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Latorraca LB, Galvão A, Rabaglino MB, D'Augero JM, Kelsey G, Fair T. Single-cell profiling reveals transcriptome dynamics during bovine oocyte growth. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:335. [PMID: 38580918 PMCID: PMC10998374 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10234-0] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian follicle development is characterized by extensive changes in morphology, endocrine responsiveness, and function, providing the optimum environment for oocyte growth, development, and resumption of meiosis. In cattle, the first signs of transcription activation in the oocyte are observed in the secondary follicle, later than during mouse and human oogenesis. While many studies have generated extensive datasets characterizing gene expression in bovine oocytes, they are mostly limited to the analysis of fully grown and matured oocytes. The aim of the present study was to apply single-cell RNA sequencing to interrogate the transcriptome of the growing bovine oocyte from the secondary follicle stage through to the mid-antral follicle stage. RESULTS Single-cell RNA-seq libraries were generated from oocytes of known diameters (< 60 to > 120 μm), and datasets were binned into non-overlapping size groups for downstream analysis. Combining the results of weighted gene co-expression network and Trendy analyses, and differently expressed genes (DEGs) between size groups, we identified a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation and an increase in maternal -genes and transcription regulators across the bovine oocyte growth phase. In addition, around 5,000 genes did not change in expression, revealing a cohort of stable genes. An interesting switch in gene expression profile was noted in oocytes greater than 100 μm in diameter, when the expression of genes related to cytoplasmic activities was replaced by genes related to nuclear activities (e.g., chromosome segregation). The highest number of DEGs were detected in the comparison of oocytes 100-109 versus 110-119 μm in diameter, revealing a profound change in the molecular profile of oocytes at the end of their growth phase. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides a unique dataset of the key genes and pathways characteristic of each stage of oocyte development, contributing an important resource for a greater understanding of bovine oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - António Galvão
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Maria Belen Rabaglino
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, Cambridge, UK
| | - Trudee Fair
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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2
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Song Y, Zhang N, Zhang Y, Wang J, Lv Q, Zhang J. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Development-Specific Networks at Distinct Synchronized Antral Follicle Sizes in Sheep Oocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:910. [PMID: 38255985 PMCID: PMC10815039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020910] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of the ovarian antral follicle is a complex, highly regulated process. Oocytes orchestrate and coordinate the development of mammalian ovarian follicles, and the rate of follicular development is governed by a developmental program intrinsic to the oocyte. Characterizing oocyte signatures during this dynamic process is critical for understanding oocyte maturation and follicular development. Although the transcriptional signature of sheep oocytes matured in vitro and preovulatory oocytes have been previously described, the transcriptional changes of oocytes in antral follicles have not. Here, we used single-cell transcriptomics (SmartSeq2) to characterize sheep oocytes from small, medium, and large antral follicles. We characterized the transcriptomic landscape of sheep oocytes during antral follicle development, identifying unique features in the transcriptional atlas, stage-specific molecular signatures, oocyte-secreted factors, and transcription factor networks. Notably, we identified the specific expression of 222 genes in the LO, 8 and 6 genes that were stage-specific in the MO and SO, respectively. We also elucidated signaling pathways in each antral follicle size that may reflect oocyte quality and in vitro maturation competency. Additionally, we discovered key biological processes that drive the transition from small to large antral follicles, revealing hub genes involved in follicle recruitment and selection. Thus, our work provides a comprehensive characterization of the single-oocyte transcriptome, filling a gap in the mapping of the molecular landscape of sheep oogenesis. We also provide key insights into the transcriptional regulation of the critical sizes of antral follicular development, which is essential for understanding how the oocyte orchestrates follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.S.)
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3
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Jiang Y, He Y, Pan X, Wang P, Yuan X, Ma B. Advances in Oocyte Maturation In Vivo and In Vitro in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9059. [PMID: 37240406 PMCID: PMC10219173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The quality and maturation of an oocyte not only play decisive roles in fertilization and embryo success, but also have long-term impacts on the later growth and development of the fetus. Female fertility declines with age, reflecting a decline in oocyte quantity. However, the meiosis of oocytes involves a complex and orderly regulatory process whose mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. This review therefore mainly focuses on the regulation mechanism of oocyte maturation, including folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and the interactions between granulosa cells and oocytes, plus in vitro technology and nuclear/cytoplasm maturation in oocytes. Additionally, we have reviewed advances made in the single-cell mRNA sequencing technology related to oocyte maturation in order to improve our understanding of the mechanism of oocyte maturation and to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent research into oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Jiang
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yingting He
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiangchun Pan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Penghao Wang
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Xiaolong Yuan
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
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4
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Regulon active landscape reveals cell development and functional state changes of human primary osteoblasts in vivo. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:11. [PMID: 36793138 PMCID: PMC9930257 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00448-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While transcription factor (TF) regulation is known to play an important role in osteoblast development, differentiation, and bone metabolism, the molecular features of TFs in human osteoblasts at the single-cell resolution level have not yet been characterized. Here, we identified modules (regulons) of co-regulated genes by applying single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering to the single-cell RNA sequencing profiles of human osteoblasts. We also performed cell-specific network (CSN) analysis, reconstructed regulon activity-based osteoblast development trajectories, and validated the functions of important regulons both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS We identified four cell clusters: preosteoblast-S1, preosteoblast-S2, intermediate osteoblasts, and mature osteoblasts. CSN analysis results and regulon activity-based osteoblast development trajectories revealed cell development and functional state changes of osteoblasts. CREM and FOSL2 regulons were mainly active in preosteoblast-S1, FOXC2 regulons were mainly active in intermediate osteoblast, and RUNX2 and CREB3L1 regulons were most active in mature osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to describe the unique features of human osteoblasts in vivo based on cellular regulon active landscapes. Functional state changes of CREM, FOSL2, FOXC2, RUNX2, and CREB3L1 regulons regarding immunity, cell proliferation, and differentiation identified the important cell stages or subtypes that may be predominantly affected by bone metabolism disorders. These findings may lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying bone metabolism and associated diseases.
