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Kohlbrenner T, Berger S, Laranjeira AC, Aegerter-Wilmsen T, Comi LF, deMello A, Hajnal A. Actomyosin-mediated apical constriction promotes physiological germ cell death in C. elegans. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002775. [PMID: 39178318 PMCID: PMC11376560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Germ cell apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites is a physiological process eliminating around 60% of all cells in meiotic prophase to maintain tissue homeostasis. In contrast to programmed cell death in the C. elegans soma, the selection of germ cells undergoing apoptosis is stochastic. By live-tracking individual germ cells at the pachytene stage, we found that germ cells smaller than their neighbors are selectively eliminated through apoptosis before differentiating into oocytes. Thus, cell size is a strong predictor of physiological germ cell death. The RAS/MAPK and ECT/RHO/ROCK pathways together regulate germ cell size by controlling actomyosin constriction at the apical rachis bridges, which are cellular openings connecting the syncytial germ cells to a shared cytoplasmic core. Enhancing apical constriction reduces germ cell size and increases the rate of cell death while inhibiting the actomyosin network in the germ cells prevents their death. We propose that actomyosin contractility at the rachis bridges of the syncytial germ cells amplifies intrinsic disparities in cell size. Through this mechanism, the animals can adjust the balance between physiological germ cell death and oocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Kohlbrenner
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Molecular Life Science PhD Program, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Berger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Cristina Laranjeira
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Molecular Life Science PhD Program, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Laura Filomena Comi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Molecular Life Science PhD Program, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Hajnal
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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2
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Russo AE, Giacopazzi S, Deshong A, Menon M, Ortiz V, Ego KM, Corbett KD, Bhalla N. The conserved AAA ATPase PCH-2 distributes its regulation of meiotic prophase events through multiple meiotic HORMADs in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010708. [PMID: 37058535 PMCID: PMC10132761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
During meiotic prophase, the essential events of homolog pairing, synapsis, and recombination are coordinated with meiotic progression to promote fidelity and prevent aneuploidy. The conserved AAA+ ATPase PCH-2 coordinates these events to guarantee crossover assurance and accurate chromosome segregation. How PCH-2 accomplishes this coordination is poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that PCH-2 decelerates pairing, synapsis and recombination in C. elegans by remodeling meiotic HORMADs. We propose that PCH-2 converts the closed versions of these proteins, which drive these meiotic prophase events, to unbuckled conformations, destabilizing interhomolog interactions and delaying meiotic progression. Further, we find that PCH-2 distributes this regulation among three essential meiotic HORMADs in C. elegans: PCH-2 acts through HTP-3 to regulate pairing and synapsis, HIM-3 to promote crossover assurance, and HTP-1 to control meiotic progression. In addition to identifying a molecular mechanism for how PCH-2 regulates interhomolog interactions, our results provide a possible explanation for the expansion of the meiotic HORMAD family as a conserved evolutionary feature of meiosis. Taken together, our work demonstrates that PCH-2's remodeling of meiotic HORMADs has functional consequences for the rate and fidelity of homolog pairing, synapsis, recombination and meiotic progression, ensuring accurate meiotic chromosome segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Russo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Stefani Giacopazzi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Alison Deshong
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Malaika Menon
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Valery Ortiz
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Kaori M. Ego
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Needhi Bhalla
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
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3
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Teng M, Luo Y, Wang C, Lei A. Effect of Disulfiram on the Reproductive Capacity of Female Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032371. [PMID: 36768698 PMCID: PMC9916984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In the process of assisted reproduction, the high-oxygen in vitro environment can easily cause oxidative damage to oocytes. Disulfiram (DSF) can play an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant role in different cells, and the effect of DSF on oocytes remains unclear. Moreover, it remains unclear whether the use of DSF in the early stages of pregnancy has a negative impact on the fetus. In this study, we found that DSF increased serum FSH levels and increased the ovulation rate in mice. Moreover, DSF enhanced the antioxidant capacity of oocytes and contributed to the success rate of in vitro fertilization. Moreover, the use of DSF in early pregnancy in mice increased the uterine horn volume and the degree of vascularization, which contributed to a successful pregnancy. In addition, it was found that DSF regulated the mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related genes (VEGF), follicular development-related genes (C1QTNF3, mTOR and PI3K), ovulation-related genes (MAPK1, MAPK3 and p38 MAPK) and antioxidant-related genes (GPX4 and CAT). These results indicate that DSF is helpful for increasing the antioxidant capacity of oocytes and the ovulation rate. In early pregnancy in mice, DSF promotes pregnancy by increasing the degree and volume of uterine vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anmin Lei
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-029-87080068
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4
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Das D, Arur S. Regulation of oocyte maturation: Role of conserved ERK signaling. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:353-374. [PMID: 35908193 PMCID: PMC9492652 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23637] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
During oogenesis, oocytes arrest at meiotic prophase I to acquire competencies for resuming meiosis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Following this arrested period, oocytes resume meiosis in response to species-specific hormones, a process known as oocyte maturation, that precedes ovulation and fertilization. Involvement of endocrine and autocrine/paracrine factors and signaling events during maintenance of prophase I arrest, and resumption of meiosis is an area of active research. Studies in vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms have delineated the molecular determinants and signaling pathways that regulate oocyte maturation. Cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1), polo-like kinase (PLK1), Wee1/Myt1 kinase, and the phosphatase CDC25 play conserved roles during meiotic resumption. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), on the other hand, while activated during oocyte maturation in all species, regulates both species-specific, as well as conserved events among different organisms. In this review, we synthesize the general signaling mechanisms and focus on conserved and distinct functions of ERK signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in mammals, non-mammalian vertebrates, and invertebrates such as Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debabrata Das
