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Wan RD, Gao X, Wang GW, Wu SX, Yang QL, Zhang YW, Yang QE. Identification of Candidate Genes Related to Hybrid Sterility by Genomic Structural Variation and Transcriptome Analyses in Cattle-yak. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)01212-8. [PMID: 39414017 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024]
Abstract
Hybrids between closely related but genetically incompatible species are often inviable or sterile. Cattle-yak, an interspecific hybrid of yak and cattle, exhibits male-specific sterility, which limits the fixation of its desired traits and prevents genetic improvement in yak through crossbreeding. Transcriptome profiles of testicular tissues have been generated in cattle, yak, and cattle-yak; however, the genetic variations underlying differential gene expression associated with hybrid sterility have yet to be elucidated. We detected differences in the cellular composition and gene expression of testes from yak and cattle-yak at 3 mo of age, 10 mo of age and adulthood. Histological analysis revealed that the most advanced germ cells were gonocytes (prospermatogonia) at 3 mo and spermatocytes at 10 mo. Complete spermatogenesis occurred in the seminiferous tubules of adult yak, whereas only spermatogonia and a limited number of spermatocytes were detected in the testis of adult cattle-yak. Transcriptome analysis revealed 180, 6310, and 6112 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in yak and cattle-yak at each stage, respectively. Next, we examined the spermatogenic cell types in the backcross generation (BC1) and detected the appearance of round spermatids, indicating the partial recovery of spermatogenesis in these animals. Compared with those in cattle-yak, 272 DEGs were identified in the testes of BC1 animals. Notably, we discovered that the expression of X chromosome-linked (X-linked) genes was upregulated in the testis of cattle-yak compared with yak, suggesting a possible abnormality in the process of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) in hybrid animals. We next screened DEGs harboring structural variations (SVs) and identified a list of SV genes associated with spermatogonial development, meiotic recombination, and double-strand break (DSB) repair. Furthermore, we found that the SV genes ESCO2 (establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 2) and BRDT (bromodomain testis associated) may be involved in meiotic arrest of cattle-yak spermatocytes. Overall, our research provides a valuable database for identifying structural variant loci that contribute to hybrid sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Dong Wan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Xue Gao
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Guo-Wen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Shi-Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi-Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Yi-Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810001, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China.
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Xin JW, Chai ZX, Jiang H, Cao HW, Chen XY, Zhang CF, Zhu Y, Zhang Q, Ji QM. Genome-wide comparison of DNA methylation patterns between yak and three cattle strains and their potential association with mRNA transcription. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2023; 340:316-328. [PMID: 36148637 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Yak has evolved specific adaptative mechanisms to high-altitude environment. Up to date, only a few studies reported the DNA methylation in yak. In the present study, genome-wide DNA methylome and transcriptome profiles in lung, mammary, and biceps brachii muscle tissues were compared between yak and three cattle breeds (Tibetan cattle, Sanjiang cattle, and Holstein cattle). The association between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) was analyzed, and the biological functions of DEGs potentially driven by DMRs were explored by KEGG enrichment analysis. Finally, we found that yak-specific DMRs-driven DEGs were mainly involved in neuromodulation, respiration, lung development, blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular protection, energy metabolism, DNA repair, and immune functions. The higher levels of the key genes associated with these functions were observed in yak than in cattle, suggesting that DNA methylation might regulate these genes. Overall, the present study contributes basic data at the DNA methylation level to further understand the physiological metabolism in yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Wei Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Zhi-Xin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Han-Wen Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Lhasa, Tibet, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Qiu-Mei Ji
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, Tibet, China
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Wang P, Zhang X, Huo H, Li W, Liu Z, Wang L, Li L, Sun YH, Huo J. Transcriptomic analysis of testis and epididymis tissues from Banna mini-pig inbred line boars with single-molecule long-read sequencing†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:465-478. [PMID: 36477198 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac216] [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: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, testis and epididymis are critical components of the male reproductive system for androgen production, spermatogenesis, sperm transportation, as well as sperm maturation. Here, we report single-molecule real-time sequencing data from the testis and epididymis of the Banna mini-pig inbred line (BMI), a promising laboratory animal for medical research. We obtained high-quality full-length transcriptomes and identified 9879 isoforms and 