on the left) in both sexes, but this asymmetry is at least partly due to expression in stromal cells of the developing gonad, and the pattern is different for all the genes. Therefore germ cell and pluripotency-associated genes show both sex-dependent and independent left-right asymmetry and a complex pattern of expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sittipon Intarapat
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and UCL Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudio D. Stern
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and UCL Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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21
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Ayers KL, Sinclair AH, Smith CA. The molecular genetics of ovarian differentiation in the avian model. Sex Dev 2012; 7:80-94. [PMID: 22986345 DOI: 10.1159/000342358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In birds as in mammals, sex is determined at fertilization by the inheritance of sex chromosomes. However, sexual differentiation - development of a male or female phenotype - occurs during embryonic development. Sex differentiation requires the induction of sex-specific developmental pathways in the gonads, resulting in the formation of ovaries or testes. Birds utilize a different sex chromosome system to that of mammals, where females are the heterogametic sex (carrying Z and W chromosomes), while males are homogametic (carrying 2 Z chromosomes). Therefore, while some genes essential for testis and ovarian development are conserved, important differences also exist. Namely, the key mammalian male-determining factor SRY does not exist in birds, and another transcription factor, DMRT1, plays a central role in testis development. In contrast to our understanding of testis development, ovarian differentiation is less well-characterized. Given the presence of a female-specific chromosome, studies in chicken will provide insight into the induction and function of female-specific gonadal pathways. In this review, we discuss sexual differentiation in chicken embryos, with emphasis on ovarian development. We highlight genes that may play a conserved role in this process, and discuss how interaction between ovarian pathways may be regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Ayers
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia
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22
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Yilmaz A, Tepeli C, Garip M, Caglayan T. The effects of incubation temperature on the sex of Japanese quail chicks. Poult Sci 2011; 90:2402-6. [PMID: 21934026 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of incubation temperature on the sex of Japanese quail chicks were investigated in this study. The study was conducted on Japanese quail. In all, 4500 eggs obtained from 2 generations were used. At the beginning of the study, a new flock was formed from available hatching eggs. Hatching eggs were gathered at 3 different ages (8 to 10 weeks, 16 to 18 weeks and 22 to 24 weeks of age) from the laying period in this flock. These eggs were exposed to 5 different incubation temperatures (36.7, 37.2, 37.7, 38.2, and 38.7°C). The hatching results were evaluated for each group. Chicks obtained from these temperature groups were reared separately to obtain quail for breeding. Eggs for incubation were gathered from these breeding quail when they were between 15 and 18 weeks of age. These eggs were placed in an incubator at a standard (37.7°C) temperature, separated by F(1)-generation temperature groups. The chicks in all groups were reared separately, and the sex of the chicks was determined at maturity. Statistical differences (P < 0.05) were found for the sex of the chicks in the third group (22 to 24 weeks) of the F(1) generation, compared with other groups. This result confirmed the hypothesis that different incubation temperatures for the first generation (at the embryo stage) might influence the sex of the next generation of chicks. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of incubation temperature on chicks from different perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yilmaz
- Department of Animal Science, University of Selcuk, Selçuklu, Konya, Turkey.
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23
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Carré GA, Couty I, Hennequet-Antier C, Govoroun MS. Gene expression profiling reveals new potential players of gonad differentiation in the chicken embryo. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23959. [PMID: 21931629 PMCID: PMC3170287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In birds as in mammals, a genetic switch determines whether the undifferentiated gonad develops into an ovary or a testis. However, understanding of the molecular pathway(s) involved in gonad differentiation is still incomplete. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS With the aim of improving characterization of the molecular pathway(s) involved in gonad differentiation in the chicken embryo, we developed a large scale real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction approach on 110 selected genes for evaluation of their expression profiles during chicken gonad differentiation between days 5.5 and 19 of incubation. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the resulting datasets discriminated gene clusters expressed preferentially in the ovary or the testis, and/or at early or later periods of embryonic gonad development. Fitting a linear model and testing the comparisons of interest allowed the identification of new potential actors of gonad differentiation, such as Z-linked ADAMTS12, LOC427192 (corresponding to NIM1 protein) and CFC1, that are upregulated in the developing testis, and BMP3 and Z-linked ADAMTSL1, that are preferentially expressed in the developing ovary. Interestingly, the expression patterns of several members of the transforming growth factor β family were sexually dimorphic, with inhibin subunits upregulated in the testis, and bone morphogenetic protein subfamily members including BMP2, BMP3, BMP4 and BMP7, upregulated in the ovary. This study also highlighted several genes displaying asymmetric expression profiles such as GREM1 and BMP3 that are potentially involved in different aspects of gonad left-right asymmetry. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE This study supports the overall conservation of vertebrate sex differentiation pathways but also reveals some particular feature of gene expression patterns during gonad development in the chicken. In particular, our study revealed new candidate genes which may be potential actors of chicken gonad differentiation and provides evidence of the preferential expression of BMPs in the developing ovary and Inhibin/Activin subunits in the developing testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenn-Aël Carré