- Department of Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Swathi Arur
- Department of Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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5
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Das D, Trivedi S, Blazícková J, Arur S, Silva N. Phosphorylation of HORMA-domain protein HTP-3 at Serine 285 is dispensable for crossover formation. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac079. [PMID: 35389463 PMCID: PMC9073698 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Generation of functional gametes is accomplished through a multilayered and finely orchestrated succession of events during meiotic progression. In the Caenorhabditis elegans germline, the HORMA-domain-containing protein HTP-3 plays pivotal roles for the establishment of chromosome axes and the efficient induction of programmed DNA double-strand breaks, both of which are crucial for crossover formation. Double-strand breaks allow for accurate chromosome segregation during the first meiotic division and therefore are an essential requirement for the production of healthy gametes. Phosphorylation-dependent regulation of HORMAD protein plays important roles in controlling meiotic chromosome behavior. Here, we document a phospho-site in HTP-3 at Serine 285 that is constitutively phosphorylated during meiotic prophase I. pHTP-3S285 localization overlaps with panHTP-3 except in nuclei undergoing physiological apoptosis, in which pHTP-3 is absent. Surprisingly, we observed that phosphorylation of HTP-3 at S285 is independent of the canonical kinases that control meiotic progression in nematodes. During meiosis, the htp-3(S285A) mutant displays accelerated RAD-51 turnover, but no other meiotic abnormalities. Altogether, these data indicate that the Ser285 phosphorylation is independent of canonical meiotic protein kinases and does not regulate HTP-3-dependent meiotic processes. We propose a model wherein phosphorylation of HTP-3 occurs through noncanonical or redundant meiotic kinases and/or is likely redundant with additional phospho-sites for function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debabrata Das
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shalini Trivedi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Blazícková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Swathi Arur
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nicola Silva
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
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6
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Prince JP, Martinez-Perez E. Functions and Regulation of Meiotic HORMA-Domain Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:777. [PMID: 35627161 PMCID: PMC9141381 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes must recognize, pair, and recombine with one another to ensure the formation of inter-homologue crossover events, which, together with sister chromatid cohesion, promote correct chromosome orientation on the first meiotic spindle. Crossover formation requires the assembly of axial elements, proteinaceous structures that assemble along the length of each chromosome during early meiosis, as well as checkpoint mechanisms that control meiotic progression by monitoring pairing and recombination intermediates. A conserved family of proteins defined by the presence of a HORMA (HOp1, Rev7, MAd2) domain, referred to as HORMADs, associate with axial elements to control key events of meiotic prophase. The highly conserved HORMA domain comprises a flexible safety belt sequence, enabling it to adopt at least two of the following protein conformations: one closed, where the safety belt encircles a small peptide motif present within an interacting protein, causing its topological entrapment, and the other open, where the safety belt is reorganized and no interactor is trapped. Although functional studies in multiple organisms have revealed that HORMADs are crucial regulators of meiosis, the mechanisms by which HORMADs implement key meiotic events remain poorly understood. In this review, we summarize protein complexes formed by HORMADs, discuss their roles during meiosis in different organisms, draw comparisons to better characterize non-meiotic HORMADs (MAD2 and REV7), and highlight possible areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh P. Prince
- Meiosis Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK;
| | - Enrique Martinez-Perez
- Meiosis Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK;
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
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7
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Identification and validation of new ERK substrates by phosphoproteomic technologies including Phos-tag SDS-PAGE. J Proteomics 2022; 258:104543. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Reevaluation of the role of LIP-1 as an ERK/MPK-1 dual specificity phosphatase in the C. elegans germline. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2113649119. [PMID: 35022236 PMCID: PMC8784128 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113649119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAS–ERK pathway is critical for metazoan development. In development, ERK activity is regulated by a balance of phosphorylation of ERK by MEK (MAPK kinase) and dephosphorylation by DUSPs (dual specificity phosphatases). LIP-1, a DUSP6/7 family member, was previously suggested to regulate MPK-1/ERK activity by dephosphorylating MPK-1 in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline, based on LIP-1's mutant phenotype in the germline and its DUSP role in vulval development. However, our investigations demonstrate that LIP-1 does not function as an MPK-1 DUSP in the germline and likely regulates germline functions through distinct targets. Our results present a cautionary note about misinterpreting similar mutant phenotypes caused by mutations in different genes and assuming that genes function similarly in different tissues. The fidelity of a signaling pathway depends on its tight regulation in space and time. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) controls wide-ranging cellular processes to promote organismal development and tissue homeostasis. ERK activation depends on a reversible dual phosphorylation on the TEY motif in its active site by ERK kinase (MEK) and dephosphorylation by DUSPs (dual specificity phosphatases). LIP-1, a DUSP6/7 homolog, was proposed to function as an ERK (MPK-1) DUSP in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline primarily because of its phenotype, which morphologically mimics that of a RAS/let-60 gain-of-function mutant (i.e., small oocyte phenotype). Our investigations, however, reveal that loss of lip-1 does not lead to an increase in MPK-1 activity in vivo. Instead, we show that loss of lip-1 leads to 1) a decrease in MPK-1 phosphorylation, 2) lower MPK-1 substrate phosphorylation, 3) phenocopy of mpk-1 reduction-of-function (rather than gain-of-function) allele, and 4) a failure to rescue mpk-1–dependent germline or fertility defects. Moreover, using diverse genetic mutants, we show that the small oocyte phenotype does not correlate with increased ectopic MPK-1 activity and that ectopic increase in MPK-1 phosphorylation does not necessarily result in a small oocyte phenotype. Together, these data demonstrate that LIP-1 does not function as an MPK-1 DUSP in the C. elegans germline. Our results caution against overinterpretation of the mechanistic underpinnings of orthologous phenotypes, since they may be a result of independent mechanisms, and provide a framework for characterizing the distinct molecular targets through which LIP-1 may mediate its several germline functions.