8761 isoforms in the BMI testis and epididymis, respectively. Most of the isoforms we identified have novel exon structures that will greatly improve the annotation of testis- and epididymis-expressed genes in pigs. We also found that 3055 genes (over 50%) were shared between BMI testis and epididymis, indicating widespread expression profiles of genes related to reproduction. We characterized extensive alternative splicing events in BMI testis and epididymis and showed that 96 testis-expressed genes and 79 epididymis-expressed genes have more than six isoforms, revealing the complexity of alternative splicing. We accurately defined the transcribed isoforms in BMI testis and epididymis by combining Pacific Biotechnology Isoform-sequencing (PacBio Iso-Seq) and Illumina RNA Sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques. The refined annotation of some key genes governing male reproduction will facilitate further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BMI male sterility. In addition, the high-confident identification of 548 and 669 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in these two tissues has established a candidate gene set for future functional investigations. Overall, our study provides new insights into the role of the testis and epididymis during BMI reproduction, paving the path for further studies on BMI male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- College of Life Science, Lyuliang University, Lvliang, China
| | - Hailong Huo
- Yunnan Vocational and Technical college of Agriculture, Kunming, China
| | - Weizhen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Lina Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Luogang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu H Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jinlong Huo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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Luo H, Mipam T, Wu S, Xu C, Yi C, Zhao W, Chai Z, Chen X, Wu Z, Wang J, Wang J, Wang H, Zhong J, Cai X. DNA methylome of primary spermatocyte reveals epigenetic dysregulation associated with male sterility of cattleyak. Theriogenology 2022; 191:153-167. [PMID: 35988507 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA cytosine methylation modification in the germline is of particular importance since it is a highly heritable epigenetic mark. Although cytosine methylation has been analyzed at the genome-scale for several mammalian species, our knowledge of DNA methylation patterns and the mechanisms underlying male hybrid sterility is still limited in domestic animals such as cattleyak. Here we for the first time show the genome-wide and single-base resolution landscape of methylcytosines (mC) in the primary spermatocyte (PSC) genome of yak with normal spermatogenesis and the inter-specific hybrid cattleyak with male infertility. A comparative investigation revealed that widespread differences are observed in the composition and patterning of DNA cytosine methylation between the two methylomes. Global CG or non-CG DNA methylation levels, as well as the number of mC sites, are increased in cattleyak compared to yak. Notably, the DNA methylome in cattleyak PSC exhibits promoter hypermethylation of meiosis-specific genes and piRNA pathway genes with respect to yak. Furthermore, major retrotransposonson classes are predominantly hypermethylated in cattleyak while those are fully hypomethylated in yak. KEGG pathway enrichment indicates Rap1 signaling and MAPK pathways may play potential roles in the spermatogenic arrest of cattleyak. Our present study not only provides valuable insights into distinct features of the cattleyak PSC methylome but also paves the way toward elucidating the complex, yet highly coordinated epigenetic modification during male germline development for inter-specific hybrid animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Luo
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - TserangDonko Mipam
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shixin Wu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuanfei Xu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuanping Yi
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, Sichuan, China
| | - Wangsheng Zhao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhixin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhijuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jikun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiabo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jincheng Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xin Cai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Robert N, Yan C, Si-Jiu Y, Bo L, He H, Pengfei Z, Hongwei X, Jian Z, Shijie L, Qian Z. Expression of Rad51 and the histo-morphological evaluation of testis of the sterile male cattle-yak. Theriogenology 2021; 172:239-254. [PMID: 34298284 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is key to the repair of DNA double-strand break damage, provide a link between homologs for proper chromosome segregation as well as ensure genetic diversity in organisms. Defects in recombination often lead to sterility. The ubiquitously expressed Rad51 and the meiosis-specific DMC1 are two closely related recombinases that catalyze the key strand invasion and exchange step of meiotic recombination. This study cloned and sequenced the coding region of cattle-yak Rad51 and determined its mRNA and protein expression levels, evaluated its molecular and evolutionary relationship as well as evaluated the histo-morphological structure of testes in the yellow cattle, yak and the sterile cattle-yak hybrid. The Rad51 gene was amplified using PCR, cloned and sequenced using testicular cDNA from yak and cattle-yak. Real-time PCR was used to examine the expression levels of Rad51/DMC1 mRNA in the cattle, yak and cattle-yak testis while western blotting, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the protein expression and localization of Rad51/DMC1 protein in the testicular tissue sections. The results revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of Rad51 and DMC1 are extremely low in the male cattle-yak testis with a corresponding higher incidence of germ cell apoptosis. There was also thinning of the germinal epithelium possibly due to the depletion of the germ cells leading to the widening of the lumen area of the cattle-yak seminiferous tubule. Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that the low expression of Rad51 and DMC1 may contribute to the male hybrid sterility in the cattle-yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niayale Robert