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements UMR 6175, INRA- CNRS-Université F. Rabelais de Tours-Haras Nationaux, Nouzilly, France
| | - Isabelle Couty
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements UMR 6175, INRA- CNRS-Université F. Rabelais de Tours-Haras Nationaux, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Marina S. Govoroun
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements UMR 6175, INRA- CNRS-Université F. Rabelais de Tours-Haras Nationaux, Nouzilly, France
- * E-mail:
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24
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González-Morán MG. Histological and stereological changes in growing and regressing chicken ovaries during development. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2011; 294:893-904. [PMID: 21416628 DOI: 10.1002/ar.21364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sequence of the histological and stereological changes that occur in diverse components of left growing and right regressing ovaries of Gallus domesticus as well as the variations in the number and size of the different cell subpopulations from 8-day-old chicken embryo to 4-week-old chickens. Results indicate a bilateral asymmetry in favor of the left ovary at all ages studied. The left ovary shows cortex and medulla, but the right ovary has no cortex, only a medulla. Stereological results show in the left ovary an increase in total volume of all components of the ovarian medulla with advancing development. The right ovary follows a similar pattern until the age of 1-day-old chicken, to regress afterward, thereby, reducing the total volume of blood vessels, lacunar channels, and interstitium, but increasing the total volume of interstitial cells as development progresses; consequently, the total volume of interstitial cells is the dominant component in the right ovary of 4-week-old chickens. Results also reveal that the increase in total volume of interstitial cells in the left ovary at all ages and in the right ovary from 8-day-old chicken embryo to 1-day-old chicken is due to hyperplasia and cell hypertrophy of interstitial cells; hence, in the right ovary, cell hypertrophy is the main cause for the increase in the total volume of interstitial cells from 1-week-old to 4-week-old chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Genoveva González-Morán
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción Animal, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico.
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25
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Carré-Eusèbe D, Coudouel N, Magre S. OVEX1, a novel chicken endogenous retrovirus with sex-specific and left-right asymmetrical expression in gonads. Retrovirology 2009; 6:59. [PMID: 19534790 PMCID: PMC2717909 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-6-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 06/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In chickens, as in most birds, female gonad morphogenesis is asymmetrical. Gonads appear first rather similarly, but only the left one undergoes full differentiation and gives rise to a functional ovary. The right gonad, in which the cortex does not develop, remains restricted to the medulla and finally regresses. Opportunity was taken of this left-right asymmetry to perform a suppression subtractive hybridization screening to select for transcripts preferentially expressed in the developing left ovary as compared to the right one, and thus identify genes that are potentially involved in the process of ovarian differentiation. RESULTS One of these transcripts, named Ovex1 according to its expression profile, corresponds to an endogenous retrovirus that has not been previously characterized. It is transcribed as full-length and singly spliced mRNAs and contains three uninterrupted open reading frames coding potentially for proteins with homology to Gag and Pro-Pol retroviral polyproteins and a third protein showing only a weak similarity with Env glycoproteins. Ovex1 is severely degenerated; it is devoid of typical long terminal repeats and displays some evidence of recombination. An orthologous Ovex1 locus was identified in the genome of zebra finch, a member of a different bird order, and similar sequences were detected in turkey, guinea fowl, and duck DNA. The relationship between these sequences follows the bird phylogeny, suggesting vertical transmission of the endogenous retrovirus for more than 100 million years. Ovex1 is transcribed in chicken gonads with a sex-dependent and left-right asymmetrical pattern. It is first expressed in the cortex of the left indifferent gonads of both sexes. Expression is transient in the left testis and absent in the right one. In developing ovaries, Ovex1 transcription increases sharply in the left cortex and is weakly detected in the medulla. After folliculogenesis, Ovex1-expressing cells constitute the follicular granulosa cell layer. Ovex1 expression highlights a striking desquamation process that leads to profound cortical remodeling associated with follicle morphogenesis. CONCLUSION Evidence for a selection pressure at the protein level suggests that this endogenous retrovirus, expressed in the ovarian supporting cell lineage, might play an active role in bird ovarian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danièle Carré-Eusèbe