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Pei J, Xiong L, Guo S, Wang X, La Y, Chu M, Liang C, Yan P, Guo X. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals a Cell Atlas and Cell Communication in Yak Ovary. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031839. [PMID: 36768166 PMCID: PMC9915757 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Yaks (Bos grunniens) are the only bovine species that adapt well to the harsh high-altitude environment in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. However, the reproductive adaptation to the climate of the high elevation remains to be elucidated. Cell composition and molecular characteristics are the foundation of normal ovary function which determines reproductive performance. So, delineating ovarian characteristics at a cellular molecular level is conducive to elucidating the mechanism underlying the reproductive adaption of yaks. Here, the single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to depict an atlas containing different cell types with specific molecular signatures in the yak ovary. The cell types were identified on the basis of their specifically expressed genes and biological functions. As a result, a cellular atlas of yak ovary was established successfully containing theca cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and proliferating cells. A cell-to-cell communication network between the distinct cell types was constructed. The theca cells were clustered into five subtypes based on their biological functions. Further, CYP11A1 was confirmed as a marker gene for the theca cells by immunofluorescence staining. Our work reveals an ovarian atlas at the cellular molecular level and contributes to providing insights into reproductive adaption in yaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Yongfu La
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Chunnian Liang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Ping Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China
- Correspondence:
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Pei J, Xiong L, Guo S, Wang X, Bao P, Wu X, Yan P, Guo X. A single-cell transcriptomic atlas characterizes cell types and their molecular features in yak ovarian cortex. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22718. [PMID: 36527406 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201176rr] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The ovary as one of the most dynamic organs produces steroids to orchestrate female secondary sexual characteristics, harbors ovarian reserve for oocytes, releases mature oocytes for fertilization, and maintains pregnancy. Yak (Bos grunniens) is the only bovid animal that can adapt to the harsh climatic conditions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (altitudes of over 3000 m above sea level). However, the cellular atlas is composed of oocytes and other somatic cells, and their individual molecular characteristics remain to be elucidated in the yak ovary. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to delineate the molecular signature of various cell types in the yak ovarian cortex. A cellular atlas of yak ovarian cortex was constructed successfully on the basis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the distinct cell types and their functional enrichment analysis, comprising endothelial cells, nature kill cells, stromal cells, smooth muscle cells, oocytes, macrophages, epithelial cells, and granulosa cells. Meanwhile, the signature genes were determined based on their expression specificity in each cell type. A cell-to-cell communication network was built in light of the differentially overexpressed ligand and receptor genes from each cell type. Further, the oocytes were subdivided into four subtypes based on their individual DEGs and the functional enrichment of the DEGs. FST and TOP2A were identified as maker genes for oocytes by immunostaining in the yak ovarian cortex. The cellular atlas reveals the biological characteristics of the ovarian cortex at the cellular molecular level and provides insights into female reproductive biology via cellular communications in the yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Pei
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shaoke Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xingdong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengjia Bao
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ping Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, China
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7
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Wang S, Gong Y, Wang Z, Greenbaum J, Xiao HM, Deng HW. Cell-specific network analysis of human folliculogenesis reveals network rewiring in antral stage oocytes. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:2851-2860. [PMID: 33599396 PMCID: PMC7957178 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies have explored the gene expression profiles of human oocytes and granulosa cells by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), the dynamic regulatory network at a single-cell resolution during folliculogenesis remains largely unknown. We identified 10 functional modules by WGCNA, four of which were significantly correlated with primary/antral oocyte and antral/pre-ovulatory granulosa cells. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the brown module, which was correlated with antral oocyte, was enriched in oocyte differentiation, and two core subnetworks identified by MCODE were involved in cell cycle (blue subnetwork) and oogenesis (red subnetwork). The cell-specific network (CSN) analysis demonstrated a distinct gene network structure associated with the antral follicular stage, which was notably different from other developmental stages. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore gene functions during folliculogenesis at single-cell network level. We uncovered two potential gene subnetworks, which may play an important role in oocyte function beginning at the antral stage, and further established their rewiring process at intra-network/whole transcriptome level. The findings provide crucial insights from a novel network perspective to be further explored in functional mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengran Wang
- Center for System Biology, Data Sciences and Reproductive Health, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yun Gong
- Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Zun Wang
- Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jonathan Greenbaum
- Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Hong-Mei Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Center of Reproductive Health, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong-Wen Deng
- Center for System Biology, Data Sciences and Reproductive Health, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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