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Cui Yan
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China; Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Yu Si-Jiu
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liao Bo
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Honghong He
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhao Pengfei
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xu Hongwei
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhang Jian
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Shijie
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhang Qian
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Niayale R, Cui Y, Adzitey F. Male hybrid sterility in the cattle-yak and other bovines: a review. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:495-507. [PMID: 33185248 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization is important for both animal breeders attempting to fix new phenotypic traits and researchers trying to unravel the mechanism of reproductive barriers in hybrid species and the process of speciation. In interspecies animal hybrids, gains made in terms of adaptation to environmental conditions and hybrid vigor may be offset by reduced fertility or sterility. Bovine hybrids exhibit remarkable hybrid vigor compared to their parents. However, the F1 male hybrid exhibits sterility, whereas the female is fertile. This male-biased sterility is consistent with the Haldane rule where heterogametic sex is preferentially rare, absent, or sterile in the progeny of two different species. The obstacle of fixing favorable traits and passing them to subsequent generations due to the male sterility is a major setback in improving the reproductive potential of bovines through hybridization. Multiperspective approaches such as molecular genetics, proteomics, transcriptomics, physiology, and endocrinology have been used by several researchers over the past decade in an attempt to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying male hybrid sterility. However, the mechanism of sterility in the hybrid male is still not completely unravelled. This review seeks to provide an update of the mechanisms of the sterility in the cattle-yak and other bovines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Niayale
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.,Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Science Department, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Yan Cui
- Laboratory of Animal Anatomy & Tissue Embryology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Fredrick Adzitey
- Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Science Department, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
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Shen Z, Huang L, Jin S, Zheng Y. Cloning and Expression Analysis of Two Kdm Lysine Demethylases in the Testes of Mature Yaks and Their Sterile Hybrids. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030521. [PMID: 32244964 PMCID: PMC7142534 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The hybrid of male cattle (Bos taurus) with female yaks (Bos grunniens) is called the cattle–yak. All female cattle–yaks are fertile, but all males are sterile. To date, there is no clear conclusion on the mechanism leading to cattle–yak male sterility. The domain conservation and expression profiles of lysine histone demethylases (KDMs) suggest that they might play important roles during gametogenesis. The objective of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism for male sterility of yak hybrids based on two demethylases, KDM1A and KDM4B. The mRNA and protein expression of KDM1A and KDM4B were dramatically decreased in the testes of adult cattle–yaks compared with adult yaks. In addition, the level of H3K36me3 in the testes of cattle–yaks was significantly lower than in yaks. These results suggest that the male sterility of cattle–yaks might be associated with reduced histone methylation modifications. These results provide valuable epigenetic information regarding the molecular mechanism resulting in male sterility of cattle–yaks. Abstract The objective of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism for male sterility of yak hybrids based on two demethylases. Total RNA was extracted from the testes of adult yaks (n = 10) and yak hybrids (cattle–yaks, n = 10). The coding sequences (CDS) of two lysine demethylases (KDMs), KDM1A and KDM4B, were cloned by RT-PCR. The levels of KDM1A and KDM4B in yaks and cattle–yaks testes were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting for mRNA and protein, respectively. In addition, the histone methylation modifications of H3K36me3 and H3K27me3 were compared between testes of yaks and cattle–yaks using ELISA. The CDS of KDM1A and KDM4B were obtained from yak testes. The results showed that the CDS of KDM1A exhibited two variants: variant 1 has a CDS of 2622 bp, encoding 873 amino acids, while variant 2 has a CDS of 2562 bp, encoding 853 amino acids. The CDS of the KDM4B gene was 3351 bp in length, encoding 1116 amino acids. The mRNA and protein expression of KDM1A and KDM4B, as well as the level of H3K36me3, were dramatically decreased in the testes of cattle–yaks compared with yaks. The present results suggest that the male sterility of cattle–yaks might be associated with reduced histone methylation modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yucai Zheng