- Endocrinologie et Génétique de la Reproduction et du Développement, INSERM, U782, 32 rue des Carnets, F-92140, Clamart – France
- Univ. Paris-Sud, UMR-S0782, Clamart, F-92140
| | - Noëlline Coudouel
- Physiologie de l'Axe Gonadotrope, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), Univ. PARIS 7 – CNRS, 4 rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, 75205 Paris CEDEX 13 – France
| | - Solange Magre
- Physiologie de l'Axe Gonadotrope, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), Univ. PARIS 7 – CNRS, 4 rue MA Lagroua Weill-Hallé, 75205 Paris CEDEX 13 – France
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26
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Onagbesan O, Bruggeman V, Decuypere E. Intra-ovarian growth factors regulating ovarian function in avian species: a review. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 111:121-40. [PMID: 19028031 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2007] [Revised: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 09/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
There is now overwhelming evidence that the avian ovary is a site of production and action of several growth factors that have also been implicated in the functioning of the mammalian ovary. Several members of the Insulin-like growth factor family (IGF), the Epidermal growth factor family (EGF), the Transforming growth factor-beta family (TGF-beta), Fibroblast growth factors (FGF), the Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and others, have been identified either in the granulosa and/or theca compartments of ovarian follicles and in the embryonic and juvenile ovary. Some have been specifically localized to the germinal disc area containing the oocyte. The mRNAs and proteins of the growth factors, receptor proteins and binding proteins of some of the members of each group have been reported in the chicken, turkey, quail and duck. The intra-ovarian roles reported for the different growth factors include regulation of cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, follicle selection, modulation of gonadotrophin action, control of ovulation rate, cell differentiation, production of growth factors, etc. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the current knowledge of avian ovarian growth factors and their biological activity in the ovary. The review covers the detection of the growth factor proteins, the receptor proteins, binding proteins, their spatial and temporal distribution in embryonic, juvenile and adult ovaries and their regulation. The paper also discusses their roles in each follicular compartment during follicular development. Greater emphasis is given to the major growth factors that have been studied to greater detail and others are discussed very briefly.
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Guioli S, Lovell-Badge R. PITX2 controls asymmetric gonadal development in both sexes of the chick and can rescue the degeneration of the right ovary. Development 2007; 134:4199-208. [PMID: 17959721 DOI: 10.1242/dev.010249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The gonads arise on the ventromedial surface of each mesonephros. In most birds, female gonadal development is unusual in that only the left ovary becomes functional, whereas that on the right degenerates during embryogenesis. Males develop a pair of equally functional testes. We show that the chick gonads already have distinct morphological and molecular left-right (L-R) characteristics in both sexes at indifferent (genital ridge) stages and that these persist, becoming more elaborate during sex determination and differentiation, but have no consequences for testis differentiation. We find that these L-R differences depend on the L-R asymmetry pathway that controls the situs of organs such as the heart and gut. Moreover, a key determinant of this, Pitx2, is expressed asymmetrically, such that it is found only in the left gonad in both sexes from the start of their development. Misexpression of Pitx2 on the right side before and during gonadogenesis is sufficient to transform the right gonad into a left-like gonad. In ZW embryos, this transformation rescues the degenerative fate of the right ovary, allowing for the differentiation of left-like cortex containing meiotic germ cells. There is therefore a mechanism in females that actively promotes the underlying L-R asymmetry initiated by Pitx2 and the degeneration of the right gonad, and a mechanism in males that allows it to be ignored or overridden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Guioli
- Division of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK.
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Schlueter J, Brand T. Left-right axis development: examples of similar and divergent strategies to generate asymmetric morphogenesis in chick and mouse embryos. Cytogenet Genome Res 2007; 117:256-67. [PMID: 17675867 DOI: 10.1159/000103187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2006] [Accepted: 08/24/2006] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Left-right asymmetry of internal organs is widely distributed in the animal kingdom. The chick and mouse embryos have served as important model organisms to analyze the mechanisms underlying the establishment of the left-right axis. In the chick embryo many genes have been found to be asymmetrically expressed in and around the node, while the same genes in the mouse show symmetric expression patterns. In the mouse there is strong evidence for an establishment of left-right asymmetry through nodal cilia. In contrast, in the chick and in many other organisms left-right asymmetry is probably generated by an early-acting event involving membrane depolarization. In both birds and mammals a conserved Nodal-Lefty-Pitx2 module exists that controls many aspects of asymmetric morphogenesis. This review also gives examples of divergent mechanisms of establishing asymmetric organ formation. Thus there is ample evidence for conserved and non-conserved strategies to generate asymmetry in birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Schlueter
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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