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9
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Zhang FG, Zhang RR, Gao JM. The organization, regulation, and biological functions of the synaptonemal complex. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:580-589. [PMID: 34528517 PMCID: PMC8577265 DOI: 10.4103/aja202153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a meiosis-specific proteinaceous macromolecular structure that assembles between paired homologous chromosomes during meiosis in various eukaryotes. The SC has a highly conserved ultrastructure and plays critical roles in controlling multiple steps in meiotic recombination and crossover formation, ensuring accurate meiotic chromosome segregation. Recent studies in different organisms, facilitated by advances in super-resolution microscopy, have provided insights into the macromolecular structure of the SC, including the internal organization of the meiotic chromosome axis and SC central region, the regulatory pathways that control SC assembly and dynamics, and the biological functions exerted by the SC and its substructures. This review summarizes recent discoveries about how the SC is organized and regulated that help to explain the biological functions associated with this meiosis-specific structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Guo Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology of Shandong Province, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Rui-Rui Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology of Shandong Province, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Jin-Min Gao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology of Shandong Province, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
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10
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Overeem AW, Chang YW, Spruit J, Roelse CM, Chuva De Sousa Lopes SM. Ligand-Receptor Interactions Elucidate Sex-Specific Pathways in the Trajectory From Primordial Germ Cells to Gonia During Human Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:661243. [PMID: 34222234 PMCID: PMC8253161 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.661243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The human germ cell lineage originates from primordial germ cells (PGCs), which are specified at approximately the third week of development. Our understanding of the signaling pathways that control this event has significantly increased in recent years and that has enabled the generation of PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent stem cells in vitro. However, the signaling pathways that drive the transition of PGCs into gonia (prospermatogonia in males or premeiotic oogonia in females) remain unclear, and we are presently unable to mimic this step in vitro in the absence of gonadal tissue. Therefore, we have analyzed single-cell transcriptomics data of human fetal gonads to map the molecular interactions during the sex-specific transition from PGCs to gonia. The CellPhoneDB algorithm was used to identify significant ligand–receptor interactions between germ cells and their sex-specific neighboring gonadal somatic cells, focusing on four major signaling pathways WNT, NOTCH, TGFβ/BMP, and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). Subsequently, the expression and intracellular localization of key effectors for these pathways were validated in human fetal gonads by immunostaining. This approach provided a systematic analysis of the signaling environment in developing human gonads and revealed sex-specific signaling pathways during human premeiotic germ cell development. This work serves as a foundation to understand the transition from PGCs to premeiotic oogonia or prospermatogonia and identifies sex-specific signaling pathways that are of interest in the step-by-step reconstitution of human gametogenesis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arend W Overeem
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Yolanda W Chang
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Spruit
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Celine M Roelse
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Susana M Chuva De Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.,Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FAST), Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Kar FM, Hochwagen A. Phospho-Regulation of Meiotic Prophase. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:667073. [PMID: 33928091 PMCID: PMC8076904 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.667073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells undergoing meiosis rely on an intricate network of surveillance mechanisms that govern the production of euploid gametes for successful sexual reproduction. These surveillance mechanisms are particularly crucial during meiotic prophase, when cells execute a highly orchestrated program of chromosome morphogenesis and recombination, which must be integrated with the meiotic cell division machinery to ensure the safe execution of meiosis. Dynamic protein phosphorylation, controlled by kinases and phosphatases, has emerged as one of the main signaling routes for providing readout and regulation of chromosomal and cellular behavior throughout meiotic prophase. In this review, we discuss common principles and provide detailed examples of how these phosphorylation events are employed to ensure faithful passage of chromosomes from one generation to the next.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funda M Kar
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Andreas Hochwagen
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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