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-02885522400; Fax: +86-28-85528039
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8
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Zhang GW, Wang L, Chen H, Guan J, Wu Y, Zhao J, Luo Z, Huang W, Zuo F. Promoter hypermethylation of PIWI/piRNA pathway genes associated with diminished pachytene piRNA production in bovine hybrid male sterility. Epigenetics 2020; 15:914-931. [PMID: 32141383 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1738026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid male sterility (HMS) is a postzygotic reproductive isolation mechanism that enforces speciation. A bovine example of HMS is the yattle (also called dzo), an interspecies hybrid of taurine cattle (Bos taurus) and yak (Bos grunniens). The molecular mechanisms underlying HMS of yattle are not well understood. Epigenetic modifications of DNA methylation and P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNAs) are important regulators in spermatogenesis. In this study, we investigated DNA methylation patterns and piRNA expression in adult testes in hybrid infertile yattle bulls and fertile cattle and yak bulls using whole genome bisulphite-seq and small RNA-seq. Promoter hypermethylation in yattle were associated with DNA methylation involved in gamete generation, piRNA metabolic processes, spermatogenesis, and spermatid development (P < 2.6 × 10-5). Male infertility in yattle was associated with the promoter hypermethylation-associated silencing of PIWI/piRNA pathway genes including PIWIL1, DDX4, PLD6, MAEL, FKBP6, TDRD1 and TDRD5. The downstream effects of silencing these genes were diminished production of 29- to 31- nucleotide pachytene piRNAs in yattle testes. Hypermethylation events at transposable element loci (LINEs, SINEs, and LTRs) were found in yattle. LINE-derived prepachytene piRNAs increased and SINE-derived prepachytene piRNAs were reduced in yattle testes. Our data suggests that DNA methylation affects the PIWI/piRNA pathway and is involved in gene expression and pachytene piRNA production during spermatogenesis in bovine HMS. DNA hypermethylation and disruption of piRNA production contributed to unsuccessful germ cell development that may drive bovine HMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong-Wei Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Huiyou Chen
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Jiuqiang Guan
- Yak Research Institution, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science , Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuhui Wu
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Jianjun Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Zonggang Luo
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Wenming Huang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
| | - Fuyuan Zuo
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University , Chongqing, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University , Chongqing, China
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9
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Sato Y, Kuriwaki R, Hagino S, Shimazaki M, Sambuu R, Hirata M, Tanihara F, Takagi M, Taniguchi M, Otoi T. Abnormal functions of Leydig cells in crossbred cattle-yak showing infertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:209-216. [PMID: 31858644 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In Mongolia, yak (Bos grunniens) are able to live in alpine areas and their products greatly influence the lives of the local people. Increased vigour in hybridized yak and cattle can offer benefits for livestock farmers. However, male hybrids show reproductive defects resulting from spermatogenesis arrest, affecting the conservation and maintenance of dominant traits in the next generation. The underlying mechanisms involved in hybrid cattle-yak infertility have recently been investigated; however, the genetic cause is still unclear. Androgens and androgen receptor (AR) signalling are required for spermatogenesis. We, therefore, evaluated the expression of AR, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and 5α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) in Leydig cells to investigate their function in cattle-yak spermatogenesis. Testicular tissues from yaks (1-3 years old) and hybrids (F1-F3, 2 years old) were collected and subjected to immunohistochemistry and image analyses to investigate the expression of each parameter in the Leydig cells. After maturation at 2 years, the expression levels of AR increased and the levels of 3βHSD decreased, but the SRD5A2 levels remained constant in yak. However, the cattle-yak hybrid F2 showed immature testicular development and significantly different expression levels of AR and 3βHSD compared with mature yak. These results suggest that the decreased expression of AR and increased expression of 3βHSD in the Leydig cells of cattle-yak hybrid testes may represent one of the causes of infertility. Our study might help in solving the problem of infertility in crossbreeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Sato
- Department of Medical Engineering, Faculty of Allied Sciences, University of East Asia, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Ryota Kuriwaki
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shiki Hagino
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Megumi Shimazaki
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Rentsenkhand Sambuu
- Institute for Extension of Agricultural Advanced Technology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Maki Hirata
- Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Fuminori Tanihara
- Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Takagi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masayasu Taniguchi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Takeshige Otoi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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10
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Wu Y, Zhang WX, Zuo F, Zhang GW. Comparison of mRNA expression from Y-chromosome X-degenerate region genes in taurine cattle, yaks and interspecific hybrid bulls. Anim Genet 2019; 50:740-743. [PMID: 31475374 DOI: 10.1111/age.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The yattle (dzo) is an interspecific hybrid of the taurine cattle (Bos taurus) and the domestic yak (Bos grunniens). F1 hybrid yattle bulls are sterile due to spermatogenic arrest and have misregulation of spermatogenesis genes in the testes. However, the expression pattern of Y chromosome-linked genes in cattle, yaks and yattle testes is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the mRNA expression pattern of 10 genes known to be present as single copies in the X-degenerate region of the bovine male-specific region of the Y chromosome. Using male-specific primers and reverse transcription quantitative PCR, the ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat gene, Y-linked (UTY), oral-facial-digital syndrome 1, Y-linked (OFD1Y) and ubiquitin specific peptidase 9, Y-linked (USP9Y) genes were ubiquitously expressed and significantly more highly expressed in yattle than in cattle and yaks testes (P < 0.001). RNA binding motif protein, Y-linked (RBMY) had testes-specific expression, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A, Y-linked (EIF1AY) was expressed mainly in testis, whereas yattle and cattle did not show significant differences with respect to the expression of RBMY and EIF1AY. Thus, based on the model of yattle bull sterility, the high expression of UTY, OFD1Y and USP9Y may be associated with yattle infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wu
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - W-X Zhang
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of Rongchang, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - F Zuo
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - G-W Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China.,Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, China
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11
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Zhang GW, Wu Y, Luo Z, Guan J, Wang L, Luo X, Zuo F. Comparison of Y-chromosome-linked TSPY, TSPY2, and PRAMEY genes in Taurus cattle, yaks, and interspecific hybrid bulls. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:6263-6275. [PMID: 31103297 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Domestic yaks (Bos grunniens) and domestic Taurus cattle (Bos taurus) are closely related. An interesting phenomenon in interspecific crossings is male sterility in the F1 hybrid (yattle) and F2 backcross, with no late meiotic cells or spermatids in the seminiferous tubules. The mammalian Y chromosome is crucial for spermatogenesis and male fertility. This study investigated the copy number variations and mRNA of Y-transitional region genes TSPY2 (testis specific protein, Y-linked 2 and testis-specific Y-encoded protein 3-like) and PRAMEY (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma, Y-linked), and Y-ampliconic region genes TSPY (testis-specific Y-encoded protein 1-like), ZNF280BY (zinc finger protein 280B, Y-linked) and HSFY (heat-shock transcription factor, Y-linked) in mature testes from Taurus cattle, yaks, and yattle. Phylogenetic trees divided 33 copies of TSPY into major 2 types (TSPY-T1 and TSPY-T2), 19 copies of TSPY2 into 2 types (TSPY2-T1 and T2), and 8 copies of PRAMEY into 4 types (PRAMEY-T1 to T4). Searching by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool of the TSPY2 coding sequences in GenBank revealed that TSPY2 was conserved in Bovidae. The TSPY2-T2 sequences were absent, whereas PRAMEY-T2 and PRAMEY-T4 were amplified on the yak Y chromosome. The average copy numbers of TSPY-T2 and ZNF280BY were significantly different between cattle and yaks. The TSPY-T2, TSPY2, PRAMEY, ZNF280BY, and HSFY genes were uniquely or predominantly expressed in testes. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR showed that the TSPY-T2, PRAMEY-T2, HSFY, ZNF280BY, protamine 1 (PRM1), and protamine 2 (PRM2) genes were almost not expressed in yattle. The PRM1 and PRM2 genes are used as positive markers for spermatozoa. Thus, our results showed that the genomic structure of the Y-transitional and Y-ampliconic region differed between Taurus cattle and yaks. Dysregulated expression of Y-ampliconic region genes TSPY-T2, HSPY, ZNF280BY, and Y-transitional region gene PRAMEY-T2 may be associated with hybrid male sterility in yattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong-Wei Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460; Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460.
| | - Yuhui Wu
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460; Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460
| | - Zonggang Luo
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460; Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460
| | - Jiuqiang Guan
- Yak Research Institution, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 611731
| | - Ling Wang
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460; Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460
| | - Xiaolin Luo
- Yak Research Institution, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 611731
| | - Fuyuan Zuo
- College of Animal Science, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460; Beef Cattle Engineering and Technology Research Center of Chongqing, Southwest University, Rongchang, Chongqing, China 402460